Dynamic ride vehicle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention is embodied in a dynamic ride vehicle.
The dynamic ride vehicle may be used to amuse and entertain passengers in an amusement park attraction or similar environment.
The dynamic ride vehicle comprises a movable chassis and a body adapted, as in a passenger seating area, to carry at least one passenger.
A motion apparatus connected between the chassis and the body permits at least one axis of controlled motion between the chassis and the body.
In one aspect, the motion apparatus selectively imparts motion to the body in one or more degrees of freedom, relative to the chassis.
This relative motion of the body is independent from the chassis motion, i.
e.
whether the chassis is in motion or not.
This arrangement provides significantly enhanced sensation of vehicle movement.
Furthermore, the dynamic ride vehicle is intended to be reliable and safe while providing the highest possible degree and variety of motion sensation and amusement.
The motion apparatus comprises at least one actuator connected between the chassis and the body.
The actuator is operated by a controller which selectively imparts a motion or a sequence of motions to the body.
This provides a particular motion sensation or a particular sequence of motion sensations.
The motion apparatus may include multiple actuators for imparting movement to the body along multiple axes.
Multiple actuators are capable of causing body motion in multiple degrees of freedom.
For example, with three actuators, body motion is capable of up three degrees of freedom--e.
g.
pitch, roll, and heave--which may be provided alone or in combination.
Alternative embodiments of the motion apparatus may have additional actuators to increase the available varieties of motion.
For example, the complete set of physical motions--i.
e.
roll, pitch, yaw, heave, surge, and slip--can be achieved with as few as six actuators.
In one embodiment, the actuators of the motion apparatus are hydraulic actuators.
One or more high pressure accumulators store energy in the form of pressurized hydraulic fluid to supply power for the hydraulic actuators