LSM v. LIM

I know that Mavrick will have LSM's and that Wicked Twister has LIM's. So I was wondering, what is the difference between LIM's and LSM's?

Basically this: LIMs are in general extremely high powered electromagnets. Electricity is used to create a magnetic field that propels or slows the train. LSMs use actual rare earth magnets whose fields are controlled by a system of computers, so the fields are switching polarity very quickly by the use of computers and electricity. I don't have a masters in the field of magnetic propulsion systems, so this is a simple explanation based on information that I have gathered from my time in the coaster community. I know DBCP can provide a much more detailed description of each.

I think this, Mike, would be the post you're referring to...?
http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=19710#289761

I'm going to try and give a simple explanation of how a LIM works:

LIM: A LIM has two major components: a stator and a rotor. In the case of a ride like Wicked Twister, the stator is located on the track and the rotor is the copper fin on the train. The magnetic fields in the stator creates another magnetic field in the rotor. These magnetic fields interact to push and pull the rotor, similar to the way you can move one magnet on a table with another.

Thank you very much for clearing that up for me!:)

LIM = Linear Induction Machine/Motor

LSM = Linear Synchronous Machine/Motor

Both are essentially motors with a stator and a rotor. The stator in this case is the track, and the rotor is the train.

Both are similar, but LIMs have no startup torque due to the way they are wired. This means that they can just fire away and the train will move.

LSMs are more complicated. There is a startup torque involved, so the power must be much more controlled. The train's position must be known at all times so that it will stay on the electromagnetic wave moving it along the track.

GO BUCKS!!!

do they both launch at the same speed? or is one particularly faster?

Well it depends on many things like the weight of the train or length of launch track. I suppose if you had a train on a LIM launch track and another of the same weight on a LSM launch track (both being the same length) you could tell.......but I for one am not sure.

*** Edited 12/1/2006 5:38:24 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

I believe that either one, properly designed, could get you going to the same speed.

LSMs (from what I understand) can launch something with less energy consumption and a shorter duration (track length) than LIMs can.