AU2023200046A1 - Annular Rebound Wave Pool - Google Patents

Abstract

A wave pool for generating and controlling rideable waves is disclosed. The wave pool includes an annular pool for containing water. The pool defines a channel having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom with a contour that slopes upward from a deep area proximate the first side wall toward a sill defined by a second side wall. The wave pool further includes using a dual sided water dump system, or systems, as well as passive and active wave mitigation and controlling systems, to produce a wave, including the biggest created in a pool environment, that travel around a large open annular or curvilinear channelled pool before being regenerated to then travel in the opposite direction, in a continuous, repetitive, and never-ending fashion. The concept described in its entirety, is a unique system that thus far has not been described previously. It can be used very effectively and easily without overly complicated systems to produce rideable waves of many configurations to be utilised by recreational and professional wave riders and varying forms of watercraft. 1/17 104 106 107 103 100 °o o° o °o ° 0° oo 0 0000 o o °° o0 10 11 102 o 0 o o 00 0 10105 10 o o o o 0 0 o o o o0 o 0° o o °0 0 ° o o o o 108 112 Figure 1A

Description

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112 Figure 1A

Annular Rebound Wave Pool

Background

[0001] A reference herein to a patent application or any prior publication (or information derived from it, or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement 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 at the priority date of any of the claims.

[0002] Where the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in the specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components or group thereto.

[0003] Whilst commercially viable wave pools exist currently no one has yet produced a circular or annular wave pool that can produce a surfable wave that is possibly regarded as a "never-ending" wave. The reason for this is that circular, annular or curvilinear wave pool concepts to date, include a plough or hydro-foil system creating a wave by moving around a circular pool or channel on a rail or rotating system located on the inner or outer edge of a closed circular, annular or curvilinear channel style pool. The problem with this system is that a whirlpool effect is created by the moving water which eventually corrupts and destroys the waves being generated and or propagated.

Summary

[0004] This document presents a wave generating system and wave pool for generating, propagating and controlling waves that can be ridden by a user and wave craft.

[0005] In one broad form the present invention provides an annular channelled pool, or curvilinear channel (race-track shaped) pool, having a side wall defining an outer pool edge and a bottom that extends away from the side wall towards a second inner pool edge in the fashion of a moat or channel that defines a central island. At a point in the moat or channel pool, the pool is divided, across the channel, from the inner shallow spill channel to the outer side wall cavity by a water reservoir, which we'll now refer to from this point on as the "wave chamber". The wave chamber being a large water reservoir, dissecting a point in the channel, that can hold water for creating waves via a dual water dump system. This in effect stops the pool from being a complete closed circle or curvilinear channel (apart from an inner shallow spill channel) but an open circular, annular or curvilinear channel with a dividing reservoir. The wave chamber is used to dump water from both sides of the chamber, into the pool creating a rideable wave that travels first in one direction, back to the wave chamber, before rebounding and being regenerated, and travelling in the opposite direction, producing both clockwise and anti-clockwise rideable waves in succession and ultimately in a "never ending" fashion.

[0006] In one embodiment, the pool has a bottom contour that slopes upwards from a deep area proximate to the outer side wall, towards an inner sloped beach edge which defines a central island.

[0007] In one embodiment the pool, having a bottom contour that slopes upwards from a deep area proximate to the inner side wall defining a central island, toward an outer sloped beach edge.

[0008] The wave chamber that divides the pool and holds the water required to generate a wave, is, in its basic structure, a large, rectangular, holding tank. Within the wave chamber are the mechanisms that allow the sudden release of water into the pool through hydraulically operated valves, known as a water dump system. This system involves a dual water dump wave chamber. At the bottom of the two longest walls, making the main faces of the wave chamber that dissect the pool or channel at approximately ninety degrees, and face into the pool in opposite directions, are outlets for the water to be released. These outlets guide the water into the pool either side of the wave chamber, not necessarily at the same time, but alternately as required.

[0009] The wave chamber is replenished with water via pumps, between the release of water for waves, from a separate water reservoir situated externally or internally of the annular or curvilinear shaped pool.

[0010] In another broad form, the wave pool described above, depending on its overall size, could accommodate two or more wave chambers for generating waves. As an example, an annular wave pool having two wave chambers at opposite positions in the pool, effectively dividing it in half, could generate waves at the same time, travelling in the same clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, before being regenerated by the opposite wave chamber to reverse the wave direction. All the same control systems could still be used in the same arrangement as described below.

[0011] In one aspect, the wave pool includes a combination of systems to control the amount of water in the pool as to control depth of water in relation to the size of wave produced, utilizing generated waves and a tiered gutter system. In another aspect, the wave pool includes one or more passive or active flow control mechanisms to mitigate the random chop and turbulence in the water created by the passing and breaking of a generated wave. In yet another aspect, the wave pool includes a system to produce a counter current against the direction of wave travel for a two-fold purpose; as a control measure to change the shape of the wave and to help mitigate chop and turbulence in the water created by the passing of a breaking wave. In still yet another aspect, the wave pool includes an active mitigation and resistance system to control the speed and trajectory of the wave on the inside and or outside edge of the pool and to help mitigate chop and turbulence in the water created by the passing of a breaking wave by guiding and trapping water within a side wall cavity incorporating a gutter system, helping also to maintain wave volume. In still yet another aspect, the wave pool includes bubble jets spaced accordingly around the pool channels floor to help mitigate chop and turbulence created by the passing breaking wave, and in addition could also be utilised to inflate air bags that attach to the channel floor to change wave behaviour.

[0012] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Brief Description Of Drawings

[0013] Fig.1A is a schematic top view diagram of the circular or annular form of the wave pool.

[0014] Fig.1B& 1C is a schematic side view diagram of the wave chamber.

[0015] Fig.2 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic diagram view of a circular or annular wave pool with central island, water reservoir and bottom contours.

[0016] Fig.3 is a schematic sectional view of a tiered gutter system, vertically perforated walls and active mitigation and resistance system incorporated in the pools sidewall for reducing chop and turbulence, controlling water level and speed and trajectory of a generated wave.

[0017] Fig.4A to Fig.4J is a schematic representation of the cycle involving the generation and propagation, and controlled mitigation of a wave in the circular wave pool, using a side view of the wave chamber and top view of the wave pool.

[0018] Fig.5A & 5B are schematic top view representations of an annular wave pool incorporating two wave chambers.

Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

[0019] An example of a surfing wave pool system will now be described in reference to Fig.1A,1B,1C, Fig. 2, Fig 3 and Fig 4A - 4J.

[0020] Fig.1A illustrates the basic wave pool design, in this example, as an annular circular pool having an outer edge (100) and an inner edge (101) defining the width of the pools circular channel.

[0021] Fig.1A (103) and (102) indicate vertically perforated walls, that act as barriers between wave riders and wall cavity systems, also helping to mitigate wave chop and turbulence. The area between these vertically perforated walls and the very outer wall (100) and inner wall (101) is a cavity for housing a tiered gutter system and an active wave mitigation and resistance system. An inner island area is also depicted by the boundary of the inner wall (101).

[0022] Fig.1A (105) defines the outer edge that encloses a water reservoir from which the wave chamber (106) is replenished, and water is drawn from for filtration purposes, to (108) a filtration plant. The water reservoir (105), in this depiction, is incorporated within the inner island area.

[0023] Fig.1A (107) indicates rising shallower contour lines ora ridge, either side of the wave chamber (106) where water released from the wave chamber (106), at its deepest point in the pool, rises to produce a standing wave.

[0024] Fig.1A (109) indicates bottom contour lines. In this example, the shallower bottom contours extending out from the shallow ridge (111) to the outer perforated wall (103), the deeper area of the pool. The ridge (111) and the shallower contours (109) create the main wave breaking zone in the pool. The area between the inside ridge (111) and inner perforated wall (102) is a spill zone for the wash of the main breaking wave and can act as an inner channel for beginner surfers. Bottom contours could be configured in many forms for different wave shapes.

[0025] Pumps for refilling the wave chamber (106) and for creating rotating water movement in the pool, against the direction of wave travel for control of wave shape and in helping to reduce turbulence once the wave has passed, are indicated by (110).

[0026] Bubble jets (104) line the bottom of the pools channel in spaced lines across the pools channel and are used for chop and turbulence mitigation. As the wave moves around the pool, the line of bubble jets succeeding the wave release a curtain of bubbles, or bubble rings, to help calm the pool water for the next wave as it returns.

[0027] An active wave mitigation and resistance system (112) is a unique system incorporated in this design. A series of vertical, adjustable panels are located inside the wall cavity, in this depiction and in Fig.4, just behind the outer vertically perforated wall that encompasses the channel. These panels rotate about a central, vertical axis to act in guiding water into the wall cavity and effectively trapping it, like a one-way valve, to help expel the excess water through a tiered gutter system, whilst maintaining wave volume as opposed to a sill or spill zone, helping to mitigate chop and turbulence created by the passing waves water, as it bounces off the inner cavity wall. The panel angle is adjustable to account for the waves' size and power, acting as resistance to control the waves trajectory so that it reaches the opposite side of the wave chamber, on its cycle, in a uniform manner.

[0028] Fig.1B illustrates a schematic side view of the wave chamber (117) and section of adjacent wave pool bottom (118) showing ridge contour and water surface at rest (113). Wave chamber hydraulic gate valves indicated by Gate 1 (114) in open position and Gate 2 (115) in closed position. Water level in wave chamber indicated by (116).

[0029] Fig.1C illustrates a schematic side view of the wave chamber with added representations such as wave chamber filling Pump 3 (123) that draws water from the water reservoir and pumps through pipework (121) to an outlet (120) into top of wave chamber. Water circulating pumps and inlet / outlets represented by Pump 1 (122) and Pump 2 (119) create reverse flow water circulation opposite to wave direction. Pumps 1,2,3 could represent multiple pumps and types for creating required flow rates.

[0030] Fig.2 illustrates the cross-sectional view of an annular wave pool with central island (122) incorporating a water reservoir, inner side wall (124), outer side wall (125) and main water channel (126) defined within by inner wall (124) and outer wall (125). An outer wall cavity and inner wall cavity, that house a tiered gutter system, is indicated by the area between the inner side wall (124) and inner perforated wall (131) and the outer side wall (125) and outer perforated wall (130). Included in the main channel (126) is an inclined bottom contour (127) rising from a deep section from the outer wall (125) to a shoal or ridge (128) providing the main break zone for a generated wave. Further inward from the shoal or sill (128) could be a shallower trench or channel (129) which would act as a spill zone and possibly allow for a smaller wave to travel around the pool for beginner wave riders. The horizontal broken line indicates the mean water level (132).

[0031] Fig.3 represents a sectional view of a side wall cavity (134) incorporating a tiered gutter system (132) to control the level of water in the pool. The gutters return excess water to the water reservoir and or filtration. The level of water in the pool can be changed to help adjust for wave configuration in relation to height, necessary for the largest of waves generated. Grating (135) on top of gutters also helps to mitigate chop and turbulence created by the breaking wave, as does a vertical perforated wall (136) or possible series of vertically perforated walls. These perforated walls act as a barrier between wave riders and wall cavity systems and in doing so also effect the speed and trajectory of the wave as it travels around the pool. Therefore an active wave mitigation and resistance system (133), which incorporates large, vertical, rotatable panels incorporated within the sidewall cavity, can be adjusted mechanically and or hydraulically, to different angles and help control speed and trajectory of waves of varying heights and strengths, as well as helping to direct and mitigate wave chop and turbulence, by in effect, acting like a one way valve and trapping water within the cavity to then also be expelled through the gutter system which controls water volume within the pool.

[0032] Fig's.4A - 4J indicate and explain the basic cycle of wave production in both directions of wave travel, before the cycle thus repeats.

[0033] Fig.4A - Stage 1 - Fill Wave Chamber - represented by a side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Pump 3 (represents possibly a collective of several pumps required to fill the chamber in the required time for the volume needed) starts, drawing water, in this depiction, from the main water reservoir, to fill the wave chamber, as is the pool water volume and tiered gutter system adjusted as required. The active mitigation and resistance panel system incorporated in the side walls adjusts for predetermined wave direction and size.

[0034] Fig.4B - Stage 2 - Wave Generation - represented by side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Gate 1 hydraulic valves open and water is dumped from wave chamber into deepest point of pool. Dumped water hits shallow ridge contour and stands up as it starts to travel around the pool channel. The unbroken wave then reaches the shallower inner edge contours and forms a breaking wave. Gate 1 closes to allow for refilling of the wave chamber. Active wave resistance and mitigation system helps direct water from the wave into the outside wall cavity to reduce chop and turbulence whilst maintaining wave volume, expelling excess water and controlling the speed of the wave's edge.

[0035] Fig.4C - Stage 3 - Undertow / Refill - represented by side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Pumps 1 and or 2, (if required and representing possibly several pumps required for flow rate) have started and draw water from the side of the wave chamber the wave was created on and thus expels it to the opposite side of the wave chamber to create a circulating current against the direction of wave travel. The circulating current created helps to create a reverse flow undertow that allows for adjustment in wave shape, as water is pulled from under the travelling wave. The circulating undertow, which is adjustable through flow rate, has a two-fold purpose; it helps to shape the required wave and helps to settle and still the pool water once the breaking wave has passed. Pump 3 (possibly representing several pumps) starts as soon as Gate 1 has closed to refill the wave chamber from the water reservoir for Wave 2.

[0036] Fig.4D - Stage 4 - Travelling Wave / Undertow - represented by top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. The first wave travels around circular channel over shallower pool contours causing the wave to break as variable speed, reverse, undertow current (if required) helps to shape wave for less or more spilling effect and also helps to settle pool water as it passes. Lines of bubble jets are activated individually, succeeding the passing wave, following the wave, creating a moving bubble curtain to mitigate the chop and turbulence created within a confined channel in support of the side wall, active wave mitigation / resistance system.

[0037] Fig.4E - Stage 5 - Rebound Wave Regeneration - Step 1 - represented by top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. First wave approaches wave chamber after travelling almost three hundred and sixty degrees around the pool. The wave has lost a lot of energy by this stage and dissipates into the deepest point of the pool, adjacent to the wave chamber, before hitting Gate 2, and deflecting / rebounding. The active side wall wave mitigation and resistance system adjusts for change of wave direction and size, as does the tiered gutter system for pool water volume. Bubble jets stop and reset in preparation for rebound wave mitigation.

[0038] Fig.4F - Stage 5 - Rebound Wave Propagation - Step 2 - represented by side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. As the wave starts its initial rebound, Gate 2 hydraulic valves open and release water from the replenished wave chamber, creating Wave 2 that engulfs the energy depleted, rebounding Wave 1, and begins to travel around the pool channel in the opposite direction.

[0039] Residual water from Wave 1, that has been guided into the outside tiered gutter cavity, behind the perforated wall and mitigation and resistance system, continues to flow through in outer wall cavity system behind the wave chamber. Water that is not expelled through gutter system flows through the cavity and as the active mitigation and resistance system panels adjust for reverse wave redirection, this water is deflected into the main wave channel in addition to, and in the same direction as, the reverse current flow (if required) for generated Wave 2, as does the minimal residual water from the inner spill channel (beginner wave channel) continues past the inner end of the wave chamber.

[0040] Fig.4G - Stage 6 - Undertow / Refill - represented by side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Pumps 2 and or 1 (if required and representing possibly several pumps required for flow rate) have started and draw water from the side of the wave chamber the wave was created on and expel it to the opposite side of the wave chamber, to create a circulating current against the direction of wave travel, in addition to residual water from Wave 1. Pump 3 (represents a collective of several pumps required to fill the chamber in the required time for the volume needed) starts as soon as Gate 2 has closed to refill the wave chamber from the water reservoir for the next cycle.

[0041] Fig.4H - Stage 7 - Rebound Travelling Wave / Undertow - represented by top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Wave travels around circular channel over shallower pool contours causing wave to break as variable speed, reverse, undertow current (if required) helps to shape wave for less or more spilling effect and helping to settle pool water as it passes. Lines of bubble jets are activated individually succeeding the passing wave, basically following the wave, creating a moving bubble curtain to mitigate the chop and turbulence created within a confined channel in support of the active, side wall mitigation and resistance system.

[0042] Fig.41 - Stage 8 - Rebound Wave Regeneration - Step 1 - represented by top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. Second wave approaches wave chamber after travelling almost 360 degrees around the pool. The wave has lost energy by this stage and drops into the deepest point of the pool, adjacent to wave chamber, before hitting Gate 1, and deflecting / rebounding. The active side wall wave mitigation and resistance system adjusts for change of wave direction and size, as does the tiered gutter system for pool water volume.

[0043] Fig.4J - Stage 8 - Rebound Wave Propagation - Step 2 - represented by side view schematic diagram of the wave chamber and top view schematic diagram of the wave pool. As the wave starts its initial rebound, Gate 1 hydraulic valves open and release water from the replenished wave chamber, creating next wave that engulfs rebounding Wave 2 and begins to travel around the pool channel in the opposite direction, repeating the cycle.

[0044] Residual water from Wave 2, that has been guided into outside tiered gutter cavity, behind perforated wall and mitigation and resistance system, continues to flow through in outer wall cavity system behind wave chamber. Water that is not expelled through gutter system flows through the cavity and as the active mitigation and resistance system panels adjust for reverse wave redirection, this water is deflected into the main wave channel in addition to, and in the same direction as, the reverse current flow (if required) for generated Wave 3, as does the very minimal residual water from the inner spill channel (beginner wave channel) continues past the inner end of the wave chamber and flows in the direction of a reverse current flow for generated Wave 3.

[0045] Fig 5A - represents a schematic top view of a dual wave chamber wave pool. This pool incorporates all the same systems as a single wave chamber wave pool but allows for more waves and therefore, wave riders at the same time. Channel bottom contours (133) are altered to accommodate for multiple waves.

[0046] Fig.5B - represents a schematic top view of a dual wave chamber wave pool showing two generated waves travelling in the same direction. As long as the waves are generated at the same size, with the same water volume required in the pool and travelling in the same direction, at the same time, the design and control systems used, as described previously, can all but remain the same.

Claims (8)

What is claimed:

1. A wave pool comprising: an annular or curvilinear pool for containing water, the pool defining a channel having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom with a contour that slopes upward from a deep area proximate the first side wall toward a sill and then a second side wall.

2. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, incorporating a dual dump water reservoir, "wave chamber", or wave chambers, that dissect the channel at a point and are used to generate waves using a water dump system, directing released water either side of the wave chamber, or chambers, creating clockwise and anti clockwise waves that travel around the pool. The wave chamber is replenished with water from an external or internal water reservoir via pumping arrangements.

3. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a variable and controlled circulating current can be produced against the direction of the travelling wave, for adjusting wave shape and for mitigating wave turbulence.

4. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, wherein one or more passive or active flow control mechanisms are incorporated to mitigate the random chop and turbulence in the water created by the passing and breaking of a generated wave.

5. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a passive control mechanism includes inner and or outer side wall cavities, within the channel, enclosed by a side wall and one or more perforated walls or screens.

6. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, that incorporates an active tiered gutter system, within the side wall cavities. In conjunction with water pumping arrangements for wave generation, it is used for controlling water volume within the pool to accommodate and expel excess water as a result of varying wave volumes.

7. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, wherein an active wave mitigation and resistance system is incorporated within the channel side wall cavities to help maintain wave volume, mitigate chop and turbulence, aid in expelling excess water through gutter systems to maintain pool water volume and controlling outside and or inside wave speed for wave trajectory.

8. The wave pool in accordance with Claim 1, wherein a bubble jet system is incorporated on the channel floor to help mitigate chop and turbulence once a breaking wave has passed and in addition can be used to inflate air bags that attach to the floor of the pools channel to change wave behaviour, if required.