Redundant array control system for water rides

• US 20050034768A1
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffery W. Henry, Thomas J. Lochtefeld
• Original Assignee: Jeffery W. Henry, Thomas J. Lochtefeld
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J., Henry, Jeffery W.
• Granted Patent: US 6,957,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/565.330
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7976 Plural separating elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8122 Planar strainer normal to flow path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86139 Serial
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86163 Parallel

Abstract

A redundant array pumping system and control system is provided for water rides for ensuring continuous and non-disruptive supply of water. The pumping system incorporates a redundant pump and filter array in conjunction with a nozzle system for injecting water onto a ride surface. The nozzle system may incorporate a plurality of redundant or quasi-redundant nozzles. The hydraulic system can include many levels of redundancy as applied to its various components, such as pumps, filters and nozzles. Additionally, the system can be equipped with a plurality of pressure and flow sensors for monitoring and controlling the performance of the pumps, filters and nozzles of the hydraulic system.

Claims

1. A water ride attraction, comprising

a ride surface having a start point and an end point;

a plurality of pumps configured to deliver pressurized water to a plurality of spaced apart nozzles adjacent the ride surface, a first nozzle being nearer the start point along the ride surface than is a second nozzle; and

a control system configured to control the supply of pressurized water to the nozzles;

wherein the control system is configured to stop the flow of water to the first nozzle before stopping the flow of water to the second nozzle upon shutdown of the water ride attraction.