Images generated by Viorel Mihalef, CBIM Lab,
Rutgers University
HOW IT WORKS
FIRST, A BIT OF BACKGROUND: The Swimergy TM Swim System is a hybrid device, combining the best elements of counter-current swimming machines - their compact and self-contained aspect, and of resistance swimming systems - their simplicity, low cost and freedom of movement.
It consists of a small pool shaped so as to reduce waves (pat. pending), in which you swim in still water against the pull of an elastic cord attached to your swim shoes. The tension of the cord is adjustable, to allow for differences in individual strength. This type of swimming is known as resistance swimming. It is generally preferred by coaches over mechanical swimming machines, and is used by many university swim teams, and also for endurance training by troops in the US Army, such as the Special Forces Scuba Team members at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Until now, bungee systems did not work well in small pools because of the wave trap: In still water, the waves made by the swimmer reflect off the flat sides of the pool, build up, and make swimming uncomfortable, if not impossible. However, the SwimergyTM Swim System is "tuned" to quickly quell any waves, leaving the water no more agitated than in a standard competition pool.
The SwimergyTM Swim System is designed to conserve space and energy and natural resources. It incorporates a number of recent advances in swimming pool technology, and is meant to also be used as an all-around pool. In its construction and design we were guided by principles of energy efficiency, green building, and sustainable design. The effectiveness of the SwimergyTM Swim System has been confirmed in real life as well as in the computer simulations run in the computer lab.
SWIMMING AND RELAXATION: To operate the SwimergyTM Swim System you enter the pool using the molded-in steps, then put on a special pair of water shoes with short nylon lines attached. Then you hook the lines to an elastic cord connected to the end of the pool. You then start swimming, using a natural and normal stroke. Almost right away the elastic will take up slack and keep you from reaching the opposite end of the pool. When you are done working out you simply slide off the shoes and float and relax at will, or lounge on the underwater bench. If the whole family wants to use the pool and you need even more room, the lanes can be unhooked in seconds and hung aside till the next workout.
THE STRUCTURE: The pool structure consists of a modified in-ground pool kit made of steel panels, and a heavy-gauge vinyl liner held in place by an aluminum extrusion. The kit includes molded-in steps and a comfortable underwater seat, both covered by the custom-fitted vinyl liner. No machinery of any kind intrudes into your swimming space. Uni-body construction principles have been used in the design of the pool. Because of its specially engineered shape (pat. pending), the wall does triple duty, holding in the water, suppressing waves, and buttressing itself all at once. Thus, the pool needs no external supports or A-frames. As all in-ground pools, the top edge and the exterior are unfinished and will need to be covered up or finished off as appropriate for each location.
WAVE REDUCTION: The primary method of reducing water agitation is the configuration of the pool itself, made up mostly of convex curves. Instead of reflecting or amplifying waves, these curves cause large amplitude waves to disperse and destructively interfere with each other so that the water remains relatively flat. Small-amplitude waves are reduced through the use of professional racing lanes, identical to those used in international events for that same purpose.
FILTRATION: The water is pumped by a super-efficient and very quiet pump which uses only 260 - 500 Watts (depending on configuration), through a high-capacity cartridge filter that should only need infrequent cleaning.
HEATING: In order to minimize operating expenses, heating is accomplished by means of solar collectors whenever possible. This is cost-effective in most locations as the size of the pool is modest and we take measures to reduce heat loss.
PURIFICATION: In order to kill bacteria and viruses, and to burn up any organic matter in the pool, the water is oxydized by a salt-water chlorination system. This system uses a small (and almost un-noticeable) amount of salt dissolved in the water to produce reactive chlorine. This chlorine purifies the water and then turns back to salt. After initial installation, other than adding small amounts of salt from time to time (and periodically adjusting the pH factor, as in any other pool) you should not have to buy, store or add any chemicals. The level of chlorine in the pool, if properly adjusted, should not be very different from that in tap water, the same we use for drinking and bathing.
EVAPORATION: The greatest source of heat loss in a body of water is through evaporation. In order to conserve energy we control evaporation two ways. First, we use a monolayer evaporation barrier called the Ecosaver TM for those times when the pool is uncovered. Then we follow it with an aluminized bubble blanket, which almost totally eliminates evaporation.
RECOMMENDED USES: While the The SwimergyTM Swim System can be used strictly as an exercise pool, there is no reason to limit it to that function. It will work well as a family pool as well, providing most of the benefits of a regular pool (and much better swimming) for a fraction of the cost, space, and energy use. The The Swimergy TM Swim System will be of particular interest to builders and home owners involved in the green building movement, sustainable building design, and energy-efficient living.
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SwimergyTM Swim Systems
90-01 31st Ave
Jackson Heights, NY 11369
phone: 212-674-4567
e-mail: swimergy@gmail.com
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