Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for controllably injecting high velocity jets of water at an elevation at or above water level towards a buoyant object (e.g., a boat or participant in an inner tube) that is floating in a deep water recreation attraction, and causing injected water-to-object momentum transfer and directed buoyant object movement irrespective of the motion of water upon which the buoyant object floats. Structurally, a water conduit is positioned horizontally at or near the surface of a body of water. Adjacent to this conduit is positioned, in parallel corridor like fashion, a second water conduit or a benign retaining structure. The inside width of the corridor is a distance sufficient to permit passage of the buoyant object. An array of water injectors is aligned on the inside of the conduit-formed-corridor at an elevation at or above water level. These injectors are uniformly pointed at the opposing water conduit (or benign retaining structure) at an angle to the desired direction of buoyant object travel. A water source pressurizes the conduit(s) and causes the injectors to generate a power grid of jetted water along the inside length of the corridor. Spacing between injectors and water pressure per injector is sufficient to cause a buoyant object that floats inside the corridor (e.g., a participant in an inner tube), to be propelled by each successive jet down the length of the corridor. The corridor can also be used to drive buoyant objects out of a deep-water environment and up onto a beach or other water ride attraction.

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