Inclined Elevator in Port D’Andratx, Spain

This Project Spotlight covers the main components and specifications of this private-residence installation, which views the sea and port.

In 2011, ThyssenKrupp Elevator completed the installation of an inclined elevator at a private residence in Port D’Andratx, a town on the island of Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The entrance and parking are located at the bottom of a slope, and the house is located at the top; therefore, the elevator improves resident accessibility.

With two stops, the elevator is fully panoramic and provides scenic views of the sea and port. The car’s embarkation is located on the side and features safety glass with green filter and stainless steel finishing on the exterior. The traction is controlled by frequency and current-frequency drive to provide smooth starting and stopping. The machine room is located at the top of the elevator well, below the upper landing. The car and landing doors are central-opening, automatic doors with two stainless-steel-framed glass sheets.

Main Components

Guide-Rail System

Based on HEA commercial profiles that support and transmit the forces deriving from a great portion of the vehicle’s weight, from the counterweight and anchoring plates, the guide-rail system consists of a compact sandwich structure.

Sling

The structure is based on previous models but was modified for this installation. The sling consists of an inner space for inspection maneuvers, from where it is possible to safely access the safety systems, as well as the operator, control, load- weighing exchange and well occupation system. Access to this area is via a trap door integrated into the aesthetics of the installation. Remaining open during the inspection maneuvers, the sling enables the maintenance operator to view the area while in motion in a position where the inspection controls are accessible.

The rolling system features four trains with two wheels for heavy loads for long durations and another safety wheel (an anti-capsizing device) on each train. An additional two trains with four wheels each guide the elevator, using the wedging guide rail as a reference point.

Counterweight

The counterweight has a low profile, enabling it to be displaced inside the HEA profiles. Displacement is via four trains with two wheels each and an additional wheel to avoid any possible lateral displacement of the counterweight. The space for the weights is thus used to avoid this component being excessively long.

Traction Set

The traction set consists of a new design for inclined traction in an engine room adjacent to the upper embarkation point. It has a robust structure of beams and a set of shock absorbers, installed in the three axes of space, which permit the engine to be fixed adequately and the dynamic forces received by the engine and the structure to be softened. The engine has a reducer controlled by a current-frequency drive and governed by a standard maneuver.

Door Operator

The door operator is a regulated speed operator with a bottom mechanism for lateral embarkation and was specifically designed for this installation. The design consists of a modification of an existing mechanism with a reliable cinematic function, to which a new inclined retractable runner was installed. The operator also features a blocking system, integrated for when the elevator is between floors.

Safety System

As with other elevators, the main safety components consist of the speed limiter and wedging. However, this system features various new aspects. A standard latest-generation limiter is used, mounted on a sliding tray within the sling with two diversion pulleys. By means of a single pull on the cable, when the speed goes past a pre-established regulation value, the limiter is blocked. The tray slides over guide rails while the elevator continues to advance. It actuates a small lever, which acts on the progressive wedging of a single wedge.

The wedging slides over low-friction guide rails with respect to the sling, compressing a rubber shock absorber, which makes the slowing movement more gradual without jeopardizing the reliability of the braking process. Upon unwedging, a recovery spring takes the tray to its standby position and the wedge shock absorber to its place of origin. In addition, a tensor keeps the cable limiter tense in the direction of the trajectory by means of a small vertical counterweight and plastic deviation pulleys for changing direction. A safety brake on the axis of the engine is integrated into the axis to help avoid excess speed when going up. A safety stop rope along the entire length of the well provides immediate stopping in the event of danger.

Electric Cabling

Power, communications and video cables are flexible cables guided between the maneuver cupboard and car by means of cable-carrying chain for an inclined application, which is displaced silently over a stainless-steel channel silently. The cable is installed in a tube, and both components are designed for outdoor conditions. 

Rescue

The rescue of passengers trapped in the elevator is carried out via an evacuation stairway, which runs parallel to the entire length of the well. Access to the stairway is via the car rescue door.