EP1503008B1 - System for producing waves or a movement on the surface of a liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a series of injectors (8) linked to a vortex device (9). A control device controls the speed and/or pressure of water ejected from the injectors. The control device has pressure sensors detecting wave states of water surfaces. An electronic device (15) stops a pump from functioning or closing a valve, when the device detects a movement towards a lower water level in a zone situated above the injectors. An independent claim is also included for a process of creating waves on the surface of a liquid contained in a pool.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for creating waves or a movement on the surface of a liquid contained in a pool.

Various systems have already been proposed to create waves.

Thus it has been proposed to provide a side wall of a pool or its bottom, a conduit associated with a piston so that when water is sucked through one end of the conduit, water leaves through the other end in the pool. The creation of a movement requires the aspiration and the repression of a large amount of water.

Objects have also been proposed that move vertically above the surface of the pool. These devices have the disadvantage of being too visible and not to ensure optimal operation.

Baths with jet streams providing a large volume of water are also known, the water of the jet stream leaving substantially in a horizontal plane. The jet being or not being controlled depending on the surface condition of a portion of the bath.

Finally we know a floating ball (WOW ® sold by the plaintiff) able to create waves on the surface of the water of a swimming pool. Such a ball provides excellent amplification of wave movement, this amplification being progressive. Such a floating ball however reduces the useful surface of the pool, by its volume and its location (in the center of the pool, or at least far from the edges thereof). Such a ball can be quite heavy.

By the document BE-A-1 010 674 a floating ball with a movable body is known. to the ball. The movable body is connected to a source of pressurized fluid and to a control device to control movement of the movable body in the ball.

• placement du système dans des endroits de la piscine non utiles pour la natation
• placement facile dans une piscine existante
• meilleur mouvement ou agitation de l'eau située le long d'une paroi de la piscine,
• non visibilité du système
• possibilité de créer des zones de massages dans une partie de la piscine
• système très sûr point de vue sécurité des nageurs
• etc.

The present object is a simple system for creating and controlling the movement of water on its surface, said system having one or more advantages selected from:

• placement of the system in areas of the pool not useful for swimming
• easy placement in an existing pool
• better movement or agitation of the water located along a wall of the pool,
• non-visibility of the system
• possibility to create massage zones in a part of the pool
• very safe system point of view swimmers safety
• etc.

• au moins un moyen d'action sur le liquide choisi parmi les injecteurs et les vortex explicites, de préférence plusieurs moyens d'action choisis parmi les injecteurs et les vortex explicites, avantageusement situés et orientés à des endroits et dans des directions où leur effet est optimal
• au moins un conduit pour relier le ou les moyens d'action à au moins une source d'un fluide mis sous une pression supérieure à la pression exercée par le liquide sur le ou les moyens d'action considérés,
• un dispositif de contrôle de la vitesse et/ou de la pression du fluide sortant du ou des moyens d'action ou un système d'orientation mobile du ou des moyens d'action, ou un système de cache ou d'orientation mobile du flux du ou des moyens d'action,

dans lequel le ou lesdits moyens d'action sont choisis parmi le groupe constitué de :

• moyens d'action dirigeant, au moins de manière intermittente, le fluide dans le liquide selon une direction principale ou une direction dans un cône (en 2D ou en 3D) formant un angle compris entre -30° et 30° , par exemple de +15° et -15°, avantageusement entre -10° et +10°, de préférence entre -5° et +5°, ou encore moindre, par rapport à un axe vertical ou horizontal,
• de moyens d'action ou injecteurs dirigeant, au moins de manière intermittente, le fluide le long d'une et/ou contre une paroi immergée dans le liquide,
• de moyens d'action ou d'injecteurs dirigeant, au moins de manière intermittente, le fluide dans le sens du mouvement d'une zone d'action [ on entend par zone d'action, la zone dans laquelle l'injection entraîne ou amplifie par son propre mouvement une masse d'eau ou de liquide du bassin, de telle sorte que la vitesse globale du fluide à l'endroit d'action ou dans la zone d'action soit supérieure à la vitesse naturelle du liquide si il n'y avait pas eu cette action. La vitesse globale du fluide à l'endroit de l'action sera en particulier supérieure à 2 fois la vitesse du fluide à la sortie de l'injecteur, avantageusement supérieure à 5 fois la vitesse du fluide à la sortie de l'injecteur, de préférence supérieure à 10 fois la vitesse du fluide à la sortie de l'injecteur, par exemple compris entre 20 et 50 fois la vitesse du fluide à la sortie de l'injecteur, l'important étant que la vitesse du fluide dans la zone d'action est supérieure à sa vitesse en l'absence d'injecteurs] d'un ou de plusieurs autres moyens d'action ou injecteurs ou croisant une zone d'action d'un ou de plusieurs moyens d'action ou autres injecteurs, et
• d'une combinaison de ceux-ci,

et dans lequel le dispositif de contrôle comporte un moyen adaptant la vitesse et/ou la pression et/ou la direction du fluide sortant d'un ou de moyens d'action ou injecteurs en fonction de l'état de surface d'une partie de la surface du liquide, cet état de surface étant avantageusement détecté par un moyen de détection.The subject of the invention is therefore a system for creating waves on the surface of a liquid contained in a basin having a mean level, this system comprising:

• at least one means of action on the liquid chosen from the injectors and the explicit vortices, preferably several means of action chosen from injectors and explicit vortices, advantageously located and oriented in places and in directions where their effect is optimal
• at least one conduit for connecting the one or more means of action to at least one source of a fluid placed under a pressure greater than the pressure exerted by the liquid on the means of action considered,
• a device for controlling the speed and / or the pressure of the fluid leaving the one or more means of action or a mobile orientation system of the one or more means of action, or a system of cache or mobile orientation of the flow the means of action,

wherein said one or more means of action is selected from the group consisting of:

• means for directing, at least intermittently, the fluid in the liquid along a main direction or a direction in a cone (in 2D or 3D) forming an angle of between -30 ° and 30 °, for example + 15 ° and -15 °, advantageously between -10 ° and + 10 °, preferably between -5 ° and + 5 °, or even less, with respect to a vertical or horizontal axis,
• means or injectors directing, at least intermittently, the fluid along one and / or against a wall immersed in the liquid,
• means of action or injectors directing, at least intermittently, the fluid in the direction of movement of an action zone [the term "action zone" is understood to mean the zone in which the injection causes or amplifies by its own movement a body of water or liquid of the basin, so that the overall speed of the fluid at the place of action or in the action zone is greater than the natural speed of the liquid if it does not There had not been this action. The overall speed of the fluid at the location of the action will in particular be greater than twice the speed of the fluid at the outlet of the injector, advantageously greater than 5 times the speed of the fluid at the outlet of the injector, of preferably greater than 10 times the speed of the fluid at the outlet of the injector, for example between 20 and 50 times the speed of the fluid at the outlet of the injector, the important thing being that the speed of the fluid in the zone d action is greater than its speed in the absence of injectors] of one or more other means of action or injectors or crossing an action zone of one or more means of action or other injectors, and
• of a combination of these,

and wherein the control device comprises a means adapting the speed and / or the pressure and / or the direction of the fluid leaving one or means of action or injectors as a function of the surface state of a part of the surface of the liquid, this surface state being advantageously detected by a detection means.

The system comprises at least one, or even at least four, advantageously at least ten, preferably at least 20 means of action, in particular injectors. The number of means of action, in particular of injectors, depends on the shape of the basin, the volume of the basin, the type of waves, the time to arrive at waves of determined height, etc. The more the number and power of the means of action, in particular injectors is important, the more precise may be the regulation of the waves to form on the surface of the basin. The total number of means of action, in particular injectors, is for example 30, 40, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, or even more, these small means of action, in particular injectors being advantageously grouped together in groups of more than 3 means of action or injectors, for example from 5 to 30 means of action or injectors, each group of means of action or injectors acting in a zone of the basin or having a zone of action in one area of the basin, particularly in an area of the adjacent basin of a side wall of the basin.

Advantageously, each action means or injector is adapted to ensure a fluid velocity at the outlet of the means of action or injector greater than 2 m / s, advantageously greater than 10 m / s, preferably much greater than 15 m / s, so as to give the place of effectiveness of the means of action or injector (zone of action) speeds higher than the speeds of the natural movement of the liquid, more particularly greater than 15 m / s and / or to ensure an action zone, possibly in combination with one or more other means of action or injectors, with a length of more than 20 cm, advantageously of more than 40 cm, preferably of more than 50 cm, more particularly at least the difference in levels between the level of the minimum trough of the waves and the maximum level of the waves.

The means of action or injectors are advantageously placed in the basin along the side wall (s) so as to be able to act in areas of the basin where the wave passes through a hollow and / or where the wave passes through a vertex, the means of action or injectors being advantageously arranged in groups distant from each other by a distance substantially equal to an integer of times the quarter of a wavelength, or even an integer of times the half wavelength of the desired or predetermined wave. In the case where certain means of action or vertical injectors act on the bellies (hollows - vertices) and other horizontal on the nodes (no vertical displacement), the means of action or vertical injectors are placed so that their action is located at a quarter of a wavelength of horizontal.

The means of action or injectors can also be arranged at the bottom of the basin, in zone (s) distant (s) from the boundaries of basins, where peaks and troughs of waves are expected.

Preferably, each means of action or injector is adapted to ensure a maximum fluid flow rate of less than 2 l / s, advantageously less than 1 l / s, preferably less than 0.5 l / s, more particularly less than 0.25 l / s. Advantageously, the flow rate of fluid exiting a means of action or injector will be reduced, but said fluid will exit with a high speed so as to induce a thrust on the wave particularly in the action zone. Larger flows are possible in the case of large means of action or injectors, for example for the setting in motion of the large-area pond liquid.

In particular, the means of action or injectors will be adapted to be alone or in combination with one or more others, to create an action zone at least on the top of a wave or on the hollow of a wave. The means of action or injectors are for example adapted to ensure that fluid can pass to a level higher than the maximum level of the wave or can be pushed below the minimum level of the wave, so as to increase the effect of the wave .

Advantageously, the control system ensures a fluid injection by one or more means of action or injectors to a zone of the basin when the liquid level of the zone is in its ascent phase.

One or more means of action or injectors are advantageously improved or associated with an explicitly constructed vortex or venturi system explicitly constructed, creating, like the simple injector, a suction of liquid from the basin and pushing it to create a wave. The vortex or venturi may be equipped with system (s) controlling the amount of liquid sucked in or out of the vortex or venturi.

According to one embodiment, the system comprises a first series of means of action, in particular injectors and a second series of means of action, in particular injectors, and the control device controls the speed and / or the pressure of the fluid of the means of action or injectors, so that when the velocity and / or the fluid pressure exiting the means of action or injectors of a series is zero or substantially zero, the speed and / or the fluid pressure leaving the means of action or injectors of the other series is maximum or substantially maximum. The means of action or injectors are put in series in the form of vortices, rails, linear or straight ramps, curved, possibly inclined relative to a horizontal plane, rakes, etc..

According to a detail of an embodiment, the system comprises at least one series of means of action or substantially vertical injectors and a curved profile adapted to conform to the shape of a submerged corner of the basin. This curved profile advantageously has a shape guiding the liquid of the basin out of dead zones of the basin. In addition, this curved profile may optionally contain an absorber or dissipator, to dissipate the jet of a means of action or continuous injector in its inactive phase.

According to one embodiment, the system comprises more than one series of means of action or injectors, each series of means of action or injectors being associated with a distinct curved profile. Each series is for example located in a corner of the basin. In particular, substantially in each corner of the pool is placed a series of means of action or injectors.

According to a detail of another embodiment, the system comprises more than one series of means of action or injectors, for example two series of means of action or injectors being associated with a first curved section, while two other series of means of action or injectors are associated with a second curved section. Curved profiles are for example placed along opposite lower edges of the basin. Optionally curved profiles with ramps of means of action or injectors are located between said first and second sections, for example near the bottom of the pool or basin.

The system advantageously comprises a means for creating a fluid under pressure and / or having a speed. Such a means is for example a gas compressor, air compressor, steam, a fan, a turbine, a compressor of liquid, water, liquid loaded with gas, water loaded with carbon dioxide, a liquid pump (centrifugal, volumetric), a pump immersed in the basin, or a combination of such means.
The means is therefore advantageously chosen from the group consisting of means for putting a gas under pressure, in particular air, steam, hot air, means for putting a liquid under pressure, in particular water, means to provide a speed to a fluid, especially water. In certain possible applications (such as chemical processes, treatment processes, etc.), the fluid may be loaded with one or more additives or reagents or active agents (such as chemical reagents, bacteria, bactericidal agents, -fungic, anti-algae agents, etc.)

The system according to the invention advantageously comprises one or more pumps immersed in the basin, or placed in technical areas, these pumps pumping liquid from the basin to push it through one or more injectors, or using liquid external to the basin, possibly already under pressure.

• une pièce immergée présentant une surface avec au moins une fenêtre pour le passage au moins intermittent de fluide sortant d'un ou de plusieurs moyens d'action ou injecteurs, et
• un système induisant un mouvement relatif entre la sortie d'un ou de plusieurs moyens d'action ou injecteurs et la fenêtre de la pièce immergée et/ou contrôlant le mouvement relatif entre la fenêtre et une pièce de fermeture adaptée pour obturer au moins partiellement ladite fenêtre.

According to one embodiment, a control device controls the direction of the fluid leaving one or more means of action or injectors and / or controls a part that can be placed in the flow of fluid leaving the means of action. or the injector.
In particular, the control device comprises:

• a submerged part having a surface with at least one window for the at least intermittent passage of fluid leaving one or more means of action or injectors, and
• a system inducing a relative movement between the output of one or more means of action or injectors and the window of the immersed part and / or controlling the relative movement between the window and a closure part adapted to close at least partially said window.

According to a preferred embodiment, the system is connected to one or more means of action or injectors so as to induce said injector (s) or at least a part thereof to rotate or pivot, advantageously in the form of a back and forth motion. For example, the system induces a swing between -15 ° and + 15 ° with respect to a vertical direction facing upwards.

The invention also relates to a basin for containing a liquid on the surface of which waves are created, said pool being associated with at least one system according to the invention. Such a pool is for example a water treatment basin, a purification basin, a reaction tank, in particular a swimming pool.

• on injecte dans le liquide un ou des fluides au moyen de plusieurs moyens d'action ou injecteurs, et
• on contrôle le fonctionnement des injecteurs pour qu'un ou des moyens d'action ou injecteurs agissent soit pour amplifier le creux d'une vague, soit pour amplifier le sommet d'une vague, (soit pour amplifier le mouvement horizontal d'une vague).

The invention also relates to a method for creating waves on the surface of a liquid contained in a basin, in which

• one or more fluids are injected into the liquid by means of several means of action or injectors, and
• the operation of the injectors is controlled so that one or more means of action or injectors act either to amplify the hollow of a wave, or to amplify the top of a wave, (or to amplify the horizontal movement of a wave ).

In this process according to the invention, a system according to the invention is advantageously used.

Details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'une piscine munie d'un système suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 2a est une vue schématique d'une piscine présentant deux rampes avec des séries d'injecteurs ;
• la figure 2b est une vue schématique d'une piscine munie de quatre rampes avec des séries d'injecteurs ;
• la figure 2c est une vue schématique d'une piscine munie d'une rampe de distribution avec cinq séries d'injecteurs commandées de manière indépendante ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique d'un système suivant l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique d'un autre système suivant l'invention ;
• les figures 5a à 5d sont des vues montrant l'amplification du mouvement à la surface de l'eau ;
• la figure 6 est une vue montrant la direction du jet sortant d'injecteurs ;
• la figure 7 montre un vortex utilisé pour accroître l'efficacité ;
• les figures 8a et 8b montrent des systèmes comportant un venturi ;
• les figures 9a et 9b montrent un système agissant de manière intermittente sur le flux de fluide sortant d'un injecteur ;
• les figures 10a et 10b montrent un système contrôlant le pivotement de l'injecteur ou de la rampe d'injection ;
• les figures 11 a et 11 b montrent un système agissant sur la tubulure de sortie d'un injecteur; et
• les figures 12a et 12b montrent un système comportant un distributeur rotatif contrôlant le fonctionnement d'un injecteur.
• La figure 13 est un assemblage des figures 1 et 10a servant d'illustration pour l'abrégé, dont le contenu est incorporé par référence.

In these drawings,

• Figure 1 is a schematic view of a swimming pool provided with a system according to the invention;
• Figure 2a is a schematic view of a pool having two ramps with series of injectors;
• Figure 2b is a schematic view of a pool with four ramps with series of injectors;
• Figure 2c is a schematic view of a swimming pool equipped with a distribution ramp with five series of independently controlled injectors;
• Figure 3 is a schematic view of a system according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a schematic view of another system according to the invention;
• Figures 5a to 5d are views showing the amplification of motion on the surface of the water;
• Figure 6 is a view showing the direction of the jet out of injectors;
• Figure 7 shows a vortex used to increase efficiency;
• Figures 8a and 8b show systems comprising a venturi;
• Figures 9a and 9b show a system acting intermittently on the fluid flow exiting an injector;
• Figures 10a and 10b show a system controlling the pivoting of the injector or the injection rail;
• Figures 11a and 11b show a system acting on the outlet tubing of an injector; and
• Figures 12a and 12b show a system comprising a rotary distributor controlling the operation of an injector.
• Fig. 13 is an assembly of Figs. 1 and 10a illustrating the abstract, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIG. 1 represents a substantially parallelepipedal pool 1 comprising a filtration system 2. This filtration system comprises a water receiving tank 3 (by overflow when the pool water in the vicinity of the receiving tank passes over of a determined level, for example the system of overflow chutes of a swimming pool, or the system of skimmers, or by a door 4 whose vertical position can be adapted or controlled). The water passing into the tank is fed to a pump P which pushes the water into a filtration device F and then into a conduit 5 to return the filtered water through a mouth 6 located in the bottom 7 of the pool, or still at other places of the bottom or walls. The pool can be of any shape, the parallelepipedic serving only for illustration.

The pool is also equipped with a system to create waves on the surface of the pool water. This system comprises a series of injectors 8 (three are shown, however the pool is for example provided with 20, 50 or more injectors), each injector 8 being itself or explicitly associated with a vortex device 9 (see Figure 7 ). The injectors 8 are connected by a pipe 10 to a PV pump connected by a pipe 11 to the pipe 5 intended to return the filtered water to the pool. The PV pump is intended to supply filtered water and advantageously added an agent (disinfectant, chlorine, biocide, fungicide, anti-algae, etc.) from a reservoir 12 or present in the filter F, to the The water is placed under a possibly variable pressure over time, in the pipe 10, this pressure varying for example between a minimum pressure of 0.2 bar (0.2 10 ⁵ Pa) and a pressure of 20 bar. bars (20 10 ⁵ Pa). The pipe 10 is optionally provided, in the vicinity of the injectors 8 of a valve 13a, or in the technical room of a valve 13b. The water leaving the injectors 8 leaves at a speed of more than 15 m / s and with a flow rate of less than 0.5 l / second per injector, (except for wholesale injectors) for example less than 0.25 l / second. The speed of the water leaving the injector will advantageously be chosen so that the zone of action ZA of the injector extends at least substantially to the vicinity of the liquid surface SL, the level of which can vary between maximum level NM1 and a minimum level NM2. The injectors are advantageously placed below the minimum water level corresponding to the trough of a wave of maximum amplitude, while the speed of water leaving the injectors is advantageously chosen so that when the injector pushes a wave up, the jet of water coming out of the injector has sufficient speed to exit at least partially above the wave.

To regulate the speed of the water leaving the injectors 8, an electronic device 15 receives information from a sensor 14 or sensor depending on the height of the wave for example in the area above the injectors 8 or in a zone undisturbed whose phase shift is known. When the sensor 14 (which measures for example a pressure, or an acceleration at the top of the wave, or a movement of the surface - ultrasound, optical, ...) detects an apex of a wave or a quasi-vertex of a wave, the electronic device controls the PV pump and / or the valves 13a or 13b to increase the pressure of the water in the pipe 10 and to drive water out of the injectors 8 with sufficient speed to multiply or increase the level of the wave or to increase the amplitude of the waves. As soon as the electronic device detects a downward movement of the water level in the zone situated above the injectors 8, the electronic device stops the operation of the PV pump or closes a valve 13.

The link between the sensor information and the control can be judiciously treated as being realized in a repetitive cycle, and therefore it will be possible optimally to advance the start of the injectors. so that their action starts in fact at the right time without delay due to this start.

The water coming out of the injectors comes out at a high speed (during an operation to lift the wave) so as to create an entrainment of water adjacent to the injectors and to push this body of water (water leaving the injector + water entrained by the water coming out of the injectors). It has been noted that by using injectors that propel a small flow of water at high speed, the effect of the injector is substantially independent of the speed of the wave. The injector thus induces a thrust force on the liquid, rather than automatically displaces a large mass of this liquid. The injectors are designed to transfer power.

The injectors 8 are placed in the vicinity of a side wall of the pool at a level below the minimum level NM2, for example at a level of 20 cm to 200 cm below the minimum level NM2, for example between 30 and 100 cm. A curved profile 16 is associated with the injectors 8, this section 16 extending between the bottom of the pool and the wall along which the injectors 8 extend. This profile thus forms a protection for the injectors 8, but also forms a guide for moving water at the bottom of the pool. In addition, this curved profile may optionally contain an absorber or dissipator, to dissipate the jet of a continuous injector in its inactive phase.

The injectors are for example substantially mono directional, for example with a dispersion angle of between + 15 ° and -15 ° (advantageously between -10 ° and + 10 °, preferably between -5 ° and + 5 °) with respect to the central axis of the water flow leaving an injector.
To form somehow, when they are side by side a curtain, or when they are in zone, a cone or a conical ellipse.

The PV pump is advantageously provided with a safety system 17, 18 so that as soon as the pressure in the pipe exceeds a safety value, the valve 18 opens to allow a passage of water through the pipe 17 of the pump outlet to the pump inlet.

The pump P, the filter F, the PV pump and the control device are advantageously in the same technical room.

FIG. 2a shows a pool 1 similar to that shown in FIG. 1. This pool 1 is associated with two ramps 20, 21 of injectors 8. These injectors 8 are placed in the vicinity of the bottom 22 of the pool, along a side wall 23 (for example extending in the direction of the width LARG of the pool). The injectors 8 of the ramp 20 are mounted in the form of three series of injectors, a first series 80 (for example at least 5, advantageously at least 10 injectors, for example 20, 30.50 injectors) located in the vicinity of a first corner 24, a second series 81 (for example at least 5, preferably at least 10 injectors, for example 20, 30.50 injectors) located in the vicinity of another corner 25 , and at least one series 82 of injectors (advantageously comprising a greater number of injectors than the number of injectors of a corner series, for example twice or more than two injectors that the number series of injectors of a corner series), said series or series 82 being located with respect to a series of injectors of a wedge at a distance equal to an integer multiple of a wavelength LO of a wave to train in the pool. In the illustrated form (where a single series 82 is placed between the series 80 and 81), the series 82 is located midway between the series 80 and 81.
The injectors 8 of the ramp 21 are mounted as series of injectors 83,84 advantageously comprising a greater number of injectors than the number of injectors of a corner series, for example twice or more than twice injectors than the number of injectors in a corner series. Each series 83, 84 is situated between two series (80, 81, 82) of injectors 8 of the first ramp 20. For example, each series 83, 84 is situated halfway between two series (80, 82; , 81) of injectors of the first ramp 20.

The injectors 8 are protected by a profile 16.

The ramps 20, 21 are associated with a source of a pressurized fluid (P1, P2) and with a control device 15 controlling valves 90, 93 depending on a sensor or a plurality of pressure sensors 100, 101, 102, 103, 104. For example, each sensor detects a state of the wave in the area above a series of injectors. This makes it possible to control the operation of each series independently of the others as a function of the state (level) of the wave in the zone situated above the series of injectors considered.
Centralized control is also possible.
The sensors can also be of the type of level, sound, optical, or accelerometer.
The control device receives the information from the sensors 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104 by a cable 30 or an RF, sound, optical IR transmission system, with or without a wire or fiber and sends instructions to the valves 90, 93 via a cable 31, and possibly by means of control of an electronic system.

Advantageously, the same fluid is injected by the injectors 8 of the ramp 20 and the injectors of the ramp 21. However, according to one possible embodiment, the ramp 20 allows the injection of a first fluid (water), while the other ramp allows the injection of a second fluid different from the first (for example a gas, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water having a characteristic different from that used in ramp 20, etc.).

According to one embodiment, the same ramp can also inject two air and water components simultaneously.

FIG. 2b is a view of a swimming pool similar to that shown in FIG. 2a, except that it comprises four ramps 20, 20a, 21, 21bis of injectors, the injectors 8 of a first pair of ramps 20,21 being located in the vicinity of a first side wall 23 of the pool, while the injectors 8 of the other pair of ramps 20a, 21a are located in the vicinity of another wall, preferably an opposite wall 23a at the wall 23.

FIG. 2c is a view of a swimming pool comprising a ramp 20 with five series of injectors 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, each connected to the ramp 20 by an individual valve 70, 71, 72, 73, 74. Each valve comprises or is associated with a control and / or control system (such as a microcontroller, a micro mechanism, a microprocessor, a float, a float, a float valve) receiving an indication depending on the level of liquid in a specific area.

Figure 3 is a view of a particular embodiment of a device for injecting water into a corner of a pool. The device comprises a curved profile 16 extending between the bottom 22 of the pool and two side walls (23,23ter). The pool water is able to pass under the profile 16 through openings 27. A submerged type pump 32 operating with a low voltage power supply (for example 12 volts, 24 volts, 36 volts) is placed underneath. the profile 16. The power supply of the pump 32 is made by means of a cable 33 connected to an electrical source and to a control device 15 via the mouth 6.

The pump 32 thus pumps water from the pool and pushes this water into a head or knob 34 having a series of openings 35 so as to create a set of water streams of low flow but high speed. The jets issuing from the knob 34 form a thrust of PE water having a central axis (advantageously vertical or substantially vertical) 36. The angle alpha of the opening of the set of water jets 37 exiting the knob is for example between 5 and 10 °. The jet velocity is chosen so that the zone of action ZA of the jets extends beyond the maximum level of the wave, when it is necessary to increase the movement or the amplitude of movement of the wave. Water is thus pushed or driven above the maximum level of the wave forming a kind of mini fountain or springs of water. The jets advantageously form a stream of water issuing from the wave of a height H of at least 1 cm, for example from 5 to 20 cm or more, but preferably less than 10 cm. These jets of water coming out of the wave allows in addition to the amplification of the waves, an oxygenation of the pool, a mixing of water, the formation of mini waves V1 moving on waves V.

Figure 4 is a view of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the injectors 8 are located above the average level of the pool N or in the vicinity of this level. These injectors 8 are arranged to push the water towards the bottom 22 of the pool. in this embodiment, water comes out of the injectors with a high speed when the sensor detects a trough of a wave or substantially a trough of a wave. In the embodiment, the injectors 8 are located under the board 40 of the diving board, or the starting block.

Figures 5a to 5d show steps for wave formation in a pool of the type shown in Figure 2b.

The injectors of the ramp 20 are put into operation to create a first lift above the injectors 8 of the ramp 20. A first wave is thus formed. The injectors 8 of the ramp 20 are deactivated as soon as the sensor 100 detects that the wave in the zone above the ramp 20 deviates from the top of a wave (downward movement of the wave). (Figure 5a)

The wave thus propagates towards the wall 23bis. When the sensor 101 detects a state corresponding to a rise movement of the wave up to substantially a peak of a wave, the injectors 8 of the ramp 20bis are operated to push up the wave. The injectors 8 of the ramp 20bis are deactivated as soon as the sensor 101 detects that the wave in the zone above the ramp 20bis deviates from the top of a wave (downward movement of the wave). (Figure 5b)

Similarly, when the sensor 100 detects a state substantially corresponding to a wave upward movement up to substantially a peak of a wave, the injectors 8 of the ramp 20 are operated to push up the wave. The injectors 8 of the ramp 20 are deactivated as soon as the sensor 100 detects that the wave in the zone above the ramp 20 deviates from the top of a wave (downward movement of the wave). (Figure 5c)

The amplitude of the wave is thus amplified (FIG. 5d).

Figure 6 shows possible locations for injectors. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the corners of the pool are provided with a series of vertical injectors inducing when they are activated a thrust upwardly PV, a series of horizontal injectors parallel to a wall and adjacent to this wall, these inducing horizontal injectors a horizontal thrust PH1 towards the corner of the pool, and another series of horizontal injectors parallel to another wall and adjacent to the other wall, these horizontal injectors inducing horizontal thrust PH2 substantially perpendicular to the thrust PH1. The injectors of a wedge are activated at the same time when the sensor detects a level corresponding substantially to a hollow of a wave or a movement of rise of the wave. The combined use of vertical injectors and horizontal injectors whose zone of action reaches the zone of action ZA of horizontal injectors of another series or vertical injectors makes it possible to increase the speed of formation of wave large amplitude. The injectors are deactivated just before the arrival of the top of the wave and advantageously reactivated just before the trough of the wave.

Figure 7 schematically shows a device for increasing the efficiency of the thrust. In the embodiment of Figure 7, the pressurized water enters a chamber 50 through the conduit 51. This water then passes into a substantially annular supply channel 51 B before passing into an injection ring 51A. This water causes the water entering through the lower end of the chamber 52 to emerge towards the upper end of the chamber.

In FIGS. 8a and 8b, a venturi 55 makes it possible to ensure a central (8a) or lateral (8b) water suction. In the form shown, an intake of air or a gas is provided in the venturi, this admission is performed by the conduit 56. The air suction is for example obtained by the depression created by the jet at high speed The air can, however, also come from a source of compressed air, this air then being admitted into the venturi continuously or not, advantageously continuously or substantially continuously, and more preferably proportionally to the flow of water, and for example sinusoidally or sinus type as the water jet. This air addition tablet even allows to further amplify the wave amplitude movement.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9a, the pool comprises a ramp 20 of injectors 8, this ramp 20 being located under the profile 16 adjacent to a lower edge of the pool. The profile 16 has a series of openings 200 each arranged above the outlet of an injector. A profile or arm 201 is hinged to a shaft 202 and is connected to a control device 203 controlling a pivoting back and forth movement. This control device comprises in the form shown a cylinder 203A, the rod 203B acts on the section 201. The cylinder is pivotally attached to the vertical wall of the pool, while the rod 203B is pivotally connected to the section 201. This profile 201 is adapted so that a part of the profile or closure parts integral with the profile moves between a position where the profile or the closure parts close the openings 200 so as to prevent the flow of fluid coming out of the injectors does not pass through the openings 200 (the flow of fluid is then guided in the chamber 204 located under the profile 16), and a position for which the flow of fluid exiting the injectors passes through the openings 200 so as to create a movement to the surface of the pool. In this embodiment, the flow rate and the fluid pressure leaving the injectors are advantageously constant. It is the movement of the section 201 that allows either to act on a wave (water passing through the windows), or not to act on the wave. Instead of using a cylinder, another mechanical mechanism could have been used, such as a system with electromagnets, a crank-rod system, an alternating motor or geared motor, and so on.

Figure 9a shows the position of the section 201 not closing the openings 200, while Figure 9b shows the position of the section 201 closing the openings.

FIG. 10a shows an embodiment similar to that of FIG. 9a, except that the injector 8 or the ramp 20 is pivotally mounted with respect to a shaft 210. A device controls the pivoting of the injector or the ramp so that the flow leaving the injector 8 is directed either towards the opening 200 of the profile 16, or on a closed part of the profile 16. In FIG. 10a, the injector 8 is directed from so that its flow passes through the opening 200 and has an action on the waves. In FIG. 10b, the injector 8 is directed so that the flow abuts against the wall of the profile 16.

The embodiment of FIG. 11a is similar to that of FIG. 10a, except that the outlet of the injector 8 is associated with a flexible duct 211, which is connected to a jack 203A whose stem 203B is connected in a support 212. In Figure 11a, the conduit 211 is placed so that its flow passes through the opening 200 and has an action on the waves. In FIG. 11b, the conduit 211 has its end placed or adapted so that the flow abuts against the wall of the profile 16.

The embodiment of FIG. 12a comprises a ramp 20 with injectors 8. A hollow distributor cylinder 213 has a series of openings 214 placed in a regular manner (for example every 120 °). In the hollow 215 of the distributor cylinder 213 is placed the ramp 20. A motor (not shown) rotates the distributor cylinder 213 so that the flow of fluid exiting the injectors passes for a lapse of time by windows 214 and stops during another lapse of time against an inner wall of the distributor cylinder 213 (wall located between two openings 214). The distributor cylinder 213 is advantageously mounted on bearings bearing on opposite walls of the pool. By controlling the rotational speed of the cylinder distributor 216, it controls the different times during which the injectors have an action on the wave.

In the embodiments shown in the figures, it is possible to make many modifications.

The injectors instead of injecting water can inject another fluid, such as a gas, for example air, oxygen, nitrogen, air enriched with oxygen, etc. or a mixture thereof, this other fluid being injected in combination or not with a liquid.

In the system according to the invention, the operation of the injectors must be controlled. The synchronization of the injectors in the movement is advantageously carried out both at the frequency level and the relative phase. Such synchronization is achieved by sensors and an electronic or control mechanism. In the case of the use of an electronic system, the system may comprise means for controlling the injectors making it possible to quickly switch from one type of wave (wavelength, amplitude, wave frequency, etc.) to another type. of wave. In this case the injectors possibly operate when the sensor detects a trough of a wave or an upward movement of the wave in a given area.

The injectors are in particular arranged along a wall, in particular a side (or longitudinal) wall, preferably near the bottom in the case of vertical injectors. Injectors or injectors can however be placed in other places, for example in the center of the bottom of the pool, between walls, in an adjacent room of the pool, in a room created in the pool. The or injectors may be placed far from an edge or transversely to an edge, for example at the location of a belly of the wave to be formed. Placed at the bottom or near the bottom (advantageously combined with a protection profile), the injector does not disturb the circulation in the basin and the use of it. The exact position of the injectors for a given pool or pool, can be obtained by an experimental study or by simulation of physical models.

The injectors or series of injectors are in phase or in counter-phase or with a determined phase shift (for example 90 °), advantageously controlled as a function of the surface state.

More injectors are divided into different areas of the pool or pool, the better the wave mode, but also less will be the opportunity to excite a different mode once the wave mode obtained.

To reduce the pipes, injectors are advantageously placed in the vicinity of the water collection tank for filtration.

The injectors can be of the alternating type, that is to say once allowing a push from the bottom to the top, and another time from the top to the bottom, or allowing once a push to the left and another time a push to the right. It is also possible to combine injectors operating in opposite or substantially opposite directions. In the case of vertically acting injectors in the opposite direction, it may be advantageous to place the injectors or the alternating action injector in an area of height corresponding to the amplitude of the wave, so that the injector is under the level of the wave when pushing from the bottom to the top and above the wave level when pushing from top to bottom.

The injectors can be placed during the placement of the pool, the conduits bringing the pressurized fluid then being recessed or buried. According to one embodiment, the pool is provided with a series openings in these walls, these openings being an open end of a pipe intended to be connected to a system for supplying a fluid. These ends are then closed by a cap or a cap, when the pool is not provided with injectors. In this embodiment, the openings are advantageously provided with a system for determining a state of the pool liquid surface or a connection for sending a status parameter of the liquid surface of the pool to a device control.

The injector may be vertical or may be slightly inclined relative to the vertical, for example by forming an angle of between -30 ° and + 30 °, preferably between -10 ° and + 10 °, more particularly between -5. ° and + 5 °. The vertical injector directs its jet advantageously along the vertical wall of the pool. The injector may be of the fixed type (predetermined position) or mobile (the direction of the jet may vary within a determined direction range), or even controlled (the direction of the jet is controlled according to the state of the wave). The control of the direction of the jet can be controlled by an electronic system (for example the system controlling the operation of the injectors). For this control, the injectors are mounted movable relative to a support, for example are rotatably mounted relative to an axis, the rotation being operated by a motor, a hydraulic system, pneumatic, etc..

The jet direction of the injectors can be modified by the movement of the liquid or according to the movement of the liquid or according to a parameter of the wave (frequency, wavelength, etc.). According to one embodiment, the movement of the jet or at least a portion of the movement thereof will be generated by the natural movement of the liquid in the pool or pool. This control of the direction of the jet will thus amplify the movement of the wave taking into account the natural movement of the wave. The jet will somehow follow the natural movement of the wave. In one embodiment, the jet is rotatably or pivotally mounted relative to a wall of the pool or pool. The rotational or pivotal movement of the jet, in particular for jets having at least one substantially vertical component over time, can be operated by means of an engine and controlled according to the level of water or liquid in the vicinity jet, or even driven directly by the movement of the liquid itself.

To avoid or limit waves in an area of the pool, it is possible to provide intermediate walls in the pool or at least on the surface of the pool.

These intermediate walls can be themselves the opportunity to place the injectors with their profiles and integrated systems.

• des capteurs de pression absolus ou différentiels,
  • qui mesurent les pressions à différents endroits du bassin et plus particulièrement :
    • près des endroits où les injecteurs agissent
    • à l'endroit de l'effet des injecteurs
    • à l'endroit de sortie des injecteurs
    • à des endroits où l'on souhaite provoquer ou éviter les variations
    • à des endroits situés à des multiples de demi longueur d'onde
  • qui mesurent les pressions dans les tuyauteries des injecteurs
    • à la sortie des pompes
    • avant et après les vannes
    • avant l'injection
• des capteurs de présence d'eau par effet capacitif, optique, ou autre, permettant de mesurer les variations, périodes et phases des niveaux d'eau
• des capteurs par ultrasons, immergés ou hors de l'eau, qui mesurent les distances entre une référence et la surface de l'eau
• et tout autre type de capteurs judicieux pour cette application.

The sensors make it possible to measure (and therefore subsequently control) the movements of water in the basin and in the injectors. These are for example:

• absolute or differential pressure sensors,
  • which measure the pressures at different points of the basin and more particularly:
    • near the places where the injectors act
    • at the place of the effect of injectors
    • at the exit point of the injectors
    • in places where you want to provoke or avoid variations
    • at locations at half-wavelength multiples
  • that measure the pressures in the injectors pipes
    • at the pumps outlet
    • before and after the valves
    • before the injection
• water presence sensors by capacitive, optical, or other effect, for measuring the variations, periods and phases of the water levels
• ultrasonic sensors, immersed or out of the water, which measure the distances between a reference and the surface of the water
• and any other type of smart sensors for this application.

The supply of fluid, in particular water, into the injectors is advantageously controlled by means of one or more pumps and / or valves.

The power source will usually be a pump. However, it is possible to envisage, particularly when the duration of the waves is relatively short, the use of energy coming from pressurized water available elsewhere. This can be interesting in some applications where it is necessary anyway a supply of water.

This source of power can be modulated, either by varying the speed of the pump motor, or by working with a permanent pump and then acting on a valve regulating the flow sent into the injectors.

The system that varies the speed of the motor will use electronics appropriate to the type of motor, and for example with control by frequency converter or voltage converter or any other electromechanical system. It should be noted that it is not necessary to stop the pump completely and that, on the contrary, for a good efficiency, we will always keep a minimum speed to the motor, by varying its speed only in a speed range. .
(for example by feeding it between 20 and 50 Hz for a motor pump working nominally at 50 Hz for a nominal speed of 1450 revolutions per minute)

The speed curve imposed on the pump will for example take into account the characteristics of the pump, the need for variation of power at the optimum location in the liquid, the performance of the injectors and the losses of the hydraulic circuit. Good results are for example obtained with sinusoidal curves of which offsets and gains are judiciously chosen. Valid results are also obtained with square, symmetrical or asymmetrical controls.

• Vannes proportionnelles
• Vannes ON-OFF
• Vannes multivoies ou distributrices
• Vannes tournantes à débit ajusté en fonction de la position

The system working with valves can use for example:

• Proportional valves
• ON-OFF valves
• Multiport valves or dispensers
• Rotating valves with adjusted flow according to the position

Proportional valves allow precise and adjustable control of the injection.
However, they do not have optimal efficiency since over time some of the energy is lost, unless several valves are used and they flow alternately in different injectors, the sum of the flows being almost constant.

The On-Off valves are simpler, the desired effect is good, but the wave wave will be less pure since parasitic waves are generated.
This defect can be corrected by the addition of additional valves, well chosen flow rates and can thus with valves on-off work (as in binary) in almost proportional.

The multichannel valves make it possible to easily solve the problem of alternately and symmetrically sending in two series of injectors placed at opposite positions. They are the choice of their construction, proportional or On-Off

It is also possible to have series of injectors out of phase by an angle other than 180 ° and thus valves distributing the fluxes in multiple ways within the 360 ° of a period.
We can even imagine periods longer than 360 °, and then taking into account frequency beats inside the tank to be agitated.

Rotating valves with a flow rate adjusted according to their position allow a simple and optimal mechanical way (once everything has been well calculated, adjusted and tested ...) to send cyclically (at the rhythm of the desired waves) water in the various injector circuits. A pump working continuously and therefore with the optimum efficiency, sends via this rotary valve the water in the different circuits, and these receive exactly at the right moment, and exactly with the right curve (for example pure sinusoidal, sinusoidal with gain and offset, square of the sinus, etc.) the water they need.

These rotating valves are multichannel valves that distribute the flow in one, two or more orifices, and this repeatedly according to their speed of rotation. They can be ball, cylinder or cone like the ball valves. The valves can be submerged, they can have slight leaks without problems, and therefore can rotate permanently almost without friction and therefore without wear.

With the valves, as in the case of engine speed variation, it will not necessarily be necessary to completely cut the arrivals in the injectors. Indeed an injector that receives only a few tens of percent of its nominal flow gives virtually no power, while to restart the entire water column, from a zero flow, it would take more than time and power.

The regulation of the frequency, the phase and the amplitude of the wave will advantageously be controlled electronically.

In fact, the generation of waves from these injectors, pumps, valves and sensors takes up a lot of the wave ball WOW ® marketed by the plaintiff, knowing that the use of the concept of injector which is a kind of a multiplier flow-divider-pressure makes it possible to make the "fixed" injection point relatively insensitive to the relative speed of the water. Indeed, the speed of the water leaving the injector is an order of magnitude greater than the highest speed of water at the location of the effective thrust after the multiplier effect.

In the system according to the invention, the wave resonance effect is advantageously used, as are all the regulation and the sensors, optical, sound, pressure, etc., which can control both the movements of the wave and the waves. the injector controls and the result of the injectors.

One can even consider a measurement of the pressure in the liquid at the location of the injector, by measuring the back pressure of the injector itself.

The system according to the invention also allows interesting side effects: massages, bubbles, aeration, oxygenation, degassing of a liquid medium, etc.

The injectors can also be placed in well-chosen areas, far from the edges, for example in the middle of the basin or in places of "bellies" of waves, where the bathers will be able in addition to the waves to benefit from the effects of the jets and the bubbles .

Starting blocks (diving boards) for public pools, can easily become wave generators with power injection from above, without any interaction with the pool tank. (except the water intake, but which can be done via the filtration circuit)

Integrated filtration blocks can be used as a wave generator and can also include these bubbles and diving elements.

It is clear that one or more injectors or a series of injectors can be used to create one or more fountains or one or more jets of liquid coming out at least partially from the liquid surface.

It is also clear that the basin may be a basin with a wall or side walls defining a closed or substantially closed volume.

Claims (11)

1. A system for creating waves at the surface of a liquid contained in a pool presenting an average level, this system comprising:

   - one or more means of action on the liquid chosen from injectors and explicit vortices

   - one or more pipe to link the means of action to one or more source of a fluid under pressure superior to the pressure exercised by the liquid on the means of action

   - a control device chosen from the group comprising devices to control the speed of the fluid ejected from the means of action, devices to control the pressure of fluid ejected from the means of action, mobile directional systems for one or more means of action, a mask system, a mobile directional flow system for the means of action.

   in which said means of action are chosen from a group comprising:

   - means of action that, at least in an intermittent fashion, direct the fluid in the liquid according to a principal direction forming an angle between - 30° and 30°, in relation to a vertical axis.

   - means of action that, at least in an intermittent fashion, will direct the fluid in the liquid according to a principal direction forming an angle between -30° and 30°, in relation to a horizontal axis.

   - means of action that direct, at least in an intermittent manner, the fluid along one or more wall submerged in the liquid.

   - means of action that direct, at least in an intermittent manner, the fluid against one or more wall submerged in the liquid.

   - means of action that direct the fluid in the direction of movement of an action zone of one or more other means of action.

   - means of action directing the fluid into an action zone crossing the action zone of one or more other means of action.

   - means of action directing the fluid in a direction opposing the direction of an action zone of one or more other means of action, and

   - with a combination of these,

   and in which the control device comprises a means adapting one or more parameter of the fluid ejecting from aforesaid to one or more means of action in relation to the surface state of at least part of the liquid, said parameter being chosen from a group comprising the speed of the fluid, the pressure of the fluid, the direction of the fluid, and combinations of these.
2. The system of claim1, comprising at least one, in particular at least 4, preferably at least 10, ideally at least 20 means of action, in particular injectors (8).
3. The system of claim 1 or 2, in which, each means of action (8,9) is adapted to ensure a fluid speed at the output of the means of action (8,9), in particular of the injector (8), so that the speed at its site of action on the liquid or in the action area (Z.A.), is greater than 2m/s, preferably greater than 10 m/s, ideally greater than 15m/s, being understood that this speed is greater than the wave speed in this area.
4. The system of claims 1 to 3, in which each means of action (8,9), in particular injector (8), is adapted to ensure a maximal fluid flow rate of less than 2 l/s, preferably of less than 1 l/s, ideally of less than 0.5 l/s, in particular less than 0.25 l/s per means of action (8,9), in particular per injector (8), eventually combinated with one or more means of action, in particular injectors, and/or to ensure an action area (Z.A.) with a length greater than 20 cm, preferably greater than 40 cm, ideally greater than 50 cm, in particular at least the difference in level between the minimum wave trough level and the maximum wave peak level.
5. The system of claims 1 to 4, in which the control system (15) ensures an injection of fluid by one or more means of action (8,9), in particular injectors (8), into a area of the pool when the wave goes in the same direction as the direction of the means of action.
6. The system of claims 1 to 5, in which it comprises a first series (20) of means of action, in particular injectors, and a second series (21) of action, in particular injectors, in which the control mechanism controls the speed and/or the pressure and/or the direction of the fluid of the means of action (8,9), in particular injectors (8), such that when the speed and/or the pressure of the fluid output from the means of action of a series (20) is nil or detectably nil, the speed and/or the pressure of the fluid from the means of action (8,9) of the other series (20bis, 21) is maximal or detectably maximal.
7. The system of one of the former claims, in which it comprises at least one series of means of action (8,9), in particular injectors appreciably vertical (8) and a formed piece (16) adapted to the shape of a corner or a submerged edge of the pool, this formed piece containing eventually an absorber or spendthrift to dissipate the jet of a continuous means of action or continuous injector in its inactive phase.
8. The system of one of the former claims, in which it comprises a means of action to create a fluid under pressure (PV,P1, P2) and /or the means to create a fluid presenting a speed superior to that of the wave and in particular presenting, after its release, a speed superior to the speed of the liquid in the wave, in the area where the speed of the wave is maximal, such a means of action being chosen preferably from the group comprising the means of pressurizing a gas, in particular air, vapour, heated air, means of pressurizing a liquid (PV,P1,P2) in particular water, and means (34) to ensure the speed of a fluid, in particular water, and comprising ideally one or more pumps submerged (32) in the pool (1) or placed in a technical room.
9. The system of claim 1, in which a control device (15,201) controls the direction and / or the intermission of the jet of fluid ejected from the means of action (8,9) and/or controls a component (213) capable of being placed in the flux of the fluid output of a means of action (Z.A.), and/or in which the control device comprises :

   - a submerged components (16,213)presenting one surface with one or more window (200,214) for the at least intermittent passage of fluid ejected from one or more means of action (8), and

   - a system (203A) inducing a relative movement between the output of one or more means of action (8,9) and the window (200) of the immersed component (16,213) and/or controlling the relative movement between the window (200) and a closing component (201) adapted to seal at least partially said window (200).
10. The system of claim 9, in which the system is linked to one or more means of action (8,9), in particular injectors (8), destined to induce a rotational movement of said means of action (8,9) or at least of a series of said means of action (210,213), preferably with the form of a back-and-forth movement; said back-and-forth movement having an amplitude between -15° and +15° from an upwards vertical direction.
11. Process for creating waves on the surface of a liquid contained in a pool, said waves created by a system of claim 1 to 10, in which,

    - one or more fluids is injected into the liquid by means of various means of action, in particular injectors, and

    - the function of the means of action and/or the direction of the fluid is controlled such that one or more means of action act to amplify or the trough of a wave or the peak of a wave or the horizontal movement.

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