Dynamic Wave Installation Fluidic Evacuation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial wave installations for surfing face inefficiencies in capacity utilization and longevity, along with disturbances to the aquatic environment and potential backwash issues, which affect wave frequency and mechanical stress on the support structure.
Innovation Solution
The proposed installation features a support with a top surface including an edge area, wave riding area, and crest area, with an aquatic environment divided into external and internal regions, utilizing a fluid communication system to direct water from the wave's end course into a collection volume, minimizing backwash and sediment disturbance, and incorporating a floating platform or substrate with a spur to manage water currents and wave generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is allowed to flow back through the internal aquatic region after wave generation, then the wave path is complete, but backwash disturbs the internal aquatic region and upper external aquatic region causing long delays between waves
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic communication system redirects water flow from the traditional horizontal backwash path through the internal aquatic region to a vertical evacuation path through openings in the support structure. This dimensional change allows water to exit the wave path area without disturbing the internal and upper external aquatic regions, enabling rapid wave succession.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful backwash flow is extracted from the internal aquatic region by providing a separate evacuation path through the support structure. The water is removed from the problematic area and discharged into the deep external aquatic region, preventing disturbance and allowing continuous wave generation.
2Productivity
If the support structure is exposed to strong wave forces, then wave generation is effective, but mechanical stress on the support increases reducing longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The wave forces that would normally create harmful backwash and stress on the support structure are converted into beneficial kinetic energy that drives the water through the fluidic communication system. The water flow generated by wave action is harnessed to evacuate itself from the system, reducing overall mechanical stress on the support while maintaining effective wave generation.
3Productivity
If water flows back through the internal aquatic region, then the wave cycle is complete, but sediment is disturbed and the aquatic environment is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure acts as an intermediary element that provides a separate evacuation path for water. Instead of water directly flowing back through the internal aquatic region and disturbing sediment, it is routed through openings in the support structure and discharged into the deep external aquatic region, protecting the aquatic environment from degradation.
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
This design enhances usability by allowing short wave delays, reduces mechanical stress on the support, and minimizes disturbances to the aquatic environment, resulting in a more efficient and long-lasting surfing wave installation.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidic communication located below the upper surface of the support connects said deep external water region to an opening leading into said support collection volume
Implementation Method 2
the water at the end of the wave path passes over the crest and falls into a volume delimited by the low-pressure area, hereinafter referred to as the support collection volume
Data Source
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AI summary
The installation comprises a wave machine (12), a support (11) comprising an edge zone (15), a culminating zone (17), an evolution zone (16) sloping upward between the edge and culminating zones, a crest (30) between the culminating zone and a zone (31) which is depressed with respect to the crest, water situated above the edge and evolution zones, which forms part of an aquatic environment (23) comprising upper (25) and deep water (26) regions that are horizontally contiguous and respectively higher and lower than the edge zone, and an internal region (24) above the edge and evolution zones and vertically contiguous with the upper region; the installation being configured so that water having finished its wave journey crosses the crest and drops into a collecting volume delimited by the depressed zone when the generating machine is in service; and a fluidic communication (27) under the support connecting said deep water region to an opening (33, 39) opening into said collecting volume.