Abstract: A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

Abstract: A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

Abstract: A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an amusement park ride track utilizing stock, planar materials, namely comprising of creating elongated, curved structures from planar materials. A roller coaster track capable of being fabricated from multiple planar pieces without heating or bending. Other embodiments are described which utilize elongated, curved structures such as ski lifts, people movers, staircases and architectural structures. A jig is disclosed for providing for ease of manufacture of the elongated, curved structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic spin control includes a main chassis, a passenger chassis, a circular magnetic array, and a chassis-mounted fin. The main chassis is configured to ride on a track. The passenger chassis is rotatably supported on the main chassis and the passenger chassis is configured to support one or more passengers. The circular magnetic array is coupled to the passenger chassis such that the passenger chassis rotates with the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin is coupled to the main chassis and extends into a magnetic field of the circular magnetic array. The chassis-mounted fin includes a conductive material and operates as an eddy current brake to dampen rotation of the passenger chassis with respect to the main chassis. The chassis-mounted fin extends into the magnetic field and leaves at least a portion of the magnetic field unobstructed to allow a track-mounted fin to pass into the magnetic field.

Abstract: A roller coaster track may comprise a laminate and a metal bearing layer. A method of manufacturing a roller coaster track may comprise manufacturing a laminate, manufacturing a metal bearing layer, and assembling the laminate and bearing layer. The bearing layer may be at least partially filled with grout. A method of repairing a wood roller coaster track may comprise removing a layer of laminate, and replacing the layer with a metal bearing layer.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an amusement park ride track utilizing stock, planar materials, namely comprising of creating elongated, curved structures from planar materials. A roller coaster track capable of being fabricated from multiple planar pieces without heating or bending. Other embodiments are described which utilize elongated, curved structures such as ski lifts, people movers, staircases and architectural structures. A jig is disclosed for providing for ease of manufacture of the elongated, curved structures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an amusement park ride track utilizing stock, planar materials, namely comprising of creating elongated, curved structures from planar materials. A roller coaster track capable of being fabricated from multiple planar pieces without heating or bending. Other embodiments are described which utilize elongated, curved structures such as ski lifts, people movers, staircases and architectural structures. A jig is disclosed for providing for ease of manufacture of the elongated, curved structures.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an amusement park ride track utilizing stock, planar materials, namely comprising of creating elongated, curved structures from planar materials. A roller coaster track capable of being fabricated from multiple planar pieces without heating or bending. Other embodiments are described which utilize elongated, curved structures such as ski lifts, people movers, staircases and architectural structures. A jig is disclosed for providing for ease of manufacture of the elongated, curved structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity from fluid currents comprises a continuous loop structure and at least one blade movably mounted relative to the continuous loop structure and extending in a direction radially outward relative to the continuous loop structure, the at least one blade being configured to rotate about an axis of the continuous loop structure. The at least one blade may be configured to interact with fluid currents moving in a direction approximately parallel to the axis of the continuous loop structure to rotate the at least one blade about the axis of the continuous loop structure. At least a portion of the least one blade may intersect a plane of the continuous loop structure that is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the continuous loop structure. Rotation of the at least one blade may generate electrical energy.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from fluid currents having one or more trolleys that move along a closed-loop track as a result of the action of fluid currents on one or more blades attached to each trolley. Spacing between trolleys is preferably maintained by a spacing ring to which the trolleys are attached. Optionally, one or more blades made be attached to the spacing ring. The trolleys are supported and guided either by wheels or magnetic levitation. Electrical energy is preferably created by the movement of magnets in an electrical ring attached to the trolleys with respect to a conductor connected to the track.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from fluid currents having one or more trolleys that move along a closed-loop track as a result of the interaction of fluid currents on one or more blades attached to each trolley. Electrical energy may be generated by the movement of the one or more trolleys along the track.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity from fluid currents having one or more trolleys that move along a closed-loop track as a result of the action of fluid currents on one or more blades attached to each trolley. Spacing between trolleys is preferably maintained by a spacing ring to which the trolleys are attached. Optionally, one or more blades made be attached to the spacing ring. The trolleys are supported and guided either by wheels or magnetic levitation. Electrical energy is preferably created by the movement of magnets in an electrical ring attached to the trolleys with respect to a conductor connected to the track.

Abstract: Amusement rides and methods are described. The amusement rides of the present invention include roller coaster vehicles that have a controlled spin or controlled rotation in a direction or dimension independent from the track of the roller coaster. The controlled rotation or spin is provided by using displacement of the track configuration to power a proportional rotation of the vehicle.