Elevators #2
Let's now have a look at the Combaluzier elevator, and again start with an overview:
Although the Combaluzier elevator only served the first floor it was using the same rail than the Otis system.
The vehicule is slightly different from the Otis one. Main difference is that passengers enter from the side instead from front. The front space was used for some complex steering mechanism (we're gonna have a look at it later):
The vehicle was attached to a chain on both sides, built from pistons and led around the course:
The chain was protected by a blend and passed some huge wheels on bottom and top. Having about 3,5 to 4 meters in diameter those wheels have been quite impressive - you might have noticed them on some historical photos:
Two hydraulic cylinders driving the system:
... having some wheels being attached to the piston's end. A so called gall chain is led through the system. The chain (named after its inventor André Galle, 1761 - 1844) is fixed to the cylinder's back side and therefor together with the piston's wheels represents a tackle with one turn:
But the biggest gain of distance was achieved through the difference in diameter from the small gear wheel to the big red one:
... which means a factor of 1:7,206.
Like the Otis elevator the Combaluzier system was driven by water, which was as well taken from the two big tanks on the second floor that have been introduced on the last page:
Finally we're gonna have a look at the controlling system. The conductor had his place as well on the lower platform.
A big steering wheel was connected to a system of rolls. By turning the wheel the roll system was pushed either to the left or to the right, stretching one of the two cables by at the same time expanding the other:
The cables then were led to an axis carrying a system of levers which opened some of the valves, closed some others and thereby regulated the water streaming in or out the hydraulic cylinders:
As said - to me the whole system is totally fascinating! But it's not only the used techniques, it's as well how they managed to install those accessories within the avaiable space, almost using every centimeter by at the same time not disturbing the Tower's proportions...
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