Water amusement method
First Claim
1. A method for conveying a participant within a water amusement park by water flowing through a channel, wherein the water amusement park comprises at least one water amusement ride, wherein a first portion of the channel is coupled to an entry part of the water amusement ride and a second portion of the channel is coupled to an exit point of the same water amusement ride, and wherein a water input source and a water flow sensor are coupled to the channel, and wherein a controller is coupled to the water input source and the water flow sensor, the method comprising:
- determining the flow rate of water detected by the water flow sensor with the controller;
sending a control signal from the controller to the water input source in response to the detected water flow rate;
varying the flow of water to the channel with the water input source in response to the control signal;
transferring the participant from the first portion of the channel to the entry part of the water amusement ride;
conveying the participant through the water amusement ride; and
transferring the participant from the exit point of the water amusement ride to the second portion of the channel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A water transportation system and method are described, generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be actively involved in a water attraction. 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, the water transportation system may include conveyor belt systems and water locks configured to convey participants from a first source of water to a second source of water which may or may not be at a different elevation.
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Citations
83 Claims
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1. A method for conveying a participant within a water amusement park by water flowing through a channel, wherein the water amusement park comprises at least one water amusement ride, wherein a first portion of the channel is coupled to an entry part of the water amusement ride and a second portion of the channel is coupled to an exit point of the same water amusement ride, and wherein a water input source and a water flow sensor are coupled to the channel, and wherein a controller is coupled to the water input source and the water flow sensor, the method comprising:
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determining the flow rate of water detected by the water flow sensor with the controller; sending a control signal from the controller to the water input source in response to the detected water flow rate; varying the flow of water to the channel with the water input source in response to the control signal; transferring the participant from the first portion of the channel to the entry part of the water amusement ride; conveying the participant through the water amusement ride; and transferring the participant from the exit point of the water amusement ride to the second portion of the channel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for conveying one or more participants between a first station and a second station, wherein the first and second stations are coupled to each other by a first channel and a second channel, comprising:
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transferring one or more participants from a first water station to a first channel; conveying one or more participants through the first channel in a first direction; transferring one or more participants from the first channel to the second water station; transferring one or more participants from the second water station to the second channel; conveying one or more participants through the second channel in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction; transferring one or more participants from the second channel to the first station; generating a current of water moving through the first and second channel toward the first or second station; and positioning one or more participants within the current of water, wherein the current of water carries one or more of the participants toward the first or second station; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first or second channels is coupled to a floating queue line, wherein the floating queue line couples the portion of the channel with a water amusement ride, and wherein the floating queue line comprises a queue channel, and wherein the channel is configured to hold water at a depth sufficient to allow a participant to float within the queue channel, the method further comprising transferring the participant from the channel to the water amusement ride via the floating queue line, wherein the participant remains in the water while being transferred from the channel along the floating queue line to the water amusement ride. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for conveying one or more participants between a first station and a second station, wherein the first and second stations are coupled to each other by a first channel and a second channel, comprising:
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transferring one or more participants from a first water station to a first channel; conveying one or more participants through the first channel in a first direction; transferring one or more participants from the first channel to the second water station; transferring one or more participants from the second water station to the second channel; conveying one or more participants through the second channel in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction; transferring one or more participants from the second channel to the first station; generating a current of water moving through the first and second channel toward the first or second station; and positioning one or more participants within the current of water, wherein the current of water carries one or more of the participants toward the first or second station; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first or second channels comprises a docking station coupled to at least a portion of the channel, the docking station configured to receive and inhibit movement of floatation devices, the method further comprising placing the participants on a flotation device and transferring the participants from the docking station to the channel. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. A method for conveying one or more participants between a first station and a second station, wherein the first and second stations are coupled to each other by a first channel and a second channel, comprising:
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transferring one or more participants from a first water station to a first channel; conveying one or more participants through the first channel in a first direction; transferring one or more participants from the first channel to the second water station; transferring one or more participants from the second water station to the second channel; conveying one or more participants through the second channel in a second direction, wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction; transferring one or more participants from the second channel to the first station; generating a current of water moving through the first and second channel toward the first or second station; and positioning one or more participants within the current of water, wherein the current of water carries one or more of the participants toward the first or second station; wherein a conduit is coupled to the first channel and a water amusement ride, and wherein movable members are positioned proximate to the intersection of the channel and the conduit, the method further comprising; positioning the movable member in a first position to direct participants along the channel while inhibiting participants from passing into the conduit, and positioning the movable member into a second position to direct participants along the conduit toward the water amusement ride while inhibiting participants from passing along the channel. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83)
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Specification