Loading turntable systems and methods

An attraction loading system is provided that includes a turntable configured to rotate about a vertical axis. A ride vehicle is configured to travel along a loading path disposed about a perimeter of the turntable. A first track switch of the system is disposed along the loading path to direct the ride vehicle to a main portion of the loading path from an attraction path, or to direct the ride vehicle to the main portion of the loading path from a secondary portion of the loading path. A second track switch of the system is disposed along the loading path to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the attraction path, or to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the secondary portion of the loading path.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for implementing flexible passenger loading and unloading time in an attraction of an amusement park.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in increasing an efficiency of loading passengers into ride vehicles of attractions of amusement parks. For example, some attractions may include loading systems that have ride vehicles continuously moving along a loading zone as passengers unload from a ride vehicle and/or as new passengers load into the ride vehicle. However, some passengers may take a long time to leave the ride vehicle and/or may take a long time to board the ride vehicle. That is, a loading passenger may not be fully boarded and secured within the ride vehicle before the ride vehicle reaches an end of the loading zone. In such instances, movement of all of the ride vehicles through the attraction and/or the loading zone may be affected to give the loading passenger extra time to board the ride vehicle. For example, in one scenario, each ride vehicle may come to a complete stop in order to allow the loading passenger extra time in the loading zone to board the ride vehicle. Slowing or stopping of the ride vehicles' movement through the attraction may be detrimental to a throughput of the attraction, which can lead to increased waiting times and decreased revenue for the amusement park.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, an attraction loading system is provided that includes a turntable configured to rotate about a vertical axis and a ride vehicle configured to travel along a loading path disposed about a perimeter of the turntable. The system also includes a first track switch disposed along the loading path configured to be disposed in a first position to direct the ride vehicle to a main portion of the loading path from an attraction path, and configured to be disposed in a second position to direct the ride vehicle to the main portion of the loading path from a secondary portion of the loading path and a second track switch disposed along the loading path configured to be disposed in a third position to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the attraction path, and configured to be disposed in a fourth position to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to the secondary portion of the loading path.

In an embodiment, a method is provided that includes the steps of directing a ride vehicle along a loading path at a first location of the loading path toward a second location of the loading path; determining an occupancy status of the ride vehicle; and based on the occupancy status of the ride vehicle, controlling a track switch to direct the vehicle along either the loading path or along an attraction path at the second location along the loading path.

In an embodiment, an attraction loading system is provided that includes a turntable configured to rotate about a vertical axis. The system also includes a loading path disposed about a perimeter of the turntable, wherein a ride vehicle is configured to move along the loading path. The system also includes a first track switch disposed along the loading path, wherein the first track switch is configured to direct the ride vehicle from to a main portion of the loading path from either a secondary portion of the loading path or an attraction path and a second track switch disposed along the loading path, wherein the second track switch is configured to direct the ride vehicle from the main portion of the loading path to either the secondary portion of the loading path or an attraction path.

In an embodiment, an attraction loading system is provided that includes a loading and/or unloading area comprising a conveyor. The system also includes a loading path disposed about a perimeter of the conveyor, wherein a ride vehicle is configured to move along the loading path and an attraction path coupled to the loading path. The system also includes a controller configured to direct the ride vehicle from the loading path onto the attraction path based on a first occupancy status of the vehicle or to direct the ride vehicle to re-loop the loading path based on a second occupancy status of the ride vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a loading system configured to provide for a variable amount of available loading time of passengers into ride vehicles. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments provide for variable passenger loading time into a particular ride vehicle while allowing other ride vehicles to continue at nominal speeds through a loading zone and through the attraction. For example, the disclosed loading system may include a loading zone having a turntable configured to continuously rotate about a central vertical axis. The loading zone is configured to receive occupied ride vehicles (e.g., passenger-occupied vehicles) at a first radial position (e.g., relative to the central vertical axis) along a perimeter of the turntable. In some embodiments, the first radial position may include a first track switch. The ride vehicles and the turntable are configured to rotate in conjunction from the first radial position to a second radial position (e.g., relative to the central vertical axis along the perimeter of the turntable. In some embodiments, the first radial position may include a first track switch. The rotational speed of the ride vehicles may substantially match the rotational speed of the turntable such that relative movement between the ride vehicles and the turntable may be substantially unperceivable. In other words, an edge of the turntable may be stationary relative to an edge of the ride vehicle to create a static physical interface, or virtual coupling, between the ride vehicles and the turntable.

Passengers may unload from the ride vehicles onto the turntable. Once passengers are unloaded from the ride vehicles, new passengers may be directed to load onto the ride vehicles from the turntable. Generally, in order to increase a throughput of users through the attraction, the turntable and the ride vehicles may be continuously rotating at a nominal speed as the passengers are unloading and loading the ride vehicles. The ride vehicles may continue to move in conjunction with the turntable until the ride vehicles reach the second radial position. If a ride vehicle is occupied with a loaded passenger by the time the ride vehicle reaches the second radial position, the ride vehicle may be directed along an attraction path to begin a ride cycle of the attraction. However, if the ride vehicle is unoccupied and a passenger is still attempting to load the ride vehicle by the time the ride vehicle reaches the second radial position, the ride vehicle may be directed to continue rotating (e.g., re-loop through the loading pathway) with the turntable back through to the first radial position. The passenger may continue to attempt to board the ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travel is re-looped from the second radial position to the first radial position, and once again from the first radial position to the second radial position. Once the passenger has successfully loaded into the ride vehicle, and the ride vehicle reaches the second radial position, the ride vehicle may be directed along the attraction path. In this manner, slower-loading passengers may not cause a disruption to other passengers, as each ride vehicle continues to move at a nominal speed through the loading zone regardless of the occupancy status of the other ride vehicles. Thus, passengers may have an increased amount of available time to load the ride vehicles.

Turning now to the figures,FIG.1is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a loading zone10of a loading system12. As shown, the loading zone10may be a portion of an overall ride system14(e.g., an attraction). For example, passengers may load into ride vehicles16in the loading zone10, may travel along an attraction path18of the ride system14, and may arrive back at the loading zone10to unload from the ride vehicles16. While traveling along the attraction path18, passengers may be exposed to a variety of experiences, such as virtual reality, alternate reality, environment interactions, multiple ride paths, water features, special effects, and so forth. It should be noted that portions of the ride system14, such as the attraction path18, have been intentionally simplified to focus on aspects of the loading system12.

The loading system12includes a turntable20, an entrance ramp22, a first track switch24, a second track switch26, and a variable speed zone28. The turntable20is configured to rotate at a substantially constant rotational speed about an axis40. In the currently illustrated embodiment, the turntable20is substantially circular and rotates in a clockwise direction41. However, the turntable20may be any suitable shape, which may correspond to a theme of the ride system14, and may rotate in the counter-clockwise direction. In some embodiments, the turntable20may include a stationary portion42disposed within a rotational portion44. That is, the rotational portion44may be configured to rotate about the stationary portion42while the stationary portion42remains stationary. The entrance ramp22may be any suitable angled path, which may include stairs, a substantially flat angled surface, an escalator, or any combination thereof. Generally, users may enter the loading zone10from an entrance50, descend the entrance ramp22toward a middle portion (e.g., the stationary portion42) of the turntable20, and load into the ride vehicle16. Similarly, users may ascend the entrance ramp22toward the entrance50to leave the loading zone10.

The ride vehicles16may enter the loading zone10through the variable speed zone28, which is located at an end of the attraction path18. As discussed in further detail below, speeds of the ride vehicles16may be augmented and/or may vary as the ride vehicles16travel through the variable speed zone28. For example, in some embodiments, speeds of the ride vehicles16may be adjusted to create a gap (e.g., a bubble) between the ride vehicles16or to remove a gap between the ride vehicles16. Indeed, each ride vehicle16may be independently controlled such that each ride vehicle16may travel at different speeds for at least a portion of the travel time.

From the variable speed zone28, the ride vehicles16may enter a loading path56, which is disposed about a perimeter of the turntable20. The first track switch24, in one configuration, permits the ride vehicles16from the attraction path18to slot into available spaces in the loading path56and, alternatively or additionally, changes position to allow ride vehicles16that have been re-looped along the loading path16to continue along the loading path16through the first track switch24in another configuration.

While the ride vehicle16is moving along the loading path56, passengers may load and unload the ride vehicles16. The loading path56may include a track or a conveyor, or may be a virtual path for a trackless ride system along which the ride vehicles16travel. In some embodiments, the loading path56is a path along which the ride vehicles16travel while rotating in conjunction with (i.e., together with or at the same speed as) the turntable20. As shown, while traveling along the loading path56, the ride vehicles16may rotate at substantially the same rotational speed as the turntable20. In this manner, a position and orientation of each ride vehicle16of the plurality of ride vehicles along the perimeter of the turntable20may remain substantially constant. In other words, each ride vehicle16may maintain a temporarily fixed position relative to a circumference of the turntable20while traveling through the loading path56and while the turntable20rotates about its center point such that the orientation of the turntable20relative to the ride vehicles16(e.g., with seats facing towards a center or alongside an edge of the turntable20) is substantially maintained. For example, in the currently illustrated embodiment having a substantially circular turntable20, each ride vehicle16of the plurality of ride vehicles may continuously face the axis40of the turntable20as the ride vehicles16travel along the loading path56. In certain embodiments, the rotational speed of the turntable20as well as the speed of the vehicles in the loading path56is less than an average speed of the ride vehicles16in the attraction path18.

From the variable speed zone28, the ride vehicles16may traverse the first track switch24to enter the loading path56. Indeed, as discussed in further detail below, the first track switch24may be in a first position, such as to direct the ride vehicles16along a first direction58(e.g., a counter-clockwise direction) from the variable speed zone28to the loading path56. Alternatively, the first track switch24may be in a second position, such as to direct the ride vehicles16along a second direction60(e.g., a clockwise direction) from other portions of the loading path56to continue along the loading path56. Similarly, the second track switch26may be in a third position, such as to direct the ride vehicles16along a third direction62(e.g., a counter-clockwise direction) from the loading path56toward a start of the attraction path18. Alternatively, the second track switch26may be in a fourth position, such as to direct the ride vehicles16along a fourth direction64(e.g., a clockwise direction) to travel further along the loading path56toward the first track switch24.

In the depicted embodiment, the ride vehicles16are configured to enter the loading zone10, and travel along the loading path56from the first track switch24clockwise41toward the second track switch26(e.g., a main portion65of the loading path56). As a first ride vehicle16travels along the loading path56, passengers may unload from the first ride vehicle16. Once the passengers are unloaded from the first ride vehicle16, new passengers may be directed to load into the first ride vehicle16. The new passengers may attempt to load the first ride vehicle16as the first ride vehicle16travels along the main portion65. If the new passengers have successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16before the first ride vehicle16reaches the second track switch26, the first ride vehicle16may be directed, via the second track switch26, from the loading path56to the attraction path18. However, if the new passengers have not successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16before the first ride vehicle16reaches the second track switch26, the first ride vehicle16may be directed, via the second track switch26, to continue along the loading path56toward the first track switch24(e.g., along a secondary portion66of the loading path56). Indeed, as shown, the secondary portion66of the loading path56may be disposed beneath the entrance ramp22. That is, the passengers and the first ride vehicle16may travel beneath the entrance ramp22while the passengers continue to attempt to load into the first ride vehicle16. Accordingly, the ramp22is arranged such that the clearance underneath the ramp22is sufficient to permit clearance of the ride vehicles16and any unloaded passengers traveling underneath the entrance ramp22from the position of the second track switch26to the first track switch24.

The first ride vehicle16may continue to move along the loading path56in this manner until the new passengers have loaded into the first ride vehicle16. Once the passengers have loaded into the first ride vehicle16, and the first ride vehicle16reaches the second track switch26, the first ride vehicle16may be directed from the loading path to the attraction path18. Thus, the passengers may have increased time to load into the first ride vehicle16.

WhileFIG.1is discussed in reference to a track-based loading system12that uses a turntable20, it should be understood that other loading/unloading arrangements may also be used in conjunction with the present techniques. For example, a trackless loading system12may use trackless vehicles16that travel along a pre-programmed or variable path. In certain embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.2, the system12may include a loading station70with a conveyer72that may be shaped to accommodate irregular loading areas (e.g., peninsula, elongated, or other shapes) and that moves relative to a programmed loading path56along which track-based or trackless vehicles16travel. The loading path56aligns with a direction of the conveyor72such that the passengers may load into the ride vehicles16while positioned on the conveyor72. The ride vehicles16may travel along the loading path16at a speed approximately equal to a speed of the conveyor72. To accommodate passengers that may need additional time for loading, the vehicles may be directed via the second track switch26onto the secondary portion66of the loading path56to be re-looped for passenger loading.

Movement back onto the attraction path18and/or re-looping back into the loading path56may be controlled by a controller (seeFIG.4) of the loading system sending control signals to vehicle controllers of individual ride vehicles16based on occupancy status as provided herein. Based on the received control signals, the individual ride vehicles enter the attraction path18or re-loop onto the loading path56according to the instructions of the control signal.

Keeping this in mind,FIG.3is a flow chart of an embodiment of a loading process80that may be utilized by the loading system12. Accordingly, the following discussion may referenceFIGS.1-2in parallel withFIG.3. Further, the following discussion references the progress of a particular ride vehicle16through the loading process80.

At block82, the first ride vehicle16may enter the loading zone10from the attraction path18. More specifically, after traveling along the attraction path18, the ride vehicle16may travel through the variable speed zone28and traverse the first track switch24.

At block84, the first ride vehicle16may be directed along the main portion65of the loading path56via the first track switch24. Particularly, the first track switch24may be in the first position by default to direct the first ride vehicle16in the first direction58from the variable speed zone28. After passing the first track switch24into the loading path56, passengers present on the ride vehicle who have completed the attraction via travelling the attraction path18may unload from the first ride vehicle16while the first ride vehicle16continues to move along the main portion65of the loading path56. However, it should be understood that passengers on the ride vehicles16may alternatively represent passengers in the loading stage who have not yet entered the attraction path18and who are in an incompletely loaded ride vehicle16. At block88, ride operators may direct new passenger(s) to load into the first ride vehicle16while the first ride vehicle16continues to move along the main portion65of the loading path56.

The first ride vehicle16may continue along the loading path56from the first track switch24to the second track switch26while the passengers continue to load into the first ride vehicle16. At block90, the first ride vehicle16may arrive at the second track switch26. More specifically, at block90, the first ride vehicle may approach the second track switch26. At block92, as the first ride vehicle16approaches the second track switch26, a controller and/or operator will determine whether the passengers have successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16. For example, in some embodiments, as the first ride vehicle16travels along the main portion65of the loading path56(e.g., during blocks84,86,88, and90), an operator may observe the passenger unloading and loading the first ride vehicle16. Once the passengers have successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16, the operator may provide a load confirmation signal to the loading system12to confirm an occupancy status of the first ride vehicle16(e.g., fully loaded, empty, or partially loaded). In certain embodiments, re-looping may be rules-based, such that fully-loaded vehicles are always moved onto the attraction path, empty vehicles are always re-looped, and partially loaded ride vehicles are either re-looped based on a signal indicative of passengers still attempting to load or moved onto the attraction based on a signal that all available passengers are loaded, even if the vehicle16has empty seats. In certain embodiments, the occupancy status may be a first status associated with a vehicle permitted to enter the attraction path or a second status associated with a vehicle designated to re-loop onto the loading path56. Providing the load confirmation signal may include pressing a button on a control panel, utilizing a key, utilizing a short range communication device (e.g., an RFID tag), or any other suitable input. Alternatively or additionally, the load confirmation of the ride first vehicle16may be automatic and based on sensor detection of the passengers within the first ride vehicle16. The controller (e.g., an attraction controller and/or a respective controller of the first ride vehicle16) may receive the load confirmation signal and, based on the load confirmation signal, adjust the second track switch26to the third position to cause the first ride vehicle16to travel in the third direction62to the attraction path18. That is, generally, at block92, if the passenger(s) have successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16and the controller has received the load confirmation signal, the first ride vehicle16may be directed via the second track switch26toward the attraction path18(block94). The first ride vehicle16may then travel along the attraction path18and eventually arrive back at the loading zone10(block82).

However, at block90, if the controller and/or operator determines that the passenger(s) have not successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16, at block96, the first ride vehicle16may be directed along the loading path56from the second track switch26toward the first track switch24(e.g., along the secondary portion66of the loading path56). For example, in some embodiments, the loading system12may direct the first ride vehicle16along the secondary portion66of the loading path56by default, such as if no input is received from the operator confirming load of the first ride vehicle16. More specifically, the second track switch26may be in the fourth position to direct the first ride vehicle16in the fourth direction64by default. If no load confirmation signal is received by the controller, the second track switch26may remain in the fourth position. After traveling along the secondary portion66of the loading path56, the first ride vehicle16may once again be directed along the main portion65of the loading path56(block84). A controller may operate to manage merging of the ride vehicles16to re-loop onto the main portion65of the loading path56into available spaces (block98).

The ride vehicles16moving along the main portion65of the loading path56may generally move along the loading path56at constant intervals. As such, assuming that each ride vehicle16is also directed along the attraction path18from the second track switch26, the ride vehicles16may also generally travel along the attraction path18at constant intervals. However, as described in the embodiments of block96, the first ride vehicle16may be directed from the second track switch26along the secondary portion66if passengers have not successfully loaded into the first ride vehicle16, as opposed to being directed along the attraction path18. Once the ride vehicle16traveling along the secondary portion66of the loading path56reaches the first track switch24, the first track switch24may be placed in the second position to direct the ride vehicle16along the second direction60to continue along the main portion65of the loading path56. That is, upon reaching the first track switch24from the secondary portion66, the ride vehicle16may once again be directed along the loading path56, as described in the embodiments of block84.

In such embodiments, an extended interval (e.g., a gap, a bubble, a space), may occur between two adjacent ride vehicles16traveling along the attraction path18due to the first ride vehicle16having been disposed between the pair of adjacent ride vehicles16along the loading path56, being directed to the first track switch24instead of to the attraction path18. Accordingly, in block100, when the pair of adjacent ride vehicles16traveling along the attraction path18with the extended interval arrives to the variable speed zone28, the extended interval between the pair of adjacent ride vehicles16may be normalized. That is, the interval between the adjacent ride vehicles16may become substantially uniform with the intervals between other ride vehicles16traveling through the variable speed zone28. This may be accomplished by increasing or decreasing a speed of one or more ride vehicles16traveling through the variable speed zone28. The adjustment in spacing may also be coordinated with re-looping of upcoming vehicles16from the secondary portion66of the loading path56into the main portion65of the loading path56.

At block100, a speed of a second ride vehicle16traveling through the variable speed zone28may be adjusted to create a space for the first ride vehicle16traveling along the secondary portion66toward the first track switch24. Generally, the ride vehicles16may arrive to the variable speed zone28from the attraction path18before moving to the loading path56. While in the variable speed zone28, the ride vehicles16may travel at a nominal speed to transition to the loading path56at regular intervals. However, once the first ride vehicle16is directed from the second track switch26along the secondary portion66of the loading path56(e.g., due to no confirmation signal being received), a speed of one or more vehicles16(e.g., the second ride vehicle) within the variable speed zone28may be adjusted to approximately double an interval between a pair of adjacent ride vehicles16. In this manner, the first ride vehicle16traveling from the second track switch26may be positioned between the pair of adjacent ride vehicles16of the variable speed zone28as the pair of adjacent ride vehicles16transitions to the loading path56. Indeed, the act of the first ride vehicle16being directed along the secondary portion66from the second track switch24may feed into the controller managing the merging in block98.

FIG.4is a block diagram of the loading system12. As seen inFIG.4, the loading system includes a turntable assembly106that drives rotation of the turntable20via a motor108and a turntable controller110. The turntable controller110may be coupled to a central ride controller120, and may communicate through a wireless network (e.g., wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks [WWAN], near field communication [NFC]) and/or through a wired network (e.g., local area networks [LAN], wide area networks [WAN]). The controller120includes a processor124and a memory126. It should be understood that other disclosed components of the loading system12may also include a memory and processor and may operate to execute processor-based instructions stored in a memory.

The central ride controller120may also control vehicle movement, variable vehicle movement (e.g., through the variable speed zone28), merging from the secondary portion66of the loading path56during re-looping, and may communicate with the first track switch24and the second track switch26and their respective controllers130,132to direct movement of the ride vehicles16between the attraction path18and the loading path56. For example, in one embodiment, the controller120may receive a signal, or data, that one or more ride vehicles16approaching the second track switch26have an occupancy status associated with being moved onto the attraction path18. As the ride vehicle or ride vehicles16approach the second track switch26, the second track switch26receives a signal to switch to (or remain in) an attraction path position. In another example, when the ride system14is in operation and the ride vehicles16traversing the loading path56remain unloaded, the second track switch26receives a signal from the controller120to move to (or remain in) a position to re-loop the ride vehicle16. The controller120may keep track of all vehicles16of the ride system14and their respective locations either on the loading path56or on the attraction path18. Further, the controller120may control re-looping of empty vehicles16or entry into a maintenance or holding path to maintain a desired or fixed number of vehicles16in the attraction path18. That is, the controller120may log entry of vehicles18onto the attraction path18and may prevent too many vehicles16from being on the attraction path18by directing vehicles16to re-loop until space is available.

The central controller120may permit operator input via an operator interface140, which may include a display142. In some embodiments, an operator may send one or more signals to the central controller120via the operator interface140to operate the loading system12as discussed herein.

Overall, the embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methods configured to provide variable loading time for passengers loading into ride vehicles. For example, the disclosed embodiments include an attraction with a loading zone having ride vehicles configured to rotate in conjunction with a turntable while passengers unload and load the ride vehicles. Generally, passengers have a set amount of time to load into the ride vehicles as the ride vehicles travel through the loading zone. However, if a passenger uses more than the set amount of time to load into a ride vehicle, the passenger and the ride vehicle may be re-looped to a start of the loading zone. Specifically, the re-looping of the ride vehicle may be implemented without negatively affecting the progress of other ride vehicles through the loading zone or through the attraction. In this manner, passengers are provided with an increased or variable amount of time to load into ride vehicles, without significantly hindering movement of other ride vehicles and allowing the overall ride system14to continue normal operation. The uninterrupted progress of the ride vehicles through the attraction enables the attraction to cycle high volumes of guests through the attraction, thereby increasing an efficiency of the attraction.

While only certain features of present embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the disclosure. Further, it should be understood that certain elements of the disclosed embodiments may be combined or exchanged with one another.