Singapore Flyer - Big, Bigger, Biggest

Ferris Wheel.


The Singapore Flyer. The biggest in the world. It's the pinnacle of structure engineering.

Just let " National Geographic "  take me travel all over the world in the virtual way. But, the
video is just only the video that never replaced the real world experience. Like watching the " Hardcore Porn "  can not replicate the real intercourse...


London Ferris Wheel is very spectacular, isn't it ??





It is the whole new way to see the landscape of the city.



Chicago Ferris Wheel. The original sky wheel.

George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr.  Invented the " Sky Wheel " .

The steel wheels are already used on vehicles. As the wheel, the spokes must be thick and
sturdy, so they don't buckle making it very heavy.

Look the background of the " Sky Wheel ", it looks like the oversize bicycle wheel.



Lattice Girder (Steel)  forms the rim and steel spokes tied the rim to the hub.



As it reached the upper half, its weight would buckle the thin spokes below. Before the wheel
is completed the circle, it is dangerous.

To support the upper half of the wheel during the construction, Ferris built the giant scaffolding.
Workers used it the inserted the support struts between the axle and the rim. This would
temporarily take the load, while the rim is being built.

Once the wheel is completed, and then removed the struts and scaffolding. The wheel supports itself.

Before the age of the airplane, this is the first time the general public to see the world from above.



Get back to Singapore Sky Wheel.







The wheel itself is the tension wheel.







First, engineers hang the strong temporarily support strut from the axle.

It would attach the first section of the rim and wire spokes.

Powerful hydraulic jacks push the complete sections wheel to round.















Using two steam-engines to the the chain pulling the wheel, rather than drive the hub without
putting the strain on the steel spokes.

** Reverse/Antonym
     In the bicycle or motorbike, we drive the wheel from the Hub.  
     Reverse It.
     Drive the " Sky Wheel "  from the Rim.




Using the rubber tires to drive the wheel.



London Eye











Note that : This design of the carriage allowing panoramic view for passengers. No more need
columns to support the carriage. Genius design.

Early design, the support columns would block the view at the highest point.











Engineers install the giant bearing on the outer of the carriage.

The carriages couldn't hang freely and ride on the gravity to keep them upright.
Solution:
The speed of the electrical motor is synchronized with the speed of the wheel, so the floor
remains level all the way round.




The technicians maintain the condition of the gears.





" Singapore Flyer "  is like " London Eye ".



The capsule must be made of the glass to give the passengers the best view, but the glass also
trapped the heat from the sun. This could make the condition inside dangerously hot.



Install the air-conditioner to cool the temperature down.





If the glass is misting up, they adjust the temperature each capsule individually to avoid
condensing. Rising the temperature by a couple of degrees to keep the window clear.

Vortex Shedding

Install the " Damper "  to counteract the vibration causing by " Vortex Shedding ".

**Taipei 101, Dubai Hotel, Suspension bridge...






Damper





Highlight


Singapore Flyer and London Eye. No column to block the panoramic view.
Tension Wheel


Question :


How can technician replace the damaged cables of the " Singapore Flyer " ??
Thermal Expansion ??