Stabilizer, developed for outdoor elevators, prevents cables from swaying in the wind

Davis, E. J.

Tolson, B. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

Cable
Stabilizer
Stop 
Lateral 
Arms Clamp Member 
June 1972	 B72-10283 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
John F Kennedy Space Center 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
A Cable Stabilizer for Outdoor Elevators 
The problem: 
Cables that carry outdoor elevators are often subject 
to horizontal swaying in the wind. Such a disturbance 
prevents the outdoor elevators from stopping at a precise 
location, causes interference with cable spooling, and 
imposes unnecessary cable wear as a result of cables 
rubbing against one another.
Tjie solution: 
A cable stabilizer has been developed for outdoor 
elevators that prevents cables from swaying in the wind. 
How it's done: 
The stabilizer shown in the figure contains a guide 
member which has two opposing rows of rollers en-
closing the elevator cables. Each opposing pair of rollers 
is spaced slightly farther apart than the cable diameter 
to allow free movement of the cable. The guide member 
is supported by two laterally extended arms which are at-
tached to the elevator rails by two clamp members. These 
clamp members allow the stabilizer to ride only the upper 
half of the elevator shaft and to be stopped by the two 
stops which are bolted to the rails at the midpoint of the 
shaft. The stops do not interfere with the elevator 
operation. Each stop contains a rubber capped telescop-
ing plunger supported by a spring to absorb the contact 
with the stabilizer assembly. 
When the elevator is on the ground level, the cables 
are extended to their extreme length, which provides 
their maximum exposure to wind disturbance. However, 
the stabilizer, which is now located at the midpoint of 
the shaft, gives a rigid horizontal support that virtually 
prevents the cables from swaying. When the elevator 
rises and reaches the midpoint in its ascent, the cables 
are sufficiently shortened and require no stabilization. 
Past this point, the elevator will push the stabilizer up 
with it. On descent, the stabilizer will come to rest on 
the stops at the midpoint as the elevator continues 
down.
Cable 
Stabilizer 
Stop (at Shaft 
Midpoint( 
Elevator 
Compartment 
(Partial( 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
John F. Kennedy Space Center 
Code AD-PAT 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B72-10283
(continued overleaf( 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	 will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720000282 2020-03-17T03:28:44+00:00Z
Patent status:	 Counsel, AD-PAT, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, 
INVENTION OWNED BY NASA-PATENT ISSUED Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
TO NASA. This invention has been patented by NASA 
(U.S. Patent No. 3,666,051) and license rights will be	 Source: E. J. Davis and B. A. Tolson 
granted for its commercial development. Inquiries about 	 Kennedy. Space Center 
obtaining a license should be addressed to Patent 	 (KSC-10513) 
B72-10283	 Category 07


A cable stabilizer for outdoor elevators

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