Wave attenuator
AssigneeWave Control Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohn Clark, Timothy R. Dicey
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and system for dissipating water wave energy and for shoreline control including a module with a generally hollow body, a pair of opposed flanges attached to adjacent corners of the body, a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in the flanges for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system, and a recess disposed between the flanges. Each recess contains a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.
Claims17
A module for a wave energy dissipation system arranged to dissipate the energy of waves striking the module comprising:
- (a) a generally cubical hollow body having front face for disposition in a direction facing incoming wave action, opposite sides, a top and a bottom;
- (b) flanges at each of the corners of the body forming opposed pairs of flanges, the pairs of flange having
- axially aligned mounting apertures arranged to receive connector means for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system;
- (c) a recess portion between the flanges connecting the top and front face;
- and
- (d) the recess portion having an inclined surface comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending boundary layer interrupting projections substantially disrupting any laminar flow of a water wave entering the recess thereby creating turbulent flow.
A wave energy attenuating assembly comprising
- (a) at least a pair of modules each being a generally cubical hollow body including a pair of opposed flanges at corners of the body, the flanges each having axially aligned mounting apertures and between the flanges a recessed portion connecting a wave facing front of the module to the top of the module, each recessed portion comprising a surface characterized by a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections for disrupting laminar flow of water directed against the surface and creating turbulent flow;
- and
- (b) a rigid rod, the rigid rod being disposed through the recessed portion and passing through the apertures for connecting one of the modules one to another.
A module for a wave energy dissipation system comprising:
- (a) a generally cubical, hollow body;
- (b) a pair of generally rectangular side plates forming opposed faces of the body;
- (c) the side plates having a pair of axially aligned mounting apertures in corresponding corners of the side plates for connecting the body to similar bodies for forming a wave energy dissipation system;
- and
- (d) a generally concave longitudinally extending recess portion disposed between the corners of the side plates, the recess portion having a surface characterized by a plurality of boundary layer interrupting projections substantially disrupting any laminar flow of water past the surface and creating turbulent flow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.