HK1228328B - Tower ride - Google Patents

Description

Tower ride

Technical Field

The present invention relates to amusement ride apparatuses, and more particularly to amusement ride apparatuses that move riders in synchronization with a video presentation displayed on a screen visible to the riders.

Background

Currently, amusement park rides move riders vertically and have some sort of image that the rider can view while riding. Examples of such rides are the "Tower of terrorist" rides in various disney amusement parks. In this ride, the rider is placed on an elevator that moves between floors in a haunted hotel. When the elevator is stopped at a particular floor, the rider is exposed to "ghost" images associated with the floor. For example, the occupant may be exposed to ghosts of previous residents of the hotel, where the image of the ghosts is generated using a "pepper's ghost" effect. Another type of amusement park ride is used to make the rider feel as if the rider is participating in the imagery displayed on a screen by employing actuators to move the rider's seat and the rider relative to the platform in a synchronized manner with the imagery displayed on the screen visible to the rider. By having the riders move in this way, the riders believe that they are experiencing forces that make the riders feel as if they were actually participating in the scene being displayed. The actuators used to move the occupant seat are limited to a relatively small range of motion, typically no greater than about 24 inches. As such, many of these rides employ motion techniques that "trick" the rider's mind into believing that they are experiencing motion and force commensurate with the image viewed on the screen, which is much greater than the actuator's motion and force that the actuator is actually capable of producing. For example, if the imagery being displayed on the screen is to enter a rotating fighter aircraft cabin, the seat actuators can be used to tilt the seat and thereby cause the riders to believe they are in the fighter aircraft cabin and to rotate. However, if the actuator is not able to tilt the seat far enough to reasonably reflect the degree to which the fighter is tilted, the ride will tilt the image of the tilted fighter displayed on the screen in the direction opposite to the direction the seat is tilted. This often "tricks" the rider's mind so that they are in the fighter plane and make a steep tilt rotation that is displayed on the screen.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to amusement park rides that move riders in synchrony with video imagery displayed on a screen that is visible to the riders so that the riders can have a simulated experience of an environment that known rides cannot simulate or be simulated confidently for typical riders.

In one embodiment, an amusement park ride apparatus is provided that includes a rider station for supporting a rider at a predetermined location, a rider station trolley for supporting the rider station, a tower operatively engaged to the rider station trolley such that the tower constrains the trolley to movement vertically up and down the tower, a screen, and a projector system for projecting imagery onto the screen. The ride further includes two systems for imparting motion to the ride. The first system is a motor system operatively engaged to the trolley and operative to move the trolley vertically along the tower. The second system is an actuator system that operates to move the rider station relative to the rider station trolley. A controller is provided that engages the projector, the motor system and the actuator system and operates to synchronize the position of the rider station and any riders located in the rider station with the images produced on the screen by appropriate use of the motor system and the actuator system. In particular, the control system is adapted to cause the motor system to position the ride platform vertically along the tower so as to coordinate the vertical position of the ride platform with the imagery projected onto the screen. Such positioning may impart a high gravitational acceleration rise, a weighted acceleration fall, and/or a substantially constant rate of rise or fall. The control system is further adapted to cause the actuator system to position the rider station relative to the rider station trolley so as to coordinate the position of the rider station relative to the trolley with the imagery projected onto the screen. In a particular embodiment, the actuator system provides the ability to roll, tilt, and yaw the ride platform (i.e., impart rotational motion about the x, y, and z axes to the ride platform). In another embodiment, the actuator system provides the additional capability of surging, heaving and rocking (i.e., providing translational motion along the x, y and z axes). The ability to move the rider station through two different motion imparting systems helps simulate a wide range of motion for the rider positioned in the rider station. For example, if an object in a video presentation (which is displayed on a screen and whose motion is to be simulated for an occupant located in a passenger seat) experiences a rapid ascent (e.g., launching a rocket) with low amplitude but relatively high frequency vibrations, the controller may employ: (a) a motor system for giving a high gravitational acceleration rising effect to the ride platform by accelerating the ride platform to rise along the tower; and (b) an actuator system to impart low amplitude but relatively high frequency vibrations by allowing the ride platform to rapidly roll, pitch and/or yaw back and forth over a relatively short range of rotation. In a particular embodiment, the controller can cause the actuator system to position the rider station relative to the rider station trolley over substantially the entire vertical range, and the controller can cause the motor system to position the rider station along the tower.

Another embodiment of an amusement park ride includes a rider station for supporting a rider in a predetermined position, a rider station trolley for supporting the rider station, a rider station tower operatively engaged to the rider station trolley such that the tower constrains the trolley to move vertically up and down the tower, a motor system for moving the rider station and rider station trolley vertically along the tower, a screen stationary relative to the rider station trolley, and a projector for projecting imagery onto the screen. The ride further includes a projector mount supporting the projector and adapted to move substantially synchronously with the rider station trolley. A controller operatively engaging the projector and the motor system is adapted to cause the motor system to position the rider station vertically along the tower so as to coordinate the vertical position of the rider station with the imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen. In several embodiments, substantially simultaneous movement of the projector mount and the projector relative to the rider station trolley causes the position of the projector mount and the projector relative to the rider station trolley to remain substantially constant. In a particular embodiment, the ride includes a projector trolley engaged to the projector mount and a projector tower engaged with the projector trolley. The projector tower is separate from the rider station tower to dampen vibrations generated by the movement of the rider carriages, which may adversely affect the images generated by the projector and projected on the screen. In one embodiment, a cable extending between the projector trolley and the counterweight (which is also part of the motor system) facilitates synchronous movement of the projector trolley and the rider station trolley. If this connection imparts undesirable vibrations to the projector, which are generated by the motor system, cables are employed that employ a buffer adapted to reduce the vibrations imparted to the projector.

Another embodiment of an amusement park ride includes a rider station for supporting a rider at a predetermined location, a rider station trolley for supporting the rider station, a rider station tower operatively engaged to the rider station trolley such that the station tower constrains the trolley to move vertically up and down the tower, and a motor system for moving the rider station and rider station trolley vertically along the tower. In addition, the ride includes a projector, a projector trolley for supporting the projector, and a projector tower that engages the projector trolley and constrains the projector trolley to move vertically up and down along the projector tower. A screen is provided for receiving images produced by the projector. A controller operatively engaging the projector and the motor system is adapted to cause the motor system to position the rider station vertically along the tower so as to coordinate the vertical position of the rider station with the imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen. In particular embodiments, some elements of the ride have a coverage area that facilitates efficient use of the space supporting the ride while also facilitating providing a desired immersive experience for the rider. In this regard, the rider station and the rider station trolley have a first coverage area, the rider station tower has a second coverage area, and the projector tower has a third coverage area located between the first and second coverage areas.

One embodiment of the invention includes a rider station, a rider trolley supporting the rider station, a tower engaging the rider trolley in a manner that vertically guides the rider trolley, a motor system for moving the rider trolley tower vertically up and down the tower, a projector for generating video imagery, and a screen for receiving the video imagery generated by the projector and positioned to be viewed by a rider positioned at the rider station. The tower and motor system enables the rider platform and sled to move relative to the tower such that the rider experiences high gravitational acceleration ascent, heavy gravitational acceleration descent, and variable speed ascent and descent, which are synchronized with the images displayed on the screen. This allows simulating a wide range of environments for high gravitational acceleration, variable speed or ascent and descent for the occupant. In another embodiment, an actuator system is provided that is operatively connected to a rider station and a sled. In a particular embodiment, the actuator system allows the rider station to move in six degrees of freedom, namely three linear degrees of freedom (i.e., linear movement along the x, y, z axes) and three rotational degrees of freedom (i.e., rotational movement about the x, y, and z axes, which are also known as roll, pitch, and yaw). Actuator systems having less than six degrees of freedom may be employed.

In another embodiment of the invention, a projector trolley is provided that supports the projector and engages the tower such that the projector can move vertically up and down the tower. In a particular embodiment, the projector trolley and the ride trolley are coupled to each other such that the position of the projector trolley does not change relative to the ride trolley as the trolley moves vertically up and down the tower. Thus, as the projector and rider trolley move up and down along the tower, the image projected on the screen by the projector moves up and down along the screen. Further, the projector is positioned such that the image cone of the projector is located outside of the usual rider position at the ride and any other elements of the ride, thereby producing an image on the screen that does not include shadows of the usual rider or shadows of any other elements of the ride. The image cone is also positioned so that the image produced on the screen is in the viewing cone (viewing cone) of a typical occupant located at the passenger seat. The typical occupant's viewing cone is the occupant's field of view with normal visual perception when the occupant's head is in the normal primary upright head position, i.e., not tilted relative to the torso when the person is normally seated or standing.

Another embodiment of the invention employs a screen that is a concave surface of a cylinder or cylinder portion. The lateral extent of the screen is at least coextensive with the lateral extent of the normal occupant viewing cone. In this manner, riders at the rider station feel as if they are surrounded by the environment in the image as the image is projected onto the screen and fills the lateral extent of the screen. In a further embodiment, a stereoscopic projector is used to project a 3D image onto the screen, which the rider can observe through the appropriate eyes, thereby further enhancing the immersive effect the ride produces on the rider.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a tower ride that operates to synchronize the motion of a rider with a video image that is displayed on a screen and visible to the rider;

FIG. 2 illustrates portions of the tower ride embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a tower and a rider station of the tower ride embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a portion of a tower and a rider station of the tower ride embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a view of a rider station, tower, and a portion of a screen on which images are projected and visible to a rider associated with the rider station;

fig. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tower ride adapted to be synchronized with the motion of a rider undergoing a video presentation displayed on a screen visible to the rider;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a rider trolley truss, rider tower truss and projector tower of the tower ride embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates tower structures and elements associated with or supported by the tower structure of the tower ride embodiment shown in FIG. 6;

fig. 9 illustrates tower structures and elements associated with or supported by the tower structure in addition to the ride platform of the tower apparatus ride embodiment of fig. 6;

FIG. 10 illustrates a tower structure and elements associated with or supported by the tower structure, in addition to the rider station and actuator system of the tower ride embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 illustrates a rider station tower supporting, among other components, a rider trolley and motor system, etc. for vertical movement of the rider trolley along the tower in the embodiment of the tower ride illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 shows a projector tower supporting the projector trolley of the tower ride embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, of a projector trolley, a projector system, and a portion of a mount for connecting the projector system to the projector trolley;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an engagement structure for a pulley connecting the projector trolley to an I-beam associated with the projector tower;

FIG. 15 is a free body view of a motor system supported by the rider station tower shown in FIG. 11 for moving the rider carriages vertically along the tower;

FIG. 16 is a free body diagram of an embodiment of a cable system for coupling the projector trolley to a balance weight associated with the motor system shown in FIG. 15; and

fig. 17 is a schematic view of the coupling between the projector trolley and the rider trolley for maintaining a substantially constant spacing between the projector supported by the projector trolley and the rider trolley during vertical displacement of the trolley.

Detailed Description

In general, the present invention relates to amusement park rides that move riders in a synchronized manner with video imagery displayed on a screen that is visible to the riders so that the riders may have a simulated experience of moving in the environment displayed on the screen, if the imagery being displayed is appropriate, the riders may be moved so that the riders experience significant changes in high positive gravitational acceleration forces, negative gravitational acceleration forces, and/or velocities. The ride includes a rider station for supporting a rider in a desired position, a rider carriage for supporting the rider station, a tower engaged with the rider carriage in a manner that vertically guides the rider carriage, a motor system for vertically moving the rider carriage and rider station up and down the tower, a projector for generating video imagery, a screen for receiving the video imagery generated by the projector and positioned to be viewed by a rider positioned at the rider station, and a controller for synchronizing movement of the rider station with the imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen.

Referring to fig. 1-4, an embodiment of an amusement park ride 20 is depicted. Amusement park ride 20 includes: (a) a rider station 22, (b) a rider trolley 24 (sometimes referred to as a rider station trolley) supporting the rider station 24, (c) an actuator system 26, for movement of the rider station 24 relative to the rider trolley 24, (d) a projector 28, (e) a projector trolley 30, which supports projector 28, (f) tower 32, which engages with ride carriage 24 and projector carriage 30 and constrains the carriage to vertical movement up and down the tower, (g) motor system 34, for exerting the force required to control the vertical movement of the rider station 22, the rider trolley 24, the projector 28 and the projector trolley 30 in the vicinity of the tower 32, (h) a screen 36, positioned to receive the imagery generated by the projector and to make the imagery generated on the screen visible to an occupant at the rider station 22, and (i) a controller 38 that synchronizes the motion of the rider station 22 with the images generated on the screen 36.

The seating deck 22 includes a car 40 that supports a plurality of seats 42 that support occupants such that an occupant located in any one of the seats faces the screen 36. The plurality of seats 42 are in three rows to provide each occupant with a view of the screen 36 that is substantially unobstructed by the presence of another occupant.

The ride vehicle 24 includes a truss 44, a platform 46 that supports the car 40, and several pairs of tower engaging wheels 48, each pair engaging one of four guide rails associated with the tower 32. The actuator system 26 connects the car 40 to the platform 46 and is adapted to move the car 40 with up to six degrees of freedom relative to the platform 46. The six degrees of freedom are linear motion along the x, y, z axes (commonly referred to as surge, heave and roll) and rotational motion about the x, y and z axes (commonly referred to as roll, pitch and yaw). Typically, the actuator system 26 is adapted to move the car 40 in all six degrees of freedom or three linear degrees of freedom. However, any combination of one or more of the six degrees of freedom may be implemented. The actuator system 26 includes a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. However, the actuator system 26 may be implemented as other types of actuators and combinations of different types of actuators.

Projector 28 is a stereoscopic projector for projecting video imagery on a screen 36 that provides three-dimensional (3D) imagery to a rider with appropriate eye equipment for viewing such imagery. Conventional or standard two-dimensional (2D) projectors may also be utilized. The projector trolley 30 supports the projector 28 such that the image cone (image con) produced by the projector does not intersect any other elements of the ride or even a very tall occupant seated in any of the plurality of seats 42 as the seats move through the full range of motion provided by the actuator system 26. A very tall (its height, including its hair and/or hat) individual occupant is greater than about 2.4 meters (8 feet) when positioned in a ride. Further, the position of the projector 28 and the projector trolley 30 is fixed relative to the ride trolley 24. Thus, the images generated by projector 28 and projected onto screen 36 move up and down the screen as rider station 22 moves up and down tower 32. Projector 28 is vibrationally isolated from the rest of ride 20 to prevent movement of rider station 22 up and down tower 32 and vibrations caused by other elements of ride 20 from adversely affecting the imagery produced by projector 23 on screen 36. Vibration isolation can be achieved in a number of ways. For example, projector 28 may incorporate or be equipped with an image stabilization mechanism. Alternatively, projector 28 may be located on a separate tower that is vibrationally isolated from any tower structure used to support and vertically guide the ride and any other elements of the ride that may cause projector 28 to vibrate in an undesirable manner.

The tower 32 includes three sub-towers 50A-50C, each having one end embedded in the ground and an opposite end connected to each of the other three sub-towers 50A-50C by a cross truss 52. The sub-towers 50A, 50B each include a pair of vertically extending parallel guide rails that each engage a plurality of pairs of tower engagement wheels 48 of the ride vehicle 24 and constrain the ride vehicle 24 to move vertically along the rails. The sub-tower 50C and the cross-girders 52 support portions of the motor system 34 that engage the rider and projector carriages 24, 30 and are used to apply the force necessary to move the carriages 24, 30 vertically up and down the tower 32. Although tower 32 includes three sub-towers 50A-50C and a transverse truss 52, other tower structures that can vertically guide the rider station and accommodate the physical requirements associated with vertical movement of the rider station are possible. For example, towers having less than three sub-towers, towers having more than three sub-towers, and other types of tower structures known to those skilled in the art are possible.

The motor system 34 includes a motor 54 for generating the force necessary to move the rider and projector carriages 24, 30 up and down the tower 32 as desired and a force transfer structure 56 for applying the force generated by the motor to the rider and projector carriages 24, 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the force transfer structure 56 includes a cable and pulley system with fittings that connect the cables to the rider and projector trolleys 24, 30. In one embodiment, the motor 54 is a hydraulic motor and the force transfer structure 56 includes a cable and wrench structure (wench structure) capable of applying a force to the ride trolley 24 such that riders in the car 40 experience a high gravitational acceleration rise and a heavy gravitational acceleration fall. Further, the hydraulic motor and wrench can vary the rise and fall speeds in a desired manner over a wide range. It should be understood that many other different types of motors and different types of force-transmitting structures known to those skilled in the art that can impart the desired motion to the rider station 22 (e.g., high gravitational acceleration upward motion, heavy gravitational acceleration downward motion, and variable speed upward and downward motion) are possible. For example, the motor may be an electric motor and the force transmitting structure may be a cable-wrench structure.

The screen 36 is a concave surface having a cylindrical portion and extends to a height approximately equal to the height of the tower 32. The concave surface has a lateral extent that covers at least the lateral extent of the field of view of a typical occupant (when it is in any of the plurality of seats 40 and the occupant's head is in a generally predominantly upright head position, i.e., not tilted relative to the torso). It will be appreciated that by employing a curved screen and projecting an image onto the screen extending across a portion of the screen that is in the lateral range of the typical rider's field of view, the rider feels as if they are surrounded by the environment projected onto the screen. This effect is believed to be further enhanced by the projector projecting the 3D image on the screen 36.

The controller 38 is operative to control operation of each of the actuator system 26, the projector 28, and the motor system 34 so as to synchronize the movement experienced by an occupant of one of the plurality of seats 42 appropriately positioned in the car 40 with the imagery projected onto the screen 36 by the projector 28. In this regard, the controller 38 controls the motor system 34 such that the rider station 24 moves vertically or, if not, is positioned at a vertical position that is synchronized with the image displayed on the screen 36. In this regard, the controller 38 can apply control signals to the motor system 34 to cause the seating platform 24 to: vertically upward to cause the rider to experience a positive gravitational acceleration force, vertically downward to cause the rider to experience a negative gravitational acceleration force or weight loss, vertically upward in a desired velocity pattern, vertically downward in a desired velocity pattern, and stopped at a particular vertical position. The controller 38 can also control the actuator system 26 to move the rider station 24 in six degrees of freedom, depending on the configuration of the actuator system 26. In the case of an actuator system 26 that enables movement of the rider station 24 in six degrees of freedom, the controller 38 can signal the actuator system, which causes the rider station 24 to move linearly along the x, y, and z axes and to rotate to a limited extent about the x, y, and z axes. The controller 38 also has an operator interface that allows an operator to initiate and terminate operation of the ride 20.

The controller 28 can also be used to select a video image from a video catalog for display on the screen 36 via the projector 28. For example, if only one video is played for the duration of a ride on the ride 20, the controller may be used to select the video from the catalog according to a predetermined sequence or randomly from the catalog, thereby causing the video played during the ride to change at least occasionally. Further, if several videos from the catalog are to be played for the duration of a single ride on the ride 20, the controller 28 can cause the projector 28 to display the videos in a predetermined order or in any order.

The ride 20 may also include a number of special effects devices that may be appropriate for the particular imagery being displayed on the screen 36. For example, the ride 20 may incorporate speakers, sprinklers, actuators, odor generators, wind generators, rumble, lighting effects, fog generators, heat generators, and the like. Typically, special effect devices such as speakers, sprinklers, actuators, scent generators, and wind generators are associated with each seat of ride 20 or in proximity to two or more seats of ride 20. Although some of these effects are typically associated with each seat near multiple seats, many of the effects may be located at other locations on the ride 20. For example, the fog generator may be located in a fixed position near the base of the tower 32 and the lighting effect may be located in a fixed position on the structure of the ride 20. If ride 20 includes any such special effects devices, controller 38 can control each of these effects such that the perceived effects produced by the device are synchronized with the video imagery displayed on screen 36, if desired.

Fig. 5 shows ride 20 in use. More specifically, the motor system 34 has been used to position the rider station 22 in a vertically elevated position on the tower 32. Projector 28 projects an image 58 on screen 36 (only half of screen 36 is shown). The image 58 extends on the screen to a vertical extent above and below the car 40 where the rider is seated, which encompasses the vertical extent of the field of view of a typical rider. Similarly, the image 58 has a horizontal or lateral extent behind the car 40, thus covering the lateral extent of the field of view of a typical occupant located in one of the seats of the car 40. Further, the controller 38 issues appropriate control signals to: (a) a motor system 34 to move the rider station 22 up and down the tower 32, (b) an actuator system 26 to move the plurality of seats 42 in the cab 40, and (c) any other special effect devices to synchronize with the images 58 displayed on the screen 36.

Referring to fig. 6-16, a second embodiment of an amusement park ride 100 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "tower ride 100") is described. In general, the tower ride 100 includes: (a) four rider stations 102A-102D, (b) a rider trolley 104 (or rider station trolley 104), (c) four actuator systems 106A-106D, each associated with one of the four rider stations 102A-102D and adapted to move the rider station relative to the rider trolley 104, (D) four projector systems 108A-108D, each associated with one of the four rider stations 102A-102D and adapted to project images onto a screen visible to riders located in the rider stations, (e) four projector trolleys 110A-110D, each supporting one of the projector systems 108A-108D, (f) a tower structure 112 engaging the rider trolley 104 and the projector trolleys 110A-110D and constraining the trolleys to vertical movement up and down the tower structure; (g) a motor system 114 that generates and applies the energy necessary to move the ride trolley 104 (with associated ride platforms 102A-102D, actuator systems 106A-106D, and any riders) and projector trolleys 110A-110D (with projector systems 108A-108D) vertically about the tower structure 112; (h) screens 116A-116D, each associated with one of the four rider stations 102A-102D, and (i) a controller 118 that synchronizes the movement of the rider stations 102A-102D with the imagery being projected onto the screens 116A-116D.

The rider stations 102A-102D are substantially identical to one another. Thus, it should be understood that the description for the rider station 102A applies to each of the rider stations 102B-102D. The seating surface 102A includes a car 122 (sometimes referred to as a "car 122") and a plurality of seats 124. The plurality of seats 124 each support an occupant such that the occupant's field of view includes an associated one of the screens 116A-116D associated with the seating deck when the occupant is in a normal seating position and its head is in a normal primarily upright head position. The rider station 102A may also include a number of other special effect devices that may be appropriate for the particular imagery being displayed on the screen 116A. For example, the seating station 102A may incorporate speakers, water jets, triggers, odor generators, wind generators, rumpers, lighting effects, fog generators, heat generators, and the like, typically with such special effects associated with each seat or in the vicinity of two or more seats. If the rider station 102A includes any such special effects devices, the controller 108 can control each of these effects so that the sensory effects produced by the device are synchronized with the video imagery displayed on the screen 116A, if desired.

The ride vehicle 104 includes a truss structure 128, four platforms 130A-130D each supporting one of the ride platforms 102A-102D, and tower engagement wheels 132 that engage the tower structure 112 such that the ride vehicle 104 is constrained to move vertically up and down along a portion of the tower structure 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement wheels 132 include four sets of wheels associated with each of the rider stations 102A-102D. Referring to fig. 10, it should be understood that the description of the four sets of wheels associated with the rider station 102B also applies to the four sets of wheels associated with each of the other rider stations 102B-102D. Four sets of wheels 134A-134D are associated with the rider station 102A. Each of the four sets of wheels 134A-134D includes a pair of wheels 136A, 136B and a frame 138 that supports the wheels and engages the truss structure 128. Referring to fig. 7, the ride vehicle 104 generally forms a closed loop structure that surrounds the portion of the tower structure 112 that is contacted by the engagement wheels 132.

The actuator systems 106A-106D are substantially identical to one another. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of the actuator system 106A also applies to the actuator systems 106B-106D. Referring to fig. 9, the actuator system 106A includes six prismatic actuators 142A-142F for implementing what is commonly referred to as a Stewart motion platform (Stewart motion platform) in which the length of each actuator 142A-142F can be controlled to move the car 122 in any combination of six degrees of freedom. As such, actuators 142A-142F may be used to: (a) selectively imparting linear motion to the car 122 along x, y, and z axes and (b) selectively imparting rotational motion to the car 122 about the x, y, and z axes. Each actuator 142A-142F includes a first end operatively connected to the platform 130A by a U-shaped link and is attached to the car 122 associated with the rider station 102A by a U-shaped link. Actuators 142A-142F are oriented relative to each other to implement a Stewart motion platform. The actuator system 106A further includes a valve manifold 144 (the input side of which is connected to the hydraulic fluid line 145A), six valves corresponding to the six prism actuators 142A-142F, one for each prism actuator, and an output side (shown collectively as a single line) connected to the six hydraulic fluid lines 145B. The controller 118 is adapted to control each of the six valves and thereby regulate the hydraulic fluid provided to each of the prismatic actuators 142A-142F, which determines the length of each of the prismatic actuators. The linear encoder controller associated with each of the prismatic actuators 142A-142F provides feedback information regarding the operation of the actuator (e.g., length and speed of increase or decrease in length).

The projector systems 108A-108D are substantially identical to each other. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of projector system 108A also applies to projector systems 108B-108D. Referring to fig. 13A and 13B, the projector system 108A includes first and second projectors 146A, 146B oriented vertically and used to project stereoscopic imagery onto the screen 116A, which screen 116A will present a three-dimensional imagery to the rider with appropriate eye equipment to facilitate such imagery. The projectors 146A, 146B may each incorporate a motion stabilization system, if desired, to attenuate vibrations that may adversely affect the quality of the images projected by the projectors on the screen. Projector systems that produce 2D images are also possible.

Projector trolleys 110A-110D are substantially identical to each other. Accordingly, it should be understood that the description of projector trolley 110A also applies to projector trolleys 110B-110D. Referring to fig. 12, 13A, 13B, and 14, projector trolley 110A includes a truss 150, a platform 152 mounted to first and second projectors 146A, 146B, and a wheeled engagement structure 154 that engages a portion of tower structure 112 such that projector trolley 110A is constrained to move vertically up and down a portion of tower structure 112, and a mount 156 for attaching first and second projectors 146A, 146B to platform 152. Wheeled engagement structure 154 includes a frame 158 that engages the truss 150 and supports wheels 160A-160F that engage a portion of the tower structure 112 in a manner that limits the projector trolley 110A to movement vertically up and down the tower structure. In the illustrated embodiment, mounting portion 156 includes a damping mechanism 162 that dampens vibrations transmitted from projector sled 110A to projectors 146A, 146B. A single projector trolley supporting all four projector systems 146A-146B is possible.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, the tower structure 112 includes a rider station tower 166 and a projector tower 168. Generally, the ride platform tower 166 is used to vertically guide the displacement of the ride trolley 104 by the motor system 114 and to support other elements of the tower ride 100. Generally, projector tower 168 is used to vertically guide the displacement of each of projector trolleys 110A-110D. In the illustrated embodiment, the tower structure 112 extends about 34m above the base surface. In normal operation, the ride vehicle 104 is able to move within a range of about 14m to 34m of the tower structure 112.

The ride platform tower 166 in the illustrated embodiment includes a box truss 170 having four vertically extending parallel columns 172A-172D connected to one another by cross braces 174. Referring to fig. 7, each post 172A-172D is adapted to capture an engagement wheel associated with two of the rider stations 102A-102D. In one embodiment, each column employs two longitudinally extending channels to capture the wheels associated with two of the rider stations, one channel capturing the wheels associated with one of the rider stations and the other channel capturing the wheels associated with the other rider station. The box truss 170 defines an interior space 176 that houses the other elements of the tower ride 100 and has a substantially square cross-section. The lower ends of the posts 172A-172D are embedded in the base 178. The upper ends of the posts 172A-172D operatively engage a motor platform 180 that supports a motor for driving the ride vehicle 104 vertically up and down along the ride platform tower 166.

Projector tower 168 in the illustrated embodiment includes four vertically extending parallel I-beams 184A-184D and a crown 186. Each of the four beams 184A-184D is adapted to cooperate with the engagement structure 154 of a respective one of the projector trolleys 110A-110D to guide the trolley vertically up and down the column. The lower ends of the posts 184A-184D are embedded in the base 178. The upper ends of columns 184A-184D are operatively joined to crown structure 186. The crown structure 186 is used to connect the posts 184A-184D to one another, support portions of the motor system 114 for movement of the projector trolleys 110A-110D and associated projector systems 108A-108D, and provide a joint 188 for connecting the crown structure 186 and posts 184A-184D to the ceiling 190 of a building that encloses the tower structure 112 and screens 116A-116D to provide a sufficiently dark environment for riders to enjoy the images produced on the screens 116A-116D by the projector systems 108A-108D. Connecting the projector tower to the building ceiling provides additional support to the projector tower 168 and potentially dampens vibrations imparted to the projector tower 168 and projector systems 108A-108D during operation of the ride 100.

The full extent of each tower above the base 178 of the support tower is separated from each other by the rider tower 166 and the projector tower 168. This decoupling is believed to dampen certain vibrations caused by vertical displacement of the ride vehicle 104 along the ride platform tower 158 that can cause the projector systems 108A-108D and the imagery produced by the projector systems 108A-108D to vibrate to such an extent as to greatly degrade the experience of the rider. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 178 supports the rider station tower 158 and the projector tower 160. However, if there is a high likelihood of undesirable vibratory coupling between the tower having a common base and the geography of the earth in which the ride tower 100 is located, the separate bases of the ride tower counter 158 and the projector tower 160 may provide additional isolation or handling of vibrations generated during vertical displacement by the ride vehicle 104.

Referring to fig. 7, the I-beams 184A-184D of the projector tower 168 (which engage the projector trolley 110A-111D) are positioned between the truss structure 128 of the rider trolley 104 and the box truss 170 of the rider station tower 166. In other words, the footprint of the projector tower 168 (footing), and more specifically the footprint of the I-beams 184A-184D, is between the footprint of the truss structure 128 of the ride vehicle 104 and the footprint of the box truss 170 of the ride platform tower 166. As such, the ride tower 158 has no portion disposed within the projection cone (projection cone) of the projector systems 108A-108D insofar as the projector systems 108A-108D are movable along the projector tower 160. Further, during operation of the tower ride 100, the projector trolleys 11A-110D and the ride trolley 104 are separated by a distance that is maintained substantially throughout the vertical range of motion of the ride trolley. Further, the separation is sufficient that it is not generally possible for occupants to place themselves in the projection cone of the associated projector system and thereby reduce the impact projected by the projector system onto the associated screen.

The motor system 114 includes motors 194A-194H and a balance weight 196 that provides forces for: (a) allowing the ride trolley 104, the structure supported by the trolley, and the rider to move vertically along the ride platform tower 166, and (b) allowing the projector trolleys 110A-110D and the projector systems 108A-108D to move vertically along the projector tower 168. Each motor 194A-194H includes a rotor that drives a sheave 198. Each sheave 198 operatively engages two cables 200A, 200B. The cables 200A, 200B each extend from a first end 202 operatively engaging the counterweight 196 to a second end 204 operatively engaging the ride vehicle 104. The motor system 114 also includes four pairs of pulleys 206A-206D that are supported by the crown 186 of the projector tower 168. The pair of pulleys 206A-206D each support a cable 208. Each cable 208 includes a first end 210 operatively engaging counterweight 196 and a second end 212 operatively engaging one of projector trolleys 110A-110D. Due to this connection of projector trolleys 110A-110D to counterweight 196, each projector trolley 110A-110D is maintained at a substantially constant distance from ride trolley 104. In the illustrated embodiment, each cable 208 includes a buffer 214 for attenuating vibrations that may adversely affect the video imagery being projected onto an associated one of the screens 116A-116D by the associated one of the projector systems 108A-108D. Fig. 17 schematically illustrates one manner in which cable 202A (extending between truss structure 128 of rider trolley 104 and balance weight 196), cable 208 (extending between projector trolley 110A and balance weight 196), pulley 206A (shown as a single pulley), and sheave 198 associated with motor 194A are configured to maintain a substantially constant distance between projector trolley 110A and rider trolley 104. Fig. 17 shows a buffer 214, which is part of the cable 208. A pair of guide rails 216A, 216B extending between the base 178 and the motor platform 180 cooperate with a plurality of pairs of guide wheels 218 attached to the counterweight 196 to vertically guide the counterweight 196 during operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the motors 194A-194H is a helical gear motor having approximately 200kW of power. Further, motors 194A-194H can impart 2.5m/s to rider trolley 104 (and support elements and riders) and projector trolleys 110A-110D (and support elements)²Maximum acceleration/deceleration. Further, motors 194A-194H can impart a maximum speed of 5m/s to ride sled 104 (and support elements and riders) and projector sled 1lOA-110D (and support elements).

Each screen 116A-116D includes a perforated aluminum door panel 222 that is powder coated on the side of the door panel facing the associated one of the rider stations 102A-102D. The perforations in the door panel help to project sound, generated by speakers located on opposite sides of the panel, to the enclosed area defined by screens 116A-116D. A support structure 224 supporting each screen is associated with the screens 116A-116D.

Generally, the controller 118 is a computer device that controls the operation of the projector systems 108A-108D, the motor system 114, and the actuator systems 106A-106D. More specifically, the controller 118 issues control signals that cause: (a) the projector systems 108A-108D project video images onto the screens 116A-116D, (b) the motor system 114 moves the ride vehicle 104 and the ride platforms 102A-102D in a manner coordinated or synchronized with the movement of some of the objects in the projected images, and (c) the actuator systems 106A-106D move each car 122 in a manner coordinated or synchronized with the movement of some of the objects in the projected images.

For the projector systems 108A-108D, the controller 118 issues commands that begin playing video recordings projected by each projector system 108A-108D onto the associated screen 116A-116D and terminate playing. Further, if several video recordings are available for playback, the controller 118 may issue a command to begin playing a particular video recording selected from the video recordings, command the order in which the video recordings are played, or command an arbitrary playback order. The controller 118 issues a command to one or more servers storing the video recording(s) to begin playback of the video recording. The video signal is then provided by one or more servers to each of the projector systems 108A-108D via a digital video signal cable.

For the motor system 114, the controller 118 provides control signals to the motors 194A-194H that cause the rotors to: (a) does not rotate and holds ride trolley 104 and projector trolleys 110A-110D in any position on ride platform tower 166 and projector tower 168, respectively; (b) rotate in a direction such that the ride trolley 104 and projector trolleys 1lOA-110D are vertically displaced upward along the ride platform tower 166 and projector tower 168, respectively; (c) rotate in a direction such that the ride trolley 104 and projector trolleys 1lOA-110D are displaced vertically downward along the ride platform tower 166 and projector tower 168, respectively; (d) rotate at a substantially constant angular velocity, thereby causing the ride sled 104 and the projector sled 110A-110D to move at a substantially constant rate along the ride platform tower 166 and the projector tower 168, respectively; or (e) rotate at an angular velocity that varies with time, thereby causing the ride trolley 104 and the projector trolleys 110A-110D to accelerate/decelerate along the ride platform tower 166 and the projector tower 168, respectively. Regardless of the type of control signal sent to the motors 194A-194H by the controller 118, the control signal causes each car 122 to be positioned or moved by the motors 194A-194H in a manner that is coordinated or synchronized with the movement of some object in the projected image. A linear encoder system including a code ring mounted on one of the legs of the columns 172A-172D of the rider station tower and a code ring reader mounted on the rider trolley 104 provides data to the controller 118 that can be used to determine the position, velocity and acceleration/deceleration of the rider trolley 104.

For the actuator systems 106A-106D, the controller 118 issues control signals to each of the actuator systems 106A-106D. If desired and as needed, control signals are sent over the communication path to the valve manifold 144 for each of the actuator systems 106A-106D, which in turn adjusts the length of each of the prismatic actuators 142A-142F. The control signal(s) provided to each of the actuator systems 106A-106D may cause the actuator systems to: (a) maintaining the existing position of the car or (b) moving the attached car 122 in some combination of six degrees of freedom provided by the actuator system, i.e., moving the car in one or more of roll, pitch, yaw, surge, heave, and sway directions. Further, for roll, pitch, and yaw motions, the controller 118 also indicates a direction of rotation about the associated axis. Similarly, for surge, heave, and sway, the controller 118 indicates the direction of translation along the associated axis (i.e., whether the translation is in a positive or negative direction along the associated axis).

It should be appreciated that the controller 118 can move each car through the use of the motor system 114 and impart simultaneous movement to each car through the use of the actuator systems 106A-106D. Thus, relatively complex motions can be imparted to each car. For example, the motor system 114 may be used to impart high amplitude and low frequency motion to each car, while the actuator systems 106A-106D simultaneously impart low amplitude and high frequency motion to each car. The controller 118 can also move the car relative to the ride vehicle 104 by using only the motor system 114 to move all of the cars, i.e., without using the actuator systems 106A-106D. Conversely, the controller 118 is also adapted to move all of the cars by using only the actuator systems 106A-106D, i.e., using the motor system 114 to move the cars.

It should also be understood that in the case where the car is moved by the motor system 114 and the actuator systems 106A-106D simultaneously, the controller 118 can cause the actuator systems 106A-106D to impart motion to the car in substantially the entire range of positions that the motor system 114 can establish for the ride vehicle 104.

The previous description of the invention is provided to explain the best mode known for practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application or use of the invention.

Claims (27)

1. An amusement park ride, comprising:

a seating platform for supporting an occupant in a predetermined position;

a riding platform pulley for supporting the riding platform;

a rider station tower operatively engaging the rider station trolley such that the rider station trolley is vertically movable along the rider station tower;

a motor system operatively engaging the rider station trolley for vertically moving the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower;

an actuator system for moving the rider station relative to the rider station trolley;

a screen positioned to be viewed by a rider supported at a predetermined position in a rider station;

a projector for projecting an image on a screen; and

a controller operatively engaging the projector, the motor system, and the actuator system and adapted to cause: (a) a motor system vertically positions the rider station along the rider station tower to coordinate the vertical position of the rider station with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen, and (b) an actuator system positions the rider station relative to the rider station trolley to coordinate the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen;

wherein, in coordinating the position of the rider station relative to the rider station tower and the rider station trolley with the imagery displayed on the screen, the controller is capable of causing:

(a) a motor system vertically moves the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower, an actuator system simultaneously maintains the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley,

(b) the motor system maintains the position of the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley, and

(c) the motor system moves the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley.

2. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the actuator system can provide a combination of surge, heave, sway, roll, pitch, and yaw motions of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley.

3. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a projector trolley for supporting the projector and for allowing the projector to move substantially simultaneously with the rider station trolley.

4. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, further comprising:

a projector tower, separate from the rider station tower, operatively engages the projector trolley such that the projector trolley is vertically movable along the projector tower.

5. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the projector trolley operatively engages the rider station tower such that the projector trolley is vertically movable along the rider station tower.

6. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a projector mount for supporting the projector, the projector mount extending between the rider station trolley and the projector.

7. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

the riding platform and the riding platform trolley share a riding platform coverage area;

the rider station tower has a rider station tower coverage area;

the projector tower has a projector tower footprint;

wherein the projector tower footprint is located between the rider station footprint and the rider station tower footprint.

8. An amusement park ride, comprising:

a seating platform for supporting an occupant in a predetermined position;

a riding platform pulley for supporting the riding platform;

a rider station tower operatively engaging the rider station trolley such that the rider station trolley is vertically movable along the tower;

a motor system operatively engaging the rider station trolley for moving the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the tower;

a screen positioned to be viewed by a rider supported at a predetermined position in the rider station and stationary relative to the rider station trolley;

a projector for projecting an image on a screen;

a projector mount for supporting a projector and adapted to move substantially simultaneously with the rider station trolley; and

a controller operatively engaging the projector and the motor system and adapted to cause the motor system to vertically position the rider station along the rider station tower so as to coordinate the vertical position of the rider station with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen.

9. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a projector trolley for supporting the projector mount and allowing the projector to move substantially simultaneously with the rider station trolley.

10. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a projector tower, separate from the rider station tower, operatively engages the projector trolley such that the projector trolley is vertically movable along the projector tower.

11. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the motor system includes a cable operatively engaging the projector trolley.

12. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

the cable includes a buffer.

13. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a counterweight operatively connected to the cable.

14. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:

the motor system also includes the counterweight.

15. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

the projector trolley operatively engages the rider station tower such that the projector trolley is vertically movable along the rider station tower.

16. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

the projector mount extends between the rider station trolley and the projector.

17. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

an actuator system for moving the rider station relative to the rider station trolley;

wherein the actuator system is capable of providing a combination of surge, heave, sway, roll, pitch, and yaw motion of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley.

18. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 17, wherein:

a controller is operatively coupled to the actuator system and adapted to cause the actuator system to position the rider station relative to the rider station trolley so as to coordinate the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen.

Wherein, in coordinating the position of the rider station relative to the rider station tower and the rider station trolley with the imagery displayed on the screen, the controller is capable of causing:

(a) the motor system moves the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously maintains the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley,

(b) the motor system maintains the position of the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley, and

(c) the motor system moves the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley.

19. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

the riding platform and the riding platform trolley share a riding platform coverage area;

the rider station tower has a rider station tower coverage area;

the projector tower has a projector tower footprint;

wherein the projector tower footprint is located between the rider station footprint and the rider station tower footprint.

20. An amusement park ride, comprising:

a seating platform for supporting an occupant in a predetermined position;

a riding platform pulley for supporting the riding platform;

a rider station tower operatively engaging the rider station trolley such that the rider station trolley is vertically movable along the rider station tower;

a motor system operatively engaging the rider station trolley for vertically moving the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower;

a screen positioned to be viewed by a rider supported at a predetermined position in a rider station;

a projector for projecting an image on a screen;

a projector trolley for supporting the projector;

a projector tower operatively engaging the projector trolley such that the projector trolley is vertically movable along the projector tower; and

a controller operatively engaging the projector and the motor system and adapted to cause the motor system to vertically position the rider station along the rider station tower so as to coordinate the vertical position of the rider station with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen.

21. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

the riding platform and the riding platform trolley share a riding platform coverage area;

the rider station tower has a rider station tower coverage area;

the projector tower has a projector tower footprint;

wherein the projector tower footprint is located between the rider station footprint and the rider station tower footprint.

22. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 20, further comprising:

an actuator system capable of providing the following to the riding platform trolley: combinations of surging, heaving, rolling, pitching, and yawing motions.

23. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:

a controller operatively engaged to the actuator system and adapted to cause the actuator system to position the rider station relative to the rider station trolley so as to coordinate the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley with imagery generated by the projector and displayed on the screen;

wherein, in coordinating the position of the rider station relative to the rider station tower and the rider station trolley with the imagery displayed on the screen, the controller is capable of causing:

(a) the motor system moves the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously maintains the position of the rider station relative to the rider station trolley,

(b) the motor system maintains the position of the rider station trolley and the rider station along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley, and

(c) the motor system moves the rider station trolley and the rider station vertically along the rider station tower, and the actuator system simultaneously moves the rider station relative to the rider station trolley.

24. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 20, wherein:

the motor system includes a cable operatively engaging the projector trolley.

25. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, wherein:

the cable includes a buffer.

26. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 24, further comprising:

a counterweight operatively connected to the cable.

27. An amusement ride apparatus, as claimed in claim 26, wherein:

the motor system also includes the counterweight.