Linear motor driven system and method

• US 8,136,453 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2007
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HM Attractions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: HM Attractions, Inc.
• Inventors: Hunter, Richard D., Tanzer, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jason C
• Application Number:
  US11/681,702
• Publication Number:
  US 20070207866A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,845 Days
• Field of Search: 104/53, 104/56, 104/59, 104/63, 104/64, 104/69, 104/70, 104/72, 104/73, 104/290, 104/292
• US Class Current: 104/60
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/00 Chutes; Helter-skelters
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/02 without rails
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/08 with additional rotation of cars
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/14 with driven slideways
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/16 with forced removal of the passenger from the seat
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/02 with floating seats
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 7/00 Up-and-down hill tracks; Switchbacks
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 13/03 Electric propulsion by linear motors
• CPC Class Codes: B61B 13/08 Sliding or levitation systems vehicles with air cushions between rails and vehicles B60V3/04
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 41/025 Asynchronous motors
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/14 Structural association with mechanical loads, e.g. with hand-held machine tools or fans with fan or impeller for cooling the machine H02K9/06

Abstract

A vehicle motion control system comprising: a sliding surface; a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface.

Claims

1. A vehicle motion control system comprising:

a guideway, said guideway including side walls and a sliding surface;

a vehicle including a body riding within said guideway, at least a portion of an underside of said body adapted to slide on said sliding surface;

a film of lubricating water in said guideway to facilitate the sliding of said vehicle body; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor.

3. The system of claim 2 further comprising a lubricant between the vehicle and the sliding surface.

4. The system of claim 2 further comprising a sensor for detecting at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 4 further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of input from the sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the linear motor comprises a linear synchronous motor.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a lubricant between the vehicle and the sliding surface.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the lubricant is water.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for detecting at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of input from the sensor.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a user input means.

12. The system of claim 11 further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of user input.

13. A method of controlling motion of a vehicle sliding on a sliding surface comprising

forming a guideway including side walls and said sliding surface;

placing a body of said vehicle to ride in said guideway such that at least a portion of an underside of said body is adapted to slide on said sliding surface;

placing a film of lubricating water in said guideway to facilitate the sliding of said vehicle body; and

operating a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising altering the operation of the linear motor in response to input from a vehicle rider.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving the input from the vehicle rider through rider operated controls.

18. The method of claim 14 further comprising sensing at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle and altering the operation of the linear induction motor in response.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein controlling motion comprises at least one of accelerating the vehicle, decelerating the vehicle, rotating the vehicle, changing direction of movement of the vehicle, maintaining a speed of the vehicle, and reversing the direction of movement of the vehicle.

20. A method for conveying people comprising the method of claim 14.

21. A method for public transportation of people comprising the method of claim 14.

22. A method of industrial conveying comprising the method of claim 14.

23. A method for preventing movement of the vehicle outside the designated area comprising the method of claim 14.

24. The method of claim 13 wherein the linear motor comprises a linear synchronous motor.

25. The method of claim 13 wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising altering the operation of the linear motor in response to input from a vehicle rider.

27. The method of claim 25 to launch the vehicle up an incline.

28. A method for returning the vehicle to a ride starting location comprising the method of claim 25.

29. The method of claim 25 further comprising thrusting with water sprayers.

30. The method of claim 13 further comprising sensing at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle and altering the operation of the linear motor in response.

31. The method of claim 13 wherein controlling motion comprises at least one of accelerating the vehicle, decelerating the vehicle, rotating the vehicle, changing direction of movement of the vehicle, maintaining a speed of the vehicle, and reversing the direction of movement of the vehicle.

32. The method of claim 13 for conveying people.

33. The method of claim 13 for public transportation of people.

34. The method of claim 13 in an industrial conveyance system.

35. The method of claim 13 to prevent movement of the vehicle outside a designated area.

36. A method of controlling motion of a vehicle sliding on a sliding surface comprising operating a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor;

wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride;

further comprising altering the operation of the linear motor in response to input from a vehicle rider; and

further comprising receiving the input from the vehicle rider through force applied by the rider to a vehicle body.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the vehicle body incorporates the at least one reaction component and the force applied by the rider alters the shape of the at least one reaction component.

38. A method of controlling motion of a vehicle sliding on a sliding surface comprising operating a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor;

wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride;

further comprising altering the operation of the linear motor in response to input from a vehicle rider; and

wherein the vehicle body incorporates the at least one reaction component and the input from the rider alters electrical characteristics of the at least one reaction component.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the reaction component comprises conductive coils.

40. A method of controlling motion of a vehicle sliding on a sliding surface comprising operating a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor;

wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride; and

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units associated with the sliding surface and the method further comprises energizing the induction units to define a path of the vehicle.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the amusement ride comprises a bowl shaped sliding surface and wherein the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface, the method further comprising energizing the induction units to at least one of decelerate a rate of decent of the vehicle, increase an angular speed of the vehicle and reverse the angular direction of the vehicle.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the induction units are positioned at an exit from the bowl shaped sliding surface, the method further comprising energizing the induction units to decelerate the vehicle.

43. The method of claim 40 wherein the amusement ride comprises a funnel shaped sliding surface and wherein the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface, the method further comprising energizing the induction units to at least one of decelerate a rate of decent of the vehicle, increase an angular speed of the vehicle and reverse the angular direction of the vehicle.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the induction units are positioned at an exit from the funnel shaped sliding surface, the method further comprising energizing the induction units to decelerate the vehicle.

45. The method of claim 40 wherein the amusement ride comprises a planar sliding surface and wherein the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface, the method further comprises energizing the induction units to define a path of the vehicle over the planar sliding surface.

46. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a guideway, said guideway including side walls and a sliding surface;

a vehicle including a body riding within said guideway, at least a portion of an underside of said body adapted to slide on said sliding surface;

a film of lubricating water in said guideway to facilitate the sliding of said vehicle body; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle.

47. The system of claim 46 further comprising a lock to override the linear motor.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units.

49. The system of claim 48 wherein the sliding surface incorporates at least two exits and the induction units are adapted to selectively direct the vehicle to one of the at least two exits.

50. The system of claim 48 wherein the induction units are adapted to selectively exert a thrust on the vehicle in at least two different directions.

51. The system of claim 50 wherein the thrust exerted by the induction units is reversible.

52. The system of claim 48 wherein the induction units are adapted the remove and reintroduce thrust.

53. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a sliding surface;

a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units; and

wherein the sliding surface is a bowl shaped sliding surface and the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface and adapted to at least decelerate the rate of decent of the vehicle, increase an angular speed of the vehicle and reverse the angular direction of the vehicle.

54. The system of claim 53 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of induction units are positioned around a designated riding area and adapted to retain the vehicle within the designated riding area.

55. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a sliding surface;

a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units; and

wherein the sliding surface is a funnel shaped sliding surface and the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface and adapted to at least one of decelerate a rate of decent of the vehicle, increase an angular speed of the vehicle and reverse the angular direction of the vehicle.

56. The system of claim 55 wherein at least a portion of the plurality of induction units are positioned around a designated riding area and adapted to retain the vehicle within the designated riding area.

57. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a sliding surface;

a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units;

wherein the sliding surface is a planar surface and the induction units are positioned at the sliding surface and adapted to move the vehicle across the sliding surface; and

wherein the planar surface has at least two exits and the induction units are adapted to selectively direct the vehicle to one of the at least two exits.

58. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a sliding surface;

a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units; and

wherein the sliding surface comprises an upward incline followed by a turn and the induction units are positioned at the surface of the upward incline and the turn and adapted to propel the vehicle up the incline and around the turn.

59. A vehicle motion control system for an amusement ride comprising:

a sliding surface;

a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and

a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface;

wherein the linear motor comprises at least one linear motor unit located with the sliding surface and at least one reaction component affixed to the vehicle;

wherein the at least one linear motor unit comprises a plurality of induction units; and

wherein the sliding surface comprises a sliding surface of a flume ride having at least two exits and the induction units are adapted to selectively direct the vehicle to one of the at least two exits.