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US 8,523,484 B2Granted
Wave generating apparatus and method
OwnerBruce McFarlandinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
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.
Claims19
A wave generating apparatus, comprising:
- a channel having a first side and a second side separated by a bottom, the channel adapted to direct a flow of water into contact with a first object, the first object removably fastened to the channel so as to be repositioned at different locations on the base of the channel, and located at least partially between the first side and the second side of the channel, the channel and the first object together adapted to generate a standing barreling wave capable of supporting a person surfing when the flow of water contacts the first object;
- wherein the first object comprises a leading edge and a vertical plane substantially parallel to the leading edge and the first object is substantially symmetrical about that plane,
- wherein the vertical plane is positioned at an angle oblique to a primary direction of the flow of the water in the channel, wherein the primary direction is the direction of oncoming water flow in the channel.
A modular device for forming a barreling wave within a channel, the channel adapted to direct a flowing stream of water, the device, comprising:
- an airfoil shaped member having a leading edge, a front face, a rear face, a peak, and a base, the member having a vertical plane substantially parallel to the leading edge and the member is substantially symmetrical about that plane, the modular device adapted to be removably fastened to the channel so as to be repositioned at different locations on the channel , such that the vertical plane is positioned at an angle oblique to a primary direction of the water stream the modular device further adapted to generate a standing barreling wave when the modular device is mounted in a first location in the channel and the flowing stream of water contacts the modular device.
A method of forming a standing barreling wave, comprising:
- positioning a removable member to project upwardly from a first location in the base of a channel with the removable member at a first predetermined orientation to a water stream direction defined by the channel, the member comprising a leading edge and a vertical plane substantially parallel to the leading edge and the member is substantially symmetrical about that plane wherein the vertical plane is positioned at an angle oblique to the water stream direction;
- supplying a flowing stream of water to an inlet end of the channel towards the removable member;
- whereby a standing barreling wave is formed when at least part of the water stream contacts the member;
- and
- positioning the member at different locations on the base of the channel.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.