Surfing Device Fluid Projection and Impact Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surfing simulation devices lack effective means to create a realistic ocean wave experience with adjustable difficulty levels and efficient energy consumption, often resulting in high friction and energy requirements due to direct fluid contact with the surface.

Innovation Solution

A surfing device comprising fluid projecting means and a deformable, porous impact surface that projects fluid at adjustable angles and pressures, allowing surfers to ride without significant contact, featuring dynamic fluid relief and modular design for adjustable surfing conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fluid is projected directly onto the surface for surfing simulation, then the surfing experience is created, but friction and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidfriction
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an air cushion as an intermediary between the projected fluid and the surface. The fluid projects onto the air cushion rather than directly onto the surface, creating a buffer that reduces friction and energy loss while maintaining the surfing simulation effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface incorporates porous material that allows fluid to pass through rather than accumulating. This porous structure reduces friction by preventing fluid buildup and maintains lower energy consumption by allowing continuous fluid flow without requiring high pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Strength

If the surface is made rigid for structural stability, then strength is improved, but impact absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surface uses composite material construction combining rigid structural elements with deformable layers. The rigid portion provides structural strength and stability, while the deformable portion absorbs impact forces, resolving the contradiction between strength and impact absorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The surface incorporates a deformable layer that acts as a cushion before impact occurs. This layer is designed to deform upon impact, absorbing energy and reducing the force transmitted to the rigid structure and riders, thereby providing beforehand cushioning against impact forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If fluid projection pressure is increased to improve wave simulation, then realism is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewave simulation realismVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts fluid projection parameters including pressure, flow rate, and projection angle based on detected surfing conditions. This allows realistic wave simulation when needed while reducing energy consumption during periods of lower activity or when optimal surfing conditions are already achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensors that detect fluid flow, rider position, and wave formation quality, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the system to optimize fluid projection pressure in real-time, maintaining realistic wave simulation while minimizing energy consumption by adjusting pressure only when and where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If the surface area is increased to accommodate more riders, then capacity is improved, but fluid management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverider capacityVSAvoidfluid management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The large surface is divided into multiple independent fluid projection zones, each with its own fluid management capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple riders simultaneously in different zones while maintaining simplified fluid management in each individual zone, avoiding the complexity of managing a single large unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid management system is designed with universal components that can serve multiple zones and functions. The same fluid projection mechanism, control system, and relief components are used across different zones, reducing overall system complexity through standardization while maintaining the capacity to accommodate multiple riders.

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

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 realistic ocean wave simulation with adjustable difficulty, reduces friction and energy consumption by allowing surfers to ride on projected fluid, enhancing safety and flexibility through impact absorption and efficient fluid management.

Implementation Method 1

fluid projecting means arranged to project fluid from said one or more positions to enable a person on a surf board to surf via said projected fluid upon a surfing surface that is created via interaction by the underneath surface of said surf board and said projected fluid without making any significant contact with the surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid projection:

Implementation Method 2

impact absorption material, said material being at least partially porous and at least partially deformable and being arranged to at least partially deform upon impact to at least partially absorb said impact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact absorption through deformation: Deformation

Implementation Method 3

said impact surface being arranged when constructed to allow drainage of fluid there through

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid drainage through porous material: Porosity

Data Source

PatentEP2654909B1Surfing device and method
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 WHITEWATER WEST IND LTD
  • EP2654909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2654909B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2654909B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present Invention provides a surfing device comprising at least one energy projecting means and at least one energy projecting structure for supporting and positioning the energy projecting means. The energy projecting structure positions the energy projecting means at one or more energy projecting positions. Energy is projected from the energy projecting means from positions to enable a person to surf at least partially solely via the projected energy. The present invention also provides a surface for a surfing device, either the device of the present Invention or another surfing device. The surface, is designed for a person to surf on either via the projected energy of the surfing device of the present Invention or by at least partially direct contact with the surface via fluid projected out of, over or upon it. The surface has an Impact absorption material. The material Is at (east partially porous and at least partially deformable and also designed to at least partially deform upon impact to at least partially absorb or diffuse the impact.