Wave Pool Caisson Profiling With Continuous Valve Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave generation systems for recreational wave pools lack precise control over chamber water height and velocity profiles, leading to limited customization and stability issues due to binary and pre-defined valve control, which restricts the creation of desired wave patterns.
Innovation Solution
A system and method employing a controller and GUI that allows users to customize chamber profiles through adjustable intake and exhaust valves, utilizing PID controllers for granular control over water height and velocity, enabling the creation of specific wave sections and patterns by combining individual chamber profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If binary and pre-defined valve control is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of water height profile is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static binary valve control to dynamic continuous valve control. The valve control system now allows continuous adjustment of valve opening degrees, enabling real-time modification of water flow rates and chamber pressure changes. This dynamic control capability permits precise shaping of water height profiles during wave generation, resolving the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the control parameters of the valve system from discrete binary states (open/closed) to continuous variables (opening degree, flow rate, pressure). This parameter transformation enables fine-grained control over water height profiles, allowing the system to achieve precise wave patterns while maintaining manageable device complexity through software-based control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-defined valve control is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability of wave patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic wave pattern selection where users can switch between pre-defined wave patterns and custom-designed patterns. The controller allows real-time modification of wave characteristics by adjusting valve opening degrees and timing, providing both the ease of using pre-defined patterns and the adaptability of custom patterns without compromising operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve control system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both pre-defined wave generation and custom wave pattern creation. The same controller and valve mechanism can execute standardized wave patterns for ease of operation or be programmed with custom profiles for adaptability, making the system universally applicable to various wave generation needs without requiring separate control systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If continuous valve control is implemented, then manufacturing precision of wave characteristics is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with electronic/software-based control systems. Instead of using multiple discrete mechanical valve components or complex linkages, the system uses electronic actuators controlled by software algorithms to achieve continuous valve positioning. This substitution maintains high wave characteristic precision while reducing overall device complexity by eliminating mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the user/interface and the valve actuation system. It processes control signals, applies PID algorithms for precise control, and translates high-level wave pattern specifications into low-level valve actuation commands. This intermediary layer simplifies the control architecture by centralizing the complexity in a dedicated control unit rather than distributing it throughout the mechanical system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If granular chamber control is implemented, then adaptability of wave sections is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wave generation system is segmented into multiple independently controllable chambers, each with its own valve control. This segmentation allows granular customization of different wave sections by controlling individual chambers differently. The controller manages each chamber as a separate control unit, enabling flexible wave pattern design while keeping the control architecture modular and manageable, thus resolving the complexity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic actuation of chamber valves to generate waves, where each chamber can be independently timed and phased. By controlling the periodic opening and closing of valves in different chambers with specific phase relationships, the system achieves complex wave patterns through coordinated simple periodic actions, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
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 customizable waves with greater precision and stability, allowing for concurrent generation of differently sized waves, tuning wave sections and caissons, and reducing turbulence by leveraging resonance, thus enhancing user control over wave characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
A signal is sent from the controller, telling the valves to execute the chamber profile assigned to that chamber
Implementation Method 2
reducing turbulence by leveraging resonance
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for creating and controlling a wave profile in a wave pool by controlling the water height profile in each of the chambers of the wave pool. The wave pool includes a plurality of wave generating chambers, each comprising one or more intake valves and exhaust valves. The valves are capable of being controlled to selectively open and close to a valve angle of fully open, fully closed, or any angle between. Using a graphical user interface, a user creates a water height profile for each chamber that dictates the resulting wave generated and released into the pool. Multiple custom chamber profiles may be grouped to create a custom wave section. Multiple custom wave sections may be grouped to create a custom wave. The system and method provides for increased customization of the wave, as well as reduced turbulence and increased efficiency of the system.