Surf wake system for a watercraft

• US 9,914,504 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2016
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malibu Boats LLC
• Original Assignee: Malibu Boats LLC
• Inventors: Gasper, Daniel Lee, McCall, Adam Andrew, Lopes, Timothy Michael, Munday, Bryan Walter, Wilson, Wayne Richard, Green, Rachael Marie
• Primary Examiner(s): Venne, Daniel V
• Application Number:
  US15/133,157
• Publication Number:
  US 20170029072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 114271, 114274-282, 114284, 114285
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/32 Other means for varying the inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 13/00 Conduits for emptying or ballasting; Self-bailing equipment; Scuppers draining means for hatches B63B19/26; centrifugal bilge-water separators B04; arrangements of installations for treating ballast water B63J4/002; pipes in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/75 Arrangements of wake plates
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/061 by using trimflaps, i.e. flaps mounted on the rear of a boat, e.g. speed boat
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/06 Steering by rudders by rudders carrying propellers B63H25/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/38 Rudders
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/084 by monitoring physical movement characteristics of the water
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 3/00 Traffic control systems for marine craft marking of navigational route B63B22/16, B63B51/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/10 Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls

Abstract

An adjustable surf wake system enhances a wake formed by a watercraft travelling through water. The system may include a flap for deflecting water traveling past the stern of the watercraft, and/or a positioner operably connected to the flap for positioning the flap relative to a longitudinal axis of the watercraft between a neutral position and an outward position. Positioning a port flap in its extended position enhances a starboard surf wake, and positioning the starboard flap in its extended position enhances a port surf wake. A wake modifying system for modifying a wake produced by a watercraft traveling through water may include a rudder pivotally mounted to the watercraft for steering the watercraft, a fin pivotally mounted to the watercraft substantially along a centerline of the watercraft and forward the rudder, wherein the fin pivots about an upright axis to modify the wake produced by the watercraft traveling through the water, an actuator mounted within the watercraft and operably coupled to the fin for pivoting the fin relative to the centerline, and a controller mounted on the watercraft allowing an operator to control the actuator and selectively pivot the fin to a desired angle θd relative to the centerline.

Claims

1. A water-sports boat configured to facilitate water sports for one or more riders as the water-sports boat moves through water, the water-sports boat comprising:

a hull having a transom, the hull configured to produce a wake having a port wave and a starboard wave that diverge when the hull moves through water;

a steering rudder;

at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders;

a port flap movable from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein when the port flap is in the retracted position, the port flap is substantially retracted behind the transom such that no substantial portion of the port flap extends past a port-side edge of the transom and such that no substantial portion of the port flap extends past a bottom edge of the transom, and when the port flap is in the deployed position, portions of the port flap are past the transom deflecting water that has traveled along the hull of the water-sports boat;

a starboard flap movable from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein when the starboard flap is in the retracted position, the starboard flap is substantially retracted behind the transom such that no substantial portion of the starboard flap extends past a starboard-side edge of the transom and such that no substantial portion of the starboard flap extends past the bottom edge of the transom, and when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, portions of the starboard flap are past the transom deflecting water that has traveled along the hull of the water-sports boat;

a port actuator configured to move the port flap between the retracted position and the deployed position; and

a starboard actuator configured to move the starboard flap between the retracted position and the deployed position;

wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position and the starboard flap is in the retracted position, the flaps enhance the starboard wave to form a starboard surf wave by making a face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than a face of the port wave;

wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position and the port flap is in the retracted position, the flaps enhance the port wave to form a port surf wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;

wherein the water-sports boat changes from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave by respectively deploying and retracting the flaps while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing.

2. The water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a selection to selectively enhance the starboard wave or the port wave;

wherein the port actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the port flap at the deployed position, and wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the starboard flap at the retracted position;

wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the port wave to position the starboard flap at the deployed position, and wherein the port actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the port wave to position the port flap at the retracted position.

3. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein:

the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, wherein the port actuator is coupled to the substantially planar portion, and wherein the pivot axis and the angled end portion are positioned on opposing sides of the substantially planar portion; and

the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, wherein the starboard actuator is coupled to the substantially planar portion, and wherein the pivot axis and the angled end portion are positioned on opposing sides of the substantially planar portion.

4. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein:

the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge portion of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge portion of the transom; and

the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position, about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge portion of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge portion of the transom.

5. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the port flap in the deployed position extends past the port-side edge of the transom, and wherein the starboard flap in the deployed position extends past the starboard-side edge of the transom.

6. The water-sports boat of claim 1, wherein the rudder is operable to compensate for effects of the port flap or the starboard flap on steering of the water-sports boat while the port flap or the starboard flap is in the deployed position.

7. The water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising:

a rider control device comprising one or more user input elements configured to receive input from a rider surfing behind the water-sports boat to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave;

wherein the port actuator is responsive to a selection to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave to move the port flap to the deployed position, and wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to the selection to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave to move the starboard flap to the retracted position;

wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to a selection to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave to move the starboard flap to the deployed position, and wherein the port actuator is responsive to the selection to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave to move the port flap to the retracted position.

8. The water-sports boat of claim 7, further comprising one or more driver notification elements configured to provide one or more notifications to a driver of the water-sports boat that the wake is transitioning, or is about to transition, from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave.

9. The water-sports boat of claim 1, further comprising one or more rider notification elements configured to provide one or more notifications to a rider surfing behind the water-sports boat that the wake is transitioning, or is about to transition, from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave.

10. The water-sports boat of claim 9, wherein the rider notification elements are configured to activate one or more lights or one or more speakers at a first time, and wherein a port actuator and a starboard actuator activate to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or to change from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave at a second time that is later than the first time by a delay time.

11. A water-sports boat comprising:

a hull having a transom, the hull configured to produce a wake having a port wave and a starboard wave that eventually diverge when the hull moves through water;

a rudder configured to steer the water-sports boat as the hull moves through water;

at least one of ballast tanks, bags, or bladders configured to add ballast to the water-sports boat;

a port deployable element movable from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein when in the retraced position, at least portions of the port deployable element are retracted behind the transom, and when in the deployed position portions of the port deployable element are past the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat;

a starboard deployable element movable from a retracted position to a deployed position, wherein when in the retraced position, at least portions of the starboard deployable element are retracted behind the transom, and when in the deployed position portions of the starboard deployable element are past the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat;

a port actuator configured to move the port deployable element between the retracted position and the deployed position; and

a starboard actuator configured to move the starboard deployable element between the retracted position and the deployed position;

wherein when the port deployable element is in the deployed position and the starboard deployable element is in the retracted position, the deployable elements enhance the starboard wave to form a starboard surf wave by making a face of the starboard wave substantially smoother than a face of the port wave;

wherein when the starboard deployable element is in the deployed position and the port deployable element is in the retracted position, the deployable elements enhance the port wave to form a port surf wave by making the face of the port wave substantially smoother than the face of the starboard wave;

wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave by respectively deploying and retracting the deployable elements while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing;

wherein the port deployable element pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a port hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a first respective edge portion of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the first respective edge portion of the transom; and

wherein the starboard deployable element pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a starboard hinge having a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is positioned less than 10 inches from a second respective edge portion of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 15 degrees from the second respective edge portion of the transom.

12. The water-sports boat of claim 11, wherein the pivot axis at the port hinge is positioned less than 5 inches from the first respective edge portion of the transom, wherein the pivot axis of the port hinge is angled less than about 5 degrees from the first respective edge portion of the transom, wherein the pivot axis at the starboard hinge is, positioned less than 5 inches from the second respective edge portion of the transom, and wherein the pivot axis of the starboard hinge is angled less than about 5 degrees from the second respective edge portion of the transom.

13. The water-sports boat of claim 11, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a selection to selectively enhance the starboard wave or the port wave;

wherein the port actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the port deployable element at the deployed position, and wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the starboard deployable element at the retracted position;

wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the port wave to position the starboard deployable element at the deployed position, and wherein the port actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the port wave to position the port deployable element at the retracted position.

14. The water-sports boat of claim 11, wherein the rudder is operable to compensate for effects of the port deployable element or the starboard deployable element on steering of the water-sports boat while the port deployable element or the starboard deployable element is in the deployed position.

15. A water-sports boat comprising:

a hull having a transom, the hull configured to produce a wake having a port wave and a starboard wave that eventually diverge when the hull moves through water;

one or more water ballast containers;

a surf system including a port flap and a starboard flap, each movable from a retracted position wherein a respective flap is substantially entirely retracted behind the transom such that no substantial portion of the respective flap extends past a port-side edge of the transom, and such that no substantial portion of the respective flap extends past a starboard-side edge of the transom, and such that no substantial portion of the respective flap extends past a bottom edge of the transom to a deployed position in which portions of a respective flap move to extend beyond the transom to deflect water traveling along the hull of the water-sports boat and past the transom;

wherein the port flap has a substantially vertical portion;

wherein the starboard flap has an substantially vertical portion;

wherein when the port flap is in the deployed position and the starboard flap is in the retracted position, the port flap, including the substantially vertical portion thereof, is configured to divert water to enhance the starboard wave to produce a starboard surf wave having a face that is substantially smoother than a face of the port wave;

wherein when the starboard flap is in the deployed position and the port flap is in the retracted position, the starboard flap, including the substantially vertical portion thereof, is configured to divert water to enhance the port wave to produce a port surf wave having a face that is substantially smoother than a face of the starboard wave.

16. The water-sports boat of claim 15, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a selection to selectively enhance the starboard wave or the port wave;

wherein the surf system includes a port actuator configured to move the port flap between the retracted position and the deployed position and a starboard actuator configured to move the starboard flap between the retracted position and the deployed position;

wherein the port actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the port flap at the deployed position, and wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the starboard wave to position the starboard flap at the retracted position;

wherein the starboard actuator is responsive to a selection to enhance the port wave to position the starboard flap at the deployed position, and wherein the port actuator is responsive to the selection to enhance the port wave to position the port flap at the retracted position.

17. The water-sports boat of claim 15, wherein the water-sports boat comprises a rudder that is operable to compensate for effects of the port flap or the starboard flap on steering of the water-sports boat while the port flap or the starboard flap is in the deployed position.

18. The water-sports boat of claim 15, wherein the water-sports boat is configured to change from enhancing the starboard wave to enhancing the port wave or from enhancing the port wave to enhancing the starboard wave by respectively deploying and retracting the flaps while the water-sports boat is moving through water at a speed suitable for surfing.

19. The water-sports boat of claim 15, wherein:

the port flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the port flap has a substantially planar portion and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the port flap is in the deployed position, wherein a port actuator is coupled to the substantially planar portion, and wherein the pivot axis and the angled end portion are positioned on opposing sides of the substantially planar portion; and

the starboard flap pivots between the retracted position and the deployed position about a pivot axis, wherein the starboard flap has a substantially planar portion and an angled end portion that is offset from the substantially planar portion in a direction away from a centerline of the hull, wherein the angled end portion is configured to redirect water away from the hull when the starboard flap is in the deployed position, wherein a starboard actuator is coupled to the substantially planar portion, and wherein the pivot axis and the angled end portion are positioned on opposing sides of the substantially planar portion.

20. The water-sports boat of claim 19, wherein the angled end portion of the port flap is curved, and wherein the angled end portion of the starboard flap is curved.