4th Quarter 2012Electrical switching & drive systems & components
While London has had centre stage in 2012 as host to the world’s top sporting event, Bosch Rexroth technology has also in recent years played host to some of the world’s best mechanical performances. It is Rexroth drives that keep the giant ferris wheel of the London Eye turning, that actuate the opening mechanism for Tower Bridge and that raise the gates of the Thames Barrier, which protects the city against storm and spring floods from the North Sea.
Europe’s tallest ferris wheel draws more than 3,5 million visitors a year. From a height of 135 metres they can enjoy views over the whole of London. The wheel, together with 32 capsules that are almost fully glazed, rotates at 26 cm per second – a constant speed that is delivered by 16 hydraulic drive wheels from Bosch Rexroth. One particularly important feature is that all drive functions are duplicated to guarantee maximum safety. The slow speed enables passengers to enter and exit the capsules while the wheel is moving.
Tower Bridge is a London landmark that has been on the scene for much longer. This bascule bridge opens up to a thousand times a year to allow boats with high superstructures or sailing masts to pass through, with each opening lasting around a minute. As part of a modernisation project, Rexroth planned the drive and control solution for the opening mechanism for the sections of bridge, which weigh around 1000 tons. The modern hydraulics also protect the historic structure against damage caused by heavy goods traffic. Hydraulically adjustable wedges further ensure that any forces and vibrations that occur are dissipated evenly.
A short distance down the Thames is the Thames Barrier, one of the largest flood barriers in Europe. The barrier stretches for 520 metres across the Thames and comprises ten movable gates.
Under normal conditions these gates rest on the river bed so that river traffic can pass through unhindered. However, during storm or spring floods the North Sea drives enormous quantities of water into the Thames, threatening to flood the British capital.
In the course of a gradual programme, Rexroth refurbished the drive solution of the Bravo Gate, which is 30 metres wide. When danger looms, it raises the gate within 15 minutes. Eight more gates will be modernised in the near future. Those who’d like to witness the spectacle do not have to wait for a flood to occur: the gates are raised once a month for maintenance purposes.
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