Method and apparatus for improved water rides by water injection and flume design

• US 5,213,547 A
• Filed: 03/20/1992
• Issued: 05/25/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Light Wave Limited
• Original Assignee: Light Wave Limited
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHILCOT, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US07/857,096
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 472/116, 472/117, 472/128, 472/88, 104/66-73
• US Class Current: 472/117
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 3/00 Water roundabouts, e.g. freely floating
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/0006 Devices for producing waves in swimming pools generating current of water in swimming pools A63B69/125

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controllably injecting, subsequent to the start of a water ride, a high velocity water flow over the water ride surface. A rider (or vehicle) that rides into such injected flow can, as the result of water-to-rider momentum transfer, either be accelerated, matched, or de-accelerated in a downhill, horizontal or uphill straight or curvilinear direction by such injected flow. Flow emitting nozzles can either be positioned above, along side or from any position along the length of the water ride surface. When a horizontal or upwardly inclined ride surface has flumed channel walls, either a special "flume within a flume" design is incorporated, or vents are positioned along the sides or bottom of the riding surface to minimize any transient surge/hydraulic jump that occurs during start-up or when a lower speed rider encounters a higher speed water flow. When the water ride surface has a downchute portion immediately followed by a rising portion, properly injected water flows can either enhance the recovery elevation of the rider in excess of that available under conventional gravity only water ride systems, or stabilize and equalize the coefficients of friction and trajectory of differently sized and weighted participants to insure ride safety, consistency and capacity.

Claims

1. A water slide for amusement parks, water parks, and the like, wherein a user travels uphill and downhill along said slide, said slide comprising:

an elongate narrow ride surface adapted to receive and support said user riding thereon in a sitting or prone position;

a plurality of water jets spaced apart and positioned along said ride surface at predetermined locations;

a thin sheet of water along said ride surface to reduce frictional forces acting on said user;

said water jets being oriented tangentially with respect to said ride surface so as to contact said user as said user passes by each of said locations, each of said jets having a preselected velocity which may be selectively greater, less than, or the same as the velocity of said user at each of said jet locations, whereby said user'"'"'s velocity may be changed to safely control said user depending upon the location of said jets along said ride.

2. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said jets inject water on said surface parallel to and in the direction of travel of said user.

3. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said jets inject water on said surface substantially against the direction of travel of said user.

4. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said velocity and/or the volume of said water jet is sufficient to decrease the velocity of said user as said water contacts said user.

5. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said velocity and/or the volume of said water jet is sufficient to increase the velocity of said user as said water contacts said user.

6. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said water contacting said user has a velocity and/or volume sufficient to increase the velocity of said user, whereby said user reaches and passes over the apex of an inclined section of said ride section in order to avoid a collision with a subsequent user traveling on said ride surface.

7. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said water contacting said user has a velocity and/or volume sufficient to decrease the velocity of said user, whereby said user maintains contact with said ride surface in order to avoid becoming airborne over the apex of said inclined section.

8. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said water depth is adjustable.

9. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said water sheet is sufficiently wide enough to substantially span the width of said ride surface.

10. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said ride surface has a concave cross-sectional shape.

11. The water slide of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said ride surface extends longitudinally along a curvilinear path, wherein said ride surface has a containment wall along the outer radius of said curvilinear portion to maintain said user safely on said ride surface.

12. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said ride surface is adapted to permit said user to travel in a predetermined direction on said ride surface in a prone position.

13. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said ride surface is adapted to permit said user to travel in a predetermined direction on said ride surface in a horizontal position.

14. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said ride surface is adapted to permit said user to travel in a predetermined direction on said ride surface in a vehicle.

15. The water slide of claim 1, wherein said water jets are powered from a source under pressure coupled to said jets.

16. The water slide of claim 1, wherein each of said water jets comprises a nozzle.

17. The water slide of claim 16, wherein said nozzle is adjustable.

18. The water slide of claim 16, wherein said water flowing from said nozzle is approximately 1/2 cm to 40 cm in depth.

19. The water slide of claim 1, further comprising means for venting water from said ride surface.

20. The water slide of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said ride surface has a substantially planar bottom surface and two sidewalls.

21. The water slide of claim 20, wherein said sidewalls of said ride surface have slits of a predetermined height and width to provide a self-clearing exit of excess water that builds up on said ride surface as said water is propelled onto said ride surface.

22. The water slide of claim 20, wherein a nozzle for propelling said water is located on said sidewall of said ride surface.

23. The water slide of claim 22, wherein said nozzle conforms to the shape of a portion of the cross section of said ride surface.

24. The water slide of claim 1, having a plurality of nozzles located on said ride surface.

25. A water ride for amusement parks, water parks and the like, comprising:

a ride surface adapted to receive and support a user travelling thereon in a predetermined direction, said ride surface having elevational changes thereon, whereby said user moves along said ride surface at least in part by the force of gravity; and

a nozzle located along said ride surface adapted so as to propel a flow of jetted water in substantially the same direction of travel as said user, at a predetermined velocity on said ride surface, said jetted water flow affecting the velocity of said user on said ride surface by momentum transfer, whereby said velocity and elevation of said user traveling along said elevational changes of said ride surface may be increased or decreased or safely controlled by adjusting said predetermined velocity of said jetted water flow.

26. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said jetted flow affects the trajectory of said user such that said trajectory conforms to a predetermined are of travel over the apex of an inclined portion of said elevational changes.

27. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said jetted flow causes said user to conform to a uniform trajectory.

28. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said jetted flow equalizes the coefficient of friction of said user, relative to any other user, whereby the trajectories of differing users are equalized.

29. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said jetted water flow being propelled has a velocity and volume sufficient to increase the velocity of said user as said user passes over said ride surface, whereby said user is propelled to reach and pass over the apex of the inclined portions of said elevational changes.

30. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has at its starting point, with respect to said pre-determined direction, a starting pool from which said user may exit and enter onto said ride surface.

31. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has at its finishing point, with respect to said pre-determined direction, a splash pool into which said user riding on said surface and travelling thereon in said predetermined direction can exit after riding on said ride surface.

32. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has, at either its starting point and/or finishing point, with respect to said predetermined direction, an interconnected separate water ride.

33. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has, at either its starting point and/or finishing point, with respect to said predetermined direction, an interconnected conventional water slide.

34. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has, at either its starting point and/or finishing point, with respect to said predetermined direction, an interconnected flume ride, such that said user can enter onto said ride surface from said flume ride, or can exit from said ride surface and onto said flume ride.

35. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface is, at either its starting point or finishing point, with respect to said predetermined direction, interconnected to another ride surface, such that said user can enter from said other ride surface onto said ride surface, or exit from said ride surface and onto said other ride surface.

36. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface is adapted to allow said user to travel in said predetermined direction on said ride surface in an innertube.

37. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface is adapted to allow said user to travel in said predetermined direction on said ride surface in a wheeled vehicle.

38. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface is adapted to allow said user to travel in said predetermined direction on said ride surface in a boat.

39. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface is adapted to allow said user to travel in said predetermined direction on said ride surface in a multi-passenger sliding vehicle.

40. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said nozzle adapted to propel said jetted water flow is coupled to a source of water under pressure such that said jetted water flow is injected onto said ride surface through said nozzle.

41. The water ride of claim 40, wherein the source of pressurized water emanates from a pump.

42. The water ride of claim 25, wherein a surge tank is provided to store said water vented from said ride surface and to provide a source of water.

43. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has a venting means located longitudinally along the sides of said ride surface for venting excess water from said ride surface, which can build up and otherwise impede the velocity of said user on said ride surface.

44. The water ride of claim 25, wherein said ride surface has venting slits of a predetermined height and width longitudinally positioned along said ride surface, such that excess water injected onto said ride surface from said nozzle is vented from said ride surface through said slits, such that said user traveling on said ride surface is not impeded by the build-up of excess water on said ride surface.

45. A water ride for amusement parks, water parks and the like, comprising:

a ride surface adapted to receive and support a user thereon travelling in a predetermined direction, said ride surface having elevational changes thereon; and

means for injecting a shallow stream of water in said predetermined direction onto said ride surface at a predetermined velocity and volume, said water stream contacting said user and affecting a transfer of momentum which affects the velocity of said user travelling on said ride surface and controls the trajectory of said user relative to any declined or inclined portion of said ride surface, whereby said user can be safely maintained on said ride surface.

46. A water ride for amusement parks, water parks and the like, said ride comprising:

a ride surface adapted to receive and support a user travelling thereon in a predetermined direction; and

a water jet positioned along said ride surface, said water jet propelling a thin sheet of water onto said ride surface at a predetermined velocity, said jetted water having sufficient volume and speed, such that said jetted water affects said user and causes a transfer of momentum which controls the velocity at which said user travels on said ride surface.

47. The water ride of claim 46, wherein said ride surface has a finishing point with respect to said predetermined direction, wherein at said finishing point, a splash pool is located such that said user, after riding on said ride surface, can exit into said splash pool from said ride surface.

48. The water ride of claim 46, wherein said jetted water is directed upon said ride surface in a direction substantially tangential to said predetermined direction of said user.

49. A water ride, wherein a user moves from a first location to a second location in a predetermined direction, comprising:

a ride surface having a first channel adapted to receive and support said user;

means for propelling water onto said first channel at a predetermined velocity; and

a ride segment on said ride surface having a second channel located parallel and adjacent said first channel, and extending in a longitudinal direction with respect thereto, said second channel being adapted to receive the slower moving excess water overflowing from said first channel and onto said second channel.

50. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said excess water moving slower than said user travelling on said surface overflows from said first channel to said second channel, such that said excess water does not build up on said first channel, whereby the velocity of said water and of said user travelling on said first channel is not substantially impeded by said excess water.

51. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said first channel and said second channel are separated by a common wall of a predetermined height, said height being adopted to allow said excess water to overflow and exit from said first channel and onto said second channel, so that said velocity of said stream and said user on said first channel is not substantially impeded by said slower moving excess water building up on said first channel.

52. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said common wall is of sufficient height to deter said user travelling on said first channel from sliding across said common wall and over onto said second channel.

53. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said second channel and said first channel are integrally formed.

54. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said second channel has a means for draining said exiting water overflowing from said first channel.

55. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said second channel allows said exiting water overflowing from said first channel to run downhill, wherein slits are located on said second channel along or at the bottom of said downhill portion of said second channel to drain said excess water from said second channel.

56. The water ride of claim 49, wherein the size of said second channel is sufficiently large enough to accommodate and drain substantially all of said exiting water overflowing from said first channel.

57. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said ride segment is located on a horizontal portion of said ride surface.

58. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said ride segment is located between a declined portion of said ride surface and an inclined portion.

59. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said ride segment is located on an inclined portion of said ride surface.

60. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said ride segment is located on a curved portion of said ride surface.

61. The water ride of claim 49, wherein a portion of said ride segment is curved, said user riding on said ride surface being maintained on said ride surface by an outside containment wall of sufficient height, said sidewall being located along the outside radius of said first channel, and said second channel being located along the inside radius of said first channel.

62. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said outer walls of said first and second channels are of sufficient height to maintain said user on said ride surface.

63. The water ride of claim 49, wherein said ride segment has a third channel located parallel and adjacent said first channel, said third channel being located such that said first channel is located between said second channel and said third channel, said third channel being adapted to receive said water exiting from said first channel in substantially the same manner as said second channel.

64. The water ride of claim 63, wherein the outer sidewalls on said second and third channels are sufficient in height to maintain said user on said ride surface.

65. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said ride segment is located on a horizontal portion of said ride surface.

66. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said ride segment is located between a declined portion of said ride surface and an inclined portion.

67. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said ride segment is located on an inclined portion of said ride surface.

68. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said second and third channels have a means for draining said exiting water overflowing from said first channel.

69. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said second and third channels allow said exiting water overflowing from said first channel to run downhill to drain.

70. The water ride of claim 63, wherein said second and third channels are sufficiently large enough to accommodate and drain substantially all of said exiting water overflowing from said first channel.

71. A module for a water ride wherein a user rides in a sitting or prone position in a predetermined direction between a starting point and an ending point, the module comprising:

a ride segment for receiving said user, said segment being positioned between said starting point and said ending point;

a water injection nozzle located adjacent said ride segment; and

water emanating from said nozzle and flowing upon said ride segment in said predetermined direction and at a predetermined velocity, said water contacting said user as said user passes over said ride segment, said water having flow characteristics sufficient to affect a change in the velocity at which said user travels over said segment.

72. A segment of a water ride for amusement parks, water parks, and the like for transporting a user in a predetermined direction from a first location to a second location, said segment comprising:

a ride surface adapted to receive and support said user and having two ends;

a connector on each end of said ride surface for connecting said ride surface to and between said first and second locations; and

means for propelling a stream of water onto said ride surface, said means adapted so as to direct said stream at a predetermined velocity and substantially in said predetermined direction, said stream of water affecting said user and causing a transfer of momentum which affects the velocity of said user travelling on said ride surface, whereby said velocity of said user may be safely controlled on said ride surface.

73. The water ride segment of claim 72, wherein said first location comprises a first water ride and said second location comprises a second water ride, said water ride segment transporting said user from said first water ride to said second water ride.

74. A method of improving a water ride, comprising the steps of:

providing a ride surface adapted to receive and support a user travelling thereon in a predetermined direction;

propelling a stream of water onto said ride surface at a predetermined velocity and substantially in said predetermined direction; and

causing said stream of water to contact said user to affect a transfer of momentum that effects the velocity of said user on said surface.

75. The method as defined in claim 74, including propelling said stream of water at a velocity which is greater than the velocity of said user passing by said means on said surface in the absence of said stream of water, wherein the velocity of said user is increased by the effect of momentum transfer.

76. The method as defined in claim 74, including propelling said stream of water at a velocity which is less than the velocity of said user passing by said means on said surface in the absence of said stream of water, wherein the velocity of said user is decreased by the effect of momentum transfer.

77. The method as defined in claim 74, including propelling said stream of water at a velocity and volume which maintains the user in a predetermined trajectory upon said ride surface.

78. The method as defined in claim 74, wherein the step of propelling water includes providing a nozzle which originates from any point along said ride surface.

79. The method as defined in claim 74, wherein said propelling step includes propelling said stream from a source of water under pressure, wherein a means for propelling said stream is coupled to said source.

80. The method as defined in claim 74, including providing a ride surface having a means for venting said stream of water.

81. A method for improving a water ride wherein a user moves from a first location to a second location in a predetermined direction, comprising the steps of:

providing a ride surface having a first channel adapted to receive and support said user;

providing a means for propelling a stream of water onto said first channel at a predetermined velocity; and

providing a ride segment on said ride surface having a second channel located parallel and adjacent said first channel and extending in a longitudinal direction with respect thereto, said second channel being adapted to receive excess water exiting and overflowing from said first channel, whereby the velocity of said stream of water and of said user travelling on said first channel is not substantially impeded by said exiting water.

82. The method of claim 81, including providing a common wall of a predetermined height between said first channel and said second channel, said height being sufficient to allow said water to exit from said first channel and onto said second channel, while deterring said user from sliding across said wall from said first channel to said second channel.

83. The method of claim 81, including adapting said second channel to allow said exiting water overflowing from said first channel to run downhill to drain.

84. The method of claim 81, including positioning said ride segment on a horizontal portion of said ride surface.

85. The method of claim 81, including positioning said ride segment between a declined portion of said ride surface and an inclined portion.

86. The method of claim 81, including positioning said ride segment on an inclined portion of said ride surface.

87. The method of claim 81, including positioning said ride segment on a curved portion of said ride surface.

88. The method of claim 81, including adapting a portion of said ride segment so that it extends along a curvilinear path, said user riding on said curvilinear portion being maintained on said ride segment by a containment wall of sufficient height, said containment wall being located along the outside radius of said first channel, and said second channel being located along the inside radius of said first channel.

89. The method of claim 81, including adapting said outer walls of said first and second channels so that they are of sufficient height to maintain said user on said ride surface.

90. The method of claim 81, including the step of providing said ride segment with a third channel located parallel to and adjacent said first channel, said third channel being positioned such that said first channel is between said second channel and said third channel, said third channel being adapted to receive said water exiting from said first channel in the same manner as said second channel.

91. The method of claim 90, including positioning sidewalls on said second and third channels so that they are of sufficient height to maintain said user on said ride surface.

92. The method of claim 90, including positioning said ride segment on a horizontal portion of said ride surface.

93. The method of claim 90, including positioning said ride segment between a declined portion of said ride surface and an inclined portion.

94. The method of claim 90, including positioning said ride segment on an inclined portion of said ride surface.

95. The method of claim 90, including adapting said second and third channels with a means for draining said exiting water.

96. The method of claim 90, including adapting said second and third channels to allow said exiting water overflowing from said first channel to run downhill to drain.

97. The method of claim 90, including adapting said second and third channels such that they are of at least sufficient size to drain said exiting water overflowing from said first channel.