Movable Barrier Artificial Surf Wave Pool Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial surfing wave systems require large wave pools to ensure sufficient water levels for startup and operation, limiting their use in urban areas due to space constraints and risking cavitation phenomena during startup.
Innovation Solution
A movable barrier in the wave pool acts as a weir or check valve, allowing for a higher downstream water level for startup and adjustable water levels to optimize wave height, reducing the overall footprint by utilizing the wave pool area more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large wave pool is used to ensure sufficient water level for startup and operation, then the pump can avoid cavitation and run dry, but the space requirement increases significantly limiting use in urban areas
Solution Approach 1:
The wave pool is segmented into two distinct zones by the movable barrier: a first zone upstream of the ramp and a second zone downstream. This segmentation allows independent water level control in each zone, enabling the downstream zone to provide additional water for pump startup while keeping the overall footprint compact for urban installation.
2Area of stationary object
If a movable barrier is introduced to create different water levels and reduce space requirements, then the device can operate in confined spaces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier is designed as a movable structure that can dynamically adjust its position and height. It can be raised to create a higher downstream water level for startup, then lowered during operation to allow proper wave formation and water flow, providing adaptability without requiring permanent complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable barrier serves multiple functions: it acts as a water level regulator to create different water levels in upstream and downstream zones, functions as a space-saving mechanism enabling urban installation, and can be adjusted to control wave characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.
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
Enables safe and reliable startup and operation of artificial surfing waves in limited spaces by providing additional water for the pumping device and allowing for adjustable wave heights, reducing the need for extensive wave pool space.
Implementation Method 1
The generation of artificial surf waves by utilizing the hydraulic phenomenon of the hydraulic jump, which a channel experiences during the transition from supercritical to subcritical flow
Implementation Method 2
With the aid of the barrier according to the invention, a different water level ('upstream water level') can be set upstream of the barrier than downstream of the barrier ('downstream water level')
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 4a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for generating an artificial surf wave (W), having a ramp (3), the lower end (5) of which leads into a wave basin (4), and to the upper end (9) of which water (2) can be fed in circulated fashion from the wave basin (4) via a return channel (8) by means of a pumping device (10) in order, downstream of the ramp (3), to generate a hydraulic jump, which can be used as surf wave (W), of the water (2), wherein the wave basin (4) has arranged therein, at a distance from the ramp (3), a movable barrier (21) which can assume the function of a lowerable weir or of a check valve which can be passed through in a downstream direction and which blocks in an upstream direction, and downstream of which barrier (21) the return channel (8) emanates from the wave basin (4). The invention also relates to a method for operating this apparatus (1).