Ride vehicle control system
First Claim
1. A ride vehicle control system mounted within a ride vehicle of an amusement attraction, wherein the ride vehicle moves along a path within the amusement attraction, said control system comprising:
- a hydraulic power unit having a source of hydraulic fluid that produces hydraulic energy therefrom;
an accumulator charged with hydraulic energy produced by said hydraulic power unit;
a hydraulically-operated actuator having the form of one ofan actuator which causes complete propulsion of the vehicle along the path using the hydraulic energy,an actuator that articulates passengers of the vehicle with respect to a chassis of the vehicle, as the vehicle moves along the path, andan actuator that controls variable steering of the vehicle steering, as the vehicle moves along the path; and
a regulator that regulates the flow of hydraulic energy from said accumulator to the hydraulically-operated actuator.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This disclosure provides to a ride vehicle for used in an amusement attraction. The ride vehicle mounts a structure upon a hydraulically-actuated motion base, so that the passenger holding structure may be articulated about one or more axes as the vehicle moves. Thus, this "simulator ride" carries passengers through three-dimensional scenery and articulates the passenger holding structure in synchronism with motions of the ride vehicle, the motions of moving show sets, which are external to the vehicle, sound, projection and other effects. The ride vehicle is programmably-controlled, and derives electrical power from a track mounted power bus to drive vehicle hydraulics, which drive motion base actuation, steering and vehicle velocity.
The hydraulic control system uses an electric pump to charge a high-pressure accumulator with hydraulic power from a 480-volt power supply, a manifold to regulate the supply of hydraulic energy to motion base and steering actuators and a hydraulic motor, and a low-pressure accumulator that aids in regenerative braking. Using these elements, the computerized vehicle-control system controls the hydraulically-actuated elements to provide synchronized motions of the vehicle and passenger holding structure, and other special effects, in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of ride programs.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. A ride vehicle control system mounted within a ride vehicle of an amusement attraction, wherein the ride vehicle moves along a path within the amusement attraction, said control system comprising:
-
a hydraulic power unit having a source of hydraulic fluid that produces hydraulic energy therefrom; an accumulator charged with hydraulic energy produced by said hydraulic power unit; a hydraulically-operated actuator having the form of one of an actuator which causes complete propulsion of the vehicle along the path using the hydraulic energy, an actuator that articulates passengers of the vehicle with respect to a chassis of the vehicle, as the vehicle moves along the path, and an actuator that controls variable steering of the vehicle steering, as the vehicle moves along the path; and a regulator that regulates the flow of hydraulic energy from said accumulator to the hydraulically-operated actuator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
-
30. A ride vehicle control system aboard each one of a plurality of ride vehicles in an amusement attraction, each ride vehicle following a track having a power bus, each ride vehicle tapping the power bus to obtain vehicle power, said ride vehicle control system comprising:
-
a source of hydraulic fluid aboard each vehicle; an electric pump aboard each vehicle that pumps, powered by electricity derived from the power bus, hydraulic fluid from the source to thereby provide pressurized hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulically-operated actuator aboard each vehicle in the amusement attraction, said hydraulically-operated actuator operatively coupled to said pump and having first and second fluid chambers and being movable from a first position to a second position by supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to said first fluid chamber and release of hydraulic energy from said second fluid chamber, and movable from said second position toward said first position by supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid to said second fluid chamber and release of hydraulic energy from said first fluid chamber. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A ride vehicle control system, which provides impetus to move the vehicle along a path, said ride vehicle control system comprising:
-
a high-pressure accumulator that stores hydraulic energy in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid; a hydraulically-operated motor coupled to said high-pressure accumulator to receive hydraulic energy therefrom, said pressurized hydraulic fluid displacing said motor according to a variable motor angle; a low-pressure accumulator that receives hydraulic fluid that has previously displaced said motor, and is of a lower pressure than said pressurized hydraulic fluid; and a control that controls said variable motor angle to thereby vary the torque output by said motor; wherein said control may be varied to permit said pressurized hydraulic fluid to flow from said high-pressure accumulator through said motor to said low-pressure accumulator, to thereby drive said motor, and wherein said control may be varied when the ride vehicle is in motion to permit motion of the vehicle to cause said motor to pump hydraulic fluid in the reverse direction, from said low-pressure accumulator toward said high-pressure accumulator to thereby charge the same with hydraulic energy while braking the ride vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (36)
-
-
37. A ride vehicle control system mounted within a ride vehicle of an amusement attraction, comprising:
-
a variable displacement hydraulically-operated motor that converts energy between hydraulic energy and kinetic energy; a control that controls a displacement of said motor; a hydraulic power unit having a source of hydraulic fluid that produces hydraulic energy therefrom; an accumulator charged with hydraulic energy produced by said hydraulic power unit; and a blocking valve that operatively couples said accumulator with said motor; wherein said blocking valve is moved between an open state, wherein it permits said control to generate positive displacement of said motor, such that hydraulic energy is converted to kinetic energy that propels the vehicle, and negative displacement, such that the vehicle is decelerated and thereby converts kinetic energy of the vehicle to hydraulic energy which charges said accumulator with hydraulic energy, and a closed state, wherein resistance to charging said accumulator by negative displacement of said motor is increased relative to said open state, thereby providing increased braking power.
-
Specification