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Currently elevators are wasting energy when they go down, when they can really be converting all that potential energy into something useful. If we use elevator motors as generators, then on down-traffic they can recharge their power, and theoretically, supposing we take the same amount of mass up as
down, power themselves.
Of course, we'll still need energy to counteract friction, though perhaps with a magnetic system holding the elevator in place this could be minimized. Even with the friction, it's still more efficient. Also, computerized systems may be needed for a smooth, controlled descent, but I'm sure most fancy elevator systems have computer controls already.
The best part is we can regain our environmental karma that we lost by "not taking the stairs." This same idea can also be applied to escalators.
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I like the thinking here. Could we apply it to other things - cranes and hoists, pehaps? |
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I think you are forgeting that elevators operate with counterweights. With some variation for load there is little gain or loss of potential energy in the elevator system. As the cab gains energy the counterweight loses it. Thus the only power in the system is that used to actually move the car this again limiting the potential for power generation. |
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I'm not sure on this but I would guess that at about 50% of maximum load that an elevator uses exactly the same amount of power to go up as it does to go down. |
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In your system you would use 100% of the power to rise the cab and would recoup less than that to send it down again(recouperative gains less frictional losses in the braking) I think this is overall a losing approach. |
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