River water ride apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a river water ride including a wave generator, a ride surface, and nozzles or jets coupled to the ride surface. The nozzles or jets can be configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface. Embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus and method of forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. Some embodiments of the invention can also be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets. Some embodiments of the invention include a concave feature with a depression and a de-watering grate positioned upstream of the nozzles or jets.

1 . A method of making an artificial wave, the method comprising forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the artificial wave moves against current flow in a channel. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current flow slows down a speed of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the artificial wave to about one quarter of its original speed. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the jet is disposed beneath a water surface. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave steeper. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the current flow is between about 24 inches and about 36 inches. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming a depression upstream of the artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming a non-curling wave upstream of the depression. 
   
   
       18 . A method of making an artificial wave, the method comprising forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       19 . A method of making a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use, the method comprising causing water to flow through at least one jet. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein at least one jet is articulated to vary a shape of the standing wave. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising forming a depression upstream of the standing wave. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising forming a non-curling wave upstream of the depression. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for making an artificial wave, the apparatus comprising a wave-generating device that causes the artificial waves to move in a direction against current flow. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the artificial wave moves against current flow in a channel. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the wave to about one quarter of its original speed. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the jet is disposed beneath a water surface. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein the jet is disposed about 24 inches to about 36 inches beneath the water surface. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       34 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave steeper. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       37 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to cooperate with the current flow to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       38 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       39 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising a concave feature upstream of the wave-generating device. 
   
   
       40 . The apparatus of  claim 39 , wherein the concave feature includes a depression and a de-watering grate. 
   
   
       41 . An apparatus for making artificial waves, the apparatus comprising a wave-generating device configured to make artificial waves that move in a direction so that current moving in another direction causes the speed of the artificial waves to be reduced. 
   
   
       42 . A apparatus for making a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use, the apparatus comprising at least one jet through which water flows. 
   
   
       43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the standing wave. 
   
   
       44 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one jet is articulated to facilitate varying a shape of the standing wave.