Windseeker Mechanical Questions

I would think the behavior of the arms would have to be considered both full and empty as i would think that at some times some seats will be empty during operation.

If you sit in those seats and extend your legs it appears to me to leave about 3ft of clearance if that beyond an extended leg. Thats not alot.

Dont get me wrong, I'm not freaking out, just kinda wondering out loud.

I didn't realize the seats could swing forward and backward. I thought only left and right. (Mostly right and minimally left)

^ Same here. If that is the case, then things could certainly get interesting on this thing. I'm sure it has been taken into account though, as isn't actually a problem.

Jason Hammond said:
I didn't realize the seats could swing forward and backward. I thought only left and right. (Mostly right and minimally left)

The swings only "swing" forward and backward in the same way a static plastic chair "reclines" when you sit in it. That is, the materials flex, so there's some movement. Something tells me the designers are aware of this, and it won't be a problem.

I feel like such a coaster/ride nerd reading this and coming on here...:)

But, when it comes to seats, i think it will be more interesting if the seats "swing" a little more when riding, when we are up off the ground, though, IMO.

I like the idea of the seats being able to swing out a little. I just think IMO would add to the thrill.

Oh and Miss_Maverick07 nothing wrong with being a coaster nerd.

Are you guys sure the coupling to the frame isn't a ball joint that would enable 360 degree motion? Since Windseeker is supposed to mimick a swing ride that would make sense. Also, with the arms holding the seats being so long, along with a tiny looking joint, limiting front to back movement would seem like it would put a lot of stress on the joint.

I can't imagine the seats would be allowed to swing back and forth enough to impact one another. As such, there would seemingly have to be some sort of limit to their articulation. But you're right - a small, simple joint would seem insufficient for the task. Perhaps there's some sort of linkage that limits the swings' fore and aft movement.

The way we engineering pivoting links, for our construction equipment, is a double link. One pin is 90 degrees off of a second pin on the link. So one pin allows movement in and out, the second pin allows movement forward and backward.

Yes swivel bushings could be used, but we favor the double link design, which looks like what is on Windseeker.

I think that this picture shows that the seats do indeed swing forward, backward, and side to side.

http://pointbuzz.com/Photos/Photo.aspx?id=7700

I can personally attest to that. They swing in every direction very freely. The workers would occasionally give one a push. Another thing I noticed was that, if a seat was swung far enough, it does not appear as if it will clear the blue fence. i know they won't begin spinning it until 30' up. But, I'm very curious to see the first test runs.

Jason, this is off topic, but do you have a boat in the Marina? I was using the My Park app and I saw your circle at around 11:30 in one of the docks close to Famous Dave's.

BoboScum, I was wondering the same thing. Where is the backup protection/redundancy since the seats are attached to a single pole?
Looking at the pics that Walt posted today, the material steel that is used in the construction of the gondola doesn't look strong to me, it looks flimsy.

The pole isn't going to fail, it is much more substantial than necessary for the relatively light weight of two people and two seats. Look at the frame and support pole on a 4 person chair lift, much smaller than the pole on Windseeker. The seats are attached with multiple bolts, probably at least 6 to 8.

The redundancy is in the form of a very substantial cable that would support the pole if the hinge should fail, again something that seems very remote as it is very substantial for the weight it needs to hold.

Pictures can distort things, in person the gondola seems very strong and substantial to me. Windseeker is actually a machine I'd get on without a second thought, and I'm scared of heights. Now, I wouldn't get on a Funtime lawn chair attached with cables if you paid me, those things look flimsy to me. Windseeker looks good though.

Pete, I'm sure once I see the ride up close, it will erase any doubts I have about the ride.

I was watching some kids video on youtube from yesterday ,5/14/11 at Kings Island

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhrPpjqTv8k

In it at 6:53there is a shot of the Windseeker tower showing a mechanism halfway up the tower that I had assumed was connected to the red main carriage.

Also seen in this video at 0:13 at Canadas Wonderland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b2ptgbHEp4

I observed this part being put on the CP version on web cam and was curious what purpose it served.
Now, seeing this part halfway up the tower and NOT connected to the carriage makes me even more puzzled....Any insight?

My first thought is that it is some sort of limiting mechanism that can be left at any point on the tower and in doing so prevents the carriage from going any higher than this particular piece is "set".

It might actually be a guide to keep the cables in line, so that they don't sway too much in the wind and tangle. The reason I say this is because it seems to be about halfway up the tower right where the cables would have the possibility to sway the farthest from the tower.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150588958795321&oid=954...3&comments

Thanks for the video link, good to see some real testing taking place with spinning and all.... Those arms are definitely spread but i don't think they are quite getting to 45 degrees yet...

I would love to own a boat if it weren't for all those darned maintenance and fuel costs. I was at Famous Dave's. :-)