Inversions

Monday, September 6th 2010

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Inversions

Inversion - A change of position that does not entail a change of location.

Inverted - To be turned upside down.

Still confused? An inversion is simply an element that turns the riders upside down.

Let's face it, with no elements a roller coaster is basically a train. Designers put elements in to make the ride more exciting. Inversions are special elements that turn the riders upsidedown. There are many different types of inversion, below is CoasterForce's guide to inversions.

On the left is a real image of the inversion, in the middle s a short description, on the right a NoLimits image of the inversion to show what's really going on. Click on the images for a larger version.

	BATWING An inversion used on the B&M Inverts. It comprises of a mini-Dive Loop running straight into a mini-Immelmann Loop. Arrow have a similar element called a Boomerang and Vekoma call theirs a Double Sidewinder.
	BOWTIE A simple Arrow inversion shaped like a Bowtie. Similar to the Boomerang Element, except it is exited in the same direction as it is entered.
	BUTTERFLY A very odd inversion featured on Vekoma multi-loopers. It’s a bit weird, but essentially involves an Immelmann followed by a Dive Loop where the train leaves in the same direction as it enters.
	COBRA ROLL A signature inversion found on B&M coasters. It is very similar to an Immelmann Loop followed by a Dive Loop, however the dive out of the half loop is not as big. This shape gives the element its name. A similar element can be found on the Boomerang coasters by Vekoma.
	CORKSCREW A incredibly common element found on lots of coasters. Different coaster manufacturers shape and name their corkscrews differently, but they’re all very similar.
	DIVE LOOP A very similar inversion to the Immelmann Loop, but executed in reverse. The track climbs up and banks heavily then drops away similar to the second half of a vertical loop.
	FLY-TO-LIE This inversion if for the Flying or 4D coasters. As the name suggests it flips the trains from the flying postion to the lying position.
	FLYING SNAKE DIVE A barrel roll followed by a right hand twisting dive to spin the train off to the left. Only found on Storm Runner, by Intamin, at Hersheypark.
	IMMELMANN This inversion in the same as a vertical loop until the train is inverted, when the track dives off to the left or right.
	INCLINED LOOP Simply a Vertical Loop tilted at 45°. Featured almost entirely on B&M Stand-Up coasters.
	INLINE TWIST This inversion has little or no change in height and rotates the rider around a central point, often their hearts. This causes the feeling of rotation and being tipped out of your seat.
	INVERTED TOP HAT Entered vertically, twisting over at the top and exited vertically. Designed by Premier and used on their shuttle coasters.
	LIE TO FLY This inversion if for the Flying or 4D coasters. As the name suggests it flips the trains from the lying postion to the flying position.
	NORWEGIAN LOOP Built by Intamin this inversion climbs rapidly, then as the train reaches the crest of the hill is inverted. The train then completes three quarters of the loop to bring t back to the inverted position where it rolls out again.
	PRETZEL LOOP An inversion for the flying coasters. It involves diving from the flying position head first towards the ground. Then pulling out on your back, then back up and into the flying position. One of the more intense elements.
	RAVEN TURN An inversion for the 4D coasters. This inversion is basically a half loop and can be entered from the top or bottom with the train on top of the track or suspended below the track.
	ROLL OVER This is the main inversion on the Suspended Looping Coasters by Vekoma. Entered through a half loop, into an Inline Twist and back down through a half loop.
	SEA SERPENT This inversion is very similar to the Cobra Roll, but the second inversion is flipped around, causing the direction of entrance to be the same as direction of exit. Vekoma use this inversion on their LSM coasters.
	TWISTING DIVE Half a twist followed by a loop. Found on the extremely rough Manhattan Express and a few other Togo coasters.
	VERTICAL LOOP The first vertical loops appeared during the first half on the 1900s. It is one of the most common inversions in the world. Most vertical loops are elliptical in shape. Circular loops can be seen on Schwazkopf coasters and are often more intense than elliptical loops.
	ZERO-G ROLL This inversion begins the same as a normal hill; however at the moment where the zero-g starts the train begins to flip. The revolution lasts the same amount of time as the zero-g creating the sensation of floating and rolling at the same time.