INFLATABLE SURFING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING REDUCED FLUID TURBULENCE

• US 20170136371A1
• Filed: 11/14/2016
• Published: 05/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: WhiteWater West Industries Limited
• Inventors: Vicente, Oriol A., Koide, Brad Jiro, Myrman, Marshall Corey, Philp, Danny
• Granted Patent: US 10,376,799 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water

Abstract

A water attraction having one or more inflatable areas and/or features for reducing turbulence of water flow over a ride surface is disclosed. The water attraction includes a ride surface, a water delivery section, and a recovery section. The water delivery section provides water flow on the ride surface. The ride surface may include the assembly of multiple segments and may be fully or partially inflatable. The water delivery section may include one or more water delivery mechanisms, for example, nozzles. A water delivery mechanism may deliver a water flow different from the water flows from other water delivery mechanisms. In one embodiment, the water delivery section includes water delivery mechanisms directed in a fanned-out configuration in order to reduce turbulence. In another embodiment, gaps between segments of the ride surface may provide a “buffer” for overlapping water flow in order to achieve a smooth water surface.

Claims

1. The water attraction of the present invention comprising:

a ride surface shaped in at least a partial circle;

a water delivery section; and

a recovery section.

2. The water attraction of claim 1 wherein the ride surface is at least partially inflatable.

3. The water attraction of claim 2 wherein the ride surface is constructed by connecting a plurality of segments.

4. The water attraction of claim 1 further comprising a support structure disposed underneath the ride surface and configured to define a profile for the ride surface.

5. The water attraction of claim 1 wherein the water delivery section comprises at least one water delivery mechanism.

6. The water attraction of claim 5 wherein the water delivery mechanism comprises a first water nozzle configured to provide a first flow of water upon the ride surface, and a second water nozzle configured to provide a second flow of water upon the ride surface.

7. The water attraction of claim 6 wherein the first water nozzle and the second water nozzle are configured to direct the first flow of water in a fanned-out configuration to reduce overlapping between the first flow of water and the second flow of water.

8. The water attraction of claim 6 wherein the ride surface includes at least one water channel positioned between the first flow of water and the second flow of water;

9. A method of riding a surfing attraction comprising;

providing a ride surface shaped in at least a partial circle wherein the ride surface is at least partially inflatable;

providing a water delivery section comprising a first water nozzle configured to provide a first flow of water upon the ride surface, and a second water nozzle configured to provide a second flow of water upon the ride surface, wherein the first water nozzle and the second water nozzle are configured to direct the first flow of water in a fanned-out configuration to reduce overlapping between the first flow of water and the second flow of water; and

providing a recovery section.

10. A method of riding a surfing attraction comprising;

providing a ride surface shaped in at least a partial circle wherein the ride surface is at least partially inflatable;

providing a water delivery section comprising a first water nozzle configured to provide a first flow of water upon the ride surface, and a second water nozzle configured to provide a second flow of water upon the ride surface, wherein the ride surface includes at least one water channel positioned between the first flow of water and the second flow of water; and

providing a recovery section.