WO2012051671A1 - Générateur d'écoulement de nage - Google Patents

Générateur d'écoulement de nage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012051671A1
WO2012051671A1 PCT/AU2011/001348 AU2011001348W WO2012051671A1 WO 2012051671 A1 WO2012051671 A1 WO 2012051671A1 AU 2011001348 W AU2011001348 W AU 2011001348W WO 2012051671 A1 WO2012051671 A1 WO 2012051671A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
flow
water
impeller
swimmer
vanes
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2011/001348
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Pieter Jan De Geeter
Original Assignee
Pieter Jan De Geeter
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2010904697A external-priority patent/AU2010904697A0/en
Application filed by Pieter Jan De Geeter filed Critical Pieter Jan De Geeter
Priority to AU2011318255A priority Critical patent/AU2011318255A1/en
Publication of WO2012051671A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012051671A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/12—Arrangements in swimming pools for teaching swimming or for training
    • A63B69/125—Devices for generating a current of water in swimming pools

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the generation of a flow or current in a body of water for a swimmer to swim against in a swimming pool, for exercise and fitness purposes.
  • a steady current in a water reservoir or pool is commonly created by nozzles from which the water is ejected at high speed. This requires a high back pressure; for example, to generate a flow over a width of - say - a 1.0 m and depth of - say - 0.25 m (roughly twice the cross sectional body area of an adult human) at a velocity of - say - 1 m/s would require a flow rate (Q) of around 0.25 m 3 per second.
  • Q flow rate
  • the ejection velocity (v) of typical pool/spa nozzles is at least 10 m/s.
  • the required pressure head (H) required to generate such velocity equals v"v/(2*g) in which g represents gravitational acceleration. This renders an H value larger than approximately 5 m water column.
  • an apparatus for generating a flow current across part of the upper surface of a swimming pool, for a swimmer to swim against said apparatus having a radial impeller with a plurality of vanes disposed about a central horizontal axis and contained within a cylindrical body having a horizontal outlet slot spaced above and substantially parallel to said central horizontal rotational axis extending along and from an upper extent of said cylindrical body and communicating with a horizontal duct depending from the circumference of the cylindrical body to direct the substantially horizontal flow of water, said apparatus having an intake at each end of said radial impeller, and the vanes of said radial impeller being curved toward the direction of rotation at each end of the radial impeller to provide axial thrust to assist in drawing water into each intake.
  • the radial impeller is a hybrid radial axial impeller. It has been found that this arrangement provides an unexpected gain in efficiency of an Impeller without such curvature provided at the ends introducing an element of axial flow to the impeller operation.
  • the Impeller has a central axle located along the central rotational axis of the Impeller, and the vanes of said impeller are stood off the central axle, so that a void is provided between the vanes and the central axle in a low pressure zone of the impeller during operation.
  • said radial impeller is configured for low pressure high volume operation.
  • an apparatus driven by an external electrical or hydraulic power source, fixed to the side of a swimming pool or other body of water, comprising an hydraulic cyclone with horizontal axis, contained within a partially closed housing as indicatively shown in FIG.
  • the apparatus is provided with variable outflow rate, adjustable to the speed of the swimmer, in order to ensure that even at 'full speed' the swimmer would not be able to reach the apparatus.
  • the apparatus is provided with an external buoyancy chambers) in order, to enable it to slide up or down along vertical, or steeply inclined, rods or slides, enabling it to maintain a constant depth of immersion at varying water level.
  • the apparatus is provided with a rotationally adjustable flow deflector plate (16) in order to (a) adjust the elevation of the lower flow boundary (17) and the associated flow velocity (18) at a distance (19) most comfortable to swimmer (20) and/or to (b) make it possible to increase the depth of submergence of the apparatus, to prevent air from being sucked into it.
  • a rotationally adjustable flow deflector plate (16) in order to (a) adjust the elevation of the lower flow boundary (17) and the associated flow velocity (18) at a distance (19) most comfortable to swimmer (20) and/or to (b) make it possible to increase the depth of submergence of the apparatus, to prevent air from being sucked into it.
  • the apparatus is, in conjunction with its power generator, portable, enabling it to be manually transferred to, and operated in, other swimming pools or bodies of water, at minimal effort or cost, (if any) Brief Description of the Drawings
  • Figure 1 is a cut-away cross-section view through the swimming pool flow current generator showing the curvature in the blades of the impeller at the most distant end;
  • Figure 2a is a view from above showing the direction of force imparted during operation of the impeller
  • Figure 2b is an end view showing the direction of force imparted during operation of the impeller
  • Figure 3 is a cut-away cross-section view showing out-flow from the swimming pool flow current generator;
  • Figure 4a, 4b and 4c are various flow vector models illustrating important principles of the invention;
  • Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the swimming pool flow current generator installed in a swimming pool and in use;
  • Figure 6 is a top plan view of the swimming pool flow current generator installed in a swimming pool and in use;
  • Figure 7 is an isometric view showing a single blade of the Impeller attached to its central axle;
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the swimming pool flow current generator with an alternative mount for a swimming pool and showing a drive motor;
  • Figure 9 is an isometric view showing the impeller. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention
  • a novel, far more efficient way to generate the required flow rate in a swimming pool flow current generator, at low energy demand, is by means of a cyclone with horizontal axis in the form of a swimming pool flow current generator 1 1 as indicated generally in figures 1 and 8.
  • the swimming pool flow current generator 111 has a cylindrical body 13 with a near horizontally disposed outlet 115 provided by a horizontal duct 117 depending from the circumference of the cylindrical body 113 to direct a substantially horizontal flow of water 118 from the outlet 115.
  • the duct 117 communicates with a slot 119 in and extending entirely across the cylindrical body 113 through which water is urged by an impeller 121.
  • the impeller 121 is a radial impeller with five vanes 23 disposed about a central horizontal axis provided by a central axle 125.
  • the vanes 123 of the impeller 121 are stood off the central axle on mounting posts 127, so that a void 12 ⁇ is provided between the vanes 123 and the central axle 125, in a low pressure zone of the impeller during operation.
  • the impeller 121 fills the cylindrical body 1 13.
  • the slot 119 extends along an upper extent of said cylindrical body 113, parallel with and above the central axle 125, so that water is expelled outwardly from the top of the cylindrical body 113, and directed by the duct 117 across part of the upper surface of a swimming pool, for a swimmer to swim against.
  • the cylindrical body 1 3 is open at each end 131 , providing an intake 133 at each end 31 to allow inflow of water.
  • each vane 123 of the impeller 121 are curved in a forward direction (curved forwardly in the direction of rotation of the impeller 121 ), so that the Impeller functions as an axial impeller at each end, while functioning as a radial impeller with respect to the outlet 115.
  • the radial impeller is a hybrid radial axial impeller. It has been found that this arrangement provides an unexpected gain in efficiency of an Impeller without such curvature provided at the ends introducing an element of axial flow to the impeller operation, as will be discussed further in this description.
  • the impeller is configured for low pressure high volume operation- While the swimming pool flow current generator 111 may be mounted in a swimming pool in any conventional mechanical way, one example Is illustrated in figure 9.
  • L-shaped arms 141 mount to the top of the duct 117, and are intended to have their horizontal portions 145 bolted to a concrete pad 146 or the like at the side of the swimming pool.
  • Drive is provided by an electric motor and gearbox 147, via belts 149 and pulleys 151.
  • the impeller generates a straight outflow pattern with minimal rotary 'corkscrew 1 motion (if any).
  • Overall energy loss is minimized by the special curvature shaping of the cyclone's blades as shown in figure 4c, and figures 1 , 7 and 9. This, in combination with the fact that no rotational energy is produced, minimizes the energy demand of the swimming pool flow current generator 11.
  • n ve/(2 * pi*r) in which ve is the exit velocity at the outer edge of the rotor. At ve is -say- 2.5 m/s and r is -say- 0.20 m. the rotational speed of the rotor is around 2 revolutions per second.
  • the outflow rate (6) is proportional to the revolution rate of the rotor and to the volume of water 'trapped' between adjoining rotor blades (7) and (8).
  • Inflow area (Ai) at both ends equals 2 * (0.25*pi*Dr A 2) in which Dr is the cyclone's rotor diameter.
  • Dr is the cyclone's rotor diameter.
  • AI total inflow area
  • the rotor's revolving speed (10) and inflow velocity (11 ) render a resulting flow vector (12) at a large angle (13) to blade (14), causing a substantial wake (15) with a high degree of turbulence behind each blade.
  • Radius (R) should not be small, as this would cause substantial flow separation and associated wake formation and indicated in fig. 4b. Instead, flow separation can be largely prevented by maximizing said radius as indicated in fig. 4c.
  • An important feature of the invention is the fact that the direction of flow vector
  • the invention includes various additional -novel- features described as follows, (with reference to fig. 5).
  • a -rotationally adjustable- flow deflector plate ( 6) can be added to adjust the elevation of the lower flow boundary (17) and the associated flow velocity (16) at a distance (19) most comfortable to swimmer (20).
  • a -rotationally adjustable- flow deflector plate ( 6) can be added to adjust the elevation of the lower flow boundary (17) and the associated flow velocity (16) at a distance (19) most comfortable to swimmer (20).
  • the cyclone (1) can be made to float, by means of buoyancy chamber (21 ) and/or by adding light- weight material with a density lower than water. As a consequence the floating assembly would be able to follow any variation in water level (22) by sliding up or down along upright(s) (23) which are attached to the side of the pool.
  • the electric motor powering the cyclone could be provided with a variable speed option. This would make it possible to vary the ejection velocity (24) of the water.
  • the motor can be located outside the pool or water body or can be attached to -or mounted on- the cyclone body.
  • the invention entails the development of a hydraulic cyclone for generating a sufficiently strong non-rotary current with low level of turbulence for use in swimming pools and other water bodies, at affordable investment- and operational cost.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un appareil (111) pour générer un courant d'écoulement (118) à travers une partie de la surface supérieure d'une piscine, contre lequel doit nager un nageur. L'appareil a une hélice radiale (121) comportant une pluralité d'aubes (123) disposées autour d'un axe horizontal central, et contenues à l'intérieur d'un corps cylindrique (113) ayant une fente de sortie horizontale (119) espacée au-dessus de l'axe de rotation horizontal central et sensiblement parallèle à celui-ci. La fente (119) communique avec une conduite horizontale (117) qui pend à partir de la périphérie du corps cylindrique (113) afin de diriger l'écoulement d'eau. L'appareil (111) a une admission (133) à chaque extrémité (131) de l'hélice radiale (121), et les aubes (123) de l'hélice radiale (121) sont incurvées (135) vers la direction de rotation à chaque extrémité de l'hélice radiale afin de produire une poussée axiale afin d'aider à aspirer de l'eau dans chaque admission.
PCT/AU2011/001348 2010-10-21 2011-10-21 Générateur d'écoulement de nage WO2012051671A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2011318255A AU2011318255A1 (en) 2010-10-21 2011-10-21 Swimflow generator

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2310164429 2010-10-21
AU2010904697A AU2010904697A0 (en) 2010-10-21 Swimflow generator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012051671A1 true WO2012051671A1 (fr) 2012-04-26

Family

ID=46206327

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2011/001348 WO2012051671A1 (fr) 2010-10-21 2011-10-21 Générateur d'écoulement de nage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2011318255A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012051671A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014071536A1 (fr) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-15 Mueller Peter A Système réglable pour nage à contre-courant

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0313242B1 (fr) * 1987-10-08 1993-06-23 Swimex Systems, Inc. Bassin pour la natation à contre-courant
JP2001315644A (ja) * 2000-05-08 2001-11-13 Nikkiso Co Ltd 水流発生機の運搬装置

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0313242B1 (fr) * 1987-10-08 1993-06-23 Swimex Systems, Inc. Bassin pour la natation à contre-courant
JP2001315644A (ja) * 2000-05-08 2001-11-13 Nikkiso Co Ltd 水流発生機の運搬装置

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014071536A1 (fr) * 2012-11-12 2014-05-15 Mueller Peter A Système réglable pour nage à contre-courant

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2011318255A1 (en) 2013-09-12

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