Claude Valenze - Principal

Mr. Valenze has extensive experience in designing movable stage elements that function with or in close proximity to cast members and hydraulic drive systems for heavy movable structures.  The Florida Department of Transportation contracted Mr. Valenze to develop and write guidelines for evaluating and analyzing failure modes and effects for hydraulically operated movable bridges.

Prior to FXC Mr. Valenze was the lead engineer for the Research and Development Department of O.D. Hopkins Associates.  As such he was given the task to develop new ride systems and elements. Some examples include:

A Control system to operate a “Wild Mouse” roller     coaster with four vehicles operating simultaneously.

Lift and conveyor systems for twenty passenger vehicles

Rotating platforms designed to smoothly accelerate and precisely index 3000 lb.-ride vehicles with passengers.

A safety brake system designed to stop a 5000 lb.-ride vehicle with passengers traveling at  ten feet per second within fifteen feet. 

Working for Olaf Sööt Associates, PC., Mr. Valenze designed the hydraulic system that powers the earthquake for Catastrophe Canyon. He also provided the hydraulic design for the simulator access platforms at Wonders of Life EPCOT and Star Tours MGM Studios. These platforms are high-speed bascule bridges that must be able to cycle with stored energy in the event of a facility power loss. 

Mr. Valenze has extensive project management experience for amusement ride systems and has supervised installation and commissioning throughout the world.  Some notable examples include: