US 5,584,697 AGranted

Simulator system having a suspended passenger platform

AssigneeRidefilm Corporation

InventorDouglas Trumbull

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Abstract

A simulator system for use in providing an event simulation to a passenger includes an inverted motion base having six degrees of freedom. An audio-visual display mechanism is included for providing a sequence of audio and visual images to the passenger. A motion base controller generates actuator drive signals. A system controller provides the command signals to the motion base controller in synchronization with the presentation of the audio-visual images. The motion base is characterized by an passenger platform which is suspended from a series of spars. Motion is accomplished by means of displaceable actuators arranged in a substantially orthogonal relationship. The present system has compact dimensions and minimize loads impressed to the surrounding structure; thereby allowing the present system to be incorporated into existing commercial structures with minimal modification.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A motion base for use with a simulator system having a system controller that generates command signals for presentation of a sequence of audio-visual image signals to a simulator system passenger synchronously with the movement of the motion base, said motion base comprising:

a first support frame extending upward from a support surface
a second support frame spaced from said first frame and extending upward from said support surface;
a third support frame spaced from said first and second frames and extending upward from said support surface;
a first spar extending between said first and second support frames and received thereby at upper surfaces of said first and second frames;
a second spar extending from a central location of said first spar to said third support frame and received thereby at a third frame upper surface;
a passenger platform adapted to receive ride simulation apparatus upon an upper platform surface, said platform having a plurality of actuator pick up points;
a plurality of actuator means for effecting linear displacement of said platform relative to one another in response to received actuator drive signals, each of said actuators having an end affixed to one of said spars and a distal end downwardly extending to a corresponding one of said platform actuator pick up points so as to allow for substantial rectilinear movement thereof;
and
a coupling means configured with said actuator means for allowing angular movement of each of said actuator means and said platform at a corresponding one of said pick up points.

6 more elements

A simulator system for use in providing an event simulation to an passenger thereof, said simulator system comprising:

a motion base having
a first support frame extending upward from a support surface;
a second support frame spaced from said first frame and extending upward from said support surface;
a third support frame spaced from said first and second frames and extending upward from said support surface;
a first spar extending between said first and second support frames and received thereby at upper surfaces of said first and second frames;
a second spar extending from a central location of said first spar to said third support frame and received thereby at a third frame upper surface;
a passenger platform adapted to receive ride simulation apparatus upon an upper platform surface, said platform having a plurality of actuator pick up points;
a plurality of actuator means for effecting linear displacement of said platform relative to one another in response to received actuator drive signals, each of said actuators having an end one of said spars and a distal end downwardly extending to a corresponding one of said platform actuator pick up points so as to allow for substantial rectilinear movement thereof;
a coupling means configured with said actuator means for allowing angular movement of each of said actuator means and said platform at a corresponding one of said pick up points;
an audio-visual display means for providing a sequence of audio and visual image signals to the simulator system passenger;
a motion base controller for generating said actuator drive signals in response to received command signals;
and
a system controller for providing said command signals to said motion base controller in synchronization with the presentation of said audio-visual image signals.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.