Methods and systems for thermal control systems for self-contained floating marine parks

• US 20070054745A1
• Filed: 08/30/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Water Ride Concepts Incorporated
• Inventors: Schooley, John, Henry, Jeffery
• Application Number:
  US11/513,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20070054745A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 472/13
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/06 Submarine roundabouts
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. This transportation system comprises at least two water stations and at least one water channel connecting the at least two water stations for the purpose of conveying participants between the at least two water stations. In addition, a floating water park positioned in a body of water is described, as well as, a floating marine park. A floating marine/water park may include one or more floating containers positioned in a body of a first fluid. One or more of the floating containers may function to hold a second fluid, marine life, and/or participants in water amusement activities. A floating marine park may include a heat exchange system configured to exchange heat between a body of water and fluid in at least one of the containers.

Claims

1. -249. (canceled)

250. A floating marine life and water amusement system, comprising:

two or more floating containers configured to float in a first fluid, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another, and wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain marine life, and one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain one or more participants in water amusement activities; and

a heat exchange system configured to exchange heat between the first fluid and fluid in at least one of the containers.

251. The system of claim 250, wherein the first fluid functions as a heat sink.

252. The system of claim 250, wherein the heat exchange system is configured to exchange heat in a controlled manner.

254. The system of claim 250, further comprising a barrier positioned in the first fluid, wherein the barrier is configured to inhibit transfer of contaminants through the barrier.

255. The system of claim 250, further comprising a barrier positioned in the first fluid, wherein the barrier is configured to inhibit transfer of energy through the barrier.

257. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow marine life and one or more participants to interact in a controlled environment.

258. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers allow one or more participants to observe marine life in a controlled environment.

259. The system of claim 250, wherein the first fluid comprises fresh water.

260. The system of claim 250, wherein the first fluid comprises salt water.

261. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers is configured to contain fresh water.

263. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more floatation devices coupled to the floating containers.

264. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more positionable floatation devices coupled to the floating containers, and wherein the position of the positionable floatation devices relative to the floating containers determines the position of the floating containers relative to the surface of the first fluid.

265. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers comprise one or more positionable floatation devices coupled to the floating containers, wherein the position of the positionable floatation devices relative to the floating containers determines the position of the floating containers relative to the surface of the first fluid, and wherein the positionable floatation devices are adjusted such that a majority of one or more of the floating containers extends above the surface of the first fluid.

266. The system of claim 250, wherein water amusement activities comprises a water slide.

268. The system of claim 250, wherein water amusement activities comprises an elevation system configured to transport one or more participants from a lower elevation to a higher elevation.

269. The system of claim 250, wherein two or more floating containers are coupled by a system configured to transport participants from a first floating container to a second floating container.

270. The system of claim 250, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another with a water amusement ride.

271. The system of claim 250, wherein one or more of the floating containers is coupled to one or more watercraft docking systems.

273. The system of claim 250, further comprising one or more anchor devices configured to couple at least one of the floating containers to the ground.

253. (canceled)

256. (canceled)

262. (canceled)

267. (canceled)

272. (canceled)

274. (canceled)

275. A method, comprising:

floating two or more containers of a floating marine system in a first fluid, wherein two or more of the floating containers are coupled to one another;

containing one or more participants in water amusement activities in one or more of the floating containers;

containing marine life in one or more of the floating containers; and

exchanging heat in a controlled manner between the first fluid and fluid in at least one of the containers using a heat exchange system.

276. -297. (canceled)