Older Style Launched Coasters

I saw a video today of a coaster (not sure which one) where the ride was launched by what looked like a bunch of wheels spinning quickly. If I am not mistaken isn't the rockin roller coaster in Disney launched like this as well? Anyways, this is just a general question about how those work and if some sort of technology like that could have ever been used on TTD?

I think a spinning reel is what does launch TTD, in the simplest of terms.

MrScott

Great answer and thankms for the awsome pictures as well. I think we are both thinking about the same concept. The picture of the actual launch wheels was not too visable but I think that the wheels are turned on their side in the middle of the track and that is what launches the ride up the hill. I aggree that it would not be possible on TTD based on your presentation of the facts about how they work. I do also believe that the same system does power Rockin' Roller Coaster at Disney only because it looks familiar based on those pictures. THANKS!!!

Dont forget that IH needs the extreme power because it's launching the trains on an incline. I'd bet that they wouldn't need as much power if it was a flat piece of launch track. And not to mention the trains.....B&M sure knows how to make them bulky and heavy.:)

That's a good question.

I haven't heard about it rolling back on the course. Before it opened they tried to use fog machines in the tunnel and found out that the tires slipped when it tried to launch because of the deposited oil.

The motors has such a high radial load (pinch force) that they had to use a modified design with stronger bearings and mounts. The launch was very expensive in that it required 220 motors, tires, and variable frequency drives. It's also not capable of a significant launch acceleration. But, it's more efficient than other launches and extremely reliable. *** Edited 3/21/2006 4:16:49 PM UTC by ForgottenEE***

If there were to be a rollback wouldn't there be another train in the load station? Also, how high is the station and how high does the ride go during the launch?

I wonder if IH has ever valleyed?

MantisBrian said:
Ford doesn't own that many wheels ;-)

Besides, you don't want to risk a blow-out at 120mph. That wouldn't be fun at all.

BPMCH02 said:
If there were to be a rollback wouldn't there be another train in the load station? Also, how high is the station and how high does the ride go during the launch?

I would assume there would be antirollback measures in place....

geewhzz said:
I wonder if IH has ever valleyed?

I THINK it has, I'm not 100% sure.

MantisBrian said:
Exactly my point. The chain section of the tunnel obviously has anti-rollbacks (I've heard them before), but I'm wondering about the "tire-d" section...

I'm pretty sure this is not a chainlift on the Hulk. There are tires going all the way up the lift.

http://rcdb.com/ig557.htm?picture=16 *** Edited 3/21/2006 3:40:41 AM UTC by CPFan420***

I was there two weeks ago and don't remember any chain section. The kicker wheels in the station rolled you out far enough for the tires on the lift to grab the train. There was nothing in between. My bet would be that in the event of a power loss or anything of that nature, the motors probably have something in place that keeps the tires from moving backwards, so they just lock in place, holding the train where it is.

They actually work just like Top Thrill Dragster's station drive tires. They don't have any gearing so they can run at a high speed. The motors are controlled by a series of variable frequency drives. They are all set at the same speed. To vary an AC motor you have to vary the frequency of the AC wave form. Programmed in them are at least 2 speeds and a rate of acceleration. One speed is used to match the station tire speed while the second speed is full speed. Say 5Hz to 40Hz. On a signal, the drives smoothly increase the speed to 5Hz. The train moves onto the tires and up the hill. On the second signal, the drive tires smoothly accelerate to 40 Hz. Near the top of the hill the train matches the tire speed and is continued to be pushed by the tires. With the exception of tire slip preventing acceleration, the speed of the train can be controlled within a couple percent.

Top Thrill Dragster's station drive tires could be set to over 15 MPH. Even then, it's only limited by the gearbox. Of course the way Intamin intended to move trains failed so the drives are just expensive paperweights. They could have used far cheaper designs for what they are used for now.

JuggaLotus said:

MantisBrian said:
Ford doesn't own that many wheels ;-)

Besides, you don't want to risk a blow-out at 120mph. That wouldn't be fun at all.

lol... Ford Exploder. More bang for your buck!

Forgotton EE, Just so I'm clear on this, you're reffering to these?

http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=713
(bottom center)

The Incredible Hulk uses so much power to launch the train that they have to generate their own power. According to the park, and they've said this a number of times, if it weren't for the power they generate for the ride, it would cause a blackout within Orlando each time a train launched. Take that information as you will, but it definitely ties up a lot of power!

*** Edited 3/21/2006 3:47:18 PM UTC by DBCP***

That's about the same as WT or Dragster. Both of which have their own dedicated lines from the power substation because if they ran on the main lines they would cause outages across the park because of their draw.

I bet that would be quite a sight.

and especially witht\ the way the power grids are in the north east I wouldnt want to take any chances