Navy Shipboard Cargo and Weapons Elevator Controller and Sensor Subsystem Problem Analysis

摘要

This report documents the Navy shipboard elevator controller and sensor subsystems research, development, test and evaluation plan. The Navy shipboard elevator development program was inaugurated following numerous problems experienced by the fleet on cargo/weapons elevators installed in underway replenishment ships. Many elevator controller styles were in service with systems and components produced by numerous manufacturers. Replacement components were frequently procured from sole source suppliers at high cost with attendant long delays in delivery. Controller sensors, which include limit switches and interlocks, were subject to the same problems of variety of obsolescence as the control systems. The weapons elevator RDT&E program was set up to address and attempt to correct this problem area. The review phase of the program addressed by the present report evaluates the state of the art of elevator controllers and sensors existing and at conceptual design levels. The review includes Navy and commercial marine freight and passenger elevators and records discussions made at manufacturer's plants and during visits to U.S. Navy ships. Evaluation criteria used in rating alternatives included maintainability, long-term availability, multiple sources of components, reliability, maintenance and operator training requirements, human-interface and trouble shooting, initial cost, the effects of injecting new technology through overhauls during the ship life, fail-safe operation, and standardization. The conclusion of the review was that elevator manufacturers in general have motives in design and construction of elevator controller/sensor packages that sometimes run contrary to naval elevator requirements.