Pittsburgh native's company is stopping roller coasters with magnets

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Ed Pribonic's Magnetar Technologies has been supplying magnetic brakes for roller coasters all over the world while fending off a patent infringement suit from Intamin AG.

Read more from The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

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The brakes work great on PR and Jack Rabbit. Would Intamin even install magnetic brakes on rides it didn't manufacture?
Jeff's avatar
Despite some great drop towers and some great coasters, Intamin's reputation and image just keeps getting worse.

And look at the ARN&R guy getting all serious and into straight news! ;)

You wouldn't say that if someone was infringing on B&M's patent for their wheel design.
Indeed. The story doesn't give details on the lawsuit, and it's entirely possible that it's legitimate.
Perhaps Coasterbuzzer, but I don't think B&M would resort to intimidation.

"In January, a federal judge in California dismissed Intamin's lawsuit, concluding that Intamin had attempted to intimidate Pribonic."

The article also states that "Intamin AG, the Swiss manufacturer of Kennywood's Pitfall tower, which employs magnetic brakes to stop riders' 250-foot direct vertical descent, did not have a system for use on roller coasters, he [Pribonic] said.

Unable to find anyone to sell him magnetic brakes, Pribonic decided to build his own."

I stand corrected. Thanks for the link Torgo.
But, you don't really know that for sure, do you UdoTch?Although, I'll admit that it appears that I was wrong about the magnetic brakes.

Funny, you guys think you know them personally or something.
*** This post was edited by Coasterbuzzer 5/2/2005 4:45:57 PM ***

rollergator's avatar
LOL, and that's the difference between a "legitimate" lawsuit, and a *meritorious* one...:)


Wonder if Magnetar is *attracting* new employees? ;)

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