Floating Wave Pool Using Natural Currents for Surfing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for generating wave profiles in water require significant energy and have large installation efforts, making them non-mobile and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A floatable platform with a wave pool that uses natural water flow to generate waves, reducing energy consumption by leveraging existing water currents and allowing for mobile deployment, featuring a bluff body arrangement that can be adjusted to create various wave profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If electric pumps are used to convey water through a flow channel or basin with a baffle body, then a wave profile can be generated, but considerable energy is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidoperational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the natural kinetic energy of flowing water to generate waves, eliminating the need for external power sources. The floating platform and wave pool are designed to passively capture and convert the energy already present in the water flow, allowing the system to serve itself without requiring electric pumps or other active energy input mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the natural water flow, which would otherwise simply pass by, into useful wave energy. By positioning the floating platform and wave pool in the path of flowing water, the system captures the kinetic energy of the current and transforms it into controlled wave profiles, turning the naturally flowing water into a beneficial energy source for wave generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a baffle body is used to create wave profiles in pumped water, then waves can be generated, but the system requires considerable installation effort and is not mobile

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemobilityVSAvoidinstallation effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static, fixed installation to a dynamic, mobile platform. The wave-generating structure is mounted on a floating platform that can be freely positioned and relocated on water bodies. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different locations and water conditions without requiring complex installation or infrastructure, simply requiring deployment on the water surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The floating platform serves multiple functions: it supports the wave pool, provides buoyancy, enables mobility, and can be deployed on various types of water bodies (rivers, lakes, oceans). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for location-specific installations and allows the same system to be universally applied across different environments, greatly reducing installation effort and increasing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If storage basins are filled with water using electric pumps, then sufficient water can be supplied, but additional energy consumption and infrastructure are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater quantityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The wave pool is designed to continuously draw water from the surrounding body of water through passive flow mechanisms. The floating platform's design allows water to naturally flow into and through the wave pool without requiring active pumping or storage infrastructure. The system continuously replenishes its water supply from the ambient environment, eliminating the need for energy-consuming water transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The floating platform is positioned at the same water level as the surrounding body of water, creating an equipotential condition that allows water to flow freely between the two without requiring energy input for lifting or pumping. This eliminates vertical water transfer operations and the associated energy consumption, as water moves horizontally or at the same elevation between the surrounding body and the wave pool.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 enables the generation of wave profiles with reduced energy use and increased mobility, allowing for variable wave creation in different locations using natural water flows, suitable for surfing and leisure applications.

Implementation Method 1

a floatable platform 2 with a wave pool 3 located in it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

A bluff body arrangement 6 is arranged in the wave pool 3, which forms a wave profile 1 in the water flow with a wave slope 1a suitable for surfing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow deflection: Flow Separation

Implementation Method 3

The arrangement according to claim 2 is designed such that, with a stationary platform, the generated wave profile is at least partially attributable to the already existing water current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater current: Advection

Data Source

PatentEP2788563B1Apparatus and method for generating a wave profile in water
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 MEYER BERHORN INGO
  • EP2788563B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2788563B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2788563B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for generating a wave profile (1), comprising a platform (2), which can float in a body of water and has a wave tank (3) located therein, wherein water can flow out of the body of water enclosing the platform (2), into the wave tank (3), through an inlet opening (4) and can be directed into the surrounding body of water, out of the wave tank (3), through an outlet opening (5), wherein the wave tank contains an obstruction arrangement (6) which, in the water flowing through the wave tank (3), forms a wave profile (1) with a wave slope (1a) which is suitable for surfing.