Universal City Studios was awarded a patent for a potential new water ride system with self-propelled vehicles.
Universal Water Ride Patent
The patent abstract points out that typical rides are guided by an assembly under the vehicle attached to equipment like wheels, chains, and tracks.
“However, the equipment can present a hazard or pinch points to the passenger of the ride, in particular, when the passenger embarks and disembarks the ride,” the patent states. The patent goes on to describe “fluid propulsion techniques that can eliminate or reduce many of the hazards associated with propulsion of amusement park rides.”
With this system, an apparatus under each vehicle would use the flow of fluids to propel the vehicle forward.
The vehicle could be moving through a trough full of a “first fluid” — water that would be visible to guests like on Fyre Drill at Epic Universe (pictured above). But the patent could also apply to wheeled vehicle moving across a surface.
The propulsion apparatus of the vehicle would extend down below the surface or main trough into a second trough. It would use adjustable surfaces to engage a “second fluid” and move the vehicle forward. The flow rate of the second fluid could be the same or different from the rate of the first fluid.
The assembly’s controllable surfaces could switch from one configuration to a second that would change the speed or direction of the vehicle.
The surfaces could be controlled remotely by the ride system or an employee, or locally onboard the ride by a passenger.
Gates could be in the fluid or trough to brake the vehicle in certain areas. For example, the gate could back up the fluid, causing flow to stop or slow down.
Universal notes that their descriptions showcase just some examples of the technology’s potential use. It could be implemented “across many different platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, and/or packaging arrangements.”
Just because Universal filed and was awarded the patent doesn’t mean we’ll see this system in use any time soon — if ever. But the patent opens up doors for future technologically-advanced rides.
What kind of attraction would you like to see utilize this system? Let us know on social media.
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