Wave Generating Systems

Abstract

A wave generating system comprising: a semi-submerged water displacement hull adapted to travel along a travel path within a wave pool, thereby generating a wake; and a wake modulator adapted to modulate the wake; wherein at least one of the travel path of the hull relative to the wake modulator and the travel of the wave modulator relative to the wake generated by the hull is controlled to effect the modulation of the wake.

1 . A wave generating system comprising:
 a semi-submerged water displacement hull adapted to travel along a travel path within a wave pool, thereby generating a wake; and   a wake modulator adapted to modulate the wake;   wherein at least one of the travel path of the hull relative to the wake modulator and the travel of the wave modulator relative to the wake generated by the hull is controlled to effect the modulation of the wake.   
     
     
         2 . The wave generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wake modulator comprises contours of a floor of the wave pool and wherein said travel path of said hull is non-parallel with said contours. 
     
     
         3 . The wave generating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said travel path of said hull is at a predetermined angle relative to said contours. 
     
     
         4 . The wave generating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said travel path of said hull follows a meandering path relative to said contours. 
     
     
         5 . The wave generating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said hull comprises a panel extending from the stern of said hull. 
     
     
         6 . The wave generating system according to  claim 2 , wherein said hull is rotatably mounted relative to a carriage. 
     
     
         7 . The wave generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wake modulator comprises at least another hull adapted to travel along a travel path within said wave pool, thereby generating another wake, and wherein modulation of said wake comprises an interaction between said wake and said other wake. 
     
     
         8 . The wave generating system according to  claim 7 , wherein the travel paths of the hulls are substantially identical, and wherein said hulls are disposed at a distance from one another such that wakes generated by a prior hull are superimposed by wakes of a following hull. 
     
     
         9 . The wave generating system according to  claim 7 , wherein the travel paths of said hull and said other hull are towards one another such that said wake and said other wake intersect to form a bulge that advanced laterally across said wave pool. 
     
     
         10 . The wave generating system according to  claim 7 , wherein the travel paths of said hull and said other hull are in the same direction on opposing sides of said wave pool such that said wake and said other wake intersect to form a concave wave front disposed between said travel paths. 
     
     
         11 . The wave generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wake modulator comprises a submerged foil adapted to travel along a travel path parallel to said travel path of said hull and at a predetermined distance preceding said wake generated by said hull such that said foil forms a trough that modulates said wake. 
     
     
         12 . The wave generating system according to  claim 1 , wherein said wake modulator comprises a submerged reef adapted to travel along a travel path parallel to said travel path of said hull and at a predetermined distance behind said hull such that said wake generated by said hull travel over said reef as said reef advances, thereby causing said wake to break over said reef. 
     
     
         13 . The wave generating system according to  claim 12 , wherein said submerged reef comprises an adjustable panel that can be adjusted relative to said wake of said hull.