EP1383975A1

EP1383975A1 - Wave machine

Info

Publication number: EP1383975A1
Application number: EP02722432A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Graeme Carey; Robert A. Aitken
Original assignee: Barr & Wray Ltd
Current assignee: Barr & Wray Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-21
Filing date: 2002-04-16
Publication date: 2004-01-28
Also published as: GB0109874D0; WO2002086257A1

Abstract

A wave generating machine that is capable of providing waves of variable amplitude and frequencies within predetermined sectors is described. The wave generating machine is provided within a fixed structure, the fixed structure itself being located independently from the perimeter of the pool. Such a wave generating machine is ideal for use within pools of irregular shape as it can be readily employed to produce waves of different frequency and amplitude in different directions. Therefore, by carefully selecting the amplitudes and frequencies of the generated waves from each sector the overall pattern of the generated waves can be tailored to suit the particular dimensions of the pool.

Description

Wave Machine

The present invention relates to wave generating machines and in particular to a wave generating machine that can be employed to provide a variety of wave profiles within pools of either regular or irregular shaped perimeters.

Wave generating machines have grown in popularity in recent years becoming a common feature in many sport and leisure pools. Traditionally such devices are incorporated at one end of a regular shaped pool whereby fan driven air ducts and valve systems are employed to generate the waves in a single directional mode. Alternatively mechanical means are employed to generate the waves in such regular shaped pools. These mechanical means are driven in physical contact with the surface water so as to produce waves substantially along the length of the pool.

More recently the design of sport and leisure pools has become far less regular in an effort to make them more aesthetically pleasing to users. It is found that traditional methods of wave generation do not efficiently produce waves capable of expanding to fill such irregularly or non-rectangular shaped pools. One method taught in the prior art that attempts to overcome such problems employs a floating ball that houses an electrically driven mechanical mass. Activation of an electric engine results in the mechanical mass being driven up and down. The floating ball can be varied in its location within a pool and, due to reaction forces, the floating ball oscillates, resulting in circular waves being generated from its location.

The floating ball offers it's own inherent disadvantages. In the first instance it can only generate circular waves that expand from the floating ball. Therefore, the amplitude of the waves generated in any particular direction is the same and so the floating ball is unable to take account of the actual dimensions of the pool. A second disadvantage of the floating ball technique is the fact that an electrical cable is required to be run from the ball to the side of the pool. If the cable is allowed to remain free to run across the bottom of the pool it can result in certain discomforts or safety compromises with regards the combination of electricity and water. In this situation pool users could also become entangled with the cable. Alternatively if the cable runs underneath the pool it could be damaged on the edge of the pool leading to obvious safety and access problems. Running the cable underneath the pool also restricts the flexibility of positioning of the floating ball.

It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a wave generating machine that is capable of providing waves of variable amplitude and frequencies within predetermined sectors so as to be suitable for use within pools of either regular or irregular shape.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a wave generating machine for a pool, wherein the wave generating machine is provided within a fixed structure, and wherein the fixed structure is located independently from the perimeter of the pool.

Most preferably the wave generating machine comprises two or more wave chambers, wherein at least two of the wave chambers are located so as not to be substantially parallel to each other.

Preferably the wave generating machine further comprises a wave control chamber and a valve system located at the interface of the wave control chamber and each wave chamber, wherein each wave chamber generates waves of variable amplitude and frequency.

Preferably the wave control chamber comprises an access means, a control means, at least one fan, at least one air compressor, and air ducts.

Preferably the wave chambers further comprise an access restricting means located at the outer perimeter of the wave generating machine.

Preferably the i.ccess restricting means comprises a grille. Preferably the amplitude of the generated waves is controlled by the dimensions of the wave chambers and the air pressure supplied to the wave chambers via the air ducts by the air compressor and fan.

Preferably the frequency of the generated waves is controlled by the timing of the valve system.

Most preferably the wave profile generated by the wave generating machine depends on the relative timing of the valve systems of each wave chamber.

Preferably the valve system comprises an air supply valve an exhaust valve and a splash guard.

Preferably the control means is an on site computer system. Alternatively the control means is a remote computer system.

Most preferably each air compressor, fan and valve system are controlled by the computer.

Preferably the external surface of the fixed structure is in the form of an island comprising artificial landscape and vegetation.

Preferably the air from the exhaust means is directed to produce an artificial air movement across the island.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of generating waves comprising the steps: 1. Drawing air into a wave control chamber; 2. Controllably passing air from the wave control chamber into two or more wave chambers. 3. Pressurising air in a wave chamber to a predetermined value. 4. Opening an exhaust valve to expel air from a wave chamber.

Preferably the passing of air from the wave control chamber into a wave chamber is achieved by the opening of an inlet valve.

Preferably the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust valves is controlled by an automated timing means.

Most preferably the amplitude, frequency and direction of the generated waves is controlled by the timing means in combination with the air pressure associated with each wave chamber.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a plan view of a wave generating machine;

Figure 2 shows the wave generating machine of Figure 1 generating substantially radial waves;

Figure 3 shows the wave generating machine of Figure 1 generating substantially tangential waves; Figure 4 shows the wave generating machine of Figure 1 generating waves within an irregular shaped pool; and

Figure 5 shows a side profile of the wave generating machine of Figure 1;

Referring initially to Figure 1, a wave generating machine is generally depicted at 1. The wave generating machine 1 is situated below water level and comprises a wave control chamber 2, and eight wave chambers 3 located around the perimeter of the wave control chamber 2.

The wave control chamber 2 further comprises an access staircase 4, a control panel 5, two fans 6, an air compressor 7, and two air ducts 8.

At the interface between a wave chamber 3 and the wave control chamber 2 is located a valve system 9. The valve system 9 is pneumatically controlled via the air compressor 7 and comprises an air supply valve 10 connected to an air duct 8, an exhaust valve 11, and a splash guard 12. On the outer perimeter of the wave chambers 3 are located safety grilles 13.

The splash guards 12 are designed to prevent water passing from the wave chambers 3 into the wave control chamber 2. The wave chamber perimeter safety grilles 13 are designed to prevent bathers gaining entry to the wave chambers 3.

The wave generating machine 1 operates on the principle that air is drawn from the surroundings via air intakes (not shown) into the wave control chamber 2. It is then passed via the fans 6 into the air ducts 8 and thereafter passes through the air supply valve 10 and into the wave chambers 3 where the pressurised air creates a wave, before being passed back into the wave control chamber 2 via the exhaust valves 11.

The amplitude and frequency of a wave created by an individual wave chamber 3 is controlled by the fans 6 and the timing of the pneumatically controlled air supply valves 10 and exhaust valves 11. The air compressor 7, fans 6 and valve timings are controlled on site by the control panel 5 or at the poolside via a remote control panel 14. The control panels 5 or 14 employ Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) that allow programming of the airflow into each individual wave chambers 3. This provides the wave generating machine 1 with the facility to provide different wave patterns within a pool or to be customised to take account of irregular pool perimeters by generating different wave amplitudes or frequencies from different wave chambers 3.

Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the wave generating machine 1 wherein it is employed to generate radial waves within a circular pool 15. Here the individual wave chambers 3 are employed to produce waves of the same amplitude and frequency.

In a similar fashion Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the wave generating machine 1 wherein it is employed to generate tangential waves within a circular pool 15. Here the individual wave chambers 3 are again employed to produce waves of the same amplitude and frequency. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the wave generating machine 1 wherein it is employed to generate substantially radial waves within an irregular shaped pool 16. Here the individual wave chambers 3 are employed to produce waves of an amplitude and frequency dictated by the dimension of the perimeter of the pool.

In order to enhance the physical appearance of the wave generating machine 1 it is housed within a fabricated island 17 as shown in Figure 5. The fabricated island comprises a rock or landscape 18 on which are mounted vegetation 19 in the form of plants and trees. In order to enhance the physical effect of the island exhaust air from the exhaust valves 11 is routed so as to simulate a breeze effect on the vegetation 19.

The present invention has the advantage that it enables waves of varying amplitudes and frequencies to be generated within predetermined sectors so as to provide the creation of efficient wave patterns within pools of regular or irregular shape.

Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended Claims.

Claims

1. A wave generating machine for a pool, wherein the wave generating machine is provided within a fixed structure, and wherein the fixed structure is located independently from the perimeter of the pool .

2. A wave generating machine according to Claim 1 comprising two or more wave chambers, wherein at least two of the wave chambers are located so as not to be substantially parallel to each other.

3. A wave generating machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 further comprising a wave control chamber and a valve system located at the interface of the wave control chamber and each wave chamber, wherein each wave chamber generates waves of variable amplitude and frequency.

4. A wave generating machine according to Claim 3 wherein the wave control chamber comprising an access means an exhaust means, a control means, at least one fan, at least one air compressor, and one or more air ducts.

5. A wave generating machine according to Claim 4 wherein the operation of each air compressor, fan and valve system are controlled by the control means.

6. A wave generating machine according to Claims 2 to 5 wherein the wave chambers comprise an access restricting means located at the outer perimeter of the wave generating machine.

7. A wave generating machine according to Claim 6 wherein the access restricting means comprises a grille.

8. A wave generating machine according to Claims 2 to 7 wherein the amplitude of the generated waves is controlled by the dimensions of the wave chambers and the air pressure supplied to the wave chambers via the air ducts by the air compressor and fan.

9. A wave generating machine according to Claims 3 to 8 wherein the frequency of the generated waves is controlled by the timing of the valve system.

10. A wave generating machine according to Claims 3 to 9 wherein the wave profile generated by the wave generating machine depends on the relative timing of the valve systems associated with each wave chamber.

11. A wave generating machine according to Claims 3 to 10 wherein the valve system comprises an air supply valve an exhaust valve and a splash guard.

12. A wave generating machine according to Claims 4 to 11 wherein the control means comprises an on site computer system.

13. A wave generating machine according to Claims 4 to 11 wherein the control means comprises a remote computer system.

14. A wave generating machine according to any of the preceding claims wherein the external surface of the fixed structure takes the form of an island comprising artificial landscape and vegetation.

15. A wave generating machine according to Claim 14 wherein air from the exhaust means is directed to produce an artificial air movement across the island.

16. A method of generating waves comprising the steps: 1. Drawing air into a wave control chamber; 2. Controllably passing air from the wave control chamber into two or more wave chambers. 3. Pressurising air in a wave chamber to a predetermined value. 4. Opening an exhaust valve to expel air from a wave chamber.

17. A method of generating waves according to Claim 16 wherein the passing of air from the wave control chamber into a wave chamber is achieved by the opening of an inlet valve.

18. A method of generating waves according to Claim 17 wherein the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust valves is controlled by a timing means.

19. A method of generating waves according to Claim 18 wherein the amplitude, frequency and direction of the generated waves is controlled by the timing means in combination with the air pressure associated with each wave chamber.