DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods provided with a potential energy storage unit capable of storing excess potential energy and supplying electrical energy to external consumers in case of need.

In practice, the system of the invention aims to implement a so-called “Lift Energy Storage Technology” system.

It is well known that in the debate sparked by the need to combat the climate crisis by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there is a common element of consensus: the use of renewable sources as a long-term solution to the problem.

In particular, there is agreement on the use of intermittent power generation technologies such as wind, photovoltaic and solar thermoelectric power to replace a significant part of the electricity, which is currently produced by burning fossil fuels. This great confidence is fuelled by the indisputable fact that the solar energy potential is far surplus to humanity’s present and future energy needs. In fact, it is estimated that the use of marginal areas and industrial roofs as sites for photovoltaic plants could lead to the production of an amount of energy comparable to national needs. However, by their very nature, these renewable energy sources are intermittent, i.e. the time tracking of the electrical power generated by e.g. wind or solar power plants (particularly during a day with fast-passing clouds) shows abrupt transitions from the rated power value to lower values in times of the order of seconds. They are attributed with the ability to provide a flow of energy over time, but not the ability to store and guarantee some level of power at the same time. We are therefore dealing with electric generators of intermittent power and, moreover, this intermittence is random over time, i.e. it cannot be predicted in advance.

For this reason, in order to compensate for this intermittent nature of renewable energy plants, there is an increasing tendency to couple these with storage units for the electrical energy generated at peak times, in order to then compensate for the demand for electrical energy by users when the plant itself is unable to generate this energy instantaneously.

As far as electricity storage is concerned, the options generally include pumped storage, flywheels, electrochemical batteries, compressed air, hydrogen production, cryogenics or capacitors.

A key problem with electricity storage is that most of these known methods result in poor cycle efficiency and in many cases energy loss occurs during storage.

Many methods, particularly those involving electrochemical batteries, also suffer from a limited number of life cycles before performance deteriorates and the device has to be replaced completely.

Moreover, disadvantageously, it is known that the manufacture of such electrochemical batteries requires the use of valuable materials and extractive metals.

It is equally well known that one concept of an energy storage method discussed in literature is based on the use of a mass in order to accumulate potential energy and to convert this potential energy first into kinetic energy and then into electrical energy.

However, this approach to energy storage has not yet been developed in practice, as there are numerous engineering and economic difficulties.

In particular, with regard to this last point, as is well known, potential energy is defined as the product of the mass (m) of a body, the acceleration of gravity (g) and the height (/?) at which said mass (m) is placed with respect to a lower point of reference.

Therefore, it is understandable that, while the cost of a mass (m) may be negligible and the acceleration of gravity (g) is an implicit quantity, from an economic point of view, the most important and limiting investment in order to implement this type of energy storage is the determination of a height path (h) along which to allow the movement of said mass.

In particular, in order to be able to implement the above-mentioned type of energy storage, it is essential to define an above-ground or below-ground infrastructure that allows for this height path (h). Disadvantageously, therefore, this requirement has so far limited the development of this type of energy storage.

It is also well known that, for example in Italy, there are more than one million buildings with at least ten floors and that the number of mechanical systems for lifting persons or goods, in particular lifts or goods lifts, installed nationwide per year is approximately 20,000.

Approximately 150,000 mechanical systems for lifting people or goods are installed in the European Community.

It is well known that such mechanical lifting systems, e.g. lifts and goods lifts, are configured to transport such persons or goods along a predefined path between a first spatial point, located at a first height, and a second spatial point, located at a second height, and vice versa, where this first height is different from the aforementioned second height.

The present invention is intended to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit, capable of exploiting the height development of mechanical lifting systems of the prior art also to implement the aforementioned potential energy storage.

Accordingly, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is economically viable and advantageous compared to the realisation of standalone potential energy storage units.

Furthermore, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is less expensive and more efficient in terms of response time than energy storage units of another kind, e.g. electrochemical batteries.

A further aim of the invention is the realisation of a mechanical system for lifting people or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit capable of delivering electrical energy to external consumers with a high response over time.

It is also an aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit capable of delivering electrical energy with high efficiency.

Furthermore, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods that is equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is not very prone to wear and tear and thus capable of maintaining its efficiency over a long period of time, for example for a time comparable to the life of a building (approx. 25 years) or at least requiring maintenance work comparable to that of a lift.

Further, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that can be quickly and easily modulated in terms of energy, but above all power, according to the energy requirements and structural characteristics of the environment in which it is to be installed. In particular, the system of the invention is a hybrid between the characteristics of electrochemical batteries in terms of capacity and a flywheel in terms of speed of power response.

Finally, another aim of the invention is the realisation of a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is highly versatile in terms of dynamic energy delivery depending on the energy demand of an external user.

The above-mentioned aims are achieved by the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit in accordance with the characteristics stated in claim 1 .

Further features of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods provided with a potential energy storage unit of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The aforesaid aims, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are highlighted by the description of some embodiments of the invention, which are provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- fig. 1 shows schematically a first embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods provided with a potential energy storage unit;

- figures 2 to 4 show three different modes of operation of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 5 shows schematically a second embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit;

- fig. 6 shows schematically a third embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit;

- fig. 7 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit;

- figures 8 to 12 show different operating steps of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods of fig. 7;

- fig. 13 shows schematically a fifth embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit;

- fig. 14 shows schematically an alternative to the first embodiment of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit of fig. 1 ;

- fig. 15 shows one of the operating modes of the mechanical system for lifting persons or goods of fig. 14.

The mechanical system for lifting persons or goods of the invention is schematically represented according to a first preferred embodiment in fig. 1 , where it is indicated overall by 1, according to a second preferred embodiment in fig. 5, where it is indicated overall by 100, according to a third preferred embodiment in fig. 6, where it is indicated overall by 200, according to a fourth preferred embodiment in fig. 7, where it is indicated overall by 300, and finally, according to a fifth preferred embodiment in fig. 13, where it is indicated overall by 400.

In all preferred embodiments of the invention, including the possible variants, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 is a system for transporting persons or goods along a predetermined path T between a first spatial point P1 placed at a first height hi and a second spatial point P2 placed at a second height h2 and vice versa, where the first height hi is different from the second height h2.

In particular, with regard to all of the aforesaid five embodiments of the invention, this mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 comprises a rotating electrical machine 2 for generating a rotary motion, movable transport means 3 adapted to be moved along the predefined path T by means of said rotating electrical machine 2 and configured to receive persons or goods, and first transmission means 4 interposed between the rotating electrical machine 2 and the movable transport means 3 and configured to transform the aforesaid rotary motion into a translational motion of the movable transport means 3 along the same pre-defined path T.

According to the first four preferred embodiments, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200 and 300 is a lift for the transport of persons or a goods lift for the transport of goods, where the movable transport means 3 comprise a transport cab 31 for persons or goods, and a counterweight 33 for balancing the load in the transport cab 31, whereas the first transmission members 4 comprise first traction ropes 41 operatively connected between the transport can 31 and the aforementioned counterweight 33.

Regarding, on the other hand, the fifth preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical lifting system 400 is an escalator, wherein the movable transport means 3 comprise a plurality of movable steps 32 and the first transmission means 4 comprise a chain or belt transmission system 42, closed in a loop around two pulleys 43 and 44.

In any case, according to the invention, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 for all five preferred embodiments, including the variants, comprises a potential energy storage unit 5 provided with a mass 6 configured to move along said predefined path T between a third spatial point P3, located at a third height h3, and a fourth spatial point P4, located at a fourth height h4, and vice versa, wherein the third height h3 is different from the fourth height h4.

The potential energy storage unit 5 further comprises locking means 7 configured to prevent or, alternatively, allow movement of the mass 6 along the predetermined path T, and further comprises connection means 8 configured to operatively connect the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2 or, alternatively, to release the same mass 6 from the rotating electrical machine 2

Finally, according to the invention, the rotating electrical machine 2 is configured to operate either as an electric motor, for the generation of the aforementioned rotary motion, or alternatively as an electric power generator.

The combination of features of the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention, according to all preferred embodiments of the invention, including possible variants thereof, advantageously allows the same system to be used not only for transporting persons or goods along the aforesaid predetermined path T but, jointly and/or alternatively, allows initially to implement a potential energy storage by exploiting excess electrical energy, e.g., generated by an external renewable source of electrical energy, operatively connected to the mechanical lifting system 1 , 100, 200, 300 and 400, and later to utilise this previously stored potential energy for generating electrical energy following a request from an external consumer.

More specifically, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 is capable of operating exclusively for the transport of persons and goods when the connection means 8 are arranged in such a way that the mass 6 is disengaged from the rotating electrical machine 2, as shown schematically in fig. 2 for the first embodiment.

In other words, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 operates in the same manner as a normal mechanical lifting system of the prior art, i.e., according to the first four preferred embodiments of the invention, as a lift or goods lift, and in terms of the fifth embodiment, as an escalator.

In this sense, it has been found that, on average, the daily use of lifts or goods lifts is about one hour per day, and therefore the motor is typically used in this mode for only a fraction of the 24 hours.

Therefore, potentially, with the system of the invention, for the remaining hours of the day, the same system could be used as a “Lift Energy Storage Technology” for potential energy storage and electric power generation.

In fact, when the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention is not operating as a conveyor system and an excess of electrical energy from outside occurs, the aforesaid connection means 8 are arranged so as to operatively connect the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2, in such a manner as to exploit said excess external electrical energy to activate said rotating electrical machine 2 in order to generate said rotary motion and lift said mass 6 along said predefined path T from a position at a lower height to a position at a higher height, as schematically represented in fig. 3. At the end of this lifting, the locking means 7 are activated and the mass 6 is released from the rotating electrical machine 2, in such a way as to hold the same mass 6 at the position reached, otherwise due to gravity said mass 6 would tend to descend along the aforementioned predefined path T.

In this way, energy is stored in the form of potential energy.

Similarly, at a time when the mechanical lifting system 1 , 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention is not operating as a transport system, and in this case a demand for electrical energy from an external consumer occurs, and evidently the potential energy storage unit 5 has already accumulated a certain amount of said potential energy, the aforementioned connection means 8 are arranged in such a way as to operatively connect the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2 and the locking means 7 are controlled in such a way as to release the mass 6, as shown schematically in fig. 4.

In doing so, the mass 6, by gravity, descends freely downwards along the predefined path T. Since, as stated above, the mass 6 is operatively connected to the rotating electrical machine 2, which in turn is also configured to operate as an electrical power generator, the rotation imposed on the rotating electrical machine 2 by the translation of the mass 6 determines precisely the generation of an amount of electrical energy that can be released to the aforementioned external consumer, so as to compensate for any shortage of electrical energy from other external sources.

In particular, the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention could be equipped with an inverter connected to the rotating electrical machine 2 and configured to transform the electrical energy generated by the same rotating electrical machine 2 following the release of the mass 6, in order to supply said electrical energy to the consumer or to an internal distribution network (MicroGrid), or to the external distribution network with suitable characteristics.

In general, such an approach of storing potential energy through the movement of a mass 6 along a predefined path T achieves important technical advantages over any other known type of energy storage systems.

In particular, the essentially mechanical nature of the potential energy storage unit 5, applied to the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention, advantageously achieves a high response over time to a request for electrical energy from an external consumer, a high efficiency of storage of the aforementioned potential energy and its transformation into electrical energy, and, furthermore, a limited if not absent susceptibility to wear and tear, thus enabling such efficiency to be maintained for long periods of time.

Turning now to the description of the specific preferred embodiments of the invention, with regard to the first embodiment of the mechanical lifting system 1, shown in fig. 1 , said potential energy storage unit 5 also comprises second transmission members 9 configured to allow the displacement of the mass 6 along said predefined path T.

Even more precisely, these second transmission members 9 comprise second traction ropes 92 operatively connected to the mass 6.

With regard to the aforementioned spatial points P1, P2, P3 and P4 between which, respectively, the movement of the movable transport means 3 is permitted, in particular the transport cab 31 for persons or goods, and of the mass 6, the first spatial point P1 coincides with the third spatial point P3 and the second spatial point P2 coincides with the fourth spatial point P4. In other words, the movable transport means 3, in particular the transport cab 31 for persons or goods and the counterweight 33, and the mass 6 have the possibility of moving along the same predefined path T between the same spatial points.

As for the connection means 8, according to the aforementioned first preferred embodiment, they comprise a coupling and release system 81 operatively associated with the movable transport means 3, so as to integrally connect the mass 6 to the same movable transport means 3 and, alternatively, to release said two entities from each other.

In particular, such a coupling and release system 81 could be mechanically realised with a gripper system or movable pins present on such movable transport means 3 and coupled to corresponding coupling elements or appropriate housings present on the mass 6.

It is not excluded, however, that according to an alternative embodiment such a coupling and release system 81 may be associated with the mass 6 and may thus be coupled with appropriate coupling elements or appropriate housings defined on the movable transport means 3, in particular on the transport cab 31 for persons or goods, as shown in fig. 1 , or on the counterweight 33, as shown in fig. 14.

Furthermore, it is not excluded that such a coupling and release system 81 could be a magnetic-type coupling and release system 81.

In any event, this first preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the operational coupling between the mass 6 and the rotating electrical machine 2 is implemented by means of said movable transport means 3, in particular by means of the transport cab 31.

Alternatively, this coupling between the mass 6 and the rotating electrical machine 2 could be implemented by means of the counterweight 33 of the aforementioned movable transport means 3, as shown in figs. 14 and 15.

As for the mass 6, according to this first embodiment of the invention, it comprises a body in the solid state 61.

Alternatively, such a mass 6 could comprise a plurality of bodies in the solid state 61, as shown in figs. 14 and 15, wherein each body in the solid state 61 may be coupled to the transport means 3, independently from the remaining bodies in the solid state 61. In this way, it is advantageously possible to properly modulate the mass 6 coupled to the transport means 3 and thus it is possible to modulate the amount of stored potential energy as required.

More specifically, with this last configuration, it is possible to couple to the transport means 3, in particular to the transport cab 31 or to the counterweight 33, one or more of the above-mentioned solid state bodies 61, according to requirements.

With regard to the locking means 7, the ones, according to the preferred embodiment described herein, comprise coupling and release means 71 of a mechanical type, e.g. a gripper system or movable pins, or of a magnetic type, which enable the mass 6 to be locked to the lateral structure of the building in which said mechanical lifting system 1 is inserted, and thus capable of locking the movement of the mass 6 along said predefined path T. In particular, in the case of several bodies in the solid state 61, said coupling and release means 71 are configured to lock each of said bodies in the solid state 61 at a point on said predefined path T, independently of the remaining bodies in the solid state 61

Even more particularly, in the implementation whereby the aforementioned coupling and release system 81 is defined on each individual body in the solid state 61, in this case such coupling and release systems 81 could also serve as coupling and release means 71.

Alternatively, such locking means 7 could comprise a locking brake system that causes the traction ropes 92 and thus the mass 6 to be locked against the structure of the building in which the mechanical lifting system 1 is inserted.

Turning now to the second preferred embodiment of the mechanical lifting system 100 of the invention, shown in fig. 5, it has the same features as those described so far for the first embodiment of the invention, except that the connection means 8, in this case, comprise a clutch assembly 82 interposed between the rotating shaft 21 of the rotating electrical machine 2 and the second transmission members 9.

In particular, said clutch assembly 82 is configured to operatively connect the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2, when there is an opportunity to raise the mass 6 in order to accumulate potential energy, or when there is a need to generate electrical energy allowing lowering the same mass 6.

This clutch assembly is also configured to disengage the mass 6 from the same rotating electrical machine 2, when the mechanical lifting system 100 is to be used exclusively for its function of transporting persons or goods. According to the above-mentioned second embodiment of the invention, therefore, the joint movement of the movable transport means 3 and of the mass 6 is also envisaged here, when it is operatively connected to the rotating electrical machine 2. However, in this case, this operational connection is not achieved by means of the movable transport means 3, but precisely by means of the clutch assembly 82.

Turning now to the description of the third preferred embodiment of the mechanical lifting system 200 of the invention, shown in fig. 6, it has the same common features as the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the invention just described, except that in this case the connection assembly 8 comprises a dual shaft transmission unit 83 operatively connected at the input to the rotating shaft 21 of the rotating electrical machine 2 and having a first output shaft 831 operatively connected to a first clutch assembly 84 and the second output shaft 832 connected to a second clutch assembly 85. In turn, the first clutch assembly 84 is operatively connected to the first transmission members 4, while the second clutch assembly 85 is operatively connected to the second transmission members 9.

Preferably, moreover, the second transmission members 9 comprise a speed reduction unit 91 operatively connected at the output to the second clutch assembly 85.

In this way, therefore, depending on the need to use the mechanical lifting system 200 of the invention either as a real lifting system for persons or goods or as a potential energy storage system or electric power generator, the aforementioned two clutch assemblies 84 and 85 are appropriately activated so as to operatively connect one or the other of the movable transport means 3 and the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2.

Thus, it is evident that the operational connection of the mass 6 to the rotating electrical machine 2 and its movement along the aforementioned predefined path T can be independent from the operational connection and movement of the aforementioned movable transport means 3.

With regard to the fourth preferred embodiment of the mechanical lifting system 300 of the invention, as shown in fig. 7, it has all the common features of the three embodiments just described and indifferently one of the three solutions proposed above for the connection means 8. This fourth embodiment differs, however, from those described thus far in that the potential energy storage unit 5 comprises, in addition to what has already been described, a movable container 10 along the predefined path T from the third spatial point P3 to the aforementioned fourth spatial point P4 and vice versa, and defining an empty internal volume 10a.

This potential energy storage unit 5 further comprises a first storage tank 11 arranged at the third spatial point P3 and a second storage tank 12 arranged at the fourth spatial point P4.

The first storage tank 11 and the second storage tank 12 each define an empty internal volume 11a and 12a greater than the empty internal volume 10a of the movable container 10.

Said potential energy storage unit 5 further provides that the mass 6 is a mass in the liquid state 62, for example water, and the same potential energy storage unit 5 is configured to transfer this mass in the liquid state 62 from the first storage tank 11 to the second storage tank 12 and vice versa, via the movable container 10.

In particular, when there is the possibility and the need to store potential energy, the movable container 10 is arranged at the first storage tank 11 and by means of appropriate first valve elements 13 the mass in the liquid state 62 present in said first storage tank 11 is partially poured into the movable container 10, as schematically shown in fig. 8. At this point, the movable container 10 is lifted, as shown in fig. 9, up to the second storage tank 12, at which the mass in the liquid state 62 present in the same movable container 10 is poured, by means of appropriate second valve elements 14, as schematically shown in fig. 10.

This cycle is repeated until the entire mass in the liquid state 62 present in the first storage tank 11 is transferred to the second storage tank 12.

When, on the other hand, there is a need to produce electrical energy, a portion of the mass in the liquid state 62 present in the same second storage tank 12 is poured into the movable container 10, which is arranged at the second storage tank 12. Once the movable container 10 is filled with said mass in the liquid state 62, and clearly when the same movable container 10 with said mass in the liquid state 62 is operatively connected to the rotating electrical machine 2, the same movable container 10 is released so as to be able to descend by gravity along the aforementioned predefined path T, as schematically shown in fig. 11 , up to the first storage tank 11, into which said mass in the liquid state 62 is poured, as schematically shown in fig. 13.

This translation, as described above, results in the rotation of the rotating electrical machine 2 and, consequently, enables the generation of electrical energy.

Again, this cycle is repeated until there is a need to generate electrical energy by the mechanical lifting system 300.

Advantageously, this embodiment allows the transfer of a high amount of mass 6 from the first storage tank 11 to the second storage tank 12 and thus allows a high amount of potential energy to be stored at said second storage tank 12. In fact, the limit is determined by the size of the second storage tank 12 and no longer by the mass 6 that can be lifted along the aforementioned predefined path T with the movable container 10. At the same time, this solution makes it possible to limit the amount of mass transferred for each potential energy storage cycle, thus requiring less power delivered by the rotating electrical machine 2 at each cycle in order to perform this lifting.

With regard to the aforementioned four embodiments, including their variants, in the event that the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200 and 300 relates to a new lifting system installed in a newly constructed building, the potential energy storage unit 5, and in particular the mass 6 or the movable container 10 are inserted and are configured to be placed in motion along the so-called lift shaft. If, on the other hand, the mechanical lifting system 1 , 100, 200 and 300 is installed as a retrofit in a building without a lift, said potential energy storage unit 5, and in particular said mass 6 or said movable container 10 are inserted and configured to be placed in motion along the stairway of such a building.

Finally, the fifth preferred embodiment of the mechanical lifting system 400 of the invention comprises all of the common features described for the preceding embodiments discussed thus far, one of the three configurations of the connection means 8 described above, as well as one of the two types of mass 6 described above. However, unlike the previous embodiments of the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200 and 300, as mentioned above, the latter preferred embodiment envisages that the same mechanical lifting system 400 be configured as an escalator.

A further advantageous aspect of the invention is that a plurality of mechanical lifting systems 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention may be aggregated together, so that each of them may serve as an electrical energy storage element in a virtual power plant (VPP).

With such an aggregated solution, more control, flexibility and value can be added to the current electricity distribution network.

As a result of the above, it is understood that the mechanical lifting system 1, 100, 200, 300 and 400 of the invention achieves all of the predefined purposes.

In particular, the aim is to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit, which is able to exploit the height development of mechanical lifting systems of the prior art also to implement the aforementioned potential energy storage.

Consequently, the aim of realising a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is economically viable and advantageous compared to the realisation of stand-alone potential energy storage units is achieved.

In addition, the aim is achieved of realising a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is less expensive and more efficient in terms of response time than energy storage units of another nature, e.g. electrochemical batteries.

A further aim achieved by the invention is the realisation of a mechanical system for lifting people or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit capable of supplying electrical energy to external consumers with a high response over time.

In addition, the aim is to create a mechanical system for lifting people or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit capable of delivering electrical energy with high efficiency.

Furthermore, it is an aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods that is equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is not very prone to wear and tear and therefore capable of maintaining its efficiency over a long period of time, for example for a time comparable to the life of a building (approx. 25 years), or at least requiring maintenance work comparable to that of a lift.

Further, it is the aim of the invention to realise a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that can be quickly and easily modulated in terms of energy, but above all power, according to the energy requirements and structural characteristics of the environment in which said system is to be installed.

Finally, another aim of the invention is the realisation of a mechanical system for lifting persons or goods equipped with a potential energy storage unit that is highly versatile in terms of dynamic energy delivery depending on the energy demand of an external user.