I'm making a model of a coaster and I was wondering what the component that fits into the lift chain looked like. Does it look like straigthened out sprocket teeth?
Also, how does the chain not get shifted up when the train comes in contact with it fast. (The 2nd lift on The Beast)
Here's someone who has the answer.
http://coasterquest.com/gravity.htm -------------
If I'da thought about it a little longer, I'da spent more time thinking.
You've seen the drawings of how the anti-rollback device works, right? Basically a hinged lever that falls down into the sawtooth on the lift, engaging with each tooth as the train goes up the hill.
Well, the chain clutch works in exactly the same way. The chain clutch is a hinged lever with a hook on the end that catches on the link of the chain. I refer to it as a "chain clutch" because it is, essentially, an over-running clutch mechanism. If the train is moving faster than the chain, as at the base of The Beast's second lift, for instance, the lower edge of the pawl will push against the upper edge of the chain link, pushing the pawl out of the way and allowing it to pass to the next link. So the train can freely outrun the lift chain, which becomes particularly important when it goes over the crest of the lift. But if the chain is moving more rapidly than the train, the lower edge of the chain link will catch against the upper edge of the lift pawl, pushing it...and the train...on up the hill.
More detail than you probably need, but there you have it!
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
Thanks Rideman, I figured you'd chime in...:)
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(Who at 16 years of age would be more than willing to pay a $15-$25 dollar subscription in order to keep this site running)
Skipping "dogs" is bad! That's one bad thing about Arrow coasters. Lemme explain....
On Arrows only certain cars have chain dogs that hook onto the chain. If a train is going to fast or the weight is distributed in the train unevenly the train will essentially "skip a dog", or actually not connect with the chain on all dogs. The result is a really really loud BANG which sounds like an explosion. You can actually see the track shift. The bang is because the train is sliding back a bit and is hitting the chain really hard.
Visit the Adventuredome in Vegas and you will see, hear, and feel it happen. It happened to me yesterday when I was at the controls. Had to stop the lift with four people on the train. After a short two minutes everyone was on there merry way.
Ahh, RideMan. The Man with all the rollercoaster anwsers. Thanks dude!
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Hi, my name is Eric, and I am a coaster junkie.
