Patent Description:
Various forms of amusement rides have been used for many years in amusement or theme parks. These amusement rides include water-based rides. Certain water-based rides include show elements, e.g., special effects or animatronic set pieces, at particular locations along a flow path. Generally, water-based rides attempt to align a start time of a show element with an arrival of a ride vehicle to the show element. Some water-based rides adjust a start time of the show element to ensure that the show element is initiated as the ride vehicle arrives. However, adjusting the start time of the show element may lead to inconsistent ride durations and, consequently, inconsistent ride queues. Other water-based rides attempt to adjust the speed of the ride vehicle, such that the ride vehicle arrives to the show element at a set start time for the show element. However, adjusting the speed and/or location of a water-based ride vehicle is complex, particular for water vehicles that are influenced by water current or gravity effects.

The invention provides a ride system according to claim <NUM> and a method according to claim <NUM>.

Theme park or amusement park attractions have become increasingly popular, and various amusement park attractions have been created to provide passengers with unique motion and visual experiences. These theme park or amusement park attractions include water-based attractions. Water-based attractions may have at least one ride vehicle configured to carry passengers along a flow path. To improve the immersive experience, the attraction may also have one or more show elements, e.g., special effects, movable set pieces, distributed along the ride or flow path of the ride vehicle. However, in contrast to track-based vehicles that move along a track at relatively predictable speeds based on the motor control signals, buoyant water-ride vehicles are subject to variable forces such as water current, gravity, water levels, passenger weight. Accordingly, buoyant water ride vehicles operate with wider time slippage over the course of the ride and a greater variability in speed. Thus, for certain types of water rides, it is difficult to predict or control an arrival time of each ride vehicle to the locations associated with each show piece to align initiation of the show piece motion and/or effect with the arrival of the ride vehicle. In certain cases, to ensure that a vehicle arrives to a show element at a start time of the show element, the water-based attraction may dynamically adjust the start time of the show element. However, such adjustment permits widely varying ride times, which may in turn cause excess wait times for the ride. Alternatively, certain rides may include features that adjust the speed of the ride vehicle along the flow path using a track or other locking system that couples the ride vehicle to the flume to control advancement of the ride vehicle. However, such tracks or other locking systems limit freedom of motion of the ride vehicle in a manner that reduces a floating or buoyant effect experienced by a guest in the ride vehicle. Thus, in accordance with certain embodiments of this disclosure, a system or method for adjusting the speed of the ride vehicle, e.g., to achieve alignment with one or more show elements, while maintaining the floating or buoyant effect experienced by a guest in the ride vehicle is provided.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a water-based attraction <NUM> with a ride vehicle <NUM> traveling along a flow path <NUM> of the water-based attraction during a ride cycle. The ride vehicle <NUM> includes at least one ride seat <NUM> for a passenger of the ride vehicle <NUM>. During the ride cycle, the passenger may sit in the at least one ride seat as the ride vehicle <NUM> floats along the flow path <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> floats along the flow path <NUM> within a flume <NUM> (i.e., a channel for water). The flow path <NUM> may be defined by the flume <NUM>. However, in some embodiments, water jets, propellers, or other suitable devices may alter the flow path <NUM> within the flume <NUM>. In some embodiments, a current of the water or fluid within the flow path <NUM> propels the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM> in a desired direction or axis of travel (e.g. along arrow <NUM>).

In some embodiments, the water-based attraction <NUM> includes at least one show element <NUM> located along the flow path <NUM>. The at least one show element <NUM> may include animatronics, videos, sound effects, light effects, motion effects, water effects, or any other special effect. The at least one show element <NUM> may have a start time and end time. In some embodiments, a scheduled show element start time of the show element <NUM> is based at least in part on a show clock <NUM>. Thus, the at least one show element <NUM> may start at regular or scheduled timed intervals that correspond with estimated arrival of individual ride vehicles <NUM> at the show element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the show element <NUM> starts according to pre-scheduled start times. Thus, the ride vehicle <NUM> may should arrive at the show element <NUM> at a predetermined time so that the passenger experiences the show element <NUM> without missing a beginning or end of the show element <NUM>. Starting the show element <NUM> at regular intervals or according to prescheduled start times may promote ride throughput predictability as compared to a show element <NUM> having varying start times.

The water-based attraction <NUM> has one or more motion governors <NUM> that may at least in part control movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM> or along certain portions of the flow path <NUM>. In some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> is configured to control motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> arrives at the show element <NUM> at the predetermined time or at the scheduled start time of the show element <NUM> so that the passenger may experience the show element <NUM> without missing a beginning or end of the effect. In some embodiments, the one or more motion governors <NUM> may only be configured to control motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> when the ride vehicle is predicted to arrive before or after the predetermined time or at the scheduled start time of the show element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the show element <NUM> includes an introduction buffer configured to form an arrival window for the ride vehicle <NUM>. The introduction buffer may include preliminary videos, sound effects, light effects, motion effects, water effects, or any other special effect. For example, the introduction buffer may include a ten second window of music playing prior to the start of the show element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the one or more motion governors <NUM> are configured to control motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> arrives at the show element <NUM> during the arrival window. Further, in some embodiments, the one or more motion governors <NUM> may only be configured to control motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> when the ride vehicle <NUM> is predicted to arrive before or after the arrival window.

In some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> operates in conjunction with the show element <NUM> and is configured to contribute to an attraction effect (e.g., sudden acceleration or deceleration, rocking motions, etc.). Moreover, in some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> is configured to direct the ride vehicle <NUM> to one of a first flow path <NUM> or second flow path <NUM> at a divergence <NUM> in the flow path <NUM>. The motion governor <NUM> may facilitate desired movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flume <NUM>.

The motion governor <NUM> includes a driving mechanism <NUM>. In some embodiments, the driving mechanism <NUM> drives rotation of a conveyor <NUM> in response to a control signal. The driving mechanism <NUM> may operate at varying speeds and torques to drive the conveyor <NUM>. At least one support element <NUM> may be coupled to the conveyor <NUM>. As the conveyor <NUM> turns, the support element <NUM> may contact the ride vehicle <NUM> to control movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM>. For example, the support element <NUM> may contact a downstream or front portion <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to decelerate the ride vehicle <NUM>. In another example, the support element <NUM> may contact an upstream or rear portion <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to accelerate the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the support element <NUM> is coupled directly to the driving mechanism <NUM> or to an adapter coupled to the driving mechanism <NUM>.

The disclosed motion governor <NUM> may operate to adjust or change a speed, position, or direction of a floating or buoyant ride vehicle <NUM> that is not directly affixed or coupled to the flume <NUM> and that floats within the flow path <NUM>. By engaging support elements that reversibly contact the ride vehicle <NUM> to push the ride vehicle <NUM>, individual ride vehicles <NUM> may be nudged into position to arrive at various show elements <NUM> on time. The motion governor or governors <NUM> may operate on an as-needed basis and may engage in response to individual ride vehicles <NUM> deviating from a desired speed or path and to nudge such ride vehicles <NUM> back into position. Accordingly, for a water-based attraction <NUM> that accommodates multiple ride vehicles <NUM>, either in parallel or in series, the motion governor <NUM> may only directly engage a subset of the ride vehicles <NUM> while allowing other ride vehicles <NUM> to progress without adjustments depending on progression of the ride vehicles <NUM> along the flow path <NUM>. In this manner, in certain embodiments, the disclosed techniques permit minor position, orientation, and/or speed adjustments that may be relatively unnoticeable to the passengers and while maintaining a buoyant feeling by avoiding locking the ride vehicles <NUM> onto tracks or tow elements.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a ride control system <NUM> for the water-based attraction <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride control system <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> having a processor <NUM> such as the illustrated microprocessor, and a memory device <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may also include one or more storage devices and/or other suitable components. Moreover, the processor <NUM> may include multiple microprocessors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor <NUM> may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processors.

The memory device <NUM> may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and/or a nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM). The memory device <NUM> may store a variety of information and may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device <NUM> may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor <NUM> to execute. The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof. The storage device(s) may store data (e.g., position data, vehicle geometry data, etc.), instructions (e.g., software or firmware), and any other suitable data.

The controller <NUM> may be configured to receive a show timer signal <NUM> from a show clock <NUM> of the show element <NUM>. As set forth above, the show element <NUM> may include animatronics, videos, sound effects, or any other special effect. As such, the show element <NUM> may have a start time and end time associated with each ride vehicle <NUM> within the water-based attraction <NUM>. The show timer signal <NUM> may indicate the start time or the end time of the show element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the show timer signal <NUM> may indicated an amount of time remaining before the show element <NUM> begins. The show timer signal <NUM> may indicate any time value from which the controller <NUM> may determine a start time or end time of the show element <NUM>. While the show clock <NUM> is shown as being resident on the show element <NUM>, it should be understood that the show clock <NUM> may be resident on the controller <NUM>. Further, the show clock <NUM> may be a part of a ride clock that controls all show clocks <NUM> of the show elements <NUM> as well as ride vehicle dispatch of the attraction <NUM> as part of the controller <NUM>.

Moreover, the controller <NUM> may be configured to receive a location signal <NUM> indicative of a location of the ride vehicle <NUM> within the flow path <NUM> and/or indicative of a distance to an individual show element <NUM>. One or more sensors <NUM> may be configured to provide the location signal <NUM> indicative of a position of the ride vehicle <NUM> in the water-based attraction <NUM> and output the location signal <NUM>. The location signal <NUM> may indicate a position of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM> with respect to the motion governor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the location signal <NUM> may indicate a position of the ride vehicle <NUM> with respect to the show element <NUM>. However, in another embodiment, the location signal <NUM> may indicate a position of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM> with respect to a sensor <NUM>. The location signal <NUM> may indicate a distance between the sensor <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the motion governor <NUM> or on the ride vehicle <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the sensor or sensors <NUM> is disposed adjacent the flume <NUM> and proximate at least one support element <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine a speed of the ride vehicle <NUM> based at least in part on the location signal <NUM>, e.g., based on a time elapsed between a first location and a second location of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> may be configured to output multiple location signals. The sensor <NUM> may output the location signals at regular intervals. In one embodiment, the controller <NUM> may determine a distance from the ride vehicle <NUM> to the sensor <NUM> at a first time based at least in part on a first location signal. Further, the controller <NUM> may determine a distance from the ride vehicle <NUM> to the sensor <NUM> at a second time based at least in part on a second location signal. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine the speed of the ride vehicle <NUM> based on a change in distance of the ride vehicle <NUM> over time as determined from one or more location signals <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine an estimated arrival time of the ride vehicle <NUM> to the motion governor <NUM>, having the at least one support element <NUM>, based at least in part on the location signal <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to determine an estimated arrival time to the motion governor <NUM> based at least in part on the speed of the ride vehicle <NUM> and a distance between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the motion governor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to generate a control signal <NUM> based on the estimated arrival time to the motion governor <NUM> such that the at least one support element <NUM> is positioned to receive the ride vehicle <NUM> at the estimated arrival time at the motion governor <NUM>. The control signal <NUM> may include instructions to position the at least one support element <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> is received into a slot between a first support element <NUM> and a second support element <NUM> at the motion governor <NUM>. The instructions may cause a switch from a retracted or default position outside of the flow path <NUM> to a deployed or activated position within the flow path <NUM> and sufficiently protruding into the flow path <NUM> to contact the ride vehicle <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the controller <NUM> is configured to determine an estimated arrival time of the ride vehicle <NUM> to the show element <NUM> based at least in part on the location signal <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may be configured to generate the control signal <NUM> based on the estimated arrival time to the show element <NUM> and the show timer for the show element <NUM>. The control signal <NUM> may include instructions to the motion governor <NUM> to adjust a rate of rotation of the conveyor <NUM>. The control signal <NUM> may include instructions to slow down the ride vehicle <NUM> based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive to the show element <NUM> before a start time of the show element <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may receive the location signal <NUM> and determine that the ride vehicle <NUM> the estimated arrival time for the ride vehicle <NUM> to arrive to the show element <NUM> is in <NUM> seconds. The controller <NUM> may receive the show timer signal <NUM> indicating that the start time for the show element <NUM> is in <NUM> seconds. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> will generate a control signal <NUM> having instructions to slow down the ride vehicle <NUM> such that a new arrival time for the ride vehicle <NUM> is aligned with a start time of the show element <NUM>. Moreover, the control signal <NUM> may include instructions to speed up the ride vehicle <NUM> based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive to the show element <NUM> after a start time of the show element <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be configured to output the control signal <NUM> to the motion governor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> is configured to output the control signal <NUM> to the driving mechanism <NUM> and/or the at least one support element <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> may be configured to output a disengage signal <NUM> to the motion governor <NUM> and/or at least one support element <NUM> in response to determining that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive at the show element <NUM> on time. The at least one support element <NUM> is configured to avoid contact with the ride vehicle <NUM> in response to receiving the disengage signal <NUM>. In some embodiments, the at least one support element <NUM> is configured to retract from the flow path <NUM> to avoid contact with the ride vehicle <NUM> in response to the disengage signal <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may determine that the estimated arrival time for the ride vehicle <NUM> to arrive to the show element <NUM> is in <NUM> seconds. The controller <NUM> may receive the show timer signal <NUM> indicating that the start time for the show element <NUM> is in <NUM> seconds. Thus the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive at the show element <NUM> on time, and speed corrections to the ride vehicle <NUM> are not required. As such, the controller <NUM> is configured to output the disengage signal <NUM>.

To facilitate these communications, the controller <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, the show clock <NUM>, the at least one support element <NUM>, and the motion governor <NUM> may include communications circuitry <NUM>, such as antennas, radio transceiver circuits, signal processing hardware and/or software (e.g., hardware or software filters, A/D converters, multiplexer amplifiers), or a combination thereof. The communications circuitry <NUM> may be configured to communicate over wired or wireless communication paths via IR wireless communication, satellite communication, broadcast radio, microwave radio, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wifi, UHF, NFC, etc. Such communication may also include intermediate communications devices, such as radio towers, cell towers, etc..

<FIG> is a side view of the motion governor <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> has a designated front side <NUM>, rear side <NUM>, and lateral sides <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the front side <NUM>, rear side <NUM>, and lateral sides <NUM> merely designate an outer portion of the ride vehicle <NUM> with respect to the flow path <NUM>. For example, some ride vehicles <NUM> may be substantially circular such that the ride vehicle <NUM> does not have an inherent front side <NUM>. In such cases, the front side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> refers to a side of the ride vehicle <NUM> facing downstream <NUM> of the flow path <NUM> and oriented in the direction of travel of the flow path <NUM>. Similarly, the rear side <NUM> refers to a portion of the ride vehicle <NUM> facing upstream <NUM> of the flow path <NUM>, and the lateral sides <NUM> refer to portions of the ride vehicle <NUM> facing perpendicular to the front side <NUM> and the rear side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the ride vehicle <NUM> has a bottom portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> includes the at least one support element <NUM> configured to contact the ride vehicle <NUM> to control movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may be coupled to a conveyor <NUM> having a track <NUM> configured to rotate within the flow path <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> may be disposed proximate a bottom <NUM> of the flume <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> passes over the conveyor <NUM> as the ride vehicle <NUM> travels along the flow path <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> may be configured to rotate the conveyor <NUM> based at least in part on the control signal from the controller. In some embodiments, the driving mechanism <NUM> is configured to adjust a rate of actuation of the conveyor <NUM> based on the control signal. The controller may be configured to generate the control signal to actuate the driving mechanism <NUM> at a rate configured to slow down the ride vehicle <NUM> based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive to the show element <NUM> before a start time of the show element <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may configured to contact a front side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to decelerate movement of the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be moving along the flow path <NUM> at a rate such that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive at the show element <NUM> before the start time of the show element <NUM>. As such, the controller generates a control signal to the driving mechanism <NUM>, and in response to the control signal, the driving mechanism <NUM> rotates the conveyor <NUM> such that the at least one support element <NUM> moves along the flow path <NUM> at a rate slower than the ride vehicle <NUM>. The front side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> may contact the at least one support element <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may slow the ride vehicle <NUM> to the rate of the at least one support element <NUM>.

In another embodiment, the controller is configured to generate a control signal to actuate the driving mechanism <NUM> at a rate configured to speed up the ride vehicle <NUM> based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle <NUM> will arrive to the show element <NUM> after a start time of the show element <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may configured to contact the rear side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to accelerate movement or maintain movement of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> includes a first support element <NUM> and a second support element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the conveyor <NUM> may be configured to rotate such that the motion governor <NUM> receives the ride vehicle <NUM> in a slot <NUM> disposed between the first support element <NUM> and the second support element <NUM>. The first support element <NUM> may positioned proximate the front side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> and the second support element <NUM> may be positioned proximate the rear side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> is configured to decelerate in response to contact with the first support element <NUM>, accelerate in response to contact with the second support element <NUM>, and free float when not in contact with either the first support element <NUM> or the second support element <NUM>. The support element or elements <NUM> are sized and shaped to come into contact with the ride vehicle <NUM> when deployed and in position.

The at least one support element <NUM> may not contact the bottom portion <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to maintain the floating or buoyant effect experienced by a guest in the ride vehicle <NUM>. Each support element <NUM> may be configured to only restrict movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along an axis or in a particular direction. For example, the at least one support element <NUM> may contact the rear side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> in response to a control signal having instructions to accelerate the ride vehicle <NUM>, which restricts movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> in a rearward direction <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> does not contact a bottom portion <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Therefore, the ride vehicle <NUM> maintains freedom of movement in a vertical direction <NUM>. As such, the ride vehicle <NUM> may rise and fall with respective rising and falling of water in the flume <NUM>. The rising and falling of the ride vehicle <NUM> with respect to the water in the flume <NUM> may maintain the floating or buoyant effect experienced by a guest in the ride vehicle <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to output the control signal to the driving mechanism <NUM> to create a show effect. The show effect may simulate turbulent water or the ride vehicle crashing into an obstacle. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may enter a portion of the water-based attraction <NUM> configured to simulate white water rapids. The controller may output the control signal to the driving mechanism <NUM> such that the driving mechanism <NUM> drives the at least one support element <NUM> into the lateral side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Contact between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the at least one support element <NUM> may jolt the ride vehicle <NUM> in the later direction <NUM> to simulate the ride vehicle <NUM> colliding with a rock. <FIG> is a top view of another embodiment of the motion governor <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, the motion governor <NUM> is disposed on a side wall <NUM> of the flume <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may extend laterally into the flow path <NUM> from the motion governor <NUM>. In some embodiments, the at least one support element <NUM> is coupled to a slide track <NUM>. The slide track <NUM> may be configured to move the at least one support element <NUM> in the direction of the flow path <NUM> to accelerate or decelerate the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the driving mechanism <NUM> may be configured to drive the at least one support element <NUM> along the slide track <NUM> in response to the control signal from the controller. In some embodiments, the at least one support element <NUM> is coupled to a conveyor <NUM> disposed on the side wall92 such that the at least one support element <NUM> is configured to move relative to the side wall <NUM> of the flume <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the motion governor <NUM> having the first support element <NUM> and the second support element <NUM>. The first support element <NUM> may be disposed downstream <NUM> relative to the second support element <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> may be configured to move the first support element <NUM> and the second support element <NUM> in a downstream direction <NUM> to control movement of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The downstream direction <NUM> may be the direction of the flow path <NUM> in the flume <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> may move the at least one support element <NUM> in an upstream direction <NUM> after the at least one support element <NUM> reaches a downstream end of the conveyor <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the at least one support element <NUM> is a paddle <NUM> configured to contact the front side <NUM>, rear side <NUM>, or lateral side of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The paddle <NUM> may extend along a width <NUM> of the conveyor <NUM>. The width <NUM> of the conveyor 36may be similar to a width of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the paddle <NUM> may be coupled to the conveyor <NUM> at a base <NUM> of the paddle <NUM>. A free end <NUM> of the paddle <NUM> may extend out from the conveyor <NUM> in a direction toward a surface of the water in the flume <NUM> (e.g., the vertical direction <NUM>) when the paddle <NUM> is moving in the downstream direction <NUM>. However, the free end <NUM> of the paddle <NUM> may be submerged under the surface of the water in the flume <NUM> such that the paddle <NUM> may not be visible to a guest in the ride vehicle <NUM>. The paddle <NUM> may have a grated form including through passages <NUM> such that fluid from the flow path <NUM> passes through at least one interior portion of the paddle <NUM>. The grated form may reduce an amount of power required to move the paddle <NUM> along the flow path <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of another embodiment of the motion governor <NUM> having at least one support element <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may have a rod shape. Moreover, the at least one support element <NUM> may have a tapered rod shape. The at least one support element <NUM> may be coupled to the motion governor <NUM> at a base end <NUM>. The tapered rod shape may have a decreasing diameter along a length of the at least one support element <NUM> such that a diameter at the base end <NUM> of the at least one support element <NUM> is greater than a diameter at a free end <NUM> of the at least one support element <NUM>. In some embodiments, the free end <NUM> of the at least one support element <NUM> may extend out from the motion governor <NUM> in lateral direction. In some embodiments, the at least one support element <NUM> may extend out from the motion governor <NUM> in a horizontal direction <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may be submerged under the surface of the water <NUM> in the flume <NUM>. However, in another embodiment, the at least one support element <NUM> may be fully or partially above the surface of the water <NUM> in the flume <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view of the water-based attraction <NUM> having a switch track and in which an orientation of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be altered using the disclosed techniques. In some embodiments, the driving mechanism <NUM> is configured to drive the at least one support element <NUM> in a lateral direction <NUM> with respect to the flow path <NUM>. As such, the at least one support element <NUM> is configure to contact the lateral side <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> to cause lateral movement of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Moreover, the driving mechanism <NUM> may be oriented in a direction transverse to the flow path <NUM>. In another embodiment, the flow path <NUM> may split into the first flow path <NUM> and the second flow path <NUM> at a divergence in the flow path <NUM>. The controller may be configured to output the control signal to direct the ride vehicle <NUM> to the first flow path <NUM> or the second flow path <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> may be configured to receive the control signal and drive the at least one support element <NUM> based at least in part on the control signal. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may approach the divergence point <NUM> of the flow path <NUM>. The controller may output the control signal having instructions for the driving mechanism <NUM> to direct the ride vehicle <NUM> left to the first flow path <NUM>. The driving mechanism <NUM> may be configured to receive the control signal and drive the at least one support element <NUM> to the left with respect to the flow path <NUM>. The at least one support element <NUM> may contact a right side <NUM> of the ride vehicle. The contact between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the at least one support element <NUM> may drive the ride vehicle <NUM> left to the first flow path <NUM>. While the depicted embodiment shows lateral motion effects, it should be understood that the at least one support elements <NUM> may be configured to extend from one or more side walls <NUM> of the flume <NUM> to dynamically adjust an orientation of the ride vehicle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow diagram <NUM> of a method to govern motion of the ride vehicle along the flow path of the water-based ride attraction. The method includes the step of providing a flow path for the ride vehicle <NUM>. The water-based ride attraction has a water or fluid-filled flume that is configured to provide the flow path for the ride vehicle.

The method also includes the step of receiving the control signal having instructions to actuate the driving mechanism based at least in part on the location of a ride vehicle and the show timer for a show element <NUM>. As set forth above, the controller is configured to determine an estimated arrival time of the ride vehicle to the show element. Further, the controller is configured to determine a rate for the driving mechanism to control movement of the ride vehicle such that the ride arrives at the show element at a start time of the show element based at least in part on the location of the ride vehicle and the show timer. The controller is configured to generate the control signal to actuate the driving mechanism at a rate configured to slow down the ride vehicle based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle will arrive to the show element before a start time of the show element. Moreover, the controller is configured to generate the control signal to actuate the driving mechanism at a rate configured to speed up the ride vehicle based at least in part on a determination that the ride vehicle will arrive to the show element after a start time of the show element. The control signal may be generated based on a determination that the ride vehicle will not arrive at a scheduled start time of the show element based on the location and/or speed of the ride vehicle.

The method also includes the step of actuating the driving mechanism in response to the control signal <NUM>. The at least one support element may be coupled to the driving mechanism and configured to move together with the driving mechanism. The method includes the additional step of contacting the ride vehicle with the at least one support element to control movement of the ride vehicle along the flow path <NUM>. The at least one support element may contact the ride vehicle at a front side, rear side, or lateral side at an instructed rate, based at least in part on the control signal, to control movement of the ride vehicle along the flow path.

While only certain features and embodiments have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without departing from the appended claims. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

Claim 1:
A ride system, comprising:
a motion governor (<NUM>) comprising:
a conveyor (<NUM>) configured to rotate along a track disposed within a flow path (<NUM>) of a water ride;
a driving mechanism (<NUM>) configured to control rotation of the conveyor (<NUM>) in response to a control signal;
at least one support element (<NUM>) coupled to the conveyor (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to receive a location signal indicative of a location of the ride vehicle (<NUM>) along the flow path (<NUM>), estimate an arrival time to a show element (<NUM>) based on the location, determine that the estimated arrival time deviates from a scheduled show element start time, and generate the control signal upon determining that the estimated arrival time deviates from the scheduled show element start time;
wherein the at least one support element (<NUM>) is configured to contact a ride vehicle (<NUM>) to control movement of the ride vehicle (<NUM>) along the flow path (<NUM>) in response to the control signal.