There are some modern coasters now, which instead of being pulled up a chain, get shot straight out and then go up an ascent. These coasters are called launched coasters, which brings us to our next topic. The launch coaster did not appear until the 1990’s so it is still fairly new to the amusement world. It would not seem that way, however, because there are now so many of them around the world. There are a couple of different launch systems, which include air powered, hydraulic, LIM, and LSM. As of today, there are only two air powered launched coasters, which are Hypersonic XLC and Dodonpa. Both are made by S&S and their launches are probably among the most intense in the world.

Air power launch systems work by first weighing the train to know the amount of compressed air the ride will need. Then the train goes on the launch track, where a launch vehicle inside the track attaches to the train. The compressed air is then release behind the launch vehicle, in a tube, pushing the train forward at an incredible rate. Air power is also used for tower rides, in a similar way.

The next type of launch system is LIM, which stands for Linear Induction Motors. LIM is probably one of the most common launch systems for a coaster, and it is quite similar to LSM, which stands for Linear Synchronous Motors. LIMs and LSMs work by using magnets and changing their poles quickly to attract and repel the train in a sequence of acceleration.

For example, an LIM launch sequence would start by the staters, or magnets on the track, attracting the fins on the train by changing their poles to those opposite of the fins. Then, once the train reaches that set of staters, the staters change poles, now repelling the train forward. As the train is repelled forward, the next set of staters change their poles to attract the train, thus increasing its speed. This sequence continues until the train reaches its maximum speed. Some companies that use LIMs and LSMs on their coasters are Intamin and Premier. LIM and LSM coasters can be inverted or sit down, but they all use the same concept of attracting and repelling.

The hydraulic launch system was designed by Intamin and is used on such coasters as: Xcelerator, Top Thrill Dragster, Kanonen, Kingda Ka, Rita Queen of Speed, Stealth, Speed Monster, Storm Runner, Superman Escape, Yunisao Speeding Car, and Zaturn. The hydraulic launch system provides a very quick and intense launch, however, not as intense as an air-powered launch. The hydraulic system works in the following manner: first, when the train approaches the beginning of the launch section, the launch car will come and attach below the train. Right before the launch, metal brake fins on the track will lower down and the train will roll back a couple of inches. Then, the nitrogen in accumulator tanks starts to go under pressure as hydraulic oil is pumped into the tanks. Once the nitrogen is compressed to an extremely high pressure, the pumping stops and the nitrogen goes into a cylinder block. From there, it goes through hoses into hydraulic motors which turn the winch drum at a very high speed on which the cable is attached. This starts pulling the launch car back towards the launch building, which sits at the end of the launch.

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