BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to systems for generating waves, and more particularly to systems for generating standing waves for riders to surf in a contained environment.

Description of the Related Art

Known wave generating systems for generating standing and/or barreling waves include those shown and described in the following US Patent Nos.: 7,326,001 ; 7,658,571 ; 7,722,291 ; 8,622,651 ; 8,602,685; 9,068,371 ; and 9, 103, 133.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the wave generating systems disclosed herein are operative to generate a particularly well formed and consistent standing wave for riders to surf in a contained environment. Embodiments include a water return circuit for continuously supplying a supplemental flow of water into a leading region of the standing wave to assist in forming a lower velocity water pocket over which a primary flow of water moves at higher velocity. The water return circuit may include a throat or gap through which the supplemental flow of water can accelerate into the leading region of the standing wave. The throat or gap may be adjustable or tunable to change a shape or other characteristics of the standing wave. In some embodiments, the throat or gap may be defined between a trailing end of a ramp member and an opposing structural member located downstream of the movable ramp. In some instances, the ramp member may be manipulated by a plurality of actuators to adjust a size of the throat or gap and thereby change the shape or other characteristics of the standing wave.

A wave generating system for generating a standing wave may be summarized as comprising: a wave generating structure having a manipulable portion for adjusting a characteristic of the standing wave; a water supply which supplies a primary flow of water towards the wave generating structure; wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system includes a movable ramp having an adjustable pitch for adjusting a size of a throat through which a secondary flow of water is introduced into the standing wave. The manipulable portion of the wave generating system may be manipulable by an arrangement of actuators that are configured to adjust a position and an angular orientation of the manipulable portion. The wave generating system may be a part of an artificial surfing structure.

A method of generating a standing wave may be summarized as comprising: moving a manipulable portion of a wave generating system to adjust a characteristic of the standing wave; directing a primary flow of water towards the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure; and allowing at least a portion of the primary flow of water to flow through a return circuit for redirecting the at least a portion of the primary flow of water from a location downstream of the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure back toward the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure to assist in forming the standing wave.

The manipulable portion of the wave generating system may comprise a movable ramp having an adjustable pitch for adjusting a size of a throat through which a secondary flow of water from the return circuit is reintroduced into the standing wave. At least some of the water may enter the return circuit at a height above the throat. The manipulable portion of the wave generating system may be manipulable by an arrangement of actuators that are configured to adjust a position and an angular orientation of the manipulable portion. The return circuit may be configured to generate a secondary flow of water that intersects with the primary fiow of water to generate the standing wave. The method may further comprise surfing on the standing wave.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a skewed isometric view of a wave generating system, according to one example embodiment.

Figure 2 is a cross-section view of the wave generating system of

Figure 1.

Figure 2A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the wave generating system shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2.

Figure 3 is a computational fluid dynamics schematic of water flowing through the wave generating system of Figure 1 at one moment in time in which a throat or gap associated with a water return circuit of the system is relatively narrow.

Figure 3A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the computational fluid dynamics schematic of Figure 3.

Figure 4 is a computational fluid dynamics schematic of water flowing through the wave generating system of Figure 1 at one moment in time in which the throat or gap associated with the water return circuit of the system is relatively wide.

Figure 4A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the computational fluid dynamics schematic of Figure 4.

Figure 5 is a computational fluid dynamics schematic of water flowing through a wave generating system similar to the system of Figure 1 at one moment in time in which the throat or gap associated with a water return circuit of the system is relatively narrow.

Figure 5A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the computational fluid dynamics schematic of Figure 5.

Figure 6 is a computational fluid dynamics schematic of water flowing through the wave generating system of Figure 5 at one moment in time in which the throat or gap associated with the water return circuit is relatively wide.

Figure 6A is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the computational fluid dynamics schematic of Figure 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of aspects of the various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques associated with wave generating systems may not be shown or described in detail to avoid

unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as "including, but not limited to."

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment ^" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Figure 1 shows a wave generating system 1 , according to one example embodiment, that is operative to generate a particularly well formed and consistent standing wave W (Figure 4A) for riders to surf in a contained environment. Figure 2 provides a cross-sectional view of the wave generating system 1 , Figure 2A provides an enlarged detail view thereof, and Figures 3 through 4A provide computational fluid dynamics schematics showing the flow of water through the wave generating system 1 at different moments in time.

Further details of the wave generating system 1 will be described predominately with reference to Figures 1 , 2 and 2A. As shown in Figure 1 , the wave generating system 1 may be a fully contained unit that is suitable for use as an indoor or outdoor wave generating machine for riders to surf on a standing wave W (Figure 4A) generated by the system.

In operation, and in accordance with the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 , water exits one or more discharge nozzles 2 from the upper end of one or more pump devices P at a flow rate of about 90- 100 gallons per second for each foot of width of a downstream surf section 10 of the wave generating system 1 , and flows onto a flow table 3, which is horizontal or generally horizontal, then accelerates down a fixed ramp 4 having a slope, for example, of about ten to about fifteen degrees and a vertical drop of about 2.75 feet and reaches a terminal velocity of about sixteen feet per second near the bottom of the ramp 4. At the bottom of ramp 4 there is a fixed level section 6, which may extend, for example, for a relatively short distance of about twenty inches, followed by an upward sloped ramp 7 having a slope, for example, of about 12 to about 13 degrees for a relatively short distance of about, for example, twenty-one inches which leads to an adjustable ramp 8. According to the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable ramp 8 includes a rounded downstream end and is controiiably movable via linear actuators A (which may be positioned at each of four corners of the adjustable ramp 8 to adjust the location and/or angular orientation of the ramp 8). For example, the leading edge of the adjustable ramp 8 is shown as being adjustable in height via one or more upstream actuators A and the trailing edge of the adjustable ramp 8 is shown as being adjustable via one or more downstream actuators A. The combination of adjusting the leading edge and the trailing edge via such actuators A allows for an upward slope of the adjustable ramp 8 to be

manipulated between about twenty degrees and about thirty degrees and to travel fore and aft, if needed, to precisely control a size and shape of the throat or gap 12 for pressurized water to pass through the throat or gap 12 and reenter the wave W (Figure 4A) to form a water pocket 19 (Figure 4A) which serves as a foundation of the standing wave W.

Downstream of the adjustable ramp 8 is an elongate surf section

10, An upstream portion of the surf section 10 may be level or generally level and may extend, for example, for about eight feet, and a downstream portion of the surf section 10 may be sloped upwards, for example, at about seven degrees to about 9 degrees, and may extend, for example, for about four feet, The upstream end of the surf section 10 contains a structural member 1 1 preferably with a rounded upstream end that may extend, for example, for about fifteen inches and may be angled, for example, at about forty-five degrees. During operation the adjustable ramp 8 may be manipulated to produce an upward slope from about twenty degrees to about thirty degrees and to define a throat or gap 12 having a gap distance between about 1 inch and about 3 inches between the adjustable ramp 8 and the structural member

1 1 . Water flow through the throat or gap 12 may be about six gallons per second per each foot of wave width and move at a velocity of about 6,5 feet per second for about a 1 .5 inch throat or gap 12 and a velocity of about 9.6 feet per second for about a 1 .0 inch throat or gap 12.

According to the illustrated embodiment, immediately downstream of the surf section 10 is an upwardly sloped ramp or aft ramp 13 (which may have a slope from about 8 to about 12 degrees), which continues until a vertical distance of, for example, about 3.15 feet above level portion of surf section 10. At the aft end of the aft ramp 13 there is provided a final level section 14, which may extend, for example, for a length of about 6.25 feet.

Attached to the underside of aft ramp 13 about six feet downstream from the start of a grated section and about 1 .5 to 3 feet vertical distance above the surf section 10 is an angled return member 15 running perpendicular to sidewalls 5 of the wave generating system 1 and oriented at about 55 degrees forward of level and extending for a length of about 5.75 feet. The angled return member is joined to a level shelf 16 at about ten to about twenty inches lower than surf section 10, which runs upstream for a distance of about twelve feet from an end of the angled return member 15. At the upstream end of the shelf 16 is an angled member 17 that is oriented at about forty-five degrees from horizontal for a linear distance of about 3.5 feet and which intersects in a location near the leading edge of the adjustable ramp 8.

The aft ramp 13 of the illustrated embodiment is not solid. A first portion of the aft ramp 13, from the upstream lowest point until where the angled return member 15 intersects the aft ramp 13, has open porous grates, which may have from about 25% to about 50% porosity. A second portion 18 of the aft ramp 13 from where the angled return member 15 intersects to the downstream end thereof may have open porosity from about 50% to about 60%. The upwardly most level shelf 14 may also have open porosity from about 50% to about 60%.

With pumps off the surf section 10 drains dry. At startup water is pumped onto flow table 3, flows down ramp 4 then up and over adjustable ramp 8 to surf section 10, then a portion of the water flows through the grates under the influence of gravity and is redirected by the angled return member 15 underneath the surf section 10, flowing in the opposite direction to the primary flow in the wave generating system 1 , to a final angled member 17 which redirects the flow to directly underneath the adjustable ramp 8 to the throat or gap 12 between the adjustable ramp 8 and the structural piece 1 1 at the upstream end of the surf section 10. Due to head pressure from water in the surf section 10 water is forced downward through the porous grates to the angled return member 15 and when the pressurized flowing wafer is pushed through the throat or gap 12 it accelerates to between about 7 and about 10 feet per second and reenters the surf section 10 just underneath the relatively fast moving primary flow of water moving over the top of the adjustable ramp 8 and begins to form a water pocket 19 (Figure 4A) that over time grows to become a foundation of a surfable wave W (Figure 4A).

As can be appreciated from a review of the computational fluid dynamics schematics of Figures 3 through 8A, the secondary or return flow through the throat or gap 12 may reenter the wave W at a velocity that is greater than the water pocket 19 yet slower than the flow over adjustable ramp 8 creating a boundary layer which stabilizes the relative interaction between the fast moving water moving over the adjustable ramp 8 and constantly adds water to the water pocket 19, Water pocket 19, encapsulated by the sidewails 5 of the wave generating system 1 , the surf section 10, and the structural member 1 1 , and by the fast water moving water flow over the adjustable ramp 8, grows from the secondary or return flow introduced to the wave W via the throat or gap 12, thereby producing a parabola shaped wave W with a speed of about nine to about eleven mph, a height of about four to about five feet above a floor of the surf section 10 and a wave angle of about 30 to about 35 degrees from horizontal for riders to enjoy the balancing forces of rising water, gravity and using weight distribution on surfboards to execute linked turns side-to~side from the bottom to the top of the parabola.

The portion of the water that does not flow down through the grates leading to the angled return member 15 continues to flow aft and upward and drop through the porous grates in the aft ramp 13 returning the water by gravity to the containment below where it then flows back towards the pumps P to be discharged as the primary flow of water of the wave generating system 1 .

Although aspects of the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 shown in the Figures are described herein as having various example dimensions and angles, it is appreciated that such dimensions and angles may vary significantly and are not limiting.

Furthermore, although the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 shown in the Figures includes a return circuit C which is gravity fed, it is appreciated that in some embodiments, supplemental flow through the return circuit C may be provided in whole or in part by auxiliary pumps. For example, in one embodiment, propeller pumps may be mounted within the angled return member 15 to assist in generating the supplemental flow through the throat or gap 12 of the return circuit C.

Still further, although the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 shown in the Figures is configured such that the

supplemental flow through the throat or gap 12 rejoins and intermixes with the primary flow of water moving over the adjustable ramp 8, it is appreciated that in other embodiments the supplemental flow may be directed to fill a permeable or non-permeable water expandable plastic water pocket 19 to assist in forming a foundation for the standing wave W.

Still further, although the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 shown in the Figures is shown with grated outflow sections each having a fixed porosity, it is appreciated that in some embodiments one or more of the outflow sections may have an adjustable porosity.

In addition, although the example embodiment of the wave generating system 1 depicts the adjustable ramp 8 as being mounted via linear actuators A to provide adjustability of the position and/or angular orientation of the ramp 8, it is appreciated that in some instances a leading end and/or a trailing end of the ramp may be fixed, and that in some instances only one of opposing ends of the ramp 8 may be displaceable by actuators.

U.S. provisional patent application no. 62/535,628, filed July 21 , 2017, to which this application claims priority, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.