U.S. patent application number 13/933245 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for generating circular steady waves for sport activities.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mirek Goebel, Max von Groll. Invention is credited to Mirek Goebel, Max von Groll.
Application Number | 20140000020 13/933245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49753891 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000020 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
von Groll; Max ; et
al. |
January 2, 2014 |
GENERATING CIRCULAR STEADY WAVES FOR SPORT ACTIVITIES
Abstract
Provided is a system for generating circular steady water waves
for sport activities. The system comprises a ring-shaped water pool
having inner and exterior rings and a floor inclined from the outer
ring to the center of the water pool. The system comprises channels
located under the floor of the water pool for recirculating water.
At least one water propeller turbine is installed inside the
channels and configured to recirculate water from the water pool
through the channels and back to the water pool. The system
comprises guiding plates installed on the floor. Waves of different
shapes including breaking waves are generated by varying velocities
of different water current and controlling guiding plates.
Inventors: |
von Groll; Max; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Goebel; Mirek; (Lippsladt, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
von Groll; Max
Goebel; Mirek |
Palo Alto
Lippsladt |
CA |
US
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
49753891 |
Appl. No.: |
13/933245 |
Filed: |
July 2, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
4/491 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/125 20130101;
E04H 4/0006 20130101; A63B 69/0093 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/491 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 2, 2012 |
DE |
1020120131593 |
Claims
1. A system for generating circular steady water waves for sport
activities, the system comprising: a water pool, the water pool
having: a shape of a closed round geometrical figure; an inner
ring; an exterior ring; and a floor inclined from the exterior ring
to the center of the water pool; one or more channels located under
the floor of the water pool for recirculating water; and at least
one water propeller turbine installed inside the channels for
generating one or more water currents, wherein the at least one
water propeller turbine is configured to recirculate water from the
water pool through the channels and back to the water pool.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the water current is propelled
from the inner ring to the exterior ring.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one water propeller
turbine is installed in the center of the water pool.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vane pump installed
in the center of the water pool.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the water current is propelled
around the water pool.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one water propeller
turbine is installed in the exterior ring of the water pool.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one water propeller
turbine is configured to generate water currents having different
velocities resulting in waves of different shapes, the waves being
stationary or moving circularly around the water pool.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one water propeller
turbine comprises: a blade bearing; and a plurality of blades
connected by one edge to the blade bearing, the blades configured
to fold and unfold.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the water pool is shaped as a
polygon.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the floor of the water pool has
a structure varying in radial direction.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising guiding plates
installed on the floor of the water pool, the guiding plates being
controlled to generate different wave forms and breaking waves, a
braking section of the braking waves moving circularly around the
water pool.
12. A method of generating circular steady water waves, the method
disposing a water pool having: a water pool, the water pool having:
a shape of a closed round geometrical figure; an inner ring; an
exterior ring; and a floor inclined from the exterior ring to the
center of the water pool; disposing one or more channels located
under the floor of the water pool for recirculating water; and
disposing at least one water propeller turbine installed inside the
channels for generating one or more water currents, wherein the at
least one water propeller turbine is configured to recirculate
water from the water pool through the channels and back to the
water pool.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one water
propeller turbine is configured to generate water streams flowing
from an exterior ring to the center of the water pool.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one water
propeller turbine is installed in the center of the water pool.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising disposing a vane
pump in the center of the water pool.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one water
propeller turbine is configured to generate water streams flowing
around the water pool.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one water
propelled turbine is disposed in the exterior ring of the water
pool.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one water
propeller turbine is configured to generate one or more water
currents having different velocities to generate waves of different
shapes, the waves being stationary or circulating around the water
pool.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the water pool has: a shape of
polygon; a different structure of floor in radial direction; and
guiding plates installed on the floor of the water pool to generate
different wave forms and breaking waves.
20. A system for generating artificial water waves for surfing, the
system comprising: a water pool, the water pool having: a shape of
a closed round geometrical figure; an inner ring; an outer ring; a
floor inclined from the outer ring to the center of the water pool;
a shape of a polygon; one or more channels located under the floor
of the water pool for recirculating water; and at least one water
propeller turbine installed in the center of the water pool and
configured to recirculate water from the water pool through the
channels and back to the water pool, the at least one water
propeller turbine comprising a blade bearing and blades connected
by one edge to the blade bearing, the blades being configured to
fold and unfold.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is Continuation-in-Part of German Patent
Application Serial No. DE 10 2012 013 159.3, filed Jul. 2, 2012,
which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
FIELD
[0002] This application relates to systems and methods for
generating artificial water waves for sport activities, and more
specifically generating artificial water waves for surfing, riding
water skis, kayaking, or swimming against water streams.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Water sport activities like surfing, riding water skies, or
kayaking are very popular. However, in order to surf one needs to
travel to an ocean shore which can be thousands of kilometers away.
Moreover, because several naturally occurring phenomena influence
the shape and quality of breaking waves, formation of natural waves
with a certain type of characteristics suitable for surfing may not
always be possible.
[0004] There are existing solutions for generating artificial water
flows and waves for surfing and other water sport activities. In
some of these existing solutions, a body must be dragged over the
water surface. In other existing solutions, water is forced against
solid structures to generate waves of certain shapes. Generally,
such solutions involve a thin water film running over a ramp. Thus,
the resulting waves are suitable only for surfing with smaller
surfboards and only surfable with surfboards with fins adjusted to
the low water depth instead of conventional longer surfboard.
[0005] There are some systems for generating water waves that can
generate a very thick water film up to 50 cm. The drawback of the
existing systems is that only very few persons can surf
simultaneously in the generated water streams. Increasing size and
depth of the water stream would require disproportionately large
pumps to propel the water, therefore, the operation of such a
system would not be economical.
[0006] The embodiments described in this disclosure are systems for
generating artificial waves, which allow more people to perform
water sport activities simultaneously at reasonable
expenditure.
SUMMARY
[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0008] Provided are methods and systems for generating circular and
steady waves for performing sport activities. According to example
embodiments, the system for generating artificial waves may
comprise a round shaped water pool with an inner and an exterior
rings. In some embodiments the exterior ring of the water pool may
be shaped as a polygon.
[0009] The system may further comprise one or more reverse current
channels located under the floor of the water pool. The channels
may connect one or more water entrances located at the inner ring
of the water pool and one or more diverting devices located at the
exterior edges of the pool. In some embodiments, the reverse
current channels may connect one or more water entrances located at
the outer ring of the water pool and one or more diverting devices
located at the inner ring of the water pool. In some embodiments
the water streams may circulate in radial direction from the edge
of the exterior ring of the water pool to the edge of the inner
ring and further flow through the entrances located at the inner
ring. Water streams may further flow through the channels located
under the floor of the pool and flow back to the water pool through
the diverting devices located at the edge of the outer ring. In
certain embodiments, the water streams may be generated to flow in
axial direction around the circle between the inner and outer rings
of the water pool.
[0010] In some embodiments the system may further comprise one or
more water propeller turbine installed inside the channels. In some
embodiments a single water propeller turbine may be installed in
the center of the ringed-shaped water pool. The turbine may suction
the water current from the pool, thereby generating a water
current. The water current may leave the turbine in the axial
direction and enter the reverse current channel, then flow into
diverting devices located at the exterior edge of the pool, through
which the water returns back in the radial direction into the pool
and flows back to the entrances at the inner ring of the water
pool. In certain embodiments a vane pump can be installed in the
center of the water pool to recirculate water.
[0011] In other embodiments the system may comprise more than one
water propeller turbines install in the reverse current channels
inside either the inner ring or the outer ring of the water pool.
In some embodiments, several turbines may be placed in outer ring
of the water pool shaped as a regular polygon. In some embodiments,
the number of turbines may be equal to the number of angles of the
polygon. Water can be conveyed either from the outer ring to the
inner ring of the water pool or from the inner ring to the outer
ring of the water pool. The water currents may be then merged into
the peripheral areas of the individual current paths into the
surface of the water pool to generate ring-shaped waves.
[0012] In some embodiments the water current generated by different
multiple turbines may have different velocities. The velocities of
the multiple generated water streams and positions of diverting
devices through which water streams back to the interior of the
water pool may be adjusted in order to generate waves of desirable
forms up to breaking waves in circumferential and radial
directions. In some embodiments, a point break can be generated
while the point break section is rotating in circumferential
direction.
[0013] In the embodiments of the system comprising multiple water
propeller turbines, specially designed turbines shaped as a water
wheel with folding blades may be utilized. The blades can be
configured to fold on side of the coming water current and unfold
on the side opposite to the coming water current. Since the blades
are folded when passing the side of the coming water current, they
do not force water in the direction opposite to the direction of
the desired water current. Therefore, the turbines with folding
blades may propel large volumes of water more efficiently than
conventional turbines with unfolded blades.
[0014] In some embodiments, the wave generating system may comprise
one or more foils installed on the floor of the water pool in the
direction of the water current. The foil may be attached by one
edge to the bottom of the water pool and the position of the free
edge of the foil may be adjusted by a holding device. By adjusting
the position of the foil against the floor of the water pool, the
water current may be divided into two parts: an upper fast flowing
current and a lower slow flowing current. By separating the water
currents, the loss of the velocity of the surface water current may
be reduced.
[0015] In some embodiments, multiple sub-pools may be placed
alongside one another with various floor designs in the current
direction that generate the desired water current or waves, so that
while the system is operational, the water current passes through
multiple sub-pools in the direction of the current. Thus, multiple
waves may be generated in a row. This design style is particularly
advantageous for practicing water sports in recreational
facilities.
[0016] The systems and methods for generating water waves described
in this disclosure may be also practiced in water pools of a
rectangular shape. By combining together multiple parallel turbines
and adjusting velocities of the water current produced by each
turbine, the resulting combined water current may be designed in a
manner in which varying wave shapes up to breaking waves can be
created in both crosswise and lengthwise directions of the water
current. For water athletes this would be a manifold offer of wave
shapes, which comes close to actual ocean conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a ringed-shaped water pool for generating
circular steady waves, according to an example embodiment,
according to an example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2A is a radial cross-section of a water pool for
generating circular steady waves with a water propeller turbine
installed at the center, according to an example embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2B is a radial cross-section of a water pool for
generating circular steady waves with a vane pump installed at the
center, according to an example embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is radial cross-section of a water pool for
generating artificial waves with a turbine having folding blades,
according to an example embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4 is cross-section of a water propeller turbine having
folding blades to generate artificial waves in a water pool,
according to an example embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of water propeller turbine
shown in FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 6 is cross-section of a water propeller turbine with
blades folding by force of springs to be used in a water pool for
generation artificial waves, according to an example
embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 is cross-section of a water propeller turbine with
folding blades to be used in a water pool for generation artificial
waves, according to an example embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Example methods and systems for generating circular and
straight steady waves for surfing and other water sport activities
are described.
[0027] In some example embodiments, a system for generating
circular steady water waves for sport activities may comprise a
ring-shaped water pool having an inner ring, an exterior ring and a
floor inclined from the exterior ring to the center of the water
pool. The system may comprise one or more channels located under
the floor of the water pool for recirculating of water. The system
may further comprise one or more water propeller turbines installed
inside the channels and configured to generate one or more water
currents recirculating water from the water pool through the
channels and back to the water pool.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 10 for generating artificial
water waves, according to an example embodiment. The system may
comprise a ringed-shaped water pool. The water pool 10 may have an
inner ring 10i and an outer ring 10a. The floor of the water pool
may be inclined in radial direction from the edge of the outer ring
towards the center line in between the inner ring 10i and the outer
ring 10a.
[0029] The system may include several reverse current channels
located under the floor of the water pool. In some embodiments one
or more diverting devices 1u may be placed at inner ring 10i. In
other embodiments, the diverting devices 1u can be placed at outer
ring 10a.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the outer ring 10a may have a shape
of a regular polygon. In some embodiments, the generated water
current flows generally in radial direction from the outer ring 10a
to the inner ring 10i. In other embodiments, the generated water
current may flow in radial direction from the inner ring 10i to the
outer ring 10a. In some other embodiments the water current may
flow around the rings of the water pool.
[0031] In some embodiments several water propeller turbines may be
installed in reverse channels near the inner ring 10i, while
diverting devices may be placed at outer ring 10a. In other
embodiments, several water propeller turbines may be installed at
outer ring 10a, while the diverting devices 1u may be located at
inner ring 10i.
[0032] In embodiments with several turbines installed in the system
10, the velocities of individual water currents generated by
different turbines may be adjusted separately in order to get
combined water current and waves of a desired shape.
[0033] In some embodiments, a single water propeller turbine may be
installed in the center of the water pool, while the diverting
devices are placed at outer ring 10a.
[0034] FIG. 2A is a cross-section of a ring-shaped water pool with
a turbine generating the water current, according to an example
embodiment. The turbine 17 may be located in the center of the
ring-shaped system 10 in a vertically arranged current channel 16.
The turbine 17 may comprise turbine blades 18, which are mounted to
a shaft 14 (with the respect to the direction of rotation 15). The
shaft 14 may be rotated by a driver which is not shown here. The
turbine may further comprise stationary guide blades 19 mounted
inside the current channel 16.
[0035] The water current may be generated when water is suctioned
from the pool 10 by rotating shaft 14 of turbine 17 in direction
15. Water current may then leave the turbine 17 in an axial
direction. This current may then be diverted as part of the process
of the reverse current channel 11 by a diverting device 1u and then
flow radially into the pool 10.
[0036] FIG. 2B is a cross-section of a ring-shaped water pool with
a vane pump generating the water current, according to another
example embodiment. The blade wheel 20 of the vane pump may be
located at the lower end of the current channel. The blade wheel
may be mounted to a shaft 14 rotating by a driver (not shown here).
The blade wheel 20 is shown in an additional sectional view A-A in
FIG. 2B. Vertical blades elements 21 of the blade wheel 20 are
equally distributed around a circle.
[0037] By rotating the shaft 14, a water current may be generated.
The water current flows from the pool 10 downwards through the
vertical current channel 16 and further away from the blade wheel
20 in a tangential direction towards the entrance of the reverse
current channel 11.
[0038] Vertically mounted guide blades 22 can be arranged at the
front of the reverse current channel 11. The number of the blades
22 may be equal to the number of the blades of wheel 20. The blades
22 may force the water current to exit the blade wheel 20 into the
reverse current channels 11. The blades 22 may allow controlling
the rotational torsion of the water currents in order to generate
diagonally breaking waves in the water pool 10.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a radial cross-section of a system for
generating circular steady waves as well as a radial cross-section
of a system for generation of straight waves in a rectangular water
pool for sport activities with several water propeller turbines,
according with an example embodiment. The turbine 2b, which is one
of the multiple turbines with folding blades, may be installed
inside the inner ring 10i or around the outer ring 10a of water
pool 10 of FIG. 1. Water current flows from entrance 2e through
working area 2b of the turbine 2a downwards to returning channel 11
located under the floor of the water pool 10 and then returns back
to the pool via diverting device 1u. Water current may then flow at
the surface of the water pool contouring the shape of the floor and
may come back to the entrance 2e. The resulting water current may
serve effectively as a wave for surfing or other sport
activities.
[0040] In some embodiments, plurality of guide plates 12 may be
installed on the floor of the water pool 10. The guide plates may
be shifted forwards in the generated water current direction. The
guide plate 12 may be mounted by one edge to the floor of the water
pool. The angular position of each guide plate 12 may adjusted by
an adjustment device 12a. Water current of a desirable form
including diagonally breaking waves having a continuous break may
be generated by adjusting angular positions of guide plates 12 by
adjustment devices 12a. One or more guide plates 12 may be also
installed in the example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A and
FIG. 2B.
[0041] In some embodiments, a stretched and fluid-impervious foil
13 may be installed in order to separate the water current into two
parts: an upper fast flowing current and lower slow flowing
current. The foil may be mounted in direction of the stream of the
generated water current. The suitable angular position of the foil
13 may be adjusted by holding element 12a. By separating the water
current into fast and slow flowing parts, the loss of water current
may be reduced. One or more foils 13 may be also installed in the
example embodiments illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a cross-section of water propeller turbine with
folding blades installed inside the reverse current channel in
either inner or exterior ring of the water pool, according to some
example embodiments. Unlike an example shown in FIG. 3, the water
current in example embodiment of FIG. 4 flows from the reverse
channel through the turbine and back to the water pool. The water
propeller turbine shown in FIG. 4 may be also used reversely to
generate a power, e.g. to generate energy from an existing fluid
current. The water propeller turbine illustrated in FIG. 4 may be
installed in a run-of-the-river hydroelectric plant or a similar
plant. The water propeller turbine as described in FIG. 4 may have
a high degree of efficiency and may be employed in connection with
relatively high fluid currents in any location where practically no
change to the pressure ratio of the fluid current is to be
conducted or needed.
[0043] In FIG. 4, reference number 1 identifies a guidance system
for a water current, which may comprise a lower-level section 1a
that lies at the horizontal level and an upper-level section 1b
that lies vertically in parallel to the lower-level section 1a.
Water current channel 2a may be located between the lower-level
section 1a and the upper-level section 1b. The lower-level section
1a is followed by a semi-circle cylinder section 1d. The
semi-circle cylinder section 1d may guide the water current S
coming from the current channel 2a.
[0044] The example turbine with folding blades may comprise at
least a blade carrier 3, folding blades 4, and a guidance track 5.
The guidance track 5 may be shaped as a ring and may contour the
shape of the semi-circle cylinder section 1d. The blade carrier 3
may be carried out in shape of a cylinder with a smaller radius as
compared to the guidance track 5. The rotation axis 3a of the blade
carrier 3 is shifted from the axis of the guidance track 5 in the
direction away from the semi-circle cylinder section 1d.
[0045] The folding blades 4 may be carried out in shape of plates.
The blades curvature may be nearly equal to the curvature of the
blade carrier 4, so when the blades are folded they are tightly
pressed against the blade carrier 3. The blades 4 are mounted by
one edge to blade carrier 3 via pivot bearings 9, and by the
opposite edge to guidance track 5 via guidance pins 6.
[0046] The blade carrier 3 may be rotated by a driver (not shown)
in the direction U around axis 3a. By rotating the blade carrier 3,
the blade 4 located on side of current channel 2a is unfolded away
from the blade carrier 3 since one side of the blade is kept bound
to the blade carrier 3 and the opposite side of the blade follows
the guidance track 5. The unfolded blades propel water located in
the working range 2b. The blades are nearly completely folded when
passing the side of incoming water channel 2a, therefore, they will
not produce any water currents which are opposite to desired water
current direction S.
[0047] In some embodiments, the blade carrier 3 may be carried out
in a form of a revolving band, which is suitably guided and
powered, e.g., via two rollers. In these embodiments, the guidance
system 1 and guidance track 5 may be suitably adjusted.
[0048] FIG. 5 shows a highly simplified version of perspective Y
view from FIG. 4. The reference number 1c designates side-wall
sections of the guidance system 1 and the upper end of the
semi-circle cylinder section 1d of the guidance system 1. One can
recognize the blade carrier 3 with its rotational axis 3a and two
blade elements 4, which are mounted as rotary units on the blade
carrier 3 via pivot bearings 9. The lateral guide pins 6 of one of
these blade elements 4 are depicted as having free ends facing away
from the blade carrier, with which this blade element 4 is guided
along the guide track 5 in relation to the blade carrier 3 for the
implementation of the desired relative movement.
[0049] FIG. 6 is a cross-section of water propeller turbine with
folding blades, according to another embodiment. Similarly to the
embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 4, the turbine is
installed inside a guidance system 1 and may comprise at least a
blade carrier 3, blades 41, and a guidance track 5. The blades 41
may be shaped as straight plates with no curvature and may be
mounted by one edge to the axis of the blade carrier 3 via springs
7. The opposite edge of the blade 41 is connected to the guidance
track 5 via guidance pins 6.
[0050] The blade elements 4 may be moved linearly in the radial
direction relative to the blade carrier 3 inside the blade carrier
3 towards its rotational axis 3a or out of the blade carrier and
away from its rotational axis 3a. Thereby, each blade element 4 may
extends in a generally linear radial direction with respect to the
blade carrier 3. The guidance track 5 provides the desired periodic
movement of each blade element 4 in relation to the blade carrier 3
over the course of its rotational movement. The extended blades 4
propel water in working range 2b and when passing the side of the
incoming water current, the blade elements 4 are pulled inside the
blade carrier 3, so they do not generate water current in the
direction opposite to desired water current.
[0051] In some embodiments, to generate the aforementioned rotatory
swivel motion of the blade elements in relation to the blade
carrier, other conventional actuators could be used, e.g.,
hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, which are placed between the
blade carrier and the blade elements and which effect the relative
movement of the blade elements in relation to the blade
carrier.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of water propeller turbine with
folding blades, according to yet another embodiment. The turbine
may be placed in water guidance system 1 similar to the embodiments
described above with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6. The turbine
shown in FIG. 7 may comprise blade carrier 3, blade 4, and disc 8.
The rotational axis 8a of the disc 8 may be shifted away from
rotational axis 3a of the blade carrier 3. The disc 8 and the blade
bearing 3 may be mutually rotated around their axis of rotation.
The blades 8 may be attached by one edge to blade carrier 3 via
pivot bearings 9. The opposite edge of blades 8 may be connected to
disc 8 via at least one rod-shaped guidance element 4b. The
guidance elements may be hinged to disc 8 using pivot bearings.
[0053] By mutually rotating the blade carrier 3 around axis 3a and
disc 8 around axis 8a, the blades 4 may be folded on the side of
coming water current and unfolded on opposite side in working range
2b.
[0054] Thus systems and methods for generating circular as well as
straight steady water waves for surfing and other water sport
activities have been disclosed.
[0055] Although the embodiments have been described with reference
to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various
modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the system and
method described herein. Accordingly, the specification and
drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense.
* * * * *