Patent Publication Number: US-11020677-B2

Title: Scenic compartment ride systems and methods

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/421,609, entitled “SCENIC COMPARTMENT RIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, filed on May 24, 2019, which claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/805,191, entitled “SCENIC COMPARTMENT RIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” filed Feb. 13, 2019, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and equipment used in conjunction with amusement park rides. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Since the early twentieth century, amusement parks (or theme parks) have substantially grown in popularity. Certain amusement park rides may include a vertical ride system in which users are raised to have an overview of the amusement park and then lowered. However, the singular degree of freedom and limited views of such amusement park rides may limit an experience of a user. Accordingly, it is now recognized that an improved amusement park ride having a vertical heave motion with multiple degrees of freedom and a variety of viewing experiences may be desirable to enhance guest experience. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosed embodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below. 
     In an embodiment, an amusement park system includes a tower having a central passage disposed therethrough, a ride vehicle disposed within the central passage, and a drive system coupled to the ride vehicle. The drive system is configured to displace the ride vehicle vertically within the central passage of the tower, and the tower is configured to rotate about the drive system. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes rotating a tower about a central axis and displacing a ride vehicle vertically within a central passage of the tower via a drive system. The method further includes displacing the ride vehicle radially within the central passage of the tower relative to the central axis via a bogie system. 
     In an embodiment, an amusement park system includes a tower configured to rotate about a central axis, a drive mechanism configured to drive rotation of the tower about the central axis, and a ride vehicle disposed within a central passage of the tower. The amusement park system further includes a drive system configured to drive movement of the ride vehicle within the central passage of the tower. The amusement park system further includes, a controller having a memory device and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on the memory device. The instructions are configured to cause the processor to transmit a signal to the drive mechanism to cause the drive mechanism to drive rotation of the tower and transmit a signal to the drive system to cause the drive system to vertically displace the ride vehicle along the central axis. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tower of a ride system, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional overhead view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is an overhead view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is an overhead view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional schematic side view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional schematic side view of the ride system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure provides, among other things, embodiments of a ride system having a rotatable tower and one or more ride vehicles configured to move with multiple degrees of freedom within a central passage or central region of the tower. The ride system exposes passengers (e.g., users) of the ride vehicles to a series of scenes as the ride vehicle moves vertically and as the tower rotates around the ride vehicle. Generally, amusement parks may include ride attractions that are configured to lift passengers via ride seats coupled to an external surface of a central structure. In such instances, the passengers may momentarily have a view of the surrounding environment before they are lowered to the ground and the ride ends. This type of attraction with the singular degree of freedom and the limited field of view generally limits the experience of the passengers. Accordingly, provided herein is a ride system that provides a multi-sensory narrative experience to passengers through exposure to various scenes while moving the passengers within a central passage or region of a rotating tower via a ride vehicle having multiple degrees of freedom. The varied movement of the ride vehicle and the exposure to various scenes of a narrative serve to enhance a thrill factor for the passengers. 
     Particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure include a ride vehicle configured to move, among other directions, vertically within a rotating tower. The tower includes multiple levels, and at least one level has multiple compartments having openings exposing the compartments from a viewpoint within the central passage or region (e.g., open toward the ride vehicle). Each compartment is configured to deliver a segment of a narrative to passengers within the ride vehicle via scene elements (e.g., special effects, media displays, animatronics, actors/actresses, sound systems) disposed within the compartments. In particular, the compartments are arranged such that rotation of the tower causes various compartments to move through a field of view of the passengers within the ride vehicle, thereby communicating segments of the narrative to the passengers. At the same time, the ride vehicle may be hoisted vertically within the passage to place the ride vehicle in a particular location relative to (e.g., adjacent to) compartments of various levels of the tower. For example, as a compartment is about to rotate past the ride vehicle, the ride vehicle may be vertically displaced within the tower to place the ride vehicle adjacent to an approaching compartment at another level, or elevation, within the tower. In this manner, as the ride vehicle moves vertically within the tower, and as the tower rotates, passengers within the ride vehicle may be exposed to a series of compartments, each communicating a segment of a narrative. 
     Further, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle may be configured to move with multiple degrees of freedom within the tower. For example, a drive system may be coupled to the ride vehicle in a manner that allows the drive system to move the ride vehicle along multiple directions. By way of non-limiting example, the drive system may include a winch system having at least one winch, and each of the at least one winch having a cable coupled thereto and to the ride vehicle. The winch system may be configured to selectively shorten or lengthen the amount of cable extending from each winch to cause the ride vehicle to pitch, roll, and be vertically displaced within the tower. The drive system may also include a bogie system. The bogie system may be coupled to the winch system and may be configured to move along a track extending, for example, radially relative to a central axis of the tower. However, the track may extend in another manner, for example as a secant relative to the annulus defining the interior passage or region of the tower. In this manner, the bogie system may also radially displace the ride vehicle within the tower. 
     With the foregoing in mind,  FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a ride system  10  (e.g., amusement park attraction) of an amusement park  12 . The ride system  10  includes a tower  14  configured to be rotated about a central axis  16  (e.g., longitudinal) of the tower  14  to provide a scene-driven narrative or other experience to users  18 . To illustrate, the tower  14  is configured to rotate about a central passage  20  defined by a substantially open area (e.g., an annulus) in a central area of the tower  14  (disposed about the central axis  16 ). A drive system  22  positioned within or proximate to the central passage  20  is configured to drive one or more ride vehicles  24  along a direction substantially parallel to the central axis  16  within the central passage  20 . For example, as shown, the ride vehicle  24  may move within a vertical path  25  along the central axis  16 . Further, the ride vehicle  24  may be configured to hold any suitable number of users  18  (e.g., passengers), such as one to ten users  18 . 
     The ride vehicles  24  are oriented to face an interior circumference  26  (e.g., interior side) of the tower  14  to allow the users  18  within the ride vehicle  24  to view different areas of the tower  14 , such as different scenes within the tower  14 . The tower  14  further includes compartments  28  having, for example, various scenes oriented and exposed toward the central axis  16  from the interior circumference  26  of the tower  14 . A scene may be defined as a representation of a segment of a narrative of the ride system  10 . The scenes may communicate the segment of the narrative in any number of ways, such as through the use of actors/actresses, special effects, moving pictures, audio, animated figures, and so forth. In this manner, as the tower  14  rotates and the ride vehicles  24  are driven vertically within the central passage  20 , the users  18  within the ride vehicles  24  may experience a narrative through exposure to a sequence of various scenes displayed via the compartments  28 , as discussed herein. To this end, the tower  14  includes multiple levels  30  (e.g., floors), each of which may be divided into the compartments  28 . Each compartment  28  may be defined by a recessed portion of the tower  14  (e.g., recessed with respect to the interior circumference  26 ). As an example, certain compartments  28  may be defined by two side walls  29 , a floor  31 , a ceiling  33 , and a rear wall  34 . The rear wall  34  may be the same as, or separate from, an external surface  36  of the tower  14 . Indeed, each compartment  28  may be exposed or have an opening facing toward the central axis  16 . While the current illustration has been simplified to show only one compartment  28  per level  30  in order to highlight certain aspects of the disclosure, it is to be understood that each level  30  may be divided into any suitable number of the compartments  28  distributed in a circumferential space of each respective level  30 . For example, in some embodiments, each level  30  may include four or five compartments  28 . 
     The tower  14  may rotate in any manner that suits the intended experience for the users  18 , for example at varying speeds, at a constant speed, or in a manner where the tower  14  stops and starts rotation periodically. Further, rotation of the tower  14  may be controlled using suitable equipment, such as using one or more drives (e.g., motors), tracks, and so forth, and under the direction of one or more drive controls. As a specific example, rotation of the tower  14  may be controlled by a ride control system (RCS) that coordinates rotation of the tower  14  with various show effects presented within the tower  14 . Such features are described in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     In certain embodiments, the tower  14  may continuously rotate at a constant speed while the ride vehicle  24  is hoisted vertically (e.g., upward and/or downward) within the central passage  20 . The rotation of the tower  14  and the vertical movement of the ride vehicle  24  cooperatively serve to adjust the scenes to which the users  18  are exposed. For example, the drive system  22  may position the ride vehicle  24  at an elevation substantially equal to an elevation of a certain level  30 . In doing so, the ride vehicle  24  may be positioned in front of a scene associated with a particular one of the compartments  28  of the certain level  30 . Indeed, while the ride vehicle  24  is positioned in front of the scene, the scene may be moving relative to the ride vehicle  24  due to the rotation of the tower  14 . The drive system  22  may hold the ride vehicle  24  at the elevation associated with the certain level  30  for a period of time (e.g., a predetermined period of time). Particularly, the drive system  22  may hold the ride vehicle  24  at the elevation associated with the certain level  30  until the rotation of the tower  14  has caused the certain compartment  28  to rotate past the ride vehicle  14 , or until the users  18  of the ride vehicle  14  are obstructed from viewing the compartment  28  (e.g., due to the compartment  28  moving past the ride vehicle  24 ). In some embodiments, the drive system  22  may hold the ride vehicle  24  at the elevation associated with the certain level  30  until just before the rotation of the tower  14  has caused the compartment to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 . At an end of the period of time, which may be associated with a conclusion of a segment of the narrative, the drive system  22  may hoist the ride vehicle  24  to a new level  30  to continue the narrative through exposure to a new scene. 
     To illustrate, the tower  14  may rotate in a counter-clockwise direction  27  about the central axis  16 , and the ride vehicle  24  may initially be held at a first elevation associated with a first level  30   a  of the tower  14 . The ride vehicle  24  may be held at the first elevation while a first compartment  28   a  is adjacent to the ride vehicle  24 . It should be noted that, as used herein, the compartment  28  being adjacent to the ride vehicle  24 , or vice versa, may be defined as users  18  within the ride vehicle  24  having a substantially unobstructed view of an interior of the compartment  28 . The compartment  28  being adjacent to the ride vehicle  24 , or vice versa, may additionally or alternatively be defined as a circular sector associated with the compartment  28  or be defined by a portion of the interior circumference  26  that is associated with the compartment  28  relative to the central axis  16  overlapping in a radial direction of the tower  14  with the ride vehicle  24 . While held adjacent to the first compartment  28   a , the users  18  may experience a scene associated with the first compartment  28   a . As the first compartment  28   a  moves past the ride vehicle  24 , or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 , the drive system  22  may hoist the ride vehicle  14  to a second level  30   b  such that the ride vehicle  24  is held adjacent to a second compartment  28   b . Particularly, in some embodiments, the drive system  22  may hoist the vehicle  24  to the second level  30   b  when a circular sector (e.g., relative to the central axis  16 ) of an overlap portion  32  between the first compartment  28   a  and the second compartment  28   b  coincides with the ride vehicle  24 . Indeed, as currently illustrated, the ride vehicle  24  is held adjacent to the second compartment  28   b . As described above, when the second compartment  28   b  rotates past the ride vehicle  24  or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 , the drive system  22  may hoist the ride vehicle  24  to a third level  30   c . As an example, the ride vehicle  24  may be hoisted when an overlap portion  32  between the second level  30   b  and the third level  30   c  also overlaps with the ride vehicle  24 . 
     The process described above may continue in a similar fashion until the ride vehicle  24  has reached a top level  38  of the tower  14 . However, motion of the ride vehicle  24  is not limited in this manner, and the ride vehicle  24  may move with the vertical path in any suitable way. For instance, the ride vehicle  24  may be moved by the drive system  22  between the different levels  30  multiple times. With respect to the example where the ride vehicle  24  moves upward, once the drive system  22  has positioned the ride vehicle  24  adjacent to a compartment  28  at the top level  38  of the tower  14 , and the compartment  28  at the top level  38  has rotated past or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 , the drive system  22  may lower the ride vehicle  24  to a lower level  30  and adjacent to a compartment  28  of the lower level  30 . The process may continue in this manner until the drive system  22  places the ride vehicle  24  at a floor level  30  (e.g., level  30   a ), at which point the users  18  may disembark from the ride vehicle  24  and new users  18  may board the ride vehicle  24 , as described in further detail below. 
     Indeed, each compartment  28  placed adjacent to the ride vehicle  24  may provide a scene that delivers a segment of a narrative to the users  18  of the ride vehicle  24 . Accordingly, an entirety of the narrative may be provided to the users  18  as the ride vehicle  24  is hoisted to the various levels  30  and as the compartments  28  provide various scenes to the users  18 . In some embodiments, the users  18  may experience a first half, or a first portion, of the narrative while travelling upward within the tower  14 , and may experience a second half, or second portion, of the narrative while traveling downward within the tower  14 . Further, as set forth above, in some embodiments transitioning the ride vehicle  24  from adjacent to a first compartment  28  to adjacent to a second compartment  28  may include traversing one or more levels  30  disposed between the first and second compartments  28 . In other words, consecutive segments of a narrative may be delivered by scenes of compartments  28  that have one or more levels  30  disposed therebetween. In this manner, the drive system  22  may hoist the vehicle  24  at a faster speed and/or for a longer time period before arriving at the next compartment  28  of the narrative. Further, in some embodiments, the drive system  22  may take an indirect route to a successive compartment  28  of the narrative. For example, the drive system  22  may hoist the ride vehicle  24  upward and/or downward multiple times within the central passage  20  before placing the ride vehicle  24  adjacent to the successive compartment  28  in the narrative. In this way, the increased variation in vertical motion, or increase in speed, of the ride vehicle  24  may enhance an experience for the users  18 . In some embodiments, the ride system  10  may utilize approximately five to ten compartments  28 , or any suitable number of compartments  28 , to deliver the narrative to the users  18 . 
     Moreover, in some embodiments, the transition between the compartments  28  (e.g., due to the rotation of the tower  14  and the vertical movement of the ride vehicle  24 ) may coincide with a transitional effect provided by the compartment  28 . Specifically, the transitional effect may serve to enhance an experience for the users  18  during transitions between scenes of the compartments  28 . For example, the transitional effect may be a smoke effect, a light flashing effect, water effect, or other sensory stimulus. In certain embodiments, the transitional effect may be associated with the narrative. That is, the users  18  may interpret characters, or other elements, of the scene as having caused the transitional effect. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of the ride system  10 . As shown, the tower  14  of the ride system  10  may include an outer shell  40  (e.g., a stationary shell) and an inner shell  42  (e.g., a dynamic or rotational shell). The outer shell  40  is held stationary and is configured to support the inner shell  42  as the inner shell  42  rotates, as described above in  FIG. 1  with reference to rotation of the tower  14 . Particularly, in some embodiments, the outer shell  40  may encapsulate the inner shell  42  and provide a ledge  44  on which the inner shell  42  is supported in the vertical direction. The outer shell  40  may be formed of any suitable material to provide adequate support to the tower  14 . In some embodiments, the outer shell  40  may include a lattice, or generally open, structure such that movement of the inner shell  42  may be observed from an external location of the tower  14 , and/or to allow the users  18  to view an environment external to the ride system  10  through the inner and outer shells  40 ,  42 . 
     The ledge  44 , on which the inner shell  42  is at least partially supported, may provide for a loading passage  45  or loading zone. Particularly, the users  18  may enter the tower  14  through the loading passage  45  to board the ride vehicle  24 . As shown, the loading passage  45  may be disposed directly beneath a first level  30  of the tower  14 . In other words, the loading passage  45  may be on a ground level  47  of the tower  14 . Indeed, a compartment  28  may be disposed above the loading passage  45  on an opposite side of the ledge  44 . Further, in some embodiments, the loading passage  45  may extend circumferentially about the central passage  40  of the tower  14 . In other embodiments, the loading passage  45  may include multiple separate channels, as discussed in further detail below with reference to  FIG. 5 . In such embodiments, the loading passage  45  may include at least as many channels as the number of ride vehicles  24  in the ride system  10 . 
     The ride system  10  may further include one or more rotation (e.g., drive) mechanisms  46  configured to drive rotation of the inner shell  42  relative to the outer shell  40 . The drive mechanism  46  may include a motor (e.g., an electric motor) and/or an engine configured to drive rotation of one or more drivers  48 , or include wheels to drive the rotation of the inner shell  42 . In certain embodiments, the drive mechanism  46  and the drivers  48  may be coupled to the ledge  44  of the outer shell  40 . In this way, the drivers  48  may transfer rotational power to a base  50  of the inner shell  42 , thereby causing the inner shell  42  to rotate. Additionally or in the alternative, the drive mechanism  46  and the drivers  48  may be coupled to the base  50  of the inner shell  42 . In this way, the drivers  48  may transfer rotational power to the ledge  44  of the outer shell  40 , thereby causing the inner shell  42  to rotate. Further, it is to be understood that the drive mechanism  46  may utilize any suitable drivers  48  disposed in any suitable location to drive rotation of the inner shell  42  relative to the outer shell  40 . For example, in some embodiments, the drive mechanism  46  may include a track system and a bogie coupling the inner shell  42  and the outer shell  40  to drive the rotation. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the drive mechanism  46  may include drivers  48  disposed along an inner wall  52  of the outer shell  40  and/or along an outer wall  54  of the inner shell  42 , to drive the rotation of the inner shell  42 . 
     Functions of the drive mechanism  46 , the drive system  22 , and other assemblies/systems discussed herein may be controlled in response to signals transmitted from one or more controllers  60  (e.g., programmable logic controllers of a ride control system, or a show control system). The controller(s)  60  may employ a processor  62 , which may represent one or more processors, such as an application-specific processor. The controller  60  may also include a memory device  64  storing instructions executable by the processor  62  to perform the methods and control actions described herein for the ride system  10 . The processor  62  may include one or more processing devices, and the memory  64  may include one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media. By way of example, such machine-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by the processor  62  or by any general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. 
     The controller  62  may utilize communication circuitry  66  to communicate with the drive mechanism  46 , the drive system  22 , and other assemblies/systems discussed. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry  66  may communicate through a wireless network, such as wireless local area networks [WLAN], wireless wide area networks [WWAN], near field communication [NFC], Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry  66  may communicate through a wired network such as local area networks [LAN], or wide area networks [WAN]. 
     By way of non-limiting example, the controller  60  may sync or provide timing control between the rotation of the inner shell  42  and the drive system  22 . In this way, the ride vehicles  24  may be accurately positioned adjacent to predetermined compartments  28  at respective predetermined times in a ride cycle to fluidly communicate the narrative of the ride system  10  to the users  18 . Similarly, as mentioned above, each compartment  28  may include scenic elements  70 , which may include special effects, animated figures, media display systems, audio systems, and so forth, which may in certain situations be accompanied by actors/actresses. The controller  60  may sync, or provide timing control, to the scenic elements  70  of the compartment  28  to provide a segment of a narrative to the users  18  within the ride vehicle  24  while the ride vehicle  24  is positioned adjacent to the compartment  28 . Similarly, at the end of the segment of the narrative, or when the compartment  28  is about to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 , the controller  60  may cause one or more special effects of the scenic elements  70  to actuate. In some embodiments, the special effect of the scenic elements  70  may serve to distract the users  18  such that the attention of the users  18  is drawn away from viewing the side wall  29  ( FIG. 1 ) of the compartment  28  as the compartment  28  rotates past the ride vehicle  24 . Indeed, in some instances, having a view of the side wall  29  may serve to pull the users  18  from the sensory experience provided by the scenic elements  70  of the compartment  28 . In other words, viewing the side wall  29  may cause the users  18  to be aware of an adjoined, or neighboring, compartment  28  which may detract from a ride experience of the users  18 . In some embodiments, the special effects of the scenic elements  70  may include projectile effects, projected towards the ride vehicle  24 , such as water, smoke, vapor, wind and so forth. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle  24  may include a window  71  configured to fully or partially shield the users  18  from the projected special effects. Additionally, or in the alternative, the ride vehicle  24  may not include the window  71  such that the users  18  may be immersed in the projected special effects, or have a more direct experience with the special effects. Indeed, in some embodiments, the window  71  may be retractable. In this manner, the users  18  may be immersed in some of the projected special effects, and may be shielded from some of the projected special effects. 
     As mentioned above, the drive system  22  is configured to heave the ride vehicle  24  vertically within the central passage  20  of the tower  14  for thrill purposes and/or to place the ride vehicle  24  adjacent to a compartment  28  to continue a narrative of the ride system  10 . Additionally, the drive system  22  may be configured to pitch, roll, and yaw the ride vehicle  24  in accordance with the narrative, or a theme, of the ride system  10 . To this end, in certain embodiments, the drive system  22  may include cables  72  that are coupled to a top  74  of the ride vehicle  24 . The drive system  22  may further include a winch system  76  configured to retract and extend the cables  72  to cause the ride vehicle  24  to heave (e.g., vertical motion), pitch, and roll. In some embodiments, the drive system  22  may also include a bogie system  79  (e.g., a track and a bogie), shown in  FIG. 3 , configured to drive the ride vehicle  24  laterally, or in a radial direction relative to the central axis  16  of the tower  14 . In this way, as discussed in further detail below, the users  18  may be placed closer to the scenic elements  70  to enhance the experience of the users  18 . The bogie system  79  may also be configured to cause the ride vehicle  14  to yaw, or rotate within a horizontal plane. In this way, as discussed in further detail below, the ride vehicle  24  may be oriented to face a center of a compartment  28  while the ride vehicle  24  is placed adjacent to the compartment  28 , thereby orienting and focusing a view of the users  18  toward a center of the compartment  28  adjacent to the ride vehicle  14 . 
     As illustrated, in some embodiments, the drive system  22  may be disposed at an elevation within the tower  14  that is approximately equal to an elevation of the top level  38  of the tower  14 . In other embodiments, the drive system  22  may be disposed vertically above the top level  38  of the tower  14 . Generally, as shown, the inner shell  42  may be donut shaped, or have a substantially open area to define the central passage  20 . Particularly, the drive system  22  may be coupled to an interior top surface  77  of the outer shell  40 . In this manner, the drive system  22  may be held stationary against the outer shell  40  while the inner shell  42  rotates about the drive system  22 . Further, in some embodiments, the drive system  22  may be configured to rotate relative to the outer shell  40 . For example, in some embodiments, the drive system  22  may be coupled to the interior top surface  77  of the outer shell  40  via a rotational system  78  that is configured to drive rotation of the drive system  22  relative to the outer shell  40 . 
     Keeping this in mind,  FIG. 3  is an overhead view of the tower  14 . As discussed above, the drive system  22  is configured to drive movement of the ride vehicle  24  within the central passage  20  of the tower  14 . The drive system  22  includes the bogie system  79 , which further includes a track  80  and a bogie  82  coupled to each ride vehicle  24 . The bogie  82  is configured to move along the track  80  to radially displace the ride vehicle  24  relative to the central axis  16 . The drive system  22  further includes the winch system  74 , which may include three or more winch drives  84 , each configured to retract and extend the cables  72  ( FIG. 2 ) that are coupled to the ride vehicle  24 . The winch drives  84  may be mounted to the bogie  82  via a frame  85  (e.g., a v-frame). Indeed, as shown, the winch drives  84  may be disposed circumferentially about the bogie  82  while supported by the frame  85 . In other words, the frame  85  may couple the winch drives  84  to the bogie  82 . 
     The winch drives  84  are configured to heave, pitch, and roll the ride vehicle  24 . Particularly, in response to signals transmitted from the controller  60 , each of the winch drives  84  are configured to selectively extend/lengthen and retract/shorten the cable  72  to heave, pitch, and roll the ride vehicle  24 . Indeed, in certain embodiments, each winch drive  84  may include a spool configured to hold the cable  72 , and a motor configured to rotate the spool. The motor may rotate the spool to either extend the cable  72  from the spool or retract the cable  72  onto the spool, depending on a direction of rotation of the spool. 
     For example, to pitch the ride vehicle  24  forward, one or more winch drives  84  disposed in front of the ride vehicle  24  may extend respective cables  72  while one or more winch drives  84  disposed behind the ride vehicle  24  may retract respective cables  72 , thereby pitching the ride vehicle  24  forward. The winch drives  84  may function in an opposite manner to pitch the ride vehicle  24  backward. As a further example, to roll the ride vehicle  24  to the right, one or more winch drives  84  disposed on a right side of the ride vehicle  24  may expel respective cables  72  while one or more winch drives  84  disposed on a left side of the ride vehicle  24  may retract respective cables  72 , thereby rolling the ride vehicle  24  to the right. The winch drives  84  may function in an opposite manner to roll the ride vehicle  24  to the left. Moreover, to increase an elevation of the ride vehicle  24  within the tower  14 , all of the winch drives  84  may retract respective cables  72 . Similarly, to decrease an elevation of the ride vehicle  24  within the tower  14 , all of the winch drives  84  may extend respective cables  72 . In the currently illustrated embodiment, the winch system  74  includes three winch drives  84  per ride vehicle  24 . However, it is to be understood that the winch system  74  may include any suitable number of winch drives  84  per ride vehicle  24 , such as four or six winch drives  84  per ride vehicle  24 . 
     Moreover, as mentioned above, the bogie  82  is configured to move along the track  80  to displace the ride vehicle  24  radially relative to the central axis  16  of the tower  14  in response to signals transmitted from the controller  60 . Specifically, the radial movement of the ride vehicle  24  along the track  80  may move the ride vehicle  24  towards a compartment  28 . In this manner, the users  18  may be placed directly adjacent to the compartment  28  while experiencing the narrative segment of the compartment  28 . Indeed, the closeness of the user  18  relative to the scenic elements  70  of the compartment  28  serves to enhance the user&#39;s  18  experience. At the end of the narrative segment of the compartment  28 , or when the compartment  28  is about to rotate past the ride vehicle  24 , the bogie system  79  may retract the ride vehicle  24  along the track  80  away from the compartment  28  before the drive system  22  places the ride vehicle  24  adjacent to another level  30  to continue the narrative. 
     In some embodiments, the displacement distance of the radial movement of the ride vehicle  24  along the track  80  may be limited. For example, the ride vehicle  24  may be associated with a length  86  that is generally oriented radially with respect to the axis  16 . Accordingly, the bogie system  79  may radially displace the ride vehicle  24  a maximum distance equal to approximately two to four lengths of the ride vehicle  24 . The limited radial displacement distance of the bogie  82  along the track  80  may minimize an amount of sway, or oscillation, experienced by the ride vehicle  24  caused as a result of the radial movement. Further, in some embodiments, as may be observed in  FIG. 1 , the floors  31  and/or ceilings  33  of the compartments  28  may serve to limit the radial displacement distance. Particularly, the limited radial displacement distance of the bogie  82  along the track  80  may be limited to prevent the cables  72  from contacting the floors  31  and/or ceilings  33  of the compartments  28 . 
     In some embodiments, the winch system  74 , which supports the ride vehicle  24  via the cables  72 , may be rotated relative to the bogie  82  to rotate, or yaw, the ride vehicle  24 . For example, in some embodiments, the drive system  74  may include a rotary actuator  88  configured to cause rotation of the frame  85  relative to the bogie  82  in response to signals from the controller  60 . Particularly, the ride vehicle  24  may be rotated to generally face the compartment  28  that is adjacent to the ride vehicle  24 . In some embodiments, rotation of the ride vehicle  24  may be synced, or matched, with the rotation of the tower  14 . In this manner, the users  18  within the ride vehicle  24  may not be able to perceive the rotation of the tower  14  relative to the ride vehicle  24 . Indeed, it may appear to the users  18  as though the ride vehicle  24  and the tower  14  are being held stationary since the relative motion of the tower  14  and the ride vehicle  24  may be difficult to observe from within the ride vehicle  24 . 
     To further illustrate,  FIG. 4  is a schematic overhead view of a level  30  of the tower  14 . As shown, a ride vehicle  24  may be placed adjacent to one of the compartments  28  of the level  30 . In some embodiments, the ride vehicle  24  may be associated with a field of view  90 . The field of view  90  is associated with the area to which the users  18  disposed within the ride vehicle  24  are visibly limited to. For example, sides  92  of the ride vehicle  24  may serve to block the users  18  from viewing features of the ride system  10  that are outside of the field of view  90 . As mentioned above, in certain situations the ride vehicle  14  may be rotated in a manner to substantially match the rotation of the tower  14 . In this manner, it may be difficult for the users  18  to perceive the relative motion between the tower  14  and the ride vehicle  24 . Particularly, as shown, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle  24  may be rotated such that a center  93  of the field of view  90  of the ride vehicle  24  remains substantially collinear with a middle point  94  of the compartment  28 . However, it should be understood that the ride vehicle  24  may be rotated such that the center  93  continuously faces any suitable point within the compartment  28 , such as a focal point associated with scene elements  70  of the compartment  28 . Indeed, the focal point of the scene elements  70  may be off-center from the middle point  94  of the compartment  28 . 
     Further, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle  24  may be rotated such that the field of view  90  of the ride vehicle  24  does not overlap with the side walls  29  of the compartment  28 . To this end, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle  24  may only rotate as necessary to prevent the field of view  90  from overlapping with the side walls  29 . Indeed, as mentioned previously, the users  18  having a view of the side walls  29  may serve to detract from an experience of the users  18 . 
     As discussed previously, the winch system  74  may heave the ride vehicle  24  vertically within the tower  14 . Specifically, the winch system  74  may lower the ride vehicle  24  to the ground level  47  such that the users  18  can board and disembark from the ride vehicle  24 , although boarding and disembarking may occur at levels other than the ground level  47 , and not necessarily at the same level. Keeping this in mind,  FIG. 5  is a partial overhead view of the ground level  47 . As shown, the ground level  47  includes the loading passage  45 . Users  18  may enter the tower  14  through the loading passage  45  and board the ride vehicles  24 , as illustrated by arrows  98 . Indeed, the loading passage  45  may connect a surrounding area  100  of the tower  14  to the central passage  20  in which the ride vehicles  24  are disposed. In the currently illustrated embodiment, the tower  14  includes four separate loading passages  45 . However, it is to be understood that the tower  14  may include any suitable number of the loading passages  45 . In some embodiments, the loading passage  45  may form a continuous ring about the central passage  20  of the tower  14  such that the loading passage  45  does not include multiple separated loading passages  45 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ride system  10  having a drive column  99  (e.g., a central column) configured to drive the ride vehicles  24  vertically within the central passage  20 , as described herein. For example, the drive column  99  may extend from the ground level  47  to the top level  38  along the central axis  16  of the tower  14 . It should be noted that the illustrations of  FIG. 6  have been intentionally simplified to focus on aspects of the drive column  99 . Indeed, the embodiments of the ride system  10  of  FIG. 6  may function as described above in reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , except that the movement of the ride vehicles  14  may be caused in response to input from the drive column  99 , as opposed to the drive system  22  ( FIGS. 1-5 ). In the current embodiment, the ride vehicles  24  may be cantilevered from the drive column  99  via one or more support beams  102 . In some embodiments, the support beams  102  may be telescopic such that the support beams  102  are configured to be actuated to extend or retract. Indeed, the retraction and/or extension of the support beams  102  may serve to pitch, roll, and yaw the ride vehicles  24  relative to the drive column  99 . Further, the drive column  99  may include tracks  104  on which the ride vehicles  24  are configured to move along. For example, the support beams  102  may be coupled to a bogie  106  (e.g., the bogie  82 ) configured to move along the track  104 , thereby imparting the vertical motion to the ride vehicle  24 , as described herein. In some embodiments, the drive column  99  may be configured to rotate about the central axis  16 , thereby imparting rotation to the ride vehicles  24  about the central axis  16 . Specifically, in some embodiments, the drive column  99  may rotate additionally or alternatively to the drive mechanism  46  rotating the tower  14 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ride system  10  having multiple drive mechanisms  46  configured to selectively rotate the levels  30  of the tower  14 . Like  FIG. 6 , the illustrations of  FIG. 7  have been intentionally simplified to focus on aspects of the multiple drive mechanisms  46 . Indeed, embodiments of the ride system  10  of  FIG. 7  may function similarly to the embodiments described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . However, the ride system  10  may include multiple drive mechanisms  46  and associated drivers  48  configured to rotate each level  30  independently of each other. Particularly, the ride system  10  may include at least one drive mechanism  46  and at least one associated driver  48  disposed between each level  30  of the tower. In this manner, the controller  60  may selectively actuate the drive mechanisms  46  to drive rotation of the levels  30  of the inner shell  42  at respective speeds. 
     It should be understood that features of any of the embodiments discussed herein may be combined with any other embodiments or features discussed herein. By way of non-limiting example, the various drive mechanisms and drive systems described herein may be used singularly or in combination, and may be controlled in a coordinated manner. By way of further non-limiting example, the ride vehicles may be controlled and moved in any suitable manner as described herein, using any one or a combination of the features set forth herein with respect to effecting motion of the ride vehicles. 
     While only certain 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 as fall within the true spirit of the invention. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).