Generated wave propulsion water feature

Abstract

An alternative propulsion or motive force for the riders of water features based on generated waves. A wave generator may be used to propel individuals or vessels within a chute for recreation or transportation. In one form, a pool or container having a body of water is configured to support an artificial wave generator. Portions of the waves generated in a pool may be captured in a variety of ways by chutes for stand-alone rides or for portions of chutes in water slides. Alternatively, a wave generator may generate a wave directly within a chute so long as the chute provides sufficient water and proper hydrodynamic characteristics to support a ridable wave.

1 . A water feature for propelling a rider along a chute having a bottom and two sides, the water feature comprising: 
 at least one body of water having a resting water level;    at least one wave generator, located proximate to the body of water without interfering with the rider in the chute, for generating at least one wave within the body of water, wherein the wave has a trough water level in the body of water below the resting water level and a crest water level in the body of water above the resting water level; and    wherein a portion of the chute passes through a portion of the body of water and is aligned in the direction of the wave such that the top of the sides of the portion of the chute are above the resting water level and below the crest water level, so that when the at least one wave crests the chute captures a portion of the wave within the chute and the bottom of the chute is configured so as to produce a ridable wave within the chute capable of propelling the rider.    
   
   
       2 . The water feature of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of chutes are juxtaposed in parallel fashion, such that each of the plurality of chutes captures a portion of the wave to enable riders within the chutes to race each other.  
   
   
       3 . The water feature of  claim 1 , wherein the rider is located on a vessel situated within the chute and the water feature is configured to propel the rider by propelling the vessel.  
   
   
       4 . A water feature for propelling a rider along a chute having a bottom and two sides, the water feature comprising: 
 at least one body of water having a resting water level;    at least one wave cannon, located proximate to the body of water without interfering with the rider in the chute, for generating at least one wave within the body of water, wherein the wave has a trough water level in the body of water below the resting water level and a crest water level in the body of water above the resting water level; and    wherein a portion of the chute passes through a portion of the body of water and is aligned in the direction of the wave such that the top of the sides of the portion of the chute are above the resting water level and below the crest water level, so that when the at least one wave crests the chute captures a portion of the wave within the chute and the bottom of the chute is configured so as to produce a ridable wave within the chute capable of propelling the rider.    
   
   
       5 . The water feature of  claim 4  wherein a plurality of chutes are juxtaposed in parallel fashion, such that each of the plurality of chutes captures a portion of the wave to enable riders within the chutes to race each other.  
   
   
       6 . The water feature of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one computer processor, a compressed air supply, and a control system operably connected between the compressed air supply and the computer processor so as to enable computer control of the wave cannon.  
   
   
       7 . The water feature of  claim 4 , wherein the rider is located on a vessel situated within the chute and the water feature is configured to propel the rider by propelling the vessel.  
   
   
       8 . A water feature for propelling a rider along a chute having a bottom and two sides, the water feature comprising: 
 at least one body of water within the chute;    at least one wave generator, located proximate to the chute without interfering with the rider in the chute, for generating at least one wave within the body of water; and    wherein the bottom of the chute is configured so as to produce a ridable wave within the chute capable of propelling the rider.    
   
   
       9 . The water feature of  claim 8 , wherein the wave generator is a wave cannon.  
   
   
       10 . The water feature of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of chutes are juxtaposed in parallel fashion, each of the plurality of chutes having a wave generator for generating a wave, and wherein the wave generators of the plurality of chutes may be synchronized to operate simultaneously to enable the riders within the chutes to race each other.  
   
   
       11 . The water feature of  claim 8  wherein each of the wave generators is a wave cannon and further comprising at least one computer processor, a compressed air supply, and a control system operably connected between the compressed air supply and the computer processor so as to enable computer control of the wave cannons.  
   
   
       12 . The water feature of  claim 8 , wherein the rider is located on a vessel situated within the chute and the water feature is configured to propel the rider by propelling the vessel.  
   
   
       13 . A water feature for propelling a rider along a chute having a bottom and two sides, the water feature comprising: 
 at least one body of water having a resting water level;    at least one wave generator, located proximate to the body of water without interfering with the rider in the chute, for generating at least one wave within the body of water, wherein the wave has a trough water level in the body of water below the resting water level and a crest water level in the body of water above the resting water level; and    wherein a portion of the chute passes through the body of water and is aligned in the direction of the wave with the top of the sides of the portion of the chute above the resting water level, and the portion of the chute has a plurality of perforations configured so that when the at least one wave crests the chute captures a portion of the wave within the chute and the bottom of the chute is configured so as to produce a ridable wave within the chute capable of propelling the rider.    
   
   
       14 . The water slide feature of  claim 13 , wherein the wave generator is a wave cannon.  
   
   
       15 . The water slide feature of  claim 13 , wherein a plurality of chutes are juxtaposed in parallel fashion, such that each of the plurality of chutes captures a portion of the wave to enable riders within the chutes to race each other.  
   
   
       16 . The water slide feature of  claim 13 , wherein the wave generator is a wave cannon and further comprising at least one computer processor, a compressed air supply, and a control system operably connected between the compressed air supply and the computer processor so as to enable computer control of the wave generator.  
   
   
       17 . The water feature of  claim 13 , wherein the rider is located on a vessel situated within the chute and the water feature is configured to propel the rider by propelling the vessel.  
   
   
       18 . A water feature for propelling a rider along a chute having a bottom and two sides, the water feature comprising: 
 at least one body of water having a resting water level;    at least one wave generator, located proximate to the body of water without interfering with the rider in the chute, for generating at least one wave within the body of water, wherein the wave has a trough water level in the body of water below the resting water level and a crest water level in the body of water above the resting water level; and    wherein a portion of the chute passes through the body of water and is aligned in the direction of the wave with the top of the sides of the portion of the chute above the resting water level, and the portion of the chute forms an opening facing the wave and is configured to capture a portion of the wave within the chute and the bottom of the chute is configured so as to produce a ridable wave within the chute capable of propelling the rider.    
   
   
       19 . The water feature of  claim 18 , wherein the wave generator is a wave cannon.  
   
   
       20 . The water feature of  claim 18 , wherein a plurality of chutes are juxtaposed in parallel fashion, such that each of the plurality of chutes captures a portion of the wave to enable riders within the chutes to race each other.  
   
   
       21 . The water feature of  claim 18 , wherein the wave generator is a wave cannon and further comprising at least one computer processor, a compressed air supply, and a control system operably connected between the compressed air supply and the computer processor so as to enable computer control of the wave generator.  
   
   
       22 . The water feature of  claim 18 , wherein the rider is located on a vessel situated within the chute and the water feature is configured to propel the rider by propelling the vessel.