Method and apparatus for containerless sheet flow water rides

• US 5,899,633 A
• Filed: 04/09/1997
• Issued: 05/04/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Surf Park Pte, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Lochtefeld
• Inventors: Lochtefeld, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Taylor, Dennis L.
• Application Number:
  US08/826,902
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 405/79, 405/52, 4/291, 474/128
• US Class Current: 405/79
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• 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 3/02 with floating seats
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

A water ride attraction is disclosed which utilizes a containerless riding surface to eliminate disadvantageous boundary layer effects. A sheet flow of water is directed up the incline to produce a simulated wave. The configuration and contour of the riding surface and the various flow parameters can be widely varied to produce numerous desirable wave conditions.

Claims

1. A water ride comprising:

a contoured surface having a substantially horizontal portion, and a downstream inclined portion adjoining said horizontal portion;

a nozzle for propelling a flow of water onto said contoured surface, wherein said flow of water is propelled onto said horizontal portion and flows up said inclined portion, and then rolls off the inclined portion or curls back upon itself; and

means for varying the rate, velocity and/or pressure of the flow of water so as to create desired water flow effects on said surface.

6. The water ride of claim 1, wherein said flow varying means comprises at least two separate and independent flows which are injected upward onto said surface at a different rate, velocity and/or pressure, each of said flows creating a water flow effect on said surface.

2. A water ride, comprising:

an inclined surface;

a source of water; and

a sheet flow of water flowing upward onto said inclined surface, said flow conforming substantially to the contours of said inclined surface, wherein said sheet flow of water comprises at least two separate and independent flows injected upward onto said surface having different rate, velocity and/or pressure, so as to create a desired water flow effect on said surface.

3. The water ride of claim 2, wherein said inclined surface has an upper side and a lower side, wherein said flow is injected onto said surface proximate said lower side and is propelled upward such that said flow flows over said upper side.

4. The water ride of claim 3, wherein said inclined surface has a concave curvature thereon.

5. The water ride of claim 4, further comprising means for varying flow parameters of the flow of water, including rate, velocity and/or pressure, so as to create a variety of water flow effects on said surface.

7. The water ride of claim 2, wherein a wave forming structure is located on said surface, said wave forming structure having a substantially concave curvature thereon, said sheet flow flowing onto said wave forming structure and then curling back upon itself so as to form a spilling wave thereon.

8. The water ride of claim 7, wherein said wave forming structure has a horizontal and vertical curvature.

9. The water ride of claim 7, wherein the velocity of said flow is sufficient to enable said flow to flow upward onto said wave forming structure, wherein by the force of gravity said flow is returned in a downward arc to form a curling wave thereon.

10. The water ride of claim 2, wherein said inclined surface has a lower declining portion, a middle substantially horizontal portion, and an upper inclined portion, said flow being injected onto said lower portion, and flowing onto said middle portion, and then onto said upper portion.

11. A water ride, comprising:

a curved surface; and

a sheet flow of water flowing on said curved surface travelling in a predetermined direction, said curved surface having a substantially half-pipe configuration comprising an initial declining portion, an intermediate transition portion, and a terminal inclining portion all generally curving about an axis substantially transverse to said direction of flow.

12. The water ride of claim 11, wherein said flow of water flows downward along said declining portion of said surface, and upward along said inclining portion of said surface.