Wave Pool Chamber Spacing to Limit Turbulence and Eddy Currents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water attractions, such as sheet wave rides and deep wave surfing systems, fail to provide a true surfing experience due to the absence of wave breaking and the inability to use an actual surfboard, and conventional wave generators suffer from turbulence and eddy currents that interfere with wave formation and stability.
Innovation Solution
A pool wave generator with chambers that control water release to create desired waves, featuring angled lateral sides and a passage below the chamber-pool gap to reduce turbulence, along with a contoured pool floor and walls to manage wave characteristics and zones, allowing for different riding experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If chambers are positioned directly adjacent to the pool edge for compact design, then device complexity is reduced, but turbulence and eddy currents increase interfering with wave formation
Solution Approach 1:
A gap is introduced between the chamber and pool edge, serving as an intermediary space that reduces turbulence and eddy currents. This gap allows spectators to stand and observe while minimizing the harmful fluid dynamics that would occur with direct adjacency.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap creates an additional spatial dimension between the chamber and pool, transforming a two-dimensional adjacent arrangement into a three-dimensional separated configuration. This dimensional change allows for reduced turbulence while maintaining functional connectivity through passages.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pool floor is made flat for ease of construction, then manufacturing precision is improved, but wave profile control and wave breaking capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pool floor transitions from a uniformly flat surface to a contoured surface with varying slopes and depths in different zones. This local variation in floor geometry enables control over wave breaking characteristics and creates different wave zones suitable for various skill levels.
3Device complexity
If walls are made vertical for structural simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but eddy currents and wave energy control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pool walls are designed with outward flaring curvature rather than vertical straight lines. This curvature helps reduce eddy currents by guiding water flow more smoothly and controlling wave energy distribution, while still maintaining structural integrity.
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 system generates waves with controlled profiles and zones suitable for various skill levels, reducing turbulence and enhancing the surfing experience by focusing wave energy and minimizing eddy currents.
Implementation Method 1
The passage may be used to reduce turbidity or limit eddy currents in the fluid as the water is moved between the chamber and the pool
Data Source
AI summary
A pool wave generator can include one or more chambers; and a pool area, the one or more chambers positioned on a first side of the pool area, the pool area further comprising: a first lateral side extending outwards from a first terminal end of the first side; a second lateral side extending outwards from a second terminal end of the first side, the second terminal end defined opposite on the first side from the first terminal end; a pool interior positioned at least partially between the first lateral side and the second lateral side; and a shore side positioned opposite from the first side, the shore side defining a first lobe and a second lobe, the shore side further defining an interior indentation between the first lobe and the second lobe.