If you’re like us, you’re looking forward to some of the rollercoasters that are coming to Disney World.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Concept Art ©Disney
Between Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON Lightcycle Run, we almost have more excitement than we can handle! Now, a Disney patent we recently spotted might give us some insight into Disney’s newest roller coaster attractions. Check out this entirely new coaster ride system!
Disney just published a patent for an “Eddy current vehicle drive” which is a whole new way of moving a ride vehicle — particularly, a roller coaster vehicle — up a lift hill. Traditionally, roller coasters are transported up lift hills through the use of a chain which can cause perceptible faults in smoothness if the coaster misses chain link and falls on to the next one.
©Disney
While this may not be an issue on rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, some roller coasters need to have a little bit of a smoother ride to really immerse guests. One example? Space-themed rides. After all, your spaceship isn’t going to fall back a little while blasting off. Well, Disney has come up with an alternate way of getting a coaster up a lift hill, and you won’t believe the way it works.
It’s all MAGNETS. An eddy current is a magnetic current and Disney has found a way to pair magnets and conductors in the track with those in the ride vehicle. The result is a seamless ascent where the two parts don’t even need to touch. A smooth lift hill might seem like a tiny detail, but this is a major innovation for making coasters immersive and comfortable.
©Disney
We’re not sure exactly where we’ll see this tech applied in the parks. Could it be used on one of the upcoming coasters? Maybe. After all, the patent WAS initially filed in July of 2017, the same month as the announcement of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. It could be a coincidence, but consider our interest piqued!
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Do you think this tech is TOTALLY crazy? Where would you like to see it? Tell us in the comments!