US3595479A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidically controlled display fountain
Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-01
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1989-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a sequentially varying flow pattern for a display fountain. A generally cylindrical chamber, having an upwardly directed open end, receives fluid from a plurality of fluidic diverter elements which are circumferentially spaced about the chamber periphery. One outlet from each diverter directs liquid radially into the chamber and the other diverter outlet directs liquid tangentially into the chamber. Tangential inflow to the chamber causes the liquid to issue from the open chamber end as an integral sheet which follows a generally parabolic trajectory in flowing toward a pool below the apparatus. The sheet continues to spin while falling, forming a bubble of size determined by the number of diverters which feed fluid tangentially into the chamber. By sequentially switching the diverters, the bubble can be made to grow and/or diminish in rhythmic sequential steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter A Freeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:39
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B17/00; B05B17/08; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/212; Y10T137/2125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A element for producing decorative liquid flow patterns, comprising: a plurality of fluidic diverter elements, each having a first operative state in which pressurized fluid is issued from a first outlet passage, a second operative state in which fluid is issued from a second outlet passage, and control means for selectively and individually determining the operative states of said diverter elements; and a chamber having inlets for receiving pressurized fluid from the first outlet passage of each of said diverter elements and having at least one outlet for issuing fluid so received in a predetermined flow pattern having a configuration dependent upon the number of said diverters which are in said first operative state, said at least one outlet being larger than each of said inlets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A element for producing decorative liquid flow patterns, comprising: a plurality of fluidic diverter elements, each having a first operative state in which pressurized fluid is issued from a first outlet passage, a second operative state in which fluid is issued from a second outlet passage, and control means for selectively and individually determining the operative states of said diverter elements; and a chamber having inlets for receiving pressurized fluid from the first outlet passage of each of said diverter elements and having at least one outlet for issuing fluid so received in a predetermined flow pattern having a configuration dependent upon the number of said diverters which are in said first operative state, said at least one outlet being larger than each of said inlets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said chamber is of generally cylindrical configuration having a closed end and an open end, and wherein said first outlet passage of each diverter element is arranged to issue pressurized fluid tangentially into said chamber proximate said closed end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination according to claim 1 further comprising means responsive to all of said diverter elements in said second operative state for supplying a predetermined region with liquid, and means responsive to the liquid in said predetermined region achieving a specified level for sequentially switching said diverter elements to said first operative state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display element for producing a variety of decorative liquid flow patterns, said element comprising: a chamber of generally cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal axis and including a wall of circular cross section, one entirely open end for issuing said liquid flow, and a closed end, and control means having first and sEcond operative states for issuing liquid into said chamber generally transversely of said longitudinal axis, said liquid being directed radially into said chamber in said first operative state and tangentially into said chamber in said second operative state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display element for producing a variety of decorative liquid flow patterns, said element comprising: a chamber of generally cylindrical configuration having a longitudinal axis and including a wall of circular cross section, one entirely open end for issuing said liquid flow, and a closed end, and control means having first and sEcond operative states for issuing liquid into said chamber generally transversely of said longitudinal axis, said liquid being directed radially into said chamber in said first operative state and tangentially into said chamber in said second operative state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The display element according to claim 4 further comprising means for sequentially switching said control means between said first and second operative states.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein said control means comprises a plurality of fluidic diverter elements, each having first and second operative states, an inlet port responsive to application of pressurized liquid thereto for issuing a power stream of liquid, a first outlet passage for issuing said power stream radially into said chamber in said first operative state, a second outlet passage for issuing said power stream tangentially into said chamber in said second operative state, and means for selectively effecting said first and second operative states.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination according to claim 6 further comprising means for cyclically switching said fluidic diverter elements in a predetermined sequence from their respective first to second operative states.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
140 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein said means for selectively effecting said first and second operative states includes first and second control ports arranged on opposite sides of said power stream for inflowing ambient air to said diverter in response to aspiration by said power stream, said second control port being larger than said first control port such that when unblocked said second control port inflows ambient air at a greater rate than said second control port and thereby deflects said power stream to said first outlet passage, said combination further comprising: container means for receiving overflow liquid from said chamber when all of said diverter elements are in said first operative state; and switching means for sequentially switching said diverter elements to said second state when the liquid level in said container means is above a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination according to claim 8 wherein said switching means comprises a tube having one end disposed in said container means at said predetermined level and exposed to ambient air when the liquid level in said container means is below said predetermined level, and connected sequentially to the second control port of each of said fluidic diverter elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein said container means includes means for slowly draining liquid therefrom at a slower rate than liquid is supplied thereto when all of said diverter elements are in said first operative state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
The combination according to claim 4 further comprising a liquid supply passage disposed concentrically about said chamber for receiving liquid under pressure, and wherein said control means comprises a plurality of fluidic diverter elements each having respective first and second operative states, a power nozzle arranged to receive pressurized liquid from said supply passage and issue a power stream of liquid, a first outlet passage arranged to issue said power stream radially into said chamber near said closed end when said diverter element is in said first operative state, a second outlet passage arranged to issue said power stream tangentially into said chamber near said closed end when said diverter element is in said second operative state, and control means for selectively effecting said first and second operative states.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination according to claim 11 further comprising a region between said supply passage and said chamber for receiving liquid overflowing the open end of said chamber when all of said diverter elements are in said first operative state, and means responsive to the liquid in said region achieving a predetermined level for sequentially switching said diverter elements from said first to said second operative states.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3387782A
Cited
US3423026A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |