Patent Grant
12233349
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Theme park or amusement park attractions have become increasingly popular, and have been created to provide guests with unique immersive experiences. Many theme parks or amusement parks include ride systems that move a ride vehicle relative to a track. Certain ride systems may include overhung ride assemblies, meaning a ride vehicle and other aspects of the ride system (e.g., a transport platform, a heave system, a motion base platform) are positioned underneath the track of the ride system relative to a Gravity vector (e.g., while the overhung ride assembly is in a resting or home position). Unfortunately, traditional ride systems employing overhung ride assemblies may include a limited range of motion of the ride vehicles relative to the track. Further, traditional ride systems employing overhung ride assemblies may be expensive to manufacture (e.g., due to excessive part counts and expensive parts) and operate (e.g., due to wasted energy). It is now recognized that improved ride systems employing improved overhung ride assemblies are desired.
Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below.
In an embodiment, a ride system includes a track and an overhung ride assembly. The overhung ride assembly includes a transport platform coupled to the track, a ride vehicle, and a heave system extending between the transport platform and the ride vehicle. The heave system is configured to heave the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The heave system includes an extendible tube defining a variable volume configured to store a gaseous fluid. The extendible tube is configured to extend in response to a lowering of the ride vehicle away from the transport platform by the heave system such that the gaseous fluid within the variable volume of the extendible tube enables a fluid force that biases the extendible tube toward a contracted configuration to assist the heave system with a lifting of the ride vehicle toward the transport platform.
In an embodiment, a ride system includes a track and an overhung ride assembly. The overhung ride assembly includes a transport platform coupled to the track, a ride vehicle, and a heave system extending between the transport platform and the ride vehicle. The heave system is configured to heave the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The heave system includes a strong arm assembly having a backhoe configuration including a first rigid arm coupled via a first hinge to the ride vehicle or to a motion base platform coupled to the ride vehicle, and including a second rigid arm coupled the first rigid arm via a second hinge and to a transport hinge at the transport platform.
In an embodiment, a ride system includes a track and an overhung ride assembly. The overhung ride assembly includes a transport platform coupled to the track, a ride vehicle, and a heave system configured to heave the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The heave system includes a winch assembly having a spool, a cable coupled to the spool, and a motor. The motor is configured to drive the spool into rotation in a first circumferential direction to lift the ride vehicle via the cable toward the transport platform and create potential energy in the ride vehicle. The motor is also configured to generate power in response to the spool rotating in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction as the ride vehicle is lowered via the cable away from the transport platform and the potential energy of the ride vehicle is converted to kinetic energy.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.
When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.
The present disclosure relates generally to ride systems having overhung ride assemblies. For example, an overhung ride assembly may include a ride vehicle and other features positioned beneath a track or mount of the ride system relative to a Gravity vector (e.g., while the overhung ride assembly is in a resting or home position). The overhung ride assembly may also include a transport platform connected to the track and configured to move along the track, and one or more motion systems or assemblies (e.g., a heave system and a motion base platform) positioned at the transport platform and/or between the transport platform and the ride vehicle. The one or more motion systems or assemblies may be configured to move the ride vehicle in various directions (e.g., heave, translate, roll, pitch, yaw) relative to the transport platform.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the overhung ride assembly may include a heave system configured to lift and lower the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform, and a motion base platform between the heave system and the ride vehicle. The motion base platform may include, for example, a Stewart platform or an octopod. In general, the motion base platform may roll, pitch, and/or yaw the ride vehicle relative to the heave system and transport platform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ride system may not include the motion base platform, and the heave system may be directly connected to the ride vehicle.
The heave system may include several assemblies that work in conjunction to lift the ride vehicle toward the transport platform and to lower the ride vehicle away from the transport platform. For example, the heave system may include a winch assembly having a spool, a cable that extends from the ride vehicle (or the motion base platform) to the spool, and a motor that turns the spool. The motor may perform work to turn the spool in a first circumferential direction to wind the cable onto the spool and raise the ride vehicle toward the transport platform. The spool may also turn in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction to unwind the cable from the spool and lower the ride vehicle away from the transport platform. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the spool may receive multiple cables that extend between the transport platform and the ride vehicle or the motion base platform, or multiple cable-dedicated spools may be employed. Further, multiple motors may be employed to drive rotation of the one or more spools. In general, utilizing multiple cables attached to various points of the ride vehicle or the motion base platform may improve a stability of the ride vehicle and improve control of lifting and lowering the ride vehicle. Other actuation mechanisms for actuating the cable are also possible.
The heave system of the overhung ride assembly may also include a strong arm assembly that extends between the transport platform and the ride vehicle (or the motion base platform) and assists in lifting and lowering the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The present disclosure may refer to an embodiment of the strong arm assembly as forming a backhoe configuration, as the strong arm assembly may resemble excavating equipment or machinery referred to as a backhoe. The strong arm assembly may include multiple rigid arms connected by hinges that enable certain of the rigid arms to rotate. The present disclosure may describe the rigid arms of the strong arm assembly as being rigid to denote a material strength and geometry of each rigid arm of the strong arm assembly. While the strong arm assembly is configured to move, and while rigid arms of the strong arm assembly may move (e.g., rotate) relative to each other, each rigid arm of the strong arm assembly includes a material and geometric configuration that prevents a portion of the rigid arm of the strong arm assembly from flexing relative to another portion of the rigid arm of the strong arm assembly. For example, in contrast with the cable of the winch assembly, which is configured to flex as it is wound onto (and unwound from) the spool of the winch assembly, the rigid arms of the strong arm assembly are configured to maintain a structural rigidity as they move in accordance with the description above. One of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the rigid arms of the strong arm assembly may not be perfectly rigid, but that the term rigid is used in accordance with the present disclosure to differentiate from substantially less rigid members, such as the cable configured to wind about (and unwind from) the spool of the winch assembly.
The strong arm assembly may include a first rigid arm having a proximal end connected to the ride vehicle (or to the motion base platform) at a first passive hinge. The strong arm assembly may also include a second rigid arm having a proximal end connected to the transport platform at a transport hinge, where the transport hinge is actuated via one or more motors (e.g., the above-described motor[s] configured to drive rotation of the spool[s]) to impart movement to the strong arm assembly. A distal end of the first rigid arm and a distal end of the second rigid arm may be coupled together via a second passive hinge that enables the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm to form a variable angle, where the variable angle between the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm changes as the strong arm assembly is used to lift and/or lower the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform. The first passive hinge and the second passive hinge may be referred to by the present disclosure as being passive to denote that they may not be motor or power driven, whereas the transport hinge may be driven by the one or more motors described above. The first passive hinge between the first rigid arm and the ride vehicle (or motion base platform), the transport hinge between the second rigid arm and the transport platform, and the second passive hinge between the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm may be referred to by the present disclosure as a three-hinge design of the strong arm assembly.
A stabilizing boom connected to the transport platform and coupled to the first rigid arm may support a weight of the assembly and/or facilitate controlled rotation of the first rigid arm about an axis of the second passive hinge between the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm. For example, the stabilizing boom may provide a level of resistance against the first rigid arm and prevent the first rigid arm from freely rotating about an axis of the second passive hinge, such that the first rigid arm only rotates about the axis of the second passive hinge in response to the second rigid arm being driven into rotation about an axis of the transport hinge. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stabilizing boom connected to the first rigid arm may move laterally (e.g., across the transport platform and/or underneath the first rigid arm) as the second rigid arm is driven into rotation about the axis of the transport hinge, thus enabling the first rigid arm to rotate about the axis of the second passive hinge. The variable angle between the distal ends of first rigid arm and the second rigid arm, coupled via the second passive hinge, may be decreased (e.g., made more acute) as the ride vehicle is lifted toward the transport platform. Further, the variable angle between the distal ends of the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm may be increased (e.g., made more obtuse) as the ride vehicle is lowered away from the transport platform.
The proximal end of the second rigid arm of the strong arm assembly, connected to the transport hinge at the transport platform, may be rotated about the axis of the transport hinge in response to the transport hinge being rotated by the one or more motors. For example, the second rigid arm may be rigidly coupled to the transport hinge and, as the transport hinge is turned by the one or more motors, the second rigid arm turns with the transport hinge. Accordingly, to lift the ride vehicle, the transport hinge may be turned by the one or more motors in a first circumferential direction to rotate the second rigid arm about the axis of the transport hinge, which in turn causes rotation of the first rigid arm about an axis of the second passive hinge between the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm. As the ride vehicle is lifted toward the transport platform, the variable angle between the distal end of the first rigid arm and the distal end of the second rigid arm may decrease (e.g., become more acute). Further, to lower the ride vehicle, the transport hinge may be turned by the one or more motors in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction to rotate the second rigid arm about the axis of the transport hinge, which in turn causes rotation of the first rigid arm about the axis of the second passive hinge between the first rigid arm and the second rigid arm. As the ride vehicle is lowered away from the transport platform, the variable angle between the distal end of the first rigid arm and the distal end of the second rigid arm may increase (e.g., become more obtuse). It should be noted that, while the strong arm assembly is used to raise and lower the ride vehicle relative to the transport platform, the strong arm assembly may also impart a certain amount of lateral movement of the ride vehicle as the ride vehicle is raised and lowered relative to the transport platform.
In addition to the above-described winch assembly and strong arm assembly, the heave system may also include a compensation assembly configured to assist in lifting of the ride vehicle toward the transport platform. The compensation assembly may be disposed at or adjacent to the transport platform and may include multiple extendible tubes having corresponding reservoirs that store a gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen. For example, first ends of the extendible tubes may be connected to stationary anchors of the transport platform and second ends of the extendible tubes may be connected to a rotation feature at or adjacent to the transport platform, such as the second rigid arm of the above-described strong arm assembly and/or an extension of the transport hinge. As the strong arm assembly is utilized to lower the ride vehicle, the rotating feature (e.g., the second rigid arm and/or the extension of the transport hinge) may move away from the anchors of the transport platform, pulling the second ends of the extendible tubes away from the first ends of the extendible tubes and causing the extendible tubes to extend in length. For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second ends of the extendible tubes may include, or be coupled to, plungers extending into the first ends of the extendible tubes. A vacuum may be formed in the first end of each tube and defined at least in part by the plunger.
As the extendible tubes extend in length, the gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, may move into bodies of the extendible tubes. For example, the above-described plungers may move along the first ends of the extendible tubes to expand a volume inside of the extendible tubes. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gaseous fluid may reside in both the reservoirs and the bodies of the extendible tubes as the extendible tubes are extended or in an extended state. The expanded volume may increase a pressure differential between the insides of the extendible tubes and an atmosphere surrounding the extendible tubes, generating a fluid force. The fluid force may tend to force the extendible tubes to contract.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motors corresponding to the transport hinge and/or winch described above may perform work to force the strong arm assembly downwardly and to overcome the fluid force generated by the extendible tubes as the ride vehicle is lowered, and/or to maintain the ride vehicle in a lowered (e.g., extended) position. When the motors are disabled and/or used to raise the ride vehicle toward the transport platform, the fluid force generated by the extendible tubes may cause a contraction of the extendible tubes. As the fluid force is released and the extendible tubes contract, the extendible tubes may exert a force against the second rigid arm and/or the extension of the transport hinge and pull the second rigid arm and/or the extension of the transport hinge back toward the anchors of the transport platform. A pulley assembly between each extendible tube and the second rigid arm and/or the extension transport hinge may be configured to convert between lateral movement of the extendible tube and rotational movement of the second rigid arm and/or the extension of the transport hinge. Thus, the extendible tubes may assist in lifting the ride vehicle toward the transport platform, thereby reducing an amount of work required from the motors that turn the transport hinge and/or the spools of the winches of the heave system during a lifting procedure.
A combination of the one or more winch assemblies, the strong arm assembly, and the compensation assembly, referred to collectively as the heave system, is utilized for lifting and lowering the ride vehicle as described above. The heave system may generally facilitate improved heave control and reduced power consumption needed for heaving the ride vehicle relative to traditional embodiments.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heave system may include a pantograph that does not include the above-described backhoe configuration, such as a jointed mechanical linkage framework having a generally rectangular configuration and extending between the ride vehicle (or the motion base platform) and the transport platform. A winch, winch motor, and cable, as previously described, may be used in lifting the ride vehicle and motion base platform and/or supporting a weight of the ride vehicle and motion base platform, while the pantograph extends and contracts to improve stability of the ride vehicle and/or motion base platform. The winch motor may be coupled to a regenerative drive system. In general, the winch motor performs work to use the cable to lift the ride vehicle as the pantograph is contracted. That is, electrical torque of the winch motor performs work to overcome the gravitational forces of the ride vehicle and other features (e.g., the motion base platform) of the overhung ride assembly. However, lifting of the ride vehicle creates potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy as the ride vehicle is lowered. As the ride vehicle is lowered, the winch motor may act as a generator in order to regenerate power via the kinetic energy created during lowering of the ride vehicle. Induced currents from the winch motor, which acts as a generator during lowering of the ride vehicle, may be passed through a drive and into a bus rail system generally used to power the winch motor, such that the bus rail system can store the generated power for future use during a future lifting of the ride vehicle or another ride vehicle associated with the ride system. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the regenerative power features described above in conjunction with the generally rectangular pantograph may be employed with the strong arm assembly having the backhoe configuration.
The above-described features may generally improve an experience of a guest positioned in the ride vehicle through improved movement (e.g., lifting, lowering, rolling, pitching, yawing) of the ride vehicle relative to traditional embodiments. Further, the above-described features may generally reduce a cost of ride system manufacturing (e.g., via reduced number of parts, less expensive parts, simplified configuration) and operation (e.g., via utilization of fluid force in the compensation assembly and/or the power regeneration features of the winch assembly) relative to traditional embodiments. These and other features will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
Continuing now with the drawings,
As previously described, the heave system 14 may include several assemblies that work in conjunction to lift the ride vehicle 16 toward the transport platform 13 and to lower the ride vehicle 16 away from the transport platform 13. For example, the heave system 14 may include a winch assembly 19 defined at least in part by one or more cables 20 extending from the motion base platform 18 (or directly from the ride vehicle 16) to the transport platform 13. Although only one cable 20 is visible in the side view of the overhung ride assembly 10 in
The heave system 14 of the overhung ride assembly 10 may also include a strong arm assembly 28 that extends between the transport platform 13 and the ride vehicle 16, where the strong arm assembly 28 forms a backhoe configuration. An embodiment of the strong arm assembly 28 may be described as forming a backhoe configuration because it may resemble excavating equipment or machinery referred to as a backhoe. The strong arm assembly 28 may also assist in lifting and lowering the ride vehicle 16 relative to the transport platform 13. It should be noted that the strong arm assembly 28, as described in detail below, may include multiple rigid arms connected by hinges that enable certain of the rigid arms to rotate about the hinges, and that “rigid” is used herein to refer to a material strength and geometry of each rigid arm of the strong arm assembly 28. That is, while the strong arm assembly 28 is configured to move, each rigid arm of the strong arm assembly 28 includes a material and geometric configuration that prevents a portion of the rigid arm from flexing relative to another portion of the rigid arm.
For example, the strong arm assembly 28 may include a first rigid arm 30 having a proximal end 32 connected to the motion base platform 18 at a first passive hinge 35. That is, the proximal end 32 of the first rigid arm 30 is proximal to the motion base platform 18. However, the proximal end 32 may alternatively be coupled to the ride vehicle 16 via the passive hinge 35, such that the proximal end 32 is proximal to the ride vehicle 16. The strong arm assembly 28 may also include a second rigid arm 34 having a proximal end 36 connected to the transport platform 13 at a transport hinge 38, where the transport hinge 38 is actuated (e.g., via the motor 24 or a separate motor) to impart movement to the strong arm assembly 28. That is, the proximal end 36 of the second rigid arm 34 is proximal to the transport platform 13. The transport hinge 38 of the strong arm assembly 28 and the spool 22 are aligned on an axis in the illustrated embodiment and driven by the motor 24, although the transport hinge 38 and the spool 22 may not be aligned in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Alignment of the transport hinge 38 and the spool 22 is more clearly illustrated, and later described with respect to,
A stabilizing boom 48 connected to the transport platform 13 and coupled to the first rigid arm 30 may facilitate controlled rotation of the first rigid arm 30 about an axis of the second passive hinge 44 between the first rigid arm 30 and the second rigid arm 34. For example, the stabilizing boom 48 may provide resistance against the first rigid arm 30 and prevent the first rigid arm 30 from rotating about an axis of the second passive hinge 44, unless the second rigid arm 34 is driven into rotation about an axis of the transport hinge 38. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stabilizing boom 48 may move laterally (e.g., across the transport platform 13) as the second rigid arm 34 is driven into rotation about the axis of the transport hinge 38, thus enabling the first rigid arm 30 to rotate about the axis of the second passive hinge 44. Accordingly, the variable angle 46 between the distal ends 40, 42 of first rigid arm 30 and the second rigid arm 34, coupled via the second passive hinge 44, may be decreased (e.g., made more acute) as the ride vehicle 16 is lifted toward the transport platform 13. Further, the variable angle 46 between the distal ends 40, 42 of the first rigid arm 30 and the second rigid arm 34 may be increased (e.g., made more obtuse) as the ride vehicle 16 is lowered away from the transport platform 13.
While the stabilizing boom 48 may provide resistance against free rotation of the first rigid arm 30 about the axis of the second passive hinge 44, other resistance (e.g., frictional resistance) may also be included to block free rotation of the first rigid arm 30 about the second passive hinge 44 and/or about the first passive hinge 35. The above-described configuration of the strong arm assembly 28, which may employ the first rigid arm 30, the second rigid arm 34, and the three-hinge design including the first passive hinge 35, the transport hinge 38, and the second passive hinge 44, may be generally referred to by the present disclosure as a backhoe configuration, as previously described. Power features that impart movement to the strong arm assembly 28 are described in detail below.
The proximal end 36 of the second rigid arm 34 of the strong arm assembly 28, connected to the transport hinge 38 at the transport platform 13, may be rotated about an axis of the transport hinge 38 in response to the transport hinge 38 being rotated by the one or more motors 24 previously described with respect to the one or more spools 22 (or via one or more separate motors). For example, the second rigid arm 34 may be rigidly coupled to the transport hinge 38 and, as the transport hinge 38 is turned by the one or more motors 24, the second rigid arm 34 may turn with the transport hinge 38. Accordingly, to lift the ride vehicle 16 toward the transport platform 13, the transport hinge 38 may be turned by the one or more motors 24 in a first circumferential direction to rotate the second rigid arm 34 about the axis of the transport hinge 38, which in turn causes movement of the first rigid arm 30 about an axis of the second passive hinge 44 between the first rigid arm 30 and the second rigid arm 34. As the ride vehicle 16 is lifted toward the transport platform 13 (e.g., referred to herein as a contracted movement or condition), the variable angle 46 between the distal end 40 of the first rigid arm 30 and the distal end 42 of the second rigid arm 34 may decrease (e.g., become more acute). Further, to lower the ride vehicle 16, the transport hinge 38 may be turned by the one or more motors 24 in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction to rotate the second rigid arm 34 about the axis of the transport hinge 38, which in turn causes movement of the first rigid arm 30 about the axis of the second passive hinge 44 between the first rigid arm 30 and the second rigid arm 34. As the ride vehicle 16 is lowered away from the transport platform 13 (e.g., referred to herein as an extended movement or condition), the variable angle 46 between the distal end 40 of the first rigid arm 30 and the distal end 42 of the second rigid arm 34 may increase (e.g., become more obtuse). It should be noted that, while the strong arm assembly 28 may be used to raise and lower the ride vehicle 16 relative to the transport platform 13 as described above, the strong arm assembly 28 may also impart a certain amount of lateral or horizontal movement of the ride vehicle 16 as the ride vehicle 16 is raised and lowered relative to the transport platform 13. Additional features of the strong arm assembly 28 and a compensation assembly of the heave system 14 will be described in detail below with reference to
The heave system 14 may also include a compensation assembly 62 used to assist in lifting of the ride vehicle 16 toward the transport platform 13. The compensation assembly 62 may be disposed at or adjacent to the transport platform 13, and may include multiple extendible tubes 64 having corresponding reservoirs that store a gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen. Aspects of the extendible tubes 64 described herein that are not labeled in
As the extendible tubes 64 extend in length, the gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, may move from the reservoirs of the extendible tubes 64 and into the bodies of the extendible tubes 64. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gaseous fluid may reside in both the reservoirs and bodies of the extendible tubes 64 when the extendible tubes 64 are extended. That is, the extendible tubes 64 may include variable volumes that increase when the extendible tubes 64 extend and decrease when the extendible tubes 64 contract. The expanded volume when the extendible tubes 64 are extended may increase a pressure differential between the gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, within the extendible tubes 64 and an environment or atmosphere surrounding the extendible tubes 64. The pressure differential may generate a fluid force that tends to bias the extendible tubes 64 to contract. While the extendible tubes 64 described above are described in the context of storing a gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, an embodiment of the present disclosure may include storage of air or a liquid fluid. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor(s) 24 (illustrated more clearly in
When the motors 24 are disabled and/or used to raise the ride vehicle 16, the fluid force generated by the extendible tubes 64 may cause the extendible tubes 64 labeled in
Focusing first on
The pulley system 86 may enable the rotational movement of the transport hinge 38 and/or second rigid arm 34 of the strong arm assembly 28 to cause lateral movement of the plunger 84. For example, the wires 92 of the pulley system 86, in response to rotational movement of the transport hinge 38 in the first circumferential direction 90, may pull the plunger 84 away from (and partially out of) the body 82 of the extendible tube 64 in a lateral direction 91, thereby enabling the gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, stored in the reservoir 80 of the extendible tube 64 to move into the body 82 of the extendible tube 64. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gaseous fluid, such as nitrogen, may reside in both the reservoir 80 and the body 82 of the extendible tube 64 as the plunger 84 is pulled away from (and partially out of) the body 82 of the extendible tube 64. As the gaseous fluid moves into the expanded volume (e.g., the body 82 of the extendible tube 64), fluid pressure or force is generated by the extendible tube 64 (e.g., by way of an increased pressure differential, as previously described). Thus, the motor 24 in
When the motor 24 in
In an effort to clarify certain of the features disposed at the transport platform 13 and described above with respect to
In the illustrated embodiment, a pantograph 228 may extend between the transport platform 213 and the ride vehicle 216. A motion base platform 218 may be coupled between the pantograph 228 and the ride vehicle 216, although the pantograph 228 may be coupled directly to the ride vehicle 216. The motion base platform 218 in the illustrated embodiment may be configured to roll, pitch, or yaw the ride vehicle 216 relative to the pantograph 228 and the transport platform 213.
In the illustrated embodiment, a winch assembly 219 may be used to heave the ride vehicle 216 (e.g., lift and lower the ride vehicle 216) relative to the transport platform 213. The winch assembly 219 may include, for example, a cable 220 extending between a spool 222 and the ride vehicle 216 (or the motion base platform 218, or a base 229 of the pantograph 228). The spool 222 may be rotated in a first circumferential direction to wind the cable 220 about the spool 222, which lifts the ride vehicle 216 toward the transport platform 213. The spool 222 may also rotate in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction to unwind the cable 220 from the spool 222, which lowers the ride vehicle 216 away from the transport platform 213. During lifting of the ride vehicle 216, the pantograph 228, which includes a jointed mechanical linkage framework, may contract to enable the ride vehicle 216 to move toward the transport platform 213. During lowering of the ride vehicle 216, the pantograph 228 may extend to enable the ride vehicle 216 to move away from the transport platform 213. The spool 222 of the winch assembly 219 may be driven by a motor 224 and corresponding gear box 225. While
For example, the motor 224 may act as a generator in order to regenerate power via the kinetic energy created during lowering of the ride vehicle 216 illustrated in
Technical benefits of embodiments of the present disclosure include reducing a cost of ride system manufacturing (e.g., via reduced number of parts, less expensive parts, simplified configuration) and operation (e.g., via utilization of fluid force generated by the compensation assembly and/or the power regeneration features of the winch assembly) relative to traditional embodiments. Further, technical benefits of embodiments of the present disclosure include improved motion control (e.g., enhanced motion and improved motion stability) of a ride vehicle, thereby improving a guest experience of a guest positioned in the ride vehicle.
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/166,130, entitled “OVERHUNG RIDE ASSEMBLY,” filed Mar. 25, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
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