1. Start of Service of World’s Fastest Elevator
The world’s fastest elevator*1 has begun service at its delivery site in Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, a skyscraper complex in the city of Guangzhou, China. Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre is a skyscraper complex with a height of 530 m above ground level, making it one of the world’s tallest buildings. It contains offices, serviced apartments, hotels, and commercial facilities.
The Rosewood Guangzhou Hotel opened for business on Levels 93 to 108 of the building on September 10, 2019. With a rated speed of 1,260 m/min (75.6 km/h)*2, the elevator links the first above-ground level to the hotel lobby on Level 95 . The elevator incorporates a number of drive and control technologies used to produce the world’s top speed, such as a large-capacity traction machine with 347-kW motor and a 2,200-kVA parallel-drive control panel. It also has technologies designed for safety and comfort. Its operation was demonstration-tested in May 2016, when it achieved a speed of 1,200 m/min (a world record at the time).
The main technologies developed and applied to provide safety include brake equipment made of a braking material offering outstanding heat resistance, and an electronic safety system driven by functional safety technology. The main technologies used to provide comfort include the application of a car capsule structure designed to reduce noise in the car. It was developed using computational fluid dynamics analysis technology gained from high-speed train development work. Another example that was developed and applied is an up/down active system that can inhibit multiple vibration modes to reduce vibrations in the car received from minute guide rail level differences and curves.
After further improvements were made to control equipment and safety equipment for technical objectives, the elevator was officially certified in April 2019 with a speed of 1,260 m/min by an accreditation body Guangdong Institute of Special Equipment Inspection and Research (SEI).
Hitachi will continue to draw on the technology and expertise gained from the bid to reach the world’s top speed to provide safe, secure, and comfortable elevators.
- *1 :
- As of September 2019, as determined by Hitachi.
- *2 :
- The running speed may vary according to the usage conditions at Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre.