Electric Cable-Driven Wave Generator for Inland Waters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wave generation technologies for water sports, such as surfing and wakeboarding, are limited by high costs, environmental impact, and accessibility, as they require fossil fuel engines, significant material investments, and specific natural locations, restricting the number of practitioners and accessibility to these sports.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising two pylons with pulleys and an electric motor-driven cable system that generates a wake wave by moving a buoyant hull with adjustable ballast and fins, allowing for wave generation in inland waters with low environmental impact and minimal material investment, enabling the practice of wakesurfing and other sliding sports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If fossil fuel engines are used to generate waves for water sports, then wave generation capability is achieved, but environmental impact and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fossil fuel engine (mechanical system) with an electric motor that operates on electricity, eliminating exhaust emissions and environmental pollution while maintaining the wave generation capability through electromagnetic conversion. The electric motor drives the mobile device to create waves without the harmful byproducts of combustion engines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy source parameter from chemical energy (fossil fuels) to electrical energy, fundamentally altering how the wave generation system operates. This parameter change eliminates the environmental harm associated with fossil fuel combustion while preserving the mechanical output needed for wave creation.
2Power
If sophisticated boats with ballast and engines are used, then wave generation is effective, but material investment and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wave generation function from the traditional boat structure, creating a mobile device that can be deployed independently without requiring a full sophisticated boat. This segmentation allows wave generation to be achieved with minimal material investment while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential wave generation function from the complex boat system, isolating only the necessary components (mobile device, ballast, fin) needed to create waves. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive boat structures, engines, and auxiliary systems while preserving the core wave generation capability.
3Reliability
If natural wave conditions are required for surfing, then wave quality is optimal, but accessibility and availability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (the mobile wave generator) that creates artificial waves to replace or supplement natural waves. This intermediary provides consistent wave quality regardless of natural conditions, making water sports accessible in locations and times when natural waves are unavailable or suboptimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service wave generation, creating waves on-demand without dependence on natural ocean conditions. This eliminates the need to travel to specific coastal locations and allows wave sports to be practiced whenever and wherever the device is deployed.
4Ease of operation
If boat-based wake generation is used, then wave formation is achieved, but operational complexity and location requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wave formation capability from the complex boat operation system, creating a simplified mobile device that can be deployed without requiring a full boat, crew, or marina infrastructure. This extraction reduces operational complexity while maintaining wave formation effectiveness.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to generate waves, increasing accessibility and allowing for the practice of water sports in urban environments, with reduced operational costs and minimal environmental disruption, enabling multiple users to enjoy wave sports without the need for fossil fuel engines.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor-driven cable system that generates a wake wave by moving a buoyant hull
Implementation Method 2
moving a buoyant hull with adjustable ballast and fins, allowing for wave generation in inland waters
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a device (12) for generating at least one artificial wave in a natural environment, in an installation (10) comprising at least two pulleys (20), a motor (22) for driving one (20) of the pulleys in rotation, a motor cable (24) in a closed loop, with a direction of movement D, characterized in that it comprises a mobile (34), a link (30) for pulling said mobile with the motor cable (24) so as to generate a wake wave.