Fluidlink Provide Access Solutions At One Hyde Park

Online, March 3, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Fluidlink Provide Access Solutions

At One Hyde Park.

Fluidlink Hydraulics, the Wiltshire-based specialist manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic power packs and systems, are proud to announce the successful completion of their most prestigious commission to date.

One Hyde Park is an iconic residential development built on the site of Bowater House in Knightsbridge, West London. Designed by architect Richard Rogers, the development comprises 80 apartments in four separate, hexagonal pavilions, each with stunning views over the London skyline.

Apartments at One Hyde Park range in price from £20m to £140m and are amongst the most luxurious, desirable and expensive in the world.

Planning consent required the developers, Candy and Candy, to provide access to the development for residents via gates on both Knightsbridge, to the south and Serpentine Walk to the north. The brief also required the gates to be 'of outstanding visual and artistic appeal'. The largest of these impressive gates, made from solid bronze and weighing 2.2 tonnes, is situated on Serpentine Walk.

Fluidlink Hydraulics was contracted to design and manufacture the hydraulic systems that operate the gates. Due to the high profile location, safety, reliability and security were of paramount importance.

The final design, based on three identical but independently operated systems, incorporates Fluidlink's innovative G Series mini power pack.Small, resilient, immensely powerful and highly adaptable, the G Series is ideal for applications such as the gates at One Hyde Park.

Control valves, together with nitrogen-filled accumulators for cushioning, were fitted to manifold blocks designed and manufactured by Fluidlink, with all components mounted on steel sub-frames and inserted into the gateposts for ease of servicing and accessibility.

Given the high profile location of the installation, system reliability was uppermost in Fluidlink engineers' minds when designing the circuit. In each pack a 4-pole motor drives a gear pump to deliver oil, extending the 80x450mm stroke cylinder in 15s. A warning light is triggered in the event of oil levels falling to below normal operating levels. In addition, a low system pressure of 80 bars ensures reliability, even under severe conditions such as vehicle impact, extreme force or high winds. As the gates are operated by a simple push-button control protected by an entry code, an adjustable proximity switch near each end of the cylinder stroke was installed, thereby ensuring that the gates stop slowly and smoothly, whether in opening or closing mode. A system of needle valves and nitrogen filled mini-accumulators enable the deceleration to be adjusted and locked off on site.

The main control for operating the gates is based on a solenoid directional valve and counterbalance valves which are protected by pressure filters. In the event of a mains power failure, manually-operated ball valves in a locked enclosure allow the gates to be moved. The system self-recovers within one cycle once power is restored.

More information is available from:

Grant Audemard
Managing Director
Fluidlink Hydraulics Ltd.
9 Harris Road,
Porte Marsh Industrial Estate,
Calne,
Wiltshire
SN11 9PT

Tel: www.fluidlink.co.uk 01249 818555