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US 4,812,077 AGranted
Pneumatic/hydraulic wave generator
AssigneeThe Great Wave Company, Inc.
InventorGeorge W. Raike
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pneumatic/hydraulic wave generator is associated with the deep end of a swimming pool and includes a pneumatic system with a pair of inner caissons and a pair of outer caissons. The caissons communicate with the swimming pool through a submerged passage. A pneumatic system includes a motor-driven fan which communicates selectively with duct lines to the caissons through a pair of two-position air directional valve assemblies. When the caissons are actuated with pressurized air from the fan, the water levels therein are driven down, creating waves in the swimming pool.
Claims21
A pneumatic/hydraulic wave generator, which comprises:
- (a) a hydraulic system including first and second caissons each having:
- (1) an upper end;
- (2) a lower end;
- and
- (3) an open passage at said lower end;
- and
- (b) a pneumatic system including:
- (1) blower means;
- (2) a manifold communicating with said blower means;
- (3) a first duct line communicating with said first caisson;
- (4) a second duct line communicating with said second caisson;
- (5) an air directional valve assembly having a first position communicating said manifold with said first duct line and a second position communicating said manifold with said second duct line;
- (6) said air directional valve assembly including actuating means adapted for moving said air directional valve assembly between its first and second positions;
- and
- (7) a relief valve assembly selectively communicating one of said caissons with the atmosphere.
12 more elements
In combination with a pool having deep and shallow ends and containing a volume of liquid with a quiescent liquid surface level, the improvement of a wave generator, which comprises:
- (a) a hydraulic system including:
- (1) a pair of outer caissons positioned in spaced relation at opposite sides of said pool deep end;
- (2) a pair of juxtaposed, adjacent inner caissons positioned between said outer caissons at said deep end;
- (3) each said caisson having a lower submerged portion and an upper air portion;
- and
- (4) an underwater passage communicating said caisson submerged portions with said pool;
- and
- (b) a pneumatic system including:
- (1) a fan;
- (2) a motor drivingly connected to said fan;
- (3) a manifold communicating with said fan;
- (4) an inner pair of duct lines each communicating with a respective inner caisson;
- (5) an outer pair of duct lines each communicating with a respective outer caisson;
- (6) a first air directional valve assembly communicating with said manifold and having a first position communicating with one of said inner duct lines and a second position communicating with the other said inner duct line;
- (7) a second air directional valve assembly having a first position communicating with one of said outer duct lines and a second position communicating with the other said outer duct line;
- and
- (8) a pair of relief valve assemblies each selectively communicating a respective outer caisson with the atmosphere.
14 more elements
In combination with a pool having deep and shallow ends and containing a volume of liquid with a quiescent liquid surface level, the improvement of a wave generator, which comprises:
- (a) a hydraulic system including:
- (1) a pair of outer caissons positioned in spaced relation at opposite sides of said pool deep end;
- (2) a pair of juxtaposed, adjacent inner caissons positioned between said outer caissons at said pool deep end;
- (3) each said caisson having a lower submerged portion and an upper air portion;
- (4) an underwater passage communicating said caisson submerged portions with said pool;
- (5) a pair of vertical baffles each located in a respective inner caisson and extending at least partly into its submerged portion and at least partly into its upper air portion;
- and
- (6) a top slab enclosing said caissons on top and including a duct line opening over said inner caissons;
- and
- (b) a pneumatic system including:
- (1) a fan;
- (2) a motor drivingly connected to said fan;
- (3) a fan house enclosing said fan and motor and having a pair of louvered openings;
- (4) a pair of baffles each positioned between a respective louvered opening and said fan;
- (5) a manifold communicating with said fan;
- (6) an inner pair of duct lines each communicating with a respective inner caisson and including a mating duct section with an upper end;
- (7) an outer pair of duct lines each communicating with a respective outer caisson and including a mating duct section with an upper end;
- (8) a first air directional valve assembly including a pendulum duct section having an upper end and a lower end, said pendulum duct section being movable between a first position whereat its lower end registers with one of said inner duct line mating duct section upper ends and a second position whereat said lower end registers with the other of said inner duct line mating duct section upper ends;
- (9) a second air directional valve assembly including a pendulum duct section having an upper end and a lower end, said pendulum duct section being movable between a first position whereat its lower end registers with one of said outer duct line mating duct section upper ends and a second position whereat said lower end registers with the other of said outer duct line mating section upper ends;
- (10) each said air directional valve assembly including a respective flexible duct section interconnecting said manifold and a respective pendulum duct section upper end;
- (11) a pair of hinge assemblies each pivotably mounting a respective pendulum duct section for swinging movement between its first and second positions;
- (12) a duct opening plate positioned in covering relation over said top slab opening and having a plurality of duct line openings therein, each said duct line opening receiving a respective mating duct section;
- (13) a pair of piston-and-cylinder units each connected to said manifold and a respective pendulum duct section for moving said pendulum duct section between its first and second positions;
- (14) four vertically adjustable mounting means each mounting a respective mating duct section on said duct line opening plate for vertical adjustment with respect to a respective pendulum duct section, each said vertically adjustable mounting means including three adjustment screw assemblies adapted for raising and lowering a respective mating duct section and adjusting the pitch thereof;
- and
- (15) a pair of relief valve assemblies each including a relief valve duct communicating with a respective outer caisson and the atmosphere and a butterfly valve subassembly positioned therein and movable between open and closed positions.
23 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.