The hydraulic fluid which provides power for the launch is pumped by a simple 150 kilowatt pump. This pump uses less electricity than most motors driving the chain lifts on other coasters! The key element in the launching system is the massive accumulators that store energy. One side of the accumulator tube contains pressurized nitrogen gas while the other side gets filled up with hydraulic fluid. A movable piston separates the two sides. When fully charged, the pressure in each accumulator is about 300 times atmospheric pressure. When a valve opens on the hydraulic fluid side of the accumulator tube, the pressurized air rapidly forces the fluid out of the accumulator and into eight hydraulic motors. These motors transfer the movement of fluid to the movement of a large drum onto which the launch cable is attached.
©2014 Joel A. Rogers.