New mobility in twilight years
While most variable frequency drive installations focus on industrial applications, they're sometimes used to bring tangible benefits to people - as demonstrated by this installation in Cyprus. An Invertek Drives Optidrive Elevator installed in a machine-room-less (MRL) gearless home-lift system has given Mrs Demetriou, an elderly, disabled Cypriot grandmother, the freedom to move safely and independently around her family's four-storey home.
When the Demetrious family decided that they needed to install a lift to help their grandmother, the solution had to be supremely safe, comfortable, easy to use and quiet at night. It also had to be easy to program and allow safe, simple evacuation if there was a power failure.
The answer, in the form of an MRL lift, was made possible by the combined expertise of lift control-panel manufacturer StamTec and Invertek's dedicated elevator drive, Optidrive Elevator, supplied by Invertek's Greek sales partner Automation Experts.
Of particular interest for this project is the Optidrive Elevator's renowned ability to deliver smooth carriage through its use of no less than five independent S-shaped acceleration ramps. Along with a dedicated motor holding brake control algorithm, this allows fine tuning of the system by installers. Then there are Optidrive Elevator's compact external dimensions and factory parameter settings that are well-suited to fast, easy installation and setup of simple elevator applications.
Optional incremental/EnDat/Sincos encoder feedback interfaces allow compatibility with a wide range of motors, while Invertek's renowned motor control capability ensures maximum ride comfort under all conditions. And short floor operation, coupled with a high motor switching frequency (max 32 kHz), provides the quick, smooth, quiet journey that's perfect for Mrs Demetriou as she moves around her home.
Theodore Amiridis, Automation Experts' Technical Director and Business Development Manager for North Greece describes the very human scale of the challenge. He starts with how Invertek's proven technology contributed to Mrs Demetriou's new mobility and her family's peace of mind.
"For over two decades, Thessaloniki-based StamTec has been a leading manufacturer of lift control-panels in Greece. As well as selling into its home territory, StamTec also sells into the Balkans, the Mediterranean Islands and Arab countries.
"As an experienced sector player, StamTec understands the importance of specifying the most reliable, versatile components. For variable speed drives, that means Invertek. For this particular application, and the new mobility enjoyed by this Cypriot grandmother, it meant the proven Optidrive Elevator with IP20 rating, three-phase input and output, and 5,5kW capability working with a closed-loop EnDat PG card."
For the Demetriou family, the new elevator has transformed daily life in their multi-level urban home.
Theodore Amiridis again: "Since installation of the elevator, Mrs Demetrious can easily navigate her home and enjoy all its facilities despite her disability. Of course, other family members can use the lift too, which is useful in the large four-storey property.
"The elevator's near-silent electric operation also minimises disturbance at night. And it's fast and comfortable, making it easier for Mrs Demetrious to enjoy her twilight years. The smooth operation is achieved through the lift's closed-loop mode with Endat encoder feedback and the S-ramp acceleration ramps."
Thanks to StamTec, Invertek Drives and her family's vision, Grandmother Demetriou is in safe hands even when using the lift on her own. That's because, if the lift loses communication with the encoder, it can operate safely and effectively in PM (permanent magnet gearless) open-loop mode too.
Such details may be lost on Mrs Demetrious, but what she and the rest of the family can be sure of is more independence than ever and round-the-clock peace of mind as they enjoy their home.
Other News from Invertek Drives Ltd.
Latest news about AC Drives
- Antique bus engine gets new lease of life courtesy of an ABB drive
- Compact ABB drive is the perfect fit for UK contract packing company
- ABB variable speed drives cut air supply unit assembly costs and size
- Hi-def display now standard on drive
- Omron expands its family of Q2 compact inverters with Q2V
- Optimum connectivity and reliability
- High speed drilling
- Inverters key to efficient bioconversion
- RS Components introduces AC drive from Omron for industrial automation applications
- Energy on the fly
- First decentralised IP66 frequency inverter with IO-Link from Lenze
- Siemens Startdrive V16 brings new functions to the TIA portal
- AC micro-drives – outstanding performance and flexibility
- New multipurpose drives cover almost any application
- Drives increase productivity on new generation winding machines
- Commander drives now with free five-year warranty
- Drives eliminate burst pipes at pumping station
- Drive and control package helps food producer increase capabilities
- Inverters look after themselves, and your plant equipment
- Inverters drive a hole in one at Italian golf course
- ABB demonstrates digital credentials at Drives & Controls 2018
- Danfoss launches the next generation VLT drives range
- VSD improves boiler range efficiency
- UK-made AC drives help aluminium plant boost finishing mill operations
- Fuel savings ahoy
- Inverters replace obsolete drives for newspaper printing
- Landfill site cuts pump power by a third with VSDs
- Drives provide a sugarcane delivery boost
- Are your drives running at maximum efficiency?
- Variable speed drive boosts profitability of dry ice cleaning system
- New local stock partners for Lenze frequency inverters
- Danfoss partner opens in the South West
- Innovative fishing vessel uses electric propulsion
- Inverters cut water treatment energy bills
- Tissue maker’s inverter upgrade
- Drives save energy for Irish mushroom producer
- Staying on track to success
- Upgrade brings huge energy savings for extrusion line
- Drives reduce energy, and cut maintenance and ammonia discharge
- User-friendly variable speed drives
- Compact drive offers IP66 protection
- Inverter drive cuts the cost of automation
- Drives help to shorten time for machine commissioning
- VSD questions answered
- World’s largest syringe powered by ABB drive
- Record breaking electric race car relies on Lenze inverters
- Drives improve glass quality
- Drives increase reliability at steel production plant
- Efficiency clarification on the use of VSDs
- Smooth carriage for diners at New Delhi Banquet Hall
- Leading leisure group makes big energy savings with VSDs
- The Weetabix Food Company drives down its energy costs
- Compact drives offer greater power density
- Top five things that can cause inverter failure
- Vacon teams up with Jari-Matti Latvala
- Keypad considerations
- Industrial drives
- Intelligent use of automation is crucial with ErP Directive
- VLT now covers synchronous reluctance motors
- Drive meets speed and budget requirements of paper mill
- Drives reduce running costs for corrugated board production
- Danfoss announces intention to acquire Vacon
- Small inverter has big impact making ice cream
- ABB's UK variable-speed drives recycling scheme hits 100 tonne milestone
- ABB launches drive registration service via smart device app and on-line
- Bristol Airport upgrades air conditioning and improves efficiency with ABB drives
- Discover savings the easy way with VACON SAVE
- Danfoss introduces the VLT DriveMotor FCP 106 and VLT DriveMotor FCM 106
- Drives eliminate £10,000 in pump repairs for Alkane Energy
- Mini frequency inverter delivers high performance in a tiny package
- Low voltage boost for mobile hydraulics
- Intelligent pump solutions and modern motor choices made simple by ABB
- Optimising energy efficiency with the right drive solution
- The world's second-largest building full of Danfoss technology
- PLC-controlled drive systems propel specialised offshore support vessels
- Higher performance and energy saving in storage and retrieval system
- Deconstructing machine modularity
- IP66 protection for decentralised drives
- Energy saver demo highlights opportunity for British industry
- Superior energy efficiency of Eaton's PowerXL VSD wins it place on ETL
- Vacon enters the medium voltage AC drives market
- HVAC drive family offers optimised network performance
- Danfoss Drives continue to deliver for Affinity Water
- Slip-ring motors ousted in drive for greater efficiency
- New AC motor drives offer cost-effective options for automation needs
- An open future: the move to standard Ethernet
- Bosch Rexroth launches new variable frequency drive series
- Bosch Rexroth launches drives for general automation tasks
- Drives upgrade for wind tunnel rescues project
- Decentralised inverter for larger plants
- Better cheese and up to 50% energy savings thanks to VLT drives
- Drives reduce chillers energy consumption by 25%
- Drives save energy in world's largest vessels
- Variable speed in HVAC
- Obsolescence in a harsh economic environment
- Ecodrive for drive systems
- Precise torque control at a lower installed cost
- Eaton's new PowerXL variable frequency drives are user-friendly, efficient and robust
- Faster laminating through machine innovation
- Invertek Drives shortlisted for UK Energy Innovation Award
- UK as a hub for design and innovation
- Eaton offers a calculated approach to energy saving for free
- Decentralised drives reduce machine building costs
- Rockwell Automation unveils next generation of compact drives
- Field Oriented Control technology takes general purpose drive to the next level
- Rockwell Automation boosts Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755 drives to 2,000 horsepower
- WEG launches new cost-effective variable speed drive with embedded micro-PLC
- Danfoss expands its range of 690V AC frequency converters
- Variable speed drives can save £2.5bn of energy costs
- Brewery more than doubles filling capacity with VLT FlexConcept
- Drives control energy consumption at LEGOLAND
- Launch of the new Danfoss VLT Refrigeration Drive FC 103
- Modular drives for hydrostatic power test rig
- Precision control for coating line
- Drives family will match widest variety of motor control tasks
- High efficiency motor drives from DeltaSense offer dual capability
- Ambitious growth strategy drives Invertek to SPS
- New wind turbine company chooses Unidrive SP
- Drives have major role in RSC automation
- Tests completed on advanced generator for wind turbines
- Positioning drives at the heart of a carpet recycling machine
- Power take-off rig for ocean energy research
- New high-power drives provide users with expanded application flexibility
- Restored water mill generates clean power
- Vacon to launch a new AC drive portfolio for OEMs
- Inverter now offers safe torque off input
- Keeping cinema trailers and adverts on schedule
- New inverters need 25% less panel space
- Save energy with new eco function on inverters
- Sensorless closed loop control
- Affinity HVAC inverter drive awarded BACnet approval
- Safety first
- Potatoes appreciate gentle warming after cold storage
- Ricoh saves £100,000 annually with plant-wide drive applications
- Vacon appoints Park Electrical Services
- Drives are far greener than most people realise
- Inverters step into servo arena
- Defining the ideal drive for system integrators
- High performance inverter is a powerful, efficient option
- Sensorless vector begins to match servo performance
- Try before you buy for energy savings
- Extended range of IP65 inverters
- Hyundai variable speed drives arrive in the UK
- Tiny drives now take versatility to the M-MAX
- Three motors but just one drive
- Control Techniques Inverters chosen for wave energy generator
- Regeneration: capturing energy before it's lost
- Energy efficient frequency inverter for pumps, fans and compressors
- Highly compact, energy efficient drive with tricks up its sleeve
- New decentralised drive for conveyor systems
- Small scale hydro supplies grid
- Drives cut production costs for Ginsters
- Every drive you ever wanted in one
- Lift inverters achieve higher efficiency levels
- With Vacon drives, 'X' means rugged
- Inverter addresses beer filling problem
- A worthwhile investment
- Automating energy efficiency
- Don't waste the hard lessons of this recession
- Energy saving feature comes as standard on new inverters
- Energy saving multi pump drive from WEG
- Motors and drives
- New option for energy savings
- Regenerative energy
- Software soon adds up to big savings
- Ginsters cuts pastry production costs with ABB drives
- Inverter cures student wind problem
- IP54 option gives added potential
- Sun protection for outdoor inverters
- New decentralised drives option
- The drive for sweet success at Fox's
- Payback in months for large fan drives
- Record for drives recycling scheme
- Low burst pressure with excellent characteristics
- Compact side exit check valves ensure low pressure drop
- Industry's drive for improved performance
- New drives update aging cold rolling mill
- Snake oil and disbelief
- Drives help to reduce problem of expensive pump downtime
- Food production
- Protecting the Fenlands from flooding
- Dedicated drive for HVAC tasks
- Variable speed drives reduce the costs of automation applications
- Robust inspection system keeps sausages safe
- Cut the cost of variable speed motor control
- Frequency inverters are the perfect fit
- Radical development sets benchmark for large drives
- Skydive centre is flying high
- Lift catalogue
- Simplified configuration for 2D/3D laser line sensor
- Drives get real time Ethernet modules
- Flying shears
- IEE Wiring Regulations
- New silicone insert couplings offer high electrical isolation
