System for forming an artificial wave

Abstract

The invention discloses a system for forming an artificial wave (W) in a water environment, which comprises a pulling apparatus (6), a pulled apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) and a pulling arrangement (11), wherein the pulling apparatus (6) comprises a power pack (12) and the pulled apparatus (10) comprises a wave-forming profile (13), wherein the pulling arrangement (11) comprises at least two pulleys (14, 15) and at least one rope or line (16) provided at or via both ends of the pulled apparatus (10) and further via the pulleys (14, 15) for providing the movement of the pulled apparatus (10) between a first pulley (14) and a second pulley (15). According to the invention, the wave-forming profile (13) comprises at least two wings (1, 2), of which at least one wing (1, 2) is mainly transverse relative to the direction of advancement (A) of the pulled apparatus (10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a system for forming an artificial wave in a water environment. The artificial waves provided by the system are comparable to moving natural waves that occur in a body of water.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Surfing is globally a very popular form of sports and physical activity. People who engage in different boardsports are often regarded as a homogeneous group. Even if each one had their own favorite sport, it is typical that they share an interest in other similar sports. Very often especially surfing is brought up as a sport that one would readily play if only right conditions existed. In many countries, surfing is very minimal because the waves required for the sport are difficult to find. However, people showing an interest in the sport are active and quite many have tried the sport when traveling in areas where good conditions for surfing are available.[0003]The requirements for surfing are basically very simple. The nec...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0029]Furthermore, the system is movable and may be packed in the tank used as a container to be moved away to another place from the operating area, which allows making use of new operating sites. The tank may be quickly emptied with an efficient pump. Furthermore, as the tank filled with water functions as a weight, the pulling apparatus need not be, for example, fixed by bolting or cutting into rock, which would increase the costs for deploying the system. The mobility of the system enables the implementation of the system without fixed structures by which it should be fixed to a base, whereby it has a low impact on the environment or nature. The system does not require for example a foundation made of concrete. When the system is disassembled from the operating site, the site will be left in the state prevailing before the system was deployed. If the entire system is arranged to float, it may be easily moved and taken to a suitable place in the water area and anchored in place.

[0030]Surfing will be performed in a natural environment so as to give a more natural and thereby better surfing experience than for example a pool-type apparatus. If the wave-forming apparatus is towed by a boat, powerful boats must be provided with high cost. With the above-described system, the wave-forming profile need not be towed by a boat; the system is instead used from the shore. A car is not required as a power source for using the system, and another separate apparatus that travels in water is not required to return the pulled apparatus. Thus, the manufacturing and operating costs of the system are reduced, as additional devices for operating the system need not be provided.

[0031]The height of the wave can be adjusted for example by adjusting the wings relative to each other, whereby the surfing event can be tailored according to the surfer's wishes. The pulling speed can be adjusted by means of the pulling apparatus, which can also be carried out according to the surfer's wishes or the desired wave height. Furthermore, the entire system is automatizable by means of the automation system to avoid additional costs due to several manual operations. In addition to the automation system, the system may be provided with a control center, from which for example the components affecting the wave height can be controlled and the surfing event as well as the surrounding surfing conditions supervised. This makes surfing safer.

[0032]The power pack may receive electric energy for example through wind power, hydropower or other renewable energy resources, the operation of the apparatus thus having a smaller burden on the environment. Alternatively, a small wind turbine can be provided in connection with the system, or the system can be provided with solar cells, whereby the use is even more ecological.

Problems solved by technology

In many countries, surfing is very minimal because the waves required for the sport are difficult to find.

The only requirement making the situation difficult is that of a wave.

The “sheet wave” technology is often criticized as the experience is not one of genuine surfing.

The device is considered as a trick-performing platform because it does not involve movement on real waves and the environment is quite unauthentic.

As drawbacks of this solution, e.g., the pool is very expensive to build, and in order to work it requires, among other things, a controllable shape of the bottom and a possibility of entirely emptying the pool for maintenance.

However, this requires groove-shaped tracks or similar elements to be installed in the surfing area.

This type of a pool is also very expensive to build, even more so than the above-mentioned artificial wave pool type.

However, this surfing environment limited to a circular pool is, in terms of the surfing experience, very unauthentic in comparison to natural surfing, and the apparatus is mostly intended e.g. for waterpark or resort use.

The apparatus does not provide a naturally moving artificial wave but a standing wave.

Using a car as a power source is not the best alternative in terms of ecology, operating efficiency or cost-effectiveness.

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