Patent ID: 7896752

Claim:
An amusement ride system comprising: an amusement ride infrastructure defining a travel surface; at least one vehicle comprising a vehicle body defining a vehicle undersurface disposed for travel generally along said travel surface; a plurality of supply valves disposed to selectively deliver a pressurized flow of water through said travel surface, into a confined region defined between said vehicle undersurface and said travel surface, said pressurized flow of water into and through said confined region creating a cushion of water to separate said vehicle undersurface from said travel surface; and a drain valve disposed to drain water from said travel surface, the drain valve comprising: a drain valve body defining at least one inlet port, an exit port, and an interior surface defining a water flow passageway between said at least one inletport and said exit port and a valve seat, said inlet port being exposed at said travel surface; said vehicle configured to convey at least one passenger generally along said travel surface, upon said cushion of water.