1. Field of the Invention
The subject matter described herein relates generally to devices and methods for switching and, more particularly, to track switches.
2. Related Art
Switching for tracks along which a vehicle travels is well known. For example, a known reciprocal track switch for train tracks includes a pair of rails each hinged at one end to a main track and each being free at the other. The free ends are connected with a bar that is actuated to slide the track within a single plane to optionally complete one segment of track or another segment of track. The bar may be reciprocated by a motor.
The reciprocal track switch suffers from the deficiency that it is limited in its range of angle between track segments thus generally prevents use of it for track crossings. Also, the reciprocal track switch suffers from a relatively lengthy duration of time to complete the switching.
The latter deficiency is particularly evident in today's switching systems for amusement park or theme park rides and attractions. For example roller coasters utilize track switches that shuttle entire track segments in and out of the path of the vehicle. This system requires moving large masses of steel track more then twice the distance of the vehicles pathway. This switch requires on the order eleven seconds to switch from one track segment to another.
It is desired to provide a switching system that allows for multiple vehicles with multiple track engaging wheel assemblies to make quick changes in direction via fast changing track switching.
Accordingly, to date, no suitable system or method is available for rapid switching of a vehicle from one track segment to another.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for sequentially switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground engaging portions following a plurality of plural track segments is provided. The system comprises a primary guide way to receive at least one of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle and a secondary guide way located in proximity to the primary guide way. The secondary guide way may be configured to receive another of the plurality of ground engaging portions of the at least one vehicle. The system may also comprise a controller configured to sequentially switch the primary guide way and the secondary guide way whereby the at least one vehicle may travel in one direction or in another direction.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground contacts following a plurality of optional track segments, comprises providing a primary locked rotatable switch member comprising a plurality of primary guide way tracks; providing a secondary locked rotatable switch member comprising a plurality of secondary guide way tracks; unlocking the primary rotatable switch member; rotating the primary switch member to position one of the plurality of primary guide way tracks within and thereby complete one of a plurality of primary track segments; relocking the primary rotatable switch member; confirming continuity of the primary switch member with one of the plurality of primary track segments; unlocking the secondary rotatable switch member; rotating the secondary switch member to position one of the plurality of secondary guide way tracks within and thereby complete one of a plurality of secondary track segments; relocking the secondary rotatable switch member; and confirming continuity of the secondary switch member with one of the plurality of secondary track segments.
The following detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
One embodiment of the present invention concerns a system and a method for providing for the switching of track segments by at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground engaging portions in a relatively short period of time. In one embodiment, each of a plurality of guide ways for switching between a plurality of track segments comprises a rotatable switch member that comprises a plurality of guide way tracks. Each switch member may be rotated, in a sequential fashion, to position one of the plurality of guide way tracks within and to thereby complete one of the plurality of track segments thereby providing for the vehicle to travel in one direction or another.
Referring to
The fame 12 comprises any suitably strong and durable material capable of supporting the pivot actuator 14, the switch member 16, the guide way track 18, and other associated components along with a ride vehicle (not shown). One suitable material is a steel with a low carbon content.
Referring now also to
The pivot actuator mount 20 comprises a mounting plate 28 that is supported by a cross beam 30 and a pair of side posts 32 that are interconnected with a pair of separator beams 34. The separator beams 34 are connected with a cross beam 22. Each of the cross beams 22 are connected with a side beam 24 and a side post 36. The frame 12 may be fixed in place in a known manner such as via fasteners and cement pilings.
The bearings 26 are located on separate cross beams 22 and interconnected with the switch member 16. The bearings 26 may be any suitable bearing such as a cylindrical type bearing well known for producing very low frictional rotation why supporting very high loads.
The pivot actuator 14 may comprise any suitably powerful actuator that is capable, in this embodiment, of rotationally driving the switch member 16. It will be appreciated that a suitably powerful actuator provides sufficient rotational torque to complete rotation within the timing described in more detail below. A couple 38 is provided for coupling the pivot actuator 14 to the switch member 16.
As best seen in
Referring now to
The extension leg 46 may also comprise a similar material to that of the frame 12, have a generally rectangular configuration and functions to provide additional support for the guide way tracks 17 and 18. The extension leg 46 may comprise a pair of engagement pads 50 and 51 located on opposing surfaces thereof. A pair of support posts 52 and 53 are provided for engaging the extension leg 46 and are located on opposing sides of the frame 12. Dampening devices 54 and 55 are configured to correspond with engagement pads 50 and 51 and are optionally mounted to the support posts 52 and 53, respectively. The dampening devices 54 and 55 function to slowly reduce the rotational velocity of the extension leg 46 during movement thereof.
Locking assemblies 56 may be provided for engaging the locking arm 44 to prevent any rotational movement of the switch member 16. A second locking assembly 58 is shown, although, it will be understood that a single locking assembly 56 may be sufficient. Where employed, each locking assembly 56 and 58 may comprise similar components and thus for clarity only the locking assembly 56 will now be described. As illustrated in
Bus bar segments 72 and 74 may be located between the extension leg 46 and the guide way tracks 17 and 18 and each comprise two spacer members 76 and 78 and 80 and 82.
In the present embodiment, the guide way tracks 17 and 18 each comprise a rail 83 and 84, respectively for engaging a vehicle, such as that shown in
Operation of the main guide way switch element assembly 10 will now be described with respect to
Referring now to
Another embodiment of additional guide ways in accordance with the present invention are each illustrated at 100 in
Operation of the guide way 100 is similar to that of the main guide way switch element assembly 10 and thus will only be described with respect to the flat guide way track 199. As shown in
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the controller 300 may operate to switch each of guide ways 10 and 100 in a sequential manner as described below. In general, the controller 300 may unlock each guide way, energize each pivot actuator for rotation of the switch member, relock each guide way and confirm relocking within a range of between about 1.2 and 2.5 seconds, and in one specific embodiment about 2.0 seconds. Such a fast track switch provides for an enhanced entertainment activity whereby multiple vehicles may be traversing a set of tracks and one after another going in different directions with apparent near misses thereby substantially enhancing a guests experience at a theme park or the like.
It will be appreciated that the controller 300 may be configured with the ability to create a path through each guide way rapidly and independently. In this way, each guide way is quickly postured for a next switching event and the transit of one or more vehicles across the guide way. The controller 300 may then reconfigure each guide way to a planned position or to remain in a current configuration as required. The ability for the controller 300 to plan ahead and configure each of the independent guide ways lends significantly to the response time. It will be understood that the initiation of switching of a guide way is determined to a required degree by a geometry of the vehicle in a given switch layout, i.e. turning radius of the track path through the switch assembly. Delaying element switching to a just-in-time is advantageous to allow wheel clearance between closely adjacent vehicles.
The ability of the controller 300 to plan guide way positions and motion initiation based on vehicle positions on the track at specific system events enhances theme park experience. An example is the switch control system can take advantage of adjacent vehicle positions while they are traversing through the track. A path direction change command may be used to allow a vehicle to receive clearance to proceed at the last second and avoiding a system stop condition that might have otherwise occurred with prior art roller coaster systems.
The individual guide ways require a unique capture mechanism as a result of the stopping inertia of the guide way. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the controller 300 may be configured to consider the time required to slow, stop and lock each guide way in order to provide for the operational timing of each guide way. This unique mechanism will elevate the de-bounce time normally experienced in such mechanisms.
Referring now to
The casters 414 a spaced about the cornered portions (not numbered) of the bottom surface 410 and each comprise a rotatable assembly 422 and a tire 424. It will be appreciated that in the practice of the present invention many other vehicle configurations of ground engaging portions may be employed, for example, rather than having five ground engaging portions any number of ground engaging portions may be provided. Also, in addition to or instead of a variation in number, the locations of the ground engaging portions along the bottom surface 410 may be varied. Further, while the vehicle 400 requires three separate tracks, it will be understood that a vehicle requiring only two separate tracks may be employed.
As shown in
It will be understood that the method of switching between a plurality of generally parallel track segments may further comprise providing an additional secondary rotatable switch member comprising a plurality of additional secondary guide way tracks; and rotating the secondary rotatable switch member to position one of the plurality of secondary guide way tracks within and thereby complete another of the plurality of track segments. It has been found that where the at least one vehicle comprises multiple vehicles each traveling at approximately four feet per second and spaced at about four feet apart and each of the steps of rotating may be completed within between about 1.2 seconds and about 2.5 seconds and, more preferably, within about 2.0 seconds.
A method of switching a plurality of guide ways to accommodate at least one vehicle with a plurality of ground contacts following a plurality of optional track segments in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention is shown generally at 600 in
It will be understood that the method of switching a plurality of guide ways may further comprise providing an additional secondary locked rotatable switch member comprising a plurality of additional secondary guide way tracks; unlocking the additional secondary rotatable switch member; rotating the additional secondary switch member to position one of the plurality of additional secondary guide way tracks within and thereby complete one of a plurality of additional secondary track segments; relocking the additional secondary rotatable switch member; and confirming continuity of the additional secondary switch member with one of the plurality of additional secondary track segments.
It has been found that where the at least one vehicle comprises multiple vehicles each traveling at approximately four feet per second and spaced at about four feet apart that each of the steps of unlocking, rotating, relocking and confirming may be completed within between about 1.2 seconds and about 2.5 seconds and more preferably within about 2.0 seconds.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to these herein disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present invention is intended to cover all of the various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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2887068 | Cotesworth | May 1959 | A |
3046909 | Gorjanc | Jul 1962 | A |
4016818 | Ellzey | Apr 1977 | A |
4089270 | Blake | May 1978 | A |
4993326 | Bergemann | Feb 1991 | A |
5219395 | Spieldiener et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
6273000 | Lamoreaux | Aug 2001 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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1138828 | Oct 2001 | DE |
0844329 | May 1998 | EP |
1100837 | Jun 2001 | EP |
2001040602 | Feb 2001 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20090065653 A1 | Mar 2009 | US |