U.S. patent application number 12/036189 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-28 for amusement park ride and method for operating an amusement park ride.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAURER SOHNE GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Jorg Beutler, Alfred Muller.
Application Number | 20080202374 12/036189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39646176 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080202374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Muller; Alfred ; et
al. |
August 28, 2008 |
AMUSEMENT PARK RIDE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN AMUSEMENT PARK
RIDE
Abstract
A ride comprises two rails 4a, 4b, which extend in parallel at
least in a certain section, on which rails respective vehicles 2a
or 2b move. The rail 4a comprises a reversal section 3, in which
the rail 4a is wound, so that a vehicle 2a driving through the
reversal section 3 is rotated into an overhead position. The first
rail 4a extends in the inversion portion above the second rail 4b
so that the heads of the passengers received in the vehicles 2a and
2b point towards each other in this section. At least the first car
2a runs through an acceleration track B in overhead position,
wherein a launch drive disposed in the acceleration track increases
the velocity of the first vehicle 2a.
Inventors: |
Muller; Alfred; (Grobenzell,
DE) ; Beutler; Jorg; (Holzkirchen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAI PATENT & TRADEMARK LAW FIRM
1001 FOURTH AVENUE, SUITE 3200
SEATTLE
WA
98154
US
|
Assignee: |
MAURER SOHNE GMBH & CO.
KG
Munich
DE
|
Family ID: |
39646176 |
Appl. No.: |
12/036189 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 7/00 20130101; A63G
21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
104/53 |
International
Class: |
A63G 21/04 20060101
A63G021/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 22, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 008 747.2 |
Nov 6, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 052 823.1 |
Claims
1. A ride for amusement parks and the like, comprising: at least
one drive track having a guide means for guiding at least one
vehicle along the drive track; an overhead track section disposed
along the drive track; and a drive or a portion of a drive for
accelerating the at least one vehicle, wherein the drive is
disposed along at least a portion of the overhead track
section.
2. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive is a launch
drive.
3. A ride according to claim 2, wherein the drive is a linear
synchronous motor (LSM) or a linear induction motor (LIM).
4. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive is a friction
wheel drive.
5. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive is disposed so
that the vehicle is accelerated while driving through the overhead
track section.
6. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive is configured so
that the vehicle is accelerated after leaving the overhead track
section.
7. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the ride further comprises
a second drive, which is disposed along the drive track in front of
the overhead track section.
8. A ride according to claim 2, wherein the drive is disposed so
that the vehicle is accelerated while driving through the overhead
track section.
9. A ride according to claim 2, wherein the drive is configured so
that the vehicle is accelerated after leaving the overhead track
section.
10. A ride according to claim 2, wherein the ride further comprises
a second drive, which is disposed along the drive track in front of
the overhead track section.
11. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive track further
comprises a track section with a downward slope, disposed in front
of the overhead track section.
12. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the drive track comprises
a second track portion which extends adjacent to the overhead track
portion.
13. A ride according to claim 12, wherein the second track section
extends in a direction substantially parallel to the overhead track
section.
14. A ride according to claim 1, wherein the guide means is
rails.
15. A method for operating a ride for amusement parks and the like,
comprising the following steps: a) providing a drive track having a
guide means, in particular rails, for guiding at least one vehicle
along the drive track, and an overhead track section disposed along
the drive track; b) providing at least one first vehicle along the
drive track; and c) accelerating the at least one first vehicle in
at least a portion of the overhead track section and/or adjacent to
the overhead track section.
16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one first
vehicle is accelerated during the exit from the overhead track
section.
17. A method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one first
vehicle is additionally accelerated before reaching the overhead
track section.
18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the drive track
provided in the method step a) further comprises at least one
second track section which extends adjacent to the overhead track
section, the method further comprising: d) providing at least one
second vehicle to move along the at least one second track section
while a first vehicle is moved in the portion of the overhead track
section.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the first vehicle is
moved along the overhead track section while the second vehicle is
moved along the second track section, so that a race situation
between the first and the second vehicles is generated.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a ride for amusement parks and the
like, comprising at least one drive track, having a guide means, in
particular rails for guiding one or several vehicles along the
drive track; an overhead track section, disposed along the drive
track; and a drive for accelerating and/or braking the vehicle(s).
The invention furthermore relates to a method for operating a ride
for amusement parks and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Rides in amusements parks and the like have become more and
more popular. Accordingly, new driving maneuvers are integrated
into the equipment and new operating procedures are developed for
the equipment in order to increase the enjoyment of the ride.
[0003] In particular, a plurality of different inversion driving
maneuvers is known, in which the passenger sitting in a vehicle is
disposed in an overhead position, at least during a short period of
time, while going through the driving maneuver. Known driving
maneuvers of this type are loopings, corkscrews, and so on. Through
the overhead position such driving maneuvers obtain a special
allure. An additional increase of the driving enjoyment by means of
ever more spectacular maneuvers, however, is technically complex
and expensive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is the object of the present invention to provide a ride
with new entertainment effects for the passengers of the ride and
an operating method for the ride.
[0005] This object is accomplished by providing a ride for
amusement parks according to claim 1 and a method for operating a
ride for amusement parks according to claim 8.
[0006] Advantageous embodiments can be derived from the features of
the dependent claims.
[0007] Thus a ride for amusement parks and the like comprises at
least one drive track having a guide means, in particular rails,
for guiding one or several vehicles along the drive track; an
overhead track section disposed along the drive track; and a drive
for accelerating the vehicle(s). According to the invention, the
drive, or part of the drive, is disposed in the portion of the
overhead track section.
[0008] The vehicles can be e.g. rail based cars or trains, which
are movable along the drive track. The invention, however, also
relates to rides, in which the head of the passenger, who is
positioned in the passenger retainer, points towards the guide
means, so-called "inverted coasters".
[0009] The core idea of the invention, which can be designated as
"inverted launch" or "overhead launch", is comprised of an
acceleration of a vehicle of a ride in a so-called "overhead
section" or "overhead track section", namely, a track section of
the drive track in which the passengers are disposed in an overhead
position. Overhead position means in this context any position in
which the legs and/or part of the body of the passenger are
positioned higher than the head portion. In particular, overhead
position means a position in which the head and the body of the
passenger are disposed substantially vertically, i. e. towards the
surface of the earth, and the head points downward in the direction
of the surface of the earth.
[0010] Overhead positions are e.g. reached in the upper sections of
a looping. The vehicle, however, can be brought from a normal
position into an overhead position, through a helical movement of
180.degree. around an axis parallel to the drive track.
[0011] According to the invention, the vehicle is accelerated when
the passengers are disposed in an overhead position, or the vehicle
is accelerated in an overhead position when leaving the overhead
position. The acceleration can be positive or negative (braking),
in particular it will, however, be a positive acceleration with a
velocity increase.
[0012] The drive is in particular a launch drive. The drive can be
e.g. a linear synchronous motor (LSM), or a linear induction motor
(LIM).
[0013] Different drives for driving the vehicles or the vehicle
trains for use in amusement rides are known. The so-called launch
drives are a certain class of drives, e.g. linear synchronous
motors (LSM), or linear induction motors (LIM). By means of these
drives, these vehicles can be accelerated in order to e.g. go
through an elevation difference, wherein the kinetic energy is
converted into potential energy. For the acceleration according to
the invention in the overhead position, different drives can be
used, e.g. a linear motor, like a LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) or
LIM (Linear Induction Motor). These drives are particularly
suitable, since the vehicle does not have to stand still or drive
very slowly in these systems at the beginning of the acceleration
track, due to systematic reasons, nor is increased complexity
necessary for coupling the acceleration means to the vehicles.
[0014] The drive can be a friction wheel drive in another
embodiment.
[0015] In particular, the drive is disposed so that the vehicle is
accelerated while passing through the overhead track section.
[0016] In a particular embodiment, the drive is disposed so that
the vehicle is accelerated after leaving the overhead track
section.
[0017] It is preferred in particular that the vehicle enters the
overhead section already with a certain initial velocity and then
gets accelerated further. Thus, an exposure period in the overhead
position is facilitated, which is long enough for the passengers to
sense the effect intensively. On the other hand, an excessively
long exposure period in the overhead position should be avoided
since it causes nausea or health risks. In other words, the time
duration of the effect can be controlled by the entry velocity of
the vehicle into the overhead track section. The so-called overhead
launch, however, can also be initiated with a very small launch
velocity, or from standstill.
[0018] As an alternative to an entry into the overhead portion, the
vehicle can be brought into the overhead position by means of a
mechanical device (e.g. a rotating device) and can then be
accelerated in a subsequent track section. Thus, also a start with
very small velocities, or from standstill, is possible, without
exceeding certain exposure duration for the passengers in the
overhead position.
[0019] The ride particularly comprises an additional drive, which
is disposed along the drive track in a track section in front of
the overhead track section. In particular, the drive is disposed
directly before the overhead section in order to create an initial
velocity for the entry into the overhead section.
[0020] The drive track can comprise a downward slope, disposed in
front of the overhead track section, so that the vehicle goes
through a velocity increase before entering the overhead track
section from the conversion of potential energy into kinetic
energy, while driving through the downward slope. The drive before,
or in the overhead track section, provides an additional
acceleration in this case.
[0021] The initial velocity can be reached in any manner in the
context of the invention, e.g. by means of an additional
predisposed launch drive, or by means of a predisposed downward
slope. Technically speaking, the additional predisposed
accelerating drive can be comprised of two separate drives, or it
can be one single drive, whose components are distributed along the
drive track, or disposed in separate sections. Thus, e.g. in case
of a linear motor, the inverter, the control regulation and safety
means, etc. are provided only once. Also, the stator length at the
drive track, or the number of the stator units can be the same as
it would be necessary in case of a single launch track for reaching
the terminal velocity. However, in this embodiment, the stators are
disposed e.g. in two groups.
[0022] The overhead track section can comprise an acceleration
track section which is straight and/or has a large radius. The
transition from a first launch section into the overhead section is
preferably performed in a curved track. This allows a comfortable
transition into the overhead position. Furthermore, the passenger
experiences the exciting jolt of the acceleration twice, namely in
the overhead section and in the section disposed before the
overhead section.
[0023] The object of the invention is also accomplished by an
operating method for operating a ride for amusements parks and the
like, comprising the following steps: [0024] a) Provide a drive
track, having a guide means, in particular rails, for guiding one
or several vehicles along the drive track, and an overhead track
section disposed along the drive track; [0025] b) Provide one or
several vehicles along the drive track; and [0026] c) Accelerate at
least one vehicle in the overhead track section and/or adjacent to
the overhead track section
[0027] Preferably the at least one vehicle is accelerated in the
overhead track section and/or during the exit from the overhead
track section. An acceleration during the exit from the overhead
track section includes accelerating the vehicle in a portion of the
overhead track section near the end of the overhead track section
and/or immediately after leaving the overhead track section.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is additionally
pre-accelerated before reaching the overhead track section in order
to enter the overhead track section with an initial velocity,
wherein the vehicle is additionally accelerated in the overhead
track section.
[0029] Another advantageous feature of the invention is the
comfortable and safe reaching of the overhead position. This is
preferably accomplished through suitable drive maneuvers, e.g.
driving through a half-looping, a half-helix, wherein the term
helix stands for a plurality of such elements as heart line,
corkscrew, barrel roll, etc., or a combination of the known
elements, e.g. helix and curve, etc.
[0030] Different from conventional drive maneuvers, the drive track
according to the invention can be configured so that during entry
into the overhead launch track (inverted launch track), a
relatively comfortable transition into the launch track is reached.
The launch track, which means the acceleration portion in the
overhead section, is thus provided in particular long enough, so
that a desired acceleration can be performed, and the desired drive
effects can be reached.
[0031] By means of the overhead position, the thrill of a launch,
which lies in the high acceleration, is additionally increased.
Thus, the enjoyment of the ride can be additionally increased by
the equipment according to the invention.
[0032] In the equipment design certain safety precautions shall be
considered, since on the one hand many acceleration limits apply in
the overhead position, which are otherwise not applicable in the
normal sitting position, and, on the other hand, a long lasting
overhead position, e.g. as a consequence of a malfunction, is to be
avoided.
[0033] Thus, in the context of the invention, a braking system can
be used either as a part of the launch system, or in addition to
the launch system, in order to avoid dangerous situations. In
particular, the braking system can prevent the vehicle from rolling
back with high velocity and possibly colliding with a subsequent
vehicle after an unsuccessful launch, in which the vehicle does not
pass a subsequent point of high elevation. The safety measures can
e.g. in case of a LSM be implemented such that the stators are
short circuited behind the vehicle, and thus in case of a backward
movement, the LSM becomes an Eddy current brake. In this case, care
has to be taken to make sure that the track of the inverted launch
comprises enough downward or upward slope, so that no excessive
exposure time in the overhead position is created in spite of the
braking effect.
[0034] When aborting a launch, e.g. due to a malfunction, it can
happen that the vehicle comes to a standstill at a track position
from which the driving can not possibly be continued without
special measures. For this reason, means are provided in a special
embodiment of the invention in order to allow a comfortable exit
for the passengers, or to simply and quickly bring the vehicle into
a position for a re-launch or for a continuation of the
driving.
[0035] Furthermore, measures are taken according to the invention,
which avoid that impermissibly high forces impact the passengers in
the overhead position, when the brake function is erroneously
activated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Further advantages and features of the invention can be
derived from the subsequent figures and from the associated
description of particular embodiments.
[0037] There is shown in:
[0038] FIGS. 1 through 3 a respective schematic track section of a
ride according to the invention;
[0039] FIG. 4 a first cutout of a ride according to the invention;
and
[0040] FIG. 5 a second cutout from the ride of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0041] FIGS. 1 through 3 schematically illustrate possible rail
paths of a drive track section 1 of a ride for guiding at least one
vehicle 2, wherein the guide means determining the drive track in
the drive track section 1 is formed so that a track section 3 is
transitioned, through which the vehicle 2 is turned upside down and
brought into an overhead position from the typical driving
position, namely it goes through an inversion. After passing
through the track section 3, the vehicle 2 is configured so that
the heads of the passengers substantially point downward towards
the surface of the earth.
[0042] In the overhead section 4, acceleration means, in particular
launch drives like LSM or LIM, are disposed to accelerate the
inverted vehicle, or further accelerate it from its velocity, when
reaching the acceleration section 4. The acceleration can be
performed from a standstill, or from an initial velocity.
[0043] In particular, a drive and/or a part of a drive can be
disposed in a track portion 5, disposed in front of the reversal
portion 3, and a second drive, or a second portion of the drive can
be disposed in the overhead section 4 for post acceleration. The
drives accelerate the vehicle 2 along the drive track.
[0044] FIG. 1 shows a rail layout of the track section 1, having a
reversal portion 3, which is provided in a rising track
portion.
[0045] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the reversal portion
3 is provided in a substantially horizontal track section.
[0046] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the inversion of the
vehicle 2 is performed by driving through a simple half-looping.
The reversal portion 3 can thus be considered as an approximately
vertically extending track portion in the ascending portion of the
looping.
[0047] The invention however should not be confined to these track
types, but should generally include the acceleration of an inverted
vehicle after passing through a reversal portion 3.
[0048] In FIG. 4, a cutout of a ride according to the invention is
illustrated. The track section 1 comprises two rails 4a, 4b, which
extend substantially in parallel in the illustrated cutout. The
rails 4a and 4b can thus be cutouts of two different tracks. The
track portion 4a, 4b, however, can also be configured as track
sections of a single track. On the rails 4a, 4b, a respective
vehicle 2a or 2b moves with velocities v or w, in the direction
indicated by arrows. The velocities v and w can thus be
substantially equal in this phase of the operation. By means of the
track layout, a type of duel situation between the vehicles 2a and
2b is created. The track section 1 can certainly be configured in
any other track configurations and with or without a duel
situation.
[0049] At least the first vehicle 2a initially runs through a first
acceleration track A (first launch section), in which a first
launch drive is disposed, which increases an entry velocity v.sub.0
in the portion A by accelerating the vehicle 2a to the velocity v.
Thereby, the impression is created with the passengers of the first
vehicle 2a, which runs in the illustrated track section 1 through
the outer and thus longer path, that the disadvantage of the longer
drive track is being compensated by a higher velocity of their
vehicle 2a.
[0050] The track 4a in contrast to the track 4b has a reversal
portion 3 in the illustrated portion of the track section 1, in
which the rail 4 (4a and 4b) is wound, so that a vehicle, driving
through the reversal portion 3, is rotated into an overhead
position. Since the first rail 4a extends in the inversion portion
3 above the second rail 4b, in this section the heads of the
passengers received in the vehicles 2a and 2b point towards each
other.
[0051] At least the first vehicle 2a runs through a second
acceleration track B (launch section) in overhead position, in
which a second launch drive is disposed, which increases the
velocity v of the first vehicle 2a to a velocity u. Thus, the
impression is generated with the passengers of the first vehicle 2a
that the second vehicle 2b is being passed.
[0052] In the FIG. 5, the vehicle 2a is illustrated after passing
through the acceleration track B. The vehicle 2a can subsequently
pass through a second reversal portion 5 in order to be rotated
into the typical drive position (not inverted) again. The exit from
the track portion 1 is performed in the embodiment according to the
depiction for both vehicles 2a and 2b by means of another curve
section.
[0053] The disposition of the inverted launch is mostly
discretionary in principle. For example, a curve does not have to
be disposed between a first and a second launch portion. Also, the
first launch portion (before the inverted portion) does not have to
be present. For example, the vehicle can enter the inverted track
portion with the energy from the track portion disposed in front of
it.
[0054] Within the launch tracks and/or the launch track sections,
varying driving situations can be created. Thus, the two vehicles
2a and 2b can e.g. run through the respective drive track with
different velocity profiles. This way, it is possible that the
vehicles 2a and 2b move in respective track sections with different
velocities, or a vehicle is accelerated in a track portion, while
the other vehicle does not go through a simultaneous acceleration
in the respective track portion, or it may go through another
acceleration. In the context of the invention, discretionary
controls of the two vehicles are conceivable.
[0055] In particular, the ride can comprise, at least in particular
sections of the track two vehicles disposed on different drive
tracks. These can e.g. be disposed on two drive tracks, extending
next to each other. This way, so-called duel situations, namely
competitions or races, between two vehicles driving substantially
next to each other can be generated or simulated. The two vehicles
are guided respectively along a predetermined track, wherein both
vehicles pass each other or move practically next to each other at
a small distance.
[0056] Accelerations, velocities, and so forth can either be
effected automatically or by interactive inputs by the passengers.
Thus, the interactive functions can be an accelerating or a braking
action. A control system can thus assure that, on the one hand,
certain velocities or accelerations are not exceeded or undercut,
and on the other hand, safety distances and functions necessary for
operational processes, e.g. for achieving a certain capacity, are
maintained.
[0057] Different rides, e.g. roller coasters can have totally
different characteristics in the context of the invention. A direct
competition by means of the combination of two rail systems
disposed in parallel is conceivable. In the simplest form, the
track can be comprised of two ovals having two intersections in
order to create a real competition atmosphere.
* * * * *