Watercraft Surf Wake System with Actuated Flaps
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wake systems for watercraft require significant additional weight or extensive modifications to create a suitable surf wake, which can unbalance the vessel, reduce passenger capacity, and be time-consuming to switch between sides.
Innovation Solution
A surf wake system featuring independently movable water diverters and flaps that can be actuated to redirect water past the transom, allowing for the creation of asymmetrical wakes on demand without significant tilting or weight shifting, using a controller and actuators to position the diverters and flaps relative to the watercraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional weight or ballast is added to create a larger wake, then the wake size is improved, but the watercraft balance and control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the wake generation function into separate controllable components - port-side and starboard-side water diverters that can be independently actuated. This segmentation allows wake generation without requiring overall weight addition to the watercraft, maintaining balance while creating surfable wakes on either side.
Solution Approach 2:
Water diverters and flaps serve as intermediary devices that redirect water flow to generate wakes. These intermediaries create the desired wake effect without requiring direct addition of weight or ballast to the watercraft, thus avoiding balance and control issues while still achieving large wake generation.
2Quantity of substance
If additional weight is added to generate a wake on one side, then the wake is improved, but the passenger capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wake generation system is segmented into independent port and starboard diverters controlled by actuators. This allows the system to generate wakes without requiring permanent ballast tanks or weight additions that would occupy passenger space, thereby maintaining both wake quality and passenger capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically actuated water diverters and flaps that can be positioned as needed. This dynamic approach replaces static weight-based wake generation with movable components that do not permanently reduce passenger capacity or storage space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If weight is shifted to switch wakes between sides, then the wake side is changed, but the time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable water diverters and flaps actuated by port and starboard actuators. These components can be rapidly repositioned between port and starboard positions, enabling quick wake side switching without the time-consuming process of moving physical weight or ballast.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or mechanical weight-shifting system is replaced with an actuated control system that uses motors or other actuators to position water diverters and flaps. This substitution dramatically reduces the time required to switch between port and starboard wakes, enabling rapid adaptation.
4Quantity of substance
If extensive modifications are made to the hull to promote a surf wake, then the wake quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than requiring extensive integrated hull modifications, the system uses separate, modular water diverter components and flaps that can be independently installed and adjusted on port and starboard sides. This segmentation simplifies the overall complexity while achieving surf wake quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Water diverters and flaps serve as intermediary components that achieve surf wake generation without requiring fundamental hull redesign or extensive modifications. These add-on components maintain the original hull structure while providing the necessary wake-shaping 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 the generation of larger, safer surf wakes on either side of the watercraft without the need for additional weight or extensive modifications, allowing for easy switching between port and starboard wakes, enhancing surfing experience while maintaining vessel stability and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
each independently movable from a neutral position to a deployed position in which a respective water diverter extends outboard of a transom of the watercraft to deflect water traveling along a hull of the watercraft and past the transom
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake.