Abstract: A ride system in accordance with present embodiments includes a flume providing a flow path and one or more vehicles configured to accommodate one or more passengers and configured to move along the flow path in the flume. The ride system also includes one or more objects protruding into the flow path, wherein the one or more objects are positioned in the flow path such that the one or more objects are configured to contact a vehicle of the one or more vehicles as the vehicle moves along the flow path and at a contact location on an exterior of the vehicle, wherein the contact location is spaced apart a distance from a center of mass of the vehicle to change a direction or orientation of the vehicle after the one or more objects contact the vehicle at the contact location.

Abstract: An amusement and leisure slide comprises at least one sliding trail forming a three-dimensional curve supported with fastenings attached to a portion of the sliding trail to an axial part disposed on a support and configured to rotate about a substantially horizontal rotation axis. The sliding trail comprises an inlet arranged in vicinity of the rotation axis of the trail and an outlet allowing a rider to exit the trail. The curve of the sliding trail is configured to form a sliding path between the inlet and the outlet extending in a volume around the rotation axis of the trail, said sliding path being driven by a motor. The sliding trail may include a dry or wet sliding tube, sliding rail(s) for guiding carts or wagons, or a sliding tube provided with rail(s) arranged inside the tube for guiding carts or wagons.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine using externally supplied ignition, having a manually operable transmission, in which a torque produced by the internal combustion engine is able to be influenced via at least one control variable. An impending shifting process of the manual transmission and/or another operating situation of the internal combustion engine, during which a temporary lowering of the torque produced by the internal combustion engine is required and/or desired, is detected, and, as a function of the detection, the torque is lowered by changing at least one control variable of a fuel path.

Abstract: An apparatus capable of transporting a rider, specifically for an amusement ride. The apparatus is constructed in the form of a substantially hollow sphere which rides along the ground, which is preferably inclined, a track, or a predetermined path (being substantially flat but with guide rails or walls along its sides). An inner carriage, to which the rider's seat is attached, moves independently of the sphere and maintains a substantially constant attitude while the sphere rolls. The inner carriage can be formed in varying shapes such as a sphere, hemisphere, semicircle, tube or a circle.

Abstract: A roller coaster circuit comprising a pool of water, which is run alongside or crossed, via a dry channel, by a train of vehicles provided laterally with water brakes consisting of a nozzle becoming immersed in the body of water and throwing the latter out in the form of upward sprays.

Abstract: A loading platform for loading and disembarking passengers from floating carriers that includes a circular container filled with water to a predetermined level. A large driven disk rotatably supported at an angle so that the cars can be forced onto a submerged side of the disk and rotated out of the water so that the passengers can be loaded and disembarked from the carriers. The flow of the water through flumes and the disk aids in loading and removing the carriers from the disk.

Abstract: The subject matter of the disclosure is an amusement ride system having one or more passenger-carrying cars adapted for movement on an air flotation, rotating platform arranged at an angle to the horizontal plane. The cars are brought to the top side of the angled platform and allowed to free fall under gravity to the lower side of the platform. As the cars so descend, they bump into other cars and railings so that they experience random movement and rotation. Another embodiment utilizes roller ball devices instead of air flotation for providing free wheeling, random motion to the cars.

Abstract: An amusement ride simulating traverse of the edge of a whirlpool includes a floating vehicle, a conveyor lifting the vehicle to an inclined flume, a gate retaining the vehicle at the top of a steeply inclined portion of the flume, and a circular pond in which water is rotated by jets to form a vortex. A rotatable annular member is provided to rotate around the pond. A moat in which water is circulated by jets is disposed around the outer edge of the rotatable member and leads to a loading and unloading dock for the vehicles. Stairways and an observation deck permit entrance and exit of patrons from the loading and unloading dock. The vehicles descend the steeply inclined portion of the flume and enter the rotating waters of the pond which carry the vehicle to the rotatable member and restrain the vehicle at one of a plurality of lowermost disposed restraints, which can be retracted to permit the vehicle to move up to the next highest restraint on the rotatable member.