Pivotable Wake-Modifying Device for Boat Transom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake-modifying devices for boats, such as trim tabs, are insufficient in creating larger wakes with improved shapes for water sports like wakeboarding and wake surfing.
Innovation Solution
The use of wake-modifying devices with plate-like members and downturned surfaces, pivotably attached to the transom of a boat, which redirect water flow to enhance wake size and shape by shifting the point of water convergence aft of the transom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If trim tabs are used to modify the wake, then the wake can be minimized for water skiing, but the wake size is insufficient for wakeboarding and wake surfing
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-modifying device is divided into multiple independent components: a plate-like member and one or more downturned surfaces that can be positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each component to independently influence water flow, enabling flexible wake shaping for different water sports activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to wake modification by introducing downturned surfaces that extend downward from the plate-like member. This three-dimensional structure redirects water flow in multiple directions (horizontally and vertically), creating larger and more complex wake patterns compared to traditional two-dimensional trim tabs.
2Quantity of substance
If the wake-modifying device is deployed to increase wake size, then the surfable area is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like member and downturned surfaces are combined into a single integrated wake-modifying device that can be attached to the boat transom. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining the complex functionality required for large wake generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The downturned surfaces are designed with curved geometries that efficiently redirect water flow. The curved surfaces create smooth transitions in water flow direction, generating larger wakes with less structural complexity compared to angular or flat surface designs.
3Shape
If the plate-like member interacts with water to modify wake, then wake shape is improved, but drag increases when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-modifying device is designed to be movable relative to the boat transom, allowing it to be deployed into the water when wake modification is needed and retracted or positioned out of the water when not in use. This dynamic positioning enables the device to create improved wake shapes only when required, minimizing drag during normal operation.
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 described wake-modifying devices effectively increase the size and improve the shape of the wake, providing a larger surfable area for water sports, while minimizing interaction with the water in the non-deployed position.
Implementation Method 1
The use of wake-modifying devices with plate-like members and downturned surfaces, pivotably attached to the transom of a boat, which redirect water flow to enhance wake size and shape by shifting the point of water convergence aft of the transom
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. The wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface. The wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.