hydraulic vs LIM

Everyone seems to think that this thing will be launched hydrollically. Does anyone know how the hydrollic launch works? Is there a piston that'll run the length of the launch track to sort of catapult the train? And also, why wouldn't they design this new coaster with a LIM launch, like Wicked Twister? Just curious of how the launch will work on this thing.

Did I spell hydrollic correctly? Doesn't look right.
*** This post was edited by jose_gringo 12/1/2002 1:45:52 PM ***

I'm not expert on this stuff but i do know that the hydrolic launch can accelerate WAY faster...and i think it is cheaper...i dunno though

its like the cable thing under MF taking you up the hill but instead it builds up hydraulic pressure and then launches you out alot faster than LIM's can and then will probably detatch somewhere at the bottom of the hill and you can figure out the rest

LIMs create a very powerful electo-magnetic field. Only a small amount of the most concentrated part of the field is actually used, creating a large amount of wasted energy.

Hydrualic systems are completely different. They are more like a linear elevator lift system with hydraulic motors instead of electric motor and transmission. Here are a few links to visual aids. http://www.twistedrails.com/kbf/apr20-13.shtml http://www.twistedrails.com/kbf/apr25-05.shtml

I like hydrualic launches better than LIMs. They are faster, waste less energy, no exposure to the extreme electo-magnetic radiation, and don't create static in any speakers near it. LIMs have advantages, they have no moving parts and they are more avalible to all of the companys.

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House of Tomorrow: Only technology makes live worth living

What do shuttle loopers use to launch? I know its not LIM's. Don't they use a similar method to the hydraulic launch?

I figured we'd get a few questions like this, so I took the liberty of creating an explanation here.

The largest advantage is the amount of power used. I wouldn't be surprised if it uses just a little more than the 480VAC lines like most of the large rides use. I'm pretty sure the only reason the static is created in the speakers by WT is because they're supposedly running off the power from the ride. Something along those lines was the answer I got from a tech services. When the LIMs fire, the sudden amount of energy used creates static in the speakers. There's a more exact way to describe it, but electricity is not my specialty.

The other advantage of LIMs is the ability to run forward and reverse multiple times in a short period. It's kinda a one time deal with the hydraulic launch.

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VertiGo rides: 32
2002 Raptor Crew
"Hey, Cool. My voice is on the lift"
*** This post was edited by Montu 12/1/2002 3:02:07 PM ***

Some of the older shuttle loopers use giant counterweights that drop and propel the car forward.

Like Schwartzkopf's (spelling?).

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Turkeys, the only animal smarter than man
*** This post was edited by raptor323 12/1/2002 3:44:42 PM ***

Yes, the old Anton loopers used a weight drop system.

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- John
*I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.
*I'll make it easy for you- "Shut up Michael Darling, I disagree with you." Now you don't have to say it anymore! :)

I just noticed on the ground webcam that if you look closely that it appares to be some new track by the wall but it is not flat track or brack track it seems that it has a box shape so maybe they are going to add that on after the brack track and do some more elements or could it just be for the track to go into the station? Does anyone have any ideas about this?

One other thing could it be possible if that wall could be blocking somthing maybe a turn or anther element mebay that wall is to protect cedar point secret so we would still think that cedar point is still building a Lanch brack tophat so maybe they are doing somthing behide it. What do you think about this?

Here is the link http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/webcam/camera2.cfm
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Live to ride ride to live
What's life without rollercoasters!!!

There will be no other elements on this coaster...on Xcelerator, after the flat brake section, it goes back to the box track that has retractable brakes so that the train can be stopped, and advanced from there.

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Launch: Tophat: Twistage: Brakes...

...Denial is an ugly thing.
*** This post was edited by CP_bound 12/1/2002 5:31:11 PM ***

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Michael Darling said:
Yes, the old Anton loopers used a weight drop system.

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Wrong. Stick to DDR. ;)

The Schwarzkopf shuttle loopers used a flywheel system. Basically, get a really heavy wheel turning really fast, then engage it to a pulley to snatch the train. It's kind of like putting the wheels of a car on jacks, getting the wheels spinning really fast, then kicking it off the jacks.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"Climbing as we fall, we dare to hold on to our fate, and steal away our destiny to catch ourselves with quiet grace" - The Stairs, INXS

Ah. Gotcha. Yet another of my misconceptions shattered here on GTTP and Coasterbuzz. I'm just going to stop talking because I'm wrong too much. :) What coasters do use a weight drop though?

And sticking to DDR might not be a good idea either, I have a tendancy to fall off the machines.

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- John
*I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.
*I'll make it easy for you- "Shut up Michael Darling, I disagree with you." Now you don't have to say it anymore! :)
*** This post was edited by Michael Darling 12/1/2002 6:11:45 PM ***

What gets the 'really heavy wheel' turning fast in the first place?

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Tommy Penner - Variable X @ starrynightmare.net/~vxtc
Cedar Point FanBoy since 2001
"Of course I'm in a bad mood. I'm just better at hiding it."

A powerful motor continusly spins a very heavy fly wheel at a set speed. There is a clutch the connects the motor unit and the cable system connected to the train. When the ride host dispatches the train, the clutch engauges, launching the train. There is a video of it operating somewhere on the internet.

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House of Tomorrow: Only technology makes live worth living

I found the video. There are a few videos of the Greezed Lightnin launch mechanism here about halfway down the page.

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- John
*I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.
*I'll make it easy for you- "Shut up Michael Darling, I disagree with you." Now you don't have to say it anymore! :)

*** This post was edited by Michael Darling 12/1/2002 7:17:52 PM ***

I actually believe it was the Arrow shuttles that used a weight system. They already had an elevated platform of about 40 feet so they weight drop could start from there.

Michael Darling,

You are partially right...The weight drop system was used for one of Anton's earlier designs...The Shuttle looper at Great America had a weight drop system when introduced....

this whole thing is getting to heavy for me;)

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I'm not an old fogey, I'm just an old coaster rider..

Thanks, tubs. It's nice to know I'm not totally crazy, just sleep deprived. Speaking of which, it's past my bedtime. G'night everybody.

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- John
*I resign from the game of life if I have to play with stupidity.
*I'll make it easy for you- "Shut up Michael Darling, I disagree with you." Now you don't have to say it anymore! :)