EP3329068A2 - The invention relates to dynamic artificial wave installations for surfing - Google Patents

Abstract

The installation comprises a wave machine (12), a support (11) comprising an edge zone (15), a culminating zone (17), an evolution zone (16) sloping upward between the edge and culminating zones, a crest (30) between the culminating zone and a zone (31) which is depressed with respect to the crest, water situated above the edge and evolution zones, which forms part of an aquatic environment (23) comprising upper (25) and deep water (26) regions that are horizontally contiguous and respectively higher and lower than the edge zone, and an internal region (24) above the edge and evolution zones and vertically contiguous with the upper region; the installation being configured so that water having finished its wave journey crosses the crest and drops into a collecting volume delimited by the depressed zone when the generating machine is in service; and a fluidic communication (27) under the support connecting said deep water region to an opening (33, 39) opening into said collecting volume.

Description

 The invention relates to dynamic artificial wave installations for the practice of surfing.

 Dynamic artificial waves are known to reproduce the natural waves that propagate and should not be confused with static artificial waves that are formed by a layer of water of uniform thickness, for example of the order of 10 cm, projected on an inclined wall.

 In this document, it is understood that references to artificial waves should be understood as referring to dynamic artificial waves and not static artificial waves.

 US Pat. No. 3,913,332 already discloses an artificial wave installation for surfing which comprises, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9:

 a substrate defining a lake, which substrate has a top surface comprising an island or high area of generally circular shape, a horizontal bottom area and an inclined area extending between the bottom area and the high area; the substrate also delimiting the outer periphery of the lake;

 water located within the outer periphery of the lake above the horizontal bottom zone and the inclined zone, which inclined zone has its zone closest to the elevated zone that has emerged;

 an artificial wave generator having three water driving members each movable above the horizontal bottom region along a predetermined circular path along the outer periphery of the lake; the wave generator and the upper surface of the substrate being configured so that when the wave generator is in use, the movable elements remain angularly equidistant with each movable element which is followed laterally by a wave moving in the water towards the inclined zone in contact with which the wave breaks towards the top of the inclined portion.

The invention aims, in a first aspect, to provide a similar installation that is efficient in terms of usability and longevity. The invention proposes for this purpose an installation with artificial waves for the practice of surfing, comprising:

 a support having an upper surface having an edge zone, a wave evolution zone and a culminating zone, the wave evolution zone extending, in an upward slope, from the edge zone to the culminating zone ;

 water located above said edge zone and said wave evolution zone;

 an artificial wave generator having at least one movable water driving element above the edge zone along a predetermined path, said wave generator and said upper surface of the support being configured so that when the wave generator is at rest, the culminating zone is emerged and when the wave generator is in operation, the mobile element is followed laterally by a wave moving in the water towards the zone of wave evolution in contact with which the generated wave breaks. towards the culminating zone;

 characterized in that

 said water above the edge zone and the wave evolution zone is part of an aquatic environment which includes, outside the support along the edge zone, a region, hereinafter referred to as the external aquatic region upper, located higher than the edge zone and a region, hereinafter referred to as the deep outer aquatic region, situated lower than the edge zone, the upper outer aquatic region and the deep outer aquatic region being contiguous horizontally;

 the upper external aquatic region and the region of the aquatic environment above said edge zone and said wave evolution zone, hereinafter referred to as the internal aquatic region, are contiguous vertically;

the upper surface of the support further comprises a peak and a depression zone with respect to the ridge, which ridge is between the culminating zone and the depression zone, the culminating zone and the depression zone being configured so that when the generator waves is in service, the water at the end of the course of the waves crosses the ridge and falls into a volume delimited by the area in depression, hereinafter volume of collection of the support; and

 a fluid communication located below the upper surface of the support connects said deep external aquatic region to an opening opening in said volume of collection of the support.

 This avoids, at least for the most part, that there is surf in the internal aquatic region, since the water at the end of the course of the waves leaves the internal aquatic region by falling into the volume of collection of the support from where it is evacuated without passing through the internal aquatic region since the fluidic communication is located under the upper surface of the support.

 The upper external aquatic region is also not disturbed, or very little, since it is the deep external aquatic region that is in communication with the volume of collection of the support.

 The internal aquatic region, and moreover the upper external aquatic region, is thus not disturbed by the surf, or at least very little disturbed, it is possible to have a very short delay between two successive waves.

 The installation according to the invention thus has good use capacities.

 In addition, the support is relatively little mechanically solicited by the waves since the water is guided to the collection volume from which it naturally joins the deep external aquatic region, simply by fluid communication.

 The installation according to the invention thus has good performance in terms of longevity.

 It should be noted that, as in the installation of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of US Pat. No. 3,913,332, in the installation according to the invention the waves only break on one side of the wave generator.

Indeed, in the installation according to the invention, the waves break only on the side of the support. No wave can break on the other side, which is occupied solely by the deep outer aquatic region and the upper outer aquatic region that are contiguous horizontally.

 It should also be noted that it is understood that the subdivision of the aquatic environment into different aquatic regions is based solely on the location of the regions in question relative to the support, that is to say that the aquatic regions designate places where there is water and not isolated water volumes.

 In particular, there are no liquid-tight walls isolating the different aquatic areas from each other. On the contrary, the water of the aquatic environment circulates between the different aquatic regions. Thus, when the wave generator is at rest, the entire aquatic environment has the same level of surface. For example, when the wave generator is at rest, the level of the surface of the internal water region is the same as the surface level of the upper external aquatic region.

 According to advantageous features, said support is a platform; said aquatic medium comprises below the platform a region, hereinafter referred to as the underlying aquatic region, the deep external aquatic region and the underlying aquatic region being vertically contiguous; and said opening opening into the media collection volume opens into the underlying aquatic region, said fluid communication located below the upper surface of the support being implemented by the underlying aquatic region.

 It is therefore above the platform that the water is in motion when the wave generator is in use, and not above the bottom of the aquatic environment as is the case in the installation described by the patent. American 3,913,332.

 This avoids the suspension of sediments, alluvium and the like generally present on the bottom of an aquatic environment.

More generally, the disturbances brought by the installation to the underlying aquatic region are minimal since it is simply a circulation of water to keep constant the level of the volume of collection of the platform, which is done naturally according to the principle of communicating vessels.

 The invention aims, in a second aspect, to provide an installation that minimizes disturbances to the aquatic environment.

 The invention proposes for this purpose an installation with artificial waves for the practice of surfing, comprising:

 a support having an upper surface having an edge zone, a wave evolution zone and a culminating zone, the wave evolution zone extending, in an upward slope, from the edge zone to the culminating zone ;

 water located above said edge zone and said wave evolution zone;

 an artificial wave generator having at least one movable water driving element above the edge zone along a predetermined path, said wave generator and said upper surface of the support being configured so that when the wave generator is at rest, the culminating zone is emerged and when the wave generator is in operation, the mobile element is followed laterally by a wave moving in the water towards the zone of wave evolution in contact with which the generated wave breaks. towards the culminating zone;

 characterized in that

 said water above the edge zone and the wave evolution zone is part of an aquatic environment which includes, outside the support along the edge zone, a region, hereinafter referred to as the external aquatic region upper, located higher than the edge zone and a region, hereinafter referred to as the deep outer aquatic region, situated lower than the edge zone, the upper outer aquatic region and the deep outer aquatic region being contiguous horizontally;

the upper external aquatic region and the region of the aquatic environment above said edge zone and said wave evolution zone, hereinafter referred to as the internal aquatic region, are contiguous vertically; said support is a platform; and

 said aquatic medium comprises below the platform a region, hereinafter referred to as the underlying aquatic region, the deep external aquatic region and the underlying aquatic region being contiguous vertically.

 It is therefore above the platform that the water is in motion when the wave generator is in use, and not above the bottom of the aquatic environment as is the case in the installation described by the patent. American 3,913,332.

 This avoids the suspension of sediments, alluvium and the like generally present on the bottom of an aquatic environment.

 According to advantageous features of implementation:

 said platform is floating; and optionally

 said platform comprises an opening in which is disposed a pile fixed on the bottom of the underlying aquatic region, the platform and the pile being configured so that the platform slides relative to the pile during changes in the level of the middle surface; aquatic.

 Alternatively, said support is a substrate in which is provided at least one conduit for implementing said fluid communication located under the upper surface of the support.

 This embodiment is particularly suitable when the aquatic environment is treated water, for example pool water.

 According to advantageous characteristics of the installation according to the invention, said path of said movable element is annular, said edge zone is located at the periphery of the support and said culminating zone is located towards the center of the support.

 The support thus forms an island within the aquatic environment.

The annular nature of the path of the movable element allows continuous operation of the wave generator.

This annular nature also allows the installation to be particularly compact. According to other advantageous features, the installation further comprises an ear secured to said support, said spike protruding upwards from the wave evolution zone by extending through the internal aquatic region from the culminating zone to the edge area.

 The spike interrupts any water currents flowing around the culminating zone that may form when the wave generator is in service.

 The invention aims, in a third aspect, to provide a compact and efficient installation in terms of usability.

 The invention proposes for this purpose an installation with artificial waves for the practice of surfing, comprising:

 a support having an upper surface having an edge zone, a wave evolution zone and a culminating zone, the wave evolution zone extending, in an upward slope, from the edge zone to the culminating zone ;

 water located above said edge zone and said wave evolution zone;

 an artificial wave generator having at least one movable water driving element above the edge zone along a predetermined path, said wave generator and said upper surface of the support being configured so that when the wave generator is at rest, the culminating zone is emerged and when the wave generator is in operation, the mobile element is followed laterally by a wave moving in the water towards the zone of wave evolution in contact with which the generated wave breaks. towards the culminating zone; said path of said movable element being annular, said edge zone being located at the periphery of the support and said culminating zone being located towards the center of the support;

characterized in that said installation further comprises a spike secured to said support, said spine protruding upwardly from the wave changing zone by extending through the region above said edge zone and said zone of wave evolution from the culminating zone to the edge zone. The support thus forms an island within the aquatic environment.

 The annular nature of the path of the movable element allows continuous operation of the wave generator.

 This annular nature also allows the installation to be particularly compact.

 The spike interrupts any water currents flowing around the culminating zone that may form when the wave generator is in service.

 It is possible to have a very short delay between two successive waves.

 The installation according to the invention thus has good use capacities.

 According to advantageous features of implementation:

 said spike has an upper surface having a first lateral zone, a second lateral zone located on the opposite side to the first lateral zone and an intermediate zone extending from the first lateral zone to the second lateral zone, said intermediate zone comprising at least a ridge emerged when the wave generator is at rest;

said intermediate zone comprises a first ridge and a second ridge, each of which emerges when the wave generator is at rest, and comprises a zone of depression with respect to the first ridge and the second ridge, the first ridge lying between the first ridge and the second ridge, lateral zone and the depression zone, the second ridge lying between the second lateral zone and the depressed zone; the first peak, the second peak and the depression zone being configured so that when the wave generator is in service, the water at the end of the wave travels over the first peak or the second peak and falls into a volume defined by the depressed area, hereinafter referred to as ear picking volume; said water above the edge zone and the wave evolution zone is part of an aquatic environment which includes, outside the support along the edge zone, a region, hereinafter referred to as the external aquatic region higher, situated higher than the edge zone and a region, hereinafter referred to as the aquatic region deep external, located lower than the edge zone, the upper external aquatic region and the deep outer aquatic region being contiguous horizontally; fluid communication connecting said ear collection volume to said upper external aquatic region and / or said deep outer aquatic region; and or

 said upper surface of the support further comprises a peak and a depression zone with respect to the ridge, which ridge is located between the culminating zone and the depression zone, the culminating zone and the depression zone being configured so that when the wave generator is in service, the water at the end of the wave travels over the ridge and falls into a volume delimited by the area in depression, called hereinafter collection volume of the support; and said volume of collection of the support and said volume of collection of the spike meet vertically.

 The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of exemplary embodiments, given below by way of illustration and without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings. On these:

 Figure 1 is a top view of an installation according to the invention, the artificial wave generator is at rest;

 Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views marked 11-11 and III-III in Figure 1;

 Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with the artificial wave generator in use;

 Figure 5 is the sectional view marked V-V in Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 for a variant of the installation according to the invention.

 The installation 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises a floating platform 1 1 here with a circular outer contour and an artificial wave generator 12 installed on the platform 1 1.

The platform 1 1 has an upper surface 14 comprising an edge zone 15, a wave evolution zone 16 and a culminating zone 17. The artificial wave generator 12 has four water-driving elements 20, each movable along a predetermined path 21, which is circular here.

 Each movable member 20 moves over the edge area

15.

 The facility 10 is located in a calm expanse of water, without or with very few disturbances such as natural waves. The shoreline of the body of water is remote from the facility 10, which thus forms an island.

 When the wave generator 12 is at rest, i.e. when the movable elements 20 are fixed, the culminating zone 17 is emerged.

 In FIGS. 1 and 4, the boundary between the emerged and submerged zones when the wave generator is at rest is represented by a dotted line 18.

 When the wave generator 12 is in use, each mobile element 20 is followed laterally, as can be seen in FIG. 4, by a wave 22 moving towards the wave evolution zone 16, in contact with which the wave 22 generated breaks towards the culminating zone 17.

 The platform 1 1 has for example a diameter of 60 to 80 m or more and the waves 22 a height of about 2 m for the practice of traditional surf (surfer standing on a board); while for the practice of surfing on a board (bodyboard) the installation has for example a diameter of 18 to 22 m or more and the waves 22 have a height of the order of 50 to 60 cm.

 Here, the body of water is formed by a cove or a sheltered sea bay.

 Alternatively, the cove or sea bay is replaced by another body of water in a natural environment, for example a lake or a river if there is not too much current, or in an artificial environment, for example a pond in masonry.

The aquatic environment 23 (here, the sea) with which the platform 1 1 and the wave generator 12 cooperate comprises a region 24, called internal aquatic region, located above the edge zone 15 and the wave evolution zone 16.

 In addition to the internal aquatic region 24, the aquatic medium 23 comprises, outside the platform 11 along the edge zone 15, a region 25, called the upper external aquatic region, situated higher than the zone of edge 15 and a region 26, called the deep external aquatic region, located lower than the edge zone 15.

 The aquatic environment 23 finally comprises, below the platform 11, a region 27, called the underlying aquatic region.

 The deep external aquatic region 26 and the upper external aquatic region 25 are contiguous horizontally.

 The internal aquatic region 24 and the upper external aquatic region 25 are contiguous vertically.

 Likewise, the underlying aquatic region 27 and the deep external aquatic region 26 are contiguous vertically.

 It is understood that the subdivision of the aquatic environment 23 into aquatic regions 24 to 27 is solely based on the location of the regions in question with respect to the platform 11, that is to say that the regions 24 to 27 designate where there is water and not isolated water volumes.

 It should be noted in this regard that there are no liquid-tight walls insulating the various aquatic areas 24 to 27 from each other.

 On the contrary, the water of the aquatic environment 23 (here, seawater) circulates between the different aquatic regions 24 to 27.

 Thus, when the wave generator 12 is at rest, the entire aquatic medium 23 has the same surface level.

 In particular, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the level of the surface of the internal aquatic region 24 is identical at the level of the surface of the upper external aquatic region 25.

To protect the surfers against possible marine predators, it may be provided a grid or net 28 (shown schematically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 only) between the internal aquatic region 24 and the aquatic region Also, a grid or net (not shown) may be provided around the path 21 to avoid contact between the movable elements 20 and the surfers.

 The upper surface 14 of the platform 1 1 comprises, in addition to the edge area 15, the wave changing zone 16 and the culminating zone 17, a peak 30 and a zone 31 in depression with respect to the ridge. 30.

 Ridge 30 is between the culminating zone 17 and the depression zone 31. More specifically, the ridge 30 is between the summit of the culminating zone 17 and the summit of the depression zone 31.

 As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the culminating zone 17 and the depressed zone 31 are configured so that when the wave generator 12 is in use, the water at the end of the waves 22 passes the peak 30 and falls into a volume 32 delimited by the depression zone 31, this volume being called the collection volume.

 Openings 33 or 39 formed through the platform 11 emerge respectively in the collection volume 32 and in the underlying aquatic region 27.

 The underlying aquatic region 27 provides fluid communication connecting the deep external aquatic region 26 to the openings 33 or 39, and thus to the collection volume 32.

 As a result, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the level of the surface of the collection volume 32 remains the same as for the whole of the aquatic medium 23 when the wave generator 12 is at rest or, as can be seen in FIG. 5, the same as for the aquatic medium 23 outside the internal aquatic region 24 when the wave generator 12 is in use.

Thus, when the wave generator 12 is in use, the water at the end of the waves 22 leaves the internal aquatic region 24 by falling into the collection volume 32 where it is discharged without passing through the internal aquatic region 24 since the fluidic communication is located under the platform 1 1. The upper external aquatic region 25 is also not disturbed, or very little, since it is the deep external aquatic region 26 that is in communication with the collection volume 32.

 The internal aquatic region 24, and moreover the upper external aquatic region 25, are thus not disturbed by the surf, or at least very little disturbed, it is possible to have a very short delay between two waves 22 successive.

 In addition, the platform 1 1 is relatively little mechanically solicited by the waves 22 since the water is guided to the collection volume 32 from which it naturally reaches the underlying aquatic region 27 which communicates with the deep external aquatic region 26 .

 We will now explain how the platform 1 1, which is floating as indicated above, is maintained in place in the aquatic environment 23.

 In general, the buoyancy of the platform 11 is designed so that the edge zone 15 is at a predetermined distance below the surface level of the aquatic medium 23.

 This predetermined distance is that suitable for the proper operation of the wave generator 12.

 To maintain the platform 1 1 vis-à-vis the bottom 35 of the aquatic medium 23, links 36 such as chains are provided between the platform 1 1 and mooring 37 placed on the bottom 35.

 There is also provided a pile 38 fixed to the bottom 35, engaged in a central opening 39 of the platform 11.

 During changes in the platform surface level due to the tide, the platform 1 1 slides vis-à-vis the pile 38 and the links 36 hold the platform 1 1, in particular to prevent it from rotating around the pile 38 .

As a variant, the platform 1 1 is maintained differently with respect to the bottom 35, for example only with links such as 36 or only with piles such as 38. Here, the platform 1 1 is made of composite materials in the manner of a boat hull wall.

 Alternatively, the composite materials are replaced by other materials used for the manufacture of boat hulls, for example aluminum or wood.

 To adjust the buoyancy of the platform January 1, there are provided caissons (not shown) can be more or less filled with water.

 In normal use, the caissons are filled to adjust the buoyancy as just indicated, i.e., so that the edge zone 15 is at the desired predetermined distance below the surface level of the aquatic environment.

 If it is desired that the platform 1 1 emerges more, for example for maintenance operations, the boxes are emptied.

 If it is desired that the platform 11 sinks further, for example to rest on the bottom 35 in case of storm, the boxes are filled.

 Alternatively, the platform 1 1 is not floating but for example supported by pylons fixed on the bottom 35.

 In addition to the platform 1 1 and the wave generator 12, the installation 10 comprises a spur 40 secured to the platform 1 1.

 The spike 40 protrudes upwardly from the wave evolution zone 16 by extending through the internal water region 24 from the culminating zone 17 to the edge zone 15.

 The spike 40 has an upper surface 41 having a first lateral zone 42, a second lateral zone 43 situated on the side opposite to the first lateral zone 42 and an intermediate zone 44 extending from the first lateral zone 42 to the second lateral zone. 43.

 Here, the intermediate zone 44 has a first peak 45 and a second peak 46, each emerging when the wave generator 2 is at rest.

The intermediate zone 44 also comprises a zone 47 in depression with respect to the first peak 45 and the second peak 46, the first peak 45 being located between the first lateral zone 42 and the zone 46. depression 47, the second peak 46 being between the second lateral zone 43 and the depression zone 47.

 More precisely, the first peak 45 is located between the top of the first lateral zone 42 and one of the two vertices of the depression zone 47; and the second peak 46 is between the top of the second lateral zone 43 and the other vertex the depression zone 47.

 The first peak 45, the second peak 46 and the depression zone 47 are configured so that when the wave generator 12 is in use, the water at the end of the wave travels 22 past the first peak 45 or the second peak 46 and falls into a volume 48 delimited by the depression zone 47, hereinafter referred to as the collection volume.

 Here, the collection volume 48 of the spike 40 and the collection volume 32 of the platform 1 1 are contiguous vertically.

 More specifically, here, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the depression zone 47 which delimits the collection volume 48 has a U-shaped profile and the depression zone 31 which delimits the collection volume 32 is of a shape frustoconical general with an interruption to the right of the spike 40. The zones in depression 31 and 47 are connected at the level of the interruption.

 The ridge 30 of the platform 1 connects at one end to the first ridge 45 of the spike 40 and is connected at the other end to the second ridge 46 of the spike 40.

 On the side opposite to the one where it is connected to the collection volume 32, the collection volume 48 opens here at the junction between the wave evolution zone 16 and the edge zone 15.

 The collection volume 48 is thus in fluid communication with the upper external aquatic region 25 via the portion of the inner aquatic region 24 which is located above the edge zone 15.

Apertures 49, similar to apertures 33, are formed through the lower part of the wall which forms the depression zone 47. Openings 49 open respectively into collection volume 48 and into the underlying aquatic region 27. The collection volume 48 is thus in fluid communication, via the underlying aquatic region 27, with the deep external aquatic region 26.

 The water at the end of the wave path that has fallen into the collection volume 48 is thus discharged to the deep external aquatic region 26 and / or the upper external aquatic region 25.

 The collection volume 48, since it reaches the collection volume 32, can participate in the evacuation of the water that has fallen into the collection volume 32.

 The subjection between the platform 1 1 and the spike 40 is here realized because the platform 1 1 and the spine 40 are in one piece, the platform 1 1 and the spur 40 being made jointly in composite materials in the manner of a boat hull wall.

 Alternatively, the composite materials are replaced by other materials used for the manufacture of boat hulls, for example aluminum or wood.

 In a variant, the spike 40 is an insert on the platform 11.

The wave generator 12 comprises, as indicated above, four water-driving elements 20, each movable along the predetermined path 21, which is circular here.

 Each movable member 20 moves over the edge zone 15, in the direction shown by arrows in FIG. 4, driving water towards the wave changing zone 16.

 More specifically, each movable element 20 is followed laterally by a wave 22 moving towards the wave changing zone 16. In contact with the wave changing zone 16, the wave 22 breaks towards the culminating zone 17.

 The movable elements 20 are arranged on the path 21 being equidistant angularly.

 Since artificial wave generators are well known, the generator 12 will not be described further here.

For more details, see in particular US Patent 3,913,332. Note that it is possible to conform the movable elements 20 so that they can also generate waves by moving in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 4.

 The installation according to the invention thus offers surfers the possibility of moving on waves on the right or on waves on the left, depending on the direction of movement of the mobile elements 20.

 The upper surface 14 of the platform 1 1 here comprises, between the edge zone 15, which is horizontal, and the wave changing zone 16, which is inclined, a shoulder zone 50 which is vertical or substantially vertical.

 The shoulder zone 50 creates an obstacle to the propagation of the water set in motion by the mobile element 20, which is favorable to the quality, for the practice of surfing, of the wave generated before it sweeps over the wave evolution zone 16.

 The spike 40, which is arranged across the internal aquatic region 24, interrupts a possible flow of water rotating around the culminating zone 17.

 It will be noted in particular that the waves 22 are stopped by the spike 40; and after the movable member 20 has passed the spike 40 a new wave 22 starts in calm water or in any case that has not been disturbed by the previous wave 22.

 The presence of the upper external aquatic region is also favorable to the limitation of currents in the internal aquatic region 24.

 Alternatively, the spike is implemented in a facility where there is no external aquatic region.

 To avoid as much as possible the surf, the first lateral zone 42 of the spike 40, which is the one that is the most stressed by the waves 22 since the movable elements 20 rotate in the direction where they are approaching this lateral zone, is provided with arrows 51.

As explained above, the spike 40 is also used for the evacuation of water at the end of the wave course. To prevent the mobile elements 20 from entering water in the collection volume 48, appropriate measures are implemented, for example a flap which closes the outlet towards the outside of the collection volume 48 when the movable element 20 passes by, or the path 21 is configured so that the movable elements 20 pass over the surface of the water at that location.

 Alternatively, the spike 40 has no collection volume 48, for example by having the intermediate zone 44 of its upper surface 41 which is replaced by a simple ridge.

 In another variant not shown, the installation 10 has no spike such as the spike 40.

 A variant of the installation 10 will now be described in support of FIG.

 For convenience, the same reference numerals have been kept for similar elements as for the installation 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5.

 In general, the installation 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 is similar to the installation 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, except that the support which supplies the upper surface 14 is not a platform. located above an underlying aquatic region but a substrate 55 forming part of the soil and surrounded by an annular basin 56 whose bottom surface 54 is much lower than the edge zone 15; and that the water of the aquatic medium 23 is treated water, in this case pool water.

 To implement the fluid communication located under the upper surface 14 of the support formed by the substrate 55, conduits 57 are formed in the substrate 55. Each conduit 57 opens at one end, through an opening 58, in the collection volume 32 of the substrate 55 and, at the other end, through an opening 59, in the deep aquatic region 26.

 Here, the substrate 55 and the annular basin 56 are formed by a masonry structure.

 In variants not shown:

the number of moving elements such as the wave generator such as 12 is different from four, for example one, two, three or more than four; an emergent island is provided in the center of the collection volume such as 32 support such as the platform 1 1 or the substrate 55, for example an island on which are arranged buildings;

 the path such as 21 of the movable element or elements such as 20, and therefore the contour of the support such as the platform 1 1 or the substrate 55 is annular without being circular, for example oval, oblong and / or with corrugations; or this path is not annular, for example rectilinear or curved.

 Many other variants are possible depending on the circumstances, and it is recalled in this regard that the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

1. Installation with artificial waves for surfing, comprising:  a support (11; 55) having an upper surface (14) having an edge zone (15), a wave evolution zone (16) and a culminating zone (17), the wave evolution zone ( 16) extending upwardly from the edge region (15) to the culminating zone (7);  water located above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16);  an artificial wave generator (12) having at least one movable water driving member (20) above the edge area (15) in a predetermined path (21), said wave generator (12) and said upper surface (14) of the support (11; 55) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) is at rest the culminating zone (17) is emerged and when the wave generator (12) is in use the movable member (20) is laterally followed by a wave (22) moving in the water towards the wave changing zone (16) at which the wave (22) generated breaks up towards the culminating zone ( 17);  characterized in that  said water above the edge zone (15) and the wave evolution zone (16) is part of an aquatic medium (23) which has, on the outside of the support (11; the edge region (15) a region (25), hereinafter referred to as the upper external aquatic region, located higher than the edge zone (15) and a region (26), hereinafter referred to as the deep outer aquatic region, located lower than the edge zone (15), the upper external aquatic region (25) and the deep outer aquatic region (26) being contiguous horizontally; the upper external aquatic region (25) and the region (24) of the aquatic medium (23) located above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16), hereinafter referred to as region aquatic environment, are contiguous vertically; the upper surface (14) of the support (1 1; 55) further comprises a peak (30) and a zone (31) in depression with respect to the ridge (30), which ridge (30) lies between the climax (17) and the depression zone (31), the culminating zone (17) and the depression zone (31) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) is in operation, the water at the end of the waves (22) crosses the ridge (30) and falls into a volume (32) delimited by the depression zone (31), hereinafter referred to as the media collection volume; and  fluid communication (27; 57) below the upper surface (14) of the support (11; 55) connects said deep external aquatic region (26) to an opening (33; 39; 58) opening into said collection volume support (32).  2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said support is a platform (11); said aquatic medium (23) comprises below the platform (11) a region (27), hereinafter referred to as the underlying aquatic region, the deep external aquatic region (26) and the underlying aquatic region (27). ) being contiguous vertically; and said opening (33, 39) opening into the collection volume of the support (32) opens into the underlying aquatic region (27), said fluid communication under the upper surface (14) of the support (1 1) being implemented by the underlying aquatic region (27).  3. Installation with artificial waves for surfing, comprising:  a support (11; 55) having an upper surface (14) having an edge zone (15), a wave evolution zone (16) and a culminating zone (17), the wave evolution zone (16); ) extending upwardly from the edge region (15) to the culminating zone (17);  water located above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16); an artificial wave generator (12) having at least one movable water driving member (20) above the edge area (15) in a predetermined path (21), said wave generator (12) and said upper surface (14) of the support (1 1; 55) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) is at rest the culminating zone (17) is emerged and when the wave generator (12) is in use, the movable member (20) is laterally followed by a wave (22) moving in the water towards the wave changing zone (16) at which the generated wave (22) breaks towards the culminating zone (17). );  characterized in that  said water above the edge zone (15) and the wave evolution zone (16) is part of an aquatic medium (23) which has, on the outside of the support (1 1; 55) along an edge area (15), a region (25), hereinafter referred to as the upper external aquatic region, located higher than the edge region (15) and a region (26), hereinafter referred to as the deep outer aquatic region, located lower than the edge zone (15), the upper external aquatic region (25) and the deep outer aquatic region (26) being contiguous horizontally;  the upper external aquatic region (25) and the region (24) of the aquatic medium (23) located above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16), hereinafter referred to as region aquatic environment, are contiguous vertically;  said support is a platform (1 1); and  said aquatic medium (23) comprises below the platform (11) a region (27), hereinafter referred to as the underlying aquatic region, the deep external aquatic region (26) and the underlying aquatic region (27). ) being contiguous vertically.  4. Installation according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said platform (1 1) is floating. 5. Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that said platform (1 1) comprises an opening (39) in which is disposed a pile (38) fixed on the bottom (35) of the underlying aquatic region (27) , the platform (11) and the pile (38) being configured so that the platform (1 1) slides relative to the pile (38) during changes in level of the surface of the aquatic medium (23). 6. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that said support is a substrate (55) in which is provided at least one conduit (57) for implementing said fluid communication located under the upper surface (14) of the support.  7. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said path (21) of said movable member (20) is annular, said edge region (15) is located at the periphery of the support (1 1; ) and said culminating zone (17) is located towards the center of the support (11; 55).  8. Installation according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a spur (40) secured to said support (1 1), said spike (40) projecting upwards from the wave changing zone (16) extending through the inner water region (24) from the culminating zone (17) to the edge zone (15).  9. Artificial wave installation for surfing, comprising:  a support (11; 55) having an upper surface (14) having an edge zone (15), a wave evolution zone (16) and a culminating zone (17), the wave evolution zone (16); ) extending upwardly from the edge region (15) to the culminating zone (17);  water located above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16); an artificial wave generator (12) having at least one movable water driving member (20) above the edge area (15) in a predetermined path (21), said wave generator (12) and said upper surface (14) of the support (1; 55) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) is at rest the culminating zone (17) is emerged and when the wave generator (12) is in use, the movable member (20) is laterally followed by a wave (22) moving in the water towards the wave changing zone (16) at which the generated wave (22) breaks towards the culminating zone (17). ); said path (21) of said movable member (20) being annular, said edge region (15) being located at the periphery of the support (1 1; 55) and said culminating zone (17) being located towards the center of the support (11; 55);  characterized in that said installation further comprises a spike (40) secured to said support (1 1), said spike (40) projecting upwardly from the wave changing zone (16) extending through the region (24) above said edge zone (15) and said wave evolution zone (16) from the culminating zone (17) to the edge zone (15).  10. Installation according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that said spur (40) has an upper surface (41) having a first lateral zone (42), a second lateral zone (43) located on the opposite side to the first lateral zone (42) and an intermediate zone (44) extending from the first lateral zone (42) to the second lateral zone (43), said intermediate zone (44) comprising at least one ridge (45, 46). ) emerged when the wave generator (12) is at rest.  1 1. Plant according to claim 10, characterized in that said intermediate zone (44) comprises a first ridge (45) and a second ridge (46), each of which emerges when the wave generator (12) is at rest, and comprises a zone ( 47) at a depression relative to the first ridge (45) and the second ridge (46), the first ridge (45) lying between the first lateral zone (42) and the depression zone (47), the second crest (46) located between the second lateral zone (43) and the depressed zone (47); the first peak (45), the second peak (46) and the depression zone (47) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) is in operation, the water at the end of the wave course (22) crosses the first ridge (45) or second ridge (46) and falls into a volume (48) delimited by the depression zone (47), hereinafter referred to as the ear collection volume; said water above the edge zone (15) and the wave evolution zone (16) is part of an aquatic medium (23) which has, on the outside of the support (11; the edge region (15) a region (25), hereinafter referred to as the upper external aquatic region, located higher than the edge zone (15) and a region (26), hereinafter referred to as the deep outer aquatic region, located lower than the edge zone (15), the aquatic region upper outer (25) and the deep outer aquatic region (26) being contiguous horizontally;  fluid communication (24, 49) connecting said ear collection volume (48) to said upper external aquatic region (25) and / or said deep outer aquatic region (26).  12. Installation according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the upper surface (14) of the support (1 1; 55) further comprises a peak (30) and a zone (31) in depression relative to the crest (30). ), which ridge (30) lies between the culminating zone (17) and the depression zone (31), the culminating zone (17) and the depression zone (31) being configured so that when the wave generator (12) ) is in use, the water at the end of the wave course (22) crosses the ridge (30) and falls into a volume (32) delimited by the depression zone (31), hereinafter referred to as the media collection volume. ; and said collection volume of the support (32) and said ear collection volume (48) meet vertically.