Company: Universal City Studios LLC
Patent Number: 12697553
Title: Propulsion for amusement park ride
Inventors: Sarah Anne Kelley, Eric Allan Vance
Universal City Studios LLC has secured a patent for an innovative vehicle system designed for amusement parks. The invention utilizes a propulsion assembly that moves a ride vehicle using a flow of fluid within a trough, featuring adjustable surfaces that extend into the fluid. This design is highly innovative because it replaces traditional mechanical equipment, such as chains and undercarriage wheels, with a fluid driven mechanism. By removing these mechanical components from the bottom of the ride, the system significantly reduces pinch points and physical hazards, thereby improving safety when passengers embark and disembark.
This focus on passenger safety and mechanical ingenuity is the primary reason the invention was recognized as the Patent of the Month for the theme-parks-amusement industry for the month of September 2026. Replacing standard mechanical tracking with a fluid flow system requires complex engineering, but it provides a smoother ride experience while minimizing the risk of injury in loading zones. The transition to this alternative propulsion method demonstrates a practical and functional step forward in ride design and operational safety.
The practical applications of this patent are highly relevant for a Research and Development (R&D) tax credit in the USA. Implementing this fluid based propulsion system requires rigorous testing of fluid dynamics, structural stress, and vehicle stability to ensure passenger safety. This engineering process involves resolving technological uncertainties through systematic prototyping and iterative design, which aligns with the criteria set forth in IRS Section 41. The labor, material, and testing costs incurred while developing the adjustable surfaces and evaluating their performance in the fluid trough represent qualified research expenses. Consequently, the financial investments required to test and commercialize this patented technology could easily qualify for federal tax incentives.
