TTD launch run

When did they add one on the up side and why? In its 1st season, the control sytem knew to AMS itself if the "tower clear" sensor was not tripped within 13 seconds tripping the sensor at the end of the launch strip. Plain and simple: that control system has too many sensors.

I've always known about the one on the drop side but not on the launch side... My guess is that it was added in 2003-2004 offseason because of the problem that required the "tower reset" key-switch caused by a train stopping at the top of the tower.

A good fraction of the inputs were positioned because they needed a closed loop braking system for protection. There are 2 limit switches per decending brake fin. Each can only tell if the brake is in the full up position. That means 2 inputs for every brake fin for the launch and the brakes in the hold and the end of the brake run that decend. That is a lot of inputs there.

Another good portion of inputs are the sensors placed in the "block reset" position. (Right side of the track, there is a line of them through whole station)
http://www.pointbuzz.com/Gallery.aspx?i=713
You can see both the main position and the "block reset" position here. The block reset is only activated by the last wheelset of the train on the right side. You can actually see this when a train is sitting on the transfer position from the midway at an angle. The main position is activated by the entire train.

There only needs to be a pair per block of the block reset sensors. The rest were for advanced processing of the train position. The ride never worked as intended for a number of reasons so all but a pair per block are useless now.

The unused sensors could be removed but they are an intergral part of the control system program making it very difficult.

During the design of a roller coaster the engineer wants to monitor train location at all times - this includes the front and rear of the train. Every train has a sensor bar located under the LF of the train on the axle assembly and the RR (same place), this tells the program where the entire train is. In the case of older rides it's a "flaper" that trips the older limit switches. The newer prox sensors just require a small steel bar, that has to be adjusted just right.

There are 4 switches on the top of the tower.

2 of them (LF & RR) monitor the train and when the train clears these, the next train can stage (not launch - stage). the 1st. train has to make it's way around the track to position B, then the next launch can be initated.

Other 2 monitor time it takes to clear the tower, ie: do we need more or less speed on the next train. ie; more power or less power applied ??? thats the question they answer. The speed over the top is critical for comfort and stress.

Though I am not a founder of this place (and it would be improper in some people's eyes to comment on this, if I was...)

You, and ForgottenEEE never cease to amaze me with your contributions to this board.

Thank You.

PS: Walt & Jeff do pretty good, too. :)

MrScott
*** Edited 12/27/2005 6:22:35 PM UTC by MrScott***

No problem -------- it's fun relaying what I've found out. It's really a lot more in depth than my explantions, I'm just giving the laymens explanation into the scheme of things. There is a zillion things to know and do, to properly maintain and operate amusement rides.

I know.

MrScott

I'm with with Scott, your input is always enjoyable to read. And I feel (and hope) it gives people a better understanding of how complex Dragster really is, even if you are giving it to us in laymens terms.