Patent Publication Number: US-2020277802-A1

Title: Aquatic sports amusement apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claim priority as the non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No. 62/812989 filed on Mar. 2, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is also related to U.S. Ser. No. 16/149,051 filed on Oct. 1, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/808,076 filed on Jan. 27, 2016, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/740,419 filed on Jan. 14, 2013, which is the non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No. 61/721304 filed on Nov. 1, 2012, all of which are by the same inventor, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their totality. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to wave generators, such as, for example, wave generators for making waves in pools for recreational purposes. 
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claim priority as the non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No. 62/812989 filed on Mar. 2, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     This application is also related to U.S. Ser. No. 16/149,051 filed on Oct. 1, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/808,076 filed on Jan. 27, 2016, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 13/740,419 filed on Jan. 14, 2013, which is the non-provisional of U.S. Ser. No. 61/721304 filed on Nov. 1, 2012, all of which are by the same inventor, and all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their totality. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Previous disclosures by the present inventor have included an aquatic sports amusement apparatus that includes a pool, a plurality of wave generating chambers that release water into a pool, and a mobile application controller that operates the chambers, such that each chamber in the plurality releases water to create waves. The controller can be connected to the plurality of chambers via a network connection; such a connection could include a local area network, a wireless network, the internet and/or a virtual private network. The controller could be located at a distant location from the pool and chamber complex, and the controller may be a smart phone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a laptop and/or a tablet computer. Those disclosures can be found in applications listed above. 
     The release of the water from the chambers may be performed by manipulating the air pressure in the chambers, as disclosed in detail in the patent applications listed above. During implementation, however, the ability to create a stable amount of useable pressure is difficult, with the fans that create the needed air pressure often operating in the unstable region. Unfortunately, this region is plagued by several drawbacks: (1) accurate control of air pressure is difficult, if not impossible, (2) the fans are inefficiently drawing power without contributing to the needed pressure, and (3) the fans may prematurely wear. 
     What is needed therefore is a system that overcomes these drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. This summary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     What is provided herein is an aquatic sports amusement apparatus to control fan instability. The apparatus includes a plurality of wave generating chambers that release water into a pool. A plenum is pneumatically connected to each chamber, and a plurality of fans is connected to the plenum and pressurizes the plenum. A plurality of sensors is also connected to the plenum and measures the pressure of the plenum, and a plurality of vents is connected to the plenum and can release pressure from the plenum upon actuation. A controller connected to the vents and sensors performs the following steps: (a) measure the pressure from a sensor in the plurality of sensors; and (b) if the measured pressure is greater than a preset set point pressure, then actuating a vent from the plurality of vents to release pressure. 
     The number of fans need not be not equal to the number of sensors or the number of vents. The vent may be a vent valve or an inlet fan damper. 
     The actuation of the vent by the controller may be for a preset time period, or until a second preset set point is reached. The controller step (b) may be delayed until the controller confirms that the preset set point has been reached, which may be helpful during the startup of the apparatus. 
     Additional aspects, alternatives and variations, as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art, are also disclosed herein and are specifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. The invention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patent office in this or related applications, and the following summary descriptions of certain examples are not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. It may be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a pressure v. flowrate curve showing the fan instability region. 
         FIG. 2  is a pressure v. flowrate curve with a pressure set point that maintains the fan in the optimal region. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of an aquatic sports amusement apparatus with a plurality of chambers with the improvements disclosed here. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top view of a single fan connected to a single chamber. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side cross-section view of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a control system for detecting the pressure in the plenum and controlling operation of the vent valve, or alternatively the fan/fan inlet dampers, according to the pressure set point. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing the set point implementation method. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing the startup method. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, process operations well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted. 
     The following list of example features corresponds with attached figures and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures: 
     Fan  10   
     Plenum  15   
     Chamber  20   
     Pool  25   
     Exhaust Valve  30   
     Vent Valve  35   
     Pressure Sensor  37   
     Inlet Valve  40   
     Fan Outlet Nozzle  45   
     Fan Outlet Damper  50   
     Fan Inlet Damper  55   
     Fan Inlet Filter  60   
     Fan Inlet Isolator  65   
     Fan Inlet Flow Conditioner  70   
     Fan Pressure/Flowrate Curve  72   
     Fan Instability Region  75   
     Fan Optimal Performance Region  80   
     Fan Curve Position in Optimal Range  85   
     Movement of Fan Along Curve to Non-Optimal Region  90   
     Fan Curve Position in Non-Optimal Range  95   
     Movement of Fan Along Curve to Negative Flow Rate  100   
     Pressure Set Point  105   
     Movement of Fan Along Curve to Pressure Set Point  106   
     Return Movement of Fan Along Curve to Optimal Stable Range After Venting Trigger By Pressure Set Point  107   
     Fan Energy Consumption  108   
     Controller  110   
     Set Point Implementation Method  200   
     Steps in Set Point Implementation Method  205 - 230   
     Startup Method  300   
     Steps in Startup Method  305 - 320   
     To create the air pressure needed to actuate the wave making chambers described in the patent applications listed above, several fans should be used. Such an aquatic sports amusement apparatus is shown in  FIG. 3 , with ten fans  10  jetting air into a plenum  15 , and that pressurized air is made available to the wave making chamber  20 , which can then release water into the pool  25 . The plenum  15  may be a single volume that is maintained a near constant pressure. The benefit of a single plenum  15  is that it will substantially equalize from the plurality of fans  10  the pressure, making control of the apparatus more reliable and robust. Also, should one fan fail or decrease in performance, the apparatus can continue operation by relying upon the pressure created by the other fans. While a single plenum  15  is shown in  FIG. 3 , it would be apparent that more plenums may be used. For example, two to five fans  10  may share a single plenum  15 . 
     While the use of a plenum has the benefits cited above, it also has several drawbacks. The source of the problems is that a multi-fan system can cause single fans within the system to become unstable. Such instability has several drawbacks: ( 1 ) accurate control of air pressure is difficult, if not impossible; ( 2 ) the fans are inefficiently drawing power without contributing to the needed pressure; and ( 3 ) the fans may prematurely wear. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a pressure v. flowrate curve  71  showing a fan&#39;s instability region  75 . A fan can operate at various positions along this curve  71 . It should be noted that different fans have different pressure v. flowrate curves. A fan&#39;s optimal region is shown by bracket  80 . In the unstable region, the fan has two possible operating positions for the same pressure—but those positions have significantly different flowrates. So if a fan is operating at position  85 , it is possible that the fan will move along the curve to a non-optimal region, shown by arrow  90 . If the fan continues along the curve  72  past the origin (shown by arrow  100 ) the fan can actually have a negative flow rate—i.e., the fan is turning but air is flowing in the wrong direction. Operating in the negative flow region can cause premature wear on the fan, and consumes power without any benefit from the fan. 
     When a plenum is used, it is possible for one or more fans connected to the plenum to move into the unstable region to the left of the curve hump. When this happens, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to maintain the needed air pressure in the plenum for the proper operation of the chambers. Further, the operator would not know which of the fans has become unstable. 
     To overcome this problem, the present disclosure presets a pressure set point and a pressure relief structure to maintain the pressure below that set point. This is shown graphically in  FIG. 2 , which shows the same pressure v. flowrate curve  71  of  FIG. 1 . If a fan begins at position  109 , then moves along the curve to the pressure set point  100 , as shown by arrow  106 , the system vents the pressure so that the fan travels along the curve in the direction of arrow  107 —i.e., returning to the optimal fan operation region. 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , the various structures needed to implement the pressure set point will now be discussed. The apparatus includes a plurality of wave generating chambers  20  that releases water into a pool  25 . A plenum  15  is pneumatically connected to each chamber  20 , and a plurality of fans  10  is connected to and pressurizes the plenum  15 . A plurality of sensors  37  is also connected to and measures the pressure of the plenum  15 . A plurality of vents  35  is connected to and releases pressure from the plenum  15  upon actuation. While  FIG. 3  shows the same number of vent valves  35  and pressure sensors  37  as fans  10 , it will be apparent that there need not be a one-to-one match. 
     But the pressure within the plenum is not uniform in all portions of the plenum; indeed, fluctuation of greater than  5  inches of water have been measured within an operational plenum. Therefore, fans  10  connected to particular portions of the plenum  15  may be more susceptible to going unstable. Using multiple pressure sensors  37  and vents  35 , wherein each sensor  37  and vent  40  is located near each fan  10 , is a way to account for the variations in the plenum  15  and to more effectively abate fan instability. 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view of a single fan  10  connected to a single chamber  20  that releases water into the pool  25 . A vent valve  35  may vent air pressure to atmosphere.  FIG. 4B  is a side cross-section view of  FIG. 4A , showing the pressure sensor  37 . This view also shows additional structures, including an exhaust valve  30 , inlet valve  40 , fan outlet nozzle  45 , fan outlet damper  50 , fan inlet damper  55 , fan inlet filter  60 , fan inlet isolator  65 , and fan inlet flow conditioner  70 . Importantly and as discussed in more detail below, the system may use the fan inlet damper  55  as a structure to vent the system. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a control system for detecting the pressure in the plenum  15  and controlling the operation of the vent valves  35 , or alternatively that of the fan inlet dampers  55 , according to the pressure set point  105 . Specifically, the pressure sensors  37  are connected to a controller  110 , which is also connected to the vent valves  40 . The controller  110  may be a central processor with the appropriate algorithms to detect the set point pressure and to open the valves accordingly. 
     In preexisting systems, it may not be practical to modify the plenum  15  with vent valves  37 . It may instead be more practical to control the operation of the fan  10  and its attendant inlet damper  55 . For example, the inlet damper  55  may be comprised of variable vanes, which may be adjusted to actually allow air to flow in reverse through the fan—thus venting the plenum  15 . 
     Determining the set point pressure will be a function of the unique characteristics of the wave making apparatus. Many variables may affect the proper selection of the set point pressure including, but not limited to: the number of fans, the type of fans, and the fluid dynamic flow of the air within the plenum from the fans to the chambers. Therefore, the set point pressure may be set by trial and error for a particular apparatus. 
     The set point implementation method  200  is shown in  FIG. 6 . For each pressure sensor  37 , the controller  110  measures the pressure in step  205 . If the measured pressure is greater than or equal to the set point pressure (step  210 ), then the controller  110  actuates the vent valve  35  in step  215 . At this point, the system may continue venting for a predetermined time (step  220 ), such that the pressure will drop back into the optimal and stable region of the curve. Alternatively, the system may continue measuring the pressure (step  225 ) until the measure pressure is less than or equal to a second set point pressure—e.g. the set point pressure minus a margin pressure (step  230 ). The second set point pressure may be set based on the particulars of the system, such that the pressure returns to the optimal and stable region of the curve. Moreover, the second set point pressure (or the predetermined time period) should be set such that the system is pushed far enough away from the set point pressure to avoid a constant set point triggering. In other words, if the second set point pressure (or the predetermined time period) is not appropriately set, the system may trigger the set point too frequently. 
     Also, the system may not implement the set point pressure until the system is started up and operational. This avoids the set point pressure from triggering on the left side of the curve hump—see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . By delaying the implementation of the set point pressure until the system is warmed up—i.e., operating with reasonable certainty in the region to the right of the curve hump—the set point pressure venting will move the operation of the fan along the curve to the right. 
     The system may also record the historical pressures within the plenum upon startup, and those pressures should increase to a maximum and then decrease as the fans travel along the curve—see  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Based on the measured historical values, the system begins the pressure set point venting after the measured pressure has passed the peak of the curve hump, or, more preferably, when the measured pressure reaches the set point pressure to the right of the curve hump. A startup method  300  is shown in  FIG. 7 . For each pressure sensor  37 , the controller  110  measures the pressure in step  305 . If the measured pressure has peaked (step  310 ), then the system may begin the set point implementation method at step  315 . Implementing the pressure set point method immediately after the hump, however, may be sub-optimal. It is possible that the system retreats to the left of the curve hump. Instead, it may be preferred to continue measuring the pressure after the pressure has peaked and has reached the set point pressure (i.e., to the right of the curve hump), as shown in step  320 . 
     The system may also associate a particular pressure sensor  37  with a particular vent valve  40 . As described above, the variation in pressure can be significant across the plenum  15 ; therefore, exceeding the set point pressure may be a localized issue within the plenum  15 . To optimize the system, associating or pairing a sensor or group of sensors  37  with a vent valve or group of vent valves  40  could target venting the plenum  15  in the localized area. And because the vent valve  40  is optimally located near the fan  10 , such venting will ensure that the fans experience the appropriate pressure and stay in the optimal region of the pressure v. flowrate curve. The controller  110 , therefore, may perform the set point implementation method  200  on a pressure sensor/vent valve associated complex, such that the when the pressure of a sensor  37  exceeds the set point pressure (step  210 ), the controller in step  215  actuates the particular vent valve  40  associated with the sensor  37  that is reporting the exceeded pressure. Likewise, the step  225  and  230  may be done using the sensor/vent valve associated complex. Similarly, the startup method  300  may begin implementing the set point implementation method  200  in a sensor-by-sensor manner—which again reflects the reality that the plenum  15  is not at a uniform pressure throughout. 
     The above description of the disclosed example embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these example embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other example embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred example embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other example embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.