Systems and Methods for Generating Waves

Abstract

A wave generating system can include a water channel for creating a flow of water to produce a standing wave. A water return passageway can circulate the water back to the inlet of the water channel. One or more pipes can extend under the water channel for circulating the water. A water storage chamber can be positioned below the water channel. Water can be stored in the space between the one or more pipes, and the storage water can be isolated from the water being circulated in the system. The system can produce a hydraulic circuit with hydraulic continuity so that water can be efficiently circulated through the water channel and water return passageway. The system can be modular.

1 . A system for generating a standing wave for wave riding activities, the system comprising:
 a water channel comprising:
 an upstream portion; 
 a downstream portion; 
 a channel base; and 
 side walls for containing water flowing from the upstream portion of the water channel to the downstream portion of the water channel; 
 wherein the water channel is configured to generate a hydraulic jump that produces a standing wave as water flows from the upstream portion of the water channel towards the downstream portion of the water channel, and wherein a water level downstream of the hydraulic jump is higher than a water level upstream of the hydraulic jump; 
   a water return passageway comprising:
 a first end at the downstream portion of the water channel; 
 a second end at the upstream portion of the water channel; and 
 a plurality of pipes that extend under the water channel, wherein the water return passageway is configured to provide hydraulic continuity so that weight of the water downstream of the hydraulic jump provides force that urges water through the plurality of pipes to facilitate delivery of the water to the upstream portion of the water channel; 
   a plurality of pumps configured to pump water through the plurality of pipes to compensate for energy losses due to friction and water turbulence as the water circulates through the water channel and the water return passageway and to control the speed of water flowing into the upstream portion of the water channel;   a water storage chamber below the water channel, wherein the plurality of pipes extend through the water storage chamber, wherein water is stored in the water storage chamber in space between the plurality of pipes, and wherein the water in the water storage chamber is isolated from the water circulating through the water channel and the water return pathway; and   a water transfer system configured to transfer water between the water storage chamber and the water circulating through the water channel and the water return pathway to control a water height in the water channel.   
     
     
         2 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method of producing a standing wave for wave riding activities, the method comprising:
 directing water into a water channel at an upstream portion of the water channel to produce a flow of water from the upstream portion of the water channel to a downstream portion of the water channel;   generating a hydraulic jump in the water channel that produces a standing wave as water flows from the upstream portion of the water channel towards the downstream portion of the water channel, wherein a water level downstream of the hydraulic jump is higher than a water level upstream of the hydraulic jump; and   propelling water through a water return passageway under the water channel to the upstream portion of the water channel, wherein weight of the water downstream of the hydraulic jump provides force that urges water through the water return passageway.   
     
     
         17 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A system for generating a standing wave having at least two different wave types, the system comprising
 a water channel configured to host the standing wave;   two or more pipes wherein each pipe has an intake portion and a nozzle to direct water into the water channel;   a pump configured to create a continuous flow of water through each of the two or more pipes;   wherein the system includes a single open water surface thereby preserving pressure head of the flow.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the pump includes a dry motor, wherein the pump is not submerged in water. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the pump includes a propeller at or near the intake. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the dry motor is coupled to a propeller by a shaft. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , further including a water storage chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the water channel has a first width, wherein the water storage chamber has a second width, and wherein the second width is equal to or less than the first width. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the system is configured to produce an elevated water level downstream of the standing wave that is higher than a water level upstream of the standing wave. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the water channel comprises an inclined surface that is configured to direct water upward to facilitate generation of the standing wave. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the water channel comprises a declined surface configured to direct water entering the water channel down the declined surface to increase velocity of the flow. 
     
     
         38 . A method of generating a standing wave having at least two different wave types, the method comprising
 directing a first flow of water through at least one first nozzle at a first flow rate, and   directing a second flow of water through at least one second nozzle at a second flow rate that is different than the first flow rate,   wherein the first nozzle is located at the termination of a first pipe that has a first intake portion and is associated with a first pump that creates the first flow;   wherein the second nozzle is located at the termination of a second pipe that has a second intake portion and is associated with a second pump that creates the second flow;   wherein the first flow and the second flow are configured to create the standing wave in a water channel, and   wherein the system includes a single open water surface thereby preserving pressure head of the flow.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first pump and the second pump each include a dry motor, wherein the first pump and the second pump are not submerged in water. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first pump and the second pump each include a propeller at or near the intake. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein each dry motor is coupled to a propeller by a shaft. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , further including a water storage chamber. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the water channel has a first width, wherein the water storage chamber has a second width, and where in the second width is equal to or less than the first width. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the directing is configured to produce an elevated water level downstream of the standing wave that is higher than a water level upstream of the standing wave. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the water channel comprises an inclined surface that directs water upward to facilitate generation of the standing wave. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the water channel comprises a declined surface that directs water entering the water channel down the declined surface to increase velocity.