Tilted Saucer Waterslide with 360-Degree Looping Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Waterslide attractions face the challenge of maintaining customer interest and excitement as they become repetitive, necessitating the introduction of new concepts and features to provide a unique ride experience.
Innovation Solution
A tilted waterslide feature with a looping travel path that covers substantially 360 degrees, incorporating a ride surface with a predetermined guide to maintain riders on a specific path, and featuring various configurations such as side-by-side or over-under entrance/exit orientations, and optional water spray elements for enhanced experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional waterslide attractions are used, then the structure and operation are simple, but the ride experience becomes repetitive and loses customer interest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spherical geometry by positioning the ride surface as a bowl-shaped structure that is tilted at an angle to the horizontal plane. This curved surface enables riders to travel in a looping path that covers substantially 360 degrees, creating a novel thrill experience while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a tilted dimension to the traditional horizontal bowl ride surface. By tilting the bowl at a specific angle to the horizontal plane, the ride creates a three-dimensional looping path that combines rotational motion with vertical elevation changes, adding dimensional complexity to the ride experience without requiring multiple separate ride components
2Adaptability or versatility
If a looping travel path covering substantially 360 degrees is implemented, then rider excitement and visual interest are enhanced, but the manufacturing and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bowl-shaped ride surface with spherical curvature provides a naturally looping path when tilted. This geometric form allows the 360-degree looping experience to be achieved through a single continuous curved surface rather than requiring multiple segmented components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while delivering the desired novel ride experience
3Speed
If the ride surface is tilted at an angle to the horizontal plane, then a looping travel path is created, but the structural stability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tilted bowl structure is positioned such that the combined center of gravity of the ride surface and riders maintains stability throughout the looping motion. The spherical geometry and tilt angle are designed to balance gravitational forces, ensuring that riders remain contained within the bowl while experiencing the 360-degree loop, thereby maintaining structural stability during dynamic operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tilted waterslide with a looping path provides a thrilling and visually interesting experience, enhancing rider excitement and maintaining customer appeal by offering a novel ride experience that combines speed and weightlessness, while allowing for customizable design elements like lighting and theming.
Implementation Method 1
a rider enters the bowl along a side of the bowl and exits via an opening in the bottom of the bowl... a pool of water may be positioned underneath the bowl such that a rider falls through the opening in the bottom of the bowl
Implementation Method 2
a rider slides along the flume due to the stream of water
Data Source
AI summary
A waterslide feature for providing a looping travel path for a rider traveling thereon and method for making the same. The waterslide feature may be in the shape of a tilted bowl or saucer that provides a 360 degree travel path for a rider around the waterslide feature. The rider may experience a feeling of weightlessness at one or more locations (e.g., art apex) of the travel path. The rider may be provided into the tilted bowl by way of an entrance (e.g., flume) and may be received from the tilted bowl by way of an exit (e.g., flume). The orientation of the entrance and exit may be in any of a variety of configurations, such as side-by-side or over-under. Colored fiberglass, lighting dements, and other features may be included to enhance the visual or other impact of the waterslide feature to riders and/or spectators.