SRL Machines, Show Site Safety Mechanisms and Procedures

The description and manner in which machines and the site will be secured for a proposed SRL show on July 20 2002 follows. The site is Candlestick Parking Lot A at Gate One. It is a 200 x 250 area that will be fenced and K railed 15 feet back from Candlestick fencing. We will have about 5 tents next to the entrance to provide storage and food area as well as machine shop work space. Barriers will be errected behind these tents to block them from view from the outside.

The audience will be placed around the area marked in red in the attached diagram.

The machines described below will be operated only within the boundary of this space as described above. There will be several static and mobile props placed at various points within the center of the space. All machines will be aimed away from the audience in the direction indicated by the blue arrows on the attached site diagram and all burnable props will be wrapped in cardboard and chicken wire to prevent debris outside the site and to limit ashes to the area only. Machines with projectiles will discharge only while they are stationary.

Machines that launch projectiles have limit switches to constrain pan/tilt range to a narrow band usually ±30 degrees from the center of their barrels. All machines have safety buttons easily reached by operators in case of an emergency. They all are slow-moving (see machine speeds below) allowing operators to reach them immediately should something go wrong.

All mobile machine operators and major props and effects crew communicate throughout the performance via ClearCom helicopter headsets. The founder and director of the performance can issue safety warnings or performance directives to all remote control operators to insure a safe and sane performance. Machine specific "spotters" are assigned to certain crew served machines to assist the machine operator if required.

Fire extinguishers will be on site. Some crew have first aid/CPR training.

The following is a list of machines descriptions and photographs that SRL proposes to use for a machine performance in the Candlestick Parking lot on July 20 2002. Machine titles, machine function descriptions, means of power, and fuel load information (where applicable) are numbered to match the accompanying photographs. Stationary machines are listed first, followed by mobile machines.

Stationary Machines
Air Launcher
Hand O God
Single-Barreled Shockwave Cannon
Turbojet Powered Police Whistle
Sparkshooter
Tesla Coil
Flame Hurricane
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mobile Machines
Big Arm
Hovercraft
Inchworm
Pitching Machine
Remote-controlled Bombloader
Running Machine
Shaker
Subjugator
Track Robot
V1
Wheelocopter
Big Walker

(1) Air Launcher

This stationary machine is a high pressure tele-operated launcher that uses burts of air to project weighted soda pop cans and flash rounds. Standing at approximately seven feet tall and with a barrel that extends three feet, the mechasnism is moved and controlled via a tethered headset that is worn by the operator. It can also be operated remotely via the Internet using a standard web browser. Servo motors move the launcher barrel vertically and horizontally. The servos are powered with standard 110 electricity. The soda cans are 2 lb. weight, and the firing distance is up to 1 mile. The Air Launcher can only fire one round at a time. The load sequence between each round takes approximately 17-21 seconds.

(2) Hand O God

Resembling a giand hand, the "fingers" are empty cylinders strung together by steel cable under enough tension to make the hand appear relaxed, though remain upright. The hand is spring-loaded, cocked by a hydraulic cylinder using eight tons of pressure: the opening and closing of the hand is its only movement. It was finished in April 1997 and debuted at the SRL event in Austin attached to the Remote Controlled Bomb Loader (see description below).

(3) Single-Barreled Shockwave Cannon

Used in SRL performances since 1987, this stationary device forms vortex rings of air and projects the rings at high speeds. This model is nearly 20 feet long; the barrel is mounted atop a reinforced tripod. A stoichemetric oxygen propelyne mixture creates a non-propulsive, controlled explosion at the back of the chamber, causing a torroidal air current to accelerate out of the barrel. Air operated ball valves control the fuel delivery and safety check valves are installed on both oxygen and fuel lines. An electronic timer control system keeps the gas mixture precise. On the tethered manual control box one timer is for fill, and another fires the device. The timer automatically stops when the gas is mixed, and the device can only fire after the timer has shut off.

(4) Turbojet Powered Police Whistle

Comprised of a 200lb thrust turbojet with a fuel afterburner and a large police whistle attached. This machine is stationary and the engine has been modified to work in conjunction with the whistle, primarily to generate sound. It also produces hot air and short bursts of low-lying flame with an average distance of five feet. The engine is shielded by ¼ inch thich steel plates (heat shield), runs on diesel fuel. Made in 1996.
Fuel load: 30 gallons diesel (jet and flame generator combined)

(18) Sparkshooter

The Sparkshooter or Lorenz Gun is a manually operated electrical discharge plasma projection device. The size of a small refrigerator, it is powered by 110V AC; an internal transformer steps this up to 40,000 volts to charge a high-voltage capacitor in about one minute. The high voltage is presented across two solid copper electrodes, surrounded by a PVC personnel shield. When full charge is reached, a pushbutton fires a pneumatic ram which slams a thin copper rod across the two electrodes, discharging the capacitor rapidly, producing a large enough current through the rod to instantaneously vaporize it. The forward momentum imparted by the pneumatic ram drives the resulting plasma ball forward. The magnetic field produced by the high current pulse squeezes and accelerates the plasma out the front of the machine at approximately 200 miles per hour, accompanied by a loud detonation sound. The bright glowing "sparks" travel an adjustable distance of between 30 and 200 feet. Two operators directly control the Sparkshooter, loading, charging and firing it manually. Safety equipment includes a protective circuit breaker and a hold-to-charge pushbutton. Releasing the pushbutton engages a safety slow-discharge circuit.
Fuel load: 20-lb CO2 tank to operate pneumatic ram.

(19) Tesla Coil

The Tesla Coil is a high frequency transformer, designed at the turn of the century, that produces an electric display or stream from the top of it.s 17 foot structure, similar to the .eye of the storm..The stream ranges from 4 ft to 25ft at its maximum capacity.The machine operates within a cleared and amply marked 30ft x 30ft saftey zone. This zone is within the overall safety zone approx 75ft x 35 ft. The operator gauges the saftey zone cleared, initiates the coil which then revs to generte its electical streams. If a person where to enter the safety zone the operator would instantly shut off the coil which needs no ramp down time.

Mobile Machines

(5)Big Arm

Moving very slowly, this large machine is essentially a large remote-controlled arm. Its only means of forward motion is by literally dragging itself along. The front end is a huge vertically triangulated backhoe that culminates in what resembles a giant jaw, rather than a backhoe's bucket, and it rests nose-down on the ground. A gas engine powers hydraulics that impel the machine forward by triggering linkage, making the machine pull itself along by its "nose". The first motion of the hydraulics extends the nose off the ground; the second motion extends the nose outward; then returning to the first hydroram the operator puts the nose back down away from the machine; the second hydroram is then used to pull the nose in toward the machine itself to inch the entire machine forward.
Fuel load: 8 gallons, gasoline

(6) Hovercraft

Powered by four military pulsejet engines, this remote-controlled aluminum hovercraft rises siz to ten inches off the ground and can move in any direction. A gas motor is mounted atop the aluminum platform body and powers a small industrial fan mounted blower-side down. The whole platform is rigged with a sealed rubber skirt so that the trapped air forces the craft upward. The propane fueled pulsejets are fixed on the craft and move in tandem for steering. The four jets are two pairs seated on either end of the body. Two eight lb. propane tanks supply the four jets.
Fuel load: 2 gallons, gasoline

(7) Inchworm

This large, remote-controlled wheeled machine moves with either a crabbing or inching motion, and has a large vertical jaw mounted on the front that can grab and carry props. It has four wheels, thought its overall shape is in a triangulated configuration. The front two wheels are seperated like a normal chassis while the two back wheels are together, forming a triangle. The seperated front wheels pull the machine forward; the crab-like action is a motion mechanism which works by opposing ratchets on the wheels that change directions in opposition. The machine can also reverse direction and inch along using the two back wheels. The gas motor is an industrial Wisconsin motor that drives a slave hydropump. The hydropump is the machine's main power, creating the front end's side-to-side motion, the neck of the vertical jaw, and the back and forth of the rear end's inching movement.
Fuel load: 3 gallons, gasoline

(8) Pitching Machine

Measuring in at 13 feet long and 10 ½ feet at it's highest point, this mobile m achine ejects eight foot 2x4's at speed through two giant upright truck tires. With the option of either remote or tethered control, the operator controls the direction of the movement and ejection of the wooden borads. It moves very slowly, two to four miles an hour, in any direction. The machine is on three wheels, with two front tires on a wide chassis and a single back tire that drives the machine. A V8 engine powers the truck tires (expelling the boards) and the hydraulic system. The hydraulics move the boards into position, and power propulsion (and steering) of the machine. All mechanisms on the machine are shielded, such as the transmission, the truck tires, and the loading mechanism. There is a failsafe shutdown button. Plywood tailfins confer a steady trajectory of the boards. Limit switches are in place to prevent the machine from swinging past a specified radius when panning or tilting. This machine will not be launching boards unless it is stationary for safety reasons. The "cartridge" capacity is 37 boards. For this show, the machine will only be driven when it is empty to different areas with the boards where it will be loaded up again for firing from a stationary and constrained position. The cartridge is transparent and operators can see whether the machine is empty or not.
Fuel load: 5 gallons, gasoline

(9) Remote-controlled Bombloader

Formerly manually controlled, this large mobile machine has been modified to be radio-controlled by a remote operator. It is essentially a wheeled vehicle that is powered by a gas engine with a lifting section in front that can carry various payloads (such as the Hand O God - see description). The gas tank is armored and mounted inside the machine; it is actuated hydraulically. Its top speed is 12 mph.
Fuel load: 5 gallons, gasoline

(10) Running Machine

A graceful six-legged, remote-controlled machine that walks at approx. 5-6 mph. Gas powered engine drives a hydromotor, which runs the various chain linkages that turn an elaborate configuration of sprockets, creating locomotion of the legs. The eloquent design is its main feature, and in addition to movement being the machine's primary role (it is very maneuverable), it has a hydraulically actuated manipulator arm on the front end that can carry props or various end affectors. Gas powered, made in 1992.
Fuel load: 4 gallons, gasoline

(11) Shaker

This remote-controlled, box-shaped, wheeled machine is used for grabbing and shaking objects with its gripping jaw. The gas engine drives a single forklift wheel that indirectly drives the other passive wheels; the forklift wheel has a 360-degree turning radius. Within the chassis are two opposing weights. The motor drives these weights in opposite directions in increasing and decreasing speeds, pitching the machine back and forth. On the front of the machine is a claw-like attachment from a log mover. The logger can grab and turn large objects in a 360° motion ,and when grasping an object the spinning internal counterweights cause violent shaking. The gasoline is encased within a racing foam fuel cell tank, keeping the gasoline stable during the shaking. Made in 1992.
Fuel load: 5 gallons

(12) Subjugator

A large remote controlled machine on twin tank treads with a grasping arm. Originall a Bobcat excactor, but only its steel-tracked base has been retained. It has been modified to carry heavy objects and shoot a 15 foot stream of fire. It is 16 feet tall with its claw pointed straight up. Powered by a 37 horsepower V-4 industrial engine, the engine runs twin hydraulic systems nestled into a continous perimeter frame which also serves as the machine's 31-gallon hydraulic reservoir. The custom-built three-fingered claw is mounted on two bus axle bearings, making it capable of free rotation in either direction, even while carrying heavy loads. Made by Christian Ristow.
Fuel load: 5 gallons

(13) Track Robot

Small, mobile robot controlled remotely via the Internet or by radio, using a tetherless control and video transmission system, the Track Robot can be operated remotely through a standard web browser. At a height of approximately three feet, it moves on two rubber tank-style treads that enable it proceed slowly and independently across a variety of surfaces, and around tight corners. Powered by 24-volt batteries, the front end is mounted with small metal pinchers that are a slow-moving clutching hand. Can hold a cup of coffee.

(14) V1

An exact replica of a WWII German designed flying pulse jet engine, modified to produce low frequency acoustic output (45 hertz) rather than thrust. This large machine burns gasoline. The machine is mounted on wheels and moves relatively slowly (3mph) from place to place by an electric forklift drive motor under remote control. Burning of fuel takes place within a steel chamber. Some flame products are emitted from exhaust opening, along with large amounts of heated air. Used in 8 performances to date.
Fuel load: 40 gallons, gasoline

(15) Wheelocopter

This machine will not be used for the July 20 show

A new SRL machine scheduled for completion in 2002. Gas powered six feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, this machine weighs in at 2 tons. It uses four large aircraft tires and has a 50 HP engine driving a hydraulic rotor and brake system.
Fuel load: 8 gallons, gasoline

(16) Flame Hurricane

For the July 20 show this machine will not be run but 4 pulse jets will be used instead

The Flame Hurricane is a highly magnified version of the Flame Tornado featured in several SRL shows (conceived by Kevin Binkert). It utilizes five 150 lb thrust Pulsejet engines and a system of 8x8 foot louvers arranged in a 45 ft circle to produce a rapidly rotating column of hot, high velocity hurricane-like wind. A gasoline/diesel fuel mix is injected into this swirling vortex of hot air at a pressure of 1000psi and a flow of 1.5 gallons per second, producing a flaming layer on the exterior of the rotating air column estimated to be 50' in height.

(17) Big Walker

The Four Legged Walking Machine or Big Walker is a two-ton gasoline-driven hydraulic-actuated mobile robot with extensor and flexor actuators on each leg. An on-board processor provides sequence control, accessed via digital radio system for data and sequence downloading and remote control. The machine walks slowly using an alternating gait of diagonal pairs of legs, and slip-turns using a foot-mounted hydraulic motor driving a spur gear. Limit switches on each joint prevent overtravel and mechanical damage. Standard fuel load: 2 gallons gasoline for the 40-horsepower engine. The Walking Machine has at different events been equipped with a Flame Thrower (fuel: 5 gallons diesel) Oxy-Acetylene Kicker (fuel: 20-lb acetylene tank), a Shockwave Cannon (fuel: 5-lb propane tank) and other appendages. Onboard safety equipment includes an easily accessible engine cutout switch and a computer-reset/halt switch.