This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2012) |
Accelerator Coaster | |
---|---|
Status | Discontinued |
First manufactured | 2002 |
No. of installations | 15 |
Manufacturer | Intamin |
Restraint Style | Over-the-shoulder, Lap-bar |
An Accelerator Coaster is a hydraulically launched roller coaster model from Intamin. The model usually consists of a long, straight launch track, a top hat tower element, and magnetic brakes that smoothly stop the train without making contact. The technology was developed by Intamin engineers as an alternative to electromagnetic launch systems, such as the linear induction motor (LIM) and linear synchronous motor (LSM), that are found on earlier launched roller coasters like the Flight of Fear and The Joker's Jinx. Unlike the earlier linear induction motors, the Accelerator Coaster's launch system exhibits constant acceleration and is capable of reaching greater speeds.
Accelerator Coasters with the top hat element are known to perform an occasional rollback – when the train is unable to complete the top hat element and rolls back to the starting point – which can occur due to a number of different factors. Despite this, Accelerator Coasters have a great track record for safety and are extremely power efficient, especially compared to older technologies such as the classic chain lift found on most roller coasters. Many fans also enjoy the rarity of a rollback. Formula Rossa, the world's fastest coaster, and Kingda Ka, the world's tallest, are some of the most well-known installations around the world.
Despite these world-record setting achievements, Accelerator roller coasters have been infamous for their long terms of mechanical issues with its launch. Examples of these include Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm or the former Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point and as of 2022, Accelerator Coasters are no longer being produced.
An Accelerator Coaster's launch system operates on the same basic principle as a Super Soaker, but on a much larger scale. The coaster's power source is several hydraulic pumps, each capable of producing 500 horsepower (370 kW). These pumps push hydraulic fluid into several accumulators. These accumulators are divided into two compartments by a movable piston, one side filled with hydraulic fluid and the other with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen is held in large tanks directly beneath the actual accumulator. As the hydraulic fluid fills the accumulators, it pushes on the pistons, compressing the nitrogen. It takes approximately 45 seconds to pressurize the accumulators with all pumps operating. All of this pressure is released during each launch, which typically lasts between 2 and 4 seconds.
The heart of the launch system is a large winch, around which the launch cables are wound. This winch is driven by hydraulic turbines. The two launch cables are attached to the winch on its ends, and run through two grooves on top of the launch track. The cables are attached to the sides of the catch-car, which runs in a trough between the grooves. A third, single retractor cable is attached to the rear of the catch-car, it runs around a pulley wheel at the rear end of the launch track and returns to the hydraulic building along the bottom of the launch track, where it is wound in the opposing direction on the winch's drum.
The train connects to the catch-car with a solid piece of metal known as a "launch dog" that drops down from the center car. The launch dog is normally retracted and is held in place by a small magnet, but the launch area has electrical contacts that demagnetize the magnet and cause the launch dog to drop down. The launch dog drops down at an angle, similar to the chain dog that a lifted coaster uses to connect to the lift chain.
Once the train and catch-car are in position and all is clear, the operator presses the "Launch" button and the launch sequence begins:
If the train rolls back, it will be brought to a near stop (magnetic brakes cannot completely stop a train[ citation needed ]) well before the beginning of the launch track. Regardless of the position of the catch-car when the train passes it going backwards, there will be no interference as the train's launch dog will be retracted. After the train slows to a near stop, the brakes will be cycled up and down to control the train's speed until it is back in launch position. On the larger coasters, this "launch reset" process can take more than a minute as the train must be moved very slowly. Once the train is back in launch position, it can be launched again or can be returned to the station.
The basic launch sequence is often accompanied by various theme elements. The most common is "starting lights" that cycle down from yellow to green, the green light coming on just as the train begins to accelerate.
The number of pumps, accumulators, and turbines varies with the speed the coaster is designed to achieve. Matugani, the slowest of the Accelerator Coasters, has a design speed of 47 mph (76 km/h), one pump, one accumulator, and eight turbines. Kingda Ka, the world's second fastest roller coaster, has a design speed of 128 mph (206 km/h), seven pumps, four accumulators, and 32 turbines. The system as a whole is capable of producing up to 20,800 horsepower (15.5 MW) for each launch, although a typical launch uses less than 10,000 horsepower (7,500 kW).
The catch-car is stopped by magnetic brakes identical to those used to stop the train. In order to give the catch-car room to slow down, only about three quarters of the launch track can actually be used to launch the train; a catch-car on a 100 km/h Accelerator Coaster needs 64 feet/20m to stop, and more on faster coasters like Kingda Ka.
One major advantage of this launch system compared to others is its low power consumption. The hydraulic pumps run constantly and actually use less energy than most chain lift drive motors. [1] An Accelerator Coaster's hydraulic launch system also provides constant acceleration, unlike the acceleration from electromagnetic linear induction motors which begins to decrease or trail off after the initial push.[ citation needed ]
Most Accelerator Coasters use restraints that consist of a U-shaped lap bar that locks into place. The restraint system features an over-the-shoulder restraint (OTSR) harness designed for comfort and fast loading times. [2] Only three Accelerator Coasters have a lap bar restraint without the over-the-shoulder harness - Xcelerator, [3] Top Thrill Dragster [4] and Formula Rossa. [5]
Another notable feature is the locking system, which uses two hydraulic cylinders for redundancy (in case one fails) rather than relying on the older ratchet design. While a ratchet-based restraint locks at one of several positions that can be too loose or uncomfortably tight, the hydraulic system allows the restraints to be pulled down and locked in any position to better match a rider's body dimensions. In the extremely unlikely case where both locking cylinders fail, the restraints are still held down by a seat belt. [6]
The newer over-the-shoulder design allows for faster load times, as opposed to lap bars. With lap-bar designs, riders must rely on a seat belt around their waist as a backup restraint. It must be checked first by ride attendants before the lap bar can be lowered and checked, significantly slowing load times. In contrast, the over-the-shoulder restraints are held down with a seatbelt on the outside of the primary restraint. This means that guests can pull down their own restraints and buckle their own belts saving ride attendants time by checking both simultaneously.[ citation needed ]
For trains that have the over-the-shoulder design, it is possible to swap out the hard, plastic straps that connect the primary bar originally installed to the pivot point with softer cushioned straps. [7]
Most Accelerator Coasters are launched from the station, but there are some that advance the train to a separate launch area, either for theming reasons (Superman Escape) or to allow multiple trains to be loaded simultaneously (Top Thrill Dragster and Kingda Ka). For layouts that have the top hat element, a mechanism is in place to deal with the occasional occurrence of rollbacks where a train fails to pass the peak height of the element and rolls backwards returning to the point of launch. A set of retractable magnetic brakes also found at the final brake run exist on the launch track to stop the train during a rollback.
Name | Height | Speed | Park, Location | Year Opened | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Desert Race | 63 ft (19 m) | 62.1 mph (99.9 km/h) | Heide Park, Germany | 2007 | Operating | [8] |
Formula Rossa | 170 ft (52 m) | 149.1 mph (240.0 km/h) | Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | 2010 | SBNO | [5] |
Furius Baco | 46 ft (14 m) | 83.9 mph (135.0 km/h) | PortAventura Park, Spain | 2007 | Operating | [9] |
Matugani Formerly Kanonen (2005-2016) | 79 ft (24 m) | 47 mph (76 km/h) | Lost Island Theme Park, Iowa | 2023 2005-2016 | Operating | [10] |
Kingda Ka | 456 ft (139 m) | 128 mph (206 km/h) | Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey | 2005 | Operating | [11] |
Rita | 69 ft (21 m) | 61.1 mph (98.3 km/h) | Alton Towers, England | 2005 | Operating | [12] |
Senzafiato | 59 ft (18 m) | 56 mph (90 km/h) | Miragica, Italy | 2009-2018 | Removed | [13] |
Skycar | 112 ft (34 m) | 57 mph (92 km/h) | Mysterious Island, China | 2005 | Operating | [14] |
Speed Monster | 131 ft (40 m) | 56 mph (90 km/h) | TusenFryd, Norway | 2006 | Operating | [15] |
Stealth | 205 ft (62 m) | 80 mph (130 km/h) | Thorpe Park, England | 2006 | Operating | [16] |
Storm Runner | 150 ft (46 m) | 72 mph (116 km/h) | Hersheypark, Pennsylvania | 2004 | Operating | [17] |
Superman Escape | 131 ft (40 m) | 62 mph (100 km/h) | Warner Bros. Movie World, Australia | 2005 | Operating | [18] |
Top Thrill Dragster | 420 ft (130 m) | 120 mph (190 km/h) | Cedar Point, Ohio | 2003-2021 | Closed | [4] |
Xcelerator | 205 ft (62 m) | 82 mph (132 km/h) | Knott's Berry Farm, California | 2002 | Operating | [3] |
Zaturn | 213 ft (65 m) | 80.3 mph (129.2 km/h) | Space World, Japan | 2006-2017 | Removed | [19] |
A steel roller coaster is a type of roller coaster classified by its steel track, which consists of long steel tubes that are run in pairs, supported by larger steel columns or beams. Trains running along the track typically rely on wheels made of polyurethane or nylon to keep each train car anchored to the track. The introduction of tubular steel drastically changed roller coaster innovation, allowing for greater speeds, higher drops, and more intense elements such as inversions.
A flying roller coaster is a type of roller coaster meant to simulate the sensations of flight by harnessing riders in a prone position during the duration of the ride. The roller coaster cars are suspended below the track, with riders secured such that their backs are parallel to the track.
Top Thrill 2 is a launched roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. The ride originally opened as Top Thrill Dragster in 2003, becoming the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world, as well as the first ever strata coaster – a height classification of 400 feet (120 m) or more. Designed by Werner Stengel, the Accelerator Coaster model from Intamin debuted with a height of 420 feet (130 m) and could accelerate from 0 to 120 mph (190 km/h) in 3.8 seconds. It was themed to Top Fuel drag racing, with the launch track designed to resemble a dragstrip, and it consistently ranked as one of the world's top steel coasters in Amusement Today's annual Golden Ticket Awards publication. Top Thrill Dragster's records were surpassed in 2005 by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Kingda Ka is a hydraulically-launched steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, United States. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, Kingda Ka opened as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world on May 21, 2005, surpassing Top Thrill Dragster. It is the second strata coaster ever built, exceeding 400 feet (120 m) in height. Both were made with similar designs, although Kingda Ka's layout adds an airtime hill on the return portion of the track.
Bolliger & Mabillard, officially Bolliger & Mabillard Consulting Engineers, Inc. and often abbreviated B&M, is a roller coaster design consultancy based in Monthey, Switzerland. The company was founded in 1988 by engineers Walter Bolliger and Claude Mabillard, both of whom had worked for Giovanola.
A lift hill, or chain hill, is an upward-sloping section of track on a roller coaster on which the roller coaster train is mechanically lifted to an elevated point or peak in the track. Upon reaching the peak, the train is then propelled from the peak by gravity and is usually allowed to coast throughout the rest of the roller coaster ride's circuit on its own momentum, including most or all of the remaining uphill sections. The initial upward-sloping section of a roller coaster track is usually a lift hill, as the train typically begins a ride with little speed, though some coasters have raised stations that permit an initial drop without a lift hill. Although uncommon, some tracks also contain multiple lift hills.
A brake run on a roller coaster is any section of track that utilizes some form of brakes to slow or stop a roller coaster train. There are various types of braking methods employed on roller coasters, including friction brakes, skid brakes, and magnetic brakes. The most common is a fin brake, an alternative name for a friction brake, which involves a series of hydraulic-powered clamps that close and squeeze metal fins that are attached to the underside of a coaster train. Roller coasters may incorporate multiple brake runs throughout the coaster's track layout to adjust the train's speed at any given time.
The launched roller coaster is a modern form of roller coaster. A launched coaster initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or a series of linear induction motors (LIM), linear synchronous motors (LSM), catapults, tires, chains, or other mechanisms employing hydraulic or pneumatic power, along a launch track. This mode of acceleration powers many of the fastest roller coasters in the world.
A rollback occurs on a launched roller coaster when the train is not launched fast enough to reach the top of the tower or hill. It will roll backwards down the tower, and will be stopped by brakes on the launch track. Any roller coaster on which it is possible for a rollback to occur will have these brakes. Intamin, a manufacturer of roller-coasters, refers to the "rollback" as a "short shot".
The launch track is the section of a launched roller coaster in which the train is accelerated to its full speed in a matter of seconds. A launch track is always straight and is usually banked upwards slightly, so that a train would roll backwards to the station in the event of a loss of power.
Stealth is a launched roller coaster in the Amity area of Thorpe Park located in Surrey, England. Built and designed by Intamin of Switzerland for £12 million, the Accelerator Coaster model opened in 2006 as the fastest roller coaster in the UK before being passed by Hyperia in 2024. It is also the third tallest in the UK after Hyperia and the Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It reaches a height of 62.5 metres (205 ft) and accelerates from 0 to 80 mph (129 km/h). Riders experience a maximum of 4.7 g.
Xcelerator is a steel launched roller coaster located at Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California, United States. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, it opened in 2002 as the company's first hydraulically-launched coaster and cost $13 million to construct. Following the early demise of Windjammer Surf Racers, a dueling roller coaster that briefly operated from 1997 to 2000, Xcelerator was soon announced as its replacement. It launches to a maximum speed of 82 mph (132 km/h) in 2.3 seconds and reaches a height of 205 feet (62 m).
Storm Runner is a launched roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufactured by Intamin and situated in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the Accelerator Coaster opened to the public on May 8, 2004. It reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to 72 mph (116 km/h) in two seconds. Storm Runner features a top hat element, three inversions, a dual loading station, and a magnetic braking system. In addition, it was designed to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and Trailblazer.
The Tower of Terror II was a steel shuttle roller coaster located at the Dreamworld amusement park on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. When the Tower of Terror opened on 23 January 1997, it was the first roller coaster in the world to reach 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), making it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world of its time. The ride was situated on the Dreamworld Tower, which also houses The Giant Drop free fall ride. The ride was originally known as the Tower of Terror until it was modified and relaunched in September 2010 as Tower of Terror II.
Shuttle Loop is a type of steel launched shuttle roller coaster designed by Reinhold Spieldiener of Intamin and manufactured by Anton Schwarzkopf. A total of 12 installations were produced between 1977 and 1982. These 12 installations have been located in a total of 22 different amusement parks.
Goliath is a steel roller coaster located at the Walibi Holland theme park in Biddinghuizen, Dronten in the Netherlands. It was described as "the fastest, highest and longest coaster in the Benelux", since 2021 both these records belong to Kondaa in Walibi Belgium. It was mainland Europe's second Intamin "Mini Hyper Rollercoaster", so named as the ride is styled on the larger ride, but with a lower maximum height of 47 metres (154 ft). The train travels at speeds of up to 107 kilometres per hour (66 mph) along 1,214 metres (3,983 ft) of track.
Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom is an amusement ride located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey. The 415 ft (126 m) attraction is attached to the Kingda Ka roller coaster and opened as the tallest drop tower ride in the world in 2014.
Red Force is a steel launched roller coaster located at Ferrari Land within PortAventura World in Salou, Catalonia, Spain. The ride was manufactured by Liechtenstein based Swiss manufacturer Intamin and opened on 7 April 2017. With a height of 112 metres (367 ft) and a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour (112 mph), Red Force is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Europe as of 2024, beating Shambhala which has a height of 76 metres.