[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator systems, for example service elevator
systems. The elevator systems may be configured for use in wind turbine towers. The
present disclosure further relates to wind turbines comprising such elevator systems.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Modern wind turbines are commonly used to supply electricity into the electrical
grid. Wind turbines generally comprise a rotor with a rotor hub and a plurality of
blades. The rotor is set into rotation under the influence of the wind on the blades.
The rotation of the rotor shaft drives the generator rotor either directly ("directly
driven") or through the use of a gearbox. The operation of the generator produces
the electricity to be supplied into the electrical grid.
[0003] When maintenance works are required inside wind turbines, hoists are often used in
the form of elevator-like structures where a lift platform or a cabin for the transportation
of people and/or equipment is hoisted up or down within the wind turbine tower. Wind
turbines are often provided with working platforms arranged at various heights along
the height of the tower with the purpose of allowing workers to leave the cabin and
inspect or repair equipment where intended. These sorts of elevator systems are also
known in other applications, such as e.g. factories, construction sites, and all sorts
of towers.
[0004] Elevator systems in general include an elevator car being suspended within a hoistway
by ropes, cables or belts. In some systems, e.g. some electric elevators, a counterweight
may be provided, depending on e.g. the available space. Other systems such as hydraulic
elevators normally do not comprise a counterweight. Typically, elevator systems include
a moving or travelling cable for supplying electric power to the elevator cabin and/or
for signal communication between components associated with the elevator car/cabin
and a control panel provided in a fixed location relative to the hoistway. The control
panel may be provided at any height up in the hoistway. In order to avoid coiling
of the travelling cable when the cabin is placed at the lowest level of the hoistway,
an intermediate travelling cable fixation point may be chosen, most frequently at
a height which is halfway up in the hoistway. Therefore, when the elevator car is
below this height, the travelling cable is thus suspended downwards. And when the
elevator car is above this height, the travelling cable is thus carried upwards.
[0005] In use, there may be circumstances in which a travelling cable may begin to move
and sway within an elevator hoistway or the cable can become tangled up in itself.
This is most prominent in high slender structures, such as e.g. tower of larger (MW
class) wind turbines, in which the tower may move significantly.
[0006] In such tall structures in general, elevator ropes and cables, which may include
hoist ropes, compensation ropes, governor ropes, and travelling cables, may also vibrate
in harmony with the wind induced sway of the structure and other dynamic factors affecting
the structure. Particularly in wind turbines, several loads such as for example aerodynamic
forces associated with the wind, rotor rotation, etc. may act on the structure. These
loads may further be increased in offshore wind turbines by the forces exerted by
waves, currents and tides. It is thus desirable that elevator cabins arranged inside
wind turbine towers run controlled by lines, cables or any other rigid guiding element
extending all the way from the top to the bottom of the wind turbine tower.
[0007] The aforementioned loads can produce vibrations and sway of the ropes and cables
which may cause fatigue and wear, excessive noise, and the increased possibility of
tangling thus potentially shortening the lifetime of the cables and complicating normal
operation of the elevator system.
[0008] Document
JP6278968 describes a moving cable stabilizer for an elevator comprising a guide member installed
in a vertical direction between the elevator car and an internal surface of the hoistway,
a feed roller support, a support arm attached to the roller support and slidably attached
to the guide member and two or more feed rollers arranged in parallel in an axial
direction and rotatably attached to the feed roller support. One drawback associated
with this cable stabilizer is that it is rather complex and the part count is high.
[0009] CN 201261671 discloses a tower elevator which comprises an elevator body.
[0010] EP 2522616 describes an elevator apparatus comprising an elevator cage and a guiding means for
guiding the elevator cage along a ladder.
[0011] As such there is a need for reliable and effective elevator systems that are able
to reduce travelling cables' sway and tangling and which also reduces or eliminates
at least some of the afore-mentioned drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[0012] In accordance with a first aspect, an elevator system according to claim 1 is provided.
[0013] According to this aspect, in use, i.e. when the elevator cabin goes up and down,
the travelling cable is carried upwards and downwards. Since the pulley and the pulley
frame are movably suspended from the travelling cable, in use, the pulley with the
pulley frame can self-travel along the travelling cable. Such a motion of the pulley
and pulley frame on the travelling cable straightens the travelling cable at all possible
positions. Furthermore, the provision of a transverse element having one end attached
to the pulley frame and the other end slidably arranged with respect to one or more
of the rigid guiding elements together with the motion of the pulley frame along the
travelling cable entails a slide of the transverse element along such rigid guiding
elements. The transverse elements thus act as a spacer between the pulley frame which
slides on the travelling cable and the rigid guiding elements. This can substantially
stabilize the travelling cable's position even when loads producing vibrations and
sway of the cables are acting. Tangling up of the travelling cable in itself can also
thus be avoided or substantially reduced with the provision of such spacers, i.e.
transverse elements. The travelling cable is thus subjected to less stress therefore
extending its lifetime.
[0014] At the same time, guiding elements which are already present in the system are used.
No additional guiding elements are necessary. Furthermore, the provision of transverse
elements substantially as hereinbefore described is quite simple to implement. It
can therefore be easily retrofit into existing elevator installations having travelling
cables with a pulley suspended from the travelling cable. Moreover, it is a solution
that may be fitted in a relatively small area as it is the hoistway dimension of an
elevator system.
[0015] Throughout the present disclosure, pulley is to be understood as covering any form
of wheel or roller that guides or redirects a cable along its circumference. Pulley
herein thus covers e.g. sheaves with a specific groove around its circumference between
two flanges, but also any other form of cable guiding wheel.
[0016] In summary, a system substantially as hereinbefore described ensures that the ability
of the travelling cable to move in the horizontal plane, i.e. in a plane substantially
perpendicular to the up and down movement of the elevator cabin is reduced.
[0017] Such systems may be adapted or configured for a particular application, such as e.g.
a wind turbine tower.
[0018] In some embodiments, an inner surface of a hoistway of the elevator system may be
provided with a rack and the elevator cabin may be provided with a pinion arranged
to mesh with the rack such that the elevator cabin can be driven by the rack and pinion
engagement. In these cases, a motor driving the pinion may be arranged inside the
elevator cabin. In other embodiments, one or more traction wire ropes may be used
for driving the elevator cabin. In these embodiments, the pulley frame may further
be adapted to be guided along at least one traction wire rope or a safety wire rope.
[0019] In some embodiments the pulley frame may further be provided with runners arranged
such that in use the runners can glide on the inner surface of a hoistway of the elevator
system. This way, in use, when the pulley frame self-travels along the travelling
cable it can also be guided on the inner surface of the hoistway of the elevator system
by the runners and discontinuities such as the junctions between e.g. wind turbine
tower's sections of such an inner surface can be easily overcame in a relatively smooth
manner.
[0020] In some embodiments, the end of the transverse element that is adapted to be slidably
arranged with respect to the ladder may be selected from the group consisting of a
pair of rollers, an eyelet or a substantially C-shaped profile. In other embodiments,
other ways of adapting the end of the transverse elements for being slidably arranged
with respect to the ladder may be foreseen.
[0021] A second aspect provides a wind turbine comprising an elevator system substantially
as hereinbefore described arranged within a wind turbine tower.
[0022] Additional objects, advantages and features of embodiments of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the description, or
may be learned by practice of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] Particular embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following
by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective of a service elevator system according to a first embodiment;
Figures 2a and 2b show two perspective views of a service elevator system according
to a second embodiment;
Figure 3 shows a perspective of a service elevator system according to a third embodiment;
and
Figures 4a - 4d show the pulley frame with transverse elements according to different
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Figure 1 shows an elevator system according to a first embodiment. The elevator system
may comprise an elevator cabin 1 which may move up and down in the inside of a hoistway
(not shown) driven by a traction wire rope 7. In alternative embodiments, more than
one traction wire rope may be provided. A safety wire rope 8 may further be provided.
[0025] The elevator cabin 1 may be guided by a pair of taut cables 2 running laterally from
the elevator cabin 1. The elevator cabin 1 may be provided with cable guiding means
14 that may be selected from the group consisting of a tubular part, a ring or an
eyelet, a substantially C-shaped profile or similar. At least one cable guiding means
14 may be arranged at each side of the elevator cabin or two or more such means may
be arranged at least in an upper and a lower location of each side of the elevator
cabin.
[0026] The taut cables are under tension, and due to this tension they become relatively
rigid and thus suitable as a cabke guiding means.
[0027] A travelling cable 3 may be provided for supplying energy to the elevator cabin 1.
The travelling cable 3 may be connected to a power supply at one end (not shown) and
to the elevator cabin 1 at the other end. A pulley 4 mounted on a pulley frame 5 may
be arranged in a movably suspended manner on the travelling cable 3. One end of the
travelling cable arrangement may be mounted at some point along the hoistway. In case
of an elevator system for a wind turbine it may be attached at the tower. The other
end of the travelling cable arrangement may be connected to the elevator cabin. The
height at which the travelling cable arrangement is mounted may be at approximately
half the total height of the hoistway, or in this case, at approximately half the
total height of the tower. The power supply may be provided at any height in the hoistway
[0028] Two transverse arms 6 may each extend laterally from the pulley frame 5. In the shown
example, each transverse arm 6 may extend substantially perpendicular from an up and
down direction of motion of the elevator cabin 1 (see arrow A). Each transverse arm
6 may extend towards one of the taut cables 2. A free end 61 of the transverse arms
may be adapted to be slidably arranged with respect to the taut cable 2. In alternative
embodiments only one transverse arm may be provided. An aspect of using a single transverse
arm is that it may be less costly. Figures 4a-4d show the free ends of the transverse
arms according to some different embodiments.
[0029] In some cases, the transverse arms may be made with the pulley frame as an integral
piece or they may be welded to the pulley frame. In other cases, they may be fixed
to the pulley frame by e.g. screws or bolts.
[0030] In some embodiments, a ladder (not shown) may further be provided and the elevator
cabin may be guided around the ladder by the taut cables.
[0031] In the example of figure 1, the pulley frame 5 may further be guided along the traction
7 and safety 8 wire ropes of the elevator system. In other cases, the pulley frame
may be adapted to be guided along at least one of the traction and safety wire ropes.
Figures 4a-4d show a pulley frame adapted to be guided along at least one of traction
and safety wire ropes according to an embodiment.
[0032] In all examples wherein the pulley frame is guided along or guides further cables,
such as safety ropes or traction ropes, these further cables may also benefit from
the increased stability of the travelling cable arrangement. In the illustrated example,
the two transverse arms help to reduce oscillations and movements of the travelling
cable. If the travelling cable pulley is relatively fixed in space, then the corresponding
portions of these further cables are also fixed in space. The movements of these further
cables (for traction, safety etc.) may thus also be reduced.
[0033] The elevator cabin 1 may further be provided with feet 9 made for example of rubber,
providing a distance between a bottom portion of the elevator cabin and a bottom platform
floor when the elevator cabin reaches the bottom platform floor.
[0034] A cable stocking 10 may further be provided at each end of the travelling cable 2
for aiding cable hauling in use.
[0035] Figures 2a and 2b show two perspective views of a service elevator system according
to a second embodiment. Figures 2a and 2b differ from figure 1 in that the elevator
cabin 1 may be guided by a ladder 11 arranged on an inner surface of a hoistway (not
shown) of the elevator system, for example an inner surface of a wind turbine tower.
Figure 2b shows that at least two pairs of runners 111 may be provided at the elevator
cabin 1 for guiding the elevator cabin on the ladder 11. In other embodiments more
pairs of runners may be provided at the elevator cabin for guiding the cabin on the
ladder.
[0036] In the example of figures 2a and 2b, the two transverse arms 6' may comprise free
ends 61' comprising each a further pair of wheels or runners 62 for being slidably
arranged with respect to the ladder 11. As mentioned before, in alternative embodiments
only one transverse arm may be provided.
[0037] In the example of figures 2a and 2b traction and safety ropes are provided for hoisting
and driving the elevator cabin 1. In this examples, these ropes may also benefit from
the increased stability of the travelling cable. In alternative embodiments, the elevator
cabin may comprise a drive belt for driving the elevator cabin along the ladder. The
drive belt may have a plurality of climb pins arranged such that in use a climb pin
engages with a rung of the ladder. In these cases, a motor that may be provided in
the elevator cabin may drive the drive belt
[0038] In yet further embodiments, as shown in figure 3, an inner surface of a hoistway
of the elevator system, e.g. an inner surface of a wind turbine tower may be provided
with a rack 12 and the elevator cabin 1 may be provided with a pinion (not shown)
arranged to mesh with the rack 12 such that the elevator cabin can be driven by the
rack and pinion engagement.
[0039] The two transverse arms 6' may comprise free ends 61' comprising each a further pair
of runners 62 for being slidably arranged with respect to the ladder 11 in a similar
manner as explained before in connection with figures 2a and 2b. In alternative embodiments,
only one transverse arm may be provided.
[0040] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a service elevator system according to a third
embodiment. Figure 3 differs from figure 1 in that the elevator cabin 1 may be guided
by a ladder 11 arranged on an inner surface of a hoistway (not shown) of the elevator
system in a similar manner as explained in connection with figures 2a and 2b. In the
example shown in figure 3, the rack may be provided along one of the side rails of
the ladder.
[0041] In some cases in which the elevator cabin may be guided by a ladder or by a guide
rail, the elevator cabin may further be adapted to guide the travelling cable at each
side of the elevator cabin 1. In these cases the elevator cabin 1 may comprise at
least one travelling cable guide 13 at each side. The guide 13 may be in the form
of tubular part, a ring or an eyelet or a substantially C-shaped support. C-shaped
supports may be particularly easily retrofitted in existing elevator systems as there
is no need for a full dismantling of the travelling cable in order to be arranged
inside a C-shaped support.
[0042] In alternative embodiments, the elevator cabin may be guided by a rail arranged on
an inner surface of a hoistway of the elevator system, e.g. a wind turbine tower.
In these cases the transverse elements may be adapted to be slidably arranged with
respect to the rail e.g. by wheels or rollers adapted to engage with the rail. The
guide rail may for example have a U-shaped section and the rollers or wheels may be
engaged in that U-shaped section with a prescribed clearance allowing carrying out
sliding movement. In alternative embodiments, the elevator cabin may move along a
vertical path within a hoistway guided by two guide rails arranged at both sides of
the width of the elevator cabin. In some of these cases a ladder (not shown) may further
be provided and the elevator cabin may be guided around the ladder by the guide rail.
[0043] Optionally, the guide rails may carry a rack, with which a pinion arranged with the
cabin can engage.
[0044] Figures 4a-4d show the pulley 4 arranged within the pulley frame 5 and transverse
elements 6 according to different embodiments.
[0045] Figure 4a shows an embodiment in which only one transverse arm 6 is fixed to the
pulley frame 5 by screws 51. The transverse arm 6 may comprise a free end 61 having
a substantially C-shaped guide 60 that may be fixed to a free end 61 of the arm by
a further screw 63. Other shapes or supports may also be foreseen for the free ends
of the transverse arm as long as they may be adapted to be slidably mounted with respect
to a cable, a ladder or a guide rail depending on circumstances.
[0046] The pulley frame 5 may further comprise at least one flange 52 provided with two
holes 53 for guiding traction and/or safety ropes of the elevator system. In alternative
embodiments other number of holes may be provided. In some cases the flange 52 may
be integrally formed with the pulley frame 5. In others, it may be welded or it may
be fixed with screws to the pulley frame. Figure 4a shows an embodiment in which top
and lower flanges 52 may be integrally formed with the pulley frame 5. Each flange
52 may comprise two holes 53.
[0047] Figure 4b differs from figure 4a in that two transverse arms are provided. The rest
is substantially similar to figure 4a. In figure 4b the two flanges 52 are clearly
visible.
[0048] Figure 4c differs from figure 4b in that the pulley frame 5 further comprises runners
that can glide or ride over the inner surface of the hoistway. In this case, four
wheels 54 arranged in pairs (upper and lower pair of wheels) through a shaft 55 are
provided. The wheels may help overcome any bumps or protrusions of the inner surface
of the hoistway of the elevator system, e.g. the junctions between tower sections
for the inner surface of a wind turbine tower wall.
[0049] Figure 4d differ from figures 4b and 4c in that each free end 61' of the transverse
elements 6' comprises a pair of runners 62 arranged to slide along the taut cable
2 or the ladder (see figure 3). The pulley frame in this example, as well as in the
examples of figures 4a and 4b, furthermore comprises wedge shaped guiding elements
56. As the pulley frame moves upwards en encounters e.g. a flange of a junction between
two tower sections, the wedge shaped elements can help the pulley frame to slide over
such a junction. Similar wedge shaped guiding elements may be provided at the bottom
of the pulley frame for the same reasons. These wedge shaped guiding elements thus
act as runners gliding along an inner surface of e.g. a wind turbine tower.
[0050] Although only a number of particular embodiments and examples of the invention have
been disclosed herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other
alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and
equivalents thereof are possible. Furthermore, the present invention covers all possible
combinations of the particular embodiments described. Thus, the scope of the present
invention should not be limited by particular embodiments, but should be determined
only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
1. An elevator system for a wind turbine tower comprising:
an elevator cabin (1) guided by a ladder (11) arranged on an inner surface of a hoistway
of the elevator system,
a travelling cable (3) for supplying energy to the elevator cabin (1), and
a pulley (4) mounted on a pulley frame (5),
characterized in that the pulley (4) with the pulley frame (5) is movably suspended on the travelling cable
(3),
wherein the system further comprises one or more transverse elements (6, 6') each
having one end attached to the pulley frame (5) and the other end (61, 61') adapted
to be slidably arranged with respect to the ladder.
2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises two transverse elements
(6, 6') having one end attached to the pulley frame (5) and the other end (61, 61')
adapted to be slidably arranged with respect to the ladder.
3. The elevator system of any of claims 1 - 2, wherein an inner surface of a hoistway
of the elevator system is provided with a rack (12) and the elevator cabin (1) is
provided with a pinion arranged to mesh with the rack (12) such that the elevator
cabin can be driven by the rack (12) and pinion engagement.
4. The elevator system of any of claims 1 - 2, wherein one or more traction wire ropes
(7) are provided for driving the elevator cabin (1) and the pulley frame (5) is further
adapted to be guided along at least one traction wire rope (7) or a safety wire rope
(8) of the elevator system.
5. The elevator system of any of claims 1 - 2, wherein the pulley frame (5) is further
provided with runners (54) arranged such that in use the runners (54) can ride or
glide on the inner surface of a hoistway of the elevator system.
6. The elevator system of claim 5, wherein the runners comprise rollers, preferably two
pairs of rollers.
7. The elevator system of claim 5, wherein the runners comprise wedge-shaped guiding
elements.
8. The elevator system of any of claims 1 - 7, wherein the end (61, 61') of the transverse
element (6, 6') that is adapted to be slidably arranged with respect to the ladder
(11) is selected from the group consisting of a pair of rollers (62), an eyelet or
a substantially C-shaped profile (60).
9. Wind turbine comprising an elevator system according to any of claims 1 - 8 arranged
within a wind turbine tower.
1. Ein Aufzugssystem für einen Windturbinenturm umfassend:
eine Aufzugskabine (1), die von einer Leiter (11) geführt wird, die auf einer Innenfläche
eines Schachtes des Aufzugssystems angeordnet ist,
ein mitfahrendes Kabel (3) zur Versorgung der Aufzugskabine (1) mit Energie, und
eine auf einem Riemenscheibengehäuse (5) montierte Riemenscheibe (4),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Riemenscheibe (4) mit dem Riemenscheibengehäuse (5) beweglich auf dem mitfahrenden
Kabel (3) hängt,
wobei das System weiterhin ein oder mehrere Querelemente (6, 6') umfasst, die jeweils
ein am Riemenscheibengehäuse (5) befestigtes Ende haben und deren anderes Ende (61,
61') angepasst ist, um bezüglich der Leiter verschiebbar angeordnet zu werden.
2. Das Aufzugssystem des Anspruchs 1, wobei das System zwei Querelemente (6, 6') umfasst,
die ein am Riemenscheibengehäuse (5) befestigtes Ende haben und deren anderes Ende
(61, 61') angepasst ist, um bezüglich der Leiter verschiebbar angeordnet zu werden.
3. Das Aufzugssystem von einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, wobei eine Innenfläche eines Schachts
des Aufzugssystems mit einer Zahnstange (12) versehen ist und die Aufzugskabine (1)
mit einem Ritzel versehen ist, das angeordnet ist, um in die Zahnstange (12) einzugreifen,
so dass die Aufzugskabine durch den aus der Zahnstange (12) und dem Ritzel bestehenden
Eingriff angetrieben werden kann.
4. Das Aufzugssystem von einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, wobei ein oder mehrere Zugdrahtseile
(7) zum Antrieb der Aufzugskabine (1) bereitgestellt werden und das Riemenscheibengehäuse
(5) weiterhin angepasst ist, um entlang mindestens eines Zugdrahtseils (7) oder eines
Sicherungsseils (8) des Aufzugssystems geführt zu werden.
5. Das Aufzugssystem von einem der Ansprüche 1 - 2, wobei das Riemenscheibengehäuse (5)
weiterhin mit laufenden Elementen (54) versehen ist, die derart angeordnet sind, dass
die laufenden Elemente (54) im Einsatz auf der Innenseite von einem Schacht des Aufzugssystems
fahren oder gleiten können.
6. Das Aufzugssystem des Anspruchs 5, wobei die laufenden Elemente Rollen, vorzugsweise
zwei Paare von Rollen, umfassen.
7. Das Aufzugssystem des Anspruchs 5, wobei die laufenden Elemente keilförmige Führungselemente
umfassen.
8. Das Aufzugssystem von einem der Ansprüche 1 - 7, wobei das Ende (61, 61') des Querelements
(6, 6'), das angepasst ist, um bezüglich der Leiter (11) verschiebbar angeordnet zu
werden ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus einem Paar von Rollen (62), einer Öse
oder einem im Wesentlichen C-förmigen Profil (60) ist.
9. Windturbine umfassend ein Aufzugssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 8, das innerhalb
eines Windturbinenturms angeordnet ist.
1. Un système élévateur pour une tour d'éolienne comprenant :
une cabine d'élévateur (1) guidée par une échelle (11) disposée sur une surface intérieure
d'une cage d'élévateur du système élévateur,
un câble voyageur (3) pour fournir de l'énergie à la cabine d'élévateur (1), et
une poulie (4) montée sur une chape de poulie (5),
caractérisé en ce que la poulie (4) avec la chape de poulie (5) est suspendue de manière mobile sur le
câble voyageur (3),
dans lequel le système comprend en outre un ou plusieurs éléments transversaux (6,
6') ayant chacun une extrémité attachée à la chape de poulie (5) et l'autre extrémité
(61, 61') adaptée pour être disposée de manière coulissante par rapport à l'échelle.
2. Le système élévateur de la revendication 1, dans lequel le système comprend deux éléments
transversaux (6, 6') ayant chacun une extrémité attachée à la chape de poulie (5)
et l'autre extrémité (61, 61') adaptée pour être disposée de manière coulissante par
rapport à l'échelle.
3. Le système élévateur de l'une quelconque des revendications 1 - 2, dans lequel une
surface intérieure d'une cage du système élévateur est munie d'une crémaillère (12)
et la cabine d'élévateur (1) est munie d'un pignon disposé de manière à intervenir
dans la crémaillère (12) de façon que la cabine d'élévateur peut être actionnée par
la prise entre la crémaillère (12) et le pignon.
4. Le système élévateur de l'une quelconque des revendications 1 - 2, dans lequel un
ou plusieurs câbles métalliques à traction (7) sont fournis pour actionner la cabine
d'élévateur (1) et la chape de poulie (5) est adaptée en outre pour être guidée le
long d'au moins un câble métallique à traction (7) ou d'un câble métallique de sécurité
(8) du système élévateur.
5. Le système élévateur de l'une quelconque des revendications 1 - 2, dans lequel la
chape de poulie (5) est munie en outre d'éléments de roulement (54) disposés de façon
que lors du fonctionnement les éléments de roulement (54) peuvent rouler ou glisser
sur la surface intérieure d'une cage du système élévateur.
6. Le système élévateur de la revendication 5, dans lequel les éléments de roulement
comprennent des rouleaux, de préférence deux paires de rouleaux.
7. Le système élévateur de la revendication 5, dans lequel les éléments de roulement
comprennent des éléments de guidage cunéiformes.
8. Le système élévateur de l'une quelconque des revendications 1 - 7, dans lequel l'extrémité
(61, 61') de l'élément transversale (6, 6') qui est adaptée pour être disposée de
manière coulissante par rapport à l'échelle (11) est choisie dans le groupe constitué
d'une paire de rouleaux (62), un œillet ou un profil en forme essentiellement de C
(60).
9. Éolienne comprenant un système élévateur selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 - 8 disposé dans une tour d'éolienne.