The wave pictured above is not an ocean wave but has been made by aligning the waves from a large boat with a river shoreline. The waves then breaks for as long as the shoreline continues…
By merely copying this technique and applying the principle to a circular pool unending waves are possible. The research is only about how to make the waves bigger in the most efficient way, not about whether it will work or not.
This wave is 1 metre high on the wave face, and as such represents a successful field demonstration of the waves that will be produced in our 100 metre diameter pool. Our 200 metre diameter pool will produce waves double this height, whilst retaining the same perfect shape.
2005: Proof of concept recorded on video as ridable waves generated by fishing trawler.
2006: Our engineers and Delft University of Technology design an initial hull that maximises wave size while minimising drag.
2007: The initial test results confirmed the design’s feasibility and provided an improved design.
2008: Liquid Time Pty Ltd commences research and development with the Australian Maritime College and continues at Delft University of Technology.
2009:
• Liquid Time Pty Ltd, Australian Maritime College and Delft University of Technology receive an Australian Research Council grant for three years.
• The team conduct further tow tank testing of various hulls to determine the best wave generating shape.
2010:
• Liquid Time Pty Ltd, AMC and TUDelft construct and test a 10 metre scale model constructed at AMC.
• Paper published in Marine Technology Society Journal, USA.
• Abstract accepted to present at the 30th International Conference on Ocean, Offshore and Arctic Engineering (OMAE 2011), Netherlands.
2011:
• Webber Wave Pool – 2 PhDs (current to 2013), 2 fourth years in 2011 at University of Tasmania (UTas) Australian Maritime College (AMC) and TUDelft (Steven only). Successful Australian Research Council grant and patent (Aus and China).
• Soliton Wave Pool – PhD (commencing Dec 2011), and possible fourth year (commencing Feb 2011). Greg Webber Elite Research Scholarship at UTas AMC. Provisional Patent registered.
• Screw turbine / counter – current – PhD (commencing Dec 2011), and possible fourth year (commencing Feb 2011). Hayden Webber Elite Research Scholarship at UTas AMC. Provisional Patent registered.
• Surfboard design – 4th year engineering project at the University of Sydney – computer modeling and full scale testing to compare drag generated by different surfboard tail designs – current to Dec 2011.
