Recreation facility with regenerative energy supply

Abstract

The invention relates to a recreation facility comprising a track system and a vehicle (12) guided on the track system (7), said recreation facility comprising a drive for driving the vehicle (12) and a current supply for the drive. The running track system (7) comprises a raised section (13) which is arranged on the supporting structure in a vertically raised manner above a base surface (11) on which the recreation facility is formed. A plurality of photovoltaic units (8) and / or wind energy units for generating electrical energy are provided on the support structure, which are connected to the at least one energy store (4) for storing electrical energy. The at least one energy store (4) is connected to the drive and / or to a control unit for supplying electrical energy to the drive and / or to the control unit for controlling the recreation facility.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention lies in the technical field of amusement facilities having a track system and a vehicle guided on the track system according to the preamble of claim 1 , in particular roller coasters and similar rides. Background Art

[0002] Various amusement facilities, such as roller coasters or similar rides, are known from the prior art, in which vehicles for transporting people are guided on a track system. The amusement facility or track system is constructed on a base surface, such as a parking lot, a recreation area, etc., by means of a supporting structure. The track system of an amusement facility is usually designed as a three-dimensional system and has sections extending essentially horizontally along the base surface and sections rising vertically above the base surface, so that the vehicle can not only move along the base surface in various directions, but also move raised from the base surface. In addition, the movement of the vehicle along the track system can also be superimposed with additional types of movement, such as, for example, rotation or oscillation of the vehicle.

[0003] The forward movement of the vehicle along the track system is carried out via suitable drives, such as hydraulic drives, flywheel drives and pneumatic drives. Electric drives are increasingly being used due to their lower energy consumption. In particular, the use of electric linear motors to drive the vehicle on the track system offers a number of advantages. They are wear-free, can be operated in an energy-saving manner, and allow targeted control of the position and speed of the vehicle. In addition, linear motor drives allow high accelerations and high speeds that cannot be achieved with other drives.

[0004] The publications EP 3311473 A1 and EP 392344 A1 describe, for example, electric linear motor drive systems for amusement rides which are based on the induction principle and can convert electrical energy into driving and braking forces for the vehicle by means of a stator on the track system and an electromagnetic rotor on the vehicle.

[0005] Known drive systems for amusement rides are energy-intensive, since high speeds and accelerations are to be achieved. In particular, the steep sections in roller coasters require a large energy consumption in order to transport the vehicles to the desired height on the track system. Furthermore, since the rides must be constructed and operated on open ground and often far from areas with developed infrastructure, the supply of electricity at the operating site of the rides is often limited. Furthermore, the operating current comes mainly from non-renewable resources, which cannot be converted into electricity without generating carbon dioxide emissions. Summary of the invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to improve an amusement ride in such a way that its energy supply is designed to be simplified and reliable, the environmental load caused by the operation of the amusement ride is reduced and its operating costs are reduced.

[0007] The object on which the invention is based for the amusement ride is achieved by the features of claim 1. Features that improve the inventive concept are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0008] The amusement ride according to the invention having a track system and a vehicle guided on the track system has a drive for driving the vehicle and a current supply device for the drive. The track system has an elevated section, which is arranged vertically elevated above a base surface on which the amusement ride is constructed at a supporting structure. According to the invention, a plurality of photovoltaic units and / or wind energy units for generating electrical energy are arranged at the supporting structure, and the photovoltaic units and / or wind energy units are connected to at least one energy storage device for storing electrical energy. At least one energy storage device is connected to the drive and / or the control unit for controlling the amusement ride with electrical energy.

[0009] In summary, the construction of the supporting structure of the amusement facility with the design of the vertically raised section of the travel track system is integrated into the energy supply design of the facility and is advantageously utilized. The supporting structure of the elevated section generates available space between the base surface and the travel track system, which is used to place a unit for generating regenerative energy in the form of, for example, a photovoltaic unit and / or a wind energy unit and to generate electrical energy. The available space is preferably oriented vertically, wherein the supporting elements of the supporting structure extend, for example, perpendicularly to the base surface so that the energy generating unit, such as a photovoltaic unit and / or a wind energy unit, can be arranged vertically one above the other. The surroundings of the supporting structure in the region of the elevated section of the travel track system are usually not open to the public for safety reasons, so that the supporting structure remains unused for additional functions in a conventional manner. In the amusement facility according to the present invention, these areas and sections are available for additional use. The energy generating unit supports an energy supply based on regenerative energy independent of the conventional power grid, thereby improving the environmental balance of the amusement facility. The amusement facility is at least partially designed to be self-sufficient with electrical energy and more independent of the conventional power grid.

[0010] In one embodiment of the amusement ride according to the invention, not only the drive but also the control unit for controlling the amusement ride is connected to at least one energy storage device. Thus, not only the drive of the amusement ride but also the control mechanism for driving and operating the amusement ride can be operated with self-generated energy. Advantageously, the control unit can also be used to control the photovoltaic unit.

[0011] The photovoltaic unit is designed, for example, as a planar, quadrilateral solar panel. The panel contains a plurality of solar cells and can be fastened as a structural unit to a support structure for the travel track system. In one embodiment of the amusement ride, the panels are provided with spacings from one another, so that the wind action surface formed by the plurality of panels does not generate excessive wind forces on the support structure. In addition, the photovoltaic unit can be installed at an angle to the vertical in order to favor the angle of incidence of the sun's radiation.

[0012] Alternatively, the photovoltaic unit can be designed, for example, as a film with flexible solar cells. The film can be arranged, for example, on elements of the support structure or between elements of the support structure.

[0013] Advantageously, the support structure for the travel track system has a plurality of individual support elements, each of which includes an assembly mechanism for releasably fastening a photovoltaic unit and / or a wind energy unit to the support element. The energy generation unit can be assembled at the support element after the support structure is constructed by the individual support elements. However, the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit can also be integrated in or at the support element, so that the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit are provided at the same time as the construction of the support structure. In addition, the support elements advantageously have wiring, which includes electrical lines and terminals. When the support structure is constructed by splicing the support elements together, the wiring of the support elements can also be connected to each other by means of terminals, so that a wire system is provided at the support structure, which can be connected to the energy storage device. With the support element according to the present invention, the energy generation unit can be constructed and disassembled together with the support structure in a simple manner. This is particularly advantageous in the following amusement facilities, which are provided at different locations and must be constructed and disassembled frequently for this purpose.

[0014] In another embodiment of the amusement facility according to the present invention, the photovoltaic unit is constructed from a plurality of solar cells, and channels are provided between at least some adjacent solar cells. If the photovoltaic unit is, for example, a solar panel, the panel has a plurality of channels between the individual solar cells. The channels form wind ducts so that the wind force generated by the wind blowing on the photovoltaic unit can be reduced. In particular, in the case where a roller coaster provides a large vertical surface between the base surface and the running track system to accommodate the photovoltaic unit, the wind force generated by the photovoltaic unit on the supporting structure must be taken into account. However, it is not necessary to provide a channel between each adjacent solar cell. The number is essentially related to the area size of the photovoltaic unit. As described above, the photovoltaic units can also be arranged spaced apart from each other.

[0015] In one embodiment of the amusement facility according to the present invention, the elongated supporting element of the supporting structure has an assembly mechanism for a photovoltaic unit and / or a wind energy unit, so that these units are movably arranged relative to the supporting element. The photovoltaic unit can be flipped relative to the supporting element by means of the assembly mechanism, for example, so that the photovoltaic unit can be oriented more horizontally or more vertically. Alternatively or additionally, the photovoltaic unit can be rotated relative to the longitudinal axis of the supporting element or around the longitudinal axis. The wind energy unit can advantageously rotate toward the wind. The orientation of the unit relative to the sun and / or relative to the wind can be optimized by the unit movably arranged at the supporting structure. The assembly mechanism can be configured as a pivot element or a hinge for this purpose, for example. It is also possible to use a telescopic rod, with the help of which the area of ​​the photovoltaic unit can be extended and pulled closer relative to the supporting structure. The assembly mechanism can be operated, for example, by means of an electric motor and regulated via a control unit.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, a plurality of measuring sensors for detecting parameters related to the insolation and / or wind action and a control unit for controlling the orientation of the photovoltaic unit and / or wind energy unit in relation to the insolation and / or wind action are provided on the supporting structure and / or the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit. The control unit can control the assembly mechanism for movably assembling the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit so that the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit is oriented in an optimized position on the supporting structure. Further measuring sensors for detecting additional parameters, such as humidity or contamination, can also have an influence on the orientation of the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit. In addition, for example, the current generation of the energy generation unit can be monitored.

[0017] In one embodiment of the amusement ride according to the invention, the track system forms a closed, circumferential track system with a plurality of vertically rising sections. Such track systems are present, for example, in roller coasters. A circumferential track system has the advantage that the amusement ride has a space-saving design and at the same time the number of photovoltaic units in the space can be increased.

[0018] Furthermore, the track system can at least partially surround surface areas of the base surface. These surface areas are oriented substantially horizontally and are closed to the public for safety reasons. Advantageously, a plurality of units for generating regenerative energy, such as, for example, photovoltaic units and / or wind energy units for generating electrical energy, can be arranged on these surface areas, which are also connected to energy storage devices. The units can also have measuring sensors for detecting parameters related to solar radiation and / or wind action and be connected to a control unit for controlling their orientation. These additional units for generating regenerative energy contribute to the autonomous energy supply and further reduce the burden on the local energy grid.

[0019] In another embodiment of the amusement ride according to the invention, the drive is designed as an electromagnetic linear drive with a plurality of electromagnetic rotors and a plurality of stators, which act together to drive the vehicle. Preferably, the drive is designed as a linear synchronous motor. Electromagnetic linear drives have lower energy consumption than hydraulic or pneumatic drives, so that the share of the total consumption of the ride by the regenerative energy generated by means of the amusement ride is greater and the environmental load is lower.

[0020] In a variant, a plurality of electromagnetic rotors are formed at the vehicles of the amusement ride and a plurality of stators are formed at the track system. The stators can thus be connected to the energy storage device directly or indirectly via an inverter and supplied with energy. The electromagnetic rotor and the stator cooperate to generate a driving force for the vehicle. Advantageously, an induction generator is provided at at least one vehicle, which is configured to feed the generated electrical energy back into the energy storage device. The induction generator is, for example, arranged at a downward section of the track system, which is configured for downward travel of the vehicle. In addition, the induction generator can be connected to an eddy current brake; preferably, a passive eddy current brake is recommended for safety reasons. According to the invention, a plurality of independent energy feed directions are possible, so that energy acquisition can be optimized and consumption can be reduced.

[0021] In addition to the energy harvesting of the photovoltaic unit and / or the energy unit, energy can therefore also be harvested via the induction generator, which energy can be used to operate the amusement ride. Preferably, the stator and the electromagnetic rotor of the linear drive are components of the induction generator, or the linear drive assumes the function of the induction generator when the regenerative energy is transferred from the electromagnetic rotor to the stator. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further embodiments of the amusement ride according to the invention and the associated advantages are the subject matter of the drawings and their detailed description. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Below, according to Figure 1 It should be pointed out at this point that the drawings do not restrict the subject matter of the invention itself but merely show exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept as presented in the claims.

[0024] Here, Figure 1 A purely schematic illustration of an amusement ride according to the invention is shown, in which a photovoltaic cell is used as energy generating unit.

[0025] exist Figure 1 The various units of the amusement ride according to the present invention are briefly shown in FIG. Figure 1In the upper part of the diagram, a structural unit is schematically shown, which illustrates the construction of the facility. The track system 7 is arranged on a support structure, which is constructed from a plurality of elongated support elements 10. The support elements 10 are built essentially vertically on a base surface 11 on which the amusement facility is constructed. On the track system 7, a vehicle 12 is shown by way of example, which can be composed of a plurality of individual carriages. Figure 1 , two elevated sections 13 of the travel track system 7 are shown, which are arranged vertically elevated above the base surface 11 by means of the support elements 10 of the support structure. A plurality of photovoltaic cells 8 are mounted on the support elements 10 of the support structure. The photovoltaic cells 8 are arranged on the support elements 10 on both sides of the support elements 10 one above the other, as an example. In principle, the photovoltaic cells 8 can also be arranged between two support elements 10 and supported by the support elements on opposite sides.

[0026] Advantageously, the photovoltaic cell 8 is releasably fastened on the carrier element 10 by means of a mounting mechanism (not shown), which enables a pivoting of the photovoltaic cell 8 about the carrier element 10. A mounting arm (not shown) can also extend from the carrier element 10, for example horizontally, about which the photovoltaic cell 8 is arranged pivotably about a substantially horizontal axis. The mounting mechanism and the mounting arm can be regarded as a positioning aid for orienting the photovoltaic cell 8 relative to the carrier structure or relative to the base surface 11. With the aid of the positioning aid, the photovoltaic cell 8 can have an optimal orientation with respect to the insolation so as to maximize the energy harvest.

[0027] Each photovoltaic cell 8 is connected to a wiring (not shown) which is guided along the carrier element 10 towards the base surface 11. The wiring advantageously comprises an electrical conductor at the photovoltaic cell 8 for conducting the current generated in the photovoltaic cell 8 and a main line along each carrier element, which extends to the base surface. The electrical conductors of the photovoltaic cell 8 are connected to the main line by means of electrical terminals. Thus, the electrical conductors of the photovoltaic cell, the main line and the electrical terminals form the wiring for the photovoltaic cell 8.

[0028] exist Figure 1 The lower part of the diagram schematically shows the structural units of the energy supply and extraction mechanism and the drive of the amusement ride, which illustrate the energy design and drive design of the amusement ride.

[0029] The amusement ride has a linear synchronous drive. For this purpose, a plurality of stators 4 are arranged along the travel track at the travel track system 7 and a plurality of electromagnetic rotors 9 are arranged at the vehicle 12, which generate the driving force for the vehicle by induction. A possible variant of such a drive is described, for example, in the applicant's patent document EP 3 923 444 A1. The details of the design of the linear synchronous drive for the amusement ride described therein are incorporated into the description of the present invention. However, in principle, it is not excluded that the vehicles of the amusement ride are operated by means of other types of electric drives.

[0030] As in Figure 1 As shown in , the energy design of the amusement facility has an energy storage device 4, in particular a battery. Alternatively, for example, a supercapacitor or a flywheel storage device can also be used for energy storage. The photovoltaic cells 8 of the elevated sections 13 of the travel track system 7 form a group of photovoltaic cells and are connected to the converter 14 by means of wiring. In the variant shown, a converter 14 is provided for each elevated section 13. Depending on the number of photovoltaic cells and the spatial expansion of the photovoltaic cells, however, multiple converters can also be provided. The converter 14 is connected upstream of the energy storage device 4 and feeds the solar current generated by the photovoltaic cells 8 into the energy storage device 4. It is advantageous here that the feeding is carried out at the DC current level. Preferably, a DC / DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is provided. In conventional solar inverters, this is carried out via alternating current in contrast.

[0031] The stator 5 of the linear drive is supplied with regenerative electrical energy from an energy store for driving the vehicle 12 of the amusement ride. For this purpose, a plurality of stators 5 can be combined into a stator group and connected to an energy supply unit 6 which is fed by the energy store. For example, a feed converter such as a rectifier 16 or a bidirectional grid converter can be used as the energy supply unit.

[0032] The energy design of the illustrated embodiment of the amusement ride also includes a connection to a local power supply network, such as, for example, a public three-phase power grid. Such a connection is optional in the sense of the invention. The connection can be used, for example, to supplement the current supply by means of the energy storage device or also to provide energy supply to the amusement ride in areas with too little insolation in order to ensure the operation of the amusement ride. In the illustrated embodiment, the local power supply network is connected to the energy storage device 4 via a transformer 15. The energy storage device can therefore also be charged via the local power supply network.

[0033] Furthermore, the amusement ride has a central control unit 2, which controls the travel operation of the ride, in particular the linear drive. Advantageously, the control unit 2 is also connected to the photovoltaic cell 8 and controls the orientation of the photovoltaic cell 8 via the mounting mechanism and the feeding of solar energy into the energy storage device 4. The control unit 2 is also supplied with current from the energy storage device. Advantageously, the control unit 2 is additionally connected to the local power supply network as a backup.

[0034] The control unit 2 controls the operation of the attraction, in particular the acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle 12 by means of a linear drive. In addition, the control unit 12 controls the friction roller unit 3, which is provided for regulating the speed of the vehicle 12. The friction roller unit 3 is provided in the station 1 for passengers to get on and off the vehicle 12.

[0035] Although the present invention is explained with the aid of the drawings and the associated description, these figures are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary and not as limiting the invention. In order not to overemphasize the invention, well-known structures and technologies, such as, for example, the working mode of an electric synchronous drive or the working mode of a solar panel, are not shown and described in detail. It goes without saying that changes and modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of protection of the subsequent claims.

[0036] The present invention is based on Figure 1 The photovoltaic unit is described as an example of a unit for generating regenerative energy. However, a unit for generating energy by means of wind power can also be used. Energy transfer, energy storage, energy feedback, etc. can be implemented in this case as in the example of the photovoltaic unit.

[0037] Reference numerals list

[0038] 1 stop

[0039] 2 Control unit

[0040] 3 Friction roller unit

[0041] 4 Energy storage device

[0042] 5. Stator

[0043] 6 Energy supply unit

[0044] 7 Track system

[0045] 8 Photovoltaic units

[0046] 9 Electromagnetic rotor

[0047] 10 Load-bearing elements

[0048] 11 base surface

[0049] 12 Vehicles

[0050] 13 Elevated Sections

[0051] 14 Inverter

[0052] 15 Transformer

[0053] 16 Rectifier

Claims

1. An amusement ride, comprising a track system and a vehicle (12) guided on the track system (7), the amusement ride comprising a drive for driving the vehicle (12) and a power supply device for the drive, wherein the track system (7) comprises an elevated section (13) which is arranged vertically elevated above a base surface (11) on which the amusement ride is constructed on a supporting structure, It is characterized in that A plurality of photovoltaic units (8) and / or wind energy units for generating electrical energy are arranged on the supporting structure, and the photovoltaic units and / or wind energy units are connected to at least one energy storage device (4) for storing electrical energy, wherein the at least one energy storage device (4) is connected to the drive and / or the control unit for supplying electrical energy to the drive and / or the control unit for controlling the amusement facility.

2. The amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The photovoltaic units (8) are arranged spaced apart from each other.

3. The amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The photovoltaic unit (8) is constructed from a plurality of solar cells, wherein channels are provided between at least some adjacent solar cells.

4. The amusement facility according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The wind energy unit is designed as a wind wheel.

5. The amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The support structure has a plurality of elongated support elements (10) which have mounting means for detachably mounting photovoltaic cells (8) and / or wind energy units and / or for forming wiring for a line system on the support structure.

6. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The support structure has a plurality of elongated support elements (10) which have mounting means for the photovoltaic units (8) and / or wind energy units, so that the units are arranged movably relative to the support elements (10).

7. The amusement ride according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that Measuring sensors for detecting parameters related to insolation and / or wind action and a control unit for controlling the orientation of the photovoltaic unit and / or the wind energy unit in relation to insolation and / or wind action are provided on the supporting structure and / or the photovoltaic unit (8) and / or the wind energy unit.

8. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The travel rail system (7) forms a closed, circumferential rail system having a plurality of vertically rising sections (13).

9. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The track system (7) at least partially surrounds a surface area of ​​the base surface (1) and a plurality of photovoltaic units and / or wind energy units for generating electrical energy are arranged on the surface area.

10. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The drive is designed as an electromagnetic linear drive having a plurality of electromagnetic rotors (9) and a plurality of stators (5), which cooperate with each other to drive the vehicle (12).

11. The amusement ride according to the preceding claim, It is characterized in that The drive is designed as a linear synchronous motor.

12. The amusement facility according to any one of claims 9 or 10, It is characterized in that The plurality of electromagnetic rotors (9) are formed on the vehicles (12) of the amusement ride and the plurality of stators (5) are formed on the track system (7).

13. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that An induction generator is provided on at least one vehicle (12), which is designed to feed generated electrical energy back into the energy store (4).

14. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The plurality of photovoltaic units (8) and / or wind energy units are divided into photovoltaic unit groups and / or wind energy unit groups, and each group is associated with at least one converter (14), which is connected upstream of the energy storage device (4).

15. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that An electric linear drive having a plurality of groups of stators (5) is provided, wherein the stators are arranged at the rail system (7) to cooperate with an electromagnetic rotor (9) of the electric linear drive arranged at the vehicle (12), and each group of stators (5) is associated with an energy supply unit (6) which is connected to the energy storage device (4).

16. An amusement ride according to any one of the preceding claims, It is characterized in that The energy is fed in at the DC current level, with a DC / DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) being provided.

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