Patent ID: 7478441
Filing Date: 2009-01-20
Classification: F04D

Abstract:
1. A water ride for swimmers, comprising: a pool having a generally horizontal bottom and at least one side wall so that the at least one side wall and bottom form a container capable of containing a body of water having a range of desired surface levels, wherein the bottom defines at least one hole; an elongated tubular chamber having a substantially closed rear end and a substantially open front end, the chamber comprising a first, second, and third portions, wherein the first portion has the substantially closed rear end and is positioned generally underneath the bottom of the pool, the second portion has the substantially open front end and is positioned in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the bottom of the pool and passes through the at least one hole in the bottom for a predetermined exposed length into the pool so that the open front end of the tubular chamber is in fluid communication with the body of water, wherein the predetermined exposed length is below the desired surface level of the body of water, and the third portion connects the first and second portions in fluid communication; a discharge back flow prevention device disposed in the second portion of the elongated tubular chamber proximate to the open front end of the chamber and enabling discharge of the chamber to the body of water but inhibiting reverse flow from the body of water into the chamber along the open front end; an anchor securing the chamber for maintaining the chamber in a desired orientation; a supply of compressed air fluidly interconnected with the rear end of the chamber; an air control valve in fluid communication with the supply of compressed air for operatively controlling the flow of compressed air into the chamber, a supply of make-up water in fluid communication with the chamber; a make-up valve interposed between and in fluid communication with the supply of make-up water and the chamber; wherein actuation of the air control valve releases the compressed air into the rear end of the chamber to forcibly expel a portion of the water within the chamber out of the open front end forming an upsurge of water in and above the surface of the body of water causing at least one swell in the body of water radiating away from the elongated chamber; and wherein in the event the chamber reaches a predetermined low pressure after the release of air into the rear end of the chamber, the makeup valve opens and the supply of make-up water introduces water into the rear end of the chamber to relieve the low pressure.