I was just trying to find in depth videos of magnetic launch systems a couple months ago but was having trouble, and legitimately gasped when I saw this video in my feed. This was exactly what I've been looking for, and was incredibly interesting and informative! Can't wait for the rest of this series!
Great video! Being a controls engineer and a coaster enthusiast, I am very much looking forward to this series on magnetic launches. I always enjoy learning more about ride control systems.
Awesome! Thank you!! Im excited to see what people have to say about upcoming videos, if they can stay awake...... these are turning out to be quite long!
Thank you for making these videos, my geek heart is loving them. I won a fin from Possessed from a raffle at an enthusiast event at Dorney Park a few years ago and I have a small Neodymium magnet. So needeless to say, after watching this video I had to experiment/play. 😂
There was an occasion when I visited Cedar Point in 2000 , and rode the Millennium Force. It was a very warm morning, around 74° when I took my 1st ride on Millennium Force. An event happened as the Train passed through the Magnetic Brakes at the end of the ride. I was in the very front seat of the Train, with a young kid, guessing he was around 10, and it was his 1st time riding Millennium Force. As the Train was getting near the end of the Brake Run, I felt something was wrong because the Train had an unusual amount of speed where the front of the Train was coming out of the Magnetic Brakes. The Train made that right turn, to where the Larger Magnetic Brakes are just before the unload station. Well, the Train went into that right turn faster than usual. I braced my Left Hand on the Grip Bar on the hood of the Train, put my Right Hand on the young boy's Chest, pushing back on it, and quickly told him to hold on, were going to hit the other Train. Our Train hit the back of the other Train in the Unload Station, but the other riders of that Train had all just deboarded. Our Train hit the other Train, I'd say around 15mph. The impact was strong enough to push the other Train forward out of the Proxy Switch Block Zone, and the 3rd Train going up the Lift Hill came to a stop. The wildest thing about the whole event was that, Maintenance Men were on the Unload Platform. I knew one of them, and said, I don't think that was supposed to happen. I asked the young boy if he was ok, and he replied, THAT WAS AWESOME!!🤣🤣 We were all kept on the Train as a couple of ride operators came out to see if we were all doing fine, and if anyone was hurt. A park Ambulance did show up at the Coaster, and on one had any injuries. But the Main part of the subject is, what would cause the Train to collide in the back of the other Train when the Magnetic Braking System is supposed to be fail proof. Now if I'm not mistaken, where the Larger Magnetic Brakes are just outside of the Loading Station, 4 of them on each side of the Track, there's also some Advance Tires in the middle of the Track. Don't those Tires are supposed to in some way Keep the Trains stationary? Because when the Trains are stopped outside of the Loading Station, those Large Magnetic Brakes are on Hydrologic Mechanisms that move back from the Brake Fins that are on the bottom of each Car of the Trains. Sorry for the long post.🤣🎢
so earlier this week, a duck had to be extracted from the yellow train on Millennium Force. it was trapped between the back of a seat and the body of the train. two mechanics had to come and free this freaked out little duck. I wonder how the phone call to the maintenance department went for that
The drive tires are not enough to stop the train they Barely function to hold the train in most cases. It sounds like something was wrong with the final set of brakes. Maybe if that became loose some how and started to pull away from the track prior to the train getting there, their braking force would be dramatically reduced. I noticed on more recent videos I watched the brakes there wee slide apart not pull away like the originals. Maybe there was a retrofit for this reason? Hard to say. Air gap is the only thing that affects stopping force and those are typically set once and never touched agin. Interesting story though. I’ve seen rides removed when the park can’t answer the question of “why” trains hit or bumped.
As someone with an engineering background watching this I think you approached the explanation slightly differently than I would have.... However your explanation is a much better one than I would have had suitable for people of all ages and educational backgrounds... as a side note the Eddie current brake is essentially identical in function to the speedometer in pre computerized automobiles. The same basic components wrapped in a circle... typically they described the end holding the indicator needle as a 'cup' positioned over/around a rotor of magnets... the cup would have a calibrated spring very much like a mechanical watche's main spring attached between the cup and structure of the speedometer. The rotor was spun by a cable connected to the output shaft of the transmission...the faster the rotor spun the more force it would have to drag the needle around the printed scale, I.E higher speed. Mechanical tachometers basically are the same thing as well.
Great explanation. I’ve had theory explained to me by engineers with doctorates in the subject. They have to explain it multiple times as I give the “over my head” symbol haha!!! So I listened and learned and try to explain things that might not be spot on but to where I think the majority of people can understand it. So I’m very happy when someone like yourself can sit back and say I see where you going there. I’m my mind I’m like “glad I’m not 100% off the ball here” thanks for the comment and explanation. I’m sure there are more technically inclined that want a deeper dive.
Can confirm Gravity Group uses the moveable magnetic brakes as well, can't recall the brand name on them. They were good for catching phones that "mysteriously" fell out of the train and bounced their way 😂.
Great video, looking forward to the rest of the series! A great example of the sliding magnetic brakes are Vekoma boomerangs, as you can see them slide while you're waiting in the station during the ride cycle.
@@ryantheridemechanicyeah! Out of curiosity, do you know what could be the cause of Skyrush experiencing downtime due to its braking system? On occassion, the pivoting magnetic brake assemblies that are pneumatic pistons with a springloaded assist will seem to be the reason skyrush experiences downtime (other than sensor trips as I call em). You will typically see a couple maintenance crew members working on one specific assembly as though it does not spring back into place completely. If that is the case, how would the PLC know this? I'm assuming there are sensors, but you might have a better idea.
@@nesmanmain0001 short answer is no clue. But……… if they are consistently working on a couple of brakes there is a chance there is a lot of worn out components they might be limping along till replace mrs can be obtained. This process could be 1/2 year or more of just waiting and babysitting the ride. There is also a chance a wiring gremlin is in there making them think there is a problem with that brake. I had that. Wooden coaster would give a brake 4 fault. 17 years later I find out it’s actually a unlock bar in the station causing a brake fault.
@@ryantheridemechanic thanks for responding. This is an occasional thing I've noticed over the course of about 5 yrs. Seen it happen a few times. Anyway, thx for the insight!
Electricity is “manufactured” by magnetism, rotating magnets in a bundle of wire makes electricity. So when you pass a solid conductive material like copper or aluminum through a magnetic field you are inducing electricity called eddy currents because the electricity flows in loops. An “Induction” electric cooking range heats the cooking pan by means of eddy currents flowing in a circular pattern around the bottom of the pan.
For the person who wants to experience the effect in person. Obtain a section of copper water pipe (A foot or so will do), and a small neodymium magnet that will fit inside the pipe. Hold the pipe vertically and drop the magnet down the inside of the pipe. The magnet will fall much slower than it would in free air.
I remember during a behind the scenes tour of Rita at alton towers that they put blocks of wood in between the magnets before taking them off because if they touched, it was easier to just buy new ones than separate them
They can be separated. Bolt one side and use a forklift to putt the other side away but in a sliding motion. I was also told the likelihood of damaging the magnate were very high and could need replacing after that.
How many details do you have on intrasys vs indrivetec LSMs? I can't stop wondering how intamin/indrivetec's LSMs are so much better and stronger than everyone else's
Hey Ryan, great video. I am working on developing a magnetic brake for a backyard ride I am working on. Do you have any additional info/documents you mind sending my way?
Not really. They are super strong and can crush hands and shatter upon impact. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! Take off metal, wear safety glasses and gloves, use binding. And have a second person handy to call 911.
Sure thing. I have been, will still be, cautious around neodymium magnets. Bought some for a small scale test and broke 6/8. Was very glad I was wearing welding gloves and safety glasses. Bought some rubber coated ones and at least didn't have to worry about them breaking as easily. I was also thinking of reaching out to Velocity Magnetics to see if they had any resources they cared to share, particularly in calculating the drag force of single sided eddy current brakes. I can find the calculation for the two sided ones shown in your video, but not so much for the single sided ones found on RMC single rails, like I am planning on mimicking.
I overheard a tour guide at my former park, tell her group that Manta was the greenest roller coaster because it ran with just magnets.😂 I was like, oh my....
What I've heard is the magnets basically making a generator in the aluminum plate, and because aluminum is conductive it makes a short circuit putting load on the magnets and a lot of heat in the aluminum plate
Can you give rough numbers what the force on a fin is (given some coaster speed) passing through? Just another heads up about the magnets. In general, the lateral forces (forces attracting the 2 steel plates, carrying the magnets, together) is 10 times the force you get from the brake action. This would be TONS of force in typical coaster brake magnet assembly! I can't imagine shifting the 2 sides of the magnet "shoe" relative to one another to adjust the braking force. It would require large hydraulic cylinders. Normally, the steel backing plate is one piece "U" shape which can bear the collapsing forces.
This may be a stupid question but how much do these magnets push a train away from the track? How much force is in the upstop wheels, seems like a car could fly upward while repelling
Most parks do but they are not equips to fill out run the rides. They are more for building support. Some rides have a back up generator to run evacuation motors but not the ride itself.
The sound of Vekoma SLC's is burned into my brain, and I haven't been on one in over 15 years(when Geauga Lake closed)... what exactly is that fan sound at the top of the lift?
Get a teleprompter? Dude you're an engineer, make one it's easy! Some wood, black cloth thin glass and a tablet, old LCD or old smartphone are all you need 😅
As an operator on one of these rides, it's always interesting to learn more about how they work under the hood. Can't wait to see more!
Awesome
I was just trying to find in depth videos of magnetic launch systems a couple months ago but was having trouble, and legitimately gasped when I saw this video in my feed. This was exactly what I've been looking for, and was incredibly interesting and informative! Can't wait for the rest of this series!
Awesome thanks. LIM video will be up this coming Friday.
Great video! Being a controls engineer and a coaster enthusiast, I am very much looking forward to this series on magnetic launches. I always enjoy learning more about ride control systems.
Awesome! Thank you!!
Im excited to see what people have to say about upcoming videos, if they can stay awake...... these are turning out to be quite long!
@@ryantheridemechanic Well, this is definitely my type of content and I appreciate the amount of depth you go into! Really interesting stuff!
Thank you for making these videos, my geek heart is loving them. I won a fin from Possessed from a raffle at an enthusiast event at Dorney Park a few years ago and I have a small Neodymium magnet. So needeless to say, after watching this video I had to experiment/play. 😂
Awesome
There was an occasion when I visited Cedar Point in 2000 , and rode the Millennium Force. It was a very warm morning, around 74° when I took my 1st ride on Millennium Force. An event happened as the Train passed through the Magnetic Brakes at the end of the ride. I was in the very front seat of the Train, with a young kid, guessing he was around 10, and it was his 1st time riding Millennium Force. As the Train was getting near the end of the Brake Run, I felt something was wrong because the Train had an unusual amount of speed where the front of the Train was coming out of the Magnetic Brakes. The Train made that right turn, to where the Larger Magnetic Brakes are just before the unload station. Well, the Train went into that right turn faster than usual. I braced my Left Hand on the Grip Bar on the hood of the Train, put my Right Hand on the young boy's Chest, pushing back on it, and quickly told him to hold on, were going to hit the other Train. Our Train hit the back of the other Train in the Unload Station, but the other riders of that Train had all just deboarded. Our Train hit the other Train, I'd say around 15mph. The impact was strong enough to push the other Train forward out of the Proxy Switch Block Zone, and the 3rd Train going up the Lift Hill came to a stop. The wildest thing about the whole event was that, Maintenance Men were on the Unload Platform. I knew one of them, and said, I don't think that was supposed to happen. I asked the young boy if he was ok, and he replied, THAT WAS AWESOME!!🤣🤣 We were all kept on the Train as a couple of ride operators came out to see if we were all doing fine, and if anyone was hurt. A park Ambulance did show up at the Coaster, and on one had any injuries. But the Main part of the subject is, what would cause the Train to collide in the back of the other Train when the Magnetic Braking System is supposed to be fail proof. Now if I'm not mistaken, where the Larger Magnetic Brakes are just outside of the Loading Station, 4 of them on each side of the Track, there's also some Advance Tires in the middle of the Track. Don't those Tires are supposed to in some way Keep the Trains stationary? Because when the Trains are stopped outside of the Loading Station, those Large Magnetic Brakes are on Hydrologic Mechanisms that move back from the Brake Fins that are on the bottom of each Car of the Trains. Sorry for the long post.🤣🎢
so earlier this week, a duck had to be extracted from the yellow train on Millennium Force. it was trapped between the back of a seat and the body of the train. two mechanics had to come and free this freaked out little duck. I wonder how the phone call to the maintenance department went for that
The drive tires are not enough to stop the train they Barely function to hold the train in most cases. It sounds like something was wrong with the final set of brakes. Maybe if that became loose some how and started to pull away from the track prior to the train getting there, their braking force would be dramatically reduced. I noticed on more recent videos I watched the brakes there wee slide apart not pull away like the originals. Maybe there was a retrofit for this reason? Hard to say. Air gap is the only thing that affects stopping force and those are typically set once and never touched agin. Interesting story though. I’ve seen rides removed when the park can’t answer the question of “why” trains hit or bumped.
As someone with an engineering background watching this I think you approached the explanation slightly differently than I would have.... However your explanation is a much better one than I would have had suitable for people of all ages and educational backgrounds... as a side note the Eddie current brake is essentially identical in function to the speedometer in pre computerized automobiles. The same basic components wrapped in a circle... typically they described the end holding the indicator needle as a 'cup' positioned over/around a rotor of magnets... the cup would have a calibrated spring very much like a mechanical watche's main spring attached between the cup and structure of the speedometer. The rotor was spun by a cable connected to the output shaft of the transmission...the faster the rotor spun the more force it would have to drag the needle around the printed scale, I.E higher speed. Mechanical tachometers basically are the same thing as well.
Great explanation. I’ve had theory explained to me by engineers with doctorates in the subject. They have to explain it multiple times as I give the “over my head” symbol haha!!!
So I listened and learned and try to explain things that might not be spot on but to where I think the majority of people can understand it. So I’m very happy when someone like yourself can sit back and say I see where you going there. I’m my mind I’m like “glad I’m not 100% off the ball here” thanks for the comment and explanation. I’m sure there are more technically inclined that want a deeper dive.
Super interesting again, keep it coming please.
More to come!
Amazing, as always! I can’t wait to viddy the following parts!!!
Thank you very much. Next week Friday I’ll post the next one !
keep up the series. very interesting
Thank you
Can confirm Gravity Group uses the moveable magnetic brakes as well, can't recall the brand name on them. They were good for catching phones that "mysteriously" fell out of the train and bounced their way 😂.
As a future mechanical engineer that wants to build and design roller coasters using CAD, thank you for all this information
Your welcome!
Great video, looking forward to the rest of the series! A great example of the sliding magnetic brakes are Vekoma boomerangs, as you can see them slide while you're waiting in the station during the ride cycle.
Those are the best for any boomerang. The stand brakes on a boomerang need to be adjusted about 3 times a day to fleet the ride running well.
@@ryantheridemechanicyeah! Out of curiosity, do you know what could be the cause of Skyrush experiencing downtime due to its braking system? On occassion, the pivoting magnetic brake assemblies that are pneumatic pistons with a springloaded assist will seem to be the reason skyrush experiences downtime (other than sensor trips as I call em). You will typically see a couple maintenance crew members working on one specific assembly as though it does not spring back into place completely. If that is the case, how would the PLC know this? I'm assuming there are sensors, but you might have a better idea.
@@nesmanmain0001 short answer is no clue. But……… if they are consistently working on a couple of brakes there is a chance there is a lot of worn out components they might be limping along till replace mrs can be obtained. This process could be 1/2 year or more of just waiting and babysitting the ride.
There is also a chance a wiring gremlin is in there making them think there is a problem with that brake. I had that. Wooden coaster would give a brake 4 fault. 17 years later I find out it’s actually a unlock bar in the station causing a brake fault.
@@ryantheridemechanic thanks for responding. This is an occasional thing I've noticed over the course of about 5 yrs. Seen it happen a few times. Anyway, thx for the insight!
Electricity is “manufactured” by magnetism, rotating magnets in a bundle of wire makes electricity. So when you pass a solid conductive material like copper or aluminum through a magnetic field you are inducing electricity called eddy currents because the electricity flows in loops. An “Induction” electric cooking range heats the cooking pan by means of eddy currents flowing in a circular pattern around the bottom of the pan.
Another great video! Can't wait for the rest of this series!
Thank you!
thanks for the vid brother!!
Your welcome!
For the person who wants to experience the effect in person. Obtain a section of copper water pipe (A foot or so will do), and a small neodymium magnet that will fit inside the pipe. Hold the pipe vertically and drop the magnet down the inside of the pipe. The magnet will fall much slower than it would in free air.
I remember during a behind the scenes tour of Rita at alton towers that they put blocks of wood in between the magnets before taking them off because if they touched, it was easier to just buy new ones than separate them
They can be separated. Bolt one side and use a forklift to putt the other side away but in a sliding motion. I was also told the likelihood of damaging the magnate were very high and could need replacing after that.
Ah okay, that makes sense.
How many details do you have on intrasys vs indrivetec LSMs? I can't stop wondering how intamin/indrivetec's LSMs are so much better and stronger than everyone else's
Those are definitely some top secret stuff. I know theory about them but not what physically inside. Big business there.
@@ryantheridemechanic intamin/indrivetec must be doing a good job keeping it secret. No one has caught up with them in 10 years
@@SkeledroMan agreed
Hey Ryan, great video. I am working on developing a magnetic brake for a backyard ride I am working on. Do you have any additional info/documents you mind sending my way?
Not really. They are super strong and can crush hands and shatter upon impact. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! Take off metal, wear safety glasses and gloves, use binding. And have a second person handy to call 911.
Sure thing. I have been, will still be, cautious around neodymium magnets. Bought some for a small scale test and broke 6/8. Was very glad I was wearing welding gloves and safety glasses. Bought some rubber coated ones and at least didn't have to worry about them breaking as easily. I was also thinking of reaching out to Velocity Magnetics to see if they had any resources they cared to share, particularly in calculating the drag force of single sided eddy current brakes. I can find the calculation for the two sided ones shown in your video, but not so much for the single sided ones found on RMC single rails, like I am planning on mimicking.
I overheard a tour guide at my former park, tell her group that Manta was the greenest roller coaster because it ran with just magnets.😂
I was like, oh my....
🫠 we are just going to let that slide down haha.
Are stress fractures a concern on the brake fins after a period of time or is that typically a lifetime item
Normally life time unless you bend them or drop them. Or in most cases, miss align them and they wear down. $$$$$$$$$!!!
🔥
What I've heard is the magnets basically making a generator in the aluminum plate, and because aluminum is conductive it makes a short circuit putting load on the magnets and a lot of heat in the aluminum plate
Can you give rough numbers what the force on a fin is (given some coaster speed) passing through? Just another heads up about the magnets. In general, the lateral forces (forces attracting the 2 steel plates, carrying the magnets, together) is 10 times the force you get from the brake action. This would be TONS of force in typical coaster brake magnet assembly! I can't imagine shifting the 2 sides of the magnet "shoe" relative to one another to adjust the braking force. It would require large hydraulic cylinders. Normally, the steel backing plate is one piece "U" shape which can bear the collapsing forces.
I honestly don’t know on that one. 18ton train moving 43mph can slow to a stop in 2.5 seconds using 6 sets of shoes. (3 brakes)
This may be a stupid question but how much do these magnets push a train away from the track? How much force is in the upstop wheels, seems like a car could fly upward while repelling
I think eddy answered my question
How often will a gci lap bar not lock in the open position
Happened from what I remember about every couple of weeks. Typically a cable adjustment needed.
do you mean non-feromagnetic? 13:30
@@arikeca5362 yea non-ferromagnetic is what I was going for.
Do parks have backup generators incase there's a power cut to the local grid?
Most parks do but they are not equips to fill out run the rides. They are more for building support. Some rides have a back up generator to run evacuation motors but not the ride itself.
The sound of Vekoma SLC's is burned into my brain, and I haven't been on one in over 15 years(when Geauga Lake closed)... what exactly is that fan sound at the top of the lift?
Lots of DC motor sound mixed with a large planetary gearbox
The pinch brake.... Is it pneumatic, or electrical?????
Pinch brakes are typically air open spring applied.
13:45 NOT NICKLE!!!!!!!!!!
who's this guy Eddy?😆
He’s current, whoever he is!
Get a teleprompter? Dude you're an engineer, make one it's easy! Some wood, black cloth thin glass and a tablet, old LCD or old smartphone are all you need 😅
I appreciate the confidence
@@ryantheridemechanic I have 100% trust that you can do it with a few UA-cam tutorials. It's really easy, a ride operator could do it!