Method and apparatus for breaking waves

Claim 2

In a method of controlling waves by causing breaking thereof utilizing apparatus having a base, a platform mounted on said base, and means for moving said platform toward and away from said base, the steps comprising: a. disposing said apparatus in a body of water at a location therein where breaking of waves is desired, b. maintaining said base and an edge of said platform located nearest to approaching waves at a depth beneath the surface of the water greater than 1.3 times the height of approaching waves to place said base and said edge of said platform in a position relative to incoming waves such that siad base and said platform are subjected to relatively small wave forces, c. positioning an edge of said platform opposite said edge thereof located nearest to approaching waves at a depth beneath the surface of the water approximately equal to 1.3 times the height of waves passing thereover to cause breaking of the waves by inducing them to use up their energy acting against themselves in chaotic turbulence, d. monitoring breaking of said waves at said desired location, and e. maintaining said opposite edge of said platform beneath the surface of the water at a depth approximately equal to 1.3 times the height of waves passing thereover to cause continual breaking of the waves at said desired location.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. maintaining the position of said opposite edge of said platform at a depth beneath the surface of the water equal to approximately 1.3 times the height of approaching waves from a source positioned above the surface of the body of water.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. maintaining the position of said opposite edge of said platform at a depth beneath the surface of the water equal to approximately 1.3 times the height of approaching waves from a source positioned on land adjacent said body of water.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 further comprising: a. maintaining the position of said opposite edge of said platform at a depth beneath the surface of the water equal to approximately 1.3 times the height of approaching waves from a source floating on the surface of said body of water.

Claim 6

In combination with a body of water having a floor and a shore line, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular, open base framework, b. a plurality of legs projecting downwardly from said framework and anchored in said floor beneath the surface of said body of water, c. a turntable, d. means rotatably attaching said turntable to said framework adjacent an edge thereof furthest from said shore line for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, e. a substantially planar platform, f. hinge meanS hingedly connecting said platform to said turntable along an edge thereof furthest from said shore line for pivoting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, g. first piston and cylinder means interconnecting said turntable and said framework for rotating said turntable about said rotatable attachment to said framework, h. second piston and cylinder means interconnecting said platform and said turntable for pivoting said platform with respect to said turntable about said hinge connection, and i. a source of fluid pressure positioned above said shore line and fluid supply lines extending from said source of fluid pressure to said first and said second pistons and cylinders to actuate said pistons and cylinders to rotate said turntable with respect to said framework and pivot said platform with respect to said turntable.

Claim 7

In combination with a body of water having a floor and a shore line, the improvement comprising: a. a substantially rectangular, open base framework, b. a plurality of legs projecting downwardly from said framework and anchored in said floor beneath the surface of said body of water, c. a turntable, d. means rotatably attaching said turntable to said framework adjacent an edge thereof furthest from said shore line for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, e. a substantially planar platform, f. hinge meanS hingedly connecting said platform to said turntable along an edge thereof furthest from said shore line for pivoting movement about a substantially horizontal axis, g. first piston and cylinder means interconnecting said turntable and said framework for rotating said turntable about said rotatable attachment to said framework, h. second piston and cylinder means interconnecting said platform and said turntable for pivoting said platform with respect to said turntable about said hinge connection, and i. a source of fluid pressure positioned above said shore line and fluid supply lines extending from said source of fluid pressure to said first and said second pistons and cylinders to actuate said pistons and cylinders to rotate said turntable with respect to said framework and pivot said platform with respect to said turntable.