Linear motor driven system and method

Abstract

A vehicle motion control system comprising: a sliding surface; a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the eliding surface.

1 . A vehicle motion control system comprising:
 a sliding surface;   a vehicle adapted to slide on said sliding surface; and   a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface for affecting sliding motion of the vehicle on the sliding surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the linear motor comprises a linear synchronous motor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a lubricant between the vehicle and the sliding surface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a lubricant between the vehicle and the sliding surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the lubricant is water. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a sensor for detecting at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of input from the sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 2  further comprising a sensor for detecting at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of input from the sensor. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a user input means. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a controller for operating the linear motor as a function of user input. 
     
     
         13 . A method of controlling motion of a vehicle sliding on a sliding surface comprising operating a linear motor associated with the vehicle and the sliding surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the linear motor comprises a linear induction motor. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the linear motor comprises a linear synchronous motor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the sliding surface is a sliding surface of an amusement ride. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising sensing at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle and altering the operation of the linear motor in response. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising sensing at least one of linear speed, angular speed, direction of movement and position of the vehicle and altering the operation of the linear induction motor in response. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising altering the operation of the linear motor in response to input from a vehicle rider. 
     
     
         21 .- 61 . (canceled)