Faster Coasters With Shorter Hills

Natelox · #1 05-28-2002, 09:07 PM

In Saskatchewan (a province basically in the middle of Canada) there was a science fair. And 2 teens created a new design that reduces drag by 31% (on cars/airplanes, not roller coaster trains). Perhaps coasters with shorter hills will get faster.

Leisure Rules · #2 05-28-2002, 09:13 PM

wha? You mean like more weight to the cars and smaller lift hills?

Natelox · #3 05-28-2002, 09:17 PM

(sorry, i'm VERY mad right now (not at u))

what don't u understand about 'reducing drag'? basically it means that they are more arrow dynamic.

Alex T · #4 05-28-2002, 09:38 PM

Sounds cool. I hope they can put this new technology on coaster trains making the rides faster w/ out having to make huge hills.

Leisure Rules · #5 05-28-2002, 09:42 PM

sorry I read that wrong and you posted be4 I could change it.

***Chip*** · #6 05-28-2002, 11:42 PM

A new design? You mean like more areodynamic (almost wrote "arrowdynamic" there :) )? Do you have any images or anything? I'd like to know a bit more of what you're saying. Oh, I don't see why this is in American Coasters, so I'll move it to General Talk.

may the FORCE be with you · #7 05-29-2002, 12:42 AM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Chip [/i]
[B]A new design? You mean like more areodynamic (almost wrote "arrowdynamic" there :) )? Do you have any images or anything? I'd like to know a bit more of what you're saying. Oh, I don't see why this is in American Coasters, so I'll move it to General Talk. [/B][/QUOTE]some how defying laws of friction?

CrystalKat · #8 05-29-2002, 08:39 AM

It would be great to put innovations on older coaster trains to speed them up, but I'd be concerned about what that increased speed would do to the ride structure -- stresses, tolerance levels, maintenance and so forth. No sense speeding it up at one point just to add trim brakes at another to reduce the stress.

alpie · #9 05-29-2002, 09:44 PM

Also, I think the aerodynamic changes are contrary to the way new trains are going... new coasters tend to have very open trains. Betcha all these changes to these cars/planes involve streamlining, etc.

Maybe if we got everyone on the train to wear those bullet shaped helmets.... or we get everyone on the train to duck behind the first person... like a bobsled...

alpie · #10 06-02-2002, 05:10 PM

..but then... let's go the other way... At what speed does a bug in the eye become a serious injury or lethal? Maybe to go at speeds above the current record they may have to start enclosing the cars. I guess Dodonpa already has a windshield/deflector thingy...

Chris L · #11 06-02-2002, 05:59 PM

I really don't understand what this guy is trying to say...

So these two kids invented increased aerodynamic bodies for aircraft? Most coasters today are already designed with maximum aerodynamic shape on their trains. See what's happened to HyperSonic XLC's trains? They've been reworked to be less air resistant when catapulted.

alpie · #12 06-02-2002, 09:33 PM

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by kraxleRIDAH [/i]
[B]..... Most coasters today are already designed with maximum aerodynamic shape on their trains....[/B][/QUOTE]

**Most**? with **max** aerodynamic shape? I think that's a bit of an overstatement...

Some have shark noses, a few have low windshields...

Alien@SixFlags · #13 06-05-2002, 03:54 PM

what if instead of wheels they had a bunch of ball bearings, that would reduce stress on one part and make less friction, it owuld make a cool sound too!!! :)

Alien@SixFlags · #14 06-07-2002, 09:11 AM

i have another idea (im full of em) you know those fins that are on the back of fast cars? what if they put that on coaster, no its not for looks, when the wind travels over the fin the wind pushes against the back of the vehicle (i think) and propels it faster

HyperDude94 · #15 06-07-2002, 10:17 AM

like a spoiler thingy?...i think thats what its called...i dont know cars...ANYWAY...that is actually a good idea but im not sure how much faster it would make it go...