Patent Publication Number: US-10309118-B2

Title: Apparatus for generating waves in a swimming pool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/864,630 filed on Aug. 11, 2013, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to recreational apparatus for use in a swimming pool, and in particular to devices and methods of generating waves in a swimming pool. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the elements described in this section are not prior art to the claims and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     At the present known methods and devices for the production of waves in swimming pools involve substantial cost and specialized construction of wave generation systems integrated into a swimming pool. For example, pneumatically operated wave generating systems utilize large caissons that are cyclically placed under a changing air pressure by means of blowers, so that the water level in the individual caissons is caused to oscillate out-of-phase. These caissons and their blowers are housed adjacent a swimming pool, requiring a separate structure and cost to build and operate. Other mechanical or pneumatic systems use pistons or mechanical impellers to drive large amounts of water into a pool, and require special built-in space or wave chamber. Other known wave-making machines are driven by electric motor acting through connecting rod and crank and gear reduction mechanism, driving large quantities of water through a pool to generate waves. All of these known installations are large, heavy, and/or costly to construct, purchase and operate. 
     Thus, there remains a need for a simple, cost-effective system and method that is adaptable for use in any swimming pool to generate waves and provide family entertainment. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an example embodiment, an apparatus for generating waves in a swimming pool (also referred to herein as an “Aqua-Wave” device) includes a motor, a buoy (also referred to herein as a “float”), and an anchor. One or more cantilever arms, or crank arms, are attached to motor at a central axle, or crankshaft. The cantilever arm is configured and dimensioned to rotate a crankshaft in a substantially circular path when a turbine within the motor housing is rotated. A distal end of the cantilever arm is configured and dimensioned to attached to the buoy, for example by a rope or tether. The buoy is preferably buoyant and the buoy and tether are dimensioned such that, when the apparatus is placed in a swimming pool, the buoy floats at or near the surface of the pool. The motor may be secured to a weight or anchor, for example by an anchor line, where the anchor is of sufficient weight to overcome the buoyancy of the buoy or float. In other embodiments, the motor may be secured to the bottom and/or side of the pool by other means. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for generating waves includes a turbine motor that is configured to submerged in a swimming pool and driven by the flow of water through the motor housing. The turbine may be disposed within the motor housing, and may have vanes or blades extending from the body of the turbine, such that flow of water through the housing forces against the blades and rotates the turbine, which in turn rotates the cantilever arm(s) and pulls the float or buoy down in a periodic or cyclical fashion. In some embodiments, the housing comprises an inlet that is adapted to connect to a hose or other device that directs flow of water from the pump of a swimming pool through the housing to drive the turbine. An outlet on the housing allows the water to flow out of the housing after passing through a channel housing the blades of the turbine. 
     In one aspect, the buoy or float is configured and dimensioned to optimize the size and/or shape of waves generated by the apparatus. In other aspects, a plurality of attachment points on the float may be used to produce asymmetrical movement of the float to optimize wave size or other characteristics. In other embodiments, the float may be configured and dimensioned to support the weight of one or more individuals. In such embodiments, the motor may be used to move or rock the float, for example to increase the enjoyment and difficulty of one or more users to stand, sit, lay or climb on float. In such embodiments, the float may be a raft, a surfboard, a floating climbing rock or wall, a slide, or other buoyant device to climb or play on within a swimming pool. 
     In some embodiments, an apparatus for generating waves includes a motor having a cantilever arm rotatable about a central axis of the motor, and a substantially buoyant float configured to attach to the cantilever arm, such that rotation of the cantilever arm periodically pulls the float downward when the motor is submerged in a swimming pool and the float is tethered to the cantilever arm. Such an apparatus may further include an anchor configured and dimensioned to sit on the bottom of the swimming pool and connect by an anchor line to the motor. 
     In another aspect, the motor may comprise a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a turbine disposed within the housing. The turbine may include a body and a plurality of blades extending from the body, and the cantilever arm may be connected to the turbine such that rotation of the turbine rotates the cantilever arm about the central axis of the motor. 
     In another aspect, the blades of the turbine extend into a channel within the housing, the channel is fluidly connected with the inlet of the housing, and the inlet is adapted to connect to a pool pump to direct water flowing from the pump through the channel to rotate the turbine. In another aspect, the apparatus may include an auxiliary inlet in fluid communication with the channel, wherein the auxiliary inlet is adapted to connect with a water, air, or pressure source to flow water (or air, or to apply pressure to and) through the channel of the housing to rotate the turbine. 
     These as well as other aspects and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this overview and elsewhere are intended to be examples only and do not necessarily limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments are described herein with reference to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of an apparatus for generating waves in a swimming pool in accordance with one or more example embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic end view of a the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more example embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more example embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an apparatus for generating waves in a swimming pool. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to the same or similar components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Described herein are apparatus and methods for generating waves in a swimming pool or other body of water. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example embodiment of an apparatus  100  for generating waves in a swimming pool (also referred to herein as an “Aqua-Wave” device) includes a motor  120 , a buoy  140  (also referred to herein as a “float”), and an anchor  150 . One or more cantilever arms  126  are attached to motor  130  at a central axle or crankshaft  130 . Arm  126  is configured and dimensioned to rotate at crankshaft  130 , e.g., in a substantially circular path as shown by dashed line  160 . Distal end  128  of cantilever arm  126  is configured and dimensioned to attached to buoy  140 , e.g. at an attachment eye or of buoy  140 , by a tether  144 . Buoy  140  is preferably buoyant and dimensioned such that, when apparatus  100  is placed in a swimming pool, buoy  140  floats at the surface of the pool  110 . Housing  122  is configured to attach to a weight or anchor  150 , e.g., by an anchor line  154  attached to a bottom end  156  of housing  122 . Anchor  150  may include an attachment point, eye, or other member  152  to facilitate attachment of anchor line. 
     In an example of use of apparatus  100  in a swimming pool, anchor  150  is placed on the bottom of the pool  156  and attached by anchor line  154  to bottom end  156  of housing as shown in  FIG. 1 . Buoy  140  is attached to end  128  of cantilever arm  126  by tether  144  and floats substantially at the pool water surface  110 , such that motor  120  is suspended between anchor  150  and buoy  140 . Rotation of cantilever arm  128  through its circular path  160  pulls the tethered buoy downward periodically, e.g., each time the distal end  128  of cantilever arm moves downward through its arc the buoy  140  is pulled down, and as the distal end  128  moves past the lowest point of the circular path  160  and moves upward, the float  140  moves upward due to its buoyancy in water. This repeated and substantially up and down movement creates waves on the surface  110  of the swimming pool. 
     In some embodiments, motor  120  may be a substantially mechanical motor configured to be driven by the flow of water directed through the housing  122  of motor  120 . Motor  102  may include an intake  132  configured and dimensioned to attach, e.g., using a hose or other fitting, to an outlet of a swimming pool pump such that water from the pump flows through intake  132  and into housing  122 . An outlet  134 , which in some embodiments is disposed on an opposite side of housing  122  from intake  132 , allows water (and/or air, in some embodiments) that enters from intake  132  to exit the housing  122 . In some embodiments, intake  132  and outlet  134  are on a same side of housing  122  (e.g., depending upon the configuration of turbine  320 ,  460  and flow channel  310 ,  470  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). In one aspect, a substantially water and/or airtight seal is used between intake  132  and a hose or other tubing that feeds water or air into housing  122  to drive motor  120  (e.g., to turn cantilever arm  128 ). In other embodiments, a negative pressure may be connected to outlet  134  of the housing, e.g., to pull water through the housing to drive, or aid in driving, the turbine  320 . 
     In some embodiments, housing  122  may be buoyant. For example, housing  122  may be constructed in whole or in part using a buoyant material, or one or more floats or other buoyant members may be attached to housing  122 . In some embodiments, anchor line may be a rope or flexible line. In other embodiments it may be a substantially rigid member to help support or stabilize motor  120  during movement of the cantilever arm  126  and tethered float  140 . In other embodiments, motor  120  or housing  122  may be secured to the bottom  156  and/or a wall of a swimming pool instead of or in addition to using an anchor  150 . In some embodiments, motor  120  is of sufficient weight to rest on the bottom of the pool  156  such that an anchor  150  or anchor line  154  is not necessary to counteract the buoyancy of float  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an end view of an example apparatus  100  described above may include a crank assembly  210  having two cantilever arms  126 ,  226 , each with a distal end  128 ,  228  configured to attached to float  140  via a pair of tethers  144 ,  244  or other attachment means. Proximal end of cantilever arms  126 ,  226  of assembly  210  are joined by a crankshaft  130  that, when rotated by motor (e.g., driven by turbine assembly as shown and described below with respect to  FIG. 3 ), cantilever arms  126 ,  226  rotate and displace float  140  as described above with respect to  FIG. 1 . Tethers  144 ,  244  may be attached to float  140  at one or more attachment points, e.g., at attachment members  142 ,  242 . In some embodiments, a single attachment point may be used. In some embodiments, attachment points  142 ,  242  are positioned substantially symmetrically with respect to each other on the float  140  as shown (and substantially centrally located from a front view perspective as shown in  FIG. 1 ), such that float is pulled down in a substantially vertical path as cantilever assembly  210  rotates. A lower attachment point  220  on housing  122  may be used to facilitate attachment of anchor line  154 . 
     In some embodiments embodiments, aspects of apparatus may be configured and dimensioned to pull or move float in a canting, tilting, or asymmetrical matter, e.g., to produce waves of optimal or desired quality. For example, attachment points on float  140  may be positioned off-center, such that pulling on tether  144  and/or  244  causes a canting or tilting of float  140  with respect to the surface of the water. In some embodiments, tethers  144 ,  244  may be of substantially different lengths or comprise materials of different rigidity or elasticity. In some embodiments, cantilever arms  126 ,  226  may be of substantially different lengths. In other embodiments, one tether, e.g., tether  144 , may be used to fix an end of float  140  to housing  122 , anchor  150  or a side of the pool, e.g., such that one portion of the float or buoy remains substantially fixed, while the other side (e.g., attached to tether  244  and cantilever arm  226 ) moves as described above—thereby creating a canted or hinged action of movement of the float  140  when arm  226  is rotated. In some embodiments, one or more floats  140  may be used, and/or float  140  may be configured and dimensioned to facilitate a desired shape, size or pattern of waves (see, e.g., float  440  of  FIG. 4 ). In some alternative embodiments, assembly  210  is configured and dimensioned by one skilled in the art to move distal ends  128 ,  228  up and down, as opposed to a circular path of cantilever arms  126 ,  226 . These and other variations or modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3  a cross-sectional view of apparatus  100  in accordance with one or more example embodiments is shown. In this example, an Aqua-Wave apparatus  100  is configured substantially as shown in  FIG. 1 , including motor  120 , float  140  and weight  150 . Housing  122  of motor  120  is configured to attach to float  140 , e.g., by one or more tethers  144  and to anchor  150  by one or more anchor lines  154 . One or more attachment members  142  and  152  may be used and positioned as desired to facilitate attachment to float  140  and anchor  150 , respectively. 
     Motor  120  shown in  FIG. 3  includes a turbine  320  positioned centrally within housing  122 . Turbine  320  includes a number of vanes or blades  322  extending from the substantially circular body  324  of turbine  320 . Blades  322  extend into a substantially circular channel  310  formed between the body  324  of turbine and housing  122  (or one or more other structures within housing  122  may be used to form a portion of channel  310 ). Crankshaft  130  passes through and is attached to turbine  320  at the center of turbine  320 , such that rotation of turbine about its central axis rotates the turbine. Channel is open to inlet  132  and outlet  134 , such that water (or, in some embodiments, air) flowing into inlet pushes against blades  322  to rotate turbine  320 . Such rotation of turbine causes rotation of crankshaft  130  (and in turn, cantilever arms  126 ,  226  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), and cyclically displaces float  140  up and down to generate waves in the pool. As mentioned earlier, housing  122  and/or components of turbine may be constructed of any desired materials, e.g., plastic or other polymers, metal, alloys, foam, or any other suitable materials. In alternative embodiments, turbine and/or crank assembly  210  of motor  120  may be battery operated or solar operated, and/or may driven in whole or in part by other mechanical, hydraulic or electromechanical means. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of another embodiment of an apparatus  400  for generating waves in a swimming pool. This embodiment is similar in many aspects to apparatus  100 , e.g., having a motor  420  that is configured and dimensioned to cause cyclical displacement of a buoy, or float  440 , to generate waves. Motor  420  may include a substantially circular housing  422 , containing a substantially circular turbine (shown in dashed lines as turbine  460 , having body  464  and blades  462 ) configured to rotate within the housing about a central axis  430 . A channel  470  within housing is fluidly connected with an inlet  432  and an outlet  434 , which may be disposed on the same side of housing  422  as shown, on opposite sides, or in other locations as desired. Inlet  432  is configured to connect and seal with a hose or other device to direct water (or in some embodiments, air) into channel  470  around turbine  460 . Some embodiments may include an auxiliary inlet  433 , which may be used, for example, to connect a water hose, air hose or other device to replace or augment the flow of water through inlet  432 , e.g., in increase the rotational force and/or speed of turbine  460 . One or more outlets  434  may be employed, and the diameter of inlets  432 ,  433  and outlet  434  and channel  470  may be varied to optimize the volume and speed of water (and/or air in some embodiments) through channel  470 . 
     In some embodiments, vanes or blades  462  may be angled with respect to turbine body  464 , e.g., as shown in  FIG. 4 , to vary or optimize the force with which water, air or other fluid drives turbine  460 . In some embodiments, blades  462  are substantially rigid to optimize transfer of hydraulic force to rotation of the turbine  460 . In some embodiments blades  462  may be adjustable and/or removable. Rotation of the turbine  470  causes rotation of one or more cantilever arms  426 , as discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1-3 . A distal end  428  of cantilever arm  426  is configured to attach, e.g., by a tether  444 , to float  440 , e.g., at a desired attachment point or member  442 . 
     An anchor line  454  may be used to fix a bottom portion of housing  422  with an anchor  150  (e.g., at an anchor attachment point  152 ). In some embodiments, anchor line is a substantially rigid member  454  to help fix the position of motor  420  with respect to the anchor. In some embodiments, alternative or supplemental anchor points may be used to secure the position of motor  120 . The length of tether  444  is preferably longer than the distance from distal end  428  of cantilever arm  426  and the top of housing  422  when distal end is at its lowest point in its circular path about the housing (e.g., to avoid contact between the float  440  and the motor  420  when the float  440  is pulled to its lowest point). 
     In some embodiments, float  440  may be configured and dimensioned to optimize buoyancy or the shape and/or size of waves generated in the water  110  by the float  440  as the float is  440  is displaced alternately by the force of the motor  420  pulling the float  440  downward (e.g., during a downward cycle of the cantilever arm  426 ) and the buoyancy of the float  440  moving it upward (e.g., during an upward cycle of the cantilever arm  426 ). For example, float  440  may be configured to include angled or concave edges to produce waves of desired characteristics, or float may be dimensioned (e.g., thicker) or composed of desired materials to increase or decrease buoyancy. In some embodiments, tether  444  may be a rope or line of substantial tensile strength to counteract the buoyancy of float  440 . In other embodiments, tether  444  may be at least partially elastic or substantially rigid, as desired, to optimize movement of the float with respect to the motor. 
     In other embodiments, float  140 ,  440  of  FIGS. 1-4  may be configured and dimensioned to support the weight of one or more individuals. In such embodiments, motor  420  may be used to move float  140 ,  440 , e.g., to increase the enjoyment and difficulty of one or more users to stand, sit, lay or climb on float. In some embodiments, the float may be a raft, a surfboard, a climbing “rock”, wall, slide, or other buoyant device to climb or play on within a swimming pool. 
     The foregoing description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents will be evident to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.