Wave energy-dissipation apparatus, system and method

Info

Publication number: 20060216115
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 22, 2006
Publication Date: Sep 28, 2006
Inventors: Yong Cho (Silver Spring, MD), Philip Kim (Adelphi, MD)
Application Number: 11/386,099

Abstract

A water wave energy-dissipation apparatus for one or more water waves propagating in a direction includes: a support structure at least a portion of which is proximate to a median of the water surface; and a surface inclined at an acute angle relative to the propagation direction, the inclined surface being supported by the support structure located aside of it and being located adjacent the water surface so as to define a substantially open region between the inclined surface and the water surface, the surface having apertures, a surface area of each aperture, Aapert, being at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the inclined surface excluding apertures, Afict.

Description

Description

PRIORITY STATEMENT

This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/663,724, filed on Mar. 22, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

VIDEO APPENDIX ON COMPACT DISC

This application includes an Appendix that contains three videos of models of a wave energy dissipation system according to corresponding example embodiments of the present invention. The content of the Appendix is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The Appendix includes an original compact disc and a duplicate compact disc. Each disc having a portion of the disclosure of this application contains material, which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the videos as they appear in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Each disc includes three files entitled “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—3.4Meg.avi,” “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—12.9Meg.avi,” and “Platform#2 & Wave-Cut no boats_—19.8Meg.avi.”

BACKGROUND

Ocean waves are (in part) a manifestation of received solar energy, with wind being an agent that transfers the sun's energy to the sea surface. A feature of ocean waves is that once generated, they can travel vast distances with negligible loss of energy. Even the longest-period waves do not lose significant amounts of energy until they enter water depths of 300 meters or less. Consequently wave energy generated anywhere within an ocean basin ultimately arrives at an island or continental margin of that basin virtually undiminished.

Such efficient propagation of wave energy can cause problems, e.g., damage to shoreline property and/or coastal structures, coastal flooding; disruption of offshore operations such as dredging, construction, salvage, lightering (ship to shore & vice-versa, ship to ship), etc.

In the Background Art, there has been interest in developing wave energy dissipation technologies.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wave energy-dissipation apparatus for one or more water waves propagating in a direction. Such an apparatus can include: a support structure at least a portion of which is proximate to a median of the water surface; and a surface inclined at an acute angle relative to the propagation direction, the inclined surface being supported by the support structure located aside thereof and being located adjacent the water surface so as to define a substantially open region between the inclined surface and the water surface, the surface having therein a plurality of apertures, a surface area of each aperture, A_apert, being at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the inclined surface excluding apertures, A_fict.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of dissipating energy of waves traveling at or near a surface of a body of liquid. Such a method can include: providing surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein; providing a frame; supporting the surface member with the frame; inclining the wave-abating region of the surface member at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane; arranging the wave-abating region so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon; configuring the frame so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located; and setting an area of each aperture, A_apert, of the wave-abating region to at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region excluding apertures, A_fict.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a water wave energy-dissipation apparatus for one or more water waves propagating in a direction. Such an apparatus can include: a surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein; and a frame to support the surface member; wherein the wave-abating region is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and arranged so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon, the frame is configured so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located, and at least one of the following, where it is assumed that a wave propagation direction is substantially perpendicular to the wave-abating region and parallel to the horizontal plane, (1) the wave-abating region does not intersect an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane, and (2) the wave-abating region also is inclined at an acute angle with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plan.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of dissipating energy of waves traveling at or near a surface of a body of liquid. Such a method can include: providing surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein; providing a frame; supporting the surface member with the frame; inclining the wave-abating region of the surface member at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane; arranging the wave-abating region so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon; configuring the frame so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located; and at least one of the following, where it is assumed that a wave propagation direction is substantially perpendicular to the wave-abating region and parallel to the horizontal plane, (1) disposing the wave-abating region so as to not intersect an axis, that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane, and (2) disposing the wave-abating region also to be inclined at an acute angle with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments, the accompanying drawings and the associated claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are intended to depict example embodiments of the present invention and should not be interpreted to limit the scope thereof. The accompanying drawings are not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted.

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a wave energy dissipation apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the wave energy dissipation apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the wave energy dissipation apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a wave energy dissipation system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional depiction of a wave being disintegrated by a wave energy-dissipation apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention, e.g., that of FIGS. 1-3.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict annotated still images taken from the video entitled “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—3.4Meg.avi” on the Appendix that shows a model of a wave energy dissipation system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that if an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “against,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, then it can be directly on, against connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, then there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective view of a wave energy dissipation apparatus 100 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the wave energy dissipation apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a top view of the wave energy dissipation apparatus 100 of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, the wave energy-dissipation apparatus 100 includes: a surface member 102, e.g., a flat panel, having an apertured wave-abating region 104 therein (in FIG. 1, e.g., the wave-abating region 104 corresponds to the entirety of the surface member 102); and a frame 106 to support the surface member 102. Here, e.g., the frame 106 has a truss-like construction. Typically, the liquid in which the wave energy-dissipation apparatus 100 is disposed has water as a majority component. Other liquid compositions, however, are contemplated.

The wave-abating region 104 in FIG. 1 is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and is arranged so that waves in the liquid would impinge on it. The angle at which the wave-abating region 104 is inclined, relative to the horizontal plane, can be in a range of angles, e.g., ≈15°≦angle_incline≦≈45°. In cross-section, the silhouette of the wave-abating region 104 resembles a plane segment. Alternatively, the cross-section of the wave-abating region 104 can resemble, e.g., one of the following: a greater-than symbol (>); a triangle a polygon other than the triangle; a deformed polygon having at least one curved face; etc. Typically, the wave-abating region 104 will be arranged so that a majority of waves in the liquid impinge upon the wave-abating region 104 in a range of angles, e.g., ≈30°≦angle_impinge≦≈150°.

The frame 106 of FIG. 1 is configured so that defined in it are one or more spaces 108 that are open from the wave-abating region 104 down to where a median of the liquid surface 110 (see FIG. 2) would be located. While depicted, for simplicity, in FIG. 1 as being substantially planar (if not planar), the wave-abating region 104 can represent one or more faces of a polyhedron, a deformed polyhedron (e.g., having at least one curved face), one or more portions of a surface of revolution, etc.

Again, apertures 112 (having any shape, e.g., circles, ellipses, polygons, etc.) are formed in the wave-abating region 104 of FIG. 1. An area of each aperture, A_apert, of the wave-abating region 104 is at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region 104 excluding apertures 112, A_fict. As an example, the area of each aperture, A_apert, of the wave-abating region 104 can be at least about three orders of magnitude smaller than A_fict.

Further as to the wave-energy dissipation apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, for example, assuming a wave propagation direction is substantially perpendicular to the wave-abating region 104 and parallel to the horizontal plane, the wave-abating region 104 can be configured so that it does not intersect an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane. Alternatively, for example, assuming the same wave propagation direction, the wave-abating region 104 also can be inclined at an acute angle with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane.

The ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures 112, ΣA_apert(i) to the fictional total area A_fictin FIG. 1 should be sufficient for the plurality of apertures 112 to disintegrate the wave. But there also should remain a sufficient amount of non-aperture area on the wave-abating region 104 such that the wave does not pass through the wave-abating region 104 substantially intact. To enhance such wave disintegration, the magnitudes of the respective apertures 112 A_apert(i) should be selected such that the ratio is achieved via a greater number rather than a lesser number of apertures 112. More particularly, a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures 112, ΣA_apert(i) to the fictional total area A_fictcan be in a range $\approx 30 % \leq \frac{\sum A_{apert} (i)}{A_{fict}} \leq \approx 50 % .$

It is assumed, e.g., in FIG. 1 that about 30% of the wave-abating region 104 can be disposed below the median of the liquid surface.

As an alternative, the wave-abating region 104 of FIG. 1 can be described as including a plurality of portions. A given such portion can be described by an aperture:non-aperture ratio, namely a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures 112 in the given portion, [ΣA_apert(i)]_portion, to a fictional total area thereof excluding apertures 112 [A_fict]_portion. In such an alternative, the wave-abating region 104 can exhibit a gradient of such ratios.

As an example of a gradient of aperture:non-aperture ratios, suppose that the wave-abating region 104 is divided into three portions, namely a lower portion (partially disposed below median liquid surface), a middle portion and an upper portion (disposed farthest) away/above the median liquid surface). In this example, the gradient of ratios could relate as follows. ${[\frac{\sum A_{apert} (i)}{A_{fict}}]}_{lower} < {[\frac{\sum A_{apert} (i)}{A_{fict}}]}_{middle} < {[\frac{\sum A_{apert} (i)}{A_{fict}}]}_{upper} .$

Such a gradient might better accommodate a variety of wave amplitudes, e.g., the lower portion might be better suited to waves of smaller amplitudes, the middle portion might be better suited to waves of medium amplitudes, and the upper portion might be better suited to waves of larger amplitudes.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a wave energy dissipation system 200 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The system 200 of FIG. 4 can include the wave energy-dissipation apparatus, e.g., 100 of FIGS. 1-3.

In FIG. 4, a wave energy-dissipation system 200, for use in a body of liquid (for which a majority component is, e.g., water), is depicted. The system 200 includes: a support structure 204 (e.g., that floats) at least a portion of which is proximate to a median of the liquid surface; and a wave energy-dissipation apparatus 208, e.g., 100 FIG. 1, that includes a surface member 210 and a frame 212 to support the surface member 210).

More particularly in FIG. 4, the surface member 210 and frame 212 are laterally supported by the support structure 212. For example, there can be a pivotable mount 214 by which the frame 212 can be pivotably mounted to the support structure 204 such that the angle of the surface member 210 relative to a horizontal plane is adjustable. Such adjustment can be semi-fixed in the sense that re-adjustment can be performed, e.g., as part of a maintenance schedule, or adaptive in the sense of there being provided a motorized arrangement (not depicted) to adjust the angle of inclination.

The system 200 of FIG. 4 is depicted as being restrained via a tether 216 so as to have a relatively fixed location in terms of latitude and longitude. For example, where the body of the liquid is one of the following, a coastal area having typical depths to accommodate ocean-going vessels, a harbor for ocean-going vessels, a marina, a small-wake zone, a beach, or the like, then the support structure 204 can be tethered to the floor 218 of the body of the liquid. In such an example, the system 200 can function as a breakwater and/or temporary harbor.

Though not depicted in FIG. 4, the support structure 204 and/or the frame 212 can be configured and arranged to engage an alignment member. Examples of an alignment member include: a cable; a rope; a rod; a rod-like structure; a plurality of interlocking structures that approximate one of a cable and a rod-like structure; and the like. Such an alignment member can, but does not necessarily have to, lie within the horizontal plane.

Operation of the wave energy-dissipation apparatus 100, and system 200, will now be discussed in terms of FIG. 5, where FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional depiction of a wave being disintegrated by a wave energy-dissipation apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention, e.g., 100 of FIGS. 1-3.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the following explains how the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-3 and the system 200 of FIG. 4 dissipate the energy of a wave propagating in liquid.

In FIG. 5, a wave 502 is represented as stratified, i.e., is represented as a group of wave-strata 504-510. Each wave stratum is akin to a growth-ring of a tree or an annulus (albeit not circular, rather sinusoidal). The wave-strata 504-510 have at least substantially the same frequency (if not the same) and are at least substantially in phase (if not totally so), albeit of different amplitude ranges. The group of wave-strata 504-510 is depicted as impinging upon an apertured wave-abating region 512 of a surface member, e.g., 102 FIGS. 1-3. Each wave-stratum impinges upon the wave-abating region 512 at a different elevation. As such, each wave-stratum encounters a different set of (horizontally-distributed) apertures 516 in the wave-abating region 512. Each wave-stratum has both a horizontal and vertical component of velocity. Each such set of apertures 516 acts upon the corresponding wave-stratum to change at least a substantial fraction of its velocity from being manifested by the horizontal component to being manifested by the vertical component, more specifically the downward vertical component.

Without being bound by theory, it is also believed that the mechanism of wave dissipation (i.e., that explains how the apparatus 100 of FIGS. 1-3 and the system 200 of FIG. 4 dissipate the energy of a wave propagating in liquid) can be explained by analogy to how a beach dissipates the energy of a wave that impinges on it. A beach includes millions of particles of sand arranged in a porous structure. A beach can be described as having two regions, a dry region whose upper surface lies above the water table, and a wet region whose entirety lies below the water table. A beach also can be described as an inclined plane. As a wave impinges on the inclined plane that the beach represents, in particular as the wave washes onto the dry region of the beach, a fraction of the water within the wave percolates down toward the water table through the porous structure of the beach. Such percolation partially disintegrates the wave. The apertures, e.g., 112, in the wave-abating region, e.g., 104, are analogous to the porous upper surface of the dry region of a beach and similarly function to disintegrate a wave and thus dissipate energy from the wave.

Without being bound by theory, it is also believed water passing through the apertures, e.g., 112, in the wave-abating region, e.g., 104, may be subject to the Coriolis acceleration such that it may exhibit a Coriolis Effect.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict annotated still images taken from the video entitled “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—3.4Meg.avi” on the Appendix that shows a model 600 of a wave energy dissipation system according to an example embodiment of the present invention.

In FIGS. 6A-6D, a source (not depicted) of waves is positioned at the right-hand side. When viewed in the sequence, FIGS. 6A-6D suggest how the wave energy-dissipation system 606 depicted therein disintegrates waves that impinge upon it.

In FIG. 6A, the model 600 includes: a tank 602 having a grid 604 printed on a back wall to introduce scale; a wave energy-dissipation system 606 (including a surface member having an inclined & apertured wave-abating region, and a frame 607 to support the surface member); a floating support structure 608; a boat 610 disposed between the wave energy-dissipation system 606 and waves 612 propagating towards the same such that the boat is unprotected from the waves; another boat disposed behind such waves so as to be shielded from the same by the wave energy-dissipation system 606; calm water resulting from the shielding effect of the wave energy-dissipation system 606; and a median water surface 618. Also depicted is a wave 612′″ impinging on the wave abating region of the wave energy-dissipation system 606. In general, waves propagate from right to left in FIGS. 6A-6D.

In FIG. 6B, the unprotected boat is sitting on a crest of an incoming wave 612′ (located to the left of where wave 612 was located). In FIG. 6C, the unprotected boat 610 is slipping the backside of the wave towards the trough that trails the crest of incoming wave 612″ (located to the left of where wave 612′ was located). In FIG. 6D, the unprotected boat 610 is fully in the trough trailing the crest of now impinging (on the wave abating region of the wave energy-dissipation system 606) wave 612′″.

In each of FIGS. 6A-6D, the unprotected boat 610 is subjected to substantial buffeting by waves 612, 612′, 612″ and 612′″. In contrast, in each of FIGS. 6A-6D, the water 616 behind the wave energy-dissipation system 606 can be described as calm such that the protected boat 614 experiences substantially no buffeting relative to what is suffered by the unprotected boat 610.

The protected side (the left side) of the wave energy-dissipation system 606 exhibits substantially the same water surface level (substantially the median water surface 618) irrespective of the waves that impinge upon the system 606. This is due to the system 606 dissipating enough of the energy of impinging wave 612′″ so that there is little effect upon the protected boat 614 if (and when) the remainder of the impinging wave 612′″ reaches the protected side (the calm water 616). In contrast, the unprotected side (the right side) of the system 606 manifests a widely varying water surface level due to the incoming waves (612, 612′, 612″).

Details of the model 600 depicted in the videos on the Appendix entitled “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—3.4Meg.avi” and “Platform#1, Wave-Cut & Boats_—12.9Meg.avi” (which, again, are but example embodiments of the present invention and thus should not be viewed as limiting) are as follows.

Inclined Wave-Abating Region of Surface Member is square 30.00 cm Each aperture is a circle, radius = 0.50 cm Area_aperture = 0.79 cm² Area_inclined_surface_sans_apert = 900.00 cm² ratio_1 = ratio_Area_apert:Area_incl_sur_sans_apert = 0.00087264 = 0.09% Total number_apertures = 720.00 ΣA_apert = 565.47 cm² ratio_2 = ratio_ΣA_apert:Area_incl_sur = 0.63 = 62.83% Area_solid_minus_ΣA_apert = 334.53 cm² ratio_3 == ratio_Area_sol_min_ΣA_apert:Area_incl_sur_sans_apert = 0.37 = 37.17%

With some example embodiments of the present invention having thus been described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water wave energy-dissipation apparatus for a water wave propagating in a direction, the apparatus comprising:

a support structure at least a portion of which is proximate to a median of the water surface; and

a surface inclined at an acute angle relative to the propagation direction, the inclined surface being supported by the support structure located aside thereof and being located adjacent the water surface so as to define a substantially open region between the inclined surface and the water surface, the surface having therein a plurality of apertures, a surface area of each aperture, Aapert, being at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the inclined surface excluding apertures, Afict.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the area of each aperture is at least about three orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the inclined place excluding apertures.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures, ΣAapert(i) to the fictional total area Afict is sufficient for the plurality of apertures to disintegrate the wave and yet there remains a sufficient amount of non-aperture area on the inclined surface such that the wave does not pass through the inclined surface substantially intact.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein magnitudes of Aapert(i) are selected such that the ratio is achieved via a greater number rather than a lesser number of apertures.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures, ΣAapert(i) to the fictional total area Afict is in a range ≈ 30 ⁢ % ≤ ∑ A apert ⁡ ( i ) A fict ≤ ≈ 50 ⁢ %.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein about 30% of the inclined surface is disposed below the median of the water surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is inclined at an angle, relative to the propagation direction, in a range ≈15°≦angle≦≈45°.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of apertures is a circle.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

a portion of the inclined surface can be described by a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures in the portion, [ΣAapert(i)]portion, to a fictional total area of the portion [Afict]portion; and

the inclined surface exhibits a gradient of such ratios.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

a first end of the inclined surface is disposed adjacent the water surface;

a second end of the inclined surface is disposed above the water surface; and

the gradient is manifested by smaller ratios being exhibited near the first end and larger ratios being exhibited near the second end.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein:

the inclined surface can be described as having at least first and second portions, the first portion being located near the first end and the second portion being located near the second end; and

the portions, on a relative basis, exhibit apertures conforming to the following relation

[Aapert(typical)]1stportion≦[Aapert(typical)]2ndportion,

where Aapert(typical) represents an area of a typical aperture.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the inclined surface can be described as further having at a third portion, the third portion being located being located between the first and second portions; and

the portions, on a relative basis, exhibit apertures conforming to the following relation

[Aapert(typical)]1stportion≦[Aapert(typical)]3reportion≦[Aapert(typical)]2ndportion.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is substantially planar.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface is pivotably mounted to the support structure such that the angle thereof relative to the propagation direction is adjustable.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure is a floating structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the floating support structure is restrained so as to have a relatively fixed location in terms of latitude and longitude.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a body of the water is one of the following:

a coastal area having typical depths to accommodate ocean-going vessels;

a harbor for ocean-going vessels;

a marina;

a small-wake zone; and

a beach.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the support structure is tethered to a floor of the body of the water so as to function as a breakwater.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein:

a body of the water is a swimming pool; and

the support structure is tethered between two sides of the swimming pool by a cable therebetween.

20. A method of dissipating energy of waves traveling at or near a surface of a body of liquid, the method comprising:

providing surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein;

providing a frame;

supporting the surface member with the frame;

inclining the wave-abating region of the surface member at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane;

arranging the wave-abating region so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon;

configuring the frame so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located; and

setting an area of each aperture, Aapert, of the wave-abating region to at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region excluding apertures, Afict.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the setting step sets the an area of each aperture, Aapert, of the wave-abating region to be at least about three orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region excluding apertures, Afict.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

configuring the wave-abating region so that a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures, ΣAapert(i) to the fictional total area Afict is sufficient for the plurality of apertures to disintegrate the wave and yet for there to remain a sufficient amount of non-aperture area on the wave-abating region such that the wave does not pass through the wave-abating region substantially intact.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of configuring includes selecting magnitudes of Aapert(i) such that the ratio is achieved via a greater number rather than a lesser number of apertures.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of configuring includes selecting a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures, ΣAapert(i) to the fictional total area Afict is in a range ≈ 30 ⁢ % ≤ ∑ A apert ⁡ ( i ) A fict ≤ ≈ 50 ⁢ %.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

disposing about 30% of the wave-abating region below the median liquid surface.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of inclining sets the angle of inclination of the wave-abating region, relative to the horizontal plane, in a range ≈15°≦angle≦≈45°.

27. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

setting the plurality of apertures to be circles.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein:

the wave-abating region includes a plurality of portions;

each of the plurality of portions can be described by a ratio of the total area of the plurality of apertures therein, [ΣAapert(i)]portion, to a fictional total area thereof excluding apertures [Afict]portion; and

the method further comprises the following, configuring the wave-abating region to exhibit a gradient of such ratios.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the supporting structure is a floating structure.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

restraining the floating support structure so as to have a relatively fixed location in terms of latitude and longitude.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein a body of the liquid is one of the following:

a coastal area having typical depths to accommodate ocean-going vessels;

a harbor for ocean-going vessels;

a marina;

a small-wake zone; and

a beach.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

tethering the floating support structure to a floor of the body of the liquid so as to function as a breakwater.

33. A wave energy-dissipation apparatus for use in a body of liquid, the apparatus comprising:

a surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein; and

a frame to support the surface member;

wherein the wave-abating region is inclined at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane and arranged so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon, the frame is configured so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located, and at least one of the following, where it is assumed that a wave propagation direction is substantially perpendicular to the wave-abating region and parallel to the horizontal plane, the wave-abating region does not intersect an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane, and the wave-abating region also is inclined at an acute angle with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plan.

34. The apparatus of claims 34, wherein an area of each aperture, Aapert, of the wave-abating region is at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region excluding apertures, Afict.

35. A method of dissipating energy of waves traveling at or near a surface of a body of liquid, the method comprising:

providing surface member having an apertured wave-abating region therein;

providing a frame;

supporting the surface member with the frame;

inclining the wave-abating region of the surface member at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane;

arranging the wave-abating region so that waves in the liquid would impinge thereon;

configuring the frame so that defined therein are one or more spaces open from the wave-abating region to where a median of the liquid surface would be located; and

at least one of the following, where it is assumed that a wave propagation direction is substantially perpendicular to the wave-abating region and parallel to the horizontal plane, disposing the wave-abating region so as to not intersect an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane, and disposing the wave-abating region also to be inclined at an acute angle with respect to an axis that is perpendicular to the propagation direction and that lies in the horizontal plane.

36. The method of any of claims 37, further comprising:

setting an area of each aperture, Aapert, of the wave-abating region to be at least about two orders of magnitude smaller than a fictional total area of the wave-abating region excluding apertures, Afict.