Curved Foil Wave Generation for Consistent Surfable Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to replicate ocean waves in a man-made environment that are desirable for surfing, lacking efficiency in transferring energy to generate waves with the desired size, form, speed, and duration for sustained surfability.
Innovation Solution
A wave generator system using a foil with a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry, submerged in a pool, generates surface gravity waves by imparting mechanical energy to the water, creating a solitary wave that propagates and breaks similarly to ocean waves, with adjustable foils and morphing mechanisms to optimize wave shape and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If linearly-actuated paddles, hydraulics or pneumatics caissons are used to generate waves, then waves can be produced in a man-made environment, but the energy transfer efficiency is low and the wave characteristics (size, form, speed, break) do not replicate desirable ocean waves
Solution Approach 1:
The wave generator uses a dynamic foil that moves through the water at controlled speeds, allowing real-time adjustment of wave characteristics. The foil's motion is continuously variable, enabling optimization of energy transfer efficiency while maintaining consistent wave quality for surfing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as foil velocity, angle of attack, and submersion depth to optimize both energy transfer efficiency and wave characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system replicates desirable ocean wave properties including size, form, speed, and breaking pattern.
2Ease of manufacture
If fast moving shallow sheets of water are directed against solid sculpted waveforms, then water effects can be produced, but the resulting structure is not actually a wave and cannot be ridden
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static mechanical waveforms with dynamic fluid mechanics-based wave generation. Instead of using fixed sculpted structures, the system uses a moving foil to generate genuine surface gravity waves that propagate through the water, creating authentic surfable wave structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the essential characteristics of natural ocean waves by using a foil to generate surface gravity waves with similar propagation properties, breaking patterns, and kinematic behavior, rather than creating static water features that merely resemble waves.
3Length of moving object
If wave amplitude is increased to create rideable waves, then wave height increases, but the wave becomes unstable as the crest moves faster than the trough
Solution Approach 1:
The wave generator uses periodic motion of the foil to create waves with controlled amplitude and wavelength ratios. By adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the foil's oscillation, the system generates waves that maintain stable breaking patterns without the crest outrunning the trough, enabling consistent rideable wave formation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively produces rideable waves with consistent surfability, matching the characteristics of ocean waves, providing longer ride durations and improved surfability in a controlled environment.
Implementation Method 1
Ocean surface waves are waves that propagate along the interface between water and air, the restoring force is provided by gravity, and so they are often referred to as surface gravity waves
Implementation Method 2
all of these systems are inefficient in transferring energy to the 'wave'
Implementation Method 3
As the wave interacts with the bottom, it starts to 'shoal.' Typically, this occurs when the depth gets shallower than half of the wave's length, the wave length shortens and the wave amplitude increases
Implementation Method 4
When the amplitude is approximately 80% of the water depth the wave starts to 'break' and we get surf. This run up and breaking process is dependent on the slope angle and contour of the beach, the angle at which the waves approach the beach, and the water depth and properties of the deep water waves approaching the beach
Data Source
AI summary
A wave park for an open or large body of water is disclosed. The wave park includes a body of water, and a track positioned in or proximate the body of water. The wave park further includes at least one foil coupled to move along the track, the at least one foil being at least partially submerged in the body of water. The at least one foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that includes a leading surface that is concave about a vertical axis to provide drag to generate a primary wave laterally in water of the body of water that contacts the leading surface of the foil, and a trailing surface that narrows from a maximum width of the foil adjacent the leading surface to a point at an end of the foil, the trailing surface to decrease the drag of the foil and to minimize oscillatory waves that trail the primary wave from the water moving past the leading surface of the foil.