Product category:
Proximity Sensors
News Release from: Variohm Eurosensor | Subject: Position Transducers
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 06 June 2000
Variohm's Position Transducers Monitor
the Eye
The BA Wheel or London Eye is using position transducers supplied by Variohm Components Limited to ensure that access to the passenger capsules is safe and straightforward.
The BA Wheel or London Eye is using position transducers supplied by Variohm Components Limited to ensure that access to the passenger capsules is safe and straightforward Weighing in at 400 tonnes, the 'Eye' is the largest structure of its type in the world
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 19 Mar 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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A complex hydraulic drive system keeps the 'Eye' constantly rotating at a speed of 0.26 metres per second, meaning passengers have to board the capsules whilst they're on the move from a static loading platform.
Ease of access for all including the elderly and the disabled was one of the major design parameters.
It is a vast metal wheel structure measuring some 135 metres (443'-0") in diameter.
Despite the UK location, the wheel expands and contracts as the temperature varies.
For the safety process to be maintained, the changes in size must be monitored constantly and the position of the loading platform adjusted accordingly.
WGH Transportation Engineering of Doncaster supplied horizontal and vertical jacking systems for the loading platform to maintain the correct relationship to the capsule doorways and they incorporated Variohm's LWG series position transducers into their design.
The LWG series are conductive plastic units and are therefore absolute devices.
WGH were able to fit and virtually forget them as they do not need frequent resetting or recalibration.
Even if the power supply to the units is interrupted, the transducers possess 'Mechanical Memory' and as soon as the power is restored they know exactly where they are.
In the mode that WGH Engineering use them they also have a very low temperature co-efficient which is obviously very important if the loading platform is to perform consistently over a long period of time.
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