Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for determining the ratio of oxidized and reduced forms of a redox couple in solution, each method comprising: contacting first and second stationary working electrodes and first and second counter electrode to the solution; applying a first potential at the first stationary working electrode and a second potential at the second stationary working electrode relative to the respective counter electrodes and measuring first and second constant currents for the first and second stationary working electrodes, respectively; wherein the first and second constant currents have opposite signs and the ratio of the absolute values of the first and second constant currents reflects the ratio of the oxidized and reduced forms of the redox couple in solution. When used in the context of monitoring/controlling electrochemical cells, additional embodiments include those further comprising oxidizing or reducing the solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for determining the ratio of oxidized and reduced forms of a redox couple in solution, each method comprising: contacting first and second stationary working electrodes and first and second counter electrode to the solution; applying a first potential at the first stationary working electrode and a second potential at the second stationary working electrode relative to the respective counter electrodes and measuring first and second constant currents for the first and second stationary working electrodes, respectively; wherein the first and second constant currents have opposite signs and the ratio of the absolute values of the first and second constant currents reflects the ratio of the oxidized and reduced forms of the redox couple in solution. When used in the context of monitoring/controlling electrochemical cells, additional embodiments include those further comprising oxidizing or reducing the solution.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a first level, a second level positioned vertically above or below the first level, and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels along a path on the first level. The attraction system also includes a lift configured to move the ride vehicle vertically from the first level to the second level based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment.

Abstract: An attraction system includes a first level, a second level positioned vertically above or below the first level, and one or more controllers configured to present a game environment to one or more riders in a ride vehicle as the ride vehicle travels along a path on the first level. The attraction system also includes a lift configured to move the ride vehicle vertically from the first level to the second level based at least in part on a performance of the one or more riders in the game environment.

Abstract: A ride control system includes a central controller configured to synchronize movements of separate groups of ride vehicles along a path. Each of the separate groups of ride vehicles includes multiple individual ride vehicles unconnected to one another and forming a virtual train. Each virtual train is assigned one or more schedules having multiple expected positions along the path and multiple expected timestamps. Each of the expected timestamps of the multiple expected timestamps are associated with respective expected positions of the multiple expected positions. The ride control system also includes multiple vehicle controllers. Each vehicle controller of the multiple vehicle controllers is communicatively coupled to a respective individual ride vehicle of the multiple individual ride vehicles. Each vehicle controller is configured to control a speed of the respective individual ride vehicle along the path based at least on the one or more schedules.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A ride control system includes a central controller configured to synchronize movements of separate groups of ride vehicles along a path. Each of the separate groups of ride vehicles includes multiple individual ride vehicles unconnected to one another and forming a virtual train. Each virtual train is assigned one or more schedules having multiple expected positions along the path and multiple expected timestamps. Each of the expected timestamps of the multiple expected timestamps are associated with respective expected positions of the multiple expected positions. The ride control system also includes multiple vehicle controllers. Each vehicle controller of the multiple vehicle controllers is communicatively coupled to a respective individual ride vehicle of the multiple individual ride vehicles. Each vehicle controller is configured to control a speed of the respective individual ride vehicle along the path based at least on the one or more schedules.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Abstract: A method for determining slippage of at least one wheel of at least one vehicle having a motor and a processor that communicates velocity commands to the motor for varying a velocity of the vehicle is presented. The method includes determining an actual velocity of the vehicle over regular intervals; comparing, over regular intervals, the actual velocity of the vehicle to the expected velocity from the magnitude of the velocity commands to determine whether there is slip of the wheel of the vehicle; and reducing the magnitude of the velocity commands to equal approximately the actual velocity of the vehicle where there is slip of the wheel. A system and circuit carrying out the method are also presented.

Abstract: A system for confirming authorization of a operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths, the system having at least one ride vehicle with an onboard control system being configured to confirm operator authorization prior to allowing operator control thereof and an electronic device dimensioned and configured to be supported by an operator, the electronic device being further configured to remotely authorize operator control of the onboard control system. A method for confirming authorization of an operator for controlling a vehicle on fixed paths is also provided.

Abstract: A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.