Unfortunately we have only measured carbon nanotubes 63 times as strong as steel, and that was a single thread.
What you want isnt a constant speed but a constant acceleration.
Quote from: A_M_Swallow on 12/28/2008 04:57 pmUnfortunately we have only measured carbon nanotubes 63 times as strong as steel, and that was a single thread.Yes, and we've also only spent a few thousand dollars on any given elevator design. However way you look at it there is significant room for improvement.Quote from: KelvinZero on 12/28/2008 05:48 pmWhat you want isnt a constant speed but a constant acceleration.The problem is that wheels can only go so fast before they fly apart. Linear induction could do the job if magnets were incorporated into the elevator itself, and the car did the grunt work, but that's a real increase in power levels and complexity, and power switching requirements get rather horrid at 10kmps+. As would the construction of the elevator itself; good luck making it magnetic without adding all sorts of other problems.
Quote from: KelvinZero on 12/28/2008 05:48 pmWhat you want isnt a constant speed but a constant acceleration.The problem is that wheels can only go so fast before they fly apart. Linear induction could do the job if magnets were incorporated into the elevator itself, and the car did the grunt work, but that's a real increase in power levels and complexity, and power switching requirements get rather horrid at 10kmps+. As would the construction of the elevator itself; good luck making it magnetic without adding all sorts of other problems.
Quote from: ANTIcarrot on 12/29/2008 03:34 pmQuote from: KelvinZero on 12/28/2008 05:48 pmWhat you want isnt a constant speed but a constant acceleration.The problem is that wheels can only go so fast before they fly apart. Linear induction could do the job if magnets were incorporated into the elevator itself, and the car did the grunt work, but that's a real increase in power levels and complexity, and power switching requirements get rather horrid at 10kmps+. As would the construction of the elevator itself; good luck making it magnetic without adding all sorts of other problems.You didnt read my post.My idea was pretty silly, but there are clearly no wheels involved. With a bungie cable you just hold onto the bottom and scream.