Submerged Foil Wave Generation for Rideable Surf Pool Waves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to replicate ocean waves in a man-made environment that are suitable for surfing, lacking in generating waves with desired size, form, speed, and duration, and none efficiently transfer energy to create rideable waves like those sought by surfers.
Innovation Solution
A wave generator system using a foil with a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry, submerged in a pool or body of water, generates surface gravity waves by moving along a track, optimizing energy transfer to create solitary waves with adjustable shape and size, mimicking ocean waves for surfability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
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) cannot replicate desirable ocean waves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of wave generation by using a submerged foil that imparts motion matching the natural displacement field of solitary waves. This approach transforms the energy transfer mechanism from inefficient mechanical paddles or hydraulics to a streamlined foil system that naturally generates waves with optimal characteristics (size, form, speed, break) by moving through water at specific velocities and angles, thereby resolving both the energy efficiency and wave quality consistency problems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical wave generation systems (linearly-actuated paddles, hydraulics, pneumatics) with a simpler foil-based system that relies on hydrodynamic principles. The foil substitutes for the cumbersome mechanical structures, using water flow and foil motion interaction to generate waves more efficiently and with more consistent, desirable characteristics
2Productivity
If conventional wave generation systems are used, then waves can be generated, but they lack the desired size, form, speed and breaking characteristics for sustained surfability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes wave generation effectiveness by changing the motion parameters of the foil to match the natural displacement field of solitary waves. By controlling the foil's velocity, angle of attack, and submersion depth, the system generates waves with precise characteristics (length, breaking patterns) that are highly effective for surfing, resolving both the productivity and form accuracy requirements
3Reliability
If side walls are used in wave pools, then wave containment is achieved, but the system complexity and construction difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the side walls from the wave pool system, relying instead on the natural behavior of solitary waves generated by the foil. The waves self-contain through their solitary wave properties, eliminating the need for complex structural containment and significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining wave containment reliability
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 generates waves with desired surfability characteristics, such as wave angle, speed, and breaker type, providing longer rideable waves and improved surfability, overcoming limitations of previous wave generation technologies.
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
The 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
Data Source
AI summary
A 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 foil being at least partially submerged in the body of water. Each 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.