Wave system and method

Abstract

A wave system is disclosed herein. The wave system may include an obstacle in which water is pushed over to create a wave contoured surface for ridntoured surface for riding or maneuvering by a user.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wave system, comprising:
 a water outlet for water to flow onto a ride area;   an obstacle configured to generate a surface contour on a surface of the water flowing over the obstacle in the the ride area;   a water recovery for removing the water from the ride area;   a declined surface positioned between the water outlet and the obstacle for flowing the water from a higher elevation at the water outlet to a lower elevation at the obstacle; and   wherein the obstacle further comprises an actuator to change a shape of the obstacle.   
     
     
         2 - 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The wave system of  claim 1 , further comprising a generally planar and level surface adjacent to the obstacle on a side of the obstacle toward the water outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The wave system of  claim 1 , further comprising a generally planar and level surface adjacent to the obstacle on a side of the obstacle away from the water outlet. 
     
     
         10 . The wave system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to change a slope of the obstacle. 
     
     
         11 . The wave system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to change a height of the obstacle. 
     
     
         12 . The wave system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to cause linear translation of the obstacle on one or two axes of movement. 
     
     
         13 . The wave system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The wave system of  claim 1 , wherein the obstacle comprises one or more rigid surfaces for retaining a desired shape when encountering a force from the water. 
     
     
         16 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A wave system, comprising:
 a water outlet for water to flow onto a ride area;   an obstacle configured to generate a surface contour on a surface of the water flowing over the obstacle in the the ride area;   a controller to dynamically control a position or shape of the obstacle;   a water recovery for removing the water from the ride area;   a declined surface positioned between the water outlet and the obstacle for flowing the water from a higher elevation at the water outlet to a lower elevation at the obstacle; and   wherein the obstacle further comprises an actuator to change a shape of the obstacle.   
     
     
         26 . The wave system of  claim 25 , further comprising a generally planar and level surface adjacent to the obstacle on a side of the obstacle toward the water outlet. 
     
     
         27 . The wave system of  claim 25 , further comprising a generally planar and level surface adjacent to the obstacle on a side of the obstacle away from the water outlet. 
     
     
         28 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the actuator is configured to change a slope of the obstacle. 
     
     
         29 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the actuator is configured to change a height of the obstacle. 
     
     
         30 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the actuator is configured to cause linear translation of the obstacle on one or two axes of movement. 
     
     
         31 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the actuator comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         32 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the obstacle comprises one or more rigid surfaces for retaining a desired shape when encountering a force from the water. 
     
     
         33 . The wave system of  claim 25 , wherein the controller further comprises a programmer configured to permit a user to select a desired obstacle shape at a desired time, wherein the programmer is in communication with actuator. 
     
     
         34 . The wave system of  claim 33 , wherein the controller is configure to adjust an amount of water flowing onto the ride area.