Patent Description:
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. For instance, <CIT> discloses an amusement park ride in which a trolley is moved vertically up and down a tower, which is a building containing screens to provide imagery to the user. <CIT> has extensive discussion of two mechanisms for rider motion - a motor system to move the trolley up and down the tower, and an actuator system to move a rider station in the trolley to position it relative to imagery.

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.

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.

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> illustrates a perspective view of a ride system <NUM> (e.g., amusement park attraction) of an amusement park <NUM>. The ride system <NUM> includes a tower <NUM> configured to be rotated about a central axis <NUM> (e.g., longitudinal) of the tower <NUM> to provide a scene-driven narrative or other experience to users <NUM>. To illustrate, the tower <NUM> is configured to rotate about a central passage <NUM> defined by a substantially open area (e.g., an annulus) in a central area of the tower <NUM> (disposed about the central axis <NUM>). A drive system <NUM> positioned within or proximate to the central passage <NUM> is configured to drive one or more ride vehicles <NUM> along a direction substantially parallel to the central axis <NUM> within the central passage <NUM>. For example, as shown, the ride vehicle <NUM> may move within a vertical path <NUM> along the central axis <NUM>. Further, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be configured to hold any suitable number of users <NUM> (e.g., passengers), such as one to ten users <NUM>.

The ride vehicles <NUM> are oriented to face an interior circumference <NUM> (e.g., interior side) of the tower <NUM> to allow the users <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> to view different areas of the tower <NUM>, such as different scenes within the tower <NUM>. The tower <NUM> further includes compartments <NUM> having, for example, various scenes oriented and exposed toward the central axis <NUM> from the interior circumference <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. A scene may be defined as a representation of a segment of a narrative of the ride system <NUM>. 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 <NUM> rotates and the ride vehicles <NUM> are driven vertically within the central passage <NUM>, the users <NUM> within the ride vehicles <NUM> may experience a narrative through exposure to a sequence of various scenes displayed via the compartments <NUM>, as discussed herein. To this end, the tower <NUM> includes multiple levels <NUM> (e.g., floors), each of which may be divided into the compartments <NUM>. Each compartment <NUM> may be defined by a recessed portion of the tower <NUM> (e.g., recessed with respect to the interior circumference <NUM>). As an example, certain compartments <NUM> may be defined by two side walls <NUM>, a floor <NUM>, a ceiling <NUM>, and a rear wall <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> may be the same as, or separate from, an external surface <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. Indeed, each compartment <NUM> may be exposed or have an opening facing toward the central axis <NUM>. While the current illustration has been simplified to show only one compartment <NUM> per level <NUM> in order to highlight certain aspects of the disclosure, it is to be understood that each level <NUM> may be divided into any suitable number of the compartments <NUM> distributed in a circumferential space of each respective level <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, each level <NUM> may include four or five compartments <NUM>.

The tower <NUM> may rotate in any manner that suits the intended experience for the users <NUM>, for example at varying speeds, at a constant speed, or in a manner where the tower <NUM> stops and starts rotation periodically. Further, rotation of the tower <NUM> 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 <NUM> may be controlled by a ride control system (RCS) that coordinates rotation of the tower <NUM> with various show effects presented within the tower <NUM>. Such features are described in further detail below with respect to <FIG>.

In certain embodiments, the tower <NUM> may continuously rotate at a constant speed while the ride vehicle <NUM> is hoisted vertically (e.g., upward and/or downward) within the central passage <NUM>. The rotation of the tower <NUM> and the vertical movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> cooperatively serve to adjust the scenes to which the users <NUM> are exposed. For example, the drive system <NUM> may position the ride vehicle <NUM> at an elevation substantially equal to an elevation of a certain level <NUM>. In doing so, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be positioned in front of a scene associated with a particular one of the compartments <NUM> of the certain level <NUM>. Indeed, while the ride vehicle <NUM> is positioned in front of the scene, the scene may be moving relative to the ride vehicle <NUM> due to the rotation of the tower <NUM>. The drive system <NUM> may hold the ride vehicle <NUM> at the elevation associated with the certain level <NUM> for a period of time (e.g., a predetermined period of time). Particularly, the drive system <NUM> may hold the ride vehicle <NUM> at the elevation associated with the certain level <NUM> until the rotation of the tower <NUM> has caused the certain compartment <NUM> to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, or until the users <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> are obstructed from viewing the compartment <NUM> (e.g., due to the compartment <NUM> moving past the ride vehicle <NUM>). In some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may hold the ride vehicle <NUM> at the elevation associated with the certain level <NUM> until just before the rotation of the tower <NUM> has caused the compartment to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>. At an end of the period of time, which may be associated with a conclusion of a segment of the narrative, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the ride vehicle <NUM> to a new level <NUM> to continue the narrative through exposure to a new scene.

To illustrate, the tower <NUM> may rotate in a counter-clockwise direction <NUM> about the central axis <NUM>, and the ride vehicle <NUM> may initially be held at a first elevation associated with a first level 30a of the tower <NUM>. The ride vehicle <NUM> may be held at the first elevation while a first compartment 28a is adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM>. It should be noted that, as used herein, the compartment <NUM> being adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM>, or vice versa, may be defined as users <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> having a substantially unobstructed view of an interior of the compartment <NUM>. The compartment <NUM> being adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM>, or vice versa, may additionally or alternatively be defined as a circular sector associated with the compartment <NUM> or be defined by a portion of the interior circumference <NUM> that is associated with the compartment <NUM> relative to the central axis <NUM> overlapping in a radial direction of the tower <NUM> with the ride vehicle <NUM>. While held adjacent to the first compartment 28a, the users <NUM> may experience a scene associated with the first compartment 28a. As the first compartment 28a moves past the ride vehicle <NUM>, or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the ride vehicle <NUM> to a second level 30b such that the ride vehicle <NUM> is held adjacent to a second compartment 28b. Particularly, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the vehicle <NUM> to the second level 30b when a circular sector (e.g., relative to the central axis <NUM>) of an overlap portion <NUM> between the first compartment 28a and the second compartment 28b coincides with the ride vehicle <NUM>. Indeed, as currently illustrated, the ride vehicle <NUM> is held adjacent to the second compartment 28b. As described above, when the second compartment 28b rotates past the ride vehicle <NUM> or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the ride vehicle <NUM> to a third level 30c. As an example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be hoisted when an overlap portion <NUM> between the second level 30b and the third level 30c also overlaps with the ride vehicle <NUM>.

The process described above may continue in a similar fashion until the ride vehicle <NUM> has reached a top level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. However, motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> is not limited in this manner, and the ride vehicle <NUM> may move with the vertical path in any suitable way. For instance, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be moved by the drive system <NUM> between the different levels <NUM> multiple times. With respect to the example where the ride vehicle <NUM> moves upward, once the drive system <NUM> has positioned the ride vehicle <NUM> adjacent to a compartment <NUM> at the top level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>, and the compartment <NUM> at the top level <NUM> has rotated past or is about to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, the drive system <NUM> may lower the ride vehicle <NUM> to a lower level <NUM> and adjacent to a compartment <NUM> of the lower level <NUM>. The process may continue in this manner until the drive system <NUM> places the ride vehicle <NUM> at a floor level <NUM> (e.g., level 30a), at which point the users <NUM> may disembark from the ride vehicle <NUM> and new users <NUM> may board the ride vehicle <NUM>, as described in further detail below.

Indeed, each compartment <NUM> placed adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM> may provide a scene that delivers a segment of a narrative to the users <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Accordingly, an entirety of the narrative may be provided to the users <NUM> as the ride vehicle <NUM> is hoisted to the various levels <NUM> and as the compartments <NUM> provide various scenes to the users <NUM>. In some embodiments, the users <NUM> may experience a first half, or a first portion, of the narrative while travelling upward within the tower <NUM>, and may experience a second half, or second portion, of the narrative while traveling downward within the tower <NUM>. Further, as set forth above, in some embodiments transitioning the ride vehicle <NUM> from adjacent to a first compartment <NUM> to adjacent to a second compartment <NUM> may include traversing one or more levels <NUM> disposed between the first and second compartments <NUM>. In other words, consecutive segments of a narrative may be delivered by scenes of compartments <NUM> that have one or more levels <NUM> disposed therebetween. In this manner, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the vehicle <NUM> at a faster speed and/or for a longer time period before arriving at the next compartment <NUM> of the narrative. Further, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may take an indirect route to a successive compartment <NUM> of the narrative. For example, the drive system <NUM> may hoist the ride vehicle <NUM> upward and/or downward multiple times within the central passage <NUM> before placing the ride vehicle <NUM> adjacent to the successive compartment <NUM> in the narrative. In this way, the increased variation in vertical motion, or increase in speed, of the ride vehicle <NUM> may enhance an experience for the users <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride system <NUM> may utilize approximately five to ten compartments <NUM>, or any suitable number of compartments <NUM>, to deliver the narrative to the users <NUM>.

Moreover, in some embodiments, the transition between the compartments <NUM> (e.g., due to the rotation of the tower <NUM> and the vertical movement of the ride vehicle <NUM>) may coincide with a transitional effect provided by the compartment <NUM>. Specifically, the transitional effect may serve to enhance an experience for the users <NUM> during transitions between scenes of the compartments <NUM>. 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 <NUM> may interpret characters, or other elements, of the scene as having caused the transitional effect.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional side elevation view of an embodiment of the ride system <NUM>. As shown, the tower <NUM> of the ride system <NUM> may include an outer shell <NUM> (e.g., a stationary shell) and an inner shell <NUM> (e.g., a dynamic or rotational shell). The outer shell <NUM> is held stationary and is configured to support the inner shell <NUM> as the inner shell <NUM> rotates, as described above in <FIG> with reference to rotation of the tower <NUM>. Particularly, in some embodiments, the outer shell <NUM> may encapsulate the inner shell <NUM> and provide a ledge <NUM> on which the inner shell <NUM> is supported in the vertical direction. The outer shell <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material to provide adequate support to the tower <NUM>. In some embodiments, the outer shell <NUM> may include a lattice, or generally open, structure such that movement of the inner shell <NUM> may be observed from an external location of the tower <NUM>, and/or to allow the users <NUM> to view an environment external to the ride system <NUM> through the inner and outer shells <NUM>, <NUM>.

The ledge <NUM>, on which the inner shell <NUM> is at least partially supported, may provide for a loading passage <NUM> or loading zone. Particularly, the users <NUM> may enter the tower <NUM> through the loading passage <NUM> to board the ride vehicle <NUM>. As shown, the loading passage <NUM> may be disposed directly beneath a first level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. In other words, the loading passage <NUM> may be on a ground level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. Indeed, a compartment <NUM> may be disposed above the loading passage <NUM> on an opposite side of the ledge <NUM>. Further, in some embodiments, the loading passage <NUM> may extend circumferentially about the central passage <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. In other embodiments, the loading passage <NUM> may include multiple separate channels, as discussed in further detail below with reference to <FIG>. In such embodiments, the loading passage <NUM> may include at least as many channels as the number of ride vehicles <NUM> in the ride system <NUM>.

The ride system <NUM> may further include one or more rotation (e.g., drive) mechanisms <NUM> configured to drive rotation of the inner shell <NUM> relative to the outer shell <NUM>. The drive mechanism <NUM> may include a motor (e.g., an electric motor) and/or an engine configured to drive rotation of one or more drivers <NUM>, or include wheels to drive the rotation of the inner shell <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the drive mechanism <NUM> and the drivers <NUM> may be coupled to the ledge <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM>. In this way, the drivers <NUM> may transfer rotational power to a base <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM>, thereby causing the inner shell <NUM> to rotate. Additionally or in the alternative, the drive mechanism <NUM> and the drivers <NUM> may be coupled to the base <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM>. In this way, the drivers <NUM> may transfer rotational power to the ledge <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM>, thereby causing the inner shell <NUM> to rotate. Further, it is to be understood that the drive mechanism <NUM> may utilize any suitable drivers <NUM> disposed in any suitable location to drive rotation of the inner shell <NUM> relative to the outer shell <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the drive mechanism <NUM> may include a track system and a bogie coupling the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM> to drive the rotation. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the drive mechanism <NUM> may include drivers <NUM> disposed along an inner wall <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM> and/or along an outer wall <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM>, to drive the rotation of the inner shell <NUM>.

Functions of the drive mechanism <NUM>, the drive system <NUM>, and other assemblies/systems discussed herein may be controlled in response to signals transmitted from one or more controllers <NUM> (e.g., programmable logic controllers of a ride control system, or a show control system). The controller(s) <NUM> may employ a processor <NUM>, which may represent one or more processors, such as an application-specific processor. The controller <NUM> may also include a memory device <NUM> storing instructions executable by the processor <NUM> to perform the methods and control actions described herein for the ride system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include one or more processing devices, and the memory <NUM> 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 <NUM> or by any general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.

The controller <NUM> may utilize communication circuitry <NUM> to communicate with the drive mechanism <NUM>, the drive system <NUM>, and other assemblies/systems discussed. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry <NUM> 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 <NUM> 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 <NUM> may sync or provide timing control between the rotation of the inner shell <NUM> and the drive system <NUM>. In this way, the ride vehicles <NUM> may be accurately positioned adjacent to predetermined compartments <NUM> at respective predetermined times in a ride cycle to fluidly communicate the narrative of the ride system <NUM> to the users <NUM>. Similarly, as mentioned above, each compartment <NUM> may include scenic elements <NUM>, 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 <NUM> may sync, or provide timing control, to the scenic elements <NUM> of the compartment <NUM> to provide a segment of a narrative to the users <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> while the ride vehicle <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the compartment <NUM>. Similarly, at the end of the segment of the narrative, or when the compartment <NUM> is about to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, the controller <NUM> may cause one or more special effects of the scenic elements <NUM> to actuate. In some embodiments, the special effect of the scenic elements <NUM> may serve to distract the users <NUM> such that the attention of the users <NUM> is drawn away from viewing the side wall <NUM> (<FIG>) of the compartment <NUM> as the compartment <NUM> rotates past the ride vehicle <NUM>. Indeed, in some instances, having a view of the side wall <NUM> may serve to pull the users <NUM> from the sensory experience provided by the scenic elements <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>. In other words, viewing the side wall <NUM> may cause the users <NUM> to be aware of an adjoined, or neighboring, compartment <NUM> which may detract from a ride experience of the users <NUM>. In some embodiments, the special effects of the scenic elements <NUM> may include projectile effects, projected towards the ride vehicle <NUM>, such as water, smoke, vapor, wind and so forth. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may include a window <NUM> configured to fully or partially shield the users <NUM> from the projected special effects. Additionally, or in the alternative, the ride vehicle <NUM> may not include the window <NUM> such that the users <NUM> may be immersed in the projected special effects, or have a more direct experience with the special effects. Indeed, in some embodiments, the window <NUM> may be retractable. In this manner, the users <NUM> 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 <NUM> is configured to heave the ride vehicle <NUM> vertically within the central passage <NUM> of the tower <NUM> for thrill purposes and/or to place the ride vehicle <NUM> adjacent to a compartment <NUM> to continue a narrative of the ride system <NUM>. Additionally, the drive system <NUM> may be configured to pitch, roll, and yaw the ride vehicle <NUM> in accordance with the narrative, or a theme, of the ride system <NUM>. To this end, in certain embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may include cables <NUM> that are coupled to a top <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The drive system <NUM> may further include a winch system <NUM> configured to retract and extend the cables <NUM> to cause the ride vehicle <NUM> to heave (e.g., vertical motion), pitch, and roll. In some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may also include a bogie system <NUM> (e.g., a track and a bogie), shown in <FIG>, configured to drive the ride vehicle <NUM> laterally, or in a radial direction relative to the central axis <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. In this way, as discussed in further detail below, the users <NUM> may be placed closer to the scenic elements <NUM> to enhance the experience of the users <NUM>. The bogie system <NUM> may also be configured to cause the ride vehicle <NUM> to yaw, or rotate within a horizontal plane. In this way, as discussed in further detail below, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be oriented to face a center of a compartment <NUM> while the ride vehicle <NUM> is placed adjacent to the compartment <NUM>, thereby orienting and focusing a view of the users <NUM> toward a center of the compartment <NUM> adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM>.

As illustrated, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may be disposed at an elevation within the tower <NUM> that is approximately equal to an elevation of the top level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. In other embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may be disposed vertically above the top level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. Generally, as shown, the inner shell <NUM> may be donut shaped, or have a substantially open area to define the central passage <NUM>. Particularly, the drive system <NUM> may be coupled to an interior top surface <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM>. In this manner, the drive system <NUM> may be held stationary against the outer shell <NUM> while the inner shell <NUM> rotates about the drive system <NUM>. Further, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may be configured to rotate relative to the outer shell <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may be coupled to the interior top surface <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM> via a rotational system <NUM> that is configured to drive rotation of the drive system <NUM> relative to the outer shell <NUM>.

Keeping this in mind, <FIG> is an overhead view of the tower <NUM>. As discussed above, the drive system <NUM> is configured to drive movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> within the central passage <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. The drive system <NUM> includes the bogie system <NUM>, which further includes a track <NUM> and a bogie <NUM> coupled to each ride vehicle <NUM>. The bogie <NUM> is configured to move along the track <NUM> to radially displace the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the central axis <NUM>. The drive system <NUM> further includes the winch system <NUM>, which may include three or more winch drives <NUM>, each configured to retract and extend the cables <NUM> (<FIG>) that are coupled to the ride vehicle <NUM>. The winch drives <NUM> may be mounted to the bogie <NUM> via a frame <NUM> (e.g., a v-frame). Indeed, as shown, the winch drives <NUM> may be disposed circumferentially about the bogie <NUM> while supported by the frame <NUM>. In other words, the frame <NUM> may couple the winch drives <NUM> to the bogie <NUM>.

The winch drives <NUM> are configured to heave, pitch, and roll the ride vehicle <NUM>. Particularly, in response to signals transmitted from the controller <NUM>, each of the winch drives <NUM> are configured to selectively extend/lengthen and retract/shorten the cable <NUM> to heave, pitch, and roll the ride vehicle <NUM>. Indeed, in certain embodiments, each winch drive <NUM> may include a spool configured to hold the cable <NUM>, and a motor configured to rotate the spool. The motor may rotate the spool to either extend the cable <NUM> from the spool or retract the cable <NUM> onto the spool, depending on a direction of rotation of the spool.

For example, to pitch the ride vehicle <NUM> forward, one or more winch drives <NUM> disposed in front of the ride vehicle <NUM> may extend respective cables <NUM> while one or more winch drives <NUM> disposed behind the ride vehicle <NUM> may retract respective cables <NUM>, thereby pitching the ride vehicle <NUM> forward. The winch drives <NUM> may function in an opposite manner to pitch the ride vehicle <NUM> backward. As a further example, to roll the ride vehicle <NUM> to the right, one or more winch drives <NUM> disposed on a right side of the ride vehicle <NUM> may expel respective cables <NUM> while one or more winch drives <NUM> disposed on a left side of the ride vehicle <NUM> may retract respective cables <NUM>, thereby rolling the ride vehicle <NUM> to the right. The winch drives <NUM> may function in an opposite manner to roll the ride vehicle <NUM> to the left. Moreover, to increase an elevation of the ride vehicle <NUM> within the tower <NUM>, all of the winch drives <NUM> may retract respective cables <NUM>. Similarly, to decrease an elevation of the ride vehicle <NUM> within the tower <NUM>, all of the winch drives <NUM> may extend respective cables <NUM>. In the currently illustrated embodiment, the winch system <NUM> includes three winch drives <NUM> per ride vehicle <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that the winch system <NUM> may include any suitable number of winch drives <NUM> per ride vehicle <NUM>, such as four or six winch drives <NUM> per ride vehicle <NUM>.

Moreover, as mentioned above, the bogie <NUM> is configured to move along the track <NUM> to displace the ride vehicle <NUM> radially relative to the central axis <NUM> of the tower <NUM> in response to signals transmitted from the controller <NUM>. Specifically, the radial movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the track <NUM> may move the ride vehicle <NUM> towards a compartment <NUM>. In this manner, the users <NUM> may be placed directly adjacent to the compartment <NUM> while experiencing the narrative segment of the compartment <NUM>. Indeed, the closeness of the user <NUM> relative to the scenic elements <NUM> of the compartment <NUM> serves to enhance the user's <NUM> experience. At the end of the narrative segment of the compartment <NUM>, or when the compartment <NUM> is about to rotate past the ride vehicle <NUM>, the bogie system <NUM> may retract the ride vehicle <NUM> along the track <NUM> away from the compartment <NUM> before the drive system <NUM> places the ride vehicle <NUM> adjacent to another level <NUM> to continue the narrative.

In some embodiments, the displacement distance of the radial movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> along the track <NUM> may be limited. For example, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be associated with a length <NUM> that is generally oriented radially with respect to the axis <NUM>. Accordingly, the bogie system <NUM> may radially displace the ride vehicle <NUM> a maximum distance equal to approximately two to four lengths of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The limited radial displacement distance of the bogie <NUM> along the track <NUM> may minimize an amount of sway, or oscillation, experienced by the ride vehicle <NUM> caused as a result of the radial movement. Further, in some embodiments, as may be observed in <FIG>, the floors <NUM> and/or ceilings <NUM> of the compartments <NUM> may serve to limit the radial displacement distance. Particularly, the limited radial displacement distance of the bogie <NUM> along the track <NUM> may be limited to prevent the cables <NUM> from contacting the floors <NUM> and/or ceilings <NUM> of the compartments <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the winch system <NUM>, which supports the ride vehicle <NUM> via the cables <NUM>, may be rotated relative to the bogie <NUM> to rotate, or yaw, the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, in some embodiments, the drive system <NUM> may include a rotary actuator <NUM> configured to cause rotation of the frame <NUM> relative to the bogie <NUM> in response to signals from the controller <NUM>. Particularly, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be rotated to generally face the compartment <NUM> that is adjacent to the ride vehicle <NUM>. In some embodiments, rotation of the ride vehicle <NUM> may be synced, or matched, with the rotation of the tower <NUM>. In this manner, the users <NUM> within the ride vehicle <NUM> may not be able to perceive the rotation of the tower <NUM> relative to the ride vehicle <NUM>. Indeed, it may appear to the users <NUM> as though the ride vehicle <NUM> and the tower <NUM> are being held stationary since the relative motion of the tower <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> may be difficult to observe from within the ride vehicle <NUM>.

To further illustrate, <FIG> is a schematic overhead view of a level <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. As shown, a ride vehicle <NUM> may be placed adjacent to one of the compartments <NUM> of the level <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be associated with a field of view <NUM>. The field of view <NUM> is associated with the area to which the users <NUM> disposed within the ride vehicle <NUM> are visibly limited to. For example, sides <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> may serve to block the users <NUM> from viewing features of the ride system <NUM> that are outside of the field of view <NUM>. As mentioned above, in certain situations the ride vehicle <NUM> may be rotated in a manner to substantially match the rotation of the tower <NUM>. In this manner, it may be difficult for the users <NUM> to perceive the relative motion between the tower <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM>. Particularly, as shown, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be rotated such that a center <NUM> of the field of view <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> remains substantially collinear with a middle point <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>. However, it should be understood that the ride vehicle <NUM> may be rotated such that the center <NUM> continuously faces any suitable point within the compartment <NUM>, such as a focal point associated with scene elements <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>. Indeed, the focal point of the scene elements <NUM> may be off-center from the middle point <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>.

Further, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be rotated such that the field of view <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM> does not overlap with the side walls <NUM> of the compartment <NUM>. To this end, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may only rotate as necessary to prevent the field of view <NUM> from overlapping with the side walls <NUM>. Indeed, as mentioned previously, the users <NUM> having a view of the side walls <NUM> may serve to detract from an experience of the users <NUM>.

As discussed previously, the winch system <NUM> may heave the ride vehicle <NUM> vertically within the tower <NUM>. Specifically, the winch system <NUM> may lower the ride vehicle <NUM> to the ground level <NUM> such that the users <NUM> can board and disembark from the ride vehicle <NUM>, although boarding and disembarking may occur at levels other than the ground level <NUM>, and not necessarily at the same level. Keeping this in mind, <FIG> is a partial overhead view of the ground level <NUM>. As shown, the ground level <NUM> includes the loading passage <NUM>. Users <NUM> may enter the tower <NUM> through the loading passage <NUM> and board the ride vehicles <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows <NUM>. Indeed, the loading passage <NUM> may connect a surrounding area <NUM> of the tower <NUM> to the central passage <NUM> in which the ride vehicles <NUM> are disposed. In the currently illustrated embodiment, the tower <NUM> includes four separate loading passages <NUM>. However, it is to be understood that the tower <NUM> may include any suitable number of the loading passages <NUM>. In some embodiments, the loading passage <NUM> may form a continuous ring about the central passage <NUM> of the tower <NUM> such that the loading passage <NUM> does not include multiple separated loading passages <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ride system <NUM> having a drive column <NUM> (e.g., a central column) configured to drive the ride vehicles <NUM> vertically within the central passage <NUM>, as described herein. For example, the drive column <NUM> may extend from the ground level <NUM> to the top level <NUM> along the central axis <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. It should be noted that the illustrations of <FIG> have been intentionally simplified to focus on aspects of the drive column <NUM>. Indeed, the embodiments of the ride system <NUM> of <FIG> may function as described above in reference to <FIG>, except that the movement of the ride vehicles <NUM> may be caused in response to input from the drive column <NUM>, as opposed to the drive system <NUM> (<FIG>). In the current embodiment, the ride vehicles <NUM> may be cantilevered from the drive column <NUM> via one or more support beams <NUM>. In some embodiments, the support beams <NUM> may be telescopic such that the support beams <NUM> are configured to be actuated to extend or retract. Indeed, the retraction and/or extension of the support beams <NUM> may serve to pitch, roll, and yaw the ride vehicles <NUM> relative to the drive column <NUM>. Further, the drive column <NUM> may include tracks <NUM> on which the ride vehicles <NUM> are configured to move along. For example, the support beams <NUM> may be coupled to a bogie <NUM> (e.g., the bogie <NUM>) configured to move along the track <NUM>, thereby imparting the vertical motion to the ride vehicle <NUM>, as described herein. In some embodiments, the drive column <NUM> may be configured to rotate about the central axis <NUM>, thereby imparting rotation to the ride vehicles <NUM> about the central axis <NUM>. Specifically, in some embodiments, the drive column <NUM> may rotate additionally or alternatively to the drive mechanism <NUM> rotating the tower <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the ride system <NUM> having multiple drive mechanisms <NUM> configured to selectively rotate the levels <NUM> of the tower <NUM>. Like <FIG>, the illustrations of <FIG> have been intentionally simplified to focus on aspects of the multiple drive mechanisms <NUM>. Indeed, embodiments of the ride system <NUM> of <FIG> may function similarly to the embodiments described above with reference to <FIG>. However, the ride system <NUM> may include multiple drive mechanisms <NUM> and associated drivers <NUM> configured to rotate each level <NUM> independently of each other. Particularly, the ride system <NUM> may include at least one drive mechanism <NUM> and at least one associated driver <NUM> disposed between each level <NUM> of the tower. In this manner, the controller <NUM> may selectively actuate the drive mechanisms <NUM> to drive rotation of the levels <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM> 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.

Claim 1:
An amusement park system (<NUM>), comprising:
a tower (<NUM>) having a central axis (<NUM>) extending vertically through the amusement park system (<NUM>);
a drive column (<NUM>) comprising a track extending vertically through a plurality of levels along the central axis (<NUM>), wherein the drive column (<NUM>) is configured to rotate with respect to the central axis (<NUM>);
a ride vehicle (<NUM>) configured to be displaced vertically along the track with respect to the central axis (<NUM>) to the plurality of levels along the central axis (<NUM>); and
one or more scenic elements configured to communicate a narrative to users within the ride vehicle (<NUM>), wherein the one or more scenic elements are disposed at least partially circumferentially about the ride vehicle (<NUM>) at a level of the plurality of levels;
wherein the drive column (<NUM>) is configured to displace the ride vehicle (<NUM>) vertically along the track with respect to the central axis (<NUM>).