AU2017268494B1 - Surfing wave pool - Google Patents

Abstract

H:\stp\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\STP\ 6071666 _.docx-27/11/2017 - 20 A surfing wave pool system including a pool having a side wall defining a first pool edge and a bottom that extends away from the side wall towards a second pool edge, at least one rail traversing the pool proximate the first side wall, a carriage movably mounted to the rail, the carriage including a hull at least partially submerged in water within the pool and a cable drive system including a cable coupled to the carriage to urge the carriage along the rail and thereby drive the hull through the water so as to generate a wave in the surfing wave pool. Fig. 1A

Description

SURFING WAVE POOL

Background of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates broadly to a surfing wave pool, and to a drive system and controller for a surfing wave pool.

Description of the Prior Art [0002] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[0003] AU2004240161 describes a wave-generating apparatus including a pool having a deeper area surrounding a substantially central area; a pool edge bounding the pool; a body having a wave-generating shaped surface located within the pool adjacent the pool edge and moveable along the pool edge relative thereto to generate a wave in the water in the pool, and impeller means generating a current in the water in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the body.

[0004] AU2009316496 describes a surface gravity wave generator and wave pool. The wave pool is formed of opposing side walls and a centre channel of water. The channel includes a bottom contour with a depth that runs from a deep end to a shoal or beach. One or more three-dimensional foils are vertically arranged along at least one side wall and moved against the water in the channel. Each foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that defines a leading surface that is adapted to generate a wave in water moving past the leading surface, and a trailing surface configured for flow recovery to avoid separation of the flow of water in the wave and to mitigate drag from the foil from the water moving past the leading surface.

[0005] However, these arrangements suffer from a number of issues, including a lack of wave configurability and a lack of a viable propulsion system for moving the wave generating body.

Summary of the Present Invention [0006] In one broad form the present invention provides a surfing wave pool system including: a pool having a side wall defining a first pool edge and a bottom that extends away from the side wall towards a second pool edge; at least one rail traversing the pool proximate the first side wall; a carriage movably mounted to the rail, the carriage including a hull at least partially submerged in water within the pool; and, a cable drive system including a cable coupled to the carriage to urge the carriage along the rail and thereby drive the hull through the water so as to generate a wave in the surfing wave pool.

[0007] In one embodiment the second pool edge is defined by a sloped beach.

[0008] In one embodiment the first pool edge is an inner edge defining a central island and the second pool edge is an outer edge.

[0009] In one embodiment the wave pool includes two linear sections joined by curved ends and wherein the cable extends round bull wheels at the curved ends and passes between the bull wheels along the linear sections.

[0010] In one embodiment the system includes a pair of parallel spaced rails.

[0011] In one embodiment the rails are supported using a number of support pillars anchored on at least one of the pool bottom and the first pool edge.

[0012] In one embodiment the cable drive system includes: first and second bull wheels; a drive system that drives at least one of the bull wheels; and, a cable attached to the bull wheels and the carriage.

[0013] In one embodiment each bull wheel includes a substantially annular frame including inner, outer and centre rings interconnected via radial struts, and a number of support wheels mounted on the centre ring.

[0014] In one embodiment each bull wheel includes: an outer rim that engages the cable; and an inner rim that engages: a number of guide wheels; and, a number of drive wheels.

[0015] In one embodiment the carriage includes a frame that supports wheels that engage the rails and the hull.

[0016] In one embodiment the carriage includes: wheel arms pivotally mounted proximate opposing ends of the frame; and, wheel sets supported by opposing ends of each wheel arm to engage respective rails and thereby mount the carriage to the rail.

[0017] In one embodiment each wheel set includes upper and lower upright wheels configured to engage upper and lower faces of the rail and inner lateral wheels configured to engage an inner face of each rail.

[0018] In one embodiment the carriage includes side wall engaging wheels.

[0019] In one embodiment the hull is coupled to opposing ends of the frame via respective hull pivot arms.

[0020] In one embodiment the hull is pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein actuators are coupled to the frame and allow at least one of a hull pitch and hull depth to be controlled.

[0021] In one embodiment the hull includes at least one of: a surface curved about a lateral axis; and, a constant beam.

[0022] In one embodiment the hull defines incident and trailing surfaces, and wherein the incident surface has an angle at the water surface that is at least one of: >1°; 5°-25°; 10°-20°; about 16°; and, <45°.

[0023] In one embodiment the carriage includes a tensioning system that tensions the cable.

[0024] In one embodiment the tensioning system includes first and second cable pulleys orientated in a plane of cable drive bull wheels, a first end of the cable passing round the first cable pulley and being tensioned using a biasing member and a second end of the cable passing round the second cable pulley to a second end anchor.

[0025] In one embodiment the tensioning system includes: a first end anchor; a biasing pulley; a biasing member coupled to the biasing pulley; and, a return pulley, wherein the cable passes from the first end anchor, round the biasing and return pulleys to the first cable pulley.

[0026] In one embodiment the tensioning system includes one or more intermediate pulleys, and wherein the cable passes round the intermediate pulleys between the return and first cable pulleys so that the tensioning system is provided offset from and below the cable.

[0027] In one embodiment the frame supports the first end anchor, the biasing member, at least one biasing pulley and the at least one return pulley and wherein the carriage further includes a secondary frame supporting the one or more intermediate pulleys and the first end pulley wheel, the second frame being pivotally mounted in line with a centre axis of the frame to allow lateral movement of the first and second end pulley wheels.

[0028] In one embodiment the system includes a controller configured to control wave attributes by controlling at least one of: a speed of movement of the hull; a depth of the hull; and, a pitch of the hull.

[0029] In one embodiment the controller dynamically adjusts wave attributes based on at least one of: a position of the hull within the wave pool; an identity of a user; a user profile; and, a defined wave profile.

[0030] It will be appreciated that the broad forms of the invention and their respective features can be used in conjunction, interchangeably and/or independently, and reference to separate broad forms is not intended to be limiting.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0031] Various examples and embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - [0032] Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view of an example of a wave pool; [0033] Figure IB is a schematic cross-sectional view of the wave pool of Figure 1A along the line A-A'; [0034] Figure 2 A is a schematic perspective view of a close up view of an example of a bull wheel of the cable drive system; [0035] Figure 2B is a schematic plan view of the bull wheel of Figure 2A; [0036] Figure 2C is a schematic side view of the bull wheel of Figure 2A; [0037] Figure 3A is a schematic side view of an example of a carriage; [0038] Figure 3B is a schematic perspective view of the carriage of Figure 3 A; [0039] Figure 3C is a second schematic side view of the carriage of Figure 3 A; [0040] Figure 3D is a schematic end view of carriage of Figure 3 A; [0041] Figure 3E is a schematic plan view of the carriage of Figure 3A; [0042] Figure 3F is a second schematic plan view of the carriage of Figure 3A whilst cornering; [0043] Figure 3G is a schematic side view of the carriage of Figure 3 A with part of the frame omitted to show the tensioning system; and, [0044] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an example of a controller.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments [0045] An example of a surfing wave pool system will now be described with reference to Figures 1A and IB.

[0046] In this example, the pool system 100 includes a pool 110 having a side wall 111 defining a first pool edge and a bottom 112 that extends away from the side wall towards a second pool edge 113. A variety of different pool shapes could be used, with the first and second edges being inner and outer edges, or vice versa.

[0047] At least one rail 121 traverses the pool proximate the first side wall 111. In one example, spaced apart parallel rails are provided although this is not essential and a single monorail system could alternatively be used.

[0048] A carriage 130 is movably mounted to the rail, typically using one or more sets of wheels that engage the rail(s). The carriage 130 includes a hull 132 that is at least partially submerged in water within the pool.

[0049] The pool system further includes a cable drive system 140, including a cable 142, which is coupled to the carriage 130, allowing the cable to be used to urge the carriage along the rail(s). This in turn drives the hull through the water so as to generate a wave in the surfing wave pool.

[0050] The above described arrangement provides a number of benefits. For example, the use of a cable drive system enables the hull to be easily drawn through the water without requiring driver mechanisms to be mounted on the carriage, for example to drive the carriage along the rail. This simplifies construction of the carriage, and avoids the need for the carriage to support heavy drive systems. Despite this, the cable drive system can allow significant driving power to be employed, which in turn allows for the creation of large waves, as well as allowing multiple carriages to be used, enabling multiple waves to be created. Additionally, the use of the rails ensures that the carriages travel along a defined path at a set height relative to the pool, which in turn ensures consistency of the waves.

[0051] Accordingly, the above described configuration allows for the creation of consistent large waves to be generated.

[0052] A number of further features will now be described.

[0053] Whilst a number of different pool configurations can be utilised, in one preferred example, the pool has a generally race track shape, including two intermediate linear sections connected via 180° curved end portions. The wave pool is typically configured with the first wall 111 provided at a centre of the pool, to thereby define an island 114, allowing the cable drive system and associated supporting equipment to be mounted on the island 114, whilst providing unobstructed access to the wave pool via the shallower second pool edge.

[0054] The pool bottom 112 typically defines a deep channel 112.1, terminating in a slope 112.2 that angled at about 45° to about half the water depth. The bottom then rises progressively towards the second outer edge 113, to define a beach 112.3, which can facilitate with the breaking of the wave, whilst a gutter 113.1 may be provided along the outer edge to absorb any residual wave energy.

[0055] This particular arrangement helps provide a safe learning environment with repeatable wave conditions and long ride lengths. In this regard, the length of a smooth, unbroken wave crest is defined as a usable “wall” width. A wide steep wall provides surfers sufficient vertical and lateral space to perform manoeuvres. As waves commence breaking when the water depth is less than 1.13 times the wave height, the waves is prevented from breaking by keeping the water depth greater than 1.13 times the maximum wave height in the channel 112.1 and at the start of the sloped region 112.2, whilst the sloped region 112.2 can lower the water depth to less than 1.13 times the wave height at the start of the beach 112.2, forcing waves to break on the beach.

[0056] Thus, the deep water in the channel 112.1, under the hull 132, allows the hull 132 to generate large, smooth, unbroken waves. The deep water in the channel 112.1, which has a water depth greater than 1.13 times the maximum wave height, prevents wave breaking until it reaches the beach 112.3, and provides a wide wall for manoeuvres. The deep water between the hull 132 and beach 112.2 also resists water disturbance, decreasing the time for the waves to dissipate. By lowering the water depth at the beach 112.2 to less than 1.13 times the wave height at the beach, the waves are forced to break on the beach. In this regard, the slope 112.2 at the start of the beach 112.3 mimics the bottom shape of the ocean and assists in formation of a round “barrel” shaped wave for expert surfers. The easing slope further up the beach 112.3 allows smaller waves to break as intermediate to beginner waves, with smaller waves generated by moving the hull at slower speeds through the pool. The shallow beach 112.3 also helps dissipate the broken wave, whilst the edge gutter 113.1 captures the last of the broken wave, preventing it from rebounding back across the pool.

[0057] In one example, two spaced parallel rails 121 are supported by a number of inverted “J” shaped supports 122 that are embedded within the pool bottom 112 and island 114, with the supports being spaced around the first pool edge 111, to thereby support the rails 121 above the water’s surface. The rails and supports 121, 122 are typically made of steel beams, or other similar components, which can be welded and/or fastened together using bolts, rivets, or the like. In one example, the supports 122 act to define a barrier, separating the pool users from the hull. This can be further facilitated through the use of foam padding on the supports, and a mesh or net extending between adjacent supports 122, to prevent surfers passing between the supports, and preventing injury upon impact with a support.

[0058] Whilst any suitable cable drive arrangement may be used, in a preferred example the cable 142 is driven by first and second bull wheels 141, with these advantageously being positioned coincident with the curved end sections of the pool, so that the carriage 130 passes around the bull wheels 141 when traversing the curved section, and with the cable extending linearly between the bull wheels along the linear sections of the pool, as shown in Figure 1A.

[0059] An example of the drive system, and in particular the bull wheels, will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2A to 2C. For the purpose of illustration, similar reference numerals to those shown in Figures 1A and IB, albeit increased by 100, are used to denote similar features.

[0060] As shown in this example, each bull wheel 241 is formed from a generally annular frame 241.1 having outer, inner and centre rings 241.11, 241.12, 241.13, interconnected by a series of circumferentially spaced radial struts 241.14. The outer ring 241.11 defines an outer rim that engages the cable 242, whilst the centre ring includes a number of support wheels 241.15 that travel on a raised annular platform 214.1 provided on the centre island 214, thereby support the weight of the bull wheel 214 in use. In this example, twenty support wheels are shown spaced around the centre ring, but it will be appreciated that this is not essential and any suitable number of support wheels required to support the weight of the bull wheel, could be used.

[0061] The inner ring 241.12 engages a number of pairs of guide wheels 241.21, supported by three sets of gantries 241.2 circumferentially spaced around the bull wheel. The guide wheels 241.21 engage opposing surfaces of the inner ring 241.12 to thereby constrain lateral movement of the bull wheel, thereby maintaining alignment between the support wheels 241.15 and the platform 214.1. Although eight pairs of guide wheels arranged in three spaed sets are shown, this is for illustration only and in practice any suitable number of guide wheels could be used.

[0062] Additionally, twenty four drive wheels 241.31, arranged in four sets are provided, supported by respective drive wheel gantries 241.3, which engage an inner surface of the inner ring 241.12. The drive wheels are typically driven by respective motors (not shown), thereby rotating the bull wheel. Again, it will be appreciated that any number of drive wheels could be provided, depending on the requirements of the system, for example depending on the number of hulls to be moved through the water, the maximum desired hull speed, or the like.

[0063] As further shown the outer and inner rails 221.1, 222.2 are held in place by the supports 222, which include outer and inner uprights 222.1, 222.3, interconnected by a lateral beam 222.2, so that the cable 242 is aligned with (although offset vertically from) a midpoint between the rails.

[0064] An example of a carriage will now be described with more detail with references to Figures 3A to 3G. For the purpose of illustration, similar reference numerals to those shown in Figures 1A and IB, albeit increased by 200, are used to denote similar features.

[0065] In this example, the carriage 330 includes a frame 331 that supports wheels 334, which engage the rails 321, and the hull 332.

[0066] In the current example, the frame 331 includes a primary frame 331.1 and a secondary frame 331.2. The primary frame 331.1 includes upper and lower beds 331.11,331.12, each of which has a generally rectangular shape and is formed from steel beams or similar, supported in a spaced arrangement by a number of uprights and diagonal struts 331.13. The frames are typically made from SHS (square hollow section) beams, “I” beams, or the like, interconnected by welding, bolting, or the like, although other suitable arrangements could be used. The primary frame 331.1 further includes triangular-shaped end portions 331.16 again having upper and lower beds.

[0067] The wheels 334 are arranged in wheel sets, with each set including longitudinally spaced pairs of upper and lower upright wheels 334.3, 334.4 configured to engage upper and lower faces of the rail 321 and inner lateral wheels 334.5 configured to engage an inner face of each rail 321. In use, this example, the wheels are mounted to arm end pieces 334.2, provided at opposing ends of respective wheel arms 334.1, which are in turn pivotally mounted to an apex of each triangular end piece 331.16, so that the wheel arms extend laterally outwardly to support the wheels 334 in contact with the rails 321. The arm end piece 334.2 that includes an upright beam 334.21, and three vertically spaced horizontal wheel supports 334.22, 334.23, 334.24 that support the longitudinally spaced pairs of upper, lower and lateral wheels 334.3, 334.4, 334.5, respectively. This arrangement allows the wheel arms to pivot, so that as the carriage 330 passes round the curved section of rail at the pool ends, the wheels follow the path of the rail, as shown in Figures 3E and 3F.

[0068] The carriage typically includes side wall engaging wheels 336 which can be mounted directly on an inner edge of the hull to engage the first side wall and prevent impact between the hull and the side wall.

[0069] The hull 332 is typically mounted to the primary frame 331.1 via respective hull pivot arms. This includes two pairs of first end pivot arms 333.1, 333.2, which are pivotally interconnected, and pair of second end pivot arms 333.3, which are supported by respective brackets 331.15 mounted on a lower edge of the frame 331.

[0070] The first end pivot arms 333.1, 333.2 pivotally interconnected to allow a separation between the hull 332 and frame 331 to be adjusted, which in turn allows a pitch and height of the hull 332 to be adjusted. This is achieved using actuators 333.4, 333.5, typically linear actuators such as pistons, electric worm gear linear drives, or the like, that connect the hull 332 and frame 331 at opposing ends.

[0071] The hull includes a surface curved about a lateral axis mid-way along the carriage to thereby define incident and trailing surfaces 332.1, 332.2. Although a curved shape is used, this is not essential, and alternatively V-shaped or sinusoidal profiles could be used. The hull preferably has a constant beam (width) so that in use, the hull surface pushes vertically down on the water surface, as opposed to a hull with a changing beam that also pushes laterally (sideways) on the water. The result is the hull efficiently generates large smooth waves with minimal energy required and avoids undesirable broken water wash around the hull, reducing the wave generating efficiency and reducing the use of the generated waves for surfing as surfers ride the unbroken face of the wave. The hull can also have a length equal to half a wavelength of the surfing wave, which optimises the magnitude of the wave, whilst minimising the energy required to generate the wave.

[0072] Additionally, adjusting the pitch of the hull allows an angle of incidence of the hull at the water level to be adjusted between different angles, such as greater than 1°, less than 45°, between 5° and 25°, between 10° and 20° and about 16°. The incident angle and depth of the hull can be used to control the size and shape of the resulting wave.

[0073] In this example, the carriage 330 further includes a cable tensioning system 335. The cable tensioning system includes first and second cable pulleys 335.1, 335.7 which are orientated in a plane of the bull wheels. A first end of the cable passed around the first cable pulley and is tensioned using a biasing member whilst a second end of a cable passes around the second cable pulley 335.7, to a second end anchor. The biasing member ensures that tension is maintained in the cable, whilst providing the first and second cable pulleys 335.1, 335.7 in a plane of the bull wheel facilitates engagement between the cable pulleys and cable, and the cable and bull wheels, without the cable pulleys and bull wheels coming into direct contact, which could in turn lead to damage.

[0074] Whilst the biasing member could be attached directly to the cable end, more typically the tensioning system includes a first end anchor, a biasing pulley 335.5, a return pulley 335.4 and the biasing member 335.6, in the form of a spring, pneumatic piston, or the like, which is coupled to the biasing pulley 335.5. In this arrangement, biasing force is applied via the biasing pulley 335.5 to tension the cable 342 using mechanical advantage to increase the degree of force that can be applied. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of parallel spaced biasing and return pulleys are used, with the cable extending round the biasing and return pulleys in turn, to thereby obtain further mechanical advantage, and hence increase the degree of tension in the cable.

[0075] Whilst the biasing arrangement could be provided at any location, in one preferred example this is supported by the primary frame 331.1, with intermediate pulleys 335.2, 335.3 and the cable pulleys 335.1, 335.7 being provided on the secondary frame 331.2. In this arrangement, the intermediate pulleys 335.2, 335.3 are used to divert the cable 342 between the first cable pulley 335.1 and the return pulleys 335.4, so that the tensioning system is provided offset from and substantially below the cable. The secondary frame 331.2 can then be pivotally mounted above a centre line of the primary frame 311.1 via pivotal mountings 331.14, allowing for lateral deflection of the cable pulleys 335.1, 335.7 when the carriage passes 330 around the bull wheels. This operates to reduce forces on the bull wheels and carriage, helping reduce damage.

[0076] Whilst a tensioning arrangement is shown, it will be appreciated that this is only required on a single carriage, and if multiple different carriages are provided, the other carriages do not need to include tensioning, instead allowing these to be attached using a bracket or other mechanism, similar to those used on chair lifts, or the like. This allows other carriages to be easily added and removed as required, allowing different numbers of waves to be generated, depending on the intended use. In this instance, the tensioning mechanism on a single carriage operates to continually tension the cable, ensuring the required tension is maintained as forces on the system vary, for example during stopping and starting.

[0077] Accordingly, the above described arrangement provides a cable drive system that can be used to drive carriages 330 along the rails 321 whilst the hull 332 is partially submerged in the water, thereby generating a surfing wave. The system uses bull wheels 241 mounted on an island 114 within the pool, with the bull wheels being positioned coincident with curved pool ends, so that the cable naturally follows the pool shape. This has the benefit of removing the drive mechanism from the carriages, and locating this on the island, to avoid this interfering with access to the surfing pool. A tensioning system is mounted on board each carriage, thereby avoiding the need to tension the bull wheels.

[0078] In one example, the hull is adjustably mounted to the carriage, allowing a depth and pitch of the hull to be adjusted, which in combination with changes in hull speed, can be used to produce waves having different attributes, including different wave sizes and shapes. Configuration of the wave can be performed based on a number of factors, such as position of the hull within the wave pool, an identity of a user, a user profile and a defined wave profile.

[0079] For example, a defined wave profile can use a combination of speed, depth and pitch settings in order to generate a desired shape of wave. The wave shape could remain constant along the linear sections, or could be adjusted as the hull moves along the linear section to dynamically adjust the shape of the wave. In a further example, this can be performed based on a user defined profile so that detection of a particular user allows a predetermined wave form to be produced. Particularly in competition, this allows individuals to compete either by using set defined wave forms which are equal for all competitors, or by allowing competitors to define their own wave form.

[0080] In one example, configuration of the wave is achieved using a controller an example of which is shown in Figure 4.

[0081] In this example, the controller 400 includes at least one microprocessor 410, a memory 411, an optional input/output device 412, such as a keyboard and/or display, and an external interface 413, interconnected via a bus 414 as shown. In this example the external interface 413 can be utilised for connecting the controller 400 to peripheral devices, such as one or more sensors, and to the actuators 335.4, 335.5 and drives for the bull wheels. Although a single external interface 413 is shown, this is for the purpose of example only, and in practice multiple interfaces using various methods (eg. Ethernet, serial, USB, wireless or the like) may be provided.

[0082] In use, the microprocessor 410 executes instructions in the form of applications software stored in the memory 411 to allow the required processes to be performed. The application software may include one or more software modules, and may be executed in a suitable execution environment, such as an operating system environment, or the like.

[0083] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the controller 400 may be formed from any suitable processing system, such as a suitably programmed client device, PC, or the like. However, it will also be understood that the processing system could be any electronic processing device such as a microprocessor, microchip processor, logic gate configuration, firmware optionally associated with implementing logic such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or any other electronic device, system or arrangement.

[0084] In use, the controller 400 is typically adapted to access a wave profile, that defines a combination of hull pitch, depth and speed, which can be used to generate a particular size and shape of wave.

[0085] Different profiles could be used to generate different waves, for example, allowing smaller waves to be created for teaching purposes, whilst larger waves are generated for use in competition. It will be appreciated that as different facilities can be constructed according to defined specifications, this allows waves to be produced which are substantially consistent across different venues, allowing surfers in different venues to directly compete against each other in competition.

[0086] Additionally, surfers could define their own wave preferences, with the controller 400 operating to detect the identity of a surfer, for example using an identifier such as an RFID tag, biometric data, such as facial recognition, or the like, using the identifier to retrieve a pre-defined user profile and hence generate a user selected wave.

[0087] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. As used herein and unless otherwise stated, the term "approximately" means ±20%.

[0088] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent.

[0089] It will of course be realised that whilst the above has been given by way of an illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations hereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Claims (20)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1) A surfing wave pool system including: a) a pool having a side wall defining a first pool edge and a bottom that extends away from the side wall towards a second pool edge; b) at least one rail traversing the pool proximate the first side wall; c) a carriage movably mounted to the rail, the carriage including a hull at least partially submerged in water within the pool; and, d) a cable drive system including a cable coupled to the carriage to urge the carriage along the rail and thereby drive the hull through the water so as to generate a wave in the surfing wave pool, wherein the carriage includes a tensioning system that tensions the cable and the tensioning system includes first and second cable pulleys orientated in a plane of cable drive bull wheels, a first end of the cable passing round the first cable pulley and being tensioned using a biasing member and a second end of the cable passing round the second cable pulley to a second end anchor.
2. 2) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 1, wherein the second pool edge is defined by a sloped beach.
3. 3) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first pool edge is an inner edge defining a central island and the second pool edge is an outer edge.
4. 4) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the wave pool includes two linear sections joined by curved ends and wherein the cable extends round bull wheels at the curved ends and passes between the bull wheels along the linear sections.
5. 5) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the system includes a pair of parallel spaced rails.
6. 6) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 5, wherein the rails are supported using a number of support pillars anchored on at least one of the pool bottom and the first pool edge.
7. 7) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the cable drive system includes: a) first and second bull wheels; b) a drive system that drives at least one of the bull wheels; and, c) a cable attached to the bull wheels and the carriage.
8. 8) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 7, wherein each bull wheel includes a substantially annular frame including inner, outer and centre rings interconnected via radial struts, and a number of support wheels mounted on the centre ring.
9. 9) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein each bull wheel includes: a) an outer rim that engages the cable; and b) an inner rim that engages: i) a number of guide wheels; and, ii) a number of drive wheels.
10. 10) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the carriage includes a frame that supports wheels that engage the rails and the hull.
11. 11) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 10, wherein the carriage includes: a) wheel arms pivotally mounted proximate opposing ends of the frame; and, b) wheel sets supported by opposing ends of each wheel arm to engage respective rails and thereby mount the carriage to the rail.
12. 12) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 11, wherein each wheel set includes upper and lower upright wheels configured to engage upper and lower faces of the rail and inner lateral wheels configured to engage an inner face of each rail.
13. 13) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the carriage includes side wall engaging wheels.
14. 14) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 10 to 13, wherein the hull is at least one of: a) coupled to opposing ends of the frame via respective hull pivot arms; and, b) pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein actuators are coupled to the frame and allow at least one of a hull pitch and hull depth to be controlled.
15. 15) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 14, wherein the hull at least one of: a) includes a surface curved about a lateral axis; b) includes a constant beam; and, c) defines incident and trailing surfaces, and wherein the incident surface has an angle at the water surface that is at least one of: i) >1°; ii) 5°-25°; iii) 10°-20°; iv) about 16°; and, v) <45°.
16. 16) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 15, wherein the tensioning system includes: a) a first end anchor; b) a biasing pulley; c) a biasing member coupled to the biasing pulley; and, d) a return pulley, wherein the cable passes from the first end anchor, round the biasing and return pulleys to the first cable pulley.
17. 17) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 16, wherein the tensioning system includes one or more intermediate pulleys, and wherein the cable passes round the intermediate pulleys between the return and first cable pulleys so that the tensioning system is provided offset from and below the cable.
18. 18) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 17, wherein the frame supports the first end anchor, the biasing member, at least one biasing pulley and the at least one return pulley and wherein the carriage further includes a secondary frame supporting the one or more intermediate pulleys and the first end pulley wheel, the second frame being pivotally mounted in line with a centre axis of the frame to allow lateral movement of the first and second end pulley wheels.
19. 19) A surfing wave pool system according to any one of the claims 1 to 18, wherein the system includes a controller configured to control wave attributes by controlling at least one of: a) a speed of movement of the hull; b) a depth of the hull; and, c) a pitch of the hull.
20. 20) A surfing wave pool system according to claim 19, wherein the controller dynamically adjusts wave attributes based on at least one of: a) a position of the hull within the wave pool; b) an identity of a user; c) a user profile; and, d) a defined wave profile.