I am looking at a new drop coaster design. It is similar to
what you would find when you see coasters with an elevator lift system instead
of a standard chain lift or LHM launch. The system can do a free-fall drop with
the coaster on the track on the unit. Using robotic arms you could simulate a
free-fall with a slight rocking movement that you would experience when
performing an actual free-fall. I plan on designing a proof of concept drawing
to show what I am talking about, so I may post it soon-ish.
I have been looking at Dolby Lab’s 7.1 surround sound units
for use in movie theaters. The technology looks pretty amazing, and with use of
server technology one may be able to change the central point of the sound.
This may be useful depending on the length of the queue line and where the “action”
of the scene is.
I have also looked at making a “scene track”, or scenery
that moves the speed of the vehicle in the opposite direction to simulate
higher speeds. This can be scenery using electromagnetic tracks to achieve
speeds while using a low power system, or hydraulics for a quicker motion and
different speeds for different scenery.
I have also begun designing a light tube. This is where a
large PVC pipe is taken and the inside is lined with a shiny material, like tinfoil,
and a light is shined through it. The pipe sits in the wall on the top and
holes are cut into the wall and pipe. This should give a sunlight effect
without having to use a ton of lights to achieve the effect. I will be doing
more research on this as well.
It seems like the more this goes, the more I come up with.
It is all worth it as I am having fun researching and coming up with all of
this.
-Kenny Rayl
