Sarum Hydraulics explores the twists and turns of hydraulics in the amusement industry.

With so many white-knuckle rides available for the British thrill seeker at theme parks across the country, a rather autumnal Sarum Hydraulics reflects on the enduring popularity of the local travelling fun fair.

October in Salisbury in Wiltshire and the bright lights and whirring machinery cramming itself into our ancient market place over the next three days signals the return of the annual Charter Fair. Salisbury is big on ancient fairs and markets. The original Charter goes back to 1227. On a crisp autumn night, the sight and sound of fairground machinery whirling around, juxtaposing magnificently with our medieval buildings is a truly wondrous thing to behold. Magic maybe, but Sarum Hydraulics knows that whilst the business of fairground rides is pleasure, beneath the childhood nostalgia complex hydraulic systems are working hard to ensure the safety of customers and the excitement of even the most daring of thrill seekers.

Salisbury Fair in the Market Square Picture by Tom Gregory 19/10/2009 DB6898P05

Salisbury Fair in the Market Square
Picture by Tom Gregory
19/10/2009
DB6898P05

Modern fairground rides are heavily dependent on hydraulics. From hydraulic motors to spin rides and index them round to single and double acting cylinders for lifting and actuating arms and carriages, you can bet your last helter skelter token that every ride you enjoy is hydraulically operated.

Move up to the big leagues and stakes are even higher. The world just loves theme parks and you will find them on every continent, complete with their share of fairground rides. At the world’s biggest theme parks, only the best will do and maintaining safety standards are the big concern. It is a role in which hydraulic kit flourishes, and as some of this kit demonstrates the sky really is the limit for hydraulics and high octane fun. The big players in world hydraulics see fairground and amusement park equipment as a big market and even have business units that specialise in it. Bosch Rexroth take it very seriously and probably see it as a chance to apply their know how in motors, pumps, valves, control, imaginative design and a bit of drama as well.

Where does hydraulics really add to the fun?

Safety

Remember when you sat down on that roller coaster and felt the all too familiar surge of fear course through you that you might fall out? Hydraulics made sure you didn’t. The clamp-down lap bar which locks firmly into place as you take your seat are very likely to be operated by hydraulic cylinders. That’s the starting point of the roller coaster experience

Stopping it

If you are using hydraulic motors to pump up the adrenaline, you can easily use them to slow a ride down in a controlled manner. Go to roller coasters and they still use low tech pneumatic or hydraulic brakes to grip and slow or lock the car. Sarum Hydraulics is good on manual over ride pumps for braking systems but roller coasters are not something that we have ever designed for. Hydraulic brakes are rugged, low tech and self adjusting so are big at theme parks and fun fairs for this exact reason.

A trip to Pluto?

Flight simulators have long been popular with pilots, but as any theme park aficionado knows, these amazingly lifelike attractions are no longer reserved for the aviation industry. They have been around for years and hydraulic designers have built amazing systems using multiple cylinders, servo valves and controls. Whether you want the trip of a lifetime in the natural world or want to fight the Klingons, there will be a simulator programme for you. Hollywood loves them. Bolt together cutting edge hydraulics, high definition sound and video plus the right content and you have an incredible experience. Designing flight simulator hydraulics will be another bare knuckle ride unless you make life easy for yourself. That starts with putting the valves into or mounting on to a manifold block, preferably with one of our cartridge hand pumps installed.

Flight Simulators use complex hydraulic systems,

Flight Simulators use complex hydraulic systems,

Sarum Hydraulics might stick to candy floss and knocking a few coconuts off the shelf this year, but we are always keen to hear about new hydraulic innovation. Theme parks are an industry in which hydraulics are constantly evolving. To find out more about how our hydraulic systems could help you, visit us at www.sarumhydraulics.co.uk