Two Alimak rack and pinion elevators have been installed on transmission towers along the Amazon River, providing access for critical servicing and maintenance.
The rack and pinion elevators were installed to provide vertical access to two 295m-tall tubular towers carrying a 500 kV power cable across the Amazon River in Brazil. Each elevator reaches a lifting height of 288.6 meters, allowing service and maintenance personnel to access power cable stays and aircraft warning lights located on each tower.
Alimak won the contract for supply and installation of two rack and pinion elevators by contractor, Isolux Corsan. The elevators were installed and commissioned in March 2013. They are ALIMAK SE 500 FC models, with a maximum capacity of 500 kg and a traveling speed of 0.8 m/s.
Alimak offers a range of industrial elevators with capacities ranging from 300 kg to 2400 kg, and car sizes up to a maximum 1.56 m x 3 m. Travel speeds of up to 1.0 m/s may be reached, with maximum lifting heights of 250 m achievable with standard accessories. Specially-designed elevators with capacities of up to 24-tons and 645 meter lifting heights may also be supplied on request.
Photo: Alimak elevator at the transmission tower, which at heights of 295 meters, are the tallest of their kind in South America.