Method and apparatus for improving sheet flow water rides

• US 5,236,280 A
• Filed: 09/04/1990
• Issued: 08/17/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flowrider Surf Limited
• Original Assignee: Blade Loch, Inc.
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Application Number:
  US07/577,741
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 405/79, 405/52, 405/303, 405/80, 73/148, 366/278, 4/491, 472/13
• US Class Current: 405/79
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/00 Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor golf courses A63B69/3691; water roundabouts A63G3/00; construction of surfaces of foundations E01C; roofs E04B7/00; buildings or groups of buildings for sports E04H3/10; swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/00; coverings for baths E04H4/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 4/0006 Devices for producing waves in swimming pools generating current of water in swimming pools A63B69/125

Abstract

An amusement apparatus for water sports activities wherein a flowing body of water is provided. The water moves across an inclined, declined or horizontal riding surface upon which the velocity, volume and gravitational dynamics of the flowing body of water is such that a rider may perform water skimming/simulated surfing maneuvers thereon. Composite structures with horizontal and inclined surfaces and varying flow velocity over time across specifically shaped structures permit water skimming/simulated surfing maneuvers on unbroken, spilling or tunnel type wave forms. Asymmetry in the downstream ridge line of an inclined surface allows spilling type wave formations as well as facilitating the removal of a transient surge. A novel fluid "half-pipe" waveform is also introduced.

Claims

1. An amusement apparatus for water sports activities utilizing a stably-shaped body of water having a surface thereon, comprising:

means for forming a substantially horizontal body of water, said horizontal body of water having a substantially horizontal surface thereon;

said horizontal body of water moving in a predetermined direction over said horizontal forming means with a first horizontal velocity, wherein said horizontal body of water has a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time;

means for forming an upwardly inclined body of water, said inclined body of water having an upwardly inclined surface thereon;

means for joining said horizontal forming means to said upwardly inclined forming means;

said horizontal body of water moving over said joining means and on to said upwardly inclined forming means to form said upwardly inclined body of water, wherein said upwardly inclined body of water moves over said upwardly inclined forming means with a second velocity; and

said upwardly inclined surface of said upwardly inclined body of water having a slope sufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said upwardly inclined surface with a third velocity, relative to said second velocity, at least as great as the negative of said second velocity.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for forming said upwardly inclined body of water includes first and second interconnected inclined surfaces, said first inclined surface being connected to said means for forming said horizontal body of water, said second inclined surface being connected to said first inclined surface to provide a continuous flow of water over said horizontal surface and said first and second inclined surfaces, said second inclined surface having greater angular inclination with respect to said horizontal surface than said first inclined surface.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the angular inclination of the second inclined surface is sufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said second inclined surface with a velocity greater than the negative of said second velocity.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the minimum length in the direction of flow of said horizontal flow forming means is equal to 1.5 to 4 times the total vertical height of said means for forming said upwardly inclined body of water.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said first inclined surface has a length in the direction of flow which is at least equal to the length of a device being employed by a user of said apparatus.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said first inclined surface is curved.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said first inclined surface is straight.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein said body of water substantially conforms to said horizontal surface, and said first and second inclined surfaces.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water have sufficient depth to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water have sufficient width and length to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water have sufficient depth to permit surfing and water skimming maneuvers thereon.

28. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water have sufficient width and length to permit surfing and water skimming maneuvers thereon.

11. An amusement apparatus for water sports activities using a body of water flowing in a predetermined direction, comprising:

means for forming an upwardly inclined body of water, said inclined body of water having an upwardly inclined surface thereon;

said forming means having an elevated ridge line, said ridge line having first and second ends, wherein said first end has a greater elevation than said second end; and

said upwardly inclined body of water moving over said upwardly inclined forming means with a range of velocity and volume to a pre-determined maximum, said inclined body of water;

having a shape and dimensions thereof that are proportional to predetermined velocity and volume ratios, and having;

at a minimum, a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time along said second end, and having a white water breaking region maintained upstream of said first end; and

at a maximum, a shape and dimensions thereof along said second end and along said first end that are substantially stable with respect to time;

having at a minimum, velocity and volume sufficient to form, over a period of time, an inclined body of water that at least flows over said other side; and

having at a maximum, velocity and volume sufficient to form an inclined body of water that flows over said other side and said one side.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 further comprising:

means for forming an upstream horizontal body of water with a horizontal surface thereon;

said horizontal body of water moving over said horizontal forming means with a first horizontal velocity, wherein said horizontal body of water has a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time;

means for joining said horizontal forming means to said upwardly inclined forming means; and

said horizontal body of water moving over said joining means and on to said upwardly inclined forming means to form said upwardly inclined body of water with said upwardly inclined surface thereon.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising:

means for forming an upstream downwardly inclined body of water with a downwardly inclined surface thereon;

said downwardly inclined body of water moving over said downwardly inclined forming means with a downward velocity, wherein said downwardly inclined body of water has a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time;

means for joining said downwardly inclined forming means to said horizontal forming means; and

said downwardly inclined body of water moving over said joining means and on to said horizontal forming means to form said horizontal body of water with said horizontal surface thereon.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water having sufficient depth to permit surfing maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water having sufficient depth to permit surfing maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water and said downwardly inclined body of water having sufficient depth to permit surfing maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water and said downwardly inclined surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water having sufficient depth to permit skimming maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water having sufficient depth to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon.

19. The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water and said downwardly inclined body of water having sufficient depth to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water and said downwardly inclined surface of water having sufficient width and length to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon.

20. An apparatus for forming a stably-shaped body of water with a surface thereon, comprising:

means for forming a downwardly inclined body of water with a downwardly inclined surface thereon;

said downwardly inclined body of water moving over said downwardly inclined forming means with a downward velocity, wherein said downwardly inclined body of water has a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time;

means for forming a downstream upwardly inclined body of water with an upwardly inclined surface thereon;

said upwardly inclined body of water moving over said upwardly inclined forming means with a first upwardly inclined velocity, wherein said upwardly inclined body of water has a shape and dimension thereof that is substantially stable with respect to time;

said upwardly inclined body of water and said upwardly inclined surface having a downstream slope sufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said slope with a second velocity, relative to said first upwardly inclined velocity, at least as great as the negative of said first upwardly inclined velocity; and

means for interconnecting said means for forming said downwardly inclined body of water with said means for forming said upwardly inclined body of water.

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein said upwardly inclined body of water having an upwardly inclined surface thereon comprises:

an upstream slope insufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said slope;

a downstream slope sufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said slope with said second velocity, relative to said first upwardly inclined velocity, at least as great as the negative of said first upwardly inclined velocity; and

a furthermost downstream slope sufficient to permit an object floating by condition of motion thereon to slide down said slope with a third velocity, relative to said first upwardly inclined velocity, greater than the negative of said first upwardly inclined velocity.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein a means for forming a horizontal body of water is located adjacent and between said means for forming said downwardly inclined body of water and said means for forming said upwardly inclined body of water, wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water have sufficient depth to permit surfing maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water have sufficient width and length to permit surfing maneuvers thereon.

23. The apparatus as defined in claim 20 further comprising a means for forming a horizontal body of water located adjacent and between said means for forming said downwardly inclined body of water and said means for forming said upwardly inclined body of water, wherein said upwardly inclined body of water and said horizontal body of water and said downwardly inclined body of water have sufficient depth to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon, and wherein said upwardly inclined surface of water and said horizontal surface of water and said downwardly inclined surface of water have sufficient width and length to permit water skimming maneuvers thereon.

24. An amusement apparatus for water sports activities using a body of water flowing in a predetermined direction comprising:

means for forming an upwardly inclined body of water, said inclined body of water having an upwardly inclined surface thereon;

said forming means having a tunnel wave forming area thereon, said tunnel wave forming area comprising;

a predominantly concave curvature in sections both parallel and normal to the horizontal;

a face positioned, as a whole, in a direction angularly displaced with respect to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water and having;

an inclination with respect to the horizontal; and

an attitude with respect to the direction of water flow;

said face facing predominantly, at any given point, in a direction tangential to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water, whereby said body of water conforms to said concave curvature;

a down stream terminus such that the angle of release for said upwardly inclined body of water defines an acute angle with respect to the horizontal; and

said attitude being greater than ninety degrees and less than parallel with respect to said direction of water flow;

a source of water for providing said body of water, said body of water having;

a depth sufficient to allow water skimming maneuvers thereon;

a velocity which is at least super critical; and

a momentum transfer sufficient to support a user on said surface while performing water skimming maneuvers thereon.

25. An amusement apparatus for water sports activities using a body of water flowing in a predetermined direction comprised of:

means for forming a body of water, wherein a portion of said forming means forms an upwardly inclined body of water having an upwardly inclined surface thereon;

said forming means having a tunnel wave forming area thereon, said tunnel wave forming area comprising;

a predominantly concave curvature in sections both parallel and normal to the horizontal;

a face positioned, as a whole, in a direction angularly displaced with respect to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water and having;

an inclination with respect to the horizontal; and

an attitude with respect to the direction of water flow;

said face facing predominantly, at any given point, in a direction tangential to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water, whereby said body of water conforms to said concave curvature;

a down stream terminus such that the angle of release for said upwardly inclined body of water defines an acute angle with respect to the horizontal; and

said attitude being greater than ninety degrees and less than parallel with respect to said direction of water flow;

said upwardly inclined surface forming area comprising;

an upstream surface having an upwardly concave curvature with respect to the horizontal;

an upward incline extending from said upstream surface;

a downstream surface having a convex curvature in sections normal to the horizontal and from an upward incline towards the horizontal;

said downstream surface being at an angle from the horizontal;

said downstream surface having an elevated side and a non-elevated side;

said elevated side being adjacent said tunnel wave forming area;

a face positioned, as a whole, in a direction obtuse to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water and having;

an inclination with respect to the horizontal; and

an attitude with respect to the flow direction;

said face facing predominantly, at any given point, in a direction tangential to the direction of water flow of said upwardly inclined body of water;

a source of water for providing said body of water, said upwardly inclined body of water moving over said forming means with a range of velocity and volume to a pre-determined maximum;

said upwardly inclined body of water;

having shape and dimension thereof proportional to pre-determined velocity and volume ratios;

at a minimum, having a shape and dimensions thereof that are substantially stable with respect to time at said non-elevated side and having white water breaking region maintained upstream and of said elevated side;

at a maximum, having a shape and dimensions thereof from said non-elevated side to said elevated side substantially stable with respect to time;

said water of said inclined body of water;

having a minimum, velocity and volume sufficient to form, over a period of time, an inclined body of water that at least flows over said non-elevated side and flows upon a portion of said tunnel wave area to form a spilling white water breaking region;

having a maximum, velocity and volume sufficient to form an inclined body of water that flows over said non-elevated side and flows over said elevated side and over said tunnel wave area to form a tunnel wave.

26. A method of increasing speed during use of an amusement water ride comprising:

providing a continuous flow of water having an equilibrium area sandwiched between a sub-equidyne area and a supra-equidyne area with flow being from said sub-equidyne area to said supra-equidyne area;

positioning said sub-equidyne area as the lowest area of said flow of water; and

proportioning said sub-equidyne area, said supra-equidyne area and said equilibrium area so that a rider on said water flow may oscillate between a position on said supra-equidyne area through said equilibrium area to said sub-equidyne area and by extending himself accelerates and may return toward said supra-equidyne area at an increased speed.

29. A water ride facility wherein the user rides on a flowing body of water, said facility comprising:

a riding surface comprising an inclined portion and an adjacent downstream wave-forming structure elevated above said inclined portion;

means for forming a shallow flow of water at a supercritical velocity on said riding surface, said shallow flow of water flowing up said inclined portion and on said wave-forming structure to form a simulated wave, wherein said user riding on said shallow flow of water utilizes the force of gravity and the momentum of said flow of water to perform water skimming maneuvers thereon; and

said shallow flow of water having a minimal depth and a supercritical velocity sufficient to cause said shallow flow of water to traverse at least a portion of said elevated wave-forming structure, thereby forming said simulated wave without experiencing a drop in velocity to less than a supercritical velocity at said portion, wherein said minimal depth serves to minimize the energy consumption of said water ride facility and helps prevent said user from drowning.

30. The water ride facility of claim 29, wherein the depth of said shallow flow of water ranges between 2 and 40 cm.

31. The water ride facility of claim 29, wherein said wave-forming structure is concave, whereby a tunnel wave is formed.