User:Plighting Engineerd/sandbox4

A launch is a method of propelling a roller coaster train. This mode of acceleration powers many of the fastest roller coasters in the world. A launch uses one or a series of linear induction motors (LIM), linear synchronous motors (LSM), catapults, tires, chains, or other mechanisms employing hydraulic or pneumatic power.

Function
A launch serves the same basic purpose as a lift hill - providing power to the train - but accomplishes it in an entirely different manner. A lift hill gives the train potential energy by raising it to the highest point in the track (and not significantly accelerating it). A launch gives the train kinetic energy by accelerating it to the maximum designed speed (while not significantly raising it).

Launches feature improved speed and acceleration when compared to traditional chain or cable lifts. They also take up significantly less space than a lift hill, as well as providing an instant start to the ride without having to wait to be pulled up a lift.

The launch track - the stretch of track on which trains are accelerated - is always straight and is usually banked upwards slightly so that if the launch does not activate, a train would roll backwards to the beginning of the launch track.

A launch track normally includes some form of brakes. Depending on the type of coaster, these brakes may be used in every run of the coaster (this is normally found on a shuttle roller coaster where the launch track also serves as the main brake run) or they may only come into play when a rollback occurs, normally on a complete-circuit coaster such as Red Force, Top Thrill Dragster and Kingda Ka. In either case, the brakes are retracted to allow trains to launch, and are engaged at all other times.

LSM
Linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches use electromagnets to propel trains forward. On the track are multiple electromagnetic fins. Electromagnets in front of the train attract the train until the train passes, at which point they quickly switch polarity to repel the train.

LSM launches are the most common type of launch. Additionally, they are easier to maintain than other launch mechanisms as they feature no moving parts. However, they utilize very large amounts of electricity.

LIM
Linear induction motor (LIM) launches also use propulsion via electromagnets. LIM launches use sets of electromagnets which create a magnetic field. This magnetic field propels the trains using a metal fin on the bottom of each train.

The first LIM launched coaster was Flight of Fear in 1996.

LIMs are much less frequently used now -, there has only been one LIM launched coaster built in the last decade. However, LIMs can also be used for general transport, such as the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom or monorail and maglev trains.

Hydraulic fluid
Hydraulic launches, pioneered by Swiss manufacturer Intamin, give the riders greater acceleration with improved smoothness over electromagnetic and catapult launch mechanisms. The acceleration from a LIM/LSM launch is greatest at the beginning and dies off rapidly, while the acceleration from a hydraulic launch remains fairly constant throughout the duration of the launch.

The core of the system involves powerful hydraulic pumps, usually eight, that are each capable of producing approximately 500 horsepower (373 kW). In Kingda Ka's configuration, the system can produce a peak power of up to 20,800 hp (15.5 MW) for each launch. Hydraulic fluid is pumped into several different hydraulic accumulators – energy storing devices – containing two compartments that are separated by a piston. As the incompressible hydraulic fluid is pumped into one compartment, nitrogen in the other compartment is compressed. At launch, the fluid under pressure from the accumulators is used to drive a number of hydraulic motors (commonly 16 or 32), which spin a large winch drum that winds a cable attached to the lead car of the train, called the catch car, in a matter of seconds. The cable runs under the launch track, and the catch car moves along a groove in the track's center.

The motor is positioned at the opposite end of the catch car on the launch track. While the train inches forward into a ready position, the pusher mechanism moves back from the motor toward the train. Once the pusher connects, the anti-rollback braking system drops beneath the track, giving the train the green light to be launched.

The first hydraulic launch roller coaster was Xcelerator reaching 82 mph in 2.3 seconds. This was the first of 14 Accelerator Coasters manufactured by Intamin. The key feature of this model was a hydraulic launch. The world's tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, is capable of reaching 128 mph in 3.5 seconds. The fastest roller coaster in the world, Formula Rossa, reaches 149 mi/h in 4 seconds using the hydraulic method.

Another manufacturer, Vekoma, began producing hydraulic-launched coasters in 2004 with the opening of Booster Bike at Toverland in the Netherlands, reaching speeds up to 47 mph.

Pneumatic (compressed air)
Using the same type of system as a hydraulic launch, a pneumatic launch uses compressed air to launch the vehicle. The technology was developed by S&S as the Thrust Air 2000 model. The first coaster of this type was Hypersonic XLC, which opened at Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia, USA in 2001. This coaster closed in 2007. Another incarnation, Ring Racer, was open for only 4 days. Compressed air launches are able to provide more acceleration than traditional pneumatic launches, with Do-Dodonpa at Fuji-Q Highland in Japan having held the acceleration record from when it opened as Dodonpa in 2001 to its closure in 2024, launching riders from 0 to 112 mph (180 km/h) in 1.56 seconds (this record is now held by Stealth at Thorpe Park, UK). S&S has brought back pneumatic launches in China with OCT Thrust SSC1000 and Bullet Coaster at Happy Valley Wuhan and Happy Valley Shenzhen respectively. Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America marked the return of pneumatic launches in the United States.

Eddy current launcher (LEM)
Magnets are placed under the cars and a series of flywheels coupled to aluminum discs is in the launch zone: there is no contact between the two. The system can be used also for speed up intermediate launchers, and for braking, with static aluminum blades, at the end of the ride. Due to the energy stored in the flywheels, the power demand for launching is flat. Two operating examples of this technique are the Drifter at Sochi Park in the Sochi Olimpic Park and at FunWorks, Abu Dhabi (manufacturer I.E.Park )

Weight drop
In a weight drop launch, a dropped weight winds a cable to pull the train until it accelerates to its full speed. Dropped weights were used in early installations of Shuttle Loop.

These rides are often not very tall, and usually achieve speeds of 60 mph (96 km/h).

Flywheel
Many shuttle loop roller coasters have a flywheel launch mechanism. Rotational energy is stored in the flywheel, which then catches on a cable attached to the train. The flywheel releases its energy to propel the train forward.

Electric motor and spring tension
Arrow Dynamics' Launched Loop coasters, which were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, use a powerful electric motor and tensioned springs to propel a launch car forward. The launch car pushes the train outward to a drop, and then returns to its position. After the train reaches the opposite platform, another catch car works the same way. An example of this is Irn Bru Revolution.

Friction wheels
Another type of launch is by friction wheels. The launch track consists of a series of horizontal tires that pinch the brake fins on the underside of the train. One example of this is the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure.

Australia

 * Jet Rescue (Sea World)
 * Motocoaster (Dreamworld)
 * Steel Taipan (Dreamworld)
 * Surfrider (Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast)
 * Superman Escape (Warner Bros. Movie World)
 * Tower of Terror II (Dreamworld) (removed)

Belgium

 * Anubis The Ride (Plopsaland)
 * Fury (Bobbejaanland)
 * Psyké Underground (Walibi Belgium)
 * Pulsar (Walibi Belgium)
 * The Ride to Happiness (Plopsaland)

Brazil

 * Katapul (Hopi Hari)

Canada

 * Back Lot Stunt Coaster (Canada's Wonderland)

China

 * Battle of Blue Fire (Quancheng Euro Park)
 * Decepticoaster (Universal Studios Beijing)
 * Legendary Twin Dragon (Chongqing Sunac Land)
 * Light Of Revenge (Happy Valley Nanjing)
 * Hurricane Roller Coaster (Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World)
 * OCT Thrust SSC1000 (Happy Valley Wuhan)
 * RC Racer (Shanghai Disneyland)
 * Tron Lightcycle Power Run (Shanghai Disneyland)

Denmark

 * Juvelen (Djurs Sommerland)

Finland

 * Half Pipe Coaster (Särkänniemi) (defunct)
 * Motogee (Särkänniemi)
 * Taiga (Linnanmäki)
 * Junker (PowerPark)

France

 * Toutatis (Parc Astérix)


 * Objectif Mars (Futuroscope)
 * RC Racer (Walt Disney Studios Park)
 * Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Disneyland Paris) (closed)
 * Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain (Disneyland Paris)

Germany

 * Blue Fire Megacoaster (Europa-Park)
 * Desert Race (Heide Park)
 * Flucht von Novgorod (Hansa-Park)
 * F.L.Y. (Phantasialand)
 * Karacho (Erlebnispark Tripsdrill)
 * MoviePark StudioTour (Movie Park Germany)
 * ring°racer (Nürburgring) (defunct)
 * Sky Scream (Holiday Park)
 * Star Trek: Operation Enterprise (Movie Park Germany)
 * Taron (Phantasialand)
 * Voltron Nevera (Europa-Park)

Hong Kong

 * RC Racer (Hong Kong Disneyland)

Italy

 * ISpeed (Mirabilandia)
 * Shock (Rainbow MagicLand)

Japan

 * Do-Dodonpa (Fuji-Q Highland)
 * Shuttle Loop (Nagashima Spa Land)

Netherlands

 * Booster Bike (Amusement Park Toverland)
 * Formule X (Drievliet)
 * Gold Rush (Slagharen)
 * Xpress: Platform 13 (Walibi Holland)

Norway

 * Speed Monster (Tusenfryd)

Poland

 * Abyssus (Energylandia)
 * Formuła (Energylandia)

South Africa

 * Golden Loop (Gold Reef City)

Spain

 * Furius Baco (Port Aventura's Park)
 * Red Force (Ferrari Land)
 * Uncharted: El Enigma de Penitence (Port Aventura's Park)

Sweden

 * Helix (Liseberg)
 * Kanonen (Liseberg) (removed)

UAE

 * Madagascar Mad Pursuit (Motiongate)
 * Formula Rossa (Ferrari World)
 * Turbo Track (Ferrari World)

UK

 * Revolution (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)
 * Rita (Alton Towers)
 * Icon (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)
 * Velocity (Flamingo Land)
 * Stealth (Thorpe Park)

USA

 * Avatar Airbender (Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America)
 * Backlot Stunt Coaster (Kings Dominion) (Kings Island) (Canada's Wonderland)
 * Cheetah Hunt (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)
 * Copperhead Strike (Carowinds)
 * DarKoaster: Escape The Storm (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
 * Flight of Fear (Kings Dominion) (Kings Island)
 * Full Throttle (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
 * Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Epcot)
 * Half Pipe Coaster (Elitch Gardens)
 * Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (Universal Studios Florida)
 * Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (Universal Islands of Adventure)
 * Ice Breaker (SeaWorld Orlando)
 * Incredible Hulk Coaster (Universal Islands of Adventure)
 * Incredicoaster (Disney California Adventure Park)
 * Joker's Jinx (Six Flags America)
 * Kingda Ka (Six Flags Great Adventure)
 * Lightning Rod (Dollywood)
 * Maverick (Cedar Point)
 * Maxx Force (Six Flags Great America)
 * Montezooma's Revenge (Knott's Berry Farm)
 * Mr. Freeze (Six Flags Over Texas) (Six Flags St. Louis)
 * Pantheon (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
 * Poltergeist (Six Flags Fiesta Texas)
 * Possessed (Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom)
 * Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride (Universal Studios Florida)
 * Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
 * Sandy's Blasting Bronco (Nickelodeon Universe American Dream)
 * Slinky Dog Dash (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
 * Steel Venom (Valleyfair)
 * Storm Runner (Hersheypark)
 * Superman: Escape from Krypton (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
 * Tempesto (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
 * The Flash: Vertical Velocity (Six Flags Great America)
 * Timmy's Half Pipe Havoc (Nickelodeon Universe American Dream)
 * Tigris (Busch Gardens Tampa Bay)
 * Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point)
 * Tron Lightcycle Power Run (Magic Kingdom)
 * VelociCoaster (Universal Islands of Adventure)
 * Verbolten (Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
 * Volcano (Kings Dominion)(Removed)
 * Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster (SeaWorld San Antonio)
 * West Coast Racers (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
 * Wicked Twister (Cedar Point)(Removed)
 * Xcelerator (Knott's Berry Farm)