The Rebuffel cable system : This "first version" of the cable car was not equipped with a carrying cable, so to speak, but with a system of three parallel cables playing the role of a carrier-puller, this is the famous system designed by the engineer André Rebuffel.

This means clearly, but in technical terms: 2 superposed layers of 3 cables of 32 mm circulating in opposite directions; the bottom layer plays the role of the rolling path. The two buckle at the station onto pulleys, the tension is ensured by a counterweight of 48 tons.

Here is a very explicit small schema presenting the Rebuffel system.

Source : www.remontees-mecaniques.net - Raphaël BILLEY
- the cabin carriers : they are attached to the cables of the upper layer and roll in a train of 24 rollers, on the lower layer, with 8 by cable.

the cabins : they were suspended from the carriers by an arm. They could carry 30 people (as opposed to 60 today) and were made mainly in wood!

the transfer speed : about 4m/s or 14,5 km/h.

the training group: it consisted of a 380 V three-phased asynchrony motor working two continual electric dynamos which supplied the winch motor, with a variable speed, with 100 HP.

the transmission mode :elastic and tooth pinion coupling, activating a large crown wheel with a break rim. This unique system (with that of Brévent) was modified in 1952 in reply to new rules which required a carrier-puller cable system.

The arrival at the upper station in these days was directly onto a concrete advance, in the open air, which multiplied the impressive character of the arrival.

Technical characteristics of the cable car currently in action

The cable car was renovated in 1982, by the Swiss builder, Von Roll Hbgger (today the group Doppelmayer Garaventa). The Rebuffel system, installed in 1932 was abandoned.

Profile in line - altitude of the lower station : 432 m - altitude of the upper station : 1097 m - vertical height difference : 665 m - length : 1172 m

Capacity/turnover - Maximum hourly turnover: 900 people/h - Cabin capacity : 60 people - Journey time: between 3 and 4 minutes (variable depending on the speed chosen) - Running speed : 10m/s maximum

Explicative schéma Click on the picture below to download the schema which presents the current electro-mechanical equipment of the Salève cable car.

Source : La collaboration franco-genevoise print (new window)

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