Controller system for water amusement devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a water system configured to produce a water effect;
a control system coupled to the water system, wherein the control system is configured to generate one or more water system control signals to activate the water system to produce the water effect; and
an activation point coupled to the control system, wherein the activation point is configured to receive one or more participant signals and send one or more activation signals to the control system;
wherein the control system is configured to generate the water system control signals in response to the activation signals, and wherein the control system is further configured to generate the water system control signals in the absence of activation signals.
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Abstract
A programmable logic controller for a water system is described. The controller is configured to operate the water system to produce water effects when the controller receives a participant signal. The controller is further configured to produce water effects in the absence of a participant signal to attract participants to the water system.
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Citations
92 Claims
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1. A system comprising:
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a water system configured to produce a water effect;
a control system coupled to the water system, wherein the control system is configured to generate one or more water system control signals to activate the water system to produce the water effect; and
an activation point coupled to the control system, wherein the activation point is configured to receive one or more participant signals and send one or more activation signals to the control system;
wherein the control system is configured to generate the water system control signals in response to the activation signals, and wherein the control system is further configured to generate the water system control signals in the absence of activation signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of operating a water system configured to produce a water effect, comprising:
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applying one or more participant signals to an activation point;
producing an activation signal in response to the applied participant signal;
sending the activation signal to a control system;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in response to the received activation signal;
sending the water system control signal from the control system to the water system, wherein the water system produces the water effect in response to the water system control signal;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in the absence of an activation signal;
sending the water system control signal produced in the absence of an activation signal from the control system to the water system to produce a water effect. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
detecting the presence of a participant proximate to the water system with the participant detection system;
generating a detection signal in response to the presence of a participant proximate to the water system, and producing water system control signals in response to the detection signal.
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30. The method of claim 20, wherein the water system further comprises a participant detection system coupled to the control system, further comprising:
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detecting the presence of a participant proximate to the water system with the participant detection system;
generating a detection signal in response to the presence of a participant proximate to the water system, producing water system control signals in response to a detection signal; and
inhibiting the generation of water system control signals in the absence of a detection signal.
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31. The method of claim 20, wherein the control system comprises a programmable logic controller.
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32. A system comprising:
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a water system, the water system comprising;
a first hollow member comprising a closed end and an opposite end having an opening therein;
a second hollow member comprising first and second opposing open ends, wherein the second hollow member is of smaller diameter than the first hollow member, and wherein, during use, the second hollow member is disposed in the opening in the first hollow member to form an airtight seal within the opening, such that the second open end is inside the first hollow member;
a partition member with an opening therein, wherein, during use, the partition member is disposed inside the first hollow member and the second hollow member is disposed in the opening in the partition member, such that the partition member is slidable along at least of portion of the second hollow member, and further wherein the partition member substantially forms a partition from the exterior surface of the second hollow member to the interior surface of the first hollow member;
one or more fluid inlets configured to release fluid into the first hollow member during use;
one or more gas inlets configured to release a gas into the first hollow member during use, and wherein the partition member is disposed between a gas inlet and the closed end of the first hollow member during use; and
a control mechanism in communication with a gas inlet, the control mechanism being configured to control a flow of gas to the gas inlet;
a control system coupled to the water system, wherein the control system is configured to generate one or more water system control signals to activate the control mechanism of the water system to produce the water effect; and
an activation point coupled to the control system, wherein the activation point is configured to receive one or more participant signals and send one or more activation signals to the control system;
wherein the control system is configured to generate a water system control signal in response to at least one participant signal during use, and wherein the control system is further configured to generate one or more additional water system control signals in the absence of a participant signal. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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51. The system of claim further comprising a support apparatus including a seat for an operator.
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59. A method of operating a water system, wherein the water system comprises:
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a first hollow member comprising a closed end and an opposite end having an opening therein;
a second hollow member comprising first and second opposing open ends, wherein the second hollow member is of smaller diameter than the first hollow member, and wherein, during use, the second hollow member is disposed in the opening in the first hollow member to form an airtight seal within the opening, such that the first open end is outside the first hollow member, or coplanar with an end of the first hollow member, and the second open end is inside the first hollow member;
a partition member with an opening therein, wherein, during use, the partition member is disposed inside the first hollow member and the second hollow member is disposed in the opening in the partition member, such that the partition member is slidable along at least of portion of the second hollow member, and further wherein the partition member substantially forms a partition from the exterior surface of the second hollow member to the interior surface of the first hollow member;
one or more fluid inlets connected to a fluid source and configured to release fluid into the first hollow member during use;
one or more gas inlets connected to a source of pressurized gas, and configured to release a gas into the first hollow member during use, and wherein the partition member is disposed between a gas inlet and the closed end of the first hollow member during use; and
a control mechanism in communication with a gas inlet, the control mechanism being configured to control a flow of gas to the gas inlet;
a programmable control system coupled with the water amusement device, and configured to operate the control mechanism and the fluid inlet;
the method comprising;
applying one or more participant signals to an activation point;
producing an activation signal in response to the applied participant signal;
sending the activation signal to a control system;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in response to the received activation signal;
sending the water system control signal from the control system to the control mechanism, wherein the control mechanism allows gas to flow into the gas inlet in response to the water system control signal;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in the absence of an activation signal;
sending the water system control signal produced in the absence of an activation signal from the control system to the control mechanism to operate the control mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A method of operating a water system configured to produce a water effect, comprising:
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applying one or more participant signals to an activation point;
producing an activation signal in response to the applied participant signal;
sending the activation signal to a control system;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in response to the received activation signal;
sending the water system control signal from the control system to the water system, wherein the water system produces the water effect in response to the water system control signal;
producing an indicator control signal from the control system;
sending the indicator control signal to an indicator, wherein the indicator is coupled to the control system and positioned proximate to the activation point, sending an indication to a participant to apply a participant signal with the indicator in response to the received indictor control signal producing a water system control signal in the control system in the absence of an activation signal;
sending the water system control signal produced in the absence of an activation signal from the control system to the water system to produce a water effect. - View Dependent Claims (86, 87, 88, 89)
producing an indicator control signal from the control system;
sending the indicator control signal to an indicator, wherein the indicator is coupled to the control system and positioned proximate to the activation point, sending an indication to a participant to apply a participant signal with the indicator in response to the received indictor control signal, and wherein the indication is a visual indication.
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87. The method of claim 85, further comprising:
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producing an indicator control signal from the control system;
sending the indicator control signal to an indicator, wherein the indicator is coupled to the control system and positioned proximate to the activation point, sending an indication to a participant to apply a participant signal with the indicator in response to the received indictor control signal, and wherein the indication is an audio indication.
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88. The method of claim 85, further comprising:
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producing an indicator control signal from the control system;
sending the indicator control signal to an indicator, wherein the indicator is coupled to the control system and positioned proximate to the activation point, sending an indication to a participant to apply a participant signal with the indicator in response to the received indictor control signal, and wherein the indication is a tactile indication.
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89. The method of claim 85, further comprising:
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producing an indicator control signal from the control system;
sending the indicator control signal to an indicator, wherein the indicator is coupled to the control system and positioned proximate to the activation point, sending an indication to a participant to apply a participant signal with the indicator in response to the received indictor control signal, and wherein the indication comprises an image projected on a screen.
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90. A method of operating a water system configured to produce a water effect, comprising:
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applying one or more participant signals to an activation point;
producing an activation signal in response to the applied participant signal;
sending the activation signal to a control system;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in response to the received activation signal;
sending the water system control signal from the control system to the water system, wherein the water system comprises;
a plurality of activation points for detecting participant signals during use;
wherein the water system is configured to produce a plurality of water effects, and wherein the water system produces the water effect in response to the water system control signal;
producing different water system control signals in response to different activation signals received from different activation points;
sending the different water control system signals to the water system, wherein the water system is configured to produce different water effects in response to different water system control system signals;
producing a water system control signal in the control system in the absence of an activation signal;
sending the water system control signal produced in the absence of an activation signal from the control system to the water system to produce a water effect. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92)
detecting the presence of a participant proximate to the water system with the participant detection system;
generating a detection signal in response to the presence of a participant proximate to the water system, producing water system control signals in response to a detection signal; and
inhibiting the generator of water system control signals in the absence of a detection signal.
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Specification