System and method for performing maintenance of amusement park spot system

Abstract

A maintenance vehicle 100 for a scenic spot system 50 comprises: a maintenance member 101 configured to output material onto a path 56 of a pathway system 54 of the scenic spot system 50; a guide adapter configured to capture a protrusion 236 of the access system 54, the protrusion 236 being separate from the path 56; and a set of wheels 146 configured to move the maintenance carrier 100 along the access system 54 to move the maintenance member 101 along the path 56 while the guide adapter maintains capture of the protrusion.

Description

Background Art

[0001] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the technology that may be related to various aspects of the present technology described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of various aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that these statements are understood in light of this, rather than as an admission of the prior art.

[0002] Amusement parks and other entertainment venues have various features to provide entertainment to visitors. For example, an amusement park may include an attraction system, such as rides (e.g., roller coasters), theatrical performances, extended reality systems, and the like. The attraction system may include a ride vehicle that may move throughout or within the attraction system during operation, such as along a path or track, to provide entertainment to visitors. It may be desirable to perform maintenance operations on the path to achieve the desired performance of the ride vehicle. It is now recognized that performing maintenance operations on the path using existing techniques may be difficult and / or inefficient. Summary of the invention

[0003] The following presents an overview of certain embodiments disclosed herein. It should be understood that these aspects are presented only to provide the reader with a brief overview of these specific embodiments, and these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure may cover a variety of aspects that may not be presented below.

[0004] In an embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance member configured to output material onto a path of a passage system of the attraction system; a guide engager configured to capture a protrusion of the passage system that is disengaged from the path; and a set of wheels configured to move the maintenance vehicle along the passage system while the guide engager maintains capture of the protrusion to move the maintenance member along the path.

[0005] In an embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance member having a first maintenance section configured to output material onto a surface of a path of a pathway system of the attraction system, and a second maintenance section configured to process the material output onto the surface; a path engager configured to contact the surface and capture the path; and an actuator configured to move the maintenance member along the path via the path engager while maintaining capture of the path to move the maintenance member along the path.

[0006] In an embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes: a maintenance member configured to output material onto a path of a pathway system of the attraction system; a sensor configured to monitor a parameter associated with a property of a guide of the pathway system; and a control system. The control system is configured to receive data from the sensor indicating a parameter associated with the property of the guide and control movement of the maintenance vehicle based on the parameter to move the maintenance member along the path. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system including a pathway system and a maintenance vehicle according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a plurality of maintenance vehicles for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Figure 8 is a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Fig. 9 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; Fig.10 is a schematic elevation view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle for performing path maintenance operations for an attraction system according to aspects of the present disclosure; and Fig.11is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method or process for operating a path maintenance vehicle according to aspects of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In order to provide a brief description of these embodiments, not all features of the actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be recognized that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, many implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as complying with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. In addition, it should be recognized that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but it is still a routine task of design, construction, and manufacturing for ordinary technicians who benefit from this disclosure.

[0009] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive, and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to an attraction system for an amusement park or theme park. An attraction system may include a roller coaster, a dark ride, a water ride, a theatrical show, a car ride, and the like. For example, an attraction system may include a ride vehicle on which a visitor may be located. During the operation of the attraction system to provide entertainment to the visitor, the ride vehicle may move (e.g., translate) along a path (e.g., a track, a guide rail, a pathway) to give the visitor a sense of movement (e.g., gravity, inertial force, posture adjustment) to provide entertainment. Additionally or alternatively, the attraction system may include a variety of performance effects, and the ride vehicle may carry visitors to different locations of the attraction system to experience different performance effects. It may be desirable to maintain the properties or characteristics of the path along which the ride vehicle travels to achieve the desired performance of the ride vehicle to provide entertainment to the visitor. For example, maintaining the structural integrity, surface finish, geometry, texture, topography, contour, and the like of the path may enable achieving a desired speed, desired smoothness, desired acceleration, desired rotation, or any other motion associated with the ride vehicle. Additionally, maintaining the path may extend the useful life of an attraction system (such as of a ride vehicle and / or of the path).

[0011] Unfortunately, existing approaches and techniques for maintaining paths may be difficult and / or inefficient. For example, the entertainment operation of the attraction system may be suspended to enable the maintenance to be performed. Therefore, the attraction system may not be able to provide entertainment to visitors while the maintenance is performed. In addition, the performance (e.g., manual performance) of existing maintenance operations may be time consuming. For example, multiple users (such as technicians and operators) may be utilized to complete (e.g., manually complete) a single maintenance operation to replace one or more sections of the path. Additionally or alternatively, existing maintenance operations may not be able to adequately maintain the path for a sustained period of time. As a result, maintenance operations of the attraction system and corresponding suspension of entertainment operations may be frequently performed. In this way, existing maintenance operations may significantly reduce the effective operation of the attraction system to provide entertainment to visitors.

[0012] Therefore, it is currently recognized that improving the maintenance of the path can improve the efficiency of the operation of the scenic spot system to provide entertainment to tourists. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a maintenance vehicle that is designed to operate and perform the maintenance of the path of the scenic spot system. The maintenance vehicle may include different maintenance components to perform maintenance operations. For example, the maintenance component may be operable to prepare the path by removing particles (e.g., dust, debris) from the path and / or outputting a first material or substance that can improve the application (e.g., bonding) of a second material or substance on the path. The maintenance component may also be operable to apply a second material that may be operable to be bonded to the path and / or distribute the second material along the path. The second material may adjust the properties or conditions of the path, such as contour, quality and / or texture. The maintenance component may further be operable to remove excess deposits of the applied second material and / or treat or cure the applied second material to achieve the desired application of the second material. Therefore, the maintenance components may be cooperatively operated to implement the second material onto the path in a desired manner to maintain the path and achieve the desired operation of the scenic spot system to provide entertainment to tourists.

[0013] In addition, the maintenance vehicle may be operable to move by utilizing existing features of the attraction system. For example, the attraction system may include a guide (e.g., a guide rail, a lip, a groove) that a ride vehicle of the attraction system may use to facilitate movement along a path (e.g., a track) during amusement operation of the attraction system. The maintenance vehicle may also be operable to move along the path using the guide during operation to maintain the path. For example, the maintenance vehicle may be operable to capture the guide. Thus, the guide may physically cause the maintenance vehicle to cruise the path (e.g., turn along the path). Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance vehicle may include a sensor that is operable to determine the attributes of the guide relative to the maintenance vehicle (e.g., positioning, visual indicators), and the movement of the maintenance vehicle may be controlled based on the monitored attributes. In this way, the maintenance vehicle may move along the path using the guide during maintenance operation, and its route is similar to the route of the ride vehicle during amusement operation of the attraction system, so as to perform maintenance on the path. Furthermore, utilizing the guides may enable the maintenance vehicle to perform maintenance without the need to implement additional systems or components dedicated to driving the maintenance vehicle along the path for desired movement (e.g., a steering system and a corresponding controller for operating the steering system). Thus, the costs associated with the installation and / or operation of the maintenance vehicle may be reduced or limited.

[0014] Considering the foregoing, Figure 1is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system 50. The attraction system 50 may be operable to provide entertainment to one or more guests of the attraction system 50. In an embodiment, the attraction system 50 may include a vehicle 52 on which a guest may be located during an entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. During an entertainment operation, the vehicle 52 may travel throughout the attraction system 50 or within the attraction system 50, such as along a pathway system 54. For example, the movement of the vehicle 52 throughout the attraction system 50 may give the guest a sense of movement to provide entertainment to the guest. The pathway system 54 may include a path 56 (e.g., an open path, a rail, a floor) along which the vehicle 52 travels during an entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. For example, during an entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the vehicle 52 may contact or engage with the path 56. In an embodiment, the pathway system 54 may include a guide 58 that operates to guide or manipulate the vehicle 52 along the path 56. As an example, the guide 58 may include a protrusion, an extension, or a projection that may be coupled to the vehicle 52. Thus, the guide 58 may physically guide the vehicle 52 along the path 56. As another example, the guide 58 may guide the vehicle 52 without contacting the vehicle 52. For example, the vehicle 52 may include a vehicle sensor 60, which may represent one or more sensors, which may be operable to monitor parameters associated with the guide 58, and the vehicle 52 may move based on the parameters of the guide 58. For example, the vehicle sensor 60 may be operable to receive a signal or other indicator (e.g., a visual indicator) deflected from or output by the guide 58 (e.g., a transmitter, a bar code), and the vehicle 52 may move (e.g., be steered, be guided) based on the signal received by the vehicle sensor 60.

[0015] The pathway system 54 may also include a base 62, which may include portions of the pathway system 54 that the vehicle 52 may not engage or contact during amusement operations of the attraction system 50. As an example, the base 62 may include a surrounding area (e.g., a floor) surrounding the path 56. For example, users (such as guests, operators, and / or technicians) may utilize the base 62 to navigate through the attraction system 50, such as toward or away from the vehicle 52.

[0016] The attraction system 50 may also include show effects 64 to provide further entertainment to the guests. The show effects 64 may include, for example, animated characters, lighting effects, sound effects, smoke effects, etc. During the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the show effects 64 may operate to provide effects that guests (such as guests in the vehicles 52) may experience (e.g., see, hear). Thus, the show effects 64 and the movement of the vehicles 52 may cooperate to provide entertainment to the guests during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50.

[0017] It may be desirable to maintain pathway system 54 to achieve desired operation of vehicle 52 in order to provide entertainment to guests. For example, it may be desirable to maintain the surface finish, geometry, quality, texture, topography, contour, and / or any other suitable attribute or characteristic of path 56 so that vehicle 52 can travel throughout or within attraction system 50 in a desired manner during entertainment operation. For this reason, maintenance operations may be performed relative to pathway system 54 to maintain path 56. During the maintenance operation, entertainment operation of attraction system 50 may be suspended. Therefore, guests may not be located in vehicle 52. Instead, vehicle 52 may be used to maintain the attributes of path 56. For example, vehicle 52 may include various path maintenance components, such as an output device 63 that operates to deposit material or substance onto path 56 and / or a dispensing device 65 (e.g., a spreader) that operates to dispense output material across path 56. The vehicle 52 may travel along the path 56 with the aid of the guides 58, the path 56, and / or the base 62 to apply material to and maintain different portions of the path 56. The application of the material may maintain the properties of the path 56 to achieve the desired movement of the vehicle 52 during amusement operations of the attraction system 50. Although the illustrated attraction system 50 includes a single vehicle 52 that may transport guests during amusement operations of the attraction system 50 and maintain the path 56 during maintenance operations of the attraction system 50, different vehicles may be used for transporting guests and for maintaining the path 56 for different operations of the attraction system 50.

[0018] The control system 66 (e.g., an automation controller, a programmable controller, an electronic controller) of the attraction system 50 may be communicatively coupled to the vehicle 52 and / or the show effect 64. The control system 66 may include a memory 68 and a processing circuit 70. The memory 68 may include a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), and / or a non-volatile memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard drive, a solid-state drive, or any other non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The processing circuit 70 may be operable to execute such instructions. For example, the processing circuit 70 may include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or any combination thereof.

[0019] During the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 to drive the vehicle 52 to move along the path 56, thereby providing entertainment to the guests located in the vehicle 52. The control system 66 can also function to operate the show effect 64 during the entertainment mode to enable the show effect 64 to provide entertainment to the guests. In addition, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 or another vehicle to perform maintenance operations to maintain the pathway system 54. For example, the control system 66 can function to cause the vehicle 52 to move along the path 56 (e.g., based on data received from the vehicle sensor 60 or a sensor external to the vehicle 52), and apply a material to the path 56 to maintain the properties of the path 56.

[0020] In an embodiment, the control system 66 may be communicatively coupled to or include a sensor 72 (e.g., a sensor separate from the vehicle sensor 60), which may represent a plurality of sensors. The sensor 72 (e.g., a camera, a motion sensor) may monitor a parameter and output data indicative of the parameter to the control system 66. The control system 66 may operate the vehicle 52 to perform a maintenance operation based on the data received from the sensor 72 (e.g., path characteristics, vehicle position, vehicle positioning over time). In an example, the parameter may include an attribute of the path 56, such as an identified irregularity, anomaly, abnormality, and / or anomaly associated with the path 56 (e.g., structural change, collection of undesirable materials). To this end, the sensor 72 may include an optical sensor, a strain gauge, a distance sensor, or any other suitable type of sensor that operates to identify deformation and / or structural change. In another example, the parameter may include an operating time of the attraction system 50 (e.g., a ride cycle of an amusement operation). For example, the control system 66 may function to operate the vehicle 52 to perform a maintenance operation at a specific frequency (e.g., after a threshold number of ride cycles). In another example, the control system 66 may function to operate the vehicle 52 in response to a user input (e.g., regardless of the data received from the sensor 72), which may include a request to perform a maintenance operation. In fact, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the vehicle 52 in any suitable manner to maintain the pathway system 54 and enable the attraction system 50 to operate as desired (e.g., in amusement operation).

[0021] Figure 2 is a maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., Figure 11. A schematic side view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 100 (one of the vehicles 52 in FIG. 1 ). The maintenance vehicle 100 may include a plurality of different maintenance components 101 that are configured to operate during maintenance operations to mitigate irregularities (e.g., defects, deformations, accumulations of undesirable materials, formations) associated with the pathway system 54. For example, operation of the maintenance components 101 may include applying, dispensing, and / or bonding material to the pathway 56 of the pathway system 54 to maintain the pathway 56.

[0022] In one embodiment, the maintenance vehicle 100 may include a first, front, forward or initial section or maintainer 102 (e.g., a preparation section) configured to prepare (e.g., sweep, mop, spray, blow off, polish, grind) a target portion, section, segment or point of the path 56 of the pathway system 54 before applying certain materials to the path 56. That is, the maintenance components 101 of the first section 102 of the maintenance vehicle 100 may first process a portion of the path 56 before other maintenance components 101 operate relative to a portion of the path 56. For example, the maintenance vehicle 100 may be configured to move (e.g., translate) along the path 56 in a first direction 104 toward a first irregularity 106 (e.g., a dent, a chip, a protrusion). The maintenance vehicle 100 may first prepare a portion of the path 56 adjacent to the first irregularity 106 via the first section 102. Preparing the path 56 via the first section 102 may enable subsequent materials to be more effectively applied to maintain the path 56 in order to mitigate the first irregularity 106.

[0023] For example, the first section 102 may include a fan 108 configured to force or draw air through the path 56 to remove certain undesirable particles, such as dust, debris, fluids, etc., from the path 56. In another example, the fan 108 may represent a grinder or polisher that operates to remove protruding or raised portions of the path 56. Removing such particles and protruding portions may expose the surface of the path 56 to increase accessibility to the first irregularity 106. Additionally or alternatively, the first section 102 may include a first output device 110 (e.g., a first nozzle, a first sprayer, a first outlet) configured to output (e.g., spray) a first material or substance onto the path 56, such as onto the first irregularity 106. As an example, the first material may include a liquid, such as water and / or alcohol (e.g., ethanol), which is configured to remove additional particles from the path 56 and further increase accessibility to the first irregularity 106. As another example, the first material can be a specific temperature, such as above a threshold temperature and / or below a threshold temperature, to adjust the temperature of pathway 56. For example, the first material can condition pathway 56 to reach a target temperature (e.g., a sufficiently high temperature, a sufficiently low temperature), which enables another material or substance to be more easily and / or more effectively applied to pathway 56. As another example, the first material can have a chemical composition that facilitates application of another material to pathway 56.

[0024] The maintenance vehicle 100 may also include a second, intermediate or middle section or maintainer 112 (e.g., an application section) having a maintenance member 101 configured to apply a second material or substance that may be configured to bond, adhere, attach, or otherwise attach to a portion of the path 56 after the first section 102 prepares the portion. For example, the material may include a resin (e.g., epoxy), an adhesive (e.g., super glue), a paint, a plastic, a filler (e.g., a metal filler within a resin), concrete, a sealant, a coating (e.g., a hardness coating, a UV coating), another suitable material, or any combination thereof. To this end, the second section 112 may include a second output device 114 (e.g., a second nozzle, a second sprayer, a second outlet) configured to output the second material onto the path 56. For example, the second output device 114 may be operable to selectively output the second material onto a second irregularity 116 (e.g., an irregularity on which the first section 106 has previously operated). In an embodiment, the second section 112 may also include a third output device 118, which may also be configured to output the second material, thereby increasing the application of the second material on the path 56. Additionally or alternatively, the second output device 114 and the third output device 118 may be configured to apply a co-reactant material configured to mix and react when mixed. For example, the second output device 114 may be configured to output a resin, the third output device 118 may be configured to output a hardener, and the resin and hardener may mix and cure the resin to form a resulting product (e.g., a hardened polymer).

[0025] Operation of the second output device 114 and / or the third output device 118 may cause an excess of the second material to be output onto the path 56. For example, operation of the second output device 114 and / or the third output device 118 may result in a deposit or residue 120 of the second material on the path 56 (e.g., on the second irregularity 116). For this reason, the second section 112 of the maintenance vehicle 100 may include a maintenance component 101 configured to mitigate or reduce the deposit 120 of the second material, such as by distributing, leveling, spreading, and / or mixing the second material across the path 56. The distribution of the second material may enable the second material to more effectively or more desirably mitigate the second irregularity 116, such as by filling, blocking, and / or overlapping a larger portion of the second irregularity 116. For example, the second section 112 may include a scraper 122 (e.g., a blade, a squeegee, a scraper) that can move (e.g., translate) along the path 56, such as in the first direction 104, in a second direction 124 opposite the first direction 104, in a third direction 126 that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the first direction 104 and the second direction 124, or in any other suitable direction along the path 56. The second section 112 may additionally or alternatively include a brush 128 configured to clean the path 56, a roller 130 configured to compress the deposit 120, and / or any other suitable member configured to distribute the deposit 120 (e.g., a press, a fan).

[0026] The maintenance vehicle 100 may further include a third, rear or end section or maintainer 132 (e.g., a finishing section) having a maintenance member 101 configured to finish the portion of the path 56 to which the second material may be applied. As an example, the third section 132 may include a remover 134 (e.g., a scraper, a vacuum cleaner) configured to remove remaining excess second material or deposits of the second material. As another example, the third section 132 may include a processing device 136 configured to process the applied second material, such as by curing (e.g., via output heat, air, water, ultraviolet radiation, chemicals, electrical current) the second material so as to solidify the second material from a fluid state to a solid state, and / or provide a surface finish to the path 56 (e.g., via a sander, grinder, file, sandblaster). After the second material is applied to the path 56, the operation of the third section 132 can provide the desired properties of the path 56 to enable the vehicle 52 (e.g., the vehicle 52 in which the guest is located) to perform the desired movement along the path 56 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. For example, the completion operation of the third section 132 can result in the alleviated irregularity 138, which can, for example, have a desired quality, texture, contour, geometry and / or smoothness to match the rest of the path 56. In this way, the maintenance operation performed by the maintenance vehicle 100 can enable the path 56 to have a more desired (e.g., uniform) quality in different portions of the path 56.

[0027] The maintenance vehicle 100 may include a reservoir 140 (e.g., representing one or more reservoirs) configured to store various materials or substances used by the maintenance vehicle 100 during the performance of maintenance operations. For example, the reservoir 140 may be configured to store a first material output by the first output device 110, a second material output by the second output device 114 and / or the third output device 118, a material output by the processing device 136, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the reservoir 140 may be configured to receive material that has been previously output. For example, the remover 134 may be configured to direct excess second material from the path 56 to the reservoir 140, thereby recovering the second material and enabling additional application of the recovered second material. The maintenance vehicle 100 may further include a pump 142 configured to direct material (e.g., first material, second material) from the reservoir 140 to a maintenance component 101 of the maintenance vehicle 100, such as, to the first output device 110, the second output device 114, the third output device 118 and / or the processing device 136.

[0028] The maintenance vehicle 100 may further include an actuator 144 (e.g., representing one or more actuators) configured to cause the maintenance vehicle 100 to perform a maintenance operation. For example, the actuator 144 (e.g., a motor linear actuator) may be configured to cause the fan 108 to operate (e.g., rotate), move the scraper 122, the brush 128, and / or the roller 130, operate the pump 142, adjust the orientation of the first output device 110, the second output device 114, the third output device 118, and / or the processing device 136, operate the remover 134, or any combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 144 may be configured to drive the movement of the maintenance vehicle 100. For example, the maintenance vehicle 100 may include one or more wheels 146 configured to engage with the passage system 54 and rotate relative to the passage system 54 to drive the maintenance vehicle 100 to move along the path 56. Actuator 144 may be an exciter configured to cause wheel 146 to rotate so as to move maintenance vehicle 100 along path 56. In another embodiment, maintenance vehicle 100 may be configured to move along path 56 using another feature. For example, maintenance vehicle 100 may include a feature (e.g., a chain, a cable) configured to couple or engage a member of pathway system 54 that moves to drive corresponding movement of maintenance vehicle 100, a conveyor or belt configured to rotate to drive maintenance vehicle 100 along path 56, and / or any other suitable feature configured to engage pathway system 54 to enable maintenance vehicle 100 to move along path 56.

[0029] In one embodiment, the maintenance vehicle 100 may be configured to operate via an internal power source 148, such as stored power provided by a battery, harvested power (e.g., solar power, power generated via kinetic energy, wind power), and / or any other power source that is integral to or part of (e.g., enclosed within) the maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., a chassis of the maintenance vehicle 100). The internal power source 148 may enable operation of various components of the maintenance vehicle 100 (such as the actuators 144). Indeed, using power provided by the internal power source 148, the maintenance vehicle 100 may be able to perform maintenance operations without receiving power from an external power source or a power source that is separate (e.g., unconnected) from the maintenance vehicle 100. In additional or alternative embodiments, the maintenance vehicle 100 may be configured to receive power from an external power source (such as grid power, a generator, an external battery, etc.) in order to perform maintenance operations.

[0030] The control system 66 may be configured to operate the maintenance vehicle 100. For example, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the actuators 144 to drive the maintenance vehicle 100 to move along the path 56 and / or operate various components to mitigate irregularities in the path 56. In practice, the control system 66 may operate the actuators 144 to control the speed at which the maintenance vehicle 100 moves along the path 56 (e.g., so that each of the sections 102, 112, 132 of the maintenance vehicle 100 can effectively perform), the direction of movement of the maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., in the first direction 104, in the second direction 124, in a direction intersecting the directions 104, 124), etc. to move the maintenance vehicle 100 via the wheels 146. In an embodiment, the control system 66 may be operable to determine the location of the irregularities of the path 56 (e.g., via data received from the sensors 72), and may selectively operate the maintenance vehicle 100 to mitigate the irregularities. That is, the control system 66 may cause the maintenance vehicle 100 to mitigate portions of the path 56 having an identified irregularity (e.g., an irregularity of a particular type or size), and not mitigate other portions of the path 56. For example, the control system 66 may cause the maintenance vehicle 100 to move to a target location based on the location of the irregularity. The control system 66 may be configured to suspend operation of the maintenance component 101 (e.g., output devices 110, 114, 118) until it is determined that the maintenance vehicle 100 is at the target location. In response to determining that the maintenance vehicle 100 is at the target location, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the maintenance component 101 to mitigate the identified irregularity. Thus, the energy consumption associated with the operation of the maintenance component 101 may be reduced or limited, and the energy consumption may be used exclusively to resolve the identified irregularity.

[0031] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a plurality of maintenance vehicles configured to perform maintenance operations on pathway system 54. By employing a plurality of different maintenance vehicles for specific tasks, vehicles of different configurations may be assembled for a particular task. Each maintenance vehicle may include different maintenance components configured for operation, such that maintenance vehicles may cooperatively maintain pathway 56, and different configurations may be used depending on maintenance needs. For example, a first, front, front, or initial maintenance vehicle 170 (e.g., a front maintainer, preparation vehicle, front vehicle) may be configured to prepare pathway 56, such as in a manner similar to that of a maintenance vehicle. Figure 2 56. In a similar manner to first section 102 of maintenance vehicle 100 of FIG. 10. For this reason, first maintenance vehicle 170 may include maintenance components, such as a fan configured to direct air across path 56, an output device configured to output material or substance onto path 56, and / or any other suitable component configured to prepare path 56 so that additional material can be applied to path 56. As an example of the benefits of modularity, different front vehicles or other vehicles may be used depending on the nature of the repair.

[0032] The second, intermediate or middle maintenance vehicle 172 (e.g., intermediate maintainer, applicator) can be configured to apply material configured to be coupled to the path 56. For example, the second maintenance vehicle 172 can include an output device configured to output the material. Additionally or alternatively, the second maintenance vehicle 172 can include various maintenance components configured to distribute the output material across the path 56, such as scrapers, brushes, and / or rollers. Thus, the operation of the second maintenance vehicle 172 can be similar to Figure 2 Operation of the second section 112 of the maintenance vehicle 100.

[0033] A third, rear or end maintenance vehicle 174 (e.g., rear maintainer, finishing vehicle) can be configured to finish the path 56, such as by removing excess output material and / or processing the output material. As an example, the third maintenance vehicle 174 can include a remover and / or processing device. In this way, the operation of the third maintenance vehicle 174 can be similar to Figure 2 Operation of the third section 132 of the maintenance vehicle 100 .

[0034] The control system 66 may be communicatively coupled to each of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 and may be configured to control the operation of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174. For example, the control system 66 may be configured to enable and / or suspend the operation of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 and / or cause the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 to move relative to each other. In fact, the control system 66 may operate the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 independently of each other. For example, in response to identifying an irregularity in the path 56, the control system 66 may cause the first maintenance vehicle 170 to move toward the irregularity (e.g., without moving and / or operating the second maintenance vehicle 172 and / or the third maintenance vehicle 174). In response to determining that the first maintenance vehicle 170 is within a target position associated with the irregularity (e.g., within a target distance of the irregularity), the control system 66 may operate the first maintenance vehicle 170 to mitigate the irregularity, such as by operating maintenance components of the first maintenance vehicle 170 while moving the first maintenance vehicle 170 along the path 56 at a first speed.

[0035] In response to determining that the first maintenance vehicle 170 has completed its operation to alleviate the irregularity (e.g., after a threshold time period since the first maintenance vehicle 170 moved through the irregularity), the control system 66 may cause the second maintenance vehicle 172 to move toward the irregularity (e.g., without moving and / or operating the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the third maintenance vehicle 174). In response to determining that the second maintenance vehicle 172 is located within a target position associated with the irregularity, the control system 66 may operate the maintenance components of the second maintenance vehicle 172 while causing the second maintenance vehicle 172 to move along the path 56 at a second speed, which may be different from the first speed associated with the first maintenance vehicle 170. Similarly, in response to determining that each of the first maintenance vehicle 170 and the second maintenance vehicle 172 has completed its operation to mitigate the irregularity (e.g., after a threshold time period since the second maintenance vehicle 172 moved through the irregularity), the control system 66 may cause the third maintenance vehicle to move toward the irregularity (e.g., without moving and / or operating the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the second maintenance vehicle 172). In response to determining that the third maintenance vehicle 174 is within a target position associated with the irregularity, the control system 66 may operate the maintenance components of the third maintenance vehicle 174 while causing the third maintenance vehicle 174 to move along the path 56 at a third speed, wherein the third speed may be different from the first speed associated with the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the second speed associated with the second maintenance vehicle 172. In this way, the control system 66 may sequentially operate the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 to perform maintenance operations for mitigating the irregularity and maintaining the path 56. A benefit of modularity or using separate vehicles for servicing components is the ability for different vehicles to spend different amounts of time on maintenance.

[0036] Additionally or alternatively, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 to address the respective irregularities. For example, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the first maintenance vehicle 170 to prepare a first portion of the path 56 associated with a first irregularity, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the second maintenance vehicle 172 to apply and / or dispense material relative to a second portion of the path 56 associated with a second irregularity, and the control system 66 may be configured to operate the third maintenance vehicle 174 to finish the material applied to a third portion of the path 56 associated with a third irregularity. In fact, the control system 66 may be configured to selectively control the execution of different maintenance operations (e.g., for different portions of the path 56) of the path 56 via separate operation of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174.

[0037] Although the illustrated embodiment includes three maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 configured to perform corresponding operations, any suitable number of maintenance vehicles, such as two maintenance vehicles or more than three maintenance vehicles, configured to operate and cooperatively maintain the access system 54 may be present. The control system 66 may be communicatively coupled to each of the maintenance vehicles to control the operation of the maintenance vehicles so as to control the operation of the corresponding maintenance components of the maintenance vehicles and / or to move the maintenance vehicles relative to each other. For example, more efficient operation or more appropriate operation may be achieved by including more vehicle types for operations of longer duration and fewer vehicle types for operations of shorter duration.

[0038] Figure 4 6 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 200. The maintenance vehicle 200 may be configured to perform maintenance operations relative to the pathway system 54 (e.g., preparation of the pathway 56, application of material to the pathway 56, finishing of the pathway 56). In embodiments, the maintenance vehicle 200 may be directly coupled or indirectly coupled (e.g., via two) to another vehicle 202 of the attraction system 50. For example, the vehicle 202 may include a ride vehicle in which a guest may be located during amusement operations of the attraction system 50. The vehicle 202 may be an actuator, and the control system 66 may cause movement of the vehicle 202 and drive corresponding movement of the maintenance vehicle 200 along the pathway 56. For example, during a maintenance operation in which a guest may not be located in the vehicle 202, the control system 66 may be configured to operate the vehicle 202 to move the maintenance vehicle 200 along the pathway system 54 and enable the maintenance vehicle 200 to perform maintenance operations relative to a particular portion of the pathway 56 (e.g., having an irregularity). For example, vehicle 202 may be configured to navigate a predetermined route along path 56, and movement of vehicle 202 along the predetermined route may drive maintenance vehicle 200 to move substantially along the same predetermined route. Thus, operation of vehicle 202 may cause maintenance vehicle 200 to address irregularities along the predetermined route without requiring maintenance vehicle 200 to be pre-programmed or pre-configured to navigate the predetermined route on its own or otherwise cause maintenance vehicle 200 to travel on its own along path 56. In this manner, desired movement of maintenance vehicle 200 (e.g., along substantially the same route that the ride vehicle traverses during amusement operations of attraction system 50) may be more easily or more efficiently achieved.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, maintenance vehicle 200 may be manually moved along path 56. For example, user 204 (such as an operator and / or technician) may apply a force (e.g., a push, a pull, a steering force) to maintenance vehicle 200 to drive movement of maintenance vehicle 200. Thus, user 204 may manually control movement of maintenance vehicle 200, such as to a particular irregularity in path 56. In this manner, maintenance vehicle 200 may be moved without communicating with control system 66.

[0040] The user 204 may also be configured to enable or suspend the operation of the maintenance components of the maintenance vehicle 200. For example, the maintenance vehicle 200 may include a user interface 206, such as a button, a dial, a lever, a knob, etc., and the user 204 may interact with the user interface 206 to cause the operation of the maintenance components. For example, the user interface 206 may be used to enable or interrupt the power supply to the maintenance components, move the maintenance components, and / or otherwise control the operation of the maintenance components to enable the maintenance vehicle 200 to maintain the path 56. In this way, the maintenance vehicle 200 may be operated without directly communicating with the control system 66, thereby reducing the complexity and / or cost associated with operating the maintenance vehicle 200.

[0041] Described below Figure 5-10 Each of the illustrated embodiments is configured to implement a pathway system (e.g., Figure 1-3 54 of the embodiment of the access system 54) for maintenance operations of the maintenance vehicle (e.g., Figure 1 Vehicle 52, Figure 2 Maintenance vehicle 100, Figure 3 Maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174, Figure 4 Maintenance vehicle 200). For example, each maintenance vehicle, which may represent a plurality of maintenance vehicles configured to perform different operations, may be configured to prepare a path for a pathway system, apply material to a path, distribute material across a path, finish the applied material, and the like. In one embodiment, the control system 66 may be configured to control the operation of the maintenance vehicle, such as traveling along a path and / or operating a maintenance component of the maintenance vehicle. In additional or alternative embodiments, the maintenance vehicle may be manually operated by a user, driven to move via a ride vehicle, and / or operated using any other suitable technology. In each embodiment, the maintenance vehicle may be moved along the pathway system by utilizing common or existing components used by ride vehicles during the entertainment operation of the scenic spot system. Thus, the maintenance vehicle may be configured to cruise the pathway system without the need to use a separate dedicated system or component of the pathway system that is specifically implemented to enable the maintenance vehicle to move along the pathway system. Therefore, the costs associated with the implementation and / or operation of the maintenance vehicle may be reduced or limited.

[0042] Figure 52 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 230 configured to perform maintenance operations on a pathway system 232 of an attraction system 50. For example, the maintenance vehicle 230 may be configured to apply material to a path 234 of the pathway system 232. The path 234 may include a portion of the pathway system 232 in which a ride vehicle may engage or contact (e.g., via one or more wheels of the ride vehicle) during amusement operations of the attraction system 50. For example, the pathway system 232 shown includes a protrusion 236 (e.g., a rail, a wall, an extension, a partition, a barrier) extending from a base 238 (e.g., a first base portion 238A) of the pathway system 232 surrounding the path 234. Thus, the protrusion 236 may be separate from the path 234 (e.g., not directly connected to the path 234 or not a part of the path 234). The ride vehicle may utilize the protrusion 236 as a guide 58 to guide the movement of the ride vehicle along the path 234. For example, the protrusions 236 may guide the ride vehicle along the pathway system 232 to cause the ride vehicle to remain engaged with the path 234. The maintenance vehicle 230 may similarly utilize the protrusions 236 to move along the path 234 and perform maintenance relative to the path 234.

[0043] The maintenance vehicle 230 may include a first set of wheels 240 (e.g., four wheels, three wheels, two wheels, more than four wheels) configured to engage with and capture the protrusion 236. In this way, the first set of wheels 240 may be a guide engager configured to maintain contact with the protrusion 236. In addition, the maintenance vehicle 230 may include a frame 242 coupled to the first set of wheels 240 and extending across the passage system 232. For example, the frame 242 may extend across the first base portion 238A and the path 234 along the lateral axis 244 to the second base portion 238B adjacent to the path 234, and the chassis 246 of the maintenance vehicle 230 may be coupled to the frame 242. The frame 242 may offset the chassis 246 relative to the protrusion 236 along the lateral axis 244 while the first set of wheels 240 captures the protrusion 236 so that the chassis 246 can overlap (e.g., laterally overlap) the path 234 along the lateral axis 244. Chassis 246 may include maintenance members 101 configured to perform maintenance on path 234. Additionally, maintenance vehicle 230 may include a second set of wheels 248 coupled to frame 242 and configured to engage second base portion 238B while first set of wheels 240 capture protrusion 236.

[0044] The control system 66 can drive the first set of wheels 240 to rotate (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via an exciter) while the first set of wheels 240 maintains capture of the protrusion 236 to move along the protrusion 236, and the control system 66 can drive the second set of wheels 248 to rotate (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via an exciter) and move along the second base portion 238B while maintaining engagement with the second base portion 238B to drive the chassis 246 to move along the path 234. In this way, the first set of wheels 240 and the second set of wheels 248 can avoid contact with the path 234, and the path 234 can be offset from the first base portion 238A and / or the second base portion 238B along the lateral axis 244 to facilitate maintenance on the path 234. That is, the first set of wheels 240 and the second set of wheels 248 may not contact the path 234 to avoid affecting the operation of the maintenance member 101 relative to the path 234 (e.g., application of material, finishing of the applied material), thereby achieving effective and / or efficient operation to maintain the path 234. In addition, since the ride vehicle may not contact the base 238 during the amusement operation of the attraction system 50, the maintenance vehicle 230 may not perform maintenance on the base 238 (e.g., the chassis 246 and the maintenance member 101 may not overlap laterally with the first base portion 238A and / or the second base portion 238B) to perform effective maintenance operations on the passage system 232.

[0045] Figure 6 24 is a schematic elevation view (e.g., front view, rear view) of an embodiment of the maintenance vehicle 230. The engagement between the first set of wheels 240 and the protrusion 236 (e.g., capturing the protrusion 236 via the first set of wheels 240) can prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle 230 and the passage system 54 along the lateral axis 244. Thus, the first set of wheels 240 can maintain overlap between the chassis 246 and the path 234 along the lateral axis 244 to enable the maintenance member 101 to perform maintenance on the path 234 (e.g., apply material to the path 234). In practice, the maintenance vehicle 230 can travel along the protrusion 236 via the engagement between the first set of wheels 240 and the protrusion 236, such as along a curve formed by the protrusion 236. In addition, the engagement between the first set of wheels 240 and the protrusion 236 and the engagement between the second set of wheels 248 and the second base portion 238B can cooperatively prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle 230 and the passage system 54 along the vertical axis 270. For example, the first set of wheels 240 and the second set of wheels 248 can cause the chassis 246 to be offset from the path 234 along the vertical axis 270 by a target distance to facilitate the operation of the maintenance member 101 to maintain the path 234.

[0046] Figure 7304. FIG. 304 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 300 configured to perform maintenance on a pathway system 302 of an attraction system 50, such as a path 304 of the pathway system 302. To this end, the maintenance vehicle 300 may include a chassis 306 having a maintenance member 101 configured to perform maintenance on the path 304. Additionally, the maintenance vehicle 300 may include wheels 308 configured to engage a base 310 that is separate from and surrounds the path 304. The chassis 306 and wheels 308 may be coupled to a frame 312 of the maintenance vehicle 300 to enable the wheels 308 to move (e.g., rotate) to drive the chassis 306 to perform corresponding movement along the path 304.

[0047] The pathway system 302 may include guides or markings 314 that the ride vehicle utilizes to move along the path 304 during amusement operations of the attraction system 50 and that the maintenance vehicle 300 utilizes to travel along the pathway system 302 to maintain the path 304. For example, the maintenance vehicle 300 may use the guides 314 to move the wheels 308 along the base 310 and maintain overlap (e.g., lateral overlap) between the chassis 306 and the path 304 and prevent overlap between the chassis 306 and the base 310. The guides 314 may also move the maintenance vehicle 300 to prevent contact between the wheels 308 and the path 304. For example, the guides 314 may guide the maintenance vehicle 300 through the pathway system 302 without contacting the maintenance vehicle 300. For example, the maintenance vehicle 300 may include a sensor 316 (e.g., a vehicle sensor 60) configured to enable navigation of the maintenance vehicle 300 along the path 304 by utilizing the guide 314. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 316 extends along the lateral axis 244 between two of the wheels 308, but in additional or alternative embodiments, the sensor 316 may be configured to be positioned in any suitable manner. In an embodiment, the control system 66 may be communicatively coupled to the sensor 316 and may be configured to drive movement of the maintenance vehicle 300, such as steering of the chassis 306 via the wheels 308, based on data received from the sensor 316. As an example, the sensor 316 may be configured to monitor a parameter associated with a property of the guide 314. The control system 66 may instruct the maintenance vehicle 300 to move along the pathway system 302 based on the parameter so that the maintenance member 101 moves along the path 304. For example, the control system 66 may cause the wheels 308 to move along the base 310 (e.g., via an actuator, via another ride vehicle, via an actuator) to move the sensor 316 relative to one or more of the guides 314 (e.g., align the sensor 316 with one or more of the guides 314) to cause the chassis 306 to overlap the path 304 and enable the maintenance member 101 to perform maintenance on the path 304.

[0048] For example, sensor 316 may include an optical sensor (e.g., a camera) that may be configured to capture an image of guide 314. For example, guide 314 may include an indicator (e.g., a barcode), and the optical sensor may detect the indicator, such as by capturing an image of the indicator. Control system 66 may use the detected indicator to control movement of maintenance vehicle 300, such as based on a comparison between the appearance and / or positioning of one or more guides 314 in the captured image relative to a target appearance and / or positioning of one or more guides 314 (e.g., indicating a target alignment between sensor 316 and one or more of guides 314). As an example, control system 66 may manipulate wheel 308 to adjust the appearance and / or positioning of one or more guides 314 in the captured image toward the target appearance and / or positioning.

[0049] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 316 (e.g., a transceiver) may be configured to transmit a signal (e.g., an ultrasonic sensor, sound waves, electrical signals, electromagnetic waves) and receive a reflection of the transmitted signal. For example, the signal may be deflected from the guide 314 toward the sensor 316 as a reflected signal. Thus, the guide 314 may be made of a retro-reflective material to enable the signal to be deflected (e.g., toward the sensor 316). The properties of the reflected signal (e.g., intensity, frequency, wavelength, angle, direction) may be based on the manner in which the output signal is deflected from one or more guides 314, such as the specific portion of the one or more guides 314 from which the output signal is deflected, the angle of deflection from the one or more guides 314, and the like. The property may indicate the alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more of the guides 314, and the control system 66 may receive the property via data from the sensor 316. The control system 66 may determine an attribute of the reflected signal, compare the determined attribute to a target attribute of the reflected signal (e.g., indicating a target alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more of the guides 314), and control movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 based on the comparison (e.g., by steering the wheel 308 to adjust the determined attribute toward the target attribute).

[0050] In another embodiment, guide 314 (e.g., a transmitter) may be configured to transmit a signal, and sensor 316 may be configured to receive the signal transmitted by guide 314. The properties of the received signal (e.g., intensity, frequency, wavelength, angle, direction) may be based on the alignment between sensor 316 and one or more of guides 314. Control system 66 may receive the properties via data from sensor 316, compare the properties of the received signal to a target property of the signal received by sensor 316 (e.g., indicating a target alignment between sensor 316 and one or more guides 314), and control movement of maintenance vehicle 300 based on the comparison so as to adjust the properties of the received signal toward the target property.

[0051] In an embodiment, the guide 314 may be embedded within the base 310. Thus, the base 310 may be constructed of a particular material (e.g., a transparent material, a transmissive material, a porous material) to enable utilization (such as observation and / or signal transmission) via the sensor 316 to control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300. Additionally or alternatively, the guide 314 may be placed on top of the surface of the base 310 and may thus be exposed for utilization via the sensor 316. Furthermore, in an embodiment, a section of the path 304 may be identified as requiring maintenance (e.g., via the control system 66), and when a guide 314 associated with (e.g., located at or adjacent to) the section requiring maintenance is detected by the sensor 316, the maintenance vehicle 300 may be instructed to begin a maintenance operation.

[0052] In any case, controlling the movement of maintenance vehicle 300 via control system 66 and based on data received from sensor 316 may maintain overlap between chassis 306 and path 304 to enable maintenance member 101 to perform maintenance on path 304. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the movement of maintenance vehicle 300 may be controlled in a different manner to move maintenance vehicle 300 along pathway system 54 without the use of a physical guide configured to guide maintenance vehicle 300. For example, maintenance vehicle 300 may be configured to travel along a preprogrammed or preset route, and control system 66 may be configured to control the movement (e.g., rotation, steering) of wheels 308 based on the preprogrammed route.

[0053] Figure 8 310 and 320. The embodiment of the maintenance vehicle 300 is an elevation view of an embodiment of the maintenance vehicle 300. Each of the wheels 308 can be configured to engage with the base 310 and prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle 300 and the passage system 302 along the vertical axis 270. For example, the wheels 308 can cause the chassis 306 to be offset from the path 304 by a target distance along the vertical axis 270, which facilitates the operation of the maintenance member 101 to maintain the path 304. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 316 is coupled to the chassis 306. In additional or alternative embodiments, the sensor 316 can be arranged in any suitable manner so that the sensor 316 can assist in navigating the maintenance vehicle 300 (e.g., so that the sensor 316 can be aligned with a guide). For example, the sensor 316 can be configured to be coupled to the wheel 308, the frame 312, and the like.

[0054] Fig. 935 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 350 for performing maintenance on a pathway system 352. For example, a pathway 354 of pathway system 352 may include rails or bars with which a ride vehicle may engage and along which the ride vehicle may move during amusement operation of attraction system 50. Maintenance vehicle 350 may also be configured to engage pathway 354, such as by extending across each of the rails (e.g., along lateral axis 244) to maintain pathway 354. For example, maintenance vehicle 350 may include a first set of wheels 356 configured to engage a first side 358 (e.g., a top side) of pathway 354; a second set of wheels 360 configured to engage a second side 362 (e.g., a lateral side, an outer side) of pathway 354; and / or a third set of wheels (not shown) configured to engage a third side (e.g., a bottom side) of pathway 354 opposite first side 358. Thus, first set of wheels 356, second set of wheels 360, and / or third set of wheels may cooperatively capture path 354 to prevent relative movement between maintenance vehicle 350 and pathway system 352 along lateral axis 244 and / or vertical axis 270, thereby coupling maintenance vehicle 350 to pathway system 352. Additionally, while maintaining capture of path 354, rotation of first set of wheels 356, second set of wheels 360, and / or third set of wheels may drive maintenance vehicle 350 to move (e.g., translate) along path 354. For example, first set of wheels 356, second set of wheels 360, and / or third set of wheels may maintain capture of path 354 during movement of maintenance vehicle 350 along path 354, so that path 354 can guide movement of maintenance vehicle 350.

[0055] The maintenance vehicle 350 may also include a frame 364 coupled to the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and / or the third set of wheels, and a chassis 366 coupled to the frame 364 and having the maintenance member 101. The chassis 366 may overlap the path 354 along the lateral axis 244 (e.g., the chassis 366 may extend across the entire path 354) to enable the maintenance member 101 to perform maintenance relative to the path 354. The first side 358 may face the chassis 366 and therefore the maintenance member 101, and the maintenance member 101 may therefore be configured to perform maintenance relative to the first side 358 (e.g., apply material to the first side 358). For example, the first set of wheels 356 may be positioned between the chassis 366 and the path 354, and the chassis 366 may be offset from the path 354 along the vertical axis 270 by a target distance to facilitate operation of the maintenance member 101 to maintain the path 354. However, operation of maintenance member 101 may also enable maintenance member 101 to maintain other sides of path 354, such as second side 362 and / or third side. For example, material applied to first side 358 may be dispensed across other sides of path 354 (e.g., via operation of maintenance member 101), and / or maintenance member 101 may be configured to adjust or move to perform maintenance directly relative to other sides of path 354.

[0056] Fig.10 354. The maintenance vehicle 350 may include a third set of wheels 380 configured to engage a third side 382 (e.g., bottom side) of the path 354 opposite the first side 358. The first set of wheels 356 and the third set of wheels 380 may capture the first side 358 and the third side 382 of the path 354 to prevent relative movement between the chassis 366 and the path 354 along the vertical axis 270. Additionally, the second set of wheels 360 may capture the second side 362 of the path 354 to prevent relative movement between the chassis 366 and the path 354 along the lateral axis 244. Thus, the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and the third set of wheels 380 may be path engagers in the illustrated embodiment and may remain in contact with the path 354. Control system 66 may drive movement of any set of wheels 356, 360, 380 (e.g., via an actuator, via another ride vehicle, via an exciter) to move maintenance vehicle 350 along path 354. Although maintenance vehicle 350 is shown to include three sets of wheels configured to engage first side 358, second side 362, and third side 382 of path 354, respectively, maintenance vehicle 350 may include any number of wheel sets and / or any number of wheels configured to engage any suitable side of path 354 to capture path 354 and enable maintenance vehicle 350 to move along path 354.

[0057] Fig.11 is used for operating and maintaining vehicles (e.g. Figure 1 Vehicle 52, Figure 2 Maintenance vehicle 100, Figure 3 Maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174, Figure 4 Maintenance vehicle 200, Figure 5 and 6 Maintenance vehicle 230, Figure 7 and 8 Maintenance vehicle 300, Fig. 9 and 10 A flowchart of an embodiment of a method or process 400 for maintaining a vehicle 350). Any suitable device (e.g., Figure 1-10 The method 400 may be executed by any processing circuit 70 of the control system 66 of the control system 66. In one embodiment, the method 400 may be implemented by executing instructions stored in a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., the memory 68 of the control system 66). For example, the method 400 may be at least partially executed by one or more software components, one or more hardware components, one or more software applications, etc. Although the method 400 is described using a particular order of steps, additional steps may be performed, the steps described may be performed in an order different from that shown, and / or some of the steps described may be skipped or not performed in full.

[0058] At block 402, data is received indicating at least a portion of a path of an attraction system to be maintained. As an example, data may be received from a sensor that may be configured to monitor a property of the path, and the data may indicate an irregularity in the path. As another example, the data may indicate that a threshold time period has passed (e.g., since a last maintenance operation was performed). As another example, data may be received via user input that may indicate a request to maintain a portion of the path.

[0059] At box 404, in response to receiving the data, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move. In one embodiment, a target position (e.g., of a path) may be determined based on the data. As an example, the target position may correspond to a portion of the path to be maintained, and the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move toward the target position. For example, an actuator of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to rotate the wheels of the maintenance vehicle to drive the maintenance vehicle to move to the target position. In addition, the speed of the maintenance vehicle may also be controlled. For example, in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is outside the target position, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move at a first speed (e.g., an increased speed). In response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is within the target position, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move at a second speed (e.g., a reduced speed). For example, the movement of the maintenance vehicle at the second speed may facilitate the maintenance operation of the path.

[0060] At box 406, a maintenance component of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to operate to perform a maintenance operation of the path in response to receiving data. For example, the maintenance component may be configured to prepare the path, apply material to the path, distribute the applied material across the path, finish the applied material, etc. The actuator of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to operate the maintenance component. In an embodiment, the operation of the maintenance component may be selectively enabled. For example, in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is located within a target position associated with a portion of the path, the operation of the maintenance component may be enabled, and in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is located outside the target position, the operation of the maintenance component may be suspended. For example, the maintenance component may be operated specifically for the portion of the path to be maintained, thereby avoiding the continuous operation of the maintenance component and reducing or limiting the cost and / or energy consumption associated with the maintenance operation of the path. Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance component may be operated to perform maintenance on different portions of the path, such as when the maintenance vehicle is located outside the target position associated with the portion of the path. That is, in addition to the portion to be maintained initially indicated by the received data, maintenance operations may also be performed on other portions of the path (e.g., when the maintenance vehicle moves toward the target position).

[0061] In additional or alternative embodiments, the operation of the maintenance components can be adjusted based on the operation of the additional maintenance components. For example, in response to determining that the bonding material has been applied by the first maintenance component, the second maintenance component can be operated to process and / or cure the bonding material (e.g., within a threshold time period since the bonding material has been applied by the first maintenance component) to achieve a desired finish for the bonding material. Thus, the operation of each maintenance component can be more appropriately performed relative to each other in order to coordinate the operation of the respective maintenance components to perform the desired maintenance operation for the path.

[0062] In another embodiment, the maintenance component may operate based on the properties of the path and / or the material applied to the path. As an example, the maintenance component may be operated to apply a certain amount of material based on the identified irregularities of the path so as to increase the amount and / or flow rate of the applied material in proportion to the size of the irregularities. As another example, the maintenance component may be operated to process the applied material based on the amount of material applied and / or the location of the applied material. For example, the duration associated with processing the applied material may be increased in proportion to the amount of material applied, and / or the processing operation may be specifically applied to the detected location of the applied material (e.g., to more easily finish, bond, cure and / or prevent accumulation of applied material and / or movement of applied material relative to the path). Thus, maintenance of the path may be more appropriately performed to alleviate specific irregularities and / or paths.

[0063] It should be noted that method 400 can be performed independently for different maintenance vehicles. That is, different maintenance vehicles can be instructed to move relative to each other in order to handle different portions of the path to be maintained. In addition, different maintenance components associated with the maintenance vehicles can be operated to perform different maintenance operations on corresponding portions of the path. In fact, multiple maintenance vehicles can be operated via method 400 in order to maintain different portions of the path simultaneously or in parallel.

[0064] Although only certain features of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0065] The technology presented and claimed herein is cited and applied to specific examples of material objects and actual properties, which significantly improve the art, and thus are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. In addition, if any claim attached at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for (performing) ... (function)" or "steps for (performing) ... (function)", it is intended that such elements should be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). However, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, such elements are not intended to be interpreted according to 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

Claims

1. A maintenance vehicle for a scenic spot system, the maintenance vehicle comprising: a maintenance member configured to output material onto a path of a pathway system of the attraction system; a guide engager configured to capture a protrusion of the pathway system, wherein the protrusion is disengaged from the pathway; as well as A set of wheels is configured to move the maintenance vehicle along the pathway system while the guide engager maintains capture of the protrusion to move the maintenance member along the path.

2. A maintenance vehicle according to claim 1, comprising an actuator, wherein the guide member engager includes an additional set of wheels configured to capture the protrusion, and the actuator is configured to rotate the set of wheels and the additional set of wheels to cause the maintenance vehicle to move along the protrusion while the additional set of wheels maintains capture of the protrusion.

3. The maintenance vehicle according to claim 2, comprising: a chassis including the maintenance member; as well as a frame coupled to the additional set of wheels and the chassis, wherein the frame deflects the chassis away from the protrusion while the additional set of wheels captures the protrusion to cause the chassis to overlap the path along a lateral axis and enable the maintenance member to output the material onto the path.

4. The maintenance vehicle of claim 1, wherein the set of wheels is configured to engage a base portion of the pathway system, and the base portion is laterally offset from the path.

5. A maintenance vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance vehicle includes a front maintainer configured to remove undesirable particles from the path, an intermediate maintainer including a maintenance member configured to deposit the material onto the path, and a rear maintainer configured to solidify the material and / or remove excess of the material deposited on the path.

6. The maintenance vehicle of claim 1, wherein capture of the protrusion via the guide engager is configured to prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle and the passageway system along a lateral axis.

7. A maintenance vehicle for a scenic spot system, the maintenance vehicle comprising: a maintenance component including a first maintenance section configured to output material onto a surface of a pathway system of the attraction system, and a second maintenance section configured to process the material output onto the surface; a path engager configured to contact the surface and capture the path; as well as An actuator is configured to move the maintenance member along the path via the path engager while maintaining capture of the path to move the maintenance member along the path.

8. The maintenance vehicle of claim 7, comprising a chassis including the maintenance member, wherein the chassis is configured to overlap the path along a lateral axis while the path engager captures the path to enable the maintenance member to output the material onto the path.

9. The maintenance vehicle of claim 8, wherein the path includes a plurality of rails, and the chassis is configured to extend across each of the plurality of rails along the lateral axis.

10. The maintenance vehicle of claim 8, wherein the path adapter comprises: a first set of wheels configured to engage a surface at a first side of the path, wherein the first side faces the chassis and the first set of wheels is positioned between the chassis and the path; and A second set of wheels is configured to engage a second side of the path, wherein the second side is an outer lateral side.

11. The maintenance vehicle of claim 10, wherein the path engager includes a third set of wheels configured to engage a third side of the path, wherein the third side is opposite the first side such that the first, second, and third sets of wheels cooperatively capture the path.

12. The maintenance vehicle of claim 7, comprising a front maintainer configured to remove undesirable particles from the path, wherein the first maintenance section comprises an intermediate maintainer configured to deposit the material onto the path, and the second maintenance section comprises a rear maintainer configured to solidify and / or remove excess of the material deposited on the path.

13. The maintenance vehicle of claim 7, wherein the second maintenance section is configured to deposit a curing material onto the material to cure the material from a fluid state.

14. A maintenance vehicle for a scenic spot system, the maintenance vehicle comprising: a maintenance member configured to output material onto a path of a pathway system of the attraction system; a sensor configured to monitor a parameter associated with a property of a guide of the pathway system; as well as A control system configured to perform operations including: receiving data from the sensor, wherein the data indicates a parameter associated with a property of the guide; and Movement of the maintenance vehicle is controlled based on the parameter to move the maintenance member along the path.

15. The maintenance vehicle of claim 14, wherein the maintenance vehicle avoids contact with the guide during movement controlled by the control system.

16. The maintenance vehicle of claim 14, wherein the control system is configured to perform operations comprising: comparing a parameter associated with the attribute of the guide to a target parameter; and The movement of the maintenance vehicle is controlled to adjust the parameter toward the target parameter.

17. The maintenance vehicle of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor configured to capture an image, and the parameter comprises an image of the guide.

18. The maintenance vehicle of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a transceiver configured to transmit an output signal and receive a reflected signal generated by the output signal deflected from the guide, and the parameter comprises a property of the reflected signal.

19. The maintenance vehicle of claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to receive a signal transmitted by the guide, and the parameter comprises a property of the signal.

20. The maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, comprising a wheel configured to engage a base of the pathway system, wherein the base is decoupled from a path of the pathway system; and an actuator configured to drive movement of the wheel, Wherein the control system is configured to operate the actuator based on parameters associated with properties of the guide to drive the wheel to move along the base to move the maintenance member along the path.

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