Emergency Stopping on Orbit

[tp41190]

I have heard only stories about Orbit making an E-Stop and then having all of the cars swing around like crazy until the wheel levels out. Is that actually true....since a E-Stop cuts off all power to the ride I dont see how it would stop without making the cars swing around like crazy.

The only personal experience I have of something like this was at the Wisconsin State Fair in 01. They has a HUSS Enterprise and they were running it in the rain. Once lightning was spotted while we were on the ride they had to stop the ride. Until the wheel was at a 45 degree angle our cars were rocking back and forth from 90 to 90 and I was sliding really far forward off my seat.

So has anyone ever see this happen before?

[Déjà Vu '07]

That is not true

[025740]

The E-Stop on orbit cannot or should not be pressed unless the ride is down flat parallel to the ground. The power is cut to the ride but it will slow to a stop relatively quickly. I don’t see any reason why the cars would be rocking any more than a normal ride cycle.

[JordanSDMF]

^Well, when it abruptly stops, even it is slows down to stop, wouldn't the forces keep the cars rocking and the people in side shooting towards the front? In the actual cycle of the ride, it slows all the way down so the cars stop shaking quickly.

[UWW-10]

The good old "Stop N' Drop" Button ....that is exactly what the wheel does...quickly and painfully for those on the ride.

Yes, the only time the emergency stop button should be depressed is when the "boom" (arm) is still on the ground. In fact, if someone enters the ride area while the ride is running, a ride stop can't even be hit unless the boom is on the ground either.

**I might add that this was probably my all time favorite ride to be at because you were always with someone and it was fun to listen to people who didn't trust the simple rules of physics**

[RagingBullFan]

A ride stop will stop the ride quicker than an emergency stop. Even in the event of a fire the operator should never, ever, ever press emergency stop.

As has been mentioned when the e-stop is depressed all power is cut to the ride, including the solenoids for the air brakes. When a ride stop is depressed these brakes still work, as well as the cabin auto release, enabling a faster egress. The e-stop also instantly releases the hydraulic pressure in the main lifting cylinder, which goes down as fast as the oil can get out (It is damn fast).

Though it was fun scaring the crap out of the operators doing AM's at the demon with the e-stop, I surely hope that nobody is ever on that ride when a e-stop is depressed from anywhere near full height.

[T.K.]

As for the fire, Six Flags rule is:
As for coasters, download and stack then press E Stop... Meaning empty all trains out of people, stack and then press E stop.
As for flat rides: Press STOP, get all people out, then press E Stop.

Ride STOP will not end the cycle earlier then E- STOP. E STOP cuts power to the ride. Ride STOP will just end the cycle earlier...

As for Orbit- you really don't want to E- STOP that ride, unless there is a major mechanical issue, like cabins flying out (and that would still be a question). If you E STOP Orbit while in the air, it will slam to the ground, causing the cabins to rock sideways, and it will make a huge sound like BOOM.

[JordanSDMF]

Woah, so the wheel just kind of, falls?

[Jerrykoala2112]

Woah, so the wheel just kind of, falls?

I am not going on it again.

[batcave]

Estops at Orbit=scary. It is a Stop and Drop E-stop....There will be injuries if the ride is out of the Home position, no doubt about it.

[Jerrykoala2112]

Estops at Orbit=scary. It is a Stop and Drop E-stop....There will be injuries if the ride is out of the Home position, no doubt about it.

What Home system?

[sixflagsgurneeboy]

^I believe it's the Load/Unload position and not when the boom is up in the air like it is during the ride cycle.

[NightRider785]

A ride stop will stop the ride quicker than an emergency stop. Even in the event of a fire the operator should never, ever, ever press emergency stop.

As has been mentioned when the e-stop is depressed all power is cut to the ride, including the solenoids for the air brakes. When a ride stop is depressed these brakes still work, as well as the cabin auto release, enabling a faster egress. The e-stop also instantly releases the hydraulic pressure in the main lifting cylinder, which goes down as fast as the oil can get out (It is damn fast).

Though it was fun scaring the crap out of the operators doing AM's at the demon with the e-stop, I surely hope that nobody is ever on that ride when a e-stop is depressed from anywhere near full height.

I am curious, what is "AM's"? And it sounds rather interesting, would you care to elaborate that story?

[RagingBullFan]

AM's are the checks the operators do before opening the ride, usually consists of checking anything safety related to ensure it works properly.

[zjohn1988]

There is way too much park information being discussed in this topic......

Wait...why should I care??

.....Continue....

[Operations_seven_go]

An E-Stop on the Orbit will cut power to the ride, period. This leaves no breaking functionality, the wheel just yields to gravity. At the same time, if the boom is extended, it is operated hydraulically (I think oil filled hydraulics) and so when an E-stop is depressed, a valve opens up and allows the already injected fluid, flow out of the piston. Fluid dynamics are fluid dynamics. It won't take as long as the ride control system would, had the ride come to a normal 'end of cycle'; it comes out quickly enough that it makes a mess in the pit and makes maintenance 'a little on edge' over the E-Stops usage, and so as you can imagine, the boom drops pretty quickly (about 10 -15 seconds) but then your wheel rotates and rotates and rotates. Last I was there as a sup, to 'grab and drag it to a halt' without maintenance or supervisor approval was "Not Procedure" and elicited a written warning to the operator. Not to say it's not been done, but when the manager of operations tells you to help, things are different. In that case, I'm pretty sure it was mechanics and management 'skeechin' around the cabins. Lots of ruined shoes and guest illness. At that time, as before it and probably still to this day, the procedure for any kind of emergency needing to stop that ride is to simply use the "ride stop" button, which interrupts the ride cycle, regardless of where it is. Thus, it lowers the boon properly and applies the breaks. Ride is stopped in about 45 seconds. Better than a half an hour? The only condition i know for an E-stop on orbit was 1.) Fire 2.)Massive loss of structural integrity (the boom snaps). Hope this helps! Yes I saw it. Between us, what a riot!

[NightRider785]

^Even with a fire I would think it'd be safer to stop it with the ride stop and then hit emergency stop after its completely stopped, only needing it to cut the power to prevent any or worse electrical fires. Otherwise you're gonna have to work your butt off trying to stop the wheel to get the people out, which could cause them to burn while waiting for a freely rotating wheel to come to a stop. I could be wrong on this, but I don't believe I am.

[Déjà Vu '07]

^Yes