Variable-Volume Plenum for Stable Wave Pool Fan Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wave generation systems in recreational wave pools face issues such as fan surge or stall, efficiency drop, and energy loss due to air exhaust, which lead to equipment damage, instability, and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a variable volume plenum that adjusts its size based on real-time power consumption measurements to maintain optimal fan efficiency by expanding or retracting, thereby eliminating the need for air venting and reducing energy waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a static plenum is used with fans to vent air, then the plenum can maintain pressure, but energy is wasted due to air exhaust
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one with moveable walls that can change volume in real-time. This allows the plenum to adapt its size to match the air generation needs of the fans, eliminating the requirement to vent excess air and thereby preventing energy waste while maintaining pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The volume parameter of the plenum is made variable through moveable walls actuated by pistons. By dynamically adjusting the volume parameter, the system can maintain optimal pressure without exhausting air, thus resolving the energy waste problem while the mechanical adjustment mechanism addresses the complexity concern
2Productivity
If fans operate at high power to generate waves quickly, then wave generation speed increases, but fan surge or stall occurs causing instability and equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates real-time monitoring of fan power consumption and plenum pressure with control mechanisms that adjust fan operation based on feedback signals. When approaching surge or stall conditions, the system automatically reduces fan power or adjusts plenum volume to maintain stable operation, allowing high productivity while preventing equipment damage
Solution Approach 2:
The moveable plenum walls respond dynamically to changing fan power levels and pressure conditions. As fans increase power to generate waves quickly, the plenum volume adjusts in real-time to maintain optimal pressure ratios, preventing surge and stall while enabling high-speed wave generation
3Productivity
If the plenum volume is increased to store more air for wave generation, then wave generation capability improves, but fan efficiency decreases due to operating outside optimal range
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a permanently large plenum that operates inefficiently, the system uses a dynamically adjustable plenum that expands only when needed for wave generation. During normal operation, the plenum maintains a smaller volume that keeps fans in their optimal efficiency range, while still providing sufficient air storage capacity when waves are generated
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum volume is adjusted to provide exactly the right amount of air storage needed for each wave generation event, rather than maintaining excessive volume continuously. This partial action approach ensures fans operate efficiently during normal conditions while still achieving the necessary wave generation capability when required
Data Source
AI summary
A variable volume plenum for use in a wave pool comprising at least one wave generating chamber in pneumatic communication with a plenum. The plenum is configured to have a variable volume such that when the pressure increases in the plenum, the variable volume plenum will increase in volume, and when pressure drops in the plenum, the variable volume plenum will retract so the fans can stay at maximum efficiency.