Sheet flow water ride apparatus and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a sheet flow wave generator including a ride surface and a plurality of 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. An apparatus and method of making an artificial wave can include forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave. 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.

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 . 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. 
   
   
       16 . 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. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one jet is articulated to vary a shape of the standing wave. 
   
   
       19 . 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. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the artificial wave moves against current flow in a channel. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the current flow slows down the speed of the wave to about one quarter of its original speed. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one jet through which water flows to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the jet is disposed beneath a water surface. 
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to change a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to enhance a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       29 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave steeper. 
   
   
       30 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of jets configured to cooperate with the current flow to make the artificial wave curl over. 
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein a combination of a plurality of jets and the current flow are used to make the artificial wave higher. 
   
   
       33 . 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. 
   
   
       34 . A apparatus for making a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use, the apparatus comprising at least one jet through which water flows. 
   
   
       35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein a plurality of jets are used to change a shape of the standing wave. 
   
   
       36 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein at least one jet is articulated to facilitate varying a shape of the standing wave. 
   
   
       37 . A sheet flow wave generator comprising:
 a ride surface; and   a plurality of jets coupled to the ride surface, the jets configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface.   
   
   
       38 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the ride surface is generally planar. 
   
   
       39 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the ride surface is inclined. 
   
   
       40 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets are configured to cause water to flow across the ride surface. 
   
   
       41 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets are configured to cause water to flow upwardly over the ride surface. 
   
   
       42 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets are angled to cause the artificial wave to curl forward at one side. 
   
   
       43 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets. 
   
   
       44 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure can be individually varied through the jets. 
   
   
       45 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets to change at least one of a shape and a position of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       46 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets can be articulated. 
   
   
       47 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets can be individually articulated. 
   
   
       48 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein the jets can be articulated to change at least one of a shape and a position of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       49 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets and the jets can be articulated. 
   
   
       50 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure can be varied through the jets and the jets can be articulated to at least one of move the wave left or right, move the wave up or down, and vary a shape of the artificial wave. 
   
   
       51 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein water pressure is higher in the front jets than in the back jets. 
   
   
       52 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , wherein a portion of the jets are positioned along a front end of the ride surface to cause water to flow upwardly across the ride surface. 
   
   
       53 . The sheet flow wave generator of  claim 37 , further comprising a drain formed at the back end of the ride surface.