Wave attenuator

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.

1 . A wave energy dissipating system comprising a plurality of modules attached one to another, each module comprising: 
 a) a generally hollow cubical body having a front face for disposition in a direction facing incoming wave action, opposite sides, a top and a bottom;    b) a flange at each corner of the body, the flanges arranged in opposed pairs having axially aligned apertures arranged to receive a connector extending through the apertures for connecting adjacent modules one to another;    c) the front face having a wave deflecting recessed portion disposed along a longitudinal edge of the body between a pair of the opposed flanges, the recessed portion arranged to deflect and turn an incoming wave towards the vertical; and    d) a frustum of a rectangular pyramid standing out from the plane of each of the opposite sides of the cubical body, the frustum having its base centrally located in the plane of the side of the cubical body and a front side defining a slanted surface facing in the direction of an incoming wave.    
     
     
         2 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 1  wherein the frustum faces in the direction of a like frustum of a rectangular pyramid extending out from a side of an adjacent module and the facing frustums together both obstruct the passage of water centrally through between the adjacent modules and permit passage of water between the modules  
     
     
         3 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 1  wherein the connector is a non-stretch connector thereby preventing significant longitudinal movement between adjacent modules.  
     
     
         4 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 3  wherein the connector allows limited transverse flexibility for limited vertical movement of adjacent modules one relative to another.  
     
     
         5 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 1  wherein the connector means extends longitudinally through the recessed portion.  
     
     
         6 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 1  further comprising a frustum of a rectangular pyramid standing out from the plane of each of the front face, opposite sides, top and bottom of the cubical body.  
     
     
         7 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 1  further comprising a brace attached across the top of adjacent modules.  
     
     
         8 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 7  further comprising a floating structure.  
     
     
         9 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 8  further comprising a beach wall for creating a stable shoreline environment.  
     
     
         10 . A wave energy dissipating system comprising a plurality of modules attached one to another, each module comprising: 
 a) a generally hollow cubical body having a front face for disposition in a direction facing incoming wave action, opposite sides, a top and a bottom;    b) a flange at each corner of the body, the flanges arranged in opposed pairs having axially aligned apertures arranged to receive a connector extending through the apertures for connecting adjacent modules one to another; and    c) the front face having a wave deflecting recessed portion disposed along a longitudinal edge of the body between a pair of the opposed flanges, the recessed portion arranged to deflect and turn an incoming wave towards the vertical.    
     
     
         11 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  further comprising a frustum of a rectangular pyramid standing out from the plane of each of the opposite sides of the cubical body, the frustum having its base centrally located in the plane of the side of the cubical body and a front side defining a slanted surface facing in the direction of an incoming wave.  
     
     
         12 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  wherein the frustum faces in the direction of a like frustum of a rectangular pyramid extending out from a side of an adjacent module and the facing frustums together obstruct the free passage of water between the adjacent modules.  
     
     
         13 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  wherein the connector is a non-stretch connector thereby preventing significant longitudinal movement between adjacent modules.  
     
     
         14 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 13  wherein the connector allows limited transverse flexibility for limited vertical movement of adjacent modules one relative to another.  
     
     
         15 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  wherein the connector means extends longitudinally through the recessed portion.  
     
     
         16 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  further comprising a frustum of a rectangular pyramid standing out from the plane of each of the front face, opposite sides, top and bottom of the cubical body.  
     
     
         17 . A wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 10  further comprising a brace attached across the top of adjacent modules.  
     
     
         18 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 17  further comprising a floating structure.  
     
     
         19 . The wave energy dissipating system as in  claim 18  further comprising a beach wall for creating a stable shoreline environment.  
     
     
         20 . A module for a wave energy dissipation system that disrupts the laminar flow of water through the system comprising a generally cubical hollow body with opposed pairs of flanges located at the corners and a recess portion having an inclined surface with a plurality of longitudinal projections.