High-speed, punch-through waterfall effect

Abstract

A waterfall effect for an amusement ride has a diverter system for creating a gap through a waterfall curtain timed to closely coincide with the arrival of a ride vehicle for providing a simulated effect of crashing through the waterfall curtain.

1 . A waterfall effect for an amusement ride to simulate a ride vehicle crashing through a waterfall curtain of flowing water, the waterfall effect comprising: 
 waterfall means for generating a flow of water over a vertical face and forming the waterfall curtain over an opening in the vertical face;    means for guiding the ride vehicle passing through the opening;    a diverter extendable into the flow of water for directing the flow of water to the sides of the opening in the vertical face, whereby the ride vehicle passes through a gap in the waterfall curtain into the opening when the diverter is extended.    
   
   
       2 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 1 , further comprising sensing means for detecting the arrival of the ride vehicle and extending the diverter into the flow of water at a time to coincide with the arrival of the ride vehicle at the waterfall curtain.  
   
   
       3 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 2 , wherein the sensing means comprises at least one sensor detecting the ride vehicle, a controller connected to the at least one sensor and receiving a detection signal from the at least one sensor, and an actuator for operating the diverter in response to a signal from the controller after the detection signal is received.  
   
   
       4 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 1 , wherein the diverter extends vertically into the flow of water above the waterfall curtain.  
   
   
       5 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 4 , wherein the diverter has an angled shape with a center portion of the diverter having a greater height than end portions of the diverter.  
   
   
       6 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 1 , wherein the diverter extends horizontally into the flow of water forming the waterfall curtain.  
   
   
       7 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 6 , wherein the diverter is peaked at the center.  
   
   
       8 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 6 , wherein the diverter includes a vertical plate extending upwardly from an outer edge of the diverter to channel water to the sides of the vertical face around said opening.  
   
   
       9 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 1 , wherein the diverter is formed by at least two segments.  
   
   
       10 . The waterfall effect according to  claim 9 , wherein the segments are extended at different times.  
   
   
       11 . A method for creating a simulated effect of crashing through a waterfall curtain by an amusement ride vehicle, the method comprising: 
 generating a flow of water over a vertical face and forming the waterfall curtain over an opening in the vertical face;    guiding the ride vehicle passing through the opening;    extending a diverter into the flow of water; and    directing the flow of water to the sides of the opening in the vertical face with the diverter, whereby the ride vehicle passes through a gap in the waterfall curtain into the opening when the diverter is extended.