Linear Motor Boat Propulsion for Orientation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat ride systems face challenges in controlling boat speed and orientation, leading to uneven spacing and synchronization issues, which hinder the presentation of show elements to passengers, as they are typically limited to forward movement and a single speed due to water propulsion methods.
Innovation Solution
A boat ride system utilizing linear motors and bogies with reaction plates to propel and control boats along a guide track, allowing for independent speed control, orientation changes, and precise positioning, enabling boats to face forward, sideways, or backward, and rotate 360 degrees.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If water flow propulsion is used to move boats, then the ride structure is simple and boats can float naturally, but boat speed varies unpredictably and boats cannot be precisely positioned or oriented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary propulsion system (water jets or propellers) between the water flow and the boats. Instead of relying directly on water flow to propel boats, the system uses controllable propulsion devices that can be independently activated for each boat, enabling precise speed and position control while maintaining the overall simplicity of the water-based ride structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical water flow propulsion system with an active controllable propulsion system using water jets or propellers. This substitution allows for electronic control of boat movement, enabling precise positioning, variable speeds, and orientation control while maintaining energy efficiency through on-demand propulsion
2Productivity
If boats are dispatched close together to increase capacity, then ride productivity increases, but varying boat speeds cause boats to clump together or spread apart creating unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system that continuously monitors the position and speed of each boat and adjusts propulsion accordingly. Sensors detect boat locations and the control system modulates water jet or propeller output to maintain predetermined spacing, preventing clumping or excessive separation even when boats are dispatched close together for high capacity operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic speed adjustment capability where each boat's propulsion system can independently vary its speed in real-time. This allows the system to adapt boat velocities to maintain optimal spacing, with faster boats being slowed down and slower boats being accelerated to achieve uniform distribution along the ride path
3Device complexity
If boats are limited to forward movement only, then the propulsion system is simple, but show elements cannot be effectively synchronized with boat positions and passenger sight lines are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the propulsion system into independent left and right water jets or propellers. This segmentation allows differential control of each side's propulsion force, enabling the boat to turn, move sideways, or face backwards by creating asymmetric thrust patterns, while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular jet or propeller units
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 precise control over boat speed and orientation, enabling synchronized show scenes and improved passenger experience by allowing variable speeds, precise boat spacing, and enhanced viewing angles, while being more energy efficient than traditional water propulsion methods.
Implementation Method 1
a propulsion assembly including linear motors provided under water level in the track assembly. The linear motors are selectively operated to apply a magnetic-based thrust upon the reaction plate and the bogie on which it is mounted to move the bogie along the track
Implementation Method 2
The reaction plates may take the form of permanent magnets when the linear motors are LSMs, and the reaction plates on the bogies interact with the linear motors to provide propulsion of the bogies along the guide track
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A boat ride with precise speed and orientation control. The ride includes a track assembly positioned in a water basin and includes front and rear bogies engaging the track assembly. The boat ride includes a passenger boat and front and rear tethering assemblies coupling the front and rear bogies (130,136), respectively, to the boat. The ride includes a propulsion assembly positioned along the track assembly that is operable to independently propel, with linear motors, the front and rear bogies at the same or differing first and second velocities by applying a magnetic force to reaction plates on the bogies. The track assembly includes a joined section and a divided section, which includes a primary track (112) on which the front bogie travels and a secondary track (116), spaced apart from the primary track, on which the rear bogie travels. The boat may be rotated to any orientation in the divided track section.