Method and apparatus for varying water flow for stationary sheet flow water rides

Abstract

The invention relates to a water ride with adjustable nozzles for adjusting the speed and depth of the flow of water emanating from the nozzles and onto the ride surface. The nozzles have a bladder that can be used to adjust the height of the opening and therefore the depth of the water flow. More than one adjustable nozzle can be used to vary the flow effects across the width of the ride surface. Additional adjustment bladders can be provided underneath the inclined portion of the ride surface, wherein by adjusting each bladder independently, the tilt of the ride surface transverse to the direction of flow can be adjusted.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 002,886, filed Nov. 13, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of simulated surfing apparatuses and methods, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for varying the depth of a flowing body of water in connection with a water ride having a contoured or inclined ride surface, wherein by regulating the depth and speed of flow in relation to the area and angles of incline, novel flow dynamics can be generated for rider controlled water-skimming activities, including those analogous to the sport of surfing.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sheet flow water rides have become popular in recent years. The technology that Applicant has previously developed which is referred to as a FlowRider® relates to a standing wave water attraction comprising nozzles that are adapted to inject a sheet flow of water unde...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The present invention relates to a water ride having an adjustability feature that enables the depth of the flowing body of water being propelled onto an inclined or contoured ride surface to be easily adjusted. The adjustability feature is preferably used in conjunction with the sheet flow water ride technology previously developed by Applicant which has been described above, as well as a relatively deep sheet flow variation of it (which will collectively be referred to as a “sheet flow water ride” for simplicity purposes), which includes an inclined or contoured ride surface upon which the sheet flow of water is propelled. The present adjustability feature preferably enables the depth of the sheet flow to be adjusted, such that by itself, or in conjunction with other adjustability features, including the adjustment of the flow speed, or incline and / or tilt of the ride surface, a variety of dynamic changes to the nature and character of the sheet flow can be created, thereby giving riders a chance to experience a wide range of flow conditions, including relatively shallow and deep flows on the same ride surface.

[0015]Generally speaking, the present invention comprises nozzles with an adjustable aperture capable of releasing a sheet flow of water under high pressure onto the associated ride surface at varying depths. The nozzle component preferably comprises a pump with an inlet capable of drawing water in from a source, wherein the water is placed under high pressure and allowed to be channeled through a narrowing nozzle aperture, and then released. The aperture is configured so that water is extruded through the nozzle and forms a focused-propulsion of water that rapidly disperses onto the ride surface, and forms a continuous sheet flow of water thereon, wherein by adjusting the effective height of the aperture, the depth of flow can be adjusted.

[0019]These adjustments can facilitate adjustments in the nature and character of the sheet flow of water propelled onto the ride surface. For example, by decreasing the depth of flow, a relatively thin sheet flow of water, traveling at an increased velocity, similar to those contemplated by the previous invention, can be created on the ride surface. On the other hand, by increasing the depth of flow, a relatively deep sheet flow of water can be created on the same ride surface, which can enable riders to use standard surfboards with fins. Likewise, by having two or more adjustable nozzles side by side, a portion of the flow can be made to enter the ride surface at one depth, and another portion of the flow can be made to enter the ride surface at another depth, which can create varied flow effects, including a hydraulic jump on one side, and supercritical flow on the other, even across a level ridge line.

[0020]Although these variations can be made without having to make any other adjustments, the present invention contemplates that these adjustments can be combined with other adjustments, such as to the flow speed, or inclination or tilt of the ride surface, wherein the adjustability and variability of the flow can be increased and enhanced, and an increased variety of dynamic flow changes and hydraulic states can be produced, which can further enhance and add variety to the rider's experience. For example, in addition to creating two hydraulic states across the ride surface based on flow depth variations, the speed with which the flow enters onto the ride surface within these hydraulic states can also be varied. Moreover, the inclination of the ride surface upon which these hydraulic states are created can be increased, decreased, or even tilted, thereby further varying the flow effects. This way, the degree to which these hydraulic states can form, dissipate, change in shape, change in size, and move around on the ride surface, etc., can be easily modified and varied.

[0021]Another related advantage is the ability of these adjustments to solve the transient surge problems associated with ride start-up and rider induced flow decay upon upwardly inclined flow surfaces. Because the flow depth can be controlled precisely, and because whether a particular flow remains supercritical is a function of flow depth, these adjustments preferably provide a means for self-clearing undesirable transitory surges and excess white water, which can help correct the problems associated with start-up and flow decay.

Problems solved by technology

This results in the pressure disturbance transmitting through the fluid and directly to the ground, and allows the ground to participate, as a reaction wall, against the weight of the rider.

Furthermore, intentional rider-induced drag can slow the rider and send him or her back up the incline to permit additional maneuvers.

Therefore, in the absence of a means of adjusting the depth of flow created by the nozzle, the full advantages of the water ride could not be recognized.

That is, if a water ride attraction was built so that it produced only a deep flow of water, none of the many advantages contemplated by the Applicant in association with producing a relatively thin sheet flow could be achieved.

Likewise, if a water ride attraction was built to produce only a shallow sheet flow, the rider could not use a standard surfboard, and therefore, could not learn the skills necessary to master traditional surfing.

In this respect, one of the drawbacks of the previous sheet flow apparatus was that special boards with no fins were required to be developed and used in conjunction with the water ride.

Because of the shallow nature of the thin sheet flow, close proximity of the board to the solid boundary, and consequences of the ground effect, it was heretofore not possible to use a standard surfboard with a fin extending down which would effectively cause the board to “ground out” on the flow bed and make it impossible to perform freely on the flow.

This disadvantageously did not allow riders to train and learn how to surf using standard surfboards, which made the transition from using the special sheet flow board to using a real surf board, and therefore, from riding on the sheet flow water ride to surfing on real ocean waves, more difficult to achieve.

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