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, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d ) 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, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d ).

1 . A system for forming an artificial wave (W) in a water environment, which comprises a pulling apparatus ( 6 ), a pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) and a pulling arrangement ( 11 ), wherein the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) comprises a power pack ( 12 ) and the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) 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 substantially at or via both ends of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) and further via the pulleys ( 14 ,  15 ) for providing the movement of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) between a first pulley ( 14 ) and a second pulley ( 15 ), characterized in that 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 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ). 
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the rope or line ( 16 ) is endless and/or forms a loop via the first pulley ( 14 ) and the second pulley ( 15 ). 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) is provided on a shore. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) is provided on a ship, a vessel, a barge or other watercraft. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the system comprises a structure ( 27 ) that floats or that is disposed in and/or on water and anchored in place for providing the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the system comprises an anchoring arrangement ( 17 ) for holding the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) in place on the shore, which comprises a tank ( 18 ) which is to be filled with water. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the tank ( 18 ) is a transportation container in which the components of the system are adapted to be moved and/or transported. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 6  or  7 , characterized in that the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) comprises a water pump ( 19 ) by which the tank ( 18 ) is filled and/or emptied. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 8 , characterized in that the wings ( 1 ,  2 ) are positionable relative to each other and to the direction of advancement (A) of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) for adjusting the movement and/or floating characteristics of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ). 
     
     
         10 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 9 , characterized in that the wings ( 1 ,  2 ) are positionable relative to each other in terms of distances (d) and angles (α, β) as well as in terms of the transverse direction relative to the distance between the wings and of the water surface (S). 
     
     
         11 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 10 , characterized in that a floating apparatus ( 20 ) is provided in connection with the second pulley ( 15 ) for holding the second pulley ( 15 ) at a correct depth. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , characterized in that a first anchor ( 21   a ) is provided in connection with the second pulley ( 15 ) and/or the floating apparatus ( 20 ) for anchoring the second pulley ( 15 ) and/or the floating apparatus ( 20 ) in place. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 12 , characterized in that the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) comprises a third pulley ( 22 ), wherein the space between the first pulley ( 14 ) and the third pulley ( 22 ) is provided with drive elements ( 23 ) for providing the drive between the power pack ( 12 ) and the pulling arrangement ( 11 ). 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13 , characterized in that the drive element ( 23 ) is one or more endless ropes, wires, cables, belts or chains provided via the third pulley ( 22 ) and the first pulley ( 14 ). 
     
     
         15 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 14 , characterized in that the rope or line ( 16 ) comprises floating material. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 15 , characterized in that the system comprises a pushing apparatus ( 24 ) provided between the pulling apparatus ( 6 ) and the first pulley ( 14 ) for pushing the first pulley ( 14 ) into water to a suitable depth. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 16 , characterized in that the wave (W) is formed by a combined effect of the wings ( 1 ,  2 ), whereby at least one of the wings ( 1 ,  2 ) of the pulled apparatus is provided in such a way that, as the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) moves, it guides the flow of water in a downward direction to form a trough (W 1 ) for the wave, and whereby at least one other second wing ( 1 ,  2 ) of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) following the wing ( 1 ,  2 ) that guides the flow in a downward direction is arranged to guide the water flow in an upward direction to enhance the movement of water that flows back up to form (W) a crest (W 2 ) for the wave. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 17 , characterized in that the pulled apparatus ( 10   d ) comprises actively adjustable ( 30 ) and/or fixed aerofoils ( 36 ) that guide the travel of the pulled apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 18 , characterized in that the pulled apparatus ( 10   b ) comprises weights and/or floats ( 28   a ,  28   b ) that contribute to the balance of the pulled apparatus ( 10   b ). 
     
     
         20 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 19 , characterized in that the pulled apparatus ( 10   c ) comprises a keel ( 29 ) installed below the pulled apparatus ( 10   c ) for balancing the pulled apparatus ( 10   c ). 
     
     
         21 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 20 , characterized in that the position and/or traveling depth of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) are controlled by adjusting the pulling speed of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ). 
     
     
         22 . The system according to any preceding  claim 1 - 21 , characterized in that the system comprises at least two pulling apparatuses ( 6 ,  6   a ) positioned at each end of the pulling arrangement ( 11 ). 
     
     
         23 . A system for forming an artificial wave (W) in a water environment, characterized in that the system for forming an artificial wave (W) comprises a pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ), at least a first pulling apparatus ( 6   b ) and a second pulling apparatus ( 6   c ), each pulling apparatus ( 6   b ,  6   c ) comprising a power pack ( 12 ) and the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) comprising a wave-forming profile ( 13 ), wherein at least one rope or line ( 16 ) coupled to the first pulling apparatus ( 6   b ) and to the second pulling apparatus ( 6   c ) is provided substantially at or via both ends of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) for providing the movement of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ) between the first pulling apparatus ( 6   b ) and the second pulling apparatus ( 6   c ), wherein 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, B) of the pulled apparatus ( 10 ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d ).