Wave forming apparatus and method

A wave forming apparatus, comprising:

• a channel for containing flowing water, the channel comprising a continuous loop having straight opposite side portions and curved end portions connecting the side portions;
• the channel having a base and spaced side walls;
• each side portion of the channel having first and second ends;
• a water circulating pump at the first end of each side portion for circulating water in a predetermined direction around the loop;
• at least one bed form in each side portion of the loop;
• the bed form having a leading end and a trailing end, an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end, the bed form extending outwardly to the side walls to define a primary water flow path over the bed form;
• and
• a secondary flow passageway provided in the bed form, the secondary flow passageway having a first end communicating with the primary water flow path at a location adjacent the trailing end of the bed form and a second end communicating with the primary water flow path at a location upstream of the first end.

A wave forming apparatus, comprising:

• a channel for containing a flow of water, the channel having an inlet end connected to a water supply, a base, and spaced side walls, a weir in the base at the inlet end of the channel, and at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir;
• the bed form having a leading end and a trailing end, an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end, the weir and bed form each extending outwardly to the side walls to define a primary water flow path from the inlet over the weir and bed form;
• and
• the trailing end of the bed form being spaced above the base of the channel to define an abrupt vertical drop-off of predetermined height.

A method of forming waves, comprising the steps of:

• directing water from a reservoir at one end of a channel having a base and spaced side walls into the channel and over a weir at the inlet end of the channel;
• directing water flowing in the channel in a primary flow path over at least one bed form in the channel downstream of the weir, the bed form having a leading end and a trailing end, an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end, an upper portion, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the upper portion to the trailing end;
• and
• directing a secondary flow of water along a secondary flow passageway through the bed form having a first end communicating with the primary water flow at a location adjacent the trailing end of the bed form, and a second end communicating with the primary water flow at a location upstream of the first end, whereby a stable standing wave is formed downstream of the bed form.

A wave forming apparatus, comprising:

• a primary channel for containing a flow of water traveling in a primary water flow direction, the channel having a base and spaced side walls and at least two bed forms projecting upwardly from the base of the channel at spaced intervals;
• each bed form having a leading end and a trailing end, an upwardly inclined upstream face extending downstream of the leading end in the flow direction, a peak, and a downwardly inclined downstream face extending from the peak to the trailing end, the bed forms each extending outwardly to the side walls to define a primary water flow path over the bed forms;
• and
• a secondary flow passageway provided in each bed form, each secondary flow passageway having a first end communicating with the primary water flow at a location adjacent the trailing end of the respective bed form and a second end communicating with the primary water flow path at a location upstream of the first end.