Water flow control system and apparatus

Abstract

A water flow control system and apparatus is disclosed. The system comprises a water distribution system configured to deliver water from a water source to a water amusement apparatus. At least one detector is coupled with the water distribution system to detect a change in the water being distributed from the water source to the water amusement apparatus. An effect generator is responsively coupled with the detector such that when the detector detects a change in the water, the effect generator produces at least one effect. The apparatus adaptable for use with a water distribution system comprises at least one detector configured to detect changes in water being distributed through the water distribution system and an effect generator responsively coupled with the detector such that when the detector detects a change in the water, the effect generator produces at least one effect.

1 . A water flow control system comprising: 
 a) a water distribution system configured to deliver water from a water source to a water amusement apparatus;    b) at least one detector coupled with said water distribution system, said at least one detector configured to detect a change in water distributed from said water source to said water amusement apparatus; and    c) an effect generator responsively coupled with said at least one detector    wherein when said at least one detector detects said change in water, said effect generator produces at least one effect.    
     
     
         2 . The water flow control system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one detector is a flow switch, said flow switch configured to generate a signal when said flow switch detects a fluctuation in volumetric flow of water.  
     
     
         3 . The water flow control system of  claim 1  wherein said at least one detector is a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor configured to generate a signal when said pressure sensor detects a fluctuation in water pressure.  
     
     
         4 . The water flow control system of one of claims  2  or  3  wherein said effect generator is responsive to said signal, said effect generator producing said at least one effect when said effect generator receives said signal.  
     
     
         5 . The water flow control system of  claim 6  wherein said effect generator further comprises a controller, a data storage system, and equipment for generating said at least one effect.  
     
     
         6 . The water flow control system of  claim 7  wherein said at least one effect is stored in said data storage system such that said at least one effect is generated by said equipment when said controller receives said signal.  
     
     
         7 . The water flow control system of  claim 8  wherein said at least one effect produced by said effect generator is an auditory effect.  
     
     
         8 . The water flow control system of  claim 8  wherein said at least one effect produced by said effect generator is a visual effect.  
     
     
         9 . The water flow control system of  claim 9  wherein said water amusement apparatus corresponds in appearance to said auditory effect.  
     
     
         10 . A water flow apparatus adaptable for use with a water distribution system said apparatus comprising: 
 a) at least one detector coupleable with said water distribution system, said at least one detector configured to detect a change in water flowing through said water distribution system; and    b) an effect generator responsively coupled with said detector    wherein when said at least one detector detects said change in water, said effect generator produces at least one effect    
     
     
         11 . The water flow apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said at least one detector is a flow switch, said flow switch configured to generate a signal when said flow switch detects a fluctuation in volumetric flow of water.  
     
     
         12 . The water flow apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said at least one detector is a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor configured generate a signal when said pressure sensor detects a fluctuation in water pressure.  
     
     
         13 . The water flow apparatus of one of claims  11  or  12  wherein said effect generator is responsive to said signal, said effect generator producing said at least one effect when said effect generator receives said signal.  
     
     
         14 . The water flow apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said effect generator further comprises a controller, a data storage system, and equipment for generating said at least one effect.  
     
     
         15 . The water flow apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said at least one effect is stored in said data storage system such that said at least one effect is generated by said equipment when said controller receives said signal from said flow switch.  
     
     
         16 . The water flow apparatus control of  claim 15  wherein said at least one effect produced by said effect generator is an auditory effect.  
     
     
         17 . The water flow apparatus control of  claim 16  wherein said water amusement apparatus corresponds in appearance to said auditory effect.  
     
     
         18 . A water flow control system for a water park, the water flow control system comprising: 
 a) a water distribution system configured to deliver water from a water source to a water amusement apparatus such that water from said water source may be released from said water amusement apparatus;    b) at least one detector coupled with said water distribution system, said at least one detector configured to detect a change in water being distributed from said water source to said water amusement apparatus; and    c) an digital audio player responsively coupled with said detector    wherein when said detector detects said change in water, said digital audio player plays back a pre-recorded auditory effect.    
     
     
         19 . The water flow control system for a water park of  claim 18  wherein said at least one detector is a flow switch, said flow switch configured to generate a signal when said flow switch detects a fluctuation in volumetric flow of water.  
     
     
         20 . The water flow control system for a water park of  claim 18  wherein said at least one detector is a pressure sensor, said pressure sensor configured generate a signal when said pressure sensor detects a fluctuation in water pressure.