Wave generating system

Abstract

A wave generating system for generating a standing wave is provided, which includes: a wave generating structure having a manipulable portion for adjusting a characteristic of the standing wave; a water supply which supplies a primary flow of water towards the wave generating structure; and a return circuit for redirecting at least some water from a location downstream of the wave generating structure back to the wave generating structure to assist in forming the standing wave.

1 . A wave generating system for generating a standing wave, the wave generating system comprising:
 a wave generating structure having a manipulable portion for adjusting a characteristic of the standing wave;   a water supply which supplies a primary flow of water towards the wave generating structure; and   a return circuit for redirecting at least some water from a location downstream of the wave generating structure back to the wave generating structure to assist in forming the standing wave.   
     
     
         2 . The wave generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system comprises a movable ramp having an adjustable pitch for adjusting a size of a throat through which a secondary flow of water from the return circuit is reintroduced into the standing wave. 
     
     
         3 . The wave generating system of  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the water enters the return circuit at a height above the throat. 
     
     
         4 . The wave generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system is manipulable by an arrangement of actuators that are configured to adjust a position and an angular orientation of the manipulable portion. 
     
     
         5 . The wave generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the return circuit is configured to generate a secondary flow of water that intersects with the primary flow of water to generate the standing wave. 
     
     
         6 . The wave generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the wave generating system is a part of an artificial surfing structure. 
     
     
         7 . A wave generating system for generating a standing wave, the wave generating system comprising:
 a wave generating structure having a manipulable portion for adjusting a characteristic of the standing wave;   a water supply which supplies a primary flow of water towards the wave generating structure;   wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system includes a movable ramp having an adjustable pitch for adjusting a size of a throat through which a secondary flow of water is introduced into the standing wave.   
     
     
         8 . The wave generating system of  claim 7 , wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system is manipulable by an arrangement of actuators that are configured to adjust a position and an angular orientation of the manipulable portion. 
     
     
         9 . The wave generating system of  claim 7 , wherein the wave generating system is a part of an artificial surfing structure. 
     
     
         10 . A method of generating a standing wave, comprising:
 moving a manipulable portion of a wave generating system to adjust a characteristic of the standing wave;   directing a primary flow of water towards the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure; and   allowing at least a portion of the primary flow of water to flow through a return circuit for redirecting the at least a portion of the primary flow of water from a location downstream of the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure back toward the manipulable portion of the wave generating structure to assist in forming the standing wave.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system comprises a movable ramp having an adjustable pitch for adjusting a size of a throat through which a secondary flow of water from the return circuit is reintroduced into the standing wave. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the water enters the return circuit at a height above the throat. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the manipulable portion of the wave generating system is manipulable by an arrangement of actuators that are configured to adjust a position and an angular orientation of the manipulable portion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the return circuit is configured to generate a secondary flow of water that intersects with the primary flow of water to generate the standing wave. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising surfing on the standing wave.