Max. Speed

I have heard a lot of talk about how the Xcelerator can be launchedat different speeds. Will this be the same case with Dragster? Do you think that if we will not be getting enough air time over the top that we may be getting launched at higher speeds than 120? What is the max speed that Dragster can be launched at?

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CP4ME

I don't think that they would increase the speed just for some enthusiasts need for "air time." They didn't build it for that reason, so just remember its all based on SAFETY calculations.

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MANTIS ROCKS 2002 & 2003

I'd imagine that the computers will adjust the launch based on temperature, speed of last train, etc. etc.

But it'll have the goal of hitting 5 - 15 MPH over the top. What does this mean on the bottom, while launching? You probably won't notice a thing, as the differences will probably amount to just a few miles per hour.

[Note: This is a complete guess, but based on logic... a logical guess... hmm... yeah, I wouldn't trust it either. ;)]

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17 straight years of real thrills and counting...
You know there's nothing good on TV when you're desperate enough to specifically look for infomercials.

They'll find the ideal spead and dial it in, and leave it that way. That's it.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

If memory serves me correctly, Hypersonic XLC has a 'weigh station' on the turn onto the launch. This is where the train + people on it are all weighed in, and that calculates the exact speed to launch the train at to keep airtime and speed over the top *near* constant for EVERYONE. I believe all launched rides like this, or that, have some variation of this technology.

This one won't.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

The reason for that is probably that these trains are extremely heavy to begin with. So whether you have an empty train or a train full of 200+ pound people, the weight is probably still within 10% of what it was empty. The same might not be true for a Hypersonic train (they are most likely a lot lighter to begin with) so they need the weighing station.

-Matt
2001 Magnum Crew
2003 Magnum Crew

*** This post was edited by MDOmnis 2/24/2003 2:28:14 PM ***

Makes sense to me. Glad I didn't trust myself earlier. ;)

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17 straight years of real thrills and counting...
You know there's nothing good on TV when you're desperate enough to specifically look for infomercials.

Don't forget that when they weigh the train on something like Hypersonic XLC, they're not looking for the speed to launch it at, but rather the force it will take on the launch to get the train to its designated speed.

Jeffs right. Theres no weighing station, there's no "Make sure the train gets enough air time over the top so speed up the train" meter. The speed for the ride is set, and left alone.

So quite possibly, if you have a train with lighter people (kids) or less people (1/2 the train), you will probably be going a little bit faster over the top hat than a train that has heavier people(adults) or is full (Every seat taken). Train weight affects the speed of the car going vertical, or up the tower.

And no, the amount of people on each train doesnt affect the launch speed at all.

The deceleration due to gravity won't change with the weight of the train, though.

What WILL change with the weight of the train, is the amount of force needed to get up to the given speed. So if that force is set to some constant (and with no weigh station, it WILL be), your launch speed may vary.

However, given how heavy the trains are, the variance will be pretty insignificant. You probably won't notice.

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--Greg
My Home
MF count: 54

Unless you get a rollback (which I'm hoping to have this summer).

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MANTIS ROCKS 2002 & 2003

Actually, I think the the deceleration of the train due to gravity will be affected by the weight of the train. The weight will determine the force of friction on the train. I think the friction is determined by the normal force, which is usually equal to the weight force, which is around 9.8 m/s times the mass of the trains, times "myu" or the coefficient of friction between the wheels and the track. The only forces on the train, after launch, will be of the friction force. These include air friction, which will likely be near constant, and friction caused by the contact of the wheels and track. The sum of all forces is equal to the mass of the object times the acceleration of the object. So divide the friction force by the weight of the object and voila, you get the deceleration of the train in terms of the weight, or mass, of the train.

I hope I didn't lose anyone.

And the difference in weight will affect the amount of force needed to reach a certain speed, but given the magnitude of the mass of the trains, i doubt there will be a noticable change between the speed of an empty train and a full train. The expended force most likely will be set at a constant, so all trains won't be launched at the "exact" same speed.

I think that they would use a sensor that detects the position of the drum at all times.

Some cars have crankshaft sensors that detects crank position at 1 degree increments. If the car has engine problems, the computer can detect it and which cylinder is causing it.

If they use it on TDD, they probably would detect increments more like 1/4 or 1/8th of a degree being 1440 2880 sensing positions instead of 360. With 1/4 degree, it could detect the position within about .157" assuming a 6' drum, and with 1/8 degree it would be .079". To control the speed, the computer would turn the motors off when the sensor detects the pulse width (time it takes from each increment) at or less than the specified number. They could control the actual speed of the train with great precision.

The actully speed going over the time depends on a lot of factors especially since the train will be moves very fast. Temputure, realitive humitity, berring condition and load for example.

As for the actual maximum speed, I have no doubts that they hydraulic motors can launch the trains 2, 3 or more G's. The biggest reason they arn't using the motors at or near capacity is because it takes it's toll on the motor unit and makes it much less reliable.If you beat on your car or drive a ford [hehe] your car's vital parts will fail sooner and causing higher maintance fees.

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Millennium Force 03'

Ozzi, TTD is going to run 190 km/h ;o)
*** This post was edited by intamini 2/28/2003 10:34:28 AM ***

intamini said:
Ozzi, TTD is going to run 190 km/h ;o)
*** This post was edited by intamini 2/28/2003 10:34:28 AM ***

Actually 120 mph would be 200 km/h.

60 mph is 100 km/h, so I would assume 120 mph would be 200 km/h.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I did afterall get a 21 in grade 12 physics. :)

60 mph = ~ 96.6 kph

120 mph = ~ 193.2 kph

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17 straight years of real thrills and counting...
You know there's nothing good on TV when you're desperate enough to specifically look for infomercials.