The London Eye has become one of the most spectacular and popular visitor attractions in the world. SKF slewing bearings – 3,6 metres in diameter – keep the passenger capsules in a perfect horizontal orientation.
It is based on a construction similar to a bicycle wheel, with a gigantic wheel intersected by 64 spoke cables and then supported by an A-frame on one side only and anchored by a further series of tensioned cables. Thirty-two passenger capsules, each capable of carrying 25 people, are arranged around the wheel, with each capsule being mounted in a circular mounting ring which, in turn is fixed to the outside of the main rim. This arrangement allows each capsule to remain horizontal as the wheel rotates at a constant speed of 0,26 m/sec, giving passengers a continuous and uninterrupted 360° view of the capital.
The continuous horizontal orientation of the capsules is achieved by the use of SKF slewing bearings, located around the outside of each capsule. In total, 64 bearings are used, two per capsule, with each bearing having an external diameter of 3,6 m and weighing 820 kg.
The slewing bearings are designed to accommodate axial, radial and moment loads, acting either singly or in combination and in any direction. They have low backlash internal gears and are constructed using four-point contact ball bearings to provide a high load capacity for oscillating movements, with low friction.
For more information contact Samantha Joubert, SKF, +27 (0)11 821 3500, [email protected],
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