Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
405079000 | Wave generation or enhancement | 25 |
20080267713 | Wave-viewing apparatus - A wave viewing apparatus incorporates a tubular member and a viewing window. The tubular member comprises an anterior end, a posterior end, a crest region, a trough region, a channel wall, and a falling wall. The viewing window is disposed at the posterior end of the tubular member. | 10-30-2008 |
20080286047 | River water ride apparatus and method - Embodiments of the invention provide a river water ride including a wave generator, a ride surface, and nozzles or jets coupled to the ride surface. The nozzles or jets can be configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface. Embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus and method of forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. Some embodiments of the invention can also be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets. Some embodiments of the invention include a concave feature with a depression and a de-watering grate positioned upstream of the nozzles or jets. | 11-20-2008 |
20080286048 | Sheet flow water ride apparatus and method - Embodiments of the invention provide a sheet flow wave generator including a ride surface and a plurality of nozzles or jets coupled to the ride surface. The nozzles or jets can be configured to form an artificial wave upon the ride surface. Embodiments of the invention also provide an apparatus and method of forming an artificial wave that moves in a direction against current flow. An apparatus and method of making an artificial wave can include forming an artificial wave that moves in one direction and using current moving in another direction to slow the speed of the artificial wave. Some embodiments of the invention can also be used to make a standing wave that is suitable for recreational use by causing water to flow through nozzles or jets. | 11-20-2008 |
20090169305 | Method and apparatus for varying water flow for stationary sheet flow water rides - The invention relates to a water ride with adjustable nozzles for adjusting the speed and depth of the flow of water emanating from the nozzles and onto the ride surface. The nozzles have a bladder that can be used to adjust the height of the opening and therefore the depth of the water flow. More than one adjustable nozzle can be used to vary the flow effects across the width of the ride surface. Additional adjustment bladders can be provided underneath the inclined portion of the ride surface, wherein by adjusting each bladder independently, the tilt of the ride surface transverse to the direction of flow can be adjusted. | 07-02-2009 |
20090185863 | ADJUSTABLE BARRELING WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply for supplying a flowing stream of water, a base, and spaced side walls, and at least one oblique foil member adjustably mounted in the base of the channel. The oblique foil member has a leading face extending at an oblique angle to the water stream in the channel, and a trailing, venturi face with a leading portion facing one of the side walls to form a venturi or constricted pass between the side wall and leading portion of the venturi face. The leading face, venturi face, and venturi pass together are adapted to form a standing barreling wave at the venturi pass. The orientation of the oblique foil member relative to the base of the channel is adjustable in order to vary the barreling wave formation, and may be adjusted during wave formation in order move the barreling wave across the leading face. | 07-23-2009 |
20090285633 | WATER FEATURE DEVICE - A device for generating and maintaining a standing wave face capable of being ridden by an individual. The device includes a container having a base wall and a sidewall and containing a fluid, at least one inlet into the container, and means for imparting a combination of rotational vertical and horizontal velocity to a fluid with-in the container. | 11-19-2009 |
20100124459 | Surface Gravity Wave Generator And Wave Pool - A surface gravity wave generator and wave pool is disclosed. A wave pool is formed of opposing side walls and a center channel of water. The channel includes a bottom contour with a depth that runs from a deep end to a shoal or beach. One or more three-dimensional foils are vertically arranged along at least one side wall, and moved against the water in the channel. Each foil has a curvilinear cross-sectional geometry that defines a leading surface that is adapted to generate a wave in water moving past the leading surface, and a trailing surface configured for flow recovery to avoid separation of the flow of water in the wave and to mitigate drag from the foil from the water moving past the leading surface. | 05-20-2010 |
20100124460 | Silo utilized for water containment and release for the purpose of wave generation - A new use of existing dry material storage silos. The massive capacity, proportions of height to diameter, uniform lateral strength attributed to vertical cylindrical and elevated configuration, and very existence provides for a cost effective and efficient means of water storage and release of massive volumes of water for the purpose of creating wave energy in a pool for water surfing and other water recreational entertainment or sport activities. | 05-20-2010 |
20100135726 | Apparatus and method for generating waves - An apparatus for generating waves in a liquid container, with a container, which has an outlet opening in the upper region and an inlet opening in the lower region, and a shiftable body, which is arranged in said container and which can move in the direction towards the outlet opening in the container as a result of a buoyancy- or spring force, so that the liquid situated before the body in the movement direction is pressed through the outlet opening. | 06-03-2010 |
20100135727 | WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus and method including a channel directing a flow of water over modular forms in the bed of the channel, such as aerofoils, that can be changed, repositioned or removed to create various effects such as barrel waves for surfing. Also disclosed is a water smoothener system and method for reducing turbulence in water flowing through such an apparatus. | 06-03-2010 |
20100158611 | WAVE MAKING DEVICE - The wave making device comprises a caisson connected to an air blower and to a control valve mechanism comprising an exhaust valve adapted to move between a closed position and an open position, and a system adapted to move the exhaust valve and to maintain said exhaust valve into said position. The control valve mechanism is adapted to ensure continuously an air pressure within the caisson at least equal to the atmospheric pressure. | 06-24-2010 |
20100226719 | ORIENTATION OF WAVE GENERATING DEVICES FOR GENERATING PLUNGING BREAKERS IN A POOL - An orientation of wave generating devices is proposed that facilitates the creation of plunging breakers in a body of water. Water waves transform into plunging breakers under specific characteristics of water wave mechanics. Shoaling and refraction are specific processes of water wave mechanics that cause this transformation. By orientating two or more wave generating devices wherein the waves generated by these devices converge into one another, the refraction process of plunging breakers can be simulated. This orientation of wave generating devices therefore facilitates the creation of plunging breakers in a body of water. The plunging breaker can then be simulated in a manner favorable for surfing. | 09-09-2010 |
20100260548 | RECONFIGURABLE OBSTACLE SYSTEM FOR A RIVER CHANNEL - Disclosed is a reconfigurable obstacle system for a river channel in a river park. Each obstacle assembly includes a plurality of obstacles. Obstacles may include a hollow structural box, a strut channel frame and a plurality of connectors that cooperate to divert water when installed in a river channel. A plurality of connectors pass through the hollow structural box when holding the obstacle in position. The obstacle assemblies can be reconfigured as desired, e.g. increase amplitude of a wave, speed up water flow, change depth, etc. | 10-14-2010 |
20110052322 | WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus including a bed form that may include a plurality of sections at different angles, including a base section adjacent to a wave forming channel, the base section having an exterior profile defining a first, non-abrupt angle to the direction of flow of water in the channel, and an upper section that forms an exterior profile defining a second, steeper angle to the direction of water flow. Also disclosed is a twistlock mechanism adapted to removably fasten a bed form to a water channel, and a method of use. | 03-03-2011 |
20110116870 | ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING LINEAR STANDING WAVES - The arrangement for producing linear standing waves comprises: a transverse structure (Q) which is arranged at least substantially perpendicularly to the flow direction (S), this structure being designed in such a way that the outflow is converted from a streaming flowing movement (Froude number <1) into a shooting flowing movement (Froude number >1); a ramp ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110188937 | WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - The teachings herein are directed to a wave forming apparatus and method including a channel directing a flow of water over modular forms in the bed of the channel, such as aerofoils, that can be changed, repositioned or removed to create various effects such as barrel waves for surfing. Also disclosed is a water smoothener system and method for reducing turbulence in water flowing through such an apparatus. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188938 | Ice Break-Up Using Artificially Generated Waves - A system and method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass comprising locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, and determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform. The method also includes providing an intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith for propagating artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, thereby causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass. | 08-04-2011 |
20120020735 | Telescopic module for providing variable reef configuration, size, and orientation - An open chamber of predetermined size, and shape is positioned in a predetermined location within the confines of a pool bed so as to contain interconnected clusters of interconnected telescopic modules which occupy the entire chamber area. Each of the telescopic module is independently extended and retracted in length vertically by the increase or decrease of the volume of water contained within a bellows interconnected within each telescopic module, thereby establishing in the totality of the population of selected telescopic modules, a specific reef size, shape, and orientation. When kinetic-energy is introduced upstream from a source, the kinetic-energy within the water passes over the predetermined shape, size, and oriented reef, and generates a wave having specific features resulting from the properties of the specific reef configured. | 01-26-2012 |
20120183353 | Water Sports Facility - Described are systems, devices and methods for providing a facility for water sports such as wakeboarding, waterskiing, wake surfing, kneeboarding and the like in a controlled environment without the concomitant risks inherent in natural environments. Water is circulated by effluents from water pumps in an open air channel or pool and returned in a submerged closed channel. A participant controls velocity of water flowing from effluents and an amount of wake. Circulating water is rapidly decelerated by a second set of water pumps upon detecting participant falling or losing contact from a ski rope. | 07-19-2012 |
20120201605 | WAVE SIMULATOR FOR BOARD SPORTS - Examples of a wave simulator for board sports and other uses are disclosed. An example wave simulator includes means for forming a wave, the means having at least one inclined side wall and a bottom corresponding to a desired wave shape. The wave simulator includes means for flowing water along at least partially along the inclined side wall and bottom of the flume to form a simulated wave. The wave simulator includes means for restraining a board rider in the means for forming a wave. Streamlines of the simulated wave are substantially parallel to a crest line of the simulated wave, and an inclined water flow ends in a downward arc. | 08-09-2012 |
20130266379 | Magnetic Wave Generator - Magnetic wave generator and use. The wave generator includes a driver portion with motor and rotating mount with a first magnet; and an actuator portion that includes a pivot mount and a pivoting arm coupled thereto, with a second magnet at one position on the pivoting arm, and a buoyant float member at another. During operation, the actuator portion is at least partially submerged in a fluid of a wave tank, with the driver portion just outside the wave tank. The driver portion rotates the rotating mount, repeatedly moving the first magnet near then away from the actuator portion. Accordingly, the pivot arm rotates away due to magnetic repulsion, pushing the float member down into the fluid, then buoyancy of the float member provides a restorative force that rotates the pivoting arm, allowing the float member to rise. The movement of the float member induces waves in the wave tank. | 10-10-2013 |
20130322967 | WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a first bed form or weir at the inlet end of the channel, and a second bed form in the channel downstream of the first bed form. Also disclosed is a wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply for supplying a flowing stream of water, a base, and spaced side walls, and at least one oblique foil member adjustably mounted in the base of the channel. The foils, weirs or bed form, form a standing wave. | 12-05-2013 |
20140105685 | WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water with an inlet end connected to a water supply, a floor, and spaced side walls, a first bed form or weir at the inlet end of the channel, and a second bed form in the channel downstream of the first bed form. Also disclosed is a wave forming apparatus has a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply for supplying a flowing stream of water, a floor, and spaced side walls, and at least one oblique foil member adjustably mounted in the floor of the channel. The foils, weirs or bed form, form a standing wave. | 04-17-2014 |
20140133914 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING WAVES SUITABLE FOR SURFING USING STAGGERED WAVE GENERATORS EXTENDED ALONG A CURVED STAGGER LINE - The invention relates to a wave pool having a deep end and a shallow end, wherein a plurality of wave generators is provided along the deep end that are extended along a curved stagger line positioned at an oblique angle relative to the moving waves. The wave generators are preferably extended in a substantially staggered manner relative to the travel direction of the waves, wherein a pair of dividing walls is preferably provided in front of each generator, wherein the dividing walls are extended substantially forward with an outward fade angle of no more than about 20 degrees relative to each other. The wave generators are preferably operated in sequence, such that a plurality of wave segments is generated, and such that the wave segments can travel forward and then merge together to form a substantially uniform resultant wave which travels forward and then breaks along the shallow end. | 05-15-2014 |
20150037098 | REMOVABLE WAVEMAKER - A removable wavemaker having a self-supporting structure for use in a wave tank has an integrated mounting structure for mounting on a frame of an open top of the wave tank, a linear motor positioned above a waterline in the wave tank having a forcer containing activation coils that is driven in reciprocation motion by electromagnetic interaction with an array of permanent magnets contained in a tubular support structure on which the forcer is configured to slide, and a vertically-oriented wave board mounted on a lower part of the integrated mounting structure below the waterline for generating waves within the wave tank. The forcer is supported on a movable carriage that rides on a rail fixed to the integrated mounting structure and is coupled to the wave board. | 02-05-2015 |