I had been wondering why they chose LSM over LIM. I had known that LSM required a more complex control system than LIM, and that LIM would not be able to act as a brake. I was thinking that the LSM would, however, be able to function as a brake. halltd seems to have confirmed this. However, looking at the video, the LIMs are on the center of the track, and the brakes are on the right side of the track. The LSMs are more efficient as well, and this is another bonous.
What I wonder is how efficient the LSM brakes are when compared to the brakes on Millennium Force and Dragster, which resemble the LIM. Will these stop you faster, slower, or about the same?
I also wonder what kind of switching the motors will have. I assume there will need to be at least three positions: foreward and reverse to propel the car along, and off. The off mode would need to be a short circuit to allow the brakes to function most effectively. (The more current that is generated, the more energy it will take away from the train. A short circuit has very little resistance, which makes it easier to generate large currents)
*** Edited 9/10/2006 2:22:00 AM UTC by 0g***
I believe the brakes on the track at the end of the ride are fixed magnetic brakes like on TTD or MF (just in a different location). The LSMs act as brakes on the lift so they don't have to ALSO install brakes. That's where the benefit comes in over LIMs. But, there's no reason to use LSMs where you would ONLY want to be stopping the train.
Good point. Putting copper fins on the track is a cheaper solution than a stator that is only going to be used as a brake, even though it may require an extra set of magnets under the train.
I have two questions regarding the launch/lift hill - as I'm a new member please be gentle and keep the flames to a minimum.
Question 1 - Using the LSM as a lift/launch, would it not be possible to introduce new features to lift/launch hills in the future such as a lift hill that curves as you're going up similar to Zonga? Obviously can't do this with a standard chain lift.
QUestion 2 - Would an LSM launch/lift be part of the solution in the quest for the 500' coaster. Problems that I've read in other threads talk about the excesive weight of the chain, the length of the lift hill, etc.
Let the flaming begin . . .
Jason Hammond said:
LIM - Linear Induction Motor - Magnetics pushing and pulling in sequence to propell you.
Totally not it, man.
Read Dave's page. I'm too lazy to give my standard "you're wrong about what a LIM is" speech.
Exit, you're wrong, too. Shame on you!
Check out the Wikipedia entry on Linear Motors, though it doesn't go into the difference between a LIM and a LSM. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_motor
Basically, though LIMs don't use magnets at all. LSMs use only magnets.
A linear motor is essentially an electric motor that has had its stator "unrolled" so that instead of producing a torque (rotation), it produces a linear force along its length.
Wow I just learned something more about Linear Motors. I also found it interesting that they use these for studies of hypervelocity collisions, as weapons, or as mass drivers for spacecraft propulsion.
I didn't know that, thanks Michael.
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