Set wave system for wave generation

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a set wave system and method for use with a pool containing water up to a water level. The set wave system can include a chamber positioned lower than the water level. The chamber can include an outlet for ejecting water from the chamber into the pool. The set wave system can include an air injector positioned in the chamber upstream of the outlet. The air injector can introduce air into the chamber causing water to move out of the outlet and into the pool to form a wave.

1 . A set wave system for use with a pool containing water at a water level, the set wave system comprising:
 a chamber positioned lower than the water level, the chamber including an outlet for ejecting water from the chamber into the pool; and   an air injector positioned in the chamber upstream of the outlet, the air injector introducing air into the chamber causing water to move out of the outlet and into the pool to form a wave.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein air injector introduces air into the chamber at least twice to form at least two separate waves without venting in a manner that causes more water to flow into the chamber. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is positioned at least partially under a floor of the pool. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is positioned at least partially beside a wall of the pool. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is at least one of elongated, tubular, and round in cross-section. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the air injector introduces compressed air into the chamber. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , and further comprising a compressed air control valve that controls a flow of compressed air through the air injector. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , and further comprising a nozzle that causes the compressed air to swirl as it exits the air injector. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , and further comprising a blade assembly that causes the air from the air injector to swirl in the chamber. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle and the blade assembly cause the air to swirl in the same direction. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a vent assembly in communication with the chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the vent assembly includes a muffler that vents air to the atmosphere and an air control valve that controls the flow of air to the muffler. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , and further comprising a vent tube having a smaller diameter end connected to the air control valve and having a larger diameter end connected to the wave chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the vent assembly includes a muffler, an air control valve, an exhaust tube, an air inlet check valve, an air inlet tube, and an air control chamber to form a dual exhaust vent assembly. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a wing positioned proximate to the outlet of the wave chamber in order to enhance the shape of the wave. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of wave chambers having outlets positioned adjacent to one another. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 1 , and further comprising one of a curved wall and a curved cap positioned adjacent to the outlet in order to cause water flowing out of the outlet to conform to the curvature. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wave chamber includes an upstream portion having a diameter larger than a downstream portion. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is one of parallel to a pool floor, perpendicular to the pool floor, and at an acute angle with respect to the pool floor. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a cross-sectional shape of one of rectangular, circular, oval, and triangular. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a cross-sectional shape of one of rectangular, circular, oval, and triangular. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber is higher with respect to the water level at an upstream end than at a downstream end so that the chamber slopes downward toward the outlet. 
   
   
       23 . A method of generating waves in a pool, the method comprising:
 at least partially filling a chamber with water;   injecting compressed air into the chamber;   pushing water through an outlet in the chamber with the compressed air;   adding ambient air into the chamber as the water exits the outlet; and   forming a wave as the water exits the outlet and enters the pool.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , and further comprising adding ambient air into the chamber immediately after compressed air is no longer being injected into the chamber. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , and further comprising adding ambient air into the chamber within 500 milliseconds after the compressed air is no longer being injected into the chamber. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 23 , and further comprising injecting compressed air into the chamber a second time without refilling the chamber. 
   
   
       27 . A method of generating waves in a pool, the method comprising:
 at least partially filling a chamber with water;   opening a compressed air control valve to inject compressed air into the chamber;   pushing water through an outlet of the chamber with the compressed air in order to create a wave in the pool;   opening an air inlet check valve to inject ambient air into the chamber to relieve a vacuum in the chamber;   closing the air inlet check valve; and   closing the compressed air control valve.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , and further comprising opening the compressed air control valve a second time before refilling the chamber with water. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27 , and further comprising opening an air control valve to vent air and opening a fill valve to refill the chamber with water. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , and further comprising closing the fill valve and closing the air control valve. 
   
   
       31 . A wing for use with a wave generation system, the wing comprising:
 a main body that can be positioned adjacent to an outlet of the wave generation system, the main body being configured to enhance a shape of the wave formed as water exits the outlet.   
   
   
       32 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein the main body is configured to increase a height of the wave. 
   
   
       33 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein an orientation of the main body is adjustable. 
   
   
       34 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein an orientation of the main body is remotely adjustable. 
   
   
       35 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein a pitch of the main body is adjustable. 
   
   
       36 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein a height of each end of the main body is adjustable. 
   
   
       37 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein the main body can be twisted so as to affect different portions of a wave differently. 
   
   
       38 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein the main body includes at least one adjustable flap. 
   
   
       39 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein two wing sides are coupled to the main body. 
   
   
       40 . The wing of  claim 31 , wherein two wing anchors are coupled to the main body.