Adjusting participant flow rate in water amusement parks

Abstract

An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. Further, the disclosure generally relates to water-powered rides and to a system and method in which participants may be more involved in a water attraction. An amusement ride system may include a system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a belt and a belt movement system. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include at least one gate mechanism. At least one of the gate mechanisms may function to position a gate to adjust a participant flow rate through the belt.

1 - 130 . (canceled)  
   
   
       131 . A system for controlling a participant flow rate through at least a portion of an amusement ride system, comprising: 
 a belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle, wherein the belt comprises a first portion coupled to a first source of water and a second portion coupled to the amusement ride system;    a belt movement system configured to move the belt in a loop;    at least one gate mechanism, wherein at least one of the gate mechanisms is configured, upon activation, to position a gate to adjust a participant flow rate along the belt.    
   
   
       132 - 157 . (canceled)  
   
   
       158 . A system for controlling a participant flow rate through at least a portion of an amusement ride system, comprising: a belt configured to convey a participant and/or a participant vehicle from a first source of water to the amusement ride system, wherein the belt comprises a first portion coupled to the first source of water and a second portion coupled to the water amusement ride system; 
 a belt movement system configured to move the belt in a loop;    at least one gate mechanism, wherein at least one of the gate mechanisms is configured, upon activation, to position a gate to inhibit a participant and/or a participant vehicle from entering the first portion and/or exiting the second portion of the belt.    
   
   
       159 . (canceled)  
   
   
       160 . (canceled)  
   
   
       161 . (canceled)  
   
   
       162 . (canceled)  
   
   
       163 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising a control system configured to activate and/or deactivate at least one of the gate mechanisms.  
   
   
       164 . (canceled)  
   
   
       165 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising: 
 a control system configured to activate and/or deactivate at least one of the gate mechanisms; and    one or more sensors associated with the belt and coupled to the control system, wherein one or more of the sensors are configured to assist in detecting the participant flow rate.    
   
   
       166 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein water adjacent the first portion of the belt is at a depth allowing a participant vehicle to float.  
   
   
       167 . (canceled)  
   
   
       168 . (canceled)  
   
   
       169 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein water adjacent the first portion of the belt is at a depth in the range of 1 to 3 feet.  
   
   
       170 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising a water flow sensor coupled to the first source of water, wherein the water flow sensor is configured to monitor the water flow rate of the first source of water proximate the belt.  
   
   
       171 . (canceled)  
   
   
       172 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising: 
 a water flow sensor coupled to the first source of water, wherein the water flow sensor is configured to monitor the water flow rate of the first source of water proximate the belt; and    a controller, wherein the controller is coupled to the belt movement system and the water flow sensor, wherein the controller is configured to produce a control signal for the belt movement system, and wherein the belt movement system is configured to move the belt in response to the control signal.    
   
   
       173 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein a portion of the belt extends below the surface of the water of the first source of water.  
   
   
       174 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein the first source of water is at a different elevation than the second source of water.  
   
   
       175 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein the belt comprises a material and design to inhibit the participant from moving in a direction opposite that of the direction the belt is moving.  
   
   
       176 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein a barrier is positioned to cover the outer edges of the belt, wherein the participants are inhibited from accessing the belt movement system by the barrier.  
   
   
       177 . (canceled)  
   
   
       178 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising a detection device positioned above the belt movement system, wherein the detection device is configured to produce a detection signal when a participant is in a position above a predetermined height above the belt, and wherein the detection device is electronically coupled to the belt movement system such that the belt movement system is deactivated in response to a received detection signal.  
   
   
       179 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising a deflector plate positioned below the surface of the water wherein the deflector plate is positioned to inhibit the participant from moving to a position below the belt.  
   
   
       180 . (canceled)  
   
   
       181 . (canceled)  
   
   
       182 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein the belt comprises a width such that only a single participant enters the system at the same time during use.  
   
   
       183 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein the belt comprises a width such that at least two participants enter the system at the same time during use.  
   
   
       184 . The system of  claim 158 , further comprising a barrier positioned on each side of the belt, wherein the barrier is configured to inhibit participants from leaving the belt as the participants are conveyed along the belt.  
   
   
       185 . The system of  claim 158 , wherein the participant is riding on a floatation device.  
   
   
       186 - 292 . (canceled)