The Walt Disney Company

Disney Enterprises, Inc.

William L Wolf

Scott Frazier Watson

Jon Hayes Snoddy

William G Redmann

David W Spencer, Ii

Joel L Fritsche

David G Fink

Anthony W Baxter

Don Robert Hilsen

Charles Albert Flueck

Jeffrey G Anderson

A curved wheelchair ramp for ride vehicles of an amusement park attraction, ride, or other environment is provided. In one embodiment, the wheelchair ramp is maneuverable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the wheelchair ramp may form a door to the ride vehicle. In the extended position, the wheelchair ramp extends, in a curve, between an access opening of the ride vehicle to a station platform. In various embodiments, the ramp may have a first segment, a second segment, and a third segment. The segments may fold together or may nest together.

Wheelchair ramp for a ride vehicle

This disclosure relates to a ride vehicle for use in an amusement attraction. The ride vehicle mounts a passenger supporting structure upon a motion base, so that the passenger supporting structure may be articulated about one or more axes as the vehicle moves. Thus, this 'simulator ride' carries passengers through three-dimensional scenery and articulates the passenger supporting structure in synchronism with motions of the ride vehicle, the motions of moving show sets, which are external to the vehicle, sound, projection and other effects. The ride vehicle is programmably-controlled by a redundant, two computer control system aboard each vehicle, which controls motions of the ride vehicle in synchronism with actions of the motion base and other special effects in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of ride programs. The external body of the vehicle and the plurality of ride programs, which are created using a special programming console and an offline editor, may thus be quickly adapted and reprogrammed to provide an infinite variability in ride experience, for nearly any desired environment. Thus, a plurality of ride vehicles may be governed by a computerized central controller that utilizes radio frequency communication to orchestrate the progress of each vehicle and report digitally transmitted status and fault conditions to a human operator of the attraction.

Programming device and method for controlling ride vehicles in an

This disclosure provides to a ride vehicle for used in an amusement attraction. The ride vehicle mounts a structure upon a hydraulically-actuated motion base, so that the passenger holding structure may be articulated about one or more axes as the vehicle moves. Thus, this 'simulator ride' carries passengers through three-dimensional scenery and articulates the passenger holding structure in synchronism with motions of the ride vehicle, the motions of moving show sets, which are external to the vehicle, sound, projection and other effects. The ride vehicle is programmably-controlled, and derives electrical power from a track mounted power bus to drive vehicle hydraulics, which drive motion base actuation, steering and vehicle velocity. The hydraulic control system uses an electric pump to charge a high-pressure accumulator with hydraulic power from a 480-volt power supply, a manifold to regulate the supply of hydraulic energy to motion base and steering actuators and a hydraulic motor, and a low-pressure accumulator that aids in regenerative braking. Using these elements, the computerized vehicle-control system controls the hydraulically-actuated elements to provide synchronized motions of the vehicle and passenger holding structure, and other special effects, in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of ride programs.

Ride vehicle control system

An amusement park attraction having a dynamic ride vehicle for executing a sequence of distinct motion patterns and for providing unique ride experiences in the amusement park attraction or other environment. The ride vehicle includes a movable chassis and a body having a passenger seating area. A motion apparatus, including Ycomputer controlled actuators, imparts motion to the body along a plurality of axes independent of any motion of the chassis as it moves along a path in the amusement park attraction. As the vehicle travels along the path, articulation of the body and appropriate steering of the vehicle enables the vehicle to execute, in cooperation with the motion apparatus, a sequence of distinct motion patterns. Execution of the motion patterns enhances the passengers' sensation of vehicle movement that is actually taking place, as well as the sensation of a realistic moving ride vehicle experience that is actually not happening.

Amusement park attraction

Growing community of inventors

North Hollywood, CA, United States of America

William L Wolf