Wave Generator Chamber Venting for Low-Air Water Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave cannons for water features require excessive pressurized air to generate effective waves, leading to inefficiency and potential safety hazards due to partial discharge and flow reversal, which increases costs and poses risks to users.
Innovation Solution
A water feature with a wave generator that includes a gas compression compartment and a gas control valve to manage compressed gas flow, combined with a make-up fluid conduit to introduce fluid into the chamber and relieve low pressure, preventing reverse flow and improving wave generation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If excessive pressurized air is used to generate waves, then wave generation effectiveness is improved, but operational costs increase and safety hazards arise due to potential flow reversal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the wave generation system by introducing a make-up fluid conduit that supplies liquid to the discharge chamber. This allows the system to operate with reduced pressurized air volume while maintaining wave generation effectiveness, as the liquid make-up fluid compensates for pressure fluctuations and prevents chamber vacuum conditions that cause flow reversal
Solution Approach 2:
The make-up fluid conduit acts as an intermediary element between the discharge chamber and the external fluid source. It mediates the pressure balance within the chamber by introducing liquid when pressure drops, thereby preventing the harmful flow reversal effect without requiring excessive pressurized air input
2Reliability
If the chamber pressure drops below ambient pressure, then wave generation may be disrupted, but flow reversal occurs causing water to be sucked into the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The make-up fluid conduit implements preliminary anti-action by proactively introducing liquid into the discharge chamber before the pressure drop can cause flow reversal. The system anticipates the pressure decrease during wave generation and counteracts it by supplying make-up fluid, thereby preventing the harmful suction effect before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the pressure conditions within the discharge chamber are continuously monitored (implicitly through the pressure-responsive make-up fluid conduit operation). When pressure drops below ambient levels, the conduit automatically responds by introducing liquid, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains pressure balance and prevents flow reversal
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 solution reduces the volume of pressurized air needed while maintaining effective wave generation, enhancing safety and reducing operational costs by mitigating low pressure conditions and preventing reverse flow, thus creating higher quality waves.
Implementation Method 1
actuation of the gas control valve causes compressed gas to be released into the rear end of the chamber to forcibly expel fluid within the chamber out of the open front end into the body of water
Implementation Method 2
The make-up fluid conduit is adapted to introduce fluid into the rear end of the chamber to relieve low pressure in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An alternative propulsion or motive force for the riders of water features based on generated waves. A wave generator may be used to propel individuals or vessels within a chute for recreation or transportation. In one form, a pool or container having a body of water is configured to support an artificial wave generator which uses compressed gas to discharge water and generate a wave-like motion within a body of water. A source of make-up fluid is configured to mitigate internal low pressure conditions caused by the water discharge to enable effective wave generation with reduced quantities of compressed air. Portions of the waves generated in a pool may be captured in a variety of ways by chutes for stand-alone rides or for portions of chutes in water slides.