Abstract: There is described a wet back device for generating waves in a liquid in a test tank or the like. Such devices are known and usually operate a wave generating board by a push-pull piston operation or a flapping wave generating board pivoted in the tank and rocked about a horizontal axis to move water in the tank and create waves therein. The device described is capable of producing the push-pull generated wave motion or the flapper type motion, or a combination of those motions and is provided with seals between the wave generating board and the tank walls or between individual wave generating boards (in a multiple board arrangement) and the walls of the tank. Closure plates are provided on the support frames for the boards. Gliding surfaces are provided to ensure reliable action and frame members are located to provide energy loss in fast flowing water in the tank.

Abstract: A wave pool comprises a plurality of waterways, each having a wave-making device for generating waves at one end of the respective waterways and an opening at the other end, the bottoms of the waterways sloping upwards in the advancing direction of the waves which are generated by the wave-making devices. A pool is arranged adjacent to the openings of the waterways, the waterways opening into the pool. The plurality of waterways cross mutually on an extension of advancing direction lines of the generated waves. The pool is deeper in the center area thereof and shallower at the periphery thereof.

Abstract: A four-way air directional valve assembly is disclosed in combination with apparatus employed for pneumatically generating waves in a wave pool having a plurality of wave generating chambers arranged side-by-side and extending across the width of a pool at one end thereof. Each of these wave chambers has a below the water passageway in communication with the pool and a sealed portion located above the normal water level of the pool. Each chamber has an inlet-outlet passageway above the water level with the passageway serving in one mode as an inlet for directing forced air into the wave chamber and in a second mode as an outlet for exhausting air therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating waves in a swimming pool comprises a reservoir, independent of and separate from the pool, the reservoir containing a volume of water to be supplied to one or more inlets communicating into the lower regions of the swimming pool, and one or more flow paths through which the water from the reservoir is fed to the or each inlet, the or each flow path including a flow control valve therein and a volume of air downstream of the associated control valve for entrainment with the water flowing to the swimming pool such that, on entry of the water into the swimming pool, a wave having a turbulent, air-containing wake is formed.

Abstract: A machine for making (gravity) waves on the free surface of a body of water comprises a platform for machinery having a deck level which is raised above the surface of the water, driving machinery located on the platform for generating reciprocating hoist action, a weighted paddle blade suspended below the surface of the water in a horizontal attitude alongside the machinery platform, suspension means extending from the driving machinery to the weighted paddle blade for imparting vertical oscillations to the paddle blade while maintaining the generally horizontal attitude of the paddle blade.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for creating the ramp or "jump" in the water, much like a ski jump, but being constructed such that a rather thick layer beneath the top surface is non-integral to permit the fin of the windsurfer to pass therethrough. The maintenance of this non-integral layer may be created in several ways, the simplest being the utilization of a water jet or jets somewhat beneath the water level which create a continuous mound or ramp of water. Other approaches utilize a thick layer of bristles saturated with water, and a layer of gel.

Abstract: A submersible jet stream device having inlet apertures and an outlet nozzle which creates a jet stream which can be located either in a first position at the water surface or a second position at a pool bottom. The device may be hinged about a horizontal position for movement between the two positions. An embodiment may include two nozzles, one at each end of a housing and two propellers on a reversible motor disposed within the housing whereby the nozzle used for the flow is determined by the direction of motor rotation.

Abstract: A pneumatic wave generator for a surf pool, comprising a caisson divided into a plurality of wave generating chambers, a ventilator space provided with a powered source of air and a system of conduits coupled to inlet and outlet valves which together are capable of alternately effecting forced aspiration and expiration above the water surfaces in the wave generating chambers thereby to generate waves in a body of water in communication with the chambers. According to the invention, in each of the wave generating chambers, the coupling of the air inlet valve and the air outlet valve, provided with a common drive, is of great advantage in improving the system efficiency. The expiration may be enhanced by coupling the expirating chambers to the air input of the powered air source forming a closed air pressure system in which a partial vacuum is thus applied to the expirating chambers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for creating in a water pool a wave for surfing, the pool having a reservoir at one end open to the pool beneath the undisturbed water level of the pool, a fan connected to the reservoir for expelling air from it and drawing water from the pool into the reservoir to store water above the undisturbed water level of the pool, and a valve for selectively sealing the reservoir against the intrusion of air and rapidly ventilating the reservoir so that the stored water flows into the pool by gravity at a velocity near its theoretical limit.

Abstract: A track for sporting activities comprises particulate surfacing having a conditioning system for conditioning the surfacing, and a membrane for recycling liquid passing through the surfacing, the conditioning system comprising a reservoir for liquid which extends along a border of the surfacing adjacent the surfacing, and a wave propagater to cause a surge of liquid to propagate from the reservoir across and through the surfacing, the membrane extending from the reservoir and being arranged to receive liquid passing through the particulate material and to permit the liquid received thereby to pass back into the reservoir.

Abstract: A surf wave generator which can repeatedly produce and launch singular waves across the surface of a swimming pool. The waves are produced in the swimming pool by an adjacent water-filled caisson which is coupled into the swimming pool at the base of the pool and caisson. Except for the opening into the pool, the caisson is sealed, and a charge of high-pressure air is vented into the upper portion, forcing the water from the chamber into the swimming pool in a single forceful motion. Through the use of a baffle, the expelled water is directed within the swimming pool to produce a surf wave propagating across the surface of the swimming pool away from the wave-generating caisson. The surf wave may be repeatably generated without synchronization to the previously generated waves. The surf wave generator can also be used in combination with other wave-generating systems to produce a complete repertoire of wave motions.

Abstract: A wave generator for a swimming pool, comprising a caisson divided into a plurality of wave-generating chambers. Each wave-generating chamber communicates with the swimming pool through a below-the-water passage and has a sealed portion which extends above the water level of the pool. Each sealed portion of the chamber receives combustive elements which are ignited to produce an increased pressure which directly displaces the water within the chamber, inducing a wave action in the associated swimming pool. Each wave-generating chamber is selectively operated in concert with the remaining chambers to produce a desired wave pattern which propagates across the pool surface. The present wave generator features increased efficiency and fewer components over previous wave-generating apparatus.

Abstract: A wave making machine for substantially unidirectional wave making on a water surface comprises at least one support scow, a plunger supported by each scow by means of a linkage which limits the movement of the plunger to substantially vertical movement and a drive mechanism for driving the plunger between a raised position and a lowered position. The plunger has a front face at least a portion of which is upwardly and forwardly inclined and a back face which is substantially vertically oriented whereby upon periodic motion waves are generated at the front face and substantially no waves are generated at the back face of the plunger. A plurality of scows, each supporting a wave making plunger, may be connected in a side by side relationship to form a laterally elongated wave making mechanism. The scrows are connected by movable linkage mechanisms which permit independent movement of each adjacent scow.

Abstract: A pneumatic wave generator for a surf pool, comprising a caisson divided into a plurality of wave generating chambers, and a ventilator space with a source of compressed air capable of alternately effecting aspiration and expiration above the water surfaces in the wave generating chambers via a conduit system provided with air inlet and air outlet valves. According to the invention, in each of the wave generating chambers, the air inlet valve and the air outlet valve are coupled together and provided with a common drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a control current flow in a pool, comprises, a continuously operable electric motor which has a rotatable drive shaft which is connected to an electrically operated clutch. A rotatable propeller drive shaft is disposed alongside the clutch and is engageable with the clutch upon actuation thereof to rotate a propeller affixed thereto to produce a current flow in the pool. The device includes means for sensing the level of the water and for operating the clutch either directly upon changes of level or after a time delay so that it selectively engages and disengages from the propeller drive shaft. The engagement for rotation of the propeller at selected intervals in accordance with the level of the pool produces a wave flow within a few minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making waves in bodies of water used for swimming, having a plurality of hollow open-bottom pistons mounted for reciprocation in alternating power and suction strokes in which the movement of each piston engaged in a power stroke is opposed to the movement of an adjacent piston engaged in a suction stroke; each piston confining a gas cushion between the top and any water within the lower portion of the piston that is under a superatmospheric pressure during a power stroke of the piston, and under a subatmospheric pressure during a suction stroke of the piston; whereby on the suction stroke each piston draws water into its interior via its passage and port from the body of water, and on the power stroke each piston pushes water from its interior via its passage and port back into the body of water, the resulting alternating pulses of water flow generating waves in the body of water.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making waves in bodies of water used for swimming having a multicompartmented chamber with at least one set of separate paired compartments open in a nonintercommunicating lower portion for separate reception of water therewithin from a body of water, and closed in an intercommunicating upper portion in a manner to provide a fluid-tight upper portion confining therewithin a volume of fluid that is common to each pair of compartments; and at least one pair of pistons, each disposed in separate paired compartments in the chamber, each piston being mounted across its compartment for reciprocation in alternating power and suction strokes and arranged for fluid-pressure-induced interreaction with the other piston in balanced strokes; each piston having an upper face with a pressure-receiving surface responding to fluid pressure in the upper portion of its compartment, and a lower face with a pressure-receiving surface responding to water pressure in the lower portion of its compartment

Abstract: A machine for making waves on the free surface of a body of liquid comprises a member which is buoyant in the liquid, driving means mounted on and supported above the free surface of the water by the buoyant member to cause a periodic motion thereof relative to the surface of the liquid between a raised position and a lowered position, such relative motion causing substantial variations in the liquid displacement of the buoyant member, said buoyant member comprises a longitudinally elongated wave making plunger, floatation means underlying said wave making plunger for supporting said wave making plunger with its longitudinal extent horizontally disposed at a level with respect to the free surface of the water when in use such that the plunger displacement is substantially zero when in said raised position.