Wake-Modifying Plate Geometry for Larger Surfable Boat Wakes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake-modifying devices for boats, such as trim tabs, fail to create larger wakes with improved shapes that are desirable for wakeboarding and wake surfing, particularly in terms of surfable area and wave formation.
Innovation Solution
A wake-modifying device comprising a plate-like member with downturned and upturned surfaces, pivotably attached to a boat's transom, that redirects water flow to enhance wake size and shape by delaying water convergence and redirecting it aft, using multiple downturned surfaces and fins to shift the point of wave formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional trim tabs are used to modify wake, then the boat's trim can be adjusted, but the wake size and shape cannot be sufficiently enhanced for wakeboarding and wake surfing
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-modifying device is divided into multiple independent components: a plate-like member with specific geometric features (downturned surface, upturned surface, and fin) that can be pivotably attached to the transom. This segmentation allows each component to independently influence water flow patterns, creating complex wake structures with defined shapes and larger surfable areas that conventional single-piece trim tabs cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces multiple surfaces (downturned surface extending below the plate, upturned surface extending above the plate) that interact with water flow in vertical and lateral dimensions. This multi-dimensional engagement with water creates more complex flow patterns and wake structures, transforming the simple planar interaction of conventional trim tabs into a three-dimensional flow modification system.
2Volume of moving object
If trim tabs are deployed to lift the stern, then wake size is reduced for water skiing, but wake size cannot be increased for wakeboarding and wake surfing
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-modifying device is pivotably attached to the transom, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted between different angular positions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the device to create larger wakes by redirecting water flow aft and delaying convergence, while the same device can be repositioned to create smaller wakes for different water sports, providing operational versatility that static trim tabs lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the wake-modifying surfaces relative to the water flow. By pivoting the plate-like member to different angles and utilizing the downturned and upturned surfaces, the device alters flow deflection angles and water interaction characteristics, thereby changing wake volume and shape parameters to suit different water sports requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional trim tabs are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the device complexity is insufficient to create defined wake shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The wake-modifying device is divided into multiple independent components: a plate-like member with specific geometric features (downturned surface, upturned surface, and fin) that can be pivotably attached to the transom. This segmentation allows each component to independently influence water flow patterns, creating complex wake structures with defined shapes and larger surfable areas that conventional single-piece trim tabs cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces multiple surfaces (downturned surface extending below the plate, upturned surface extending above the plate) that interact with water flow in vertical and lateral dimensions. This multi-dimensional engagement with water creates more complex flow patterns and wake structures, transforming the simple planar interaction of conventional trim tabs into a three-dimensional flow modification system.
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 device creates larger, more defined wakes suitable for wakeboarding and wake surfing by enhancing wave formation and surfable area, providing improved performance for water sports.
Implementation Method 1
As the boat moves through the water, the water flowing under the boat impinges on the deployed trim tab, creating an upward force on the tab.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. 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.