Containerless sheet flow water ride
AssigneeLight Wave, Ltd.
InventorThomas J. Lochtefeld
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water ride attraction is disclosed which utilizes a containerless riding surface to eliminate disadvantageous boundary layer effects. A sheet flow of water is directed up the incline to produce a simulated wave. The configuration and contour of the riding surface and the various flow parameters can be widely varied to produce numerous desirable wave conditions.
Claims25
A water ride attraction in which water flows on an incline, said ride attraction comprising a generally containerless inclined riding surface, and a flow of water directed upward upon the inclined riding surface, the flow of water substantially conforming to the inclined riding surface, the riding surface being containerless such that white water can roll downward and to the side as run-off water to avoid supercritical flow submersion, and boundary layer induced subcritical flow and associated flow disturbance along the periphery of the riding surface are eliminated, the riding surface being configured without lateral water constraints.
A water ride attraction in which water flows on an incline, said ride attraction comprising a generally containerless inclined riding surface, and a flow of water directed upward upon the inclined riding surface, and a flow of water directed upon the inclined riding surface, the flow of water substantially conforming to the inclined riding surface, the riding surface being containerless and without enclosure such that the ride surface cannot fill or flood with water, and such that boundary layer induced subcritical flow and associated flow disturbance along the periphery of the riding surface are eliminated, the riding surface being configured without lateral water constraints.
A water ride attraction in which water flows on an incline, said ride attraction comprising a generally containerless inclined riding surface, a collection basin containing water at a level equal to or below the lowest elevation of riding surface, and a flow of water directed upon the inclined riding surface, the flow of water substantially conforming to the inclined riding surface, the riding surface being containerless such that run-off water overflows into collection basin to avoid supercritical flow submersion and boundary layer induced subcritical flow and associated flow disturbance along the periphery of the riding surface are eliminated, the riding surface being configured without lateral water constraints.
A water ride attraction in which water flows on an incline, said ride attraction comprising an inclined riding surface having at least one side and a flow of water directed upon the inclined riding surface, the flow of water substantially conforming to the inclined riding surface, the riding surface being containerless such that spilling white water is permitted to roll off at least one side as run-off water to avoid supercritical flow submersion, and boundary layer induced subcritical flow and associated flow disturbance along the periphery of the riding surface are eliminated, the riding surface being configured without later water constraints such that there is an unbounded flow up the inclined riding surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.