Sheet flow water ride apparatus and method
Embodiments of the invention provide a sheet flow wave generator including a ride surface and a plurality of nozzles or jets coupled to the ride surface. The nozzles or jets can be configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface. Embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus and method of forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. An apparatus and method of making an artificial wave can include forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave. Some embodiments of the invention can also be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/893,923 filed on Mar. 9, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/003,080 filed on Nov. 14, 2007, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDWave pools and water rides often use conventional wave generators to produce waves. The design of the pool is very important for producing waves. If the design of the pool is flawed, the pool will not produce waves. Even in nature with the correct beach, perfect waves are rare, because the waves depend upon environmental conditions, such as tides, wind, and off-shore storms.
One conventional wave generator is the pneumatic surf wave. The pneumatic surf wave stores water in caissons and uses the water to produce the desired wave. The pneumatic surf wave uses gravity to discharge the water from the caissons. The pneumatic surf wave uses a fan to expel the air in the chamber, causing a vacuum to draw the air upward. When the air is at its maximum capacity, the air is released into the chamber to create the wave. The caissons of the pneumatic surf wave are generally positioned upright.
Another conventional wave generator is the surf wave generator. The surf wave generator uses compressed air to release water from caissons to form a wave. The surf wave generator uses rows of caissons positioned along a side of the pool. More specifically, the caissons of the surf wave generator are generally positioned vertically along a back side of the pool.
Yet another conventional wave generator is the pneumatic wave generator. The pneumatic wave generator uses water-filled caissons to produce the desired wave. The pneumatic wave generator uses compressed air to expel the wave from the caisson. The pneumatic wave generator includes many caissons in a single pool. The pneumatic wave generator includes caissons that are generally positioned vertically on a back side of the pool.
SUMMARYSome embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and method for creating an artificial wave for a water ride with pneumatic wave generators enhanced by nozzles or jets. Some embodiments of the invention provide a sheet flow wave generator including a ride surface and nozzles or jets coupled to the ride surface. The nozzles or jets can be configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface. Embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus and method of forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. An apparatus and method of making an artificial wave can include forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave. Some embodiments of the invention can also be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
The primary pump room 2 can include pumps positioned close to the surface of the pool in order to produce a current to propel riders. The wave-generating devices 3 can be coupled to the water return pipes 5 in order to use the water flowing through the water return grates 4 to power the wave-generating devices 3. The water return pipes 5 can be connected to the water pump 7. The water pump 7 can also be connected to the water suction intake system 8. The secondary pump room 9 can supply the caissons 1 with air to produce the primary wave of the water ride 100.
The wave-generating devices 3 can include pipes with nozzles or individual jets that force water upward to create a wave that moves in a direction against the current flow of the primary wave generated by the caissons 1. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “nozzle” and “jet” may be used interchangeably, with both terms referring to any device capable of propelling water upward from a surface in a desired direction and at a desired pressure. In one embodiment, as shown in
In some embodiments, additional wave-generating devices can be used to create a small non-curling wave or “bump” before a curling wave created by the wave-generating devices 3. This small non-curling wave can cause the rider to dip down before rising up the curling wave.
In some embodiments, the water ride 100 can use gravity to force water out of the caissons 1 to produce the primary wave. The water ride 100 can include one or more caissons 1 positioned vertically along a back side of the pool. In other embodiments, the water ride 100 can use a set wave system to generate primary and/or secondary waves as disclosed in applicant's co-pending U.S. utility patent application entitled “Set Wave System for Wave Generation,” the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference, and which also claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/893,923.
The wave-generating devices 3 can be used to form an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow, such as the current flow produced by the primary wave generated by the caissons 1. The artificial wave generated by the wave-generating devices 3 can also move in a direction that is against the current flow of a river type of water ride that does not provide primary waves.
In some embodiments, as shown in
In some embodiments, the wave-generating devices 3 include one or more nozzles or jets that can be used to change or enhance the shape of the artificial wave. In some embodiments, the nozzles or jets can be positioned beneath a surface of the water. In some embodiments, a series of nozzles or jets can be positioned on a floor of the water ride and can be used to change or enhance the shape of the artificial wave. For example, a series of nozzles or jets can be used to make the wave higher, steeper, and/or curl over. Also, a combination of nozzles or jets and current flow caused by the caissons 1 can be used to make the wave higher, steeper, and/or curl over.
In some embodiments, the water ride 100 can be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets. In some embodiments, the nozzles or jets can be articulated or moveable to facilitate varying a shape of the standing wave.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the nozzles or jets are angled to cause the wave to curl forward on one side. The pressure of the water flowing through the nozzles or jets can be varied. For example, the pressure can be varied through each individual nozzle or jet or through groups of nozzles or jets. The water pressure can be varied through the nozzles or jets to change the shape and/or position of the wave. In some embodiments, the nozzles or jets can be articulated either in groups or individually. The nozzles or jets can be articulated to change the shape and/or position of the wave. In some embodiments, the water pressure can be varied through the nozzles or jets and the nozzles or jets can be articulated to move the wave left or right, move the wave up or down, and/or to vary the shape of the wave. In some embodiments, the water pressure is higher in the front (or lower or upstream) nozzles or jets than in the back (or higher or downstream) nozzles or jets. In some embodiments, a portion of the nozzles or jets are positioned along a front end (or lower end or upstream) of the ride surface to cause water flow upwardly across the ride surface. In some embodiments, a drain can be formed at the back end (upper end or downstream) of the ride surface.
In some embodiments, at least some of the nozzles of the wave-generating devices 3 are defined by openings formed in pipes. As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
One or both of the upper left body 404 and the upper right body 406 can include openings 426 (as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Rather than being controlled in groups or panels as described herein, each jet of the wave-generating devices can be individually controlled. For example, the jets can be connected to an automation system in order to be individually controlled. Also, rather than being positioned in relatively narrow rows across the width of the riding surface, the jets can cover more of the floor of the riding surface, for example, covering two or more wavelengths of the artificial wave.
The water ride 1000 can include one or more side de-watering grates 1022 positioned on the lateral sides of the water ride 1000 generally outside of the concave feature 1012. The water ride 1000 can also include a central de-watering grate 1024 positioned in the center of the concave feature 1012. The water flow, as represented by arrows 1032, can flow past the concave feature 1012 where some water can be removed through the grates 1022, 1024. In some embodiments, the water collected with the grates 1022, 1024 can be used to power the wave-generating devices 1028. The remaining water flow 1032 can move into the wave-generating devices 1028 in order to form the wave form 1026. After flowing past the wave-generating devices 1028, the water can flow into water returns 1038 in order to be returned to the upstream portion of the water ride 1000.
In the various embodiments of water rides described herein, different types of water flows can be introduced into the water rides from different angles and perspectives. For example, water can be angled to flow up an inclined ride surface. Also, water can be introduced to form an intersecting flow that can be diagonal or transverse to the main water flow in the water ride. In addition, water can be introduced from the side of the water ride and then join the main water flow of the water ride.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A method of making an artificial wave, the method comprising forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial wave moves against current flow in a channel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the current flow slows down a speed of the artificial wave.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the artificial wave to about one quarter of its original speed.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet to change a shape of the artificial wave.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet to enhance a shape of the artificial wave.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the jet is disposed beneath a water surface.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the artificial wave.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jets are used to enhance a shape of the artificial wave.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave higher.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave steeper.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave curl over.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave curl over.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave higher.
15. A method of making an artificial wave, the method comprising forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave.
16. A method of making a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use, the method comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the artificial wave.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one jet is articulated to vary a shape of the standing wave.
19. An apparatus for making an artificial wave, the apparatus comprising a wave-generating device that causes the artificial waves to move in a direction against current flow.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the artificial wave moves against current flow in a channel.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the artificial wave.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the wave to about one quarter of its original speed.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to change a shape of the artificial wave.
24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to enhance a shape of the artificial wave.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the jet is disposed beneath a water surface.
26. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to change a shape of the artificial wave.
27. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to enhance a shape of the artificial wave.
28. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave higher.
29. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave steeper.
30. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave curl over.
31. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a plurality of jets configured to cooperate with the current flow to make the artificial wave curl over.
32. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave higher.
33. An apparatus for making artificial waves, the apparatus comprising a wave-generating device configured to make artificial waves that move in a direction so that current moving in another direction causes the speed of the artificial waves to be reduced.
34. A apparatus for making a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use, the apparatus comprising at least one jet through which water flows.
35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the standing wave.
36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein at least one jet is articulated to facilitate varying a shape of the standing wave.
37. A sheet flow wave generator comprising:
- a ride surface; and
- a plurality of jets coupled to the ride surface, the jets configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface.
38. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the ride surface is generally planar.
39. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the ride surface is inclined.
40. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets are configured to cause water to flow across the ride surface.
41. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets are configured to cause water to flow upwardly over the ride surface.
42. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets are angled to cause the artificial wave to curl forward at one side.
43. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets.
44. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure can be individually varied through the jets.
45. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets to change at least one of a shape and a position of the artificial wave.
46. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets can be articulated.
47. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets can be individually articulated.
48. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein the jets can be articulated to change at least one of a shape and a position of the artificial wave.
49. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets and the jets can be articulated.
50. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets and the jets can be articulated to at least one of move the wave left or right, move the wave up or down, and vary a shape of the artificial wave.
51. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein water pressure is higher in the front jets than in the back jets.
52. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, wherein a portion of the jets are positioned along a front end of the ride surface to cause water to flow upwardly across the ride surface.
53. The sheet flow wave generator of claim 37, further comprising a drain formed at the back end of the ride surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 6, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 20, 2008
Inventors: Brandon Carnahan (Scottsdale, AZ), Richard Carnahan (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/074,849
International Classification: E02B 3/00 (20060101);