Method and apparatus for varying water flow for stationary sheet flow water rides

Abstract

The invention relates to a water ride with adjustable nozzles for adjusting the speed and depth of the flow of water emanating from the nozzles and onto the ride surface. The nozzles have a bladder that can be used to adjust the height of the opening and therefore the depth of the water flow. More than one adjustable nozzle can be used to vary the flow effects across the width of the ride surface. Additional adjustment bladders can be provided underneath the inclined portion of the ride surface, wherein by adjusting each bladder independently, the tilt of the ride surface transverse to the direction of flow can be adjusted.

1 . A water ride capable of creating a flow of water comprising:
 a ride surface having at least one inclined portion; and   at least one adjustable nozzle comprising an aperture through which water under pressure can pass, wherein the height of said aperture can be adjusted to adjust the depth of said flow of water emanating through said aperture and flowing onto said ride surface.   
   
   
       2 . The water ride of  claim 1 , wherein said ride surface has a down slope portion, followed downstream by a substantially horizontal portion, followed by said inclined portion. 
   
   
       3 . The water ride of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one adjustable nozzle comprises a chamber and a pump, and a bladder positioned adjacent said aperture between an upper wall portion and a lower hinged plate, wherein said bladder can be used to adjust the position of said hinged plate and therefore the height of said aperture. 
   
   
       4 . The water ride of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one adjustable nozzle is adapted such that the angle of trajectory created by said nozzle onto said ride surface is substantially the same as the angle of said down slope portion of said ride surface. 
   
   
       5 . The water ride of  claim 1 , wherein adjustable nozzles are provided side by side and each of said nozzles can be independently adjusted to create varied flow effects and patterns across the width of the flow of water on said ride surface. 
   
   
       6 . The water ride of  claim 1 , wherein at least one floor bladder is provided underneath said inclined portion to adjust the height of said inclined portion relative to said ride surface. 
   
   
       7 . The water ride of  claim 6 , wherein at least two floor bladders are provided underneath said inclined portion wherein by adjusting the pressure of each of said at least two floor bladders independently, the tilt of said inclined portion in a direction transverse to the flow of water can be adjusted. 
   
   
       8 . The water ride of  claim 3 , wherein said pump can be used to adjust the pressure within said at least one adjustable nozzle and therefore the speed of the flow of water released by said at least one adjustable nozzle can be adjusted. 
   
   
       9 . The water ride of  claim 1 , wherein said water ride comprises an entry area located upstream from said ride surface and an exit area downstream from said ride surface, wherein said exit area comprises a grate that allows water to pass through, wherein a pool structure is provided underneath said ride surface wherein water that passes through said grate can be stored in said pool structure, and wherein water in said pool structure is available to be pumped back onto said ride surface by using said at least one adjustable nozzle. 
   
   
       10 . A water ride capable of creating a flow of water comprising:
 a ride surface having at least one inclined portion;   at least one adjustable nozzle comprising an aperture through which water under pressure can pass to create a flow of water emanating through said aperture and flowing onto said ride surface; and   at least two floor bladders provided underneath said inclined portion wherein each of said bladders can be adjusted independently to adjust the tilt of said inclined portion relative to the travel direction of said flow of water.   
   
   
       11 . The water ride of  claim 10 , wherein said ride surface has a down slope portion, followed downstream by a substantially horizontal portion, followed by said inclined portion. 
   
   
       12 . The water ride of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one adjustable nozzle is adapted to adjust the height of said aperture, wherein a bladder is positioned adjacent said aperture between an upper wall portion and a lower hinged plate, wherein said bladder can be used to adjust the position of said hinged plate and therefore the height of said aperture and in turn the depth of the flow of water. 
   
   
       13 . The water ride of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one adjustable nozzle is adapted such that the angle of trajectory created by said nozzle onto said ride surface is substantially the same as the angle of said down slope portion of said ride surface. 
   
   
       14 . The water ride of  claim 10 , wherein two adjustable nozzles are provided side by side and each of said nozzles can be independently adjusted to create varied flow effects and patterns across the width of the flow of water on said ride surface. 
   
   
       15 . The water ride of  claim 10 , wherein a pump can be used to adjust the pressure within said at least one adjustable nozzle and therefore the speed of the flow of water released by said at least one adjustable nozzle can be adjusted. 
   
   
       16 . The water ride of  claim 10 , wherein said water ride comprises an entry area located upstream from said ride surface and an exit area downstream from said ride surface, wherein said exit area comprises a grate that allows water to pass through, and wherein a pool structure is provided underneath said ride surface wherein water that passes through said grate can be stored in said pool structure, and wherein water in said pool structure is available to be pumped back onto said ride surface by using said at least one adjustable nozzle. 
   
   
       17 . A method of varying the water flow effects of a water ride having an inclined ride surface on which a flow of water is produced, comprising:
 providing a ride surface having at least one inclined portion on which the water flow effects can be produced;   providing at least one adjustable nozzle comprising a pump and an aperture through which water under pressure can pass, wherein the height of said aperture and therefore the depth of said flow of water emanating through said aperture and flowing onto said ride surface can be adjusted; and   adjusting the height of said aperture and in turn increasing or decreasing the depth of said flow of water flowing onto said ride surface, and if necessary, adjusting the flow rate of the flow of water by adjusting said pump.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising adjusting the height of said aperture using a bladder extended between a fixed wall portion and a hinged plate of said at least one adjustable nozzle, wherein by inflating and deflating said bladder, the vertical position of said hinged plate and the height of said aperture can be adjusted. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising providing at least two adjustable nozzles side by side wherein each of said nozzles can be independently adjusted to create varied flow effects and patterns across the width of the flow of water on said ride surface. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising providing at least one floor bladder underneath said inclined portion and adjusting the height of said inclined portion by increasing or decreasing the pressure inside said floor bladder. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , comprising providing at least two floor bladders underneath said inclined portion and adjusting the pressure of each of said floor bladders independently, wherein the tilt of said inclined portion in a direction transverse to the flow of water can be adjusted.