An Accelerator Coaster is a
hydraulically launched roller coaster model from
Intamin
Intamin Amusement Rides is a design and manufacturing company in Schaan, Liechtenstein. It is best known for creating thrill rides and roller coasters worldwide. The Intamin brand name is a syllabic abbreviation for "international amusement insta ...
. The model usually consists of a long, straight
launch track, a ''top hat'' tower element, and
magnetic brakes
A brake run on a roller coaster is any section of track meant to slow or stop a roller coaster train. Brake runs may be located anywhere along the circuit of a coaster and may be designed to bring the train to a complete halt or to simply adjust ...
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
Kingda Ka is a hydraulically-launched steel roller coaster located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey, United States. Manufactured by Intamin and designed by Werner Stengel, Kingda Ka opened as the in the world on May 21, 2 ...
, the world's tallest, are some of the most well-known installations around the world.
Technology
An Accelerator Coaster's launch system operates on the same basic principle as a
Super Soaker
Super Soaker is an American brand of recreational water gun that uses manually-pressurized air to shoot water with greater pow