A Stainless Steel slide has many small holes in the surface. Air is blown through the holes, like in Air Hockey games.
The slide becomes so slippery that the angle and maximum height can be reduced, so it is safer.

A side benefit is that the slide can be "turned off" when not supervised/required.
Not inspired by the "Teflon Slide", which I found after searching, but I think it builds nicely on one of the comments about sliding on air or water.
-- Ling, Jul 24 2004

What the hell is Air Hockey? http://www.bradydis...ckey&OVMTC=standard
[Ling, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Teflon Slide http://www.halfbake...on_20coated_20slide
[Ling, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Airflow through an Orifice http://www.scottsem...om/Ref_Airflow.html
[Ling, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Power to move air http://www.madsci.o...852581748.Eg.r.html
[Ling, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

You're planning to slide down on a rigid flat "puck" of some sort? Or push a whole bunch of air through this thing?

(BTW - sliding down a metal slide on wax paper a few times can really up the down speed)
-- half, Jul 24 2004


No puck.
I calculate for "levitation" approx 14psi is required, and after a few more calculations with 1/8 inch holes on a 1/2 inch spacing about 600,000 scfm is blown through all the holes.
This needs a fan of about 250hp.

But your behind wouldn't be touching the surface!

For economy, a smaller fan and a little more friction could be tolerated.
-- Ling, Jul 24 2004


You are going to need that puck I think.
I would be concerned that if the air pressure is enough to lift your weight, it might be strong enough to force its way into your bloodstream.

Shop class 101, do not place hand over the spray nozzle of the air hose.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jul 24 2004


yeah, embolisms suck. This is cool +
-- swimr, Jul 24 2004


Workshop air is 6 to 7 bar (about 100psi). There is a slight difference.
However, it may be advisable to put a cork in your bum-hole.
-- Ling, Jul 25 2004


Nice idea. By the way, good job on the research [Ling], if everyone did the math we'd have a lot fewer deleted ideas.
-- 5th Earth, Jul 25 2004


or...
If the math everyone did, deleted fewer ideas we'd have a lot.
-- 2 fries shy of a happy meal, Jul 25 2004



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