System and method of generating wave

A wave-forming system includes a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet for directing water from the water inlet and the water outlet. The channel has a side wall and a bottom surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall. The system also includes a back pressure barrier positioned in the water outlet to introduce a back pressure to the water flow inside the channel to continuously form waves across the channel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wave generating systems, and more particularly, to a wave generating system for generating waves suitable for surfers and other wave-riding sports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Interest in the sport of surf-riding has increased at a rapid rate. As surfing and other wave-riding based sports have become more popular, demand for artificial waves has increased. While some attempts have been made to create artificial waves for surfers and other wave-riding sports, the waves created so far have not been able to simulate well the natural waves of these activities. The artificial waves created by current wave-generating apparatuses usually have limited shapes, sizes, speeds, and other features of wave profile or control thereof. Further improvements are possible for systems and methods of wave generation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method of generating artificial waves that are close mimics of natural waves. According to one embodiment of the invention, a wave-forming system includes a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet for directing water from the water inlet and the water outlet. The channel has a side wall and a bottom surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall. The system also includes a back pressure barrier positioned in the water outlet to introduce a back pressure to the water flow inside the channel to continuously form waves across the channel.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method of generating waves provides a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet, a side wall, and a bottom surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall. A water flow is directed from the water inlet to the water outlet. A back-pressure barrier is positioned in the water outlet to introduce a back pressure applied to the water flowing inside the channel. Waves are thus continuously formed across the channel.

These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to one embodiment of the present invention, referring toFIGS. 1-2, a wave-forming system100includes a channel102having a water inlet104and a water outlet106for directing water therebetween. The channel102has a side wall108and a bottom surface110having a surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet106and the side wall108. The system100also includes a back-pressure barrier112positioned at the water outlet106to introduce a back pressure to the water flowing inside the channel102for the continuous formation of waves114across the channel102.

One or more vector gates116can be positioned at certain locations at the water inlet104to further adjust water flow at the water inlet104to achieve a desired wave profile. In the depicted embodiment, a vector gate116is positioned in proximity to the sidewall108at the water inlet104. The position and/or orientation of the one or more vector gates116can be adjusted via a gate controller118.

One or more flow conditioners120such as filters122and/or vanes124can be implemented at the water inlet104. For example, one or more filters122can be implemented at the water inlet104to provide a desired resistance to water flow and decrease water turbulence. As another example, one or more vanes124can be used to direct water flow to a desired direction as water passes through the water inlet104. The water is preferably orientated toward the side wall108when flowing through the channel102. The conditions of the water (e.g., flow speed, flow volume, hydraulic pressure, and flow laminate level, etc.) at the water inlet104will partially determine the wave profile (e.g., type, size, shape, speed, etc.) generated in the channel102.

The bottom surface110is preferably smooth to facilitate laminar flow. The profile of the bottom surface110is indicated by bathymetry lines126. As shown, bathymetry lines126illustrates that the bottom surface110slopes downward and toward the sidewall108at different rates, depending on locations of the channel102. Example slopes can be in the 1:2-1:10 range. The slope of the bottom surface110can be adjusted to mimic the bathymetry of natural wave formation or to be custom designed to create a custom wave for surfers with diverse levels of experience. A shallow slope angle will create gentle waves, while a steeper slope angle will create waves that curl over to create an interior portion (e.g., barreling waves).

The back-pressure barrier112can create a back pressure to slow down a portion of water flow so that an upper layer of slow-moving water will meet with a lower layer of fast-moving water, thereby generating a hydraulic jump. The hydraulic jump can partially determine the form of waves, such as size, speed, and shape. The back-pressure barrier112can be extended perpendicular to the direction of water flow, as shown inFIG. 1, or at angles relative to the direction of the water flow. Examples of the angles include+/−0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-25, 25-30, 35-40, 40-45, 45-50, 50-55, 55-60, 60-65, 65-70, 70-75, 75-80, and 80-85 degrees relative to the direction of water flow inside the channel104. The back-pressure barrier112can be planar or include a curved surface (e.g., concave curve, convex curve, etc.). The dimension of the back-pressure barrier112will also partially influence the profile of the wave (e.g., size, speed, style).

The back-pressure barrier112can include one or more independently-positionable panels. The position and/or orientation of the back-pressure barrier112can be adjusted by a back-pressure barrier controller136. By adjusting the position and/or orientation of the back-pressure barrier112, the speed and orientation the hydraulic jump can be adjusted, thus producing the desired wave profile (e.g., style, size and speed, etc.).

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, four cross-sectional views of the bottom surface110and respective water line128along the channel102are shown. Specifically, the cross-sectional views along lines A-A′, B-B′, C-C′, and D-D′ show that the bottom surface110slopes downward toward the water outlet106and the sidewall108of the waving forming channel102. The water lines128in these figures show how the water volume builds up and forms waves corresponding to the slope and longitudinal distance along the channel and toward the back-pressure barrier112.

Referring toFIG. 7, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the channel102can also have two sidewalls108A and108B. The bottom surface110slopes downward from a central axis of the channel102to both side walls108A and108B and from a longitudinal point on the channel102to the water outlet106. As such, continuous wave114A and114B can be created at both sides of the channel102for multiple surfers to ride simultaneously.

ReferringFIGS. 8-9, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a wave generating system100is implemented in downstream of a river valley138. Specifically, the water inlet104of the channel102is positioned on a settling area130of the river valley138between dams132. Water passing the water inlet104will have an adequate head pressure before entering the channel102. This configuration can significantly reduce the energy cost of operating the system100.

Referring toFIG. 10, a plurality of containers135can be used to store water before entering the channel102. The plurality of containers135can be independently filled by a pump via respective pump outlets134or filled by natural water flow as shown inFIGS. 8-9. The hydraulic head (e.g., height) inside the plurality of containers135can be controlled independently to create a desired water line128at the water inlet102. Each of the plurality of containers135can also include a hydraulic head regulator (not shown) configured to regulate a hydraulic head of the water inside the container135. For example, the hydraulic head regulator can be an overflow gate to ensure certain amount of water remains at each of the plurality of container135to create a specific hydraulic head, but any component capable of regulating (e.g., increasing or decreasing) hydraulic head within the container135can be used.

Referring toFIG. 11, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a series of sets of wave-forming systems are installed in a cascading mode. Specifically, three sets of wave-generating systems100A,100B and100C are positioned at three elevations such that a wave-forming system (e.g.,100B) at a lower altitude can utilize the water flowing downward from a wave generating system (e.g.,100A) at a higher altitude. System100A includes water inlet104A. In other words, water released from the water outlet106A of channel102A at a higher altitude is configured to be used as a water source to water inlet104B for the system at a lower altitude (e.g.,100B). The water outlet106B of channel102B is configured to be used as a water source to water inlet104C to channel102C for the system at a lower altitude (e.g.,100C). System100C includes water outlet106C. This arrangement can provide multiple wave sites in an energy efficient manner.

Referring toFIG. 12, a method of generating waves includes providing a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet, a side wall, and a bottom surface having a profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall at step1202. At step1204, a water flow is directed from the water inlet and the water outlet. At step1206, a back-pressure barrier is positioned for adjustable introduction of a back pressure to the water flow inside the channel. At step1208, waves are formed continuously across the channel.

The wave generating system100is configurable. A plurality of variables of the system100can be adjusted to achieve a desired type, shape, speed, and size of wave suitable for surfers of varying levels of surfing experience. Specifically, the variables include water condition (e.g., rate and volume) at the water inlet104, water rate inside the wave-forming channel, depth and bottom surface profile of the channel102, location, orientation, dimension, and shape of the back-pressure barrier112. For example, by adjusting filters and vanes on the water inlet102, a desired flow condition can be achieved at the water inlet102. As another example, the profile of the bottom surface110of the wave-forming channel102can be made according to a specific bathymetry (e.g., steeper slope, shallower slope, etc.) to generate waves suitable for certain level of surfers. Shallower slopes will allow the wave to slowly steepen and then crumble softly. Steeper slopes can force the wave up quicker and the crumbles slide heavily down a steep face.

The wave-generating system100is simple to construct, easy to operate, easy to use and reliable. The system100can be used to teach surfing beginners the skills necessary for surf-riding without exposing them to dangers faced by experienced surfers, and the system100is readily modified to create waves for experienced surfers. The system100can also be used to provide an apparatus for testing boat models subjected to ocean wave conditions.