The Ferris Wheel

 

The Ferris wheel was designed around 1893 and has become not only a family-friendly ride to enjoy but an attraction that tourist flock to when visiting cities around the world. For example there is the Centennial wheel located at Navy Pier in Chicago or the Skyview Ferris wheel located downtown Atlanta. Which brings me to a pivotal question, have you ever wondered how the Ferris wheel is able to spin around consistently for your amusement?

A Ferris wheel spins in a circular motion which is the rotation of an object in a circular path caused by centripetal force. The speed at which this motion occurs is constant so that you are able to observe the city view from various angles. Revolutions are the actual turning of the wheel and can be achieved using the following main motion components:

1. Wheel that contains carts with seating and is operated by a motor and support system
2. Circuit switch which is used to power the Ferris wheel by turning the electric pump off and on
3. The electric pump then converts the electric energy into hydraulic energy to be used by the hydraulic motor
4. The hydraulic motor uses oil to create mechanical energy to provide the circular motion 
5. The motor shaft of the motor uses interlocking gears to rotate the Ferris wheel in a circular motion
6. The pulley system provides support, they rotate the Ferris wheel by changing the direction/angle of the cables and transfer power between the motor shaft and attached cables