Boat Wake Height Measurement and Display System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack the ability to measure and display boat wake height, leading to ineffective wake control in navigable waterways, resulting in wave damage to harbors and erosion, with limited options available for operators to adjust their speed objectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sensing station with a sensor to measure wake height, connected to a processor that calculates and transmits the data to a display unit visible to the operator, allowing for real-time feedback on wake height, enabling operators to adjust their speed and harbormasters to set specific wake-height limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional speed-based wake control signage is used, then operators can understand wake limits, but operators cannot objectively determine appropriate speed without feedback on actual wake height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where wake height sensors measure the actual wake produced by watercraft and transmit this data to display units visible to operators. This closed-loop feedback enables operators to objectively determine appropriate speed by observing real-time wake height measurements, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If no wake measurement technology is deployed, then system complexity remains low, but wave damage and erosion continue unchecked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual wake assessment with automated electronic sensing and display systems. Distance sensors optically measure wake height without mechanical contact, and electronic displays transmit wake information to operators, substituting mechanical judgment with precise optical measurement and electronic communication to reduce wave damage while managing system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If speed limits are imposed to control wake, then wake height may be reduced, but effective wake control is impossible because some boats can travel at significant speed without producing wake while small craft produce significant wake at low speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from speed (which varies effectiveness across different watercraft) to wake height (which directly measures the harmful effect). By measuring and displaying actual wake height rather than enforcing uniform speed limits, the system adapts to different watercraft types and conditions, enabling effective wake control for all vessels regardless of their speed-wake characteristics.
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 measures and displays wake height, providing operators with necessary feedback to adjust their speed, reducing wave damage and erosion by enabling precise wake control in sensitive areas.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor disposed within the sensing station measures the distance between the sensing station and the surface of a body of water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system for measuring boat wake and generating a meaningful representation of boat wake for watercraft operators. The invention includes a sensor mounted in a fixed location above the surface of an adjacent body of water. The apparatus further includes a programmable logic controller to evaluate the measurements collected by the sensor. The measurements are compared to each other to determine the maximum and minimum wake heights across a set time interval. The difference between the max and min distance is converted to inches and this is the wake height value which is broadcast via antenna to a display station. The display station receives the broadcast and displays the wake height value in a location and size visible to the operator of the boat.