The present disclosure relates generally to the field of amusement parks. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and equipment utilized to generate waves that are directed in multiple directions from a wave generator that is substantially or completely encompassed by a perimeter of a wave pool.
Water parks have grown in popularity throughout the world in recent years. A water park is a type of amusement park that incorporates water features and rides, such as water slides, spray areas, lazy rivers, swimming pools, and other recreational bathing and swimming environments. Water parks may include artificial imitations of nature. For example, many water parks include artificial rivers and rides that simulate river rapids or waterfalls. As another example, water parks may include one or more wave pools that function as an artificial ocean environment. A wave pool may be described as a sanitized and controlled version of the natural surf and beach of an ocean shore.
Wave pools may be utilized to provide guests of a water park with an artificial environment for surfing, body boarding, or the like. Further, a wave pool may be provided in which guests can swim or merely lounge and enjoy the waves passing through the water. In order to provide an appropriate setting for a variety of guest activities, different types of waves may be desired. For example, large or powerful waves may be preferable for surfing activities and smaller waves may be preferable for swimming activities. Accordingly, a water park may provide different wave pools for different activities. Similarly, a water park may provide different types of waves in the same wave pool at different times to provide guests with a variety of experiences.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
The present disclosure relates generally to a wave pool that can be roughly circular in configuration, allowing water park patrons or guests to access waves at locations all around or substantially all around a perimeter of the wave pool. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods and equipment for providing waves in a wave pool from a location within the perimeter of the wave pool such that the waves propagate outwardly in multiple directions to a shoreline of the wave pool. Indeed, in accordance with present embodiments waves can be generated from a wave generation mechanism located at or near a center of the wave pool such that the waves expand outward 360 degrees or in multiple directions around the wave pool. Wave pools in accordance with present embodiments may provide a visually appealing and unique experience for water park patrons or guests. Different waves may be produced in different directions from the wave generation mechanism such that guests can move around the encompassing shore to preferred areas. Further, present embodiments may enable guests to swim completely around the wave generation mechanism. Additionally, the wave generation mechanism may coordinate wave generation in different directions to form unique wave patterns (e.g., a spiral wave) throughout the wave pool.
Turning to the figures,
The pool area 102 is generally formed by a container 120 (e.g., a concrete-lined excavation) that is filled with water. The water surrounds the wave generation mechanism 104 and other features (e.g., the platform 112), which may cumulatively form an island 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 120 includes a bottom 124 that gradually slopes upward from a substantially central location toward the perimeter 106. This gradual sloping provides a shoreline for the wave pool 100 that imitates a natural beach area. In some embodiments, the slope may vary in different areas of the container 120 such that different areas along the perimeter 106 provide a variety of experiences for patrons. For example, different types of waves may be provided at different points along the perimeter 106 based on the nature of the slope proximate such points. Further, in some embodiments, portions of the container 120 along the perimeter 106 may form a perpendicular or substantially perpendicular wall.
The wave generation mechanism 104 generates waves by initiating wave energy (e.g., displacing or pushing) the water in the wave pool 100, which causes the water molecules to push (e.g., lift) other water molecules such that a wave propagates through the water toward the shore 114. A swell of the water forms as a wave passes through the water. In accordance with present embodiments, the wave generation mechanism 104 may generate waves by one of several methods or a combination of methods that may utilize various different displacement mediums (e.g., solid features, water, or air). Specifically, for example, water waves may be generated by displacing the water with pressurized air, pumped water, paddles, plungers, a volume of water dumped into the wave pool 100, or the like. Further, various different mechanisms may be utilized together to generate waves. Indeed, a combination of such mechanisms may enable generation of a specific type of wave. The manner in which the water is displaced or pushed by the wave generation mechanism 104 causes certain wave characteristics. Further, as a wave approaches the shore 114, the wave may change or combine with other waves. For example, the wave may slow and become laterally compressed because of changes in the container 120 (e.g., changes in depth). However, since the wave must essentially carry the same energy, it becomes higher or taller, which may eventually cause the wave to break. The slope of the bottom 124 impacts certain aspects of this wave formation and/or breaking process such that wave characteristics vary depending on the slope. Thus, present embodiments may coordinate features of the wave generation mechanism 104 with aspects of the bottom 124 or other characteristics of the container 120 to provide a variety of wave types.
The wave generation mechanism 104 may be located above and/or below a waterline or shoreline of the wave pool. The porous barrier 108 (e.g., a slotted wall or a barrier with an open grid pattern) may allow waves to pass through from the wave generation mechanism 104 while blocking patrons from accessing the wave generation mechanism 104. In some embodiments, the wave generation mechanism 104 has a polygonal shape or a displacement device of the wave generation mechanism includes a polygonal shape. For example, the wave generation mechanism 104 may include a single plunger with contact surfaces (e.g., bevels) arranged in a polygon that direct waves away from each side of the plunger upon being dropped into the water. In another embodiment, the wave generation mechanism 104 may include a plurality of wave generating devices arranged such that they form a polygon. Such polygonal configurations of the wave generation mechanism 104 may correspond to the island 122 being generally polygonal in shape, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the wave generation mechanism 104 receives or accumulates water from the pool area 102 for use as a displacement medium. Indeed, at least a portion of the water utilized for wave generation may be acquired from various locations in the pool area 102. In other embodiments, water may be returned to the island 122 from the perimeter 106 to assist in creating certain wave characteristics (e.g., by reducing interference from waves bouncing off the edges of the container 120) or for other reasons (e.g., water supply for water cannons, waterfalls, or spray areas). In embodiments wherein water is moved to the island 122 or to the wave generation mechanism 103 from the pool area 102, the water gathering system 110 may be employed. Specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in
The water drains 130 gather water and drain into transport features 140 (e.g., piping or canals), which are also components of the water gathering system 110. The transport features facilitate transport (e.g., via gravity) of the water that has been gathered by the water drains 130 to the wave generation mechanism 104 or other features of the island 122. Traditional wave pools may include a water-collection reservoir that flows along the surface from an edge of the wave pool to an area behind or beside a wave generator. In the illustrated embodiment, the transport features 140 include the channel 136 that extends around the perimeter 106 and a pair of pipes that run underneath the bottom 124 of the container 120 to a pumping system 144 of the wave generation mechanism 104. In other embodiments, the transport features 140 may be arranged differently. For example, in one embodiment, each water drain 130 may drain directly into piping that transports drained water into the pumping system 144. In another embodiment, the water drains 130 are positioned around the wave pool 100 and drain to a gathering location that is connected to a single transport feature 140 that extends from the gathering location to the wave generation mechanism 104 or the island 122 and facilitates water flow thereto. The pumping system 144 operates to prepare the gathered water for wave generation. For example, the pumping system 144 may pump water out from the wave generation mechanism 104 in a jet stream, pump the water into a containment vessel of the wave generation mechanism 104 for release into the pool area 102, or both.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in
The plunger 202 may have a polygonal or round cross-section. In the illustrated embodiment, the plunger 202 includes contact features or impacting elements 206 (e.g., ledges with beveled faces) around the perimeter of the plunger 202 that facilitate wave generation. These impacting elements 206 also serve as directional features that guide waves in a particular direction. The plunger 202 may have different impacting elements 206 with different features on different sides such that various types of waves are generated by each side or such that waves are generated at different times based on the same actuation of the plunger 202. In one embodiment, the plunger 202 may be segmented. Similarly, a plurality of plungers may be utilized around the wave generation mechanism 104 to generate different types of waves in different directions. Specifically, the plunger 202 or a plurality of plungers may impact the water non-uniformly such that interesting wave patterns are generated and may extend out 360 degrees. For example, in one embodiment, the impacting elements 206 may correspond to a single beveled face that spirals around the perimeter of the plunger 202 at an angle or at changing angles such that different portions of the beveled face sequentially impact the water upon actuation of the plunger 202 and create a spiral wave pattern. As another example, the impacting elements 206 may include a plurality of angled or contoured faces of a single plunger or multiple plungers arranged at varying heights such that when the single plunger or the multiple plungers are directed into water, different impacting elements contact the water at different times. This may facilitate coordination of wave generation by the plunger in different directions such that patterns of waves can be formed. For example, various waves may be generated and different times and in different directions to produce a spiral wave in the wave pool 100. In another embodiment, a plunger may be maneuvered (e.g., driven into the water at varying times at varying angles) in the water to generate an uneven wave. Specifically, for example, a plunger may be moved vertically into and out of the water while pitching and/or rolling to generate certain wave characteristics.
In some embodiments, the wave generation mechanism 104 includes a plurality of plungers that are arranged together such that they face outward from the wave generation mechanism 104 toward the shore 114, which may completely surround the wave generation mechanism 104, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, a plurality of different plungers (e.g., the plungers 312 of the laterally actuated plunger system 302 and the angled plunger system 304) may be coupled together by a flexible material. For example, a flexible/stretchable material (e.g., a rubber sheet) may extend between edges of the plungers 312 to provide contact with water in areas that the plungers 312 would not directly contact otherwise. For example,
In one embodiment, the tank 502 may include a tank wall 600 and a sealing mechanism 602, as illustrated in
While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.