WO2018030962A1

WO2018030962A1 - Mobile wave generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2018030962A1
Application number: PCT/TH2016/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fonthep TAENGTOEMPHAN
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-08-08
Filing date: 2016-08-08
Publication date: 2018-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-08

Abstract

A mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention generally comprising an apparatus body with a frame structure and a basal portion for placing on a transportation unit wherein on top of the frame structure situates an inclined surface for holding and enabling a succession of water waves to flow from one end of the surface which comprises a wave generator towards another end of the surface comprises a drainage cavity. Inside the frame structure of the apparatus further comprises an enclosed water circulating system comprising a water tank and filtering module for holding and filtering out any germs and impurities from the circulating water and the high pressure water pump capable of delivering purified or filtered water continuously throughout the apparatus without causing any damages to the system, such as clogging of the water pump or pipe, and providing a healthier and safer environment for everyone to enjoy surfing or playing with waves anywhere they want without having to travel to or visit recreational parks like before.

Description

Title of the invention

MOBILE WAVE GENERATING APPARATUS

Field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of engineering, with particular relations to a mobile wave generating apparatus for surfing and recreational purposes which comprises an internal filtering module for circulating or re-cycling water waves or other fluid without requiring a consistent input from external source.

Background of the invention

Most conventional water recreational apparatuses, playgrounds, or equipment are installed or fixed to their assigned water parks or recreational places for tourists to go for leisure and entertainment purposes. They are often not meant to be mobile and are not capable for reinstallation at other locations. This can limit playground or park operators' ability to provide services or activities outside the parks; as well, the operators must put each apparatus on an assigned location or land area a determined cost of investment that can be very high.

A mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention is one type of recreational apparatus which has been designed to be mobile or movable from one place to another by placing directly or trailing it on any type of transportation, such as truck, tractor, car, ship, and boat, in order to reduce any investment costs associated with the need to buy or rent a plot of land and maintenance of the entire apparatus. The apparatus uniquely comprises an enclosed water circulating system that comprises at least one set of high pressure water pump and a filtering system to effectively generate and circulate continuously flows or water and waves and, concurrently, purifying them throughout the entire apparatus and eliminating the chances of introducing or contaminating any impurities in the water or clogging the water pump, accordingly. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention provides a safer, healthier and more flexible environment for everyone to enjoy surfing or playing with waves anywhere they want without having to travel to the recreational parks like before. Summary of the invention

A mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention generally comprising three main components as follows: an apparatus body wherein said body comprises a basal portion attachable, on one part, to or settling on a transportation trailer unit, a show platform locating on or extending out from the most elevated end of a frame structure wherein the frame structure is characterized by a network of parallel metal bars and the opposite, least elevated, end of the frame structure is lower than the end where the show platform is located;

an inclined surface which settles on top of the frame structure of the apparatus body for holding and enabling a succession of waves of water to flow from a wave generator on the least elevated end or adjacent to the least elevated end of the inclined surface to the most elevated end or adjacent to the most elevated end or the show platform which comprises a drainage cavity for delivering the water into a drainage portion; and a water circulating system wherein the system comprising 2 major components as follows: 1) a water tank and filtering module which locates inside the frame structure with enclosed partitions wherein a top partition is openable and a back partition comprises a filter inflow passage connecting downstream from the drainage portion for directing an inflow of water into an inflow filtering unit that is connecting to an inflow filter holding tracks and, subsequently, through an outflow filtering unit that is connecting to an outflow filter holding tracks and a filter outflow passage of a front partition; 2) a water pump which comprises a pump inflow passage for receiving the water from the water tank and filtering module and the outflow passage for delivering the water into a water pipe with at least one valve and into the wave generator, wherein the water pump is further coupling to at least one motor or an engine to propel the water and a controller to control the operations and flow of said water throughout the apparatus.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an apparatus body, including its frame structure and internal water circulating system, of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention. FIG.2A illustrates one embodiment of a water circulating system and the conceivable direction of water flow throughout said system of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a one close-up embodiment of the water tank and filtering module and the water pump inside the water circulating system of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of the water tank and filtering module, including a replaceable set of inflow filtering unit and outflow filtering unit, of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention. FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of the water tank and filtering module during the filtering unit replacement of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein said apparatus is placed on transportation trailer.

FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a side-view of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein said apparatus is placed on a transportation trailer and at least one of its side comprising at least one door.

FIG.6 illustrates one example of a side-view of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein said apparatus is placed on a transportation trailer and its backside comprising at least one stairway connecting from base of the transportation to the apparatus's preparation platform.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the stairway on the backside of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein said apparatus is placed on a transportation trailer.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the preparation platform of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein adjacent to said preparation platform is a wave generator on the least elevated end of an inclined surface. FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of the inclined surface of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention wherein the rectangular inclined surface comprising, widthwise, the wave generator on one end and a water drainage cavity on another, most elevated, end of the inclined surface.

FIG. 10 illustrates one example of a player enjoying a water surfing activity on the inclined surface of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention.

Detailed description of the invention

A mobile wave generating apparatus (24) according to this invention generally comprising: an apparatus body (37) as shown in FIG. 1 wherein said body (37) comprises a basal portion (38) attachable, on one part, to or settling on a transportation trailer unit (25), a show platform (39) locating on or extending out from the most elevated end of a frame structure (40). The frame structure (40) is characterized by a network of parallel metal bars wherein the opposite, least elevated, end of the frame structure (40) is lower than the end where the show platform (39) is situated;

an inclined surface (1) as illustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 which settles on top of the frame structure (40) of the apparatus body (37) for holding and enabling a succession of waves (2) of water to flow from a wave generator (3) on the least elevated end or adjacent to the least elevated end of the inclined surface (1) to the most elevated end or adjacent to the most elevated end or the show platform (39) which comprises a cavity (4) for delivering the water into a drainage portion (5); and

a water circulating system as illustrated in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B wherein the system comprising 2 major components as follows:

a water tank and filtering module (6) as independently shown in FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B which locates inside the frame structure (40) with enclosed partitions wherein a top partition (7) is openable and a back partition (8) comprises a filter inflow passage (9) connecting downstream from the drainage portion (5) for directing an inflow of water into an inflow filtering unit (10) that is connecting to an inflow filter holding tracks (1 1, 12) and, subsequently, through an outflow filtering unit (13) that is connecting to an outflow filter holding tracks (14, 15) and a filter outflow passage (16) of a front partition (17); and

a water pump (18) as illustrated in FIG.2B which comprises a pump inflow passage (19) for receiving the water from the water tank and filtering module (6) and the outflow passage (20) for delivering the water into a water pipe (21) with at least one valve (36) (i.e. capable of allowing or stopping flow of water in water pipe (21)) into the wave generator (3), wherein the water pump (18) further coupling with or connecting to at least one power unit (22), such as a motor or a power engine, but preferably one power engine of at least 200 horsepower (hp), to propel the water at the rate of between 3,000-20,000 liters per minute, and a controller (23) to control the operations and flow of said water throughout the apparatus (24).

As illustrated in FIGS.4-6, the mobile wave generating apparatus (24) as described above can be directly placed on a trailer unit (25), such as a truck trailer, a semi-trailer, or a dolly and can be attachable via any conventional anchoring method or mechanism known to the engineering field, such as any one or combination of ropes or hooks or fangs with loops, nuts with bolts or screws, or by permanent welding or joining of the trailer unit (25) and the apparatus

(24) together. The described apparatus (24) on a trailer unit (24) can be connected to any transportation unit (26) such as a traction unit or vehicle with engine that can provide enough traction to drive the apparatus from its position to the destination. The transportation (26) can be chosen from a truck, tractor, car, train, ship, boat, or amphibious vehicle. Further, at least one side of the apparatus body (37) as illustrated in FIG. 5 can additionally comprise at least one door (43) for user, inspector, machine operator, or maintenance staff to enter or observe the internal water system or other components of the apparatus body (37) and to maintain or replace certain components in the inside the apparatus (24), such as replacing the filtering units (10, 13) and changing the water flow rate or the pump pressure via a controller (23). FIG 7. illustrates the backside or backend (30) of the mobile wave generating apparatus (24) wherein the backend (30) may further comprise a stairway (31) for a player (32) to climb up to a preparation platform (33) which locates on or adjacent to the least elevated end of the inclined surface (1) wherein the stairway (31) can have two sections: an upper section (34) for connecting to the preparation platform (33) and a lower, foldable section (35) capable of dropping down to the ground and for lifting up from the ground during transportation. FIG. 8 further illustrates the top view of the preparation platform (33) wherein the platform (33) is located on or adjacent to the least elevated end of the inclined surface (1) which also contains the wave generator (3) that, as illustrated in FIG.2A, further comprises a wave generating pipe (41) connecting downstream from the water pipe (21). The wave generating pipe (41) comprises a set of pores (42) to deliver or inject the succession of water waves (2), preferably large, surfable waves, onto the inclined surface (1) and is located widthwise on, under, or partly under the least elevated end or adjacent to the least elevated end of the surface (1). Once the succession of waves (2) is injected out of the wave generator (3) on the inclined surface (1), it will be propelled upward to the uppermost end whereby the drainage cavity (4) is presented as shown in FIG. 9 to receive the water and send it down to the drainage portion (5), accordingly. To prepare himself or herself for surfing activity as depicted in FIG. 10, a player (32) may move across the inclined surface (1) from the preparation platform (33) to the most elevated end of the inclined surface (1) or to the show platform (39) by climbing upwards and hanging onto the protective rail (44) which is located on at least one side of the inclined surface (1) to prevent him or her from falling or injury.

The filter module (6) is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 A and 3B wherein the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the filtering module (6) can optionally have the same filtering material (27) and pore size (28), or the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the water tank and filtering module (6) can have the same filtering material (27), but with different pore sizes (28), or the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the filtering module (6) can have different filtering materials (27) and pore sizes (28). A handle (29) may optionally be attached or assigned to each of the filtering units (10, 13) for the purpose of moving or replacing said units (10, 13) or the filter material (27). Further, an additional filtering unit can be placed or installed in the same manner as the inflow and outflow filtering units (10, 13) inside the water tank and filtering module (6) to further enhance the filtering efficiency of the module (6) and to help re-circulate cleaner water and prevent clogging of impurities in the whole water circulating system of the mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof

Claims

1. A mobile wave generating apparatus according to this invention comprising:

an apparatus body (37) comprising a basal portion (38) attachable to or settling on a transportation trailer (25), a show platform (39) locating on or extending from the most elevated end of a frame structure (40) comprising a network of parallel metal bars wherein the opposite, least elevated end of the frame structure (40) is lower than the end where the show platform (39) is situated;

- an inclined surface ( 1 ) settling on top of the frame structure (40) of the apparatus body (37) for holding and enabling a succession of waves (2) of water to flow from a wave generator (3) on the least elevated end or adjacent to the least elevated end of the inclined surface (1) to the most elevated end or adjacent to the most elevated end or the show platform (39) which comprises a drainage cavity (4) for delivering the water into a drainage portion (5);

a water tank and filtering module (6) locating inside the frame structure (40) with enclosed partitions wherein a top partition (7) is openable and a back partition (8) comprises a filter inflow passage (9) connecting downstream from the drainage portion (5) for directing an inflow of water into an inflow filtering unit (10) that is connecting to an inflow filter holding tracks (1 1, 12) and, subsequently, through an outflow filtering unit (13) that is connecting to an outflow filter holding tracks (14, 15) and a filter outflow passage(16) of a front partition (17); and

a water pump (18) comprising a pump inflow passage (19) for receiving the water from the water tank and filtering module (6) and the outflow passage (20) for delivering the water into a water pipe (21) with at least one valve (36) and into the wave generator (3), wherein the water pump (18) is further coupling or connectable to at least one power unit (22) to propel the water and a controller (23) to control the operations and flow of said water throughout the apparatus (24).

2. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a type of transportation (26) that the transportation trailer (25) is attachable to is chosen from a truck, tractor, car, train, ship, boat, or amphibious vehicle.

3. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the filtering module (6) comprise the same filtering material (27) and pore size (28).

4. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the water tank and filtering module (6) comprise the same filtering material (27) with different pore sizes (28).

5. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inflow filtering unit (10) and the outflow filtering unit (13) of the filtering module (6) comprise different filtering materials (27) and pore sizes (28).

6. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inflow filtering unit (10) or the outflow filtering unit (13) further comprise a handle (29) for the purpose of moving or replacing said filtering unit (10 or 13) or filtering material (27).

7. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the water tank and filtering module (6) further comprises at least one additional filtering unit which is installed in the same manner as the inflow and outflow filtering units (10, 13).

8. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the wave generator (3) is located on or adjacent to the lower end of the inclined surface (1) and the cavity (4) is located on or adjacent to the uppermost end of the inclined surface (1) wherein the succession of waves is propelled upward on the inclined slope from the wave generator (3) towards the cavity (4).

9. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the wave generator (3) creates the succession of large, surfable waves of water.

10. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the back end (30) of the apparatus (24) further comprises a stairway (31) for a player (32) to climb up to a preparation platform (33) on or adjacent to the least elevated end of the surface (1).

11. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stairway (31) comprising two sections: an upper section (34) connecting to the preparation platform (33) and a lower, foldable section (35).

12. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the inclined surface (1) or the apparatus (24) further comprises at least one protective rail (44) on one side of the inclined surface (1) for player (32) to hang on and climb to the most elevated part of the inclined surface (1) or to prevent player (32) from injury or falling from the apparatus (24).

13. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the power unit (22) is a motor or a power engine.

14. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the power unit (22) is a power engine of at least 200 horsepower (hp).

15. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus (24) is attachable to the trailer (25) by any conventional anchoring method or mechanism known to the engineering field.

16. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the wave generator (3) comprises a wave generating pipe (41) connecting downstream from the water pipe

(21) wherein the wave generating pipe (41) comprises a set of pores (42) to deliver or inject the succession of water waves onto the inclined surface (1) and is located widthwise on, under, or partly under the least elevated end or adjacent to the least elevated end of the surface (1).

17. The mobile wave generating apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least on one side of the apparatus body (37) further comprises an apparatus door (43).