Eddy current vehicle drive

Number: 10683019
Published: 2020-06-16
Filed: 2017-07-26
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Laffin; Kristopher M.
CPC: A63G7/00; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; A63G21/04; B61C3/00
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Ride vehicle propulsion via eddy current drive.

Abstract

A ride that includes an eddy current vehicle drive, and the ride may take the form of a roller coaster with a lift hill. The eddy current vehicle drive includes an eddy current generator with a vehicle-mounted element and a support-mounted element. The “support” in this ride may be a chain similar to a chain lift system's chain with its drive components. The eddy current vehicle drive may use equipment that is similar to a traditional roller coaster chain lift. The chain has a support-mounted element of the eddy current generator (such as a set of conductor fins) mounted on each link of the chain to form a continuous or nearly-continuous (with small gaps between adjacent pairs of the plates) conductor that extends vertically from the chain. The vehicle's body has a magnet or magnet array to provide the vehicle-mounted element (portion or half) of the eddy current generator.

Background

BACKGROUND1. Field of the Description(1) The present description relates, in general, to mechanisms for driving or moving a vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle for an amusement or theme park ride, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for driving or moving a vehicle along a track or along a path through application of an outside force. In one example, a drive system and drive method is provided for lifting a roller coaster vehicle up a lift hill.2. Relevant Background(2) There are many applications where it is desirable to drive or move a vehicle, such as a wheeled or rollable passenger vehicle, a floating vehicle/boat, or the like, in a guided manner up or down a track or along a path. Often, it is useful to drive the vehicle by applying an outside driving force upon the vehicle so that an onboard engine or motor is not required or used for this portion of the vehicle's travel on the track or along the path. Generally, it is desirable for the outside force to be applied in a relatively efficient manner with limited impact with the vehicle's body and/or wear on the drive system, with minimal load upon the vehicle's passengers, and with a drive system that does not require significant maintenance over its useful life.(3) For example, a traditional roller coaster uses chain lifts or drives that physically “catch” vehicles (e.g., via engagement between a hook on the bottom of the vehicle and a link on the chain). The chain lift catches or engages the vehicle as it appr

Claims

1. A system for moving vehicles at a desired velocity through a space by applying a non-contact driving force, comprising: a vehicle configured to be movable along a predefined path; a support; a support drive assembly operating to move the support at a support velocity along a travel path that is proximate to and parallel to the predefined path; and an eddy current generator comprising a vehicle-mounted element and a support-mounted element, wherein the vehicle-mounted element is supported on a surface of a body of the vehicle that faces the predefined path, wherein the support-mounted element is positioned on the support to face the vehicle when the vehicle is moved onto the predefined path at a vehicle velocity differing from the support velocity, and wherein the eddy current generator generates an eddy current to apply a drive force on the body of the vehicle to drive the vehicle along the predefined path. 9. An eddy current vehicle drive for use in moving a vehicle along a section of track, comprising: a support assembly including a support and a drive mechanism moving the support adjacent the section of track at a support velocity; and an eddy current generator comprising a vehicle-mounted element attached to a body of the vehicle and a support-mounted element provided on the support, wherein a first one of the vehicle-mounted element and the support-mounted element includes a magnet, wherein a second one of the vehicle-mounted element and the support-mounted element includes a conductor, and wherein an eddy current is generated when the vehicle-mounted element and the support-mounted element are positioned side-by-side and when the vehicle is moving on the section of the track at a vehicle velocity differing from the support velocity. 15. A system for moving vehicles at a desired velocity through a space by applying a non-contact driving force, comprising: a vehicle adapted for rolling along a ride path; and an eddy current vehicle drive comprising: a first element mounted upon a body of the vehicle; a support adapted for being moved adjacent to a section of the ride path at a support velocity greater than zero when the vehicle is rolling along the ride path; and a second element mounted on the support, wherein the first and second element are positioned adjacent to each other when the vehicle is on the section of the ride path and wherein an eddy current is generated when the vehicle is moving on the section of the ride path at a vehicle velocity differing from the support velocity, whereby the generated eddy current drives the vehicle to move along the section of the ride path.