Brake motors bring order to ride of the Vikings 20 November 2013

Finding fully-submersible compact brake motors became a quest worthy of a Norse legend for the engineer in charge of maintaining the Valhalla ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

Valhalla – based on a traditional log flume but using Viking longboats in the dark – has been scaring 2,000 pleasure-seekers per hour for more than a decade. Each boat drops down rapids, sails through waterfalls, twists on its axis, rocks and rolls, with riders are drenched, frozen, blasted by winds and almost tipped over a long drop.

One of the critical parts of the ride is the automated entry/egress station, where returning boats are marshalled and made ready for the next riders via a canal.

The boats are driven by 24 underwater booster wheels – flanges mounted with uninflated car tyres, which nip the hulls and power them forward – each driven by an electric motor immersed in the canal, with proximity sensors providing control.

Steve Hughes, director of engineering and projects, explains that, with the limited space available, submersible motors were the only viable option for replacement of the equipment, which had reached end of life.

"We want our guests to have a total experience, which includes hiding the mechanical elements from view. Providing wide, safe walkways meant we were very limited on space and the motors had to go under the water."

He also explains that efficient handling necessitated not only that the boats could be propelled forward, but that they could also be stopped and held in intermediate positions.

"The solution for this requirement seemed obvious – brake motors," recalls Hughes. "These would be compact, so fit into the canal. Further, as integral units they would be easy to install and reliable for long-term operation.

"However we soon discovered that IP67 brake motors are about as common as Viking jet skis and began to contemplate the prospect of a complete redesign."

Fortunately, Rotor UK, part of Regal Group, was able to meet Hughes' needs and the original design could be re-implemented.

"When we spoke to Rotor and confirmed that they would be able to meet our exact requirements, it felt like an ancient curse being lifted," laughs Hughes."

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Regal Group Ltd
Rotor (UK) Ltd

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