Beijing Great Wheel
| Beijing Great Wheel | |
|---|---|
 3D Model of Beijing Great Wheel |
|
| General information | |
| Status | Builder in receivership |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | Chaoyang Park, Beijing, China |
| Coordinates | 39°56′58″N 116°28′47″E / 39.94944°N 116.47972°ECoordinates: 39°56′58″N 116°28′47″E / 39.94944°N 116.47972°E |
| Height | 208 m (682 ft) |
The Beijing Great Wheel (simplified Chinese: 北京朝天轮; traditional Chinese: 北京朝天輪; pinyin: Běijīng Cháotiānlún) is a 208 metres (682 ft) tall giant Ferris wheel project. Located in eastern Beijing's Chaoyang Park, one of the 2008 Summer Olympics venues, its planned height exceeds that of the current world's tallest Ferris wheel record holder, the 165 m (541 ft) Singapore Flyer.
The Great Wheel Corporation originally forecast the wheel would start turning on August 1, 2008, one week in advance of the Beijing-hosted 2008 Summer Olympics.[1] In 2007, Chinese state media reported that construction had begun, with completion delayed until 2009 due to design issues.[1] Completion was subsequently rescheduled for 2010.[2][3]
On 3 May 2010 it was reported that Great Beijing Wheel Co., the company set up to build the wheel, had gone into receivership after breaching the conditions of a loan, with Ferrier Hodgson and Zolfo Cooper appointed as administrative receivers.[4] Construction work has been stopped since then.[citation needed]
[edit] Design
If completed, the wheel would have a diameter of 198 m (650 ft), and each of its 48 air conditioned observation capsules would be able to carry up to 40 passengers.[5]
It would be rotated by four drive units, each capable of producing over 16 million lb-ft of torque. Each unit comprises a pair of hydraulic drive modules, each module containing a hydraulic power unit driving four hydraulic motors. Each of the 32 hydraulic motors powers a planetary gearbox which drives rubber tyres against the wheel's circumferential rim.[5]
An automated boarding system would enable the wheel to rotate continuously while passengers board and disembark the capsules via electric feeder vehicles.[5]
It is expected that, on a clear sunny day, passengers would be able to see the Great Wall of China in the mountains to Beijing's north.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Beijing begins construction of world's biggest wheel AFP 2007-11-05
- ^ Beijing Great Wheel may face more delays
- ^ greatwheel.com/beijing_eng/intro.htm - Introduction
- ^ Beijing Ferris wheel company in receivership
- ^ a b c Hydraulics powers Great Wheel of Beijing
- ^ Great Wall old hat as Beijing eyes Great Wheel Reuters 2007-11-05, Ben Blanchard
[edit] External links
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