System and method for maintaining an amusement park attraction system

Abstract

A maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance component configured to discharge material onto a path of a path system of the attraction system, a guide engagement device configured to capture a protrusion of the path system, the protrusion being off the path, and a wheel set configured to move the maintenance vehicle along the path system while the guide engagement device maintains capture of the protrusion and moves the maintenance component along the path.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for maintaining an attraction system in an amusement park.

Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects that may be related to the various aspects of the present disclosure described and claimed below. This disclosure is thought to help provide background information to facilitate the reader's better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that this description is to be read from this perspective and is not an admission of prior art.

[0003] Amusement parks and other entertainment facilities have various features for entertaining guests. For example, an amusement park can include attraction systems such as rides (e.g., roller coasters), theaters, augmented reality systems, etc. An attraction system may include a vehicle that can move along a path or track, for example, during operation, to entertain guests, and the vehicle may move the entire attraction system or through it. In order to achieve the desired performance of the vehicle, it may be desirable to perform maintenance work on the path. Currently, it is recognized that it can be difficult and / or inefficient to perform maintenance work on the path using existing technologies.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] The following presents an overview of certain embodiments disclosed herein. These aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these particular embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In fact, the present disclosure can include various aspects that may not be defined below.

[0005] In one embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance component configured to discharge material onto a path of a path system of the attraction system, a guide engagement device configured to capture a protrusion of the path system, the protrusion being off the path, and a wheel set configured to move the maintenance vehicle along the path system while the guide engagement device maintains capture of the protrusion and moves the maintenance component along the path.

[0006] In one embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance component having a first maintenance section configured to discharge material onto a surface of a path of a path system of the attraction system and a second maintenance section configured to process the material discharged onto the surface, a path engagement device configured to contact the surface and capture the path, and a motivator configured to move the maintenance component along the path by the path engagement device while maintaining capture of the path and moving the maintenance component along the path.

[0007] In one embodiment, a maintenance vehicle for an attraction system includes a maintenance component configured to discharge material onto a path of a path system of the attraction system, a sensor configured to monitor a parameter related to a guiding characteristic of the path system, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive data indicative of a parameter related to a guiding characteristic from the sensor and to control movement of the maintenance vehicle based on the parameter to move the maintenance component along the path.

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts throughout the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] One or more specific embodiments are described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of actual implementations are described herein. As in any industrial design or design project, in developing any such actual implementation, it should be recognized that numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the specific goals of the developers, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints that may vary between implementations. Further, such development work can be complex and time-consuming, but nonetheless, it should be recognized that for those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, it becomes routine work in design, fabrication, and manufacture.

[0011] When describing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean that there is one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and are intended to mean that there may be additional elements other than the recited elements. Additionally, it should be noted that references to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be construed as excluding the existence of additional embodiments incorporating the same features as those likewise recited.

[0012] The present disclosure is directed to an attraction system for an amusement park or theme park. The attraction system can include, for example, a roller coaster, a dark ride, a water ride, a theater, a car ride, and the like. For example, the attraction system can include a vehicle for placing guests. During operation of the attraction system to entertain guests, the vehicle can move (e.g., translate) along a path (e.g., a track, a rail, a route) to impart a sense of movement (e.g., gravity, inertial force, attitude adjustment) to the guests and provide entertainment. Additionally or alternatively, the attraction system can include various show effects, and the vehicle can transport guests to different locations of the attraction system to experience different show effects. In order to achieve a desired performance of the vehicle to entertain guests, it may be desirable to maintain the characteristics or features of the path along which the vehicle travels. For example, by maintaining the structural integrity, surface finish, geometry, texture, terrain, contour, etc. of the path, it may be possible to achieve a desired speed, a desired smoothness, a desired acceleration, a desired rotation, or any other movement associated with the vehicle. Additionally, maintaining the path may extend the service life of the attraction system, such as the vehicle and / or the path.

[0013] Unfortunately, existing approaches and techniques for maintaining a path can be difficult and / or inefficient. For example, the entertainment operations of an attraction system may be paused to enable the execution of maintenance. Thus, while maintenance is being performed, the attraction system may not be able to entertain guests. Further, the execution of existing maintenance operations (e.g., manual execution) can be time-consuming. For example, multiple users such as technicians and operators may be utilized to complete (e.g., manually complete) a single maintenance task such as restoring one or more sections of a path. Additionally or alternatively, existing maintenance operations may not be able to properly maintain a path over a long period of time. As a result, maintenance tasks may be performed frequently, similar to the corresponding temporary entertainment operations of the attraction system. Thus, existing maintenance operations can substantially reduce the efficient operation of the attraction system for entertaining guests.

[0014] Accordingly, it is now recognized that by improving the maintenance of the path, the efficient operation of the attraction system for entertaining visitors can be enhanced. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a maintenance vehicle designed to operate and perform maintenance for the paths of the attraction system. The maintenance vehicle can include different maintenance components for performing maintenance operations. For example, the maintenance components can operate to prepare the path by removing particles (e.g., dust, debris) from the path and / or to prepare the path by discharging a first material or substance that can improve the application (e.g., bonding) of a second material or substance onto the path. Further, the maintenance components can operate to apply a second material that functions to bond to the path and / or to disperse the second material along the path. The second material can adjust characteristics or conditions such as the profile, quality, and / or texture of the path. Additionally, the maintenance components can operate to remove excess deposits of the applied second material and / or to process or cure the applied second material to achieve a desired application of the second material. Accordingly, the maintenance components can operate cooperatively to apply the second material onto the path in a desired manner to achieve the desired operation of the attraction system for entertaining visitors while maintaining the path.

[0015] Furthermore, the maintenance vehicle can be operative to move by utilizing existing features of the attraction system. As an example, the attraction system can include guides (e.g., rails, lips, grooves) that can be used by the vehicle of the attraction system to facilitate movement along a path (e.g., a track) during the entertainment operation of the attraction system. Also, the maintenance vehicle can be operative to move along the path by using the guide during operation for maintaining the path. For example, the maintenance vehicle can be operative to capture the guide. Thus, the guide can physically cause the maintenance vehicle to move along the path (e.g., steer). Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance vehicle can include sensors that are operative to determine characteristics of the guide (e.g., positioning, visual indicators) with respect to the maintenance vehicle, and the movement of the maintenance vehicle can be controlled based on the monitored characteristics. In this way, the maintenance vehicle can utilize the guide to move along the path during maintenance operations in a path similar to the path of the vehicle during the entertainment operation of the attraction system for performing maintenance of the path. Further, by utilizing the guide, the maintenance vehicle can perform maintenance without implementing a dedicated additional system or component (e.g., a steering system and a corresponding controller for operating the steering system) that causes the desired movement of the maintenance vehicle along the path. Therefore, the costs associated with the installation and / or operation of the maintenance vehicle can be reduced or limited.

[0016] With the above in mind, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system 50. The attraction system 50 can be made operable to entertain one or more guests of the attraction system 50. In one embodiment, the attraction system 50 can include a vehicle 52 that can position guests during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. The vehicle 52 can travel throughout or within the attraction system 50 during the entertainment operation, for example, along a path system 54. As an example, the movement of the vehicle 52 throughout the attraction system 50 can give the guests a sense of movement to entertain them. The path system 54 can include a path 56 (e.g., an open path, a rail, a floor) along which the vehicle 52 travels during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. For example, the vehicle 52 can contact or engage with the path 56 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. In one embodiment, the path system 54 can include a guide 58 that operates to guide or steer the vehicle 52 along the path 56. As an example, the guide 58 can include a protrusion, an extension, or a projection to which the vehicle 52 can couple. Thus, the guide 58 can physically guide the vehicle 52 along the path 56. As another example, the guide 58 can guide the vehicle 52 without contacting the vehicle 52. For example, the vehicle 52 can include vehicle sensors 60 that may represent one or more sensors operable to monitor parameters related to the guide 58, and the vehicle 52 can move based on the parameters of the guide 58. As an example, the vehicle sensors 60 can be made 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 barcode), and the vehicle 52 may move (e.g., be steered, guided) based on the signal received by the vehicle sensors 60.

[0017] In addition, the path system 54 can include a base 62, and this base 62 can include a portion of the path system 54 that the vehicle 52 cannot engage or contact during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. As an example, the base 62 may include a surrounding area (e.g., flooring) around the path 56. For example, users such as visitors, operators, and / or technicians can utilize the base 62 to move within the attraction system 50, such as towards or away from the vehicle 52.

[0018] In addition, the attraction system 50 can include a show effect 64 for providing additional entertainment to visitors. The show effect 64 can include, for example, animated figures, lighting effects, sound effects, smoke effects, etc. During the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the show effect 64 can operate to provide effects that visitors such as those in the vehicle 52 can experience (e.g., see, hear). In this way, the show effect 64 and the movement of the vehicle 52 can collaboratively entertain visitors during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50.

[0019] In order to achieve a desirable operation of the vehicle 52, such as providing entertainment to visitors, it may be desirable to maintain the path system 54. For example, it may be desirable to maintain the surface finish, geometry, quality, texture, terrain, contour, and / or any other suitable properties or features of the path 56 so that the vehicle 52 can move through or across the entire attraction system 50 in a desired manner during the entertainment operation. For this reason, maintenance operations for maintaining the path 56 can be performed on the path system 54. During the maintenance operations, the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50 may be interrupted. Accordingly, visitors may not be placed inside the vehicle 52. Instead, the vehicle 52 can be used to maintain the characteristics of the path 56. As an example, the vehicle 52 can include various path maintenance components such as a discharge device 63 that operates to deposit a material or substance on the path 56 and / or a dispersion device 65 (e.g., a spreader) that operates to disperse the discharged material across the path 56. The vehicle 52 can travel along the path 56 and perform construction of materials on various portions of the path 56 to maintain it when assisted by the guide 58, the path 56, and / or the base 62. The construction of the materials can maintain the characteristics of the path 56, thereby enabling the desired movement of the vehicle 52 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. The illustrated attraction system 50 includes a single vehicle 52 that can carry visitors during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50 and maintain the path 56 during the maintenance operation of the attraction system 50, but separate vehicles can be used to carry visitors and maintain the path 56 for different operations of the attraction system 50.

[0020] The control system 66 of the attraction system 50 (e.g., an automation controller, a programmable controller, an electronic controller) can be communicatively connected to the vehicle 52 and / or the show effect 64. The control system 66 can include a memory 68 and a processing circuit 70. The memory 68 can include volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) that contains instructions, and / or non-volatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or some other non-transitory computer-readable medium. The processing circuit 70 can be operable to execute such instructions. For example, the processing circuit 70 can include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general purpose processors, or some combination thereof.

[0021] During the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 to cause movement of the vehicle 52 along the path 56, thereby entertaining the guests disposed within the vehicle 52. Also, the control system 66 can function to activate the show effect 64 during the entertainment mode to enable the show effect 64 to entertain the guests. Further, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 or another vehicle to perform maintenance operations for maintaining the path system 54. For example, the control system 66 can move the vehicle 52 along the path 56 (e.g., based on data received from vehicle sensors 60 or sensors external to the vehicle 52) and function to apply materials to the path 56 to maintain the characteristics of the path 56.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control system 66 can be communicatively coupled to or can include sensors 72 (e.g., sensors separate from the vehicle sensors 60) representing a plurality of sensors. The sensors 72 (e.g., cameras, motion sensors) can monitor parameters and output data indicative of the parameters to the control system 66. The control system 66 can operate the vehicle 52 to perform maintenance operations based on the data received from the sensors 72 (e.g., path features, vehicle position, vehicle position over time). In one example, the parameters can include characteristics of the path 56, such as identified bumps, deviations, abnormal conditions, and / or anomalies (e.g., structural changes, deposits of undesirable substances) associated with the path 56. For this purpose, the sensors 72 can include optical sensors, strain gauges, distance sensors, or any other suitable type of sensor operative to identify deformations and / or structural changes. In another example, the parameters can include the operating time of the attraction system 50 (e.g., the ride cycle of an entertainment operation). For example, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 to perform maintenance operations at a particular frequency (e.g., after a threshold amount of ride cycles). In a further example, the control system 66 can function to operate the vehicle 52 in response to a user input (e.g., independent of the data received from the sensors 72), which can include a request to perform a maintenance operation. Indeed, the control system 66 can be configured to operate the vehicle 52 in any suitable manner to maintain the path system 54 and enable the attraction system 50 to operate as desired (e.g., in an entertainment operation).

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., one of the vehicles 52 in FIG. 1) configured to maintain the path system 54. The maintenance vehicle 100 can include a plurality of different maintenance components 101 configured to operate during maintenance operations to reduce irregularities (e.g., defects, deformations, accumulation of unwanted substances, formations) associated with the path system 54. As an example, the operation of the maintenance component 101 can include applying, dispersing, and / or bonding materials onto the path 56 of the path system 54 to maintain the path 56.

[0024] In one embodiment, the maintenance vehicle 100 can include a first, leading, front, or initial section or maintenance device 102 (e.g., a preparation section) configured to prepare (e.g., sweep, mop, blow, sand, polish) a target portion, section, segment, or spot of the path 56 of the path system 54 before applying a specific material onto the path 56 of the path system 54. That is, the maintenance component 101 of the first section 102 of the maintenance vehicle 100 can first process a portion of the path 56 prior to the operation of the other maintenance components 101 regarding a portion of the path 56. As an example, the maintenance vehicle 100 can be configured to move (e.g., translate) along the path 56 in a first direction 104 towards a first irregularity 106 (e.g., a depression, a chip, a spur). The maintenance vehicle 100 can first use the first section 102 to prepare the portion of the path 56 adjacent to the first irregularity 106. Preparing the path 56 using the first section 102 may enable subsequent materials to be applied more effectively to maintain the path 56, such as reducing the first irregularity 106.

[0025] For example, the first section 102 can include a fan 108 configured to blow or draw air across the path 56 to remove certain undesirable particles from the path 56, such as dust, debris, fluid, etc. In another example, the fan 108 can represent a grinder or polisher that operates to remove protrusions or ridges on the path 56. Removing such particles and protrusions can expose the surface of the path 56 to increase the access opportunity to the first unevenness 106. Additionally or alternatively, the first section 102 can include a first discharge device 110 (e.g., a first nozzle, a first sprayer, a first outlet) configured to discharge (e.g., spray) a first material or substance onto the path 56, for example, onto the first unevenness 106. As an example, the first material can include a liquid such as water and / or alcohol (e.g., ethanol) configured to remove additional particles from the path 56 and further increase the access opportunity to the first unevenness 106. As another example, the first material can be set to a specific temperature, such as above a threshold temperature and / or below a threshold temperature, to adjust the temperature of the path 56. For example, the first material can prepare the path 56 to reach a target temperature (e.g., a sufficiently high temperature, a sufficiently low temperature) that enables another material or substance to be easily and / or effectively applied by the path 56. As a further example, the first material can include a chemical composition that facilitates the application of another material to the path 56.

[0026] Moreover, the maintenance vehicle 100 can include a second, intermediate, or central section or maintenance device 112 (e.g., an application section) having a maintenance component 101 configured to apply a second material or substance, which can be configured to bond, adhere, attach, or otherwise adhere to a portion of the path 56 after the first section 102 has conditioned that portion. As an example, the material can include a resin (e.g., epoxy), an adhesive (e.g., a superglue), a paint, a plastic, a filler (e.g., a metal filler within a resin), concrete, a sealer, a coating (e.g., a hardness coating, an ultraviolet coating), another suitable material, or some combination thereof. For this purpose, the second section 112 can include a second discharge device 114 (e.g., a second nozzle, a second sprayer, a second outlet) configured to discharge the second material onto the path 56. For example, the second discharge device 114 can be operative to selectively discharge the second material onto a second unevenness 116 (e.g., the unevenness on which the first section 106 previously operated). In one embodiment, the second section 112 can also include a third discharge device 118, which can also be configured to discharge the second material, thereby enhancing the application of the second material onto the path 56. Additionally or alternatively, the second discharge device 114 and the third discharge device 118 can be configured to apply co-reactants configured to mix and react upon mixing. As an example, the second discharge device 114 can be configured to discharge a resin, and the third discharge device 118 can be configured to discharge a hardener, and the resin and the hardener can be mixed to cure the resin and form a resultant product (e.g., a cured polymer).

[0027] Operation of the second discharge device 114 and / or the third discharge device 118 may cause an excessive amount of the second material to be discharged onto the path 56. For example, operation of the second discharge device 114 and / or the third discharge device 118 may result in a deposit or residue 120 of the second material on the path 56 (e.g., on the second unevenness 116). Therefore, the second section 112 of the maintenance vehicle 100 can include a maintenance component 101 configured to reduce or mitigate the deposit 120 of the second material by, for example, dispersing, leveling, spreading, and / or mixing the second material across the path 56. The dispersion of the second material can enable the second material to more effectively or desirably mitigate the second unevenness 116, for example, by filling, blocking, and / or overlapping most of the second unevenness 116. As an example, the second section 112 can include a wiper 122 (e.g., a blade, squeegee, scraper) that can move (e.g., translate) along the path 56 in a first direction 104, a second direction 124 opposite the first direction 104, a third direction 126 that intersects (e.g., is perpendicular to) the first and second directions 104, 124, or any other suitable direction along the path 56. Additionally or alternatively, the second section 112 can include a brush 128 configured to sweep the path 56, a roller 130 configured to compress the deposit 120, and / or any other suitable component (e.g., a press, a fan) configured to disperse the deposit 120.

[0028] The servicing vehicle 100 can further include a third, subsequent, or end section or servicing device 132 (e.g., a finishing section) having a servicing component 101 configured to finish a portion of the path 56 where a second material can be applied. As an example, the third section 132 can include a remover 134 (e.g., a scraper, a vacuum) configured to remove any remaining excess or deposits of the second material. As another example, the third section 132 can include a processing device 136 configured to process the applied second material and / or provide a surface finish for the path 56 (e.g., using a sander, a grinder, a filer, a sandblaster) by, for example, curing the second material (e.g., via heat, air, water, ultraviolet light, chemicals, an electrical current output), such as by solidifying the second material from a fluid state to a solid state. The operation of the third section 132 can provide desirable characteristics for the path 56 after the second material has been applied to the path 56 to enable a desirable movement of the vehicle 52 (e.g., a vehicle 52 in which a guest is seated) along the path 56 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. For example, the result of the operation of the third section 132 can lead to reduced irregularities 138 that can have desirable quality, texture, profile, geometry, and / or smoothness, such as matching those of the remaining portion of the path 56. In this way, the servicing operations performed by the servicing vehicle 100 can enable the path 56 to have a more desirable (e.g., uniform) quality across various portions of the path 56.

[0029] The servicing vehicle 100 can include a reservoir 140 (e.g., indicating one or more reservoirs) configured to store various materials or substances used by the servicing vehicle 100 during the execution of servicing operations. For example, the reservoir 140 can be configured to store a first substance discharged from the first discharge device 110, a second substance discharged from the second discharge device 114 and / or the third discharge device 118, a substance discharged from the processing device 136, or some combination thereof. In one embodiment, the reservoir 140 can be configured to receive previously discharged materials. For example, the remover 134 can be configured to direct an excess amount of the second material from the path 56 to the reservoir 140, thereby recycling the second material and enabling additional application of the recycled second material. The servicing vehicle 100 can further include a pump 142 configured to direct materials (e.g., a first material, a second material) from the reservoir 140 to servicing components 101 of the servicing vehicle 100, such as the first discharge device 110, the second discharge device 114, the third discharge device 118, and / or the processing device 136.

[0030] The servicing vehicle 100 can further include an actuator 144 (e.g., indicating one or more actuators) configured to cause the servicing vehicle 100 to perform a servicing operation. For example, the actuator 144 (e.g., a linear motor actuator) can be configured to operate (e.g., rotate) the fan 108, move the wiper 122, the brush 128, and / or the roller 130, operate the pump 142, adjust the orientation of the first discharge device 110, the second discharge device 114, the third discharge device 118, and / or the processing device 136, operate the remover 134, or perform some combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator 144 can be configured to cause movement of the servicing vehicle 100. As an example, the servicing vehicle 100 can include one or more wheels 146 configured to engage with the path system 54 and rotate relative to the path system 54 to cause movement of the servicing vehicle 100 along the path 56. The actuator 144 can be a drive device configured to rotate the wheels 146 to move the servicing vehicle 100 along the path 56. In further embodiments, the servicing vehicle 100 can be configured to utilize other features to move along the path 56. For example, the servicing vehicle 100 can include features configured to couple or engage with components of the path system 54 (e.g., chains, cables) that move to cause corresponding movement of the servicing vehicle 100, conveyors or belts configured to rotate to cause movement of the servicing vehicle 100 along the path 56, and / or any other suitable features configured to engage with the path system 54 to enable movement of the servicing vehicle 100 along the path 56.

[0031] In one embodiment, the maintenance vehicle 100 can be configured to operate using an internal power source 148 such as stored power supplied from a battery, harvested power (e.g., power generated via solar energy, kinetic energy, wind energy), and / or any other power source that is integral with or part of (enclosed within) the maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., the chassis of the maintenance vehicle 100). The internal power source 148 can enable the operation of various components of the maintenance vehicle 100 such as the actuator 144. In fact, the maintenance vehicle 100 can perform maintenance operations using the power supplied from the internal power source 148 without receiving power from an external power source or a power source separate from (e.g., not coupled to) the maintenance vehicle 100. In additional or alternative embodiments, the maintenance vehicle 100 can be configured to receive power from an external power source such as commercial power, a generator, an external battery, etc., for performing maintenance operations.

[0032] The control system 66 can be configured to operate the maintenance vehicle 100. As an example, the control system 66 can be configured to operate the actuator 144 to cause the movement of the maintenance vehicle 100 along the path 56 and / or to operate various components to reduce the unevenness of the path 56. In fact, the control system 66 can operate the actuator 144 to control the speed at which the maintenance vehicle 100 moves along the path 56 (e.g., to enable the effective performance of each section 102, 112, 132 of the maintenance vehicle 100), the moving direction of the maintenance vehicle 100 (e.g., the first direction 104, the second direction 124, the direction intersecting the directions 104, 124), etc. In one embodiment, the control system 66 can operate to determine the position of the unevenness of the path 56 (e.g., using the data received from the sensor 72) and selectively operate the maintenance vehicle 100 to reduce the unevenness. That is, the control system 66 can operate the maintenance vehicle 100 to reduce the portion of the path 56 having the specified unevenness (e.g., unevenness of a specific type or size) and not to reduce other portions of the path 56. For example, the control system 66 can move the maintenance vehicle 100 to a target position based on the position of the unevenness. The control system 66 can be configured to temporarily stop the operation of the maintenance components 101 (e.g., the discharge devices 110, 114, 118) until it is determined that the maintenance vehicle 100 is at the target position. In response to determining that the maintenance vehicle 100 is at the target position, the control system 66 can be configured to operate the maintenance components 101 to reduce the specified unevenness. In this way, the energy consumption associated with the operation of the maintenance components 101 can be reduced or limited and can be specifically used to address the specified unevenness.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a plurality of maintenance vehicles configured to perform maintenance operations on the path system 54. By employing a plurality of different maintenance vehicles for a particular operation, vehicles of different configurations can be assembled for a particular operation. Each maintenance vehicle can include different maintenance components configured to operate such that the maintenance vehicles can cooperatively maintain path 56, and different configurations can be used depending on the need for maintenance. For example, in a manner similar to the first section 102 of the maintenance vehicle 100 of FIG. 2, the first, leading, front, or initial maintenance vehicle 170 (e.g., leading maintenance vehicle, preparation vehicle, front vehicle) can be configured to prepare path 56. To this end, the first maintenance vehicle 170 can include maintenance components such as a fan configured to send air across path 56, a discharge device configured to discharge material or substances onto path 56, and / or any other suitable component configured to prepare path 56 to receive additional material. As an example of the advantages of modularity, different leading vehicles or other vehicles can be used depending on the nature of the repair.

[0034] The second, intermediate, or central maintenance vehicle 172 (e.g., intermediate maintenance vehicle, construction vehicle) can be configured to apply material configured to bond to path 56. For example, the second maintenance vehicle 172 can include a discharge device configured to discharge material. Additionally or alternatively, the second maintenance vehicle 172 can include various maintenance components such as wipers, brushes, and / or rollers configured to disperse the discharged material across path 56. Thus, the operation of the second maintenance vehicle 172 can be similar to the operation of the second section 112 of the maintenance vehicle 100 of FIG. 2.

[0035] The third, subsequent, or end maintenance vehicle 174 (e.g., a subsequent maintenance vehicle, a finishing vehicle) can be configured to finish the path 56, such as by removing an excess amount of discharge material and / or treating the discharge material. As an example, the third maintenance vehicle 174 can include a remover and / or a treatment device. In this manner, the operation of the third maintenance vehicle 174 can be similar to the operation of the third section 132 of the maintenance vehicle 100 in FIG. 2.

[0036] The control system 66 can be communicatively connected to each of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 and can be configured to control the operation of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174. For example, the control system 66 can be configured to enable and / or pause the operation of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 and / or to move the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 relative to each other. In fact, the control system 66 can operate the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 independently of each other. As an example, in response to identifying an unevenness in the path 56, the control system 66 can move the first maintenance vehicle 170 towards the unevenness (e.g., without moving and / or operating the second maintenance vehicle 172 and / or the third maintenance vehicle 174). In response to a determination that the first maintenance vehicle 170 is within a target position related to the unevenness (e.g., within a target distance of the unevenness), the control system 66 can operate the first maintenance vehicle 170 to reduce the unevenness, such as by operating the maintenance components of the first maintenance vehicle 170 while moving the first maintenance vehicle 170 along the path 56 at a first speed.

[0037] In response to a determination that the first maintenance vehicle 170 has completed an operation to reduce unevenness (e.g., after a threshold period from when the first maintenance vehicle 170 has passed over the unevenness), the control system 66 can move the second maintenance vehicle 172 towards the unevenness (e.g., without moving and / or operating the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the third maintenance vehicle 174). In response to a determination that the second maintenance vehicle 172 is within a target position related to the unevenness, the control system 66 can operate the maintenance components of the second maintenance vehicle 172 while moving the second maintenance vehicle 172 along the path 56 at a second speed that may be different from the first speed related to the first maintenance vehicle 170. Similarly, in response to a determination that each of the first maintenance vehicle 170 and the second maintenance vehicle 172 has completed an operation to reduce unevenness (e.g., after a threshold period from when the second maintenance vehicle 172 has passed over the unevenness), the control system 66 can move the third maintenance vehicle towards the unevenness (e.g., without moving and / or operating the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the second maintenance vehicle 172). In response to a determination that the third maintenance vehicle 174 is within a target position related to the unevenness, the control system 66 can operate the maintenance components of the third maintenance vehicle 174 while moving the third maintenance vehicle 174 along the path 56 at a third speed that may be different from the first speed related to the first maintenance vehicle 170 and / or the second speed related to the second maintenance vehicle 172. In this way, the control system 66 can sequentially operate the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 to perform maintenance work for reducing the unevenness and maintaining the path 56. The advantages of using separate vehicles for modularization or maintenance components include the ability to spend different amounts of time on maintenance aspects for different vehicles.

[0038] Additionally or alternatively, the control system 66 can be configured to operate maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 to address respective unevennesses. As an example, the control system 66 can be configured to operate a first maintenance vehicle 170 to prepare a first portion of the path 56 associated with a first unevenness, the control system 66 can be configured to operate a second maintenance vehicle 172 to apply and / or disperse material with respect to a second portion of the path 56 associated with a second unevenness, and the control system 66 can be configured to operate a third maintenance vehicle 174 to finish the material applied to a third portion of the path 56 associated with a third unevenness. In fact, the control system 66 can be configured to selectively control the performance of different maintenance operations on the path 56 (e.g., on different portions of the path 56) by separate operations of the maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174.

[0039] The illustrated embodiment includes three maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 configured to perform respective operations, but there may be any suitable number of maintenance vehicles, such as two or four or more maintenance vehicles configured to operate to cooperatively maintain the path system 54. The control system 66 can be communicatively connected to each of the maintenance vehicles, for example, to control the operation of respective maintenance components of the maintenance vehicles and / or to control the operation of the maintenance vehicles to move relative to each other. More efficient operation or preferred operation can be achieved, for example, by including more vehicle types for longer periods of operation and fewer vehicle types for shorter periods of operation.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the maintenance vehicle 200. The maintenance vehicle 200 can be configured to perform maintenance operations on the path system 54 (e.g., preparation of the path 56, application of materials to the path 56, finishing of the path 56). In one embodiment, the maintenance vehicle 200 can be directly or indirectly (e.g., via two) coupled to another vehicle 202 of the attraction system 50. For example, the vehicle 202 can include a vehicle for placing guests during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. The vehicle 202 can be a drive device, and the control system 66 can cause the movement of the vehicle 202 and cause the corresponding movement of the maintenance vehicle 200 along the path 56. As an example, during maintenance operations where guests may not be present in the vehicle 202, the control system 66 can operate the vehicle 202 to move the maintenance vehicle 200 along the path system 54 and configure the maintenance vehicle 200 to perform maintenance operations on a specific portion of the path 56 (e.g., having unevenness). For example, the vehicle 202 can be configured to navigate along a preset path along the path 56, and the movement of the vehicle 202 along the preset path can drive the maintenance vehicle 200 to move along substantially the same preset path. Thus, the operation of the vehicle 202 can enable the maintenance vehicle 200 to handle unevenness along a preset path without pre-programming or pre-configuring the maintenance vehicle 200 to autonomously drive along the preset path or without otherwise automatically driving the maintenance vehicle 200 along the path 56. In this way, the desired movement of the maintenance vehicle 200 (e.g., along substantially the same path as the path through which the vehicle passes during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50) can be achieved more easily or efficiently.

[0041] Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance vehicle 200 can be manually moved along the path 56. For example, a user 204 such as an operator and / or a technician can apply a force (e.g., a pushing force, a pulling force, a steering force) to the maintenance vehicle 200 to cause it to move. Thus, the user 204 can manually control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 200 with respect to specific unevenness of the path 56. In this way, the maintenance vehicle 200 can be moved without communicating with the control system 66.

[0042] Also, the user 204 can enable or suspend the operation of the maintenance components of the maintenance vehicle 200. As an example, the maintenance vehicle 200 can include a user interface 206 such as a button, a dial, a lever, a knob, etc., and the user 204 can interact with the user interface 206 to cause the operation of the maintenance components. For example, the user interface 206 can be used to enable or interrupt the power supply to the maintenance components, to move the maintenance components, and / or to control the operation of the maintenance components so that the maintenance vehicle 200 can maintain the path 56. In this way, the maintenance vehicle 200 can operate without directly communicating with the control system 66, thereby reducing the complexity and / or cost associated with the operation of the maintenance vehicle 200.

[0043] Each of FIGS. 5-10 described below shows a maintenance vehicle (e.g., vehicle 52 in FIG. 1, maintenance vehicle 100 in FIG. 2, maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 in FIG. 3, maintenance vehicle 200 in FIG. 4) configured to perform maintenance operations on a path system (e.g., an embodiment of path system 54 in FIGS. 1-3). For example, each maintenance vehicle, which can represent a plurality of maintenance vehicles configured to perform different operations, can be configured to prepare a path of the path system, apply materials to the path, disperse the materials across the path, and finish the applied materials. In one embodiment, control system 66 can be configured to control the operation of the maintenance vehicle, such as moving along the path and / or operating maintenance components of the maintenance vehicle. In additional or alternative embodiments, the maintenance vehicle can be operated manually by a user, driven to move using a passenger vehicle, and / or operated using any other suitable technique. In each embodiment, the maintenance vehicle can move along the path system by utilizing common or existing components utilized by passenger vehicles during entertainment operations of the attraction system. Thus, the maintenance vehicle can be configured to move along the path system without using a separate dedicated system or component of the path system that is specially implemented to enable movement of the maintenance vehicle along the path system. Accordingly, costs associated with the implementation configuration and / or operation of the maintenance vehicle can be reduced or limited.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 230 configured to perform maintenance operations on a path system 232 of an attraction system 50. For example, the maintenance vehicle 230 can be configured to apply material to a path 234 of the path system 232. The path 234 can include a portion of the path system 232 that a vehicle vehicle can engage or contact (e.g., via one or more wheels of the vehicle vehicle) during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. For example, the illustrated path system 232 includes a protrusion 236 (e.g., a rail, wall, extension, partition, barrier) extending from a base 238 (e.g., a first base portion 238A) of the path system 232 surrounding the path 234. Thus, the protrusion 236 can be spaced from the path 234 (e.g., not directly coupled to the path 234 or part of the path 234). The vehicle vehicle can utilize the protrusion 236 as a guide 58 to guide the movement of the vehicle vehicle along the path 234. For example, the protrusion 236 is adapted to guide the vehicle vehicle along the path system 232 and to maintain engagement of the vehicle vehicle with the path 234. Similarly, the maintenance vehicle 230 can utilize the protrusion 236 to move along the path 234 and perform maintenance on the path 234.

[0045] The servicing vehicle 230 can include a first set of wheels 240 (e.g., four wheels, three wheels, two wheels, five or more wheels) configured to engage and capture the protrusion 236. Thus, the first set of wheels 240 can be a guide engager configured to maintain contact with the protrusion 236. Further, the servicing vehicle 230 can include a frame 242 coupled to the first set of wheels 240 and extending across the path system 232. For example, the frame 242 can extend along a transverse axis 244 across the first base portion 238A and to a second base portion 238B adjacent to the path 234 across the path 234, and the chassis 246 of the servicing vehicle 230 can be coupled to the frame 242. The frame 242 can offset the chassis 246 relative to the protrusion 236 along the transverse axis 244 while the first set of wheels 240 captures the protrusion 236, and the chassis 246 can overlap (e.g., laterally overlap) the path 234 along the transverse axis 244. The chassis 246 can include servicing components 101 configured to perform servicing on the path 234. Further, the servicing vehicle 230 can include a second set of wheels 248 coupled to the frame 242 and configured to engage the second base portion 238B while the first set of wheels 240 captures the protrusion 236.

[0046] The control system 66 can rotationally drive the first set of wheels 240 (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via a drive device) while maintaining capture of the protrusion 236 for the first set of wheels 240 to move along the protrusion 236. The control system 66 can rotationally drive the second set of wheels 248 (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via a drive device) to move along the second base portion 238B while maintaining engagement with the second base portion 238B to cause movement of the chassis 246 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, which can be offset from the first base portion 238A and / or the second base portion 238B along the transverse axis 244 to facilitate performing maintenance on the path 234. That is, the first set of wheels 240 and the second set of wheels 248 can be prevented from contacting the path 234 so as not to affect the operation of the maintenance component 101 with respect to the path 234 (e.g., construction of materials, finishing of the constructed materials), thereby enabling effective and / or efficient operation for maintaining the path 234. Further, since it is possible that the vehicle does not contact the base 238 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50, the maintenance vehicle 230 does not perform maintenance on the base 238 (e.g., the chassis 246 and the maintenance component 101 do not laterally overlap with the first base portion 238A and / or the second base portion 238B), thereby enabling efficient maintenance operation on the path system 232.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a schematic elevation view (e.g., front view, rear view) of an embodiment of maintenance vehicle 230. The engagement between the first set of wheels 240 and the protrusion 236 (e.g., the capture of the protrusion 236 by the first set of wheels 240) can prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle 230 and the path system 54 along the horizontal axis 244. Thus, the first set of wheels 240 can maintain an overlap between the chassis 246 and the path 234 along the lateral axis 244, enabling the maintenance component 101 to perform maintenance on the path 234 (e.g., apply material on the path 234). In fact, the maintenance vehicle 230 can follow along the protrusion 236, for example, along a curve formed by the protrusion 236, due to the engagement between the first set of wheels 240 and the protrusion 236. Further, 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 path system 54 along the vertical axis 270. As an example, the first set of wheels 240 and the second set of wheels 248 can offset the chassis 246 from the path 234 by a target distance along the vertical axis 270, facilitating the operation of the maintenance component 101 for maintaining the path 234.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of an embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 300 configured to perform maintenance on a path system 302 of an attraction system 50, such as path 304 of path system 302. For this purpose, the maintenance vehicle 300 can include a chassis 306 having a maintenance component 101 configured to perform maintenance on the path 304. Additionally, the maintenance vehicle 300 can include wheels 308 configured to engage a base 310 that is separated from and surrounds the path 304. The chassis 306 and the wheels 308 can be coupled to the frame 312 of the maintenance vehicle 300 and are adapted to allow movement (e.g., rotation) of the wheels 308 to cause corresponding movement of the chassis 306 along the path 304.

[0049] The path system 302 can include a guide or flag 314 that is utilized by a vehicle to move along a path 304 during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50 and is utilized by a maintenance vehicle 300 to move along the path system 302 to maintain the path 304. For example, the guide 314 can be utilized by the maintenance vehicle 300 to move the wheels 308 along the base 310, maintain an overlap (e.g., a lateral overlap) between the chassis 306 and the path 304, and prevent an overlap between the chassis 306 and the base 310. Also, the guide 314 can enable the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 to prevent contact between the wheels 308 and the path 304. For example, the guide 314 can guide the maintenance vehicle 300 through the path system 302 without contacting the maintenance vehicle 300. As an example, the maintenance vehicle 300 can include a sensor 316 (e.g., a vehicle sensor 60) configured to enable the maintenance vehicle 300 to travel along the path 304 using the guide 314. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 316 extends along a transverse axis 244 between two of the wheels 308, but the sensor 316 can be configured to be arranged in some suitable manner in additional or alternative embodiments. In one embodiment, the control system 66 is communicatively connected to the sensor 316 and can be configured to cause movement of the maintenance vehicle 300, such as steering of the chassis 306 using the wheels 308, based on data received from the sensor 316. As an example, the sensor 316 can be configured to monitor parameters related to the characteristics of the guide 314. The control system 66 can instruct the maintenance vehicle 300 to move along the path system 302 based on the parameters to move the maintenance component 101 along the path 304.For example, the control system 66 can cause the wheel 308 to move along the base 310 (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via a drive device) so that the chassis 306 overlaps the path 304 and the maintenance component 101 can perform maintenance on the path 304, and the sensor 316 to move relative to one or more of the guides 314 (e.g., to align the sensor 316 with one or more of the guides 314).

[0050] For example, the sensor 316 can include an optical sensor (e.g., a camera) configured to capture an image of the guide 314. For example, the guide 314 may include an indicator (e.g., a barcode), and the optical sensor can detect the indicator by, for example, capturing an image of the indicator. The control system 66 can utilize the detected indicator to control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 based on a comparison of the appearance and / or position of one or more of the captured guides 314 with the target appearance and / or position of one or more of the guides 314 (e.g., indicating a target alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more of the guides 314). As an example, the control system 66 can steer the wheel 308 to adjust the appearance and / or position of one or more of the captured guides 314 toward the target appearance and / or position.

[0051] Additionally or alternatively, the sensor 316 (e.g., transceiver) can be configured to transmit a signal (e.g., ultrasonic sensor, sound wave, electrical signal, electromagnetic wave) and receive the reflection of the transmitted signal. For example, the signal may be deflected from the guide 314 towards the sensor 316 as a reflected signal. Thus, the guide 314 can be made of a retroreflective material to enable deflection of the signal (e.g., towards the sensor 316). The characteristics of the reflected signal (e.g., intensity, frequency, wavelength, angle, direction) can be based on the manner in which the output signal is deflected from one or more guides 314, such as a particular portion of one or more guides 314 from which the output signal is deflected, the angle of deflection from one or more guides 314, etc. The characteristics may indicate the alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more guides 314, and the control system 66 can receive the characteristics via data from the sensor 316. The control system 66 can determine the characteristics of the reflected signal, compare the determined characteristics with the target characteristics of the reflected signal (e.g., indicating the target alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more guides 314), and control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 based on the comparison (e.g., by steering the wheels 308 to adjust the determined characteristics towards the target characteristics).

[0052] In a further embodiment, the guide 314 (e.g., transmitter) can be configured to transmit a signal, and the sensor 316 can be configured to receive the signal transmitted by the guide 314. The characteristics of the received signal (e.g., intensity, frequency, wavelength, angle, direction) may be based on the alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more guides 314. The control system 66 can receive the characteristics via data from the sensor 316, compare the characteristics of the received signal with the target characteristics of the signal received by the sensor 316 (e.g., indicating the target alignment between the sensor 316 and one or more guides 314), and control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 based on the comparison to adjust the characteristics of the received signal towards the target characteristics.

[0053] In one embodiment, the guide 314 can be embedded within the base 310. In this way, the base 310 can be composed of a specific material (e.g., a transparent material, a permeable material, a porous material), enabling uses such as visual recognition and / or signal transmission using the sensor 316 to control the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300. Additionally or alternatively, the guide 314 can be disposed on the surface of the base 310 and thus can be exposed to facilitate use by the sensor 316. Further, in one embodiment, when a certain section of the path 304 is identified as requiring maintenance (e.g., via the control system 66), when the guide 314 associated with the section requiring maintenance (e.g., disposed in or adjacent to the section) is detected by the sensor 316, the maintenance vehicle 300 may be instructed to start the repair work.

[0054] In any case, by the control system 66 controlling the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 based on the data received from the sensor 316, the overlap between the chassis 306 and the path 304 can be maintained so that the maintenance component 101 can perform maintenance on the path 304. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the movement of the maintenance vehicle 300 can be controlled in various manners to move the maintenance vehicle 300 along the path system 54 without using a physical guide configured to guide the maintenance vehicle 300. As an example, the maintenance vehicle 300 can be configured to move along a pre-programmed or preset path, and the control system 66 can be configured to control the movement (e.g., rotation, steering) of the wheels 308 based on the pre-programmed path.

[0055] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the servicing vehicle 300. Each of the wheels 308 can be configured to engage a base 310 and prevent relative movement between the servicing vehicle 300 and the path system 302 along the vertical axis 270. For example, the wheels 308 can offset the chassis 306 from the path 304 at a target distance along the vertical axis 270 that facilitates the operation of the servicing component 101 for servicing 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 positioned in some suitable manner such that it enables the sensor 316 to assist in guiding the servicing vehicle 300 (e.g., enables the sensor 316 to align with a guide). For example, the sensor 316 can be configured to couple to the wheels 308, the frame 312, etc.

[0056] FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of one embodiment of a maintenance vehicle 350 for performing maintenance on a path system 352. For example, a path 354 of the path system 352 can include rails or bars that a vehicle vehicle can engage and along which the vehicle vehicle can move during the entertainment operation of the attraction system 50. Also, the maintenance vehicle 350 can be configured to engage the path 354 by extending across each of the rails (e.g., along the horizontal axis 244) to perform maintenance on the path 354. As an example, the maintenance vehicle 350 can include a first set of wheels 356 configured to engage a first side 358 (e.g., the upper surface) of the path 354, a second set of wheels 360 configured to engage a second side 362 (e.g., the lateral surface, the outer surface) of the path 354, and / or a third set of wheels (not shown) configured to engage a third side (e.g., the lower surface) opposite the first side 358 of the path 354. Thus, the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and / or the third set of wheels can cooperatively capture the path 354 to prevent relative movement between the maintenance vehicle 350 and the path system 352 along the horizontal axis 244 and / or the vertical axis 270, thereby coupling the maintenance vehicle 350 to the path system 352. Further, by rotating the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and / or the third set of wheels while maintaining the capture of the path 354, movement (e.g., translational movement) of the maintenance vehicle 350 along the path 354 can be caused. For example, the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and / or the third set of wheels can maintain the capture of the path 354 while the maintenance vehicle 350 moves along the path 354, enabling the path 354 to guide the movement of the maintenance vehicle 350.

[0057] Additionally, the maintenance vehicle 350 can 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 maintenance components 101. The chassis 366 can overlap the path 354 along the transverse axis 244 (e.g., the chassis 366 can extend across the entire path 354), enabling the maintenance components 101 to perform maintenance on the path 354. The first side 358 can face the chassis 366 and thus the maintenance components 101, and thus the maintenance components 101 can be configured to perform maintenance (e.g., apply material) to the first side 358. For example, the first set of wheels 356 can be positioned between the chassis 366 and the path 354, and the chassis 366 can be offset from the path 354 by a target distance along the vertical axis 270 to facilitate the operation of the maintenance components 101 for maintaining the path 354. However, the operation of the maintenance components 101 can also enable the maintenance components 101 to maintain other sides of the path 354, such as the second side 362 and / or the third side. As an example, the material applied to the first side 358 can be dispersed across the other sides of the path 354 (e.g., by the operation of the maintenance components 101), and / or the maintenance components 101 can be configured to adjust or move to directly perform maintenance on the other sides of the path 354.

[0058] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of one embodiment of a servicing vehicle 350. The servicing vehicle 350 can include a third set of wheels 380 configured to engage a third side 382 (e.g., a bottom surface) of the path 354 that is opposite the first side 358 of the path 354. The first set of wheels 356 and the third set of wheels 380 can capture the first side 358 and the third side 382 of the path 354 to prevent relative movement between the chassis 366 along the vertical axis 270 and the path 354. Additionally, the second set of wheels 360 can capture the second side 362 of the path 354 to prevent relative movement between the chassis 366 along the horizontal axis 244 and the path 354. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the first set of wheels 356, the second set of wheels 360, and the third set of wheels 380 can serve as path engagement devices and can maintain contact with the path 354. The control system 66 can cause movement of any of the sets of wheels 356, 360, 380 (e.g., via an actuator, via another vehicle, via a drive device) to move the servicing vehicle 350 along the path 354. The illustrated servicing vehicle 350 includes three sets of wheels configured to engage the first side 358, the second side 362, and the third side 382 of the path 354, respectively, but the servicing vehicle 350 can include any number of wheel sets and / or any number of wheels configured to engage any suitable side of the path 354 to capture the path 354 and enable movement of the servicing vehicle 350 along the path 354.

[0059] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method or process 400 for operating a maintenance vehicle (e.g., vehicle 52 of FIG. 1, maintenance vehicle 100 of FIG. 2, maintenance vehicles 170, 172, 174 of FIG. 3, maintenance vehicle 200 of FIG. 4, maintenance vehicle 230 of FIGS. 5 and 6, maintenance vehicle 300 of FIGS. 7 and 8, maintenance vehicle 350 of FIGS. 9 and 10). Some suitable device (e.g., processing circuit 70 of control system 66 of FIGS. 1-10) can execute method 400. In one embodiment, method 400 can be implemented by executing instructions stored in a tangible non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 68 of control system 66). For example, method 400 can be executed at least in part by one or more software components, one or more hardware components, one or more software applications, etc. Method 400 is described using steps in a particular order, but additional steps can be executed, the described steps can be executed in an order different from the illustrated order, and / or certain described steps can be skipped or not executed at all.

[0060] In block 402, data indicates that at least a portion of a path of an attraction system is to be maintained. As an example, the data can be received from a sensor configured to monitor characteristics of the path, and the data can indicate unevenness of the path. As another example, the data can indicate that a threshold period (e.g., since a previous maintenance operation was performed) has elapsed. As a further example, the data can be received via a user input indicating a request to maintain a portion of the path.

[0061] In block 404, in response to receiving data, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move. In one embodiment, a target position (e.g., of a route) can be determined based on the data. As an example, the target position can correspond to a portion of the route to be maintained, and the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move towards the target position. For example, the actuator of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to rotate the wheels of the maintenance vehicle to move the maintenance vehicle to the target position. Further, the speed of the maintenance vehicle can be controlled. As an example, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move at a first speed (e.g., a large speed) in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is outside the target position. Also, the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to move at a second speed (e.g., a small speed) in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is within the target position. For example, the movement of the maintenance vehicle at the second speed can facilitate the execution of maintenance work on the route.

[0062] In block 406, in response to receiving data, the maintenance components of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to operate to perform maintenance operations on the path. For example, the maintenance components can be configured to prepare the path, apply materials to the path, disperse the materials applied throughout the path, finish the applied materials, and the like. The actuators of the maintenance vehicle may be instructed to operate the maintenance components. In one embodiment, the operation of the maintenance components can be selectively enabled. As an example, the operation of the maintenance components can be enabled in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is within a target position associated with a portion of the path, and the operation of the maintenance components can be paused in response to determining that the maintenance vehicle is outside the target position. For example, the maintenance components can operate specifically on the portion of the path to be maintained, thereby avoiding continuous operation of the maintenance components and reducing or limiting the cost and / or energy consumption associated with performing maintenance operations on the path. Additionally or alternatively, the maintenance components can be operated to perform maintenance on different portions of the path, such as while the maintenance vehicle is outside a target position associated with a portion of the path. That is, the maintenance operations can be performed on other portions of the path in addition to the portion to be maintained initially indicated by the received data (e.g., while the maintenance vehicle is moving towards the target position).

[0063] In additional or alternative embodiments, the operation of the maintenance components can be adjusted based on the operation of additional maintenance components. For example, in response to determining that a binding material has been applied by a first maintenance component, a second maintenance component can be operated to process and / or cure the binding material (e.g., within a threshold period after the binding material has been applied by the first maintenance component) to enable a desired finish of the binding material. Accordingly, the operation of each maintenance component can be preferably performed with respect to each other to link the operation of the respective maintenance components to perform desired maintenance operations on the path.

[0064] In a further embodiment, the maintenance component can be operated based on the characteristics of the path and / or the material applied to the path. As an example, the maintenance component can operate to apply a predetermined amount of material so as to increase, for example, the amount and / or flow rate of the material applied in proportion to the identified unevenness of the path, such as the size of the unevenness. As another example, the maintenance component can operate to process the applied material based on the amount of material applied and / or the position of the applied material. For example, the duration associated with processing the applied material can be increased in proportion to the amount of material applied, and / or the processing operation can be specifically applied to the detected location where the material was applied (e.g., to more readily finish, bond, cure, and / or prevent the accumulation and / or movement of the material applied to the path). Thus, the maintenance of the path can be more suitably performed to reduce specific unevenness and / or the path.

[0065] It should be noted that method 400 can be executed independently for different maintenance vehicles. That is, different maintenance vehicles may be instructed to move relative to each other to address different portions of the path to be maintained. In addition, different maintenance components associated with the maintenance vehicle can be operated to perform different maintenance operations on respective portions of the path. In fact, multiple maintenance vehicles can be operated by method 400 to simultaneously or collectively maintain different portions of the path.

[0066] Although only specific features of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications and variations. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0067] The technology claimed in this specification refers to and is applicable to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature that surely improve this technical field, and thus are not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical. Further, if any claim appended at the end of this specification includes one or more elements designated as "means for [performing]... [function]" or "steps for [performing]... [function]", such elements shall be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). On the other hand, for any claim containing elements designated in any other form, such elements shall not be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0068] 50 Attraction system 52 Vehicle 54 Route system 56 Route 58 Guide 62 Base 63 Discharge device 64 Show effect 65 Dispersion device 66 Control system

Claims

1. It is an attraction system, Maintenance vehicles and Route system and, A sensor configured to detect parameters related to the attraction system, An automatic control system, Receiving data from the aforementioned sensor, the data indicating the parameters related to the attraction system, and Based on the aforementioned data, control the movement of the maintenance vehicle along the route system. An automatic control system configured to perform operations including, A maintenance component of the maintenance vehicle, configured to discharge material onto the path of the route system of the attraction system, A guide engagement device for the maintenance vehicle, configured to capture a protrusion of the path system, wherein the protrusion is separated from the path; A wheel set of the maintenance vehicle, wherein the wheel set is configured to engage with the path system to allow the maintenance vehicle to move along the path system while the guide engaging device maintains the capture of the protrusion, An attraction system equipped with these features.

2. The attraction system according to claim 1, comprising a drive unit for the maintenance vehicle, wherein the guide engagement device comprises an additional set of wheels configured to capture the protrusion, and the drive unit is configured to rotate the set of wheels and the additional set of wheels to move the maintenance vehicle along the protrusion while the additional set of wheels maintains capture of the protrusion.

3. The attraction system according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect structural changes related to the path system, and the parameters related to the attraction system include the structural changes related to the path system.

4. The attraction system according to claim 1, wherein the wheel set is configured to engage with a base portion of the path system, and the base portion is offset laterally from the path.

5. The attraction system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is located on the maintenance vehicle.

6. The attraction system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect characteristics related to the protrusion, and the characteristics related to the protrusion correspond to the parameters related to the attraction system.

7. It is an attraction system, Maintenance vehicles and Route system and, A sensor configured to detect parameters related to the attraction system, An automatic control system, Receiving data from the aforementioned sensor, the data indicating the parameters related to the attraction system, and Based on the aforementioned data, control the movement of the maintenance vehicle along the route system. An automatic control system configured to perform operations including, A maintenance component of the maintenance vehicle comprising: a first maintenance section configured to discharge material onto the surface of the path of the path system of the attraction system; and a second maintenance section configured to process the material discharged onto the surface; A path engagement device for the maintenance vehicle, comprising a path engagement device configured to contact the surface and capture the path, The drive unit of the maintenance vehicle, configured to move the maintenance component along the path by the path engaging device while maintaining the capture of the path and moving the maintenance component along the path, An attraction system equipped with these features.

8. The attraction system according to claim 7, comprising a chassis for the maintenance vehicle, wherein the chassis includes the maintenance components, and the chassis is configured to overlap the path along the horizontal axis while the path engaging device captures the path and allows the maintenance components to discharge material onto the path.

9. The attraction system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor configured to detect irregularities related to the path, and the irregularities related to the path correspond to the parameters related to the attraction system.

10. The aforementioned path engagement device is A first set of wheels configured to engage with the surface on 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. A second set of wheels configured to engage with a second side of the aforementioned path, wherein the second side is an outer lateral side, The attraction system according to claim 8, comprising:

11. The attraction system according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is physically separate from the maintenance vehicle.

12. The attraction system according to claim 7, wherein the maintenance vehicle is equipped with the sensor.

13. The attraction system according to claim 7, wherein the second maintenance section is configured to deposit a hardening material on the material in order to solidify the material from a fluid state.

14. It is a maintenance vehicle, The aforementioned maintenance vehicle is A maintenance component configured to discharge material onto the path of the attraction system's pathway system, A sensor configured to monitor parameters related to the characteristics of the guide of the aforementioned path system, Control system and, Equipped with, The control system is Receiving data from the sensor indicating the parameters related to the characteristics of the guide, and Controlling the movement of the maintenance vehicle based on the parameters to move the maintenance components along the path, An attraction system configured to perform actions including those mentioned above.

15. The maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the maintenance vehicle does not come into contact with the guide during movement controlled by the control system.

16. The control system is Comparing the parameters related to the characteristics of the guide with the target parameters, and Controlling the movement of the maintenance vehicle; adjusting the parameters toward the target parameters, A maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, configured to perform an operation including the operation described above.

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

18. The maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a transceiver configured to transmit an output signal and receive a reflected signal resulting from the deflection of the output signal from the guide, and the parameters include the characteristics of the reflected signal.

19. The maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the sensor is configured to receive a signal transmitted from the guide, and the parameter includes the characteristics of the signal.

20. A wheel configured to engage with the base of the path system, wherein the base is separated from the path of the path system, A drive device configured to cause the movement of the aforementioned wheels, Equipped with, The maintenance vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the control system is configured to actuate the drive unit to cause the wheels to move along the base based on the parameters relating to the characteristics of the guide, thereby moving the maintenance components along the path.

Images