Plant and method for surfing

Technical field

The present invention relates to a system for generating waves for surfing by means of a generator or floating and self-stabilizing profile towed by an overhead wire (or towing overhead cable).

Background

Surfing is widely appreciated, but is subject to strong geographical and meteorological limitations, making it difficult to access.

For a long time, therefore, the desire to create artificial systems that allow surfing in a manner comfortable, safe and independent from environmental conditions is widespread.

A first solution is to produce special pools whose bottom is shaped with the form of the desired waves. In this way, by moving a water layer of a few centimetres on the shaped bottom, a practice similar to that of surfing is possible. However, the reduced thickness of the water does not allow the use of real surfboards and prevents in particular the use of fins, thus giving rise to an activity very different from the one originally desired.

Another approach, aimed at recreating waves very similar to natural ones, is described below. To create waves for surfing, manufacturers of artificial systems currently move huge quantities of water into artificial basins, in such a way as to let the created wave crash on bottoms designed with specific inclinations to create different types of waves.

For this purpose, it is usually necessary to create huge artificial basins, wherein the profile of the bottom and of the edges is studied in order to obtain the desired waves. Therefore, in these basins suitable members are arranged to create the movement of huge masses of water. For this purpose, horizontally moving bulkheads are usually arranged under the surface of the water, therefore suitable for horizontally moving a mass of water. A similar effect can be obtained with a huge mass that is moved vertically in and out of the water, thus creating concentric waves radially extending around the moving mass.

The realization of these huge artificial basins and the movement of large quantities of water raises the costs of realization of these systems making them practically unaffordable at commercial level.

In fact, the application of these known solutions in natural basins is widely discouraged, since the movement of the bulkheads requires the installation on the bottom of both fixed structures (for example rails) and of mobile structures (for example the relative trolleys), which require maintenance. Furthermore, adopting such a solution in a natural basin would have an enormous environmental impact, since the mechanical members on the bottom would continuously disrupt the ecosystem. Furthermore, the mechanical members, which require adequate lubrication, would be a source of constant pollution. It is therefore necessary to create artificial basins, greatly increasing the cost of the intervention and in any case maintaining a high environmental impact.

In addition to the initial costs of realization, management costs must also be considered. In fact, in order to effectively move the required water masses, motors designed to develop significant power are needed, the use of which involves high costs. As an example, it should be considered that in some systems, railway type motors are used to move the submerged bulkheads.

EP 2 868 358 addresses and partially solves some of the problems highlighted above. Flowever, the solution described in this document is not satisfactory because it allows the generation of a very small wave, constituted by the wake of an object moved in the water. The height of this wave can be evaluated in the order of some tens of centimetres and allows surfing, but in a very limited way.

A similar approach is adopted by WO 2014028969 which, in order to practice surfing, proposes to take advantage of the wake of an object towed in water, which goes to crash on specially created and shaped bottoms. Object of the Invention

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks underlined before with respect to the known art.

More specifically, it is a task of the present invention to provide a plant for generating artificial waves suitable for surfing.

Moreover, an object of the present invention is to provide a plant for the generation of artificial waves that has a reduced environmental impact. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plant for the generation of artificial waves that has reduced construction and management costs.

This object and tasks are achieved by means of a plant for generating artificial waves according to claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to better understand the invention and appreciate its advantages, some of its exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

- Figure 1 represents a schematic perspective view of a plant according to the invention;

- Figure 2. a represents a plan view of a wave generator according to the invention with the relative towing overhead cable;

- Figure 2.b represents a perspective view of the wave generator of Figure 2. a;

- Figure 2.c represents a front view of the wave generator of Figure 2. a;

- Figure 2.d represents a side view of the wave generator of Figure 2. a;

- Figure 3 represents a perspective view of another wave generator according to the invention with the relative towing overhead cable;

- Figure 4 represents a perspective view of a numerical simulation of the motion of the water over the wave generator during use;

- Figure 5 represents a plan view of another plant according to the present invention;

- Figure 6 represents a schematic view of the generator of Figure 3 during a step of its use;

- Figures 7. a to 7.d represent some possible shapes of the bow of a wave generator in accordance with the invention; and

- Figure 8 schematically represents a side view of a wave generator in accordance with the invention during operation.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the context of the present discussion, some terminological conventions have been adopted in order to make reading easier and smoother. These terminological conventions are clarified below with reference to the attached figures.

Since the invention is designed to be used in presence of gravitational acceleration g, it is intended that the latter univocally defines the vertical direction. Likewise, it is understood that, based on gravity acceleration g, the terms "high", "higher", "above" and the like are defined univocally, with respect to the terms "low", "lower", "below" and the like.

The invention comprises a wave generator to which motion is impressed in a precise direction d. It is understood that, according to the motion direction d, the terms "forward", "front", and the like, are defined univocally with respect to the terms "backward", "rear", and the like. The motion direction d is defined for a specific wave generator. It should be noted that in a plant according to the invention, a plurality of wave generators can be arranged, each of which has its own motion direction d, a priori different from that of the others.

As a further convention, the water in the basin was not represented in the attached drawings, with the sole exception of Figures 4 and 8. Nevertheless, in light of what is described below and of Figures 4 and 8, a skilled person will have no difficulty in understanding the role of water in the operation of the present invention.

The invention relates to a plant 10 for generating waves for surfing in a water basin 1 1. The plant 10 comprises:

- two or more pillars 12 with return pulleys 14, - a towing overhead cable 16 supported by the pillars 12,

- an electric motor 18 suitable for moving the towing overhead cable 16,

- a floating wave generator 20 suitable for generating the waves 22, wherein the floating wave generator 20 is connected in a plurality of points 25. a, 25. b to the towing overhead cable 16 by stabilizing cables 24, and wherein the floating wave generator 20 is towed into the water of the basin 1 1 by the towing overhead cable 16.

The floating wave generator 20 preferably has the shape of a plough. As is known, the plough has a wedge shape that keeps it below the ground level and thus allows it to lift a layer of soil during motion. Similarly, the wave generator 20 has a wedge shape with the front end 26 placed at the bottom. In other words, the wave generator 20 has a shape suitable to keep it at least partially submerged, under the water surface 28. In this way, while being dragged, the wave generator 20 is covered by a water layer 30 which creates a wave 22. By virtue of the typical dimensions of the wave generator 20 according to the invention, the wave 22 which is generated in the correct use is suitable for surfing. By way of example, the wave generator 20 can have a height comprised between 1 and 2 meters, so as to generate a wave 22 of similar height. From Figures 6 and 8, it is possible to infer the proportions between the wave generator 20 according to the invention and a user.

The wave generator 20 preferably has the shape of an inverted hull. For example, the front walls 32 of the wave generator 20 define a central edge 34 which, by analogy with the hull, can be called a keel line. The front walls 32 of the wave generator 20 are preferably inclined backwards, at least in the lower zone.

Preferably, in a side view (see, for example, Figures 2.d, 7 and 8) of the wave generator 20, the front walls 32 have the front end 26 at the lowest point and then rise in a rear direction, at least in the lowest zone.

Preferably, in a side view (see, for example, Figures 2.d, 7 and 8) of the wave generator 20, the front walls 32 have the lower end 26 at the most advanced point and then rise in a rear direction, at least in the lowest zone.

Preferably, the front walls 32 of the wave generator 20 are at least partially concave and in which the concavity is turned upward and/or forward.

The wave generator 20 preferably has a symmetrical shape with respect to the median plane defined by the vertical and by the movement direction d. Considering the plant 10 as a whole, the wave generator 20 preferably has a symmetrical shape with respect to the direction of the towing overhead cable 16.

As mentioned above, the wave generator 20 is buoyant. It is preferably made with the common techniques used in the construction of boats. The wave generator 20, for example, may comprise an outer shell made of polymeric material, preferably reinforced with fibres. The shell of the wave generator 20 is preferably closed so as not to allow the unwanted entry of water which alters its mass. In some embodiments, the shell can be filled with foam.

In addition to being buoyant, the wave generator 20 has a shape suitable to generate, during operation, a hydrodynamic force directed downwards. This derives from the fact that, thanks to the relative motion, the shape of the wave generator 20 pushes a mass of water 30 upwards and consequently receives an identical downward thrust. Moreover, during operation, the traction force exerted by the stabilizing cables 24 connecting the towing overhead cable 16 to the wave generator 20 also acts on the latter. As the skilled person can well deduce from the attached Figures, the cables of the plant 10 as a whole (that is, the towing overhead cable 16 by means of stabilizing cables 24) apply to the wave generator 20 a force directed forward and upwards.

In some embodiments, the wave generator 20 can comprise one or more submerged stabilizing foils 36 designed to generate accessory hydrodynamic forces in order to guarantee, redefine or alter the balance of forces.

During the correct operation of the plant 10, the vertical forces acting on the wave generator 20 must be in equilibrium, so as to keep the vertical position of the wave generator 20 relatively constant with respect to the water surface 28. The position of the wave generator 20 with respect to the water surface 28 allows to cover at least partially the wave generator 20 with a water layer 30 sufficiently thick to allow the user to use a surfboard 38 comprising one or more lower fins. By way of example, the water layer 30 which covers the wave generator 20 in the area intended for surfing can be thick between 20 cm and 60 cm, preferably between 30 cm and 50 cm.

Preferably the wave generator 20 is made in such a way as to spontaneously reach an equilibrium condition. For example, the wave generator 20 preferably comprises two stabilizing cables 24, in particular a front stabilizing cable 24. a and a rear stabilizing cable 24. b, anchored to the wave generator 20 at a point 25. b rear to the point 25. a where the front stabilizing cable 24a is anchored. Preferably, the two stabilizing cables 24 are anchored to the towing overhead cable 16 at a single point 40 or at two points placed in the immediate vicinity of each other. In this way the wave generator 20 and the two stabilizing cables 24 define a triangle configuration. Such configuration allows to obtain an intrinsic equilibrium of the wave generator 20 during the motion in the water.

As mentioned above, the wave generator 20 is also symmetrical with respect to the vertical longitudinal plane. In this way, during operation, the system of forces acting laterally on the wave generator 20 is symmetrical and self-stabilizing also in the lateral direction.

In this sense, the wave generator 20 is preferably self-stabilizing.

In accordance with some embodiments, for example those of Figures 3 and 6, the wave generator 20 has a single operating direction, since it comprises a front portion shaped as described above in order to generate waves 22, while the rear portion can have a simpler shape, for example of a slide, which simply allows the outflow of water limiting the formation of turbulences. In other words, the wave generator 20 has an asymmetrical plan shape with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction d or, with reference to the plant 10 as a whole, has an asymmetrical plan shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of the towing overhead cable 16.

In accordance with some embodiments, for example those of Figures 2 and 5, the wave generator 20 has two possible operating directions, since it comprises two similar portions, both shaped as described above in order to generate waves 22. Therefore, the two portions alternate, in the different operating steps, between the front and rear position. The two portions can be shaped differently from one another so as to generate waves 22 of different shapes. In this way when the wave generator 20 moves in a direction, it generates a first type of wave 22, while when it moves in the opposite direction it generates a second type of wave 22. Some examples of possible profiles suitable for the walls of the wave generator 20 are described further with reference to Figure 7.

In some embodiments, the wave generator 20 has a symmetrical plan shape with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction d or, with reference to the plant 10 as a whole, has a symmetrical plan shape with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of the towing overhead cable 16. In this way the wave generator 20 always generates the same type of wave 22, both when it moves in one direction and when it moves in the opposite direction.

Figures 7 schematically show some examples of possible profiles suitable for the front walls 32 of the wave generator 20. Figure 7. a shows a profile suitable for generating a wave 22 of modest height, suitable for beginners. The subsequent figures schematically show profiles suitable for generating waves 22 more and more challenging. Figure 7.d shows a profile suitable for generating a so-called tube wave, suitable for experienced practitioners. It should be noted, however, that the wave generator 20 has, as a whole, a polished shape, so that even if the user were to fall from the surfboard 38, he would not report any damage, but he would simply fall in the water at a wave 22, exactly as it happens in natural conditions.

In accordance with the invention, the wave generator 20 is towed by a towing overhead cable 16, stretched between two or more pillars 12. This type of plant 10 is known by itself and widely used for the practice of the so-called cable wakeboard. In this practice the user is bound to a board, similar to what happens in snowboarding, and is dragged along the water surface by the cable. In this way, in cable wakeboard the user constantly finds the water surface substantially flat, without waves 22 of considerable height.

The plant 10 according to the invention can assume different shapes in plan, so as to make the best use of the available water surface. A couple of examples are given in Figures 1 and 5. Figure 1 shows a simple plant 10 with only two pillars 12 and a single wave generator 20 intended to move back and forth between the two pillars 12. Figure 5 instead shows a more complex plant 10 with four pillars 12 and two wave generators 20 intended to move along the path defined by the pillars 12.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating the conditions suitable for surfing. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of:

- providing a plant 10 for generating waves 22 in accordance with the above description;

- submerging the wave generator 20 into the water of the basin 1 1 ;

- towing the wave generator 20 through the towing overhead cable 16 and the stabilizing cables 24;

- generating a water layer 30 which at least partially covers the wave generator 20; and

- preparing a surfboard 38 in front of and above the wave generator 20.

As described above, during the correct operation of the plant 10, the vertical forces acting on the wave generator 20 are in equilibrium, so as to keep the vertical position of the wave generator 20 relatively constant with respect to the water surface 28. The position of the wave generator 20 with respect to the water surface 28 allows to cover at least partially the wave generator 20 with a water layer 30 sufficiently thick to allow the user to use a surfboard 38 comprising one or more lower fins. By way of example, the water layer 30 which covers the wave generator 20 in the area intended for surfing can be thick between 20 cm and 60 cm, preferably between 30 cm and 50 cm.

As the skilled person can understand from the above description, the particularity of the present invention with respect to the known solutions is that thanks to the geometry of the wave generator 20 and of the plant 10 in general, the user can surf on the water layer 30 which covers the wave generator 20 itself. In other words, during the correct use of the invention, the user is in front of and above the wave generator 20. Instead, in known solutions, for example from EP 2 868 358 and from WO 20140/30969, surfing takes place on the wake of the wave generator. In other words, during the use of these known solutions, the user is behind the wave generator.

The system (or plant 10) according to the invention is suitable for existing or artificial basins, the quantity of water moved is about 1/10 compared to other known types of plant, and consequently the electric consumption and the costs of the components are by far cheaper. The floating wave generator 20 can have various shapes to create different types of waves 22. The overhead wire system allows the plant to be installed in any lake without upsetting the flora and fauna of the basin 1 1 and since there are no moving parts in the water there are no releases of lubricants or other polluting substances.

The system is composed of two or more pillars 12 (depending on the size and shape of the lake there may be 3, 4, 5, etc. pillars 12) with return pulleys 14 (Figure 1 , Figure 5). The base of the pillar is large enough to support a counterweight made of concrete so that the system is self- stabilizing (Figure 1 ). The wave generator 20 is connected at a plurality of points to eliminate pitch and roll and could also be stabilized by foils 36 submerged under water: Figure 2 for a bidirectional wave generator 20; Figure 3 for a unidirectional generator.

The tension of the wire (or towing overhead cable 16) is preferably given by a counterweight or a pneumatic piston.

As the skilled person can well understand, the present invention achieves the goal of overcoming the drawbacks highlighted above with reference to the prior art.

In particular, the present invention provides a plant 10 for generating artificial waves 22 suitable for surfing.

Moreover, the present invention provides a plant 10 for generating artificial waves 22 which has a reduced environmental impact.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a plant 10 for generating artificial waves 22 which has reduced construction and management costs.

It is clear that the specific features are described in relation to various embodiments of the invention with exemplifying and non-limiting intent. Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make further modifications and variations to this invention, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements. For example, the technical features described in connection with an embodiment of the invention may be extrapolated from it and applied to other embodiments of the invention. Such modifications and variations are, however, contained within the scope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.