Vekoma Rides Engineering B.v.

Dw Technology B.v.

Dutch Wheels B.v.

Hendrik Ficus Roodenburg

Mattheus Hendrik Louis Thissen

Johan Willem Philippen

Eloy Jacobus Antonius Gerardus Caelen

Koen Janssen

Petrus Henricus Josephus Van Oosterhout

Arno Johannes Petronella Van Heijster

Eloy Jacobus Caelen

An amusement ride such as a roller coaster, more in particular to booster drives mounted on a track of such a ride, are disclosed. The booster drives each include at least one booster drive motor for driving booster wheels, and for engaging a drive fin of a passenger vehicle to propel that vehicle along the track. The booster drive further includes a base mounted to the track structure, a frame that supports the at least one booster drive motor and the two booster wheels, and a mobile carrier that connects the frame to the base via a left and a right carrier arm. These carrier arms are non-flexible arms pivotably connected to the base and the frame or they are flexible arms, such that in use they enable movement of the frame relative to the base. A biasing device resiliently forces the frame towards a predetermined position.

Amusement ride with booster drives

The invention relates to an amusement ride, such as a roller coaster, comprising a vehicle track and a speed trim system for reducing the speed of the passenger vehicle traveling along the vehicle track. The speed trim system comprises a magnet arrangement located on the passenger vehicle, at least one trim brake located along the track, one or more sensors for measuring the speed of the passenger vehicle approaching and/or passing the trim brake, and a control system. According to the invention, the trim brake comprises a pivotable supported induction blade, that can be pivoted about an induction blade pivot axis between an active position, for trimming the speed of the passenger vehicle while it passes the trim brake, and an inactive position.

Amusement ride with speed trim system

An observation wheel type ride includes a wheel, multiple passenger cabins supported by the wheel, a drive mechanism for rotating the wheel about its rotational axis, and a support structure that supports the wheel. The wheel furthermore includes two first bearings, provided with a first bearing locking mechanism, and two second bearings, provided with a second bearing locking mechanism. Each bearing locking mechanism can selectively be converted between a locking condition, in which it prevents rotational movement of a bearing inner ring relative to a bearing outer ring, and an unlocking condition, in which it allows for rotational movement of the first bearing inner ring relative to the first bearing outer ring. Providing the second bearings allows for rotational movement of the wheel about the rotational axis of its support axle when the first bearing locking mechanisms are in their locking condition.

Observation wheel type ride with auxiliary bearings to support the main shaft in case of failure of the main bearings

Growing community of inventors

Krimpen aan den Ijssel, Netherlands

Hendrik Ficus Roodenburg