Entertainment Platform Axial Movement via Liquid Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydraulic systems used in amusement park entertainment platforms are maintenance-intensive, prone to wear, and costly, limiting the mobility and versatility of these platforms.
Innovation Solution
An entertainment system utilizing a body of liquid and a cylinder where the entertainment platform moves axially within the cylinder by pumping liquid in and out, allowing for elevated positioning for performances and easy access for performers and equipment, with a pump and reservoir system to manage liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hydraulic systems are used to move the entertainment platform, then the platform can be moved vertically, but the system requires extensive maintenance and has high operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional hydraulic mechanical system with an air compression system. Compressed air is stored in a reservoir and released to inflate a balloon or air cushion attached to the platform, enabling vertical movement without hydraulic fluids, pumps, or complex mechanical linkages. This substitution eliminates the maintenance-intensive components while achieving the same platform mobility function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic principles by using compressed air stored in a reservoir to propel the entertainment platform vertically. The air pressure inflates a balloon or creates an air cushion that lifts the platform, providing a reliable movement mechanism that avoids the maintenance problems of hydraulic systems while achieving the desired platform mobility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional hydraulic systems are used to move the entertainment platform, then the platform can be positioned at different heights, but the system is prone to wear and degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wear-prone hydraulic mechanical components with a pneumatic system using compressed air and inflatable balloons. The air cushion or inflated balloon provides contactless or minimal-contact support, eliminating the wear and degradation issues associated with hydraulic seals, hoses, and mechanical linkages while maintaining full platform positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter from hydraulic fluid under pressure to compressed gas in a reservoir. This parameter change from liquid to gas enables a different mechanism of action - using gas expansion and compression rather than hydraulic pressure - which inherently reduces wear and degradation while preserving the platform's ability to be positioned at various heights.
3Device complexity
If the entertainment platform is made stationary, then the system structure is simplified, but performance visibility and audience engagement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the platform from a stationary structure to a dynamic, mobile one using pneumatic actuation. The compressed air system enables the platform to move vertically and potentially reposition horizontally, allowing performers to engage with different audience areas and creating varied performance scenarios. This dynamic capability enhances performance versatility without significantly complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the entertainment platform multi-functional by enabling it to move to different positions and heights. The same pneumatic system that provides vertical movement can potentially facilitate horizontal repositioning, allowing a single platform to serve multiple performance functions - close-up interactions, elevated performances, and audience engagement from various locations - thereby increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system provides a cost-effective and low-maintenance solution for movable entertainment platforms, enhancing performance visibility and reducing operational costs while maintaining platform stability and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is coupled to the conduit and configured to move the liquid from the reservoir to the cylinder
Implementation Method 2
entertainment platform moves axially within the cylinder by pumping liquid in and out
Data Source
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AI summary
An entertainment system (10) includes a cylinder (14) within a body of liquid (16), an entertainment platform (12) within the cylinder (14), and a pump system (50). The entertainment platform (12) is configured to move within the cylinder (14). The pump system (50) is configured to remove fluid (22) from and provide fluid (22) to an interior (45) of the cylinder (14) on a first side (44) of the entertainment platform (12) to move the entertainment platform (12) within the cylinder (14).