AU2017251684B2

AU2017251684B2 - Surfing wave pool using ship waves

Info

Publication number: AU2017251684B2
Application number: AU2017251684A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Steven Anthony Schmied
Original assignee: Smartpark Tech LLC
Current assignee: Smartpark Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2017-02-09
Filing date: 2017-10-23
Publication date: 2018-12-06
Anticipated expiration: 2037-10-23
Also published as: AU2017251684A1

Abstract

C:\ses\AJS\AppData\Loca1\Microsoft\Windows\cemporary internet Fils\OLKC\ED\35100819 speci as filed doex3951046_ .DOCX-24/10/2011 - 13 The surfing wave pool in accordance with the invention has a pool having a deeper water section (10) rising to a wave breaking beach with a shallower water depth (12) with a slope (14); a pool edge (16) bounding the pool; a wavedozer ship hull (18) located within the deep pool area, and moveable within the pool over the water surface (20) to generate ship waves; a shallowing beach area (22) to cause the waves to break in the desired location and shape, before a shallow wave dissipation area that rapidly dissipating the energy of the broken waves (24); and an edge gutter to capture the last of the broken wave energy (26). Ib I I I | | | 1

Description

Invention Title

Surfing Wave Pool Using Ship Waves

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:C:\UseisV\JS\AppData\Local\Micro.soft\Windows\Tcmporary Internet Files\OLKCAED\35100819 speci as filed docx„395l046_l.DOC'X-24_z ^/10/2011

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- 2 Background of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates broadly to a wave pool for surfing using ship waves generated by one or more constant beam wavedozers, and will hereinafter be described generally in this context. However, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be used in other contexts.

Description of the Prior Art [0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] Surfing is fun. However, it is also extremely difficult to learn and master. This difficulty is not helped by ever changing nature and generally short duration of the breaking waves; with the waves changing both day to day with the weather, tide, and as the wave breaks on the shore. It has been observed the average ride time per wave is less than 7 seconds, resulting in surfers generally limited to riding waves for less than 8% of their time spent in the water. Therefore, the dream of every surfer is for consistent, long lasting, high quality waves. This search concentrates surfers on to those areas of coastline that are exposed to regular surf, and with a bathymetry suitable to cause the wave to break in a consistent manner and provide a long ride.

[0004] Many surfers do not have the luxury of living near surf breaks, and must travel long distances in order to surf. As coastal populations increase, and surfing becomes more popular, existing surf breaks become overcrowded, reducing the number of waves a surfer can catch, and shortening their overall riding time even further. Surfers have responded by traveling to more distant and remote locations to chase uncrowded and better waves, even though this increases the cost of surfing. Another solution has been to create more surf breaks by building artificial reefs in the ocean; however these still rely on the natural wave conditions. In this uncontrolled environment, the waves are affected by the constantly

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-3changing and potential adverse effects of the weather, including wave direction and period, wind (direction and strength), tide, and currents. A third solution is to generate waves in a controlled environment: the wave pool.

[0005] Wave pools are not a new concept. In 1934, the Wembley Swimming Pool in London was the first to thrill its visitors with small artificial waves. In 1966, the first indoor surfers rode waist-high waves in the Summerland wave pool in Tokyo, Japan. Since then, more surf pools have been built around the world, receiving mixed reviews from surfers. The original linear wave pools, where the waves are generated at one end and travel to a beach at the other end, try to mimic naturally occurring waves with piston-driven paddles or similar mechanical devices. Such man-made waves are not very appealing to surfers as the rides are short, and the waves generally weak and poorly shaped.

[0006] Some manufacturers bend the pool around a curve to concentrate the swell, or shape the pool floor to improve the wave height. Another method used to simulate surfing waves is to shoot a thin sheet of water over a wave shaped surface. However, this method does not provide an authentic surfing experience (a moving wave breaking along a shoreline) and, like the linear pools, generally only allows one rider at a time. A third concept aimed to drag an object though shallow water along a linear track creating waves in front of the object. The shortcomings of the prior art patented wave pools for surfing were summarised in WO/2009/070036.

[0007] Key deficiencies with these approaches involve both the lack of an authentic, scalable surfing wave motion of a moving wave breaking on a shoreline, the large power requirements to generate the waves and a limitation of a single rider being able to surf at one time, limiting the financial viability of the pool. It is intended that by providing a safe learning environment with repeatable wave conditions and long (unlimited) ride lengths, the overall surfing ability of the participants can quickly improve.

[0008] As the existing techniques generate the waves by moving large volumes of water, they are power intensive. Instead, the novel method discussed in present invention more efficiently generates the waves by moving a ship hull relative the water surface, imparting

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-4wave energy into water with minimal water movement. The present invention uses one or more ship hulls, each with a constant beam and referred to as wavedozers, to generate large smooth waves that are then triggered to break on a shallowing beach. This invention creates an authentic, scalable surfing wave motion of a moving wave breaking on a shoreline, whilst minimising the power requirements to generate the waves.

[0009] The understanding and control of ship waves has been considered a key aspect of ship operations, and the focus being on controlling and minimising wave generation. The first investigations on ship wave generation date back to the work of Lord Kelvin, Froude, Michell and Lamb. Froude’s observations led him to describe the resistance of a shape as being a function of the waves caused by varying pressures around the hull as it moves through the water. Thus a hull may be considered a pressure source.

[0010] Most research into ship waves has aimed to minimise the wave making resistance, thus drag and fuel consumption, and reduce the impact of the waves on the shoreline in constrained waterways. The wave pool presented in this patent is believed to be novel and inventive as no one has aimed to generate such large smooth ship waves in a constrained channel and to control the breakpoint on the beach to generate the desired breaking wave shape.

[0011] Previous attempts to use moving hull type wave generators commenced with US3,913,332. However, this design was unsuccessful as it did not create large smooth waves. Subsequent patents, including US6,920,651, AUS20049070401, US20050286976,

W02010/059871, and US20100017951, have attempted to improve on US 3,913,332, however none have been overly successful as their hull or pool bathymetry did not efficiently create large smooth waves that broke in the desired breaking wave shape, and then quickly dispersed the broken wave energy to allow the next wave to be generated soon after the first wave.

Summary of the Present Invention [0012] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide an alternative to known surfing wave pools.

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-5[0013] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a surfing wave pool including: a pool having a deeper pool area with a shallower wave breaking area; a pool edge bounding the pool; a wavedozer is a hull with a constant beam; at least one wavedozer within the pool and moveable relative to the pool surface to generate ship waves in the pool water; the pool may take various shapes, including rectangular, circular or oblong; the pool may take a permanent or modular, transportable form.

[0014] As used herein, the expression pool is to be given a broad meaning and includes any receptacle, enclosure, excavation or the like adapted to contain a body of water.

[0015] The concept was that the wavedozer generates high, smooth, non-breaking ship waves that propagate towards the shallower wave breaking area, where a sloping bathymetry (beach) triggers wave breaking. The broken wave is then rapidly dissipated in the shallow wave dissipation area. Finally, an edge gutter captures the last part of the broken wave energy.

[0016] Rapid wave dissipation allows the next wave to be generated soon after the first, maximising the number of waves per hour that may be generated. The greater the number of waves generated per hour will allow more surfers to use the pool, and increase the financial viability of the pool.

[0017] One feature is that a wavedozer is a hull with a constant beam, allowing the wave to apply pressure directly down on the water surface without putting lateral (sideways) pressure on the water surface. With this method, the wavedozer generates large, smooth, unbroken waves.

[0018] The wavedozer(s) should be symmetrical about the centre so that waves may be generated in either the direction of travel. That is, moving the wavedozer one direction will form left-handed waves, whilst moving it in the other direction will produce right-handed waves.

[0019] It is preferred that the apparatus also includes a drive system for moving at least one wavedozer relative to the pool surface. The drive means can take various forms and can be

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-6[0020] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a wavedozer for use in generating waves in a surfing wave pool comprising a channel, the wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining a hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface, wherein the wavedozer is configured to move along a length of the channel to thereby generate ship waves by applying downward pressure from the hull surface onto the water in the channel as the wavedozer moves along a length of the channel.

[0021] In one embodiment the hull has a V-shaped profile.

[0022] In one embodiment the hull has a sinusoidal profile.

[0023] In one embodiment the hull has a length equal to: half a wavelength of the surfing wave or a wavelength of the surfing wave.

[0024] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a surfing wave pool including:

a) a pool having a deeper pool area surrounding a substantially shallower pool area, the pool comprising a channel;

b) pool edge bounding the pool; and

c) one or more wavedozers within the pool, each wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining a hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface, with the wavedozers being moveable along the length if the channel to generate ship waves in the water waves by applying downward pressure from the hull surface onto the water.

[0025] In one embodiment the wavedozer has a hull with a constant beam.

[0026] In one embodiment the pool area has a deep section under the wavedozer.

[0027] In one embodiment a pool area has a shallowing beach area to trigger wave breaking.

[0028] In one embodiment a pool area has a shallow wave dissipation area to rapidly dissipate the broken waves.

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-7[0029] In one embodiment the pool includes a drive system to move one or more wavedozers relative to the water surface.

[0030] In one embodiment the pool is either a permanent or a modular, transportable form.

[0031] In one broad form an aspect of the present invention seeks to provide a method of generating a ship waves including: providing a pool channel containing water and having a deeper pool area under one or more wavedozer(s), a shallower beach area to trigger wave breaking and a wave dissipation area; moving one or more wavedozers in a direction of travel along a length of the channel to generate ship waves by applying downward pressure from a hull surface onto the water, each wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining a hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0033] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0034] Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of the pool channel and wavedozer.

[0035] Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the wavedozer immersed in a pool.

[0036] Figure 3 is a top plan view of the wavedozer.

[0037] Figure 4 is a bottom perspective view of the wavedozer.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0038] Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a wave pool in accordance with the invention has a pool having a deeper water section (10) , under the wavedozer (18) and a shallowing wave breaking area (12).

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-8[0039] In the wave pool, the wave transforms as it travels across the channel from being generated at the pressure source, breaking on shallowing beach (12), to dissipating following breaking. Figure 1 shows the shallow wave dissipation area (24), including an edge gutter (26) to capture the last of the broken wave energy. Figure 1 also shows the wavedozer (18) is located within pool that is moveable relative to the water surface to generate ship waves in the water.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, this system uses a more efficient pressure source hull shape, termed the wavedozer. The wavedozer in the simplest form is a flat plate (28) inclined at an angle 30 to the water surface 20 with a constant beam (32); Figure 3 and Figure 4. Further, as shown in Figure 2, more complex embodiments tune the curved side elevation shape (34) to the waves being generated. The key element is that the wavedozer has a constant beam that only pushes vertically down on the water surface, as opposed to a hull with a changing beam that also pushes laterally (sideways) on the water. The result is the wavedozer efficiently generates large smooth waves with minimal energy required. A changing beam hull creates undesirable broken water wash around the hull, reducing the wave generating efficiency and reducing the use of the generated waves for surfing as surfers ride the unbroken face (the wall) of the wave.

[0041] The invention considered “what defines a great surfing wave?” There was no point generating waves that surfers would only consider to be okay; the waves generated had to be of a shape and quality that surfers could only previously fantasise about; the kind of waves that surfers would pay to surf The failure to produce high “quality” surfing waves has led to the financial failure of previous wave pools. It is intended that by providing a safe learning environment with repeatable wave conditions and long ride lengths, the overall surfing ability of the participants can quickly improve.

[0042] The length of a smooth, unbroken wave crest was defined as the usable “wall” width. A wide steep wall was required to provide surfers sufficient vertical and lateral space to perform typical manoeuvres. For the pool, where the wave(s) is assumed to be forced to break at the start of the beach. As the wave(s) commences breaking when the water depth is less than 1.13 times the wave height, the wave(s) is prevented from breaking by keeping the

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-9water depth (10) greater than 1.13 times the maximum wave height in the wave transformation area prior to the beach (12). By lowering the water depth at the beach (12) to less than 1.13 times the wave height at the beach, the wave(s) is forced to break at the beach.

[0043] The key elements of the bathymetry are:

• Deep water (10) under the wavedozer (18) allows the wavedozer to generate large, smooth, unbroken waves.

• The deep water (10) with the water depth greater than 1.13 times the maximum wave height prevents wave breaking until the beach (12), and provides a wide wall for manoeuvres.

• The deep water (10) between the wavedozer and beach resists water disturbance, decreasing the time for the waves to dissipate.

• By lowering the water depth at the beach (12) to less than 1.13 times the wave height at the beach, the wave(s) is forced to break at the beach. The suddenly rising shallow ledge at the beach (12) and the steep slope at the start of the beach (22) mimic the bottom shape of the best natural waves in the world and assist the wave to form round “barrel” shape for expert surfers.

• The easing slope (22) further up the beach allows smaller waves to break as intermediate to beginner waves, with smaller waves generated by moving the wavedozer at slower speeds through the pool.

• The shallow beach (24) rapidly dissipates the broken wave.

• At the shore, an edge gutter (26) captures the last of the broken wave, preventing it from rebounding back across the pool. This is the same as the “infinity edge” used in competition swimming pools.

[0044] Although only one hull is illustrated in Figure 1, it will be appreciated that more than one wavedozer may be used. The drive system means in this preferred embodiment is one or more prime mover moveable in a guideway, with each prime mover having a wavedozer fixed it. The drive system may be driven by an electric motor and arranged to track within guideway. Alternatively, and again not illustrated here, the guideway may be a pair of rails

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-10and the drive system may be one or more linear motors prime moves traveling along the rails, again with each prime mover having a wavedozer fixed it.

[0045] In one broad form an aspect of the invention seeks to provide a wavedozer including a hull 18 having a profile defining a hull surface 28 angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface. Specifically, the hull surface is angled in a travel direction of the hull, so that the hull surface 28 is angled at the water surface. This pushes water down and generates a pressure wave as the surface wave.

[0046] The hull typically has a constant beam, meaning the width of the hull is approximately equal along the length of the hull. In one example, the angling of the hull is achieved using a V-shaped profile. In another example, the hull has a sinusoidal profile 34, which can be adapted to optimise the shape of the resulting wave.

[0047] Typically the hull has a length equal to half a wavelength of the surfing wave, which optimises the magnituide of the wave, whilst minimising the energy required to generate the wave.

[0048] In another one broad form an aspect of the invention seeks to provide a surfing wave pool including a pool having a deeper pool area surrounding a substantially shallower pool area, a pool edge bounding the pool and one or more wavedozers within the pool, with the wavedozers moveable relative to the water surface to generate ship waves in the water.

[0049] The wavedozer can be as previously described, and can include a constant beam and be angled to generate the pressure wave.

[0050] The pool area typically has a deep section under the wavedozer and may have a shallowing beach area to trigger wave breaking. The pool area can include a shallow wave dissipation area to rapidly dissipate the broken waves. The pool can be either a permanent or a modular, transportable form.

[0051] A drive system can be provided to move one or more wavedozers relative to the water surface.

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- 11 [0052] In another one broad form an aspect of the invention seeks to provide a method of generating a ship waves including: providing a pool containing water and having a deeper pool area under the wavedozer(s), a shallower beach area to trigger wave breaking and a wave dissipation area; moving one or more wavedozers relative to the water surface.

[0053] AccordinglyThroughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term approximately means ±20%.

[0054] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent.

[0055] It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

[0056] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0057] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1) A wavedozer for use in generating waves in a surfing wave pool comprising a channel, the wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining a hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface, wherein the wavedozer is configured to move along a length of the channel to thereby generate ship waves by applying downward pressure from the hull surface onto the water in the channel as the wave dozer moves along the length of the channel.
2) A wavedozer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hull has a V-shaped profile.
3) A wavedozer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hull has a sinusoidal profile.
4) A wavedozer as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the hull has a length equal to half a wavelength of the surfing wave.
5) A wavedozer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hull is symmetrical about a centre thereof to enable waves to be generated as the wavedozer moves along the channel in a forward direction, ant to enable waves to be generated as the wavedozer moves along the channel in a reverse direction.
6) A surfing wave pool including:

a) a pool having a deeper pool area surrounding a substantially shallower pool area, the pool comprising a channel

b) pool edge bounding the pool

c) one or more wavedozers within the pool, each wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining a hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface, with the wavedozers being moveable along a length of the channel to generate ship waves by applying downward pressure from the full surface onto the water.
7) A surfing wave pool as claimed in claim 6, wherein a wavedozer is a hull with a constant beam.
8) A surfing wave pool as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the pool area has a deep section under the wavedozer.
9) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 8, wherein a pool area has a shallowing beach area to trigger wave breaking.

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10) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 9, wherein a pool area has a shallow wave dissipation area to rapidly dissipate the broken waves.
11) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 10, and including a drive system to move one or more wavedozers relative to the water surface.
12) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 11, wherein the pool is either a permanent or a modular, transportable form.
13) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 12, wherein the deeper pool area and the shallower pool area each extend along a length of the channel.
14) A surfing wave pool as claimed in any one of the claims 6 to 13, wherein the wavedozer(s) are moveable along a length of the pool adjacent to a side of the channel.
15) A method of generating a ship waves including: providing a pool channel containing water and having a deeper pool area under one or more wavedozer(s), a shallower beach area to trigger wave breaking and a wave dissipation area; moving one or more wavedozers in a direction of travel along a length of the channel to generate ships waves by applying downward pressure from a hull surface onto the water, each wavedozer including a hull having a constant beam and a profile defining the hull surface angled in a horizontal plane relative to the water surface.