Escalators are one of the largest, most expensive
machines people use on a regular basis, but they're also one of the
simplest.
At its most basic level, an escalator is just a simple
variation on the conveyer belt. A pair of rotating chain loops pull a series of
stairs in a constant cycle, moving a lot of people a short distance at a
good speed.
While it is exceedingly simple, the system that keeps all
the steps moving in perfect synchrony is really quite
brilliant.
machines people use on a regular basis, but they're also one of the
simplest.
At its most basic level, an escalator is just a simple
variation on the conveyer belt. A pair of rotating chain loops pull a series of
stairs in a constant cycle, moving a lot of people a short distance at a
good speed.
While it is exceedingly simple, the system that keeps all
the steps moving in perfect synchrony is really quite
brilliant.