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Concept
Accelerator Coaster
Summary
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. 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 being Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm or 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 . 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.
Official source
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