Surfing wave generation

Abstract

A wave generating apparatus ( 100 ) for generating at least one wave in a surface of a body of water ( 102 ) has at least one wave generating object ( 12, 150 ) with at least one wave generating surface ( 13, 152 ), drive means ( 108, 110 ) for causing the wave generating object to oscillate along a path ( 106 ), with the wave generating object in contact with the body of water for at least some of the time. When there is a single wave generating object ( 12, 150 ), the wave extends away from the wave generating object and when there are multiple wave generating objects ( 12, 150 ), the wave generating objects ( 12, 150 ) and wave generating surfaces ( 13, 152 ) are configured such that substantially all of any waves generated extend away from the wave generating objects.

1 . A wave generating apparatus for generating at least one wave in a surface of a body of water, comprising at least one wave generating object, a drive mechanism for causing the wave generating object to oscillate along a path, with the wave generating object in contact with the body of water for at least some of the time,
 the path including a component perpendicular to the surface when the wave generating object is in contact with the body of water;   wherein the at least one wave generating object has at least one wave generating surface and   wherein where there is a single wave generating object, the wave extends away from the wave generating object and   wherein where there are multiple wave generating objects, the wave generating objects and wave generating surfaces are configured such that substantially all of any waves generated extend away from the wave generating objects.   
     
     
         2 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating surface includes a surface angled to the direction of oscillation. 
     
     
         3 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the path includes at least one of a linear path and a non-linear path. 
     
     
         4 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating object is configured so that its oscillation causes waves to extend in one or more directions. 
     
     
         5 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating object is configured so that its oscillation causes waves to extend in substantially all directions. 
     
     
         6 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least part of the at least one wave generating surface is selected from a group including a revolution of part of a straight line, a portion of a circle, a portion of an ellipse and a portion of parabola. 
     
     
         7 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least part of the at least one wave generating surface is asymmetrical. 
     
     
         8 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating surface includes a convex wave generating surface, said convex wave generating surface generating a wave that expands as the wave extends away from the convex wave generating surface. 
     
     
         9 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating surface includes a concave wave generating surface, said concave wave generating surface generating a wave that contracts as the wave extends away from the concave wave generating surface. 
     
     
         10 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating object has multiple wave generating surfaces arranged to generate waves that expand, waves that contract or waves that neither expand nor contract. 
     
     
         11 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  including multiple wave generating surfaces on a single wave generating object. 
     
     
         12 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  including multiple wave generating surfaces on multiple wave generating objects. 
     
     
         13 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  including wave guides that constrain the extent of waves on the surface of the body of water. 
     
     
         14 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating surface is caused to oscillate:
 whilst remaining substantially in the water; 
 partially out of the water, or 
 totally out of the water. 
 
     
     
         15 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wave generating object is buoyant. 
     
     
         16 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism drives the at least one wave generating object toward the water or further into the water, with buoyancy causing movement in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         17 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism moves the at least one wave generating object away from the water or out of the water with gravity being utilized to cause movement in the opposite direction. 
     
     
         18 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism drives the at least one wave generating object toward the water or further into the water and away from the water or out of the water. 
     
     
         19 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one pneumatic or hydraulic ram. 
     
     
         20 . The wave generating apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the drive mechanism comprises electromagnets to drive the at least one wave generating object toward the water or further into the water and away from the water or out of the water. 
     
     
         21 - 41 . (canceled)