Abstract: A positive-feedback go/no-go control system for an electric-vehicle ride (10) at an amusement park reliably communicates motion commands, vehicle-presence signals, and vehicle-status signals in the presence of high electrical noise and does so without the addition of expensive add-on equipment. The railway electric-vehicle ride includes an outbus (16) and an inbus (18) running along a railway (14). The positive-feedback go/no-go control system comprises a wayside control board (22) that provides a bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal (26) to the outbus. A control circuit (24) onboard the electric vehicle receives the bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal, amplitude modulates it at different frequencies that represent the electric vehicle's intended action, and provides the processed bipolar pulse-width-modulated command signal (30, 32) to the inbus.

Abstract: An improved amusement ride and ride vehicle that permit a passenger to control the rotation of a passenger car as the vehicle travels along a ride course. The ride vehicle includes a support tube upon which the passenger car is rotatably mounted and a passenger operable steering mechanism. The ride vehicle also includes a spin shaft that extends down through the support tube. The spin shaft permits the use of safety systems that are mounted to the chassis of the ride vehicle. Control logic may be used to turn the passenger cars to a preferred orientation at the end of the ride. The ride vehicle itself may be barbell shaped to permit it to turn sharp corners along the ride course. The passenger car also includes a readily adjustable lap bar that is self-releasing. A slot cover, a plow assembly for displacing the slot cover and a slot cover switch are also provided.