Patent Description:
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.

Since the early twentieth century, amusement parks (or theme parks) have substantially grown in popularity. Certain amusement park rides may include a water ride configured to carry riders only along a water path. Other amusement park rides may include a roller coaster ride configured to carry riders only along a track with a bogie. However, these single-environment riding formats may unintentionally limit an experience of a rider. Accordingly, it is now recognized that an improved amusement park ride having multiple transportation modes may be desirable to enhance guest experience.

<CIT>, discloses an example of a ride system comprising a basin for containing a volume of liquid; a track assembly positioned within the basin; front and rear bogies each with two or more elements engaging the track assembly; a passenger boat; front and rear tethering assemblies coupling the front and rear bogies, respectively, to front and rear portions of the passenger boat; and a propulsion assembly positioned along a length of the track assembly, the propulsion assembly being operable to independently propel the front and rear bogies to move along the track assembly, wherein the track assembly includes a joined section and a divided section and wherein the divided section comprises a primary track on which the front bogie travels and a secondary track, spaced apart a distance from the primary track, on which the rear bogie travels.

The invention provides a ride system according to claim <NUM> and a method of providing a ride according to claim <NUM> further embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.

The present disclosure provides, among other things, embodiments of a ride system having both an aquatic portion and an aerial portion, where each portion corresponds to a different mode of vehicle operation. For example, the ride system may include a ride vehicle that functions as a boat to float along a water flow path of the aquatic portion, as well as a roller coaster to move along an aerial track of the aerial portion. Generally, amusement park ride attractions either include a boat configured to float along a waterway or a coaster configured to move along a track, but not both. However, the singular and sometimes predictable ride formats of these attractions may limit rider enjoyment. Some amusement park rides aim to further engage riders by utilizing a ride vehicle that moves along a track, where the track may include an aerial portion and a submerged portion. However, simply transitioning from between an aerial track and a submerged track may unintentionally limit ride experiences. Indeed, since the ride vehicle is confined to the submerged track while in the submerged portion, a rider does not experience a full buoyed floating effect associated with being in an actual boat. In reality, a result of the confined ride vehicle may be a slow and predictable roller coaster that may be in contact with water. Accordingly, provided herein is a ride attraction that includes one or more transitions between riding formats, including an aerial (or suspended) portion and an aquatic (or buoyant) portion in which an enjoyable buoyancy of the ride vehicle is experienced. In certain embodiments, each riding format may be separate and distinct, such that the transition between riding formats is unexpected. Indeed, in accordance with present embodiments, each transition between riding formats serves to surprise and increase a level of entertainment of the rider.

Particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure include a ride vehicle configured to float on water (which is representative of any manner of fluid or liquid) while remaining coupled to a vehicle support of a bogie, which in turn is coupled to a ride track. Specifically, the ride vehicle may be coupled to the vehicle support via extenders (e.g., pistons) that allow the vehicle to float (e.g., be submersed) while the extenders are at least partially submerged in water. As used herein, submerged components generally refer to components positioned completely underneath a top surface of the water, while submersed or partially submerged components generally refer to components having at least a portion thereof that is underneath the top surface, such that the components may be floating on and/or within the top surface. This configuration allows the ride vehicle to readily transition between an aerial portion and an aquatic portion of a ride system. For example, while the ride vehicle is floating on the aquatic portion of the ride, the rider may be unaware of an upcoming change in ride format to a suspended or aerial portion. Indeed, the bogie (and its connection to the ride vehicle) may be camouflaged, enabling the ride vehicle to generally appear to the riders as a boat that is not capable of transitioning to an aerial ride format. However, once the ride vehicle exits the water, the extenders may collapse to enable the ride vehicle to interface with the vehicle support of the bogie in a manner that secures the ride vehicle to the bogie for the aerial portion of the ride. In some embodiments, this interfacing may include actuation of a locking feature (e.g., a hydraulic latch, pulling down of a hydraulic actuator) that secures the ride vehicle to the vehicle support. Once the ride vehicle seamlessly couples to the bogie, the bogie may carry the ride vehicle along the ride track while pitching, yawing, and/or rolling the ride vehicle, thereby further enhancing a thrill factor for the rider. It should be noted that transitions between aerial and aquatic ride portions may occur in either direction, in accordance with present embodiments and in a manner that is thrilling to riders. In some embodiments, the ride vehicle may even pass along (or be made to appear to pass along) physical tracks beneath the ride vehicle to further confuse and thrill riders as they transition to visually identifiable aerial portions and/or aquatic portions of the ride system.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a ride system <NUM>, which includes a bogie <NUM> and a ride vehicle <NUM>. As shown, the bogie <NUM> includes a wheel assembly <NUM> configured to couple to a track <NUM>. Further, the bogie <NUM> includes a vehicle support <NUM> (e.g., yoke, armature), which couples to the ride vehicle <NUM> via extenders <NUM>. The extenders <NUM>, which may include pistons, actuators (e.g., hydraulic, electric), airbags, or any other suitable height-adjustable mechanisms, operate to allow the ride vehicle <NUM> to move relative to the vehicle support <NUM> with multiple degrees of freedom. For example, the extenders <NUM> may extend and contract to reach different lengths (as represented by arrows <NUM>), such that the ride vehicle <NUM> moves in a natural way in response to buoyancy. Indeed, when the ride vehicle <NUM> is positioned in water, buoyant forces may apply differently at the various locations along the ride vehicle <NUM> of the extenders <NUM>, and the extenders <NUM> may adjust (e.g., extend or contract) accordingly. In this way, riders can be made to feel as though the ride vehicle <NUM> is floating freely on water while, in actuality, the ride vehicle <NUM> remains secured to the bogie <NUM> via the extenders <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ride system <NUM> may incorporate an overhead structure <NUM> (e.g., a canopy), which may serve to obstruct the riders' view of the wheel assembly <NUM> and other elements of the bogie <NUM>, thereby further contributing to an immersive experience of the riders. That is, riders may be made to feel as though they are in a boat that is fully being controlled by forces associated with the water (e.g., buoyancy). The ride vehicle <NUM> may be formed of any suitable material configured to contribute to the buoyancy of the ride vehicle <NUM> and establish a suitable metacenter that is above a center of gravity of the ride vehicle <NUM>. Further, it should be noted that the shape of the ride vehicle <NUM> should not be limited to the illustrated embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be in the shape of a sail boat, which may carry any suitable number of riders.

The ride vehicle <NUM> is configured to float when positioned in water, such as found in an aquatic portion (e.g., waterway) of a ride attraction. As noted above, this floatation is facilitated by the extenders <NUM>, which allow a range of movement for the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the vehicle support <NUM>. The extenders <NUM> may function independently of each other in a purely mechanical manner, such as by responding to buoyant forces and gravity. In some embodiments, the extenders <NUM> may operate in dual modes (e.g., passive and active modes). In a passive mode, the extenders <NUM> may passively allow for motion caused by buoyant forces (e.g., while the ride vehicle <NUM> is in water) and, in an active mode, operate as a motion base to move the ride vehicle <NUM> with various degrees of freedom relative to the vehicle support <NUM>. As presently recognized, these buoyant forces also facilitate efficient movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> in the active mode by counteracting at least a portion of a weight of the ride vehicle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the extenders <NUM> may include various, different extender types and constructions with extended configurations <NUM> (e.g., greater than <NUM>% extended) and retracted configurations <NUM> (e.g., greater than <NUM>% retracted) of extender components <NUM> (e.g., piston arms and piston housings). The difference between the extended configuration <NUM> and the retracted configuration <NUM> may define a motion envelope in which adjustments can be made between the position of the vehicle support <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> to accommodate buoyancy. As illustrated in <FIG> discussed below, the extenders <NUM> may be distributed relative to the ride vehicle <NUM> in a manner that allows rocking motion, such as side-to-side rocking and front-to-back rocking.

Turning to <FIG> in more detail, the extenders <NUM> are illustrated as pistons <NUM>, in which the extender components <NUM> each include a piston arm <NUM> (e.g., extending portion) and a piston housing <NUM> (e.g., housing portion). The pistons <NUM> operate to transition between the extended configuration <NUM> and the retracted configuration <NUM> in a substantially linear manner. The piston arm <NUM> may be rigid or flexible and actuated using various types of power (e.g., electric, combustion-based, hydraulic). Further, each piston <NUM> may be actuated using any of various mechanisms <NUM> (e.g., winch, hydraulics, motor). For example, the pistons <NUM> may be fluidly-actuated (e.g., hydraulic pistons or gas-based pistons), ratcheted, or screw-actuated. In other embodiments, the pistons <NUM> may use other mechanisms (e.g., a winch) to expel and/or retract the piston arms <NUM>, which may be flexible in such embodiments. For example, the pistons <NUM> may each include a winch in the piston housing <NUM> that extends or retracts the piston arm <NUM> relative to the piston housing <NUM>. Regardless, the pistons <NUM> may operate to retract their piston arm <NUM> or otherwise secure the piston arm <NUM> to maintain the ride vehicle <NUM> in a substantially fixed configuration relative to the vehicle support <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the extenders <NUM> each include a base receptacle <NUM> (e.g., housing portion) and a connector insert <NUM> (e.g., extending portion) that cooperate to allow for guided transitioning between the extended configuration <NUM> and the retracted configuration <NUM>. The base receptacle <NUM> of each extender <NUM> is shown connected to the vehicle support <NUM>, and the corresponding connector insert <NUM> is coupled to the ride vehicle <NUM>. The connector insert <NUM> of each extender <NUM> is shown as exploded away from the ride vehicle <NUM> to illustrate its geometry; however, line <NUM> is intended to represent coupling between the connector insert <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the base receptacle <NUM> has a cylindrical geometry and the connector insert <NUM> has a conical geometry such that the geometries coordinate to facilitate early engagement therebetween and then guide the connector insert <NUM> into secured engagement with the base receptacle <NUM> when forced together. Other geometries (e.g., pyramidal and prismatic) are covered by present embodiments as well. The connector insert <NUM> may include a substantially rigid rod <NUM> or a substantially flexible cord <NUM> (e.g., a steel cable, a flexible cable) that allows for corresponding motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the vehicle support <NUM> when in the extended configuration <NUM>. For example, additional range of motion may be provided by the flexible cord <NUM> (which may be retracted or expelled with a winch <NUM>) relative to the rigid rod <NUM>. However, both embodiments may provide for a range of motion in multiple directions (X, Y, and Z directions) when in the extended configuration <NUM>. When the base receptacle <NUM> and the connector insert <NUM> are fully secured in the retracted configuration <NUM>, the nature of their engagement may prevent any substantial relative motion between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>. Indeed, as long as the connector insert <NUM> is retained in the base receptacle <NUM> along the Z direction (e.g., via tension on the flexible cord <NUM> provided by the winch <NUM>), the receptacle may block movement in either of the X or Y directions.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the extenders <NUM> may be coupled to the ride vehicle <NUM> via a hinged or flexible coupling <NUM> (e.g., ball and socket coupling, spherical bearing) to allow for different orientations of the ride vehicle <NUM> based on differing configurations of the various extenders <NUM> (e.g., the pistons <NUM>). In some embodiments, a coupling <NUM> to the vehicle support <NUM> may also be hinged or flexible, such as a ball and socket coupling. Further, as schematically illustrated in <FIG>, locking features <NUM> (e.g., automatic or actuatable locks) may be employed to fix the extenders <NUM> into desired orientations or configurations. For example, the locking features <NUM> may include hydraulic sealing mechanisms that retain the pistons <NUM> into the retracted configuration <NUM> or the extended configuration <NUM> by blocking flow of hydraulic fluid. As another example, the locking features <NUM> may include actuated rods that extend through the extender components (e.g., piston arm <NUM> and piston housing <NUM>, or base receptacle <NUM> and connector insert <NUM>) to secure the extenders <NUM> into desired configurations by physically blocking relative motion between the secured extender components <NUM>. These locking features <NUM> may be monitored to confirm a locked or unlocked conditions. For example, the locking features <NUM> may communicate with a process controller to inform the process controller of a locked or unlocked status of the locking features <NUM>, thereby enabling the process controller to continue, stop, or adjust ride functions based on received sensor data.

<FIG> is a schematic overhead view of the ride system <NUM>, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, <FIG> illustrates three extenders <NUM> coupled between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>, at three locations and in a distributed arrangement, to counteract a moment of the ride vehicle <NUM>. While some embodiments may provide more flexibility and/or more extenders <NUM> at more connection points, the illustrated embodiment limits moment about an X-axis <NUM> and a Y-axis <NUM> of the ride vehicle <NUM>. However, some rocking motion is allowed to provide riders with a kinetic experience of floating in the ride vehicle <NUM>. For example, by distributing the extenders <NUM> in the illustrated triangular configuration, a certain amount of side-to-side rocking, as represented by arrow <NUM> (e.g., about the X-axis <NUM>), and front-to-back rocking, as represented by arrow <NUM> (e.g., about the Y-axis <NUM>), and combinations thereof, are facilitated when the extenders <NUM> respond to buoyant forces and gravity by extending or retracting to varying lengths, such as linearly in parallel with a Z-axis <NUM>. Moreover, it should be understood that the extenders <NUM> may be coupled between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM> to enable any suitable ranges of motion therebetween. For example, Panhard rods or track bars may be utilized to provide three degrees of freedom, while Stewart platforms may be utilized to provide six degrees of freedom.

As further illustrated in <FIG>, actuators <NUM> that are separate from the extenders <NUM> may be employed as a controllable motion base when it is desirable to actively move the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the vehicle support <NUM>. These actuators <NUM> may completely decouple from the ride vehicle <NUM> when not in operation so that they do not interfere with passive effects allowed by the extenders <NUM>, such as when the ride vehicle <NUM> is floating in water. Further, as previously noted, the extenders <NUM> may operate as both active actuators and passive securement mechanisms in certain embodiments. In embodiments where the extenders <NUM> are operable to actively manipulate the relative positioning of the ride vehicle <NUM> with respect to the vehicle support <NUM>, the additional actuators <NUM> may be excluded or included for additional functionality.

<FIG>, and <FIG> include side views of the ride system <NUM> during different phases of operation, including operation with the ride vehicle <NUM> as a suspended ride vehicle (<FIG>), operation while the ride vehicle <NUM> is partially submerged (e.g., submersed) and with the extenders <NUM> fully extended (<FIG>), and operation with the ride vehicle <NUM> in a buoyant mode (<FIG>). Further, <FIG>, and <FIG> each include representations of extender operations <NUM>, which are illustrative of a condition of the extenders <NUM> during the respective modes of operation of the ride system <NUM>. The representations of the extender operations <NUM> are illustrated as pistons in extended configurations <NUM> and retracted configurations <NUM>. These representations of the extender operations <NUM> are intended to generally reflect the nature of the extender operations during various portions of a ride. However, these operations are not limiting and can include any of numerous variations, in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, during operation of the ride vehicle <NUM> as a suspended ride vehicle (<FIG>), the extenders <NUM> could be locked into an extended configuration <NUM> instead of the illustrated retracted configuration <NUM>.

The bogie <NUM> may carry the ride vehicle <NUM> along the track <NUM> between the various phases of operation illustrated in <FIG>, and <FIG>. As noted above, <FIG> illustrates the ride system <NUM> operating with the ride vehicle <NUM> suspended, such as during an aerial portion of a ride. In this mode of operation, the representation of the extender operation <NUM> shows that the extenders <NUM> are each in the retracted configuration <NUM>. This configuration may occur as a natural result of the bogie <NUM> lifting the ride vehicle <NUM> out of the water such that buoyancy forces no longer push the ride vehicle <NUM> away from the vehicle support <NUM>. Thus, gravity pushes the ride vehicle <NUM> toward the vehicle support <NUM> and causes the extenders <NUM> to collapse into the retracted configuration <NUM>. As previously noted, geometric and/or structural aspects of the extender components <NUM> may facilitate and cause this natural joinder between the extender components <NUM> in the retracted configuration <NUM>. For example, the rigid piston arm <NUM> may be forced into the piston housing <NUM> by gravity. However, in an embodiment, the extenders <NUM> may also be actuated (e.g., winched, ratcheted, hydraulically pulled) into the retracted configuration <NUM>. Further, as previously noted, the extenders <NUM> (or other actuators <NUM>) may be configured to actuate (e.g., between the extended and the retracted configurations <NUM>, <NUM>) such that the ride vehicle <NUM> can be operated to pitch, yaw, and roll. In another embodiment, the ride vehicle <NUM> is configured to pitch, yaw, and roll due to actuators extending between a main body of the bogie <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>. Further still, aspects of the motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., the pitch and roll) may be controlled by the orientation of the track <NUM>. For example, the track <NUM> may cause the entire bogie <NUM>, along with the ride vehicle <NUM>, to pitch and roll in response to the orientation and curvature of the track <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the bogie <NUM> and the track <NUM> positioning the ride vehicle <NUM> in a submersed or partially submerged position within a waterway <NUM> of a ride. Specifically, the bogie <NUM> and the track <NUM> are positioned with respect to the waterway <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> is submersed to a level that corresponds to the extenders <NUM> being in the extended configuration <NUM>, with a maximum amount of extension. Thus, the representation of the extender operation <NUM> in <FIG> shows the extenders <NUM> both fully extended. It should be noted that this condition may occur when the ride vehicle <NUM> is only partially submersed and when the extenders <NUM> are submerged. However, in other embodiments, the extenders <NUM> may be configured such that maximum extension of the extenders <NUM> does not occur unless the ride vehicle <NUM> is fully submersed or freely floating by nature of its own buoyancy. Relative to the illustrated embodiment, such embodiments provide for a larger range of operation in which the ride vehicle <NUM> can float and respond naturally to buoyancy forces.

<FIG> illustrates the bogie <NUM> and the track <NUM> positioning the ride vehicle <NUM> in a buoyant mode of operation within the waterway <NUM> of the ride. Specifically, the bogie and the track are positioned with respect to the waterway <NUM> such that the ride vehicle is submersed to a level that corresponds to a range of motion between the extenders <NUM> being fully extended in the extended configuration <NUM> and fully retracted in the retracted configuration <NUM>. To reflect this positioning, the representation of extender operation <NUM> shows one extender <NUM> fully extended in the extended configuration <NUM> and one extender <NUM> fully retracted in the retracted configuration <NUM>. Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the waterway <NUM> is represented as varying in depth. For example, a wave <NUM> is illustrated as causing a discrepancy in the configuration of the extenders <NUM> based on associated buoyancy forces on the ride vehicle <NUM>. Thus, the extenders <NUM> are illustrated as providing motion that correlates to the changes in the waterway <NUM> such that riders will experience a more authentic and immersive floating experience.

Each of <FIG>, and <FIG> illustrate the bogie <NUM> as including the vehicle support <NUM> as a rigid and integral part of the bogie <NUM>. While some additional positioning may be performed using actuatable extenders <NUM>, in such embodiments, positioning of the ride vehicle <NUM> with respect to the waterway <NUM> is primarily based on the positioning of the bogie <NUM> on the track <NUM>. However, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the bogie <NUM> including a motion platform <NUM> between a main body <NUM> of the bogie <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>. Specifically, the motion platform <NUM> is represented as a Stewart platform that can be used to move the ride vehicle <NUM> with multiple degrees of freedom. In such an embodiment, the motion platform <NUM> can also operate to position the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the waterway <NUM> or other ride features, such as false tracks <NUM>. For example, the motion platform <NUM> can be actuated to lower the ride vehicle <NUM> into the waterway <NUM> to a point where the ride vehicle <NUM> is floating and the extenders <NUM> are operational within a range that allows for buoyancy forces of the water in the waterway <NUM> on the ride vehicle <NUM> to be experienced by riders. Further, the motion platform <NUM> can move the ride vehicle relative to the false tracks <NUM> to give the impression of engaging with and then falling off of the false tracks <NUM>. Moreover, although illustrated with the motion platform <NUM> between the bogie <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>, it should be understood that certain embodiments may alternatively or additionally utilize a suitable configuration of the extenders <NUM> as a motion base, such as the Stewart platform, between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>. Indeed, by coupling six extenders <NUM> between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the vehicle support <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may experience increased degrees of freedom when moving in water to further immerse riders within the ride.

With the foregoing in mind, <FIG> illustrates the ride system <NUM> (e.g., amusement park attraction) including multiple ride vehicles <NUM> configured to move along a path <NUM> of the ride system <NUM>. The path <NUM> includes an aquatic portion <NUM> having a flow path <NUM> (e.g., defined by a flume). The path <NUM> also includes an aerial portion <NUM>. Both the aquatic portion <NUM> and the aerial portion <NUM> include the track <NUM>, which supports the bogie <NUM>. As discussed herein, the ride vehicles <NUM> are configured to float along the aquatic portion <NUM>, while in dynamic engagement with the bogie <NUM> via the extenders <NUM>, and to be lifted and carried by the bogie <NUM> along the aerial portion <NUM>, with the extenders <NUM> in a secured (e.g., retracted, locked) configuration. As the ride vehicles <NUM> travel along the path <NUM>, the ride vehicles <NUM> may be subjected to various thematic effects, such as animatronic show pieces, special effects, and so forth. Some of these thematic effects may be employed to disguise the nature of the bogie <NUM> and the maintained contact between the ride vehicles <NUM> and the respective bogies <NUM> throughout the ride. In other words, special effects and camouflage may be used to make the ride vehicles <NUM> seem to be simple boats that do not operate based on interactions with the bogies <NUM>.

At the start of a ride cycle, riders may board or disembark the ride vehicle <NUM> from a boarding platform <NUM>. In some embodiments, while the riders board/disembark the ride vehicle <NUM> from the boarding platform <NUM>, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be transitioned through a shoot <NUM> disposed adjacent to the boarding platform <NUM>. The shoot <NUM> may narrowly allow passage of the ride vehicle <NUM> to facilitate transitioning of riders into and out of the ride vehicle <NUM>. The shoot <NUM> may be filled with water to provide the feel of a boat ride, and the vehicle support <NUM> extending from the bogie <NUM> may be camouflaged to limit identification by riders of the nature of the interface between the bogie <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> during this phase of the ride. In some embodiments, the bogies <NUM> may move the ride vehicles <NUM> in front of the boarding platform <NUM> at a consistent speed and elevation to allow riders to easily board the ride vehicles <NUM>. This may include locking the extenders <NUM> into a position (e.g., the retracted configuration <NUM>) that secures the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the bogie <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bogies <NUM> may cause the ride vehicles <NUM> to momentarily stop in front of the boarding platform <NUM> to allow the riders to board the ride vehicles <NUM>. In some embodiments, portions of the vehicle supports <NUM> (including the extenders <NUM>) may be partially submerged or completely submerged under water of the flow path <NUM>.

Once the riders have boarded the ride vehicle <NUM>, the bogies <NUM> may transition the ride vehicles <NUM> into a state of partial submersion in the water of the aquatic portion <NUM> (e.g., <FIG>). The ride vehicle <NUM> may then become buoyant as the extenders <NUM> are released or become active along the length of the aquatic portion <NUM>. Specifically, for example, pistons operating as the extenders <NUM> and coupling the ride vehicle <NUM> to the vehicle support <NUM> of the bogie <NUM> may be allowed to extend and retract as the ride vehicle <NUM> experiences the buoyant forces of the water in the aquatic portion <NUM>. Additionally, the bogie <NUM> may coordinate with measured current values in the aquatic portion <NUM> to provide riders with the illusion that the ride vehicle <NUM> is being pulled along by the current in the aquatic portion <NUM> alone. For example, the water current may be generated by a mechanical propulsion system <NUM>, such as water jets or propellers disposed along the flow path <NUM>. The current may be measured by sensors of the mechanical propulsion system <NUM> or other sensors and used (e.g., via an attraction controller <NUM>) to manage a speed of the bogies <NUM> along the path <NUM>. While illustrated at a particular point along the path <NUM>, it is to be understood that the mechanical propulsion system <NUM> may be disposed throughout the aquatic portion <NUM> of the path <NUM>. However, the motion of the ride vehicle <NUM> while in the aquatic portion <NUM> may be a result of the speed of the bogie <NUM> and systems such as the mechanical propulsion system <NUM> may be excluded. Despite being motivated by the bogie <NUM> (either in coordination with the mechanical propulsion system <NUM> or alone), present embodiments may provide the feel of an actual boat because the extenders <NUM> allow for action of the ride vehicle <NUM> based on buoyancy. Indeed, unlike traditional pseudo water-based rides where a track is present under water, present embodiments include the ride vehicle <NUM> being supported by its natural buoyancy in the water, as the extenders <NUM> adjust to the buoyancy while maintaining ultimate engagement with the bogie <NUM> within the aquatic portion <NUM>.

The ride vehicle <NUM> may generally travel along at least a portion of the flow path <NUM> with a front of the ride vehicle <NUM> generally facing in the downstream direction of the flow path <NUM>, but varying orientations are contemplated by the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the ride vehicle <NUM> may be swayed (e.g., yawed) to some degree while traveling along the flow path <NUM> by the bogie <NUM> (e.g., the motion platform <NUM> of the bogie <NUM>, such as a Stewart platform) or based on the positioning of the track <NUM>. Various configurations of the track <NUM> or operation of the bogie <NUM> may be coordinated with the flow path <NUM> to provide a realistic impression of floating and being guided by the water in the flow path <NUM> alone. The bogie <NUM> is configured to rise up relative to the ride vehicle <NUM>, and, thus, more directly engage the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., via collapsing the extenders <NUM>) after the ride vehicle <NUM> has travelled the length of the aquatic portion <NUM> and has arrived at a transition location <NUM>. The transition to the aerial portion <NUM> may include locking the ride vehicle <NUM> to the bogie <NUM>. In some cases, this locking may include actuating features of the extenders <NUM> (e.g., hydraulics) to retain the extenders <NUM> in place (e.g., in a retracted configuration). As the ride vehicle <NUM> is carried along the track <NUM> of the aerial portion <NUM> by the bogie <NUM>, the bogie <NUM> and the track <NUM> are configured to cooperatively pitch, yaw, and roll the ride vehicle <NUM>.

After the bogie <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> have traveled the length of the aerial portion <NUM>, the bogie <NUM> may place the ride vehicle <NUM> in the aquatic portion <NUM> of the path <NUM> and disengage any locked engagement between the bogie <NUM> and the ride vehicle <NUM> to allow the extenders <NUM> to operate and again allow for motion based on the buoyant forces between the ride vehicle <NUM> and the water of the aquatic portion <NUM>. Particularly, as shown, the bogie <NUM> may place the ride vehicle <NUM> at an origin <NUM> of the aquatic portion <NUM> such that the ride vehicle <NUM> is headed downstream along the flow path <NUM>.

As discussed herein, operations of the ride system <NUM> may be controlled utilizing a controller <NUM> (e.g., attraction controller, ride controller). The controller <NUM> may be any device employing 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 methods and control actions described herein relating to the ride system <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include one or more processing devices, and the memory device <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 which 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. For example, the attraction controller <NUM> may be utilized to ensure locked engagement of the vehicle support <NUM> to the ride vehicle <NUM>, ensure operation of the extenders <NUM> to allow movement of the ride vehicle <NUM> relative to the bogie <NUM> due to buoyancy, determine orientation of the ride vehicle <NUM> as the ride vehicle <NUM> travels along the track <NUM>, and/or control speed of the ride vehicle <NUM> (e.g., by controlling the bogie <NUM> based on flow rate of water in the aquatic portion <NUM>). The attraction controller <NUM> may also monitor and control aspects relating to timing of the movement of the ride vehicles <NUM> as the ride vehicles <NUM> progress through the ride system <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A ride system (<NUM>), comprising:
a ride vehicle (<NUM>) comprising a buoyant material configured to float in a liquid;
a bogie (<NUM>) comprising a vehicle support positioned under the ride vehicle (<NUM>), wherein the bogie (<NUM>) is configured to travel along a track (<NUM>); and
an extender (<NUM>) coupled to the vehicle support and coupled to the ride vehicle (<NUM>) which is configured to extend and contract to different lengths, wherein the extender (<NUM>) is configured to transition between a retracted configuration (<NUM>) and an extended configuration (<NUM>) to allow the ride vehicle (<NUM>) to float in the liquid within a range of motion relative to the vehicle support, wherein the length of the extender (<NUM>) is greater in the extended configuration (<NUM>) than in the retracted configuration (<NUM>).