Flow system for generating a counterflow

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow system (1) comprising a swimming pool (2) and at least one flow device (3) for generating a counterflow (4) for a subject (5) in the pool (2), wherein the flow device (3) comprises the following: at least one flow drive (6) which is driven by at least one motor (7) of the flow device (3), and at least one drive channel (8) in which a pressure difference between at least one drive channel inlet (9) and at least one drive channel outlet (10) can be generated by the flow drive (6), wherein the drive channel inlet (9) and drive channel outlet (10) are arranged below a water line (11) of the pool (2), and wherein the drive channel outlet (10) is oriented to output the counterflow (4) along a counterflow direction (12), wherein the flow device (3), or a combination (Z) of at least two flow devices (3), comprises at least one bypass channel (13) having a bypass channel inlet (14) and a bypass channel outlet (15), wherein the at least one bypass channel (13) is at least partially spaced apart from a drive channel outer edge (16), and wherein the bypass channel outlet (15) is oriented substantially along the counterflow direction (12).

Description

[0001] Flow system for generating a counterflow

[0002] The invention relates to a flow system comprising a water basin and at least one flow device for generating a countercurrent for a subject in the water basin, wherein the flow device comprises the following: at least one flow drive which is driven by at least one motor of the flow device, and at least one drive channel in which, by means of the flow drive, a pressure difference can be generated between at least one drive channel inlet and at least one drive channel outlet, wherein the drive channel inlet and drive channel outlet are arranged below a water line of the water basin, and wherein the drive channel outlet is aligned along a countercurrent direction to output the countercurrent.

[0003] The purpose of a current system, or countercurrent system, is to create the possibility of keeping a subject, usually a human, in a pool or swimming pool, in place by providing a countercurrent. By applying a defined volume flow at a defined flow velocity in the water, the subject can be held in a fixed, or constant, position relative to the pool without reaching the edge of the pool.

[0004] State-of-the-art countercurrent systems generally comprise a single flow outlet, or drive channel outlet, from which a countercurrent is emitted toward the swimmer. Some countercurrent systems also utilize a deflection element to achieve a directed countercurrent. A significant disadvantage of known countercurrent systems is that, despite the use of deflection elements or an adapted outlet shape, the actual movement cross-section or movement area of ​​a swimmer is not sufficiently homogeneous. Furthermore, known countercurrent systems, when used in a pool, take up a lot of space or produce a weak countercurrent.

[0005] A desirable homogeneous or homogenized countercurrent is generally understood to mean that the flow in the area of ​​the subject has little turbulence, eddies, and disturbances, and that there are no asymmetric flow profiles. Pulsations can also disrupt movement in the water. This desirable homogenized countercurrent is generally not achieved in known countercurrent systems. This is due to the fact that when a countercurrent or flow is generated by a propeller, as is commonly used, this inherently imposes swirl and an uneven velocity profile on the countercurrent. Likewise, diverting a flow using a bend can impose swirling or uneven flow on the countercurrent.impose inhomogeneous flow structures, which on the one hand are accompanied by higher dissipation and thus losses of the kinetic energy of the counterflow, and on the other hand can disturb or make impossible a uniform movement of a subject.

[0006] Some state-of-the-art countercurrent systems recognize these problems, but they supply the movement space or reference space of a subject with a highly inhomogeneous countercurrent. Furthermore, deflection elements or manifolds cause significant losses of kinetic energy and pressure losses due to narrowing or widening of the flow cross-section, or flow through rectifier openings and the associated increased friction or flow deflection. This consequently requires more powerful flow drives, which generally require a larger installation space.

[0007] Another issue with conventional counter-current systems is product safety. One of the most common causes of death among young children is drowning in pools, sometimes caused by counter-current systems that have structurally hazardous areas. For this reason, strict guidelines generally apply to counter-current systems in public pools.

[0008] Dangers, and thus product safety deficiencies, arise primarily from high negative pressures or suction pressures at the drive channel inlet of countercurrent systems. Suction, especially of children and frail people, creates an increased risk of drowning.

[0009] Another factor in product safety is that many common systems use a propeller as a current drive to provide the countercurrent. Long hair is particularly dangerous, as many countercurrent systems often have to be designed very small due to space limitations in a pool, which makes it easier for hair to get caught in the propeller. The greatest danger, again, is potential drowning due to hair getting caught or trapped in the propeller.

[0010] Another source of danger is getting trapped under or behind a counter-current system.

[0011] A prior art countercurrent system is disclosed in EP3653275A1. The countercurrent system is designed with a propeller coupled to a motor, to which a channel is connected, through which the water is directed into a pool. The outlet nozzle can be designed such that the cross-section of the opening is oval.

[0012] Another example of a known countercurrent system comprising a rectifier or outlet diffuser is disclosed in US4665572A. This rectifier is intended to provide a stratified countercurrent flow, with lamellar structures or deflection elements formed in the outlet of the flow to divide and straighten the countercurrent flow.

[0013] DE2401040A1 discloses a countercurrent system for swimming pools, with the water outlet nozzle having an adapted cross-section, which is intended to provide a swimmer with a more favorable cross-sectional shape of the water flow with the same intensity, while requiring minimal effort. However, the problems and disadvantages described above are not sufficiently addressed in this countercurrent system either.

[0014] The object of the invention, in light of the prior art, can be seen as providing a solution to the aforementioned disadvantages of known countercurrent systems. The primary objective is to provide a more compact solution for providing a homogenized countercurrent for a subject in a water pool compared to the prior art, without increasing the required drive power.

[0015] According to the invention, the present object is achieved in that a flow device of the flow system, or a combination of at least two flow devices, comprises at least one bypass channel with a bypass channel inlet and a bypass channel outlet, wherein the at least one bypass channel is at least partially spaced from a drive channel edge, and wherein the bypass channel outlet is aligned substantially along the counterflow direction. The at least one bypass channel combines two significant advantages that contribute to achieving the stated object.

[0016] First, additional water is entrained through the bypass channel with the flow generated by the drive channel, so that the resulting countercurrent provides a higher volume flow at the same drive power compared to a flow device without the inventive bypass channel. This makes it possible to compact the motor and / or the flow drive of the inventive flow device, thereby providing a smaller and more cost-effective flow device. A more compact flow device is also easier to transport and set up, and takes up less space in a water tank, thus providing more room for movement for a subject.

[0017] Secondly, the at least one bypass channel provides an additional inlet for entrained water, which supplies the countercurrent, or free jet, or free jets from the drive channel with additional water. This results in a cross-section around the subject being subjected to a large-area countercurrent. If no bypass channel were formed, in the case of a single free jet emerging from the drive channel, the circumference at which the free jet can entrain surrounding water would be limited to the outer circumference of the free jet. In the case of multiple free jets emerging distributed across the exit cross-section of the drive channel, these free jets would contract into a single free jet due to the insufficient amount of water between the free jets.In both cases, this results in the cross-section in which the countercurrent has an approximately homogeneous velocity distribution, but does not encompass the entire movement space of the subject. In the case of a swimming person, this results in an unnatural swimming sensation, since the cross-section of the countercurrent around the swimming person does not have a sufficiently homogeneous velocity distribution.

[0018] A free jet is a flow that is expelled into the surrounding environment without any wall boundary through the outlet opening of the drive channel. The outgoing counterflow has greater momentum than the water in the pool and therefore also different velocities. A shear layer forms between them, through which surrounding water is sucked in and entrained. The bypass channels represent gaps in the outlet opening, thus increasing the circumference over which a shear layer can form, while simultaneously allowing sufficient water to flow through the bypass channels to be entrained. This has a beneficial effect on the volume flow of the counterflow and the homogeneity of its velocity distribution.

[0019] Further secondary advantages which can be provided by the at least one bypass channel with suitable dimensioning are given below.

[0020] The advantage can be achieved that the volume flow of water flowing through the bypass channel flows into the core region of the counterflow from the drive channel outlet, which in turn leads to an equalization or homogenization of the counterflow, since the flow in the core region is not unaffected by the external fluid and therefore moves forward unhindered. The core region of the flow is to be understood as that, due to wall friction effects and the formation of boundary layers on walls, there will always be a flow at the outlet of the drive channel which has regions that flow more slowly than others. The core region is the region that is not influenced by wall boundary layers, etc. The cross-section of the core region of a free jet decreases with increasing distance from the outlet opening as a result of the expanding shear layer at the edge of the free jet.Since the at least one bypass channel is arranged at a distance from the drive channel outer edge, and water is drawn from this, the cross section of the unbraked core area is already reduced at the outlet opening. This results in homogenization, whereby at the same time the flow drive has to impart less energy to the flow in order to provide a counterflow of sufficient speed and sufficient cross section.

[0021] A further effect that can reduce the required drive power of the motor is that the backflow, which inevitably forms in the water basin due to the deflection of the counterflow at the back wall of the water basin, is partly absorbed by at least one bypass channel inlet, in order to then be added to the counterflow with its remaining undissipated and deflected flow velocity in order to be directed again to the swimmer.

[0022] In known countercurrent systems, however, the countercurrent and subsequently the diverted return current are diffused or deflected in an uncontrolled manner at the front wall of the water basin, where the flow device is usually positioned, in such a way that they cannot be mixed into the flow of the drive channel in a directed manner by means of bypass channels. Preferably, the bypass channel inlet is arranged behind the bypass channel outlet, pointing against the direction of countercurrent, and the bypass channel inlet and bypass channel outlet are formed essentially straight with respect to their centers. This has the advantage that a return current which is deflected by the front wall of the water basin can be absorbed particularly efficiently by the at least one bypass channel inlet. The straightness of the bypass channel leads to a particularly directed and conditioned countercurrent, whereby the absence of bends and other deformations, orDeflections allow flow through the side stream channels and also filling of the core area of ​​the flow to occur particularly loss-free.

[0023] Centers can be understood as the center point that is equally spaced from the edges of the respective bypass duct inlet and outlet. The term "straight" refers to the geometric shape of the connecting line, or center line, of the respective center points.

[0024] In one embodiment, the flow drive and the motor can be located outside a frontal plane projection of the bypass channel outlet, with the bypass channel inlet being spaced apart from the water basin. This provides the advantage that the bypass channels are free of deflections, allowing water to be entrained from the front wall of the water basin with particularly low loss.

[0025] Preferably, the outer edge of the drive channel has the cross-sectional shape of a shell of frontal, flat projections of the subject, below the waterline. This makes it possible to provide a countercurrent that is tailored to the subject, since only the relevant cross-section around the subject is subjected to a countercurrent. Adapted countercurrent can be understood to mean, for example, that the torso of a swimmer, which presents the greatest resistance to the countercurrent when swimming on their front, is particularly affected by the current. If the countercurrent only flows against this area, firstly, less engine power or propulsion power needs to be applied, since less water needs to be accelerated around the swimmer. Secondly, this creates more space for the return current, which inevitably has a flow velocity inverse to the countercurrent, whereby flowing past each other always entails losses.

[0026] Primarily, however, adapted countercurrent should be understood as the largest possible cross-section of the countercurrent around the subject, so that a natural swimming movement or a large-area flow around it is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the drive channel outlet can have a perforated plate with at least two holes through which the countercurrent exits, wherein the holes can be dimensioned and arranged such that the most homogeneous countercurrent possible or a constant flow velocity can be provided from the holes. This has the advantage of providing an even more homogeneous countercurrent for a swimmer or a subject being flowed around. It should be noted that the holes can also output the countercurrent at an angle.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the drive channel has a bend, wherein the bend smoothly transitions the cross-section of the drive channel inlet to the cross-section of the drive channel outlet. The bend provides the advantage of redirecting the internal flow of the flow device, thereby undergoing a certain degree of preconditioning, so that a more homogeneous counterflow can be provided for the subject being flowed around. For this purpose, the interior of the bend can be equipped with deflection plates, baffles, guide vanes, perforated plates, or other elements for flow guidance and flow homogenization.

[0028] Furthermore, the manifold can have multiple flow channels, each of which is individually connected to the holes in the perforated plate. This provides the advantage that the internal flow of the flow device is directed specifically to each hole, ensuring a specifically defined flow velocity from each hole. The flow channels are not limited to round cross-sections; oval or rectangular cross-sections are also possible, for example. Some of the holes can be designed as bypass channels.

[0029] If, in addition, a length and a diameter profile and a flow channel curvature of the flow channels are dependent on their relative position to the flow drive and drive channel outlet, and are designed in such a way that a respective equal flow velocity emerges from the holes and / or a countercurrent is maintained for an adapted swimming sensation, the advantage is also obtained that how the countercurrent impacts a subject can be defined particularly precisely.

[0030] To achieve a customized swimming experience, it is crucial to specifically manipulate the exit speeds. This may mean that the exit speed must be higher in the peripheral zone of the current. In one embodiment, a housing can surround the flow drive and the drive channel inlet at a distance, with the housing being adjustable in length to reach the bottom of the pool. On the one hand, this has the advantage that elements of the flow system that pose a potential danger can be shielded from a user or swimmer. On the other hand, the length adjustability can prevent a swimmer or a swimming subject from remaining underneath the flow device.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the housing may have a boundary surface with perforations, wherein the perforations are dimensioned such that a single perforation has an opening area of ​​less than 1 cm 2 , preferably less than 0.5 cm 2 The perforations can also have an opening diameter of less than 8 mm or greater than 25 mm. When arranged over a large area and in full, these perforations prevent the formation of local flow peaks where high suction pressures can occur, which could subsequently lead to the suction of a swimmer or subject. Keeping the perforations small increases product safety.

[0032] Advantageous and non-limiting embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a flow device of a flow system in perspective.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows the flow device from Fig. 1 in frontal view.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a section of the perforated plate of the flow device of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in detail.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a special embodiment of a manifold.

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a flow system with a flow device in a pool. Fig. 6 shows a frontal view of a swimmer in a freestyle stroke, a contour of a drive channel's outer edge, and a contour of the cross-section of the countercurrent.

[0038] Fig. 7 shows a frontal view of a person in a walking or running movement, a contour of an outer edge of a drive channel and a contour of the cross-section of the counterflow.

[0039] Fig. 8 shows a frontal view of a horse in a walking or running motion, a contour of the outer edge of the drive channel, and a contour of the cross-section of the countercurrent flow. Fig. 9 shows a frontal view of a dog in a swimming motion, a contour of the outer edge of the drive channel, and a contour of the cross-section of the countercurrent flow.

[0040] Fig. 10 shows an embodiment of the flow device with housing.

[0041] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a flow system in which the flow device is flush with the front wall of a water basin. Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a flow system in which a drive channel 8 extends into a water basin.

[0042] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a flow system in which a drive channel runs outside the water basin, with a drive channel inlet attracting water in the region of a side wall of the water basin.

[0043] Fig. 14 shows a particular embodiment of a flow device, wherein ten bypass channels are arranged in a funnel-shaped drive channel outlet. Fig. 15 shows a particular embodiment of a flow device, wherein eight drive channel outlets are interspersed by a grid-shaped bypass channel.

[0044] Fig. 16 shows a special embodiment of a flow device, wherein the drive channel is X-shaped.

[0045] Fig. 17 shows a particular embodiment of a flow device in which a flow device with two drive channels is shown.

[0046] Fig. 18 shows a sectional view of the flow device of Fig. 10 in a water basin.

[0047] Fig. 19 shows the flow device from Fig. 1 and a complete flow in a water basin out of the drive channels and bypass channels.

[0048] Fig.20 shows the flow system from Fig.19 in a top view.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a flow device 3 comprising a flow drive 6, which is driven by at least one motor 7 of the flow device 3, and a drive channel 8, in which a pressure difference can be generated between at least one drive channel inlet 9 and at least one drive channel outlet 10 by the flow drive 6, wherein the drive channel inlet 9 and drive channel outlet 10 are arranged below a waterline 11 of the water basin 2, and wherein the drive channel outlet 10 is aligned to discharge the counterflow 4 along a counterflow direction 12. The flow device 3 has three bypass channels 13, wherein each bypass channel 13 comprises a bypass channel inlet 14 and a bypass channel outlet 15, wherein each bypass channel 13 is spaced from a drive channel outer edge 16. The bypass channel outlets 15 are aligned along the counterflow direction 12. In the embodiment of Fig.In Fig. 1, the bypass channels 13 penetrate the drive channel 8. It should be noted that the bypass channels 13 can also be openly connected to the drive channel outer edge 16. The flow device described in Fig. 1 is illustrated in Fig. 19 in the context of a flow system with a water basin and subject 5. Fig. 20 shows the flow system of Fig. 19 in a top view.

[0050] Intake directions 24 of the secondary flow channels 13 and intake directions 25 of the drive channel 8 are shown, whereby the flow direction 27 of the drive channel 8 and the flow direction 26 of the secondary flow channels 13 are also shown.

[0051] The term "flow drive 6" can also be understood to mean multiple propellers, pump wheels, impellers, or other working machines, both flow machines and positive displacement machines. The flow drive 6 can be driven by a single motor 7, or by several that are connected to one another by a gearbox or other machine element. It should be noted that the flow drive 6 and the motor 7 do not necessarily have to be arranged within the water basin 2. For example, one or more motors 7 could also be housed outside the water basin 2. Likewise, the flow drive 6 can also be located outside the water basin 2, since only the drive channel inlet 9, drive channel outlet 10, and the at least one bypass channel 13 need to be below the waterline 11 in order to be able to draw water in from the water basin 2 and expel it again.

[0052] The motor 7 of the flow device 3 can also be an internal combustion engine, a turbine motor, or even an electric motor. A 24-volt DC electric motor connected to a standard 230-volt outlet is preferred. The countercurrent generated by such an electric motor can reach, for example, 1.45 meters per second.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the flow drive 6 is a propeller arranged within the drive channel 8. The flow drive 6 is rotated by a motor 7 in order to achieve the necessary pressure difference for imposing a flow velocity on the water in the water basin 2. The motor 7 is connected to the flow drive 6 by a drive shaft. The motor 7 is cooled on its outer wall by the water flowing past to enable continuous operation. The flow drive 6 is spaced so far from the drive channel inlet 9 and drive channel outlet 10 that even the long hair of a swimmer 5 cannot be wound up, thus ensuring the greatest possible product safety. Long hair can be understood to mean hair with a length of 40, 50, or 60 cm or even longer.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 10, the drive channel 8, its drive channel inlet 9, and the flow drive 6 can be surrounded by a housing 20 at a distance. The drive channel inlet 9 is arranged at a distance from the underside of the housing so that water can flow unhindered into the drive channel inlet 9. The housing 20 is adjustable in length so that, in the operating position, it can contact the bottom of the water basin 2 to prevent a float 5 from remaining under the flow device 3 and getting stuck. Preferably, the adjustable length of the housing 20 can be adapted to a water basin depth of 1.2 to 1.6 meters, but lengths of 2 or 3 meters are also possible. The flow device 3 described in Fig. 10 is shown in Fig. 18 in the context of a flow system 1 with a water basin 2 and subject 5.

[0055] The housing 20 of the flow device 3 from Fig. 10 is designed with perforations across its entire boundary surface, with the exception of reinforcing ribs, which give the housing 20 great resistance to external influences. These perforations serve, firstly, as a sieve or filter to catch debris from the water and keep the flow drive 6 and motor 7, as well as the drive channels 8 and bypass channels 13, clear. Secondly, the fine-mesh perforations protect the swimmer or swimming subject 5, preventing any body part from coming into contact with the flow drive 6. Preferably, the minimum distance achievable from a body part of the swimmer or swimming subject 5 to the flow drive 6 on a minimal path is at least 40 centimeters. The perforations are designed in such a way that even a child cannot insert their fingers through the perforation.Preferably, the perforations have a diameter of no more than 3 or 8 millimeters, and the flow velocity acting on the housing 20 is preferably less than 0.3 or less than 0.5 meters per second. The size of the perforations, as well as their number and distribution, can also be determined according to the Bath Hygiene Act. According to this law, the force exerted on standard hairs must not exceed 25 Newtons.

[0056] The perforations can be hole-shaped or grid-like. The size, position, and distribution of the individual perforations can depend on the flow drive 6 and its surrounding flow profile in order to compensate for local flow peaks and to achieve homogeneous intake across the entire perforated interface. For example, smaller holes can be present toward the drive channel inlet 9, which become larger with increasing distance from the drive channel inlet 9. The interface of the housing 20 can also be designed with folds, which increase its surface area and thus reduce flow losses.

[0057] It should be noted that the part of the housing 20 that touches the ground can be designed with weight elements, such as sand or lead balls, which can be placed in a deformable membrane. This allows for unevenness or gaps in the bottom of a water basin 2 to be compensated for, and additionally prevents the flow device 3 from floating. Furthermore, the removable weight provides the flow device 3 with increased stability in the operating position. Installation in a water basin 2 is also facilitated, since the weight elements can only be added when the flow device 3 is placed in the water basin 2.

[0058] The flow drive 6 and the motor 7 of the flow device 3 of Fig. 1 are arranged along a vertical axis to occupy as little area as possible of the water basin 2. To discharge the counterflow 4 in the desired counterflow direction 12, a bend 19 is provided in the drive channel 8, wherein the bend 19 continuously transfers the cross-section of the drive channel inlet 9 to the cross-section of the drive channel outlet 10. The bend 19 can specifically redirect the internal flow of the flow device 3 using guide vanes, bends, deflection plates, internal rectifiers, W-shaped collectors, or Y-shaped collectors. Fig. 14 shows a flow device 3 without a bend.

[0059] The bypass channel inlets 14 are arranged behind the respective bypass channel outlet 15, pointing against the counterflow direction 12. The respective bypass channel inlet 14 and respective bypass channel outlet 15 are formed essentially rectilinearly with respect to their centers 17. In Fig. 2, in which the flow device 3 from Fig. 1 is shown in a frontal view, it is clear how this feature is represented. The three bypass channels 13 are free of bends in the frontal view, and the bypass channel inlets 14 and bypass channel outlets 15 are arranged one behind the other. It should also be understood that the bypass channels 13 can also be arranged at an angle to the counterflow direction 12. The bypass channel inlets 14 can be designed with curves or chamfers for low-loss inflow.

[0060] It should be noted that the areas of the bypass channel inlets 14 and the bypass channel outlets 15 can have different shapes and sizes. For example, the bypass channel outlet 14 could be smaller than the bypass channel inlet 15 to create a jet effect in which the flow velocity through the bypass channel 13 increases toward the smaller area.

[0061] Furthermore, the flow drive 6 and the motor 7 are located outside a frontal plane projection of the bypass channel outlet 15. In other words, there are no bulky elements in the path of the flow through the bypass channel 13, which could negatively influence the flow through necessary deflections, redirections, or constrictions. It should be noted that the motor 7 could, for example, be located above the bypass channels 13 or outside the water basin 2, and only a thin drive shaft could lead through the frontal plane projection to the flow drive 6. It is not absolutely necessary for a flow drive 6 and a motor 7 to be located outside a frontal plane projection of the bypass channel outlets 15. An example of this is the flow device 3 in Fig. 14.

[0062] Frontal plane projection can be understood to mean that in the frontal view of the flow device 3, as shown in Fig. 2, no other elements are cut in the projection of the bypass channel outlets 15.

[0063] A further feature that the flow device 3 can have is a perforated plate 18 provided in the drive channel outlet 10. The perforated plate 18 is formed with at least two holes through which the counterflow 4 exits, the holes being dimensioned and arranged such that the most homogeneous counterflow 4 possible is provided. Fig. 3 shows a detail of the perforated plate 18 of the flow device 3 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. It can be seen that holes near the bypass channels 13 are formed with a smaller diameter in order to accelerate the exit velocity from these by means of the nozzle effect in order to draw in a particularly large amount of water from the bypass channels 13, given appropriate dimensioning of the remaining elements of the flow device 3. It should be noted that the perforated plate 18 can be designed like a grid or net.The holes in the perforated plate 18 can also be covered with a mesh or grid. Furthermore, it should be noted that the holes can also be conical.

[0064] It can also be seen in Fig. 3 that the holes can protrude from a plane, connected by fillets. Individual holes can protrude from this plane by varying distances in order to promote the entrainment of water from the bypass channels 13. The fillets are preferably formed not only on the outside of the holes, but also on the inside. This has the advantage that fewer losses occur when the flow is deflected into the holes. It should also be noted that the holes can also end smoothly with the perforated plate 18, or the aforementioned plane. The perforated plate 18 can also be curved out of the plane in order to further homogenize the counterflow 4.

[0065] The holes in the perforated plate 18 can also discharge their respective flow at an angle to provide an adapted cross-sectional shape of the counterflow 4. Adjustment devices, for example in the form of ball valve-like inserts, could also be provided in the holes to change the aforementioned angle or to reduce or close individual holes. The protruding holes can therefore also be designed as nozzles or diffusers to further homogenize the counterflow 4 and / or adjust the cross-section of the counterflow 4.

[0066] It should also be noted that the perforated plate 18 itself may already have a curvature or may be deformed at an angle. Thus, in one embodiment of the perforated plate, a surface of the perforated plate in which the holes are arranged may be curved in order to specifically direct the water flow or the counterflow. This allows a larger cross-section to be achieved in the relevant flow region or in the cross-section of the counterflow 23 of the applying subject 5. The drive channel outlet may also be designed from several curved surfaces that are inclined outward, with the secondary flow channels 13 being aligned substantially along the flow direction.

[0067] It should be noted that the holes in the perforated plate 18 can also be provided with closure elements, whereby the closure elements can change the diameter of the holes or close them reversibly. This allows the cross-section of the counterflow 4 to be adapted to different float sizes and also the distance between the float 5 and the flow device 3.

[0068] Fig. 4 shows a section through a particular embodiment of a bend 19 of a flow device 3. Several flow channels 21 are provided, each of which is individually connected to the holes in the perforated plate 18. Particularly preferred are the length, diameter, and curvature of the flow channels 21, depending on their relative position to the flow drive 6 and drive channel outlet 10, so that a constant flow velocity emerges from the holes. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the flow channels 21 provide a longer path for dissipating the swirling flow imposed by the bend 19 or by the flow drive 6.Furthermore, by dividing the flow into several flow channels 21, the imposed swirl is partitioned early on and attenuated by the flow channel wall and internal fluid friction. The flow channels 21 are designed in such a way that they do not collide with the bypass channels 13.

[0069] Now referring to Fig. 5, in which an entire flow system 1 is shown, wherein the flow device 3 from Figs. 1 and 2 is arranged in a water basin 2. It should be clarified that the cross-section 23 of the countercurrent 4 in the region of the subject 5, which in the case of Fig. 5 is a swimmer 5 swimming at a distance from the flow device 3, widens from the drive outlet 10 towards the swimmer 5. The drive channel outlet 10 therefore does not have to be the same size as the swimmer 5, but it is preferred that the drive channel outlet 10 has the cross-sectional shape of a transversely planar projection of a swimmer 5, below the waterline 11 in a belly-swimming position, with arms crossed in front of the body.By the time the countercurrent 4 reaches the swimmer 5, it has expanded sufficiently to allow all common swimming strokes, such as breaststroke, butterfly, and crawl, to be reliably and precisely directed without applying more current than necessary. The crawl stroke with the outlet shape described above is shown in Fig. 6.

[0070] It should also be mentioned that the cross-sectional shape of the drive channel outlet 10, or the drive channel outer edge 16, can also be formed as a round hole, oval, or slot. Likewise, the size, number, orientation, and cross-sectional shape of the bypass channels 13, in relation to the geometric design of the at least one drive channel outlet 10, can determine how far the counterflow 4 expands up to the float 5, and which cross-section of the counterflow 4 actually reaches the float 5. Thus, by drawing water through the bypass channels 13, even a round cross-section of the drive channel outlet can be converted into a non-circular cross-section of the counterflow 4, with appropriate distribution. It should be noted that the boundary condition of the water surface, or waterline 11, also influences the shape of the cross-section of the counterflow 23. Fig.Figure 6 shows the drive channel outer edge 16 as a dashed line, and the cross-section of the countercurrent 23 as a solid line. The same applies to Figures 7, 8, and 9, with the respective drive channel outer edge 16 and thus the cross-section of the countercurrent 23 being adapted to the subject 5. Specifically, the respective subject 5 is a walking human 5 in Figure 7, a swimming or walking horse 5 in Figure 8, and a swimming dog 5 in Figure 9.

[0071] Figure 11 shows an embodiment of a flow system 1 in which the flow device 3 is flush with the front wall of the water basin. It can also be understood that the water basin 2 has a water-conducting niche or recess in which the flow device 3 is housed.

[0072] Fig. 12 shows a further embodiment of a flow system 1 in which a drive channel 8 extends into a water basin 2. It should be noted that the drive channel 8 can also be arranged at any location in the water basin 2.

[0073] In Fig. 13, a still further embodiment of a flow system 1 is shown, in which the drive channel 8 runs outside the water basin 2, wherein a drive channel inlet 9 draws water in the region of a side wall of the water basin 2.

[0074] Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of a flow device 3, wherein ten bypass channels 13 are arranged in a funnel-shaped drive channel outlet 10. It can be seen that the flow drive and motor 9 are arranged one behind the other in a frontal plane projection.

[0075] Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of a flow device 3, wherein eight drive channel outlets 10 are penetrated by a grid-shaped bypass channel 13. It should be noted that the bypass channel 13 is connected to an imaginary drive channel outer edge 16 (shown in dashed lines), wherein the bypass channel 13 is still at least partially spaced from the imaginary drive channel outer edge 16.

[0076] Fig. 16 shows a further embodiment of a flow device 3, wherein the drive channel outlet 10 is X-shaped and has four notch-like bypass channels 13, which are at least partially spaced from an imaginary drive channel outer edge 16 (shown in dashed lines). Fig. 17 shows a further embodiment of a flow device 3, wherein the flow device 3 is shown with two drive channels 8. The two drive channels 8 are centrally penetrated by a bypass channel 13. It should be noted that, in order to obtain the embodiment of Fig. 17, two separate flow devices 3 can also be combined into a combination Z. Similarly, for example, any number of flow devices 3 of Fig. 16 can be arranged next to one another to obtain a flow system 1 which can output a counterflow 4 from an entire wall of a water basin 2.

[0077] It should also be noted that the flow drive can also be designed as several counter-rotating propellers, or as a propeller with a guide device in order to impose a reduced swirl on the counter flow.

[0078] Likewise, at least one bypass channel can be provided with rounded radii to facilitate the inflow and outflow of water. The drive channel inlet and / or the drive channel outlet can also be provided with rounded radii.

[0079] Another way to create a swirl-free flow is to use two opposing drive channels that converge in a Y-shape or T-shape, each with a separate flow drive. The swirl is generated in opposite directions and with the same magnitude by each flow drive, resulting in a swirl-free flow.

[0080] It is also conceivable to provide adjustable deflection elements or closure elements on the drive channel and / or bypass channel. This would allow two split countercurrents to be efficiently provided for two swimmers or swimming subjects simultaneously in the same pool. Thus, using the adjustable closure elements, a strong and a weak countercurrent could be provided for each swimmer or swimming subject. It would also be conceivable to direct the countercurrent to the edge of the pool to create an annular flow without changing the installation angle of the flow device.

[0081] It should also be noted that the flow system can be provided, firstly, as a built-in system, with the flow device being integrally installed in the water basin. Secondly, the flow system can also be provided in such a way that the flow device is designed to be removable from the water basin, in which case it can be suspended from the edge of the water basin.

[0082] Finally, it should be noted that in one embodiment, the drive channel outer edge can have the cross-sectional shape of the combinatorial shell of transversely planar projections of a swimmer in a breaststroke, butterfly, and crawl stroke below the waterline. This provides a particularly efficient counterflow from the drive channel outlet, since only the most relevant cross-section, around a swimmer, is subjected to a counterflow.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A flow system (1) comprising a water basin (2) and at least one flow device (3) for generating a countercurrent (4) for a subject (5) in the water basin (2), wherein the flow device (3) comprises: at least one flow drive (6) driven by at least one motor (7) of the flow device (3), and at least one drive channel (8) in which, by means of the flow drive (6), a pressure difference can be generated between at least one drive channel inlet (9) and at least one drive channel outlet (10), wherein the drive channel inlet (9) and drive channel outlet (10) are arranged below a waterline (11) of the water basin (2), and wherein the drive channel outlet (10) is oriented to discharge the countercurrent (4) along a countercurrent direction (12), characterized in that the flow device (3), or a combination (Z) of at least two flow devices (3),at least one bypass channel (13) with at least one bypass channel inlet (14) and one bypass channel outlet (15), wherein the at least one bypass channel (13) is at least partially spaced from a drive channel outer edge (16), and wherein the bypass channel outlet (15) is aligned substantially along the counterflow direction (12).

2. Flow system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bypass channel inlet (14) is arranged behind the bypass channel outlet (15) pointing against the counterflow direction (12), and the bypass channel inlet (14) and bypass channel outlet (15) are formed substantially rectilinearly with respect to their centers (17).

3. Flow system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow drive (6) and the motor (7) are located outside a frontal plane projection of the bypass channel outlet (15) and that the bypass channel inlet (14) is arranged at a distance from the water basin (2).

4. Flow system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive channel outlet outer edge (16) has the cross-sectional shape of an envelope of frontal plane projections of the subject (5), below the waterline (11).

5. Flow system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive channel outlet (10) has a perforated plate (18) with at least two holes through which the counterflow (4) exits, wherein the holes are dimensioned and arranged such that a counterflow (4) that is as homogeneous as possible or a respective equal flow velocity is provided from the holes.

6. Flow system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive channel (8) has a bend (19), wherein the bend (19) continuously transfers the cross section of the drive channel inlet (9) to the cross section of the drive channel outlet (10).

7. Flow system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (20) surrounds the flow drive (6) and the drive channel inlet (9) at a distance, wherein the housing (20) is adjustable in length in order to reach a bottom of the water basin (2).

8. Flow system (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing (20) has a boundary surface with perforations, wherein the perforations are dimensioned such that a single perforation has an opening area of ​​less than 1 cm 2 , preferably less than 0.5 cm 2 or has an opening diameter of less than 8 mm or greater than 25 mm.

9. Flow system (1) according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the manifold (19) has a plurality of flow channels (21), wherein the flow channels (21) are individually connected to the holes of the perforated plate (18).

10. Flow system (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a length and a diameter profile and a flow channel curvature of the flow channels (21) are dependent on their relative position to the flow drive (6) and drive channel outlet (10) so that a respective equal flow velocity emerges from the holes and / or a counterflow for an adapted swimming feeling is obtained.

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