Wave generating watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft is adapted to mount and support one or more wave cannons for the generation of high volume waves in a body of water, including natural beach environments lacking reliable surf. A wave cannon is an elongated tubular chamber having a closed rear end and an open front end, an anchor, a supply of compressed air, and a control valve for admitting compressed air into the elongated chamber. When mounted on a watercraft, only the interior of the chamber is exposed to corrosive water, reducing maintenance. The simple mechanics of the wave cannon further reduce expense. The watercraft may be positioned and moored at a desired offshore or lakeshore location with the open end of the chamber oriented to a shoreline. When compressed gas is discharged through the chamber, a large volume wave is generated that breaks on the shoreline.

1 . An apparatus for generating high volume waves in a body of water, said apparatus comprising; 
 a watercraft having a bow, a stern, a hull, and a mooring system, the watercraft capable of being positioned in a desired location within the body of water and the mooring system capable of fixing the watercraft at the desired location;    a wave cannon comprising a tubular chamber having a substantially closed rear end and an open front end, a supply of compressed air fluidly connected with the tubular chamber, and a control valve in fluid communication with the supply of compressed air for operatively controlling the flow of compressed air into the tubular chamber;    wherein the chamber is anchored to the hull of the watercraft in a substantially horizontal orientation with the front end of the chamber in fluid communication with the body of water and oriented to discharge in a desired direction with respect to the watercraft, such that actuation of the control valve releases compressed air into the rear end of the chamber and expels water out of the front end of the chamber generating a wave in the body of water and a reaction force against the watercraft; and    further, wherein the mooring system is configured for restraining the watercraft in the desired location against the reaction force.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the front end of the chamber is oriented to discharge in an aft direction with respect to the watercraft.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is anchored low within the hull of the watercraft.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is self propelled.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the watercraft is a barge.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises an air compressor in fluid communication with the supply of compressed air.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the chamber is anchored to the hull of the watercraft by use of a recoil system.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mooring system comprises one or more anchors and deck tackle.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mooring system is adapted for connection to buoys.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mooring system includes a ballasting submergence system.