US4795092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laminar flow nozzle
Assignee: WET Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-07-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a means for producing a laminar output of fluid which is substantially turbulence free. The present invention utilizes an input tank or enclosure which includes turbulence reducing and flow straightening devices for producing a turbulent free output flow of water. This enclosure uses a tangential input port to introduce water to the enclosures which results in much more uniform and controllable flow profiles of the water through the device. The entire device may be situated entirely beneath the surface of a pool, pond or fountain, with a clear glass or plastic tube extending above the water level to provide a visibly nonintrusive protective path for the laminar output flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Fuller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:24
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05B; B05B1/00; B05B1/02; B05B1/10; B05B1/34; B05B1/3405; B05B1/341; B05B1/3421; B05B1/3426; B05B17/00; B05B17/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S239/00; Y10S239/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for producing a laminar glass rodlike output stream of sufficient velocity for use in water displays comprising: an enclosure means having an inlet port and an outlet orifice and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing said output stream; turbulence reducing means disposed within said enclosure means between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths across the flow area between said inlet port and said outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in said enclosure means and for developing laminar flow in said enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of said fluid within said enclosure means; means for removing any air from said enclosure means and said turbulence reducing means; said inlet port for introducing said fluid to said enclosure means being mounted substantially tangentially to said enclosure means such that said fluid is introduced to said enclosure means substantially tangential to said enclosure means for subsequent passage through said enclosure means and out said outlet orifice.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
253 words
A device for producing a laminar glass rodlike output stream of sufficient velocity for use in water displays comprising: an enclosure means having an inlet port and an outlet orifice and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing said output stream; turbulence reducing means disposed within said enclosure means between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths across the flow area between said inlet port and said outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in said enclosure means and for developing laminar flow in said enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of said fluid within said enclosure means; means for removing any air from said enclosure means and said turbulence reducing means; said inlet port for introducing said fluid to said enclosure means being mounted substantially tangentially to said enclosure means such that said fluid is introduced to said enclosure means substantially tangential to said enclosure means for subsequent passage through said enclosure means and out said outlet orifice.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure means comprises a cylindrical tank.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said outlet orifice consists of an orifice in one end wall of said tank and substantially concentric therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said inlet port is adjacent the end wall opposite said orifice.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said turbulence reducing means comprises an open cell foam member and a flow straightening member having a plurality of straight and parallel flow passages therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said porous foam member is disposed in said enclosure to receive flow progressing from said inlet port for passage therethrough, said flow straightening member being positioned between said foam member and said outlet orifice.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
271 words
A device for producing a laminar glass rod-like output stream of sufficient velocity for use in water displays comprising: a cylindrical enclosure means having first and second ends, and having an inlet port adjacent said first end and an outlet orifice in said second end, and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means, said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing said output stream; turbulence reducing means disposed within said enclosure means between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths in the flow area between said inlet port and said outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in said enclosure means and for developing laminar flow in said enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of said fluid within said enclosure means; means for removing any air from said enclosure means and said turbulence reducing means; and said inlet port for introducing said fluid to said enclosure means enclosure means being mounted substantially tangentially to said enclosure means such that said fluid is introduced to said enclosure means substantially tangential to said enclosure means for subsequent passage through said enclosure means and out said outlet orifice.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
271 words
A device for producing a laminar glass rod-like output stream of sufficient velocity for use in water displays comprising: a cylindrical enclosure means having first and second ends, and having an inlet port adjacent said first end and an outlet orifice in said second end, and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means, said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing said output stream; turbulence reducing means disposed within said enclosure means between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths in the flow area between said inlet port and said outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in said enclosure means and for developing laminar flow in said enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of said fluid within said enclosure means; means for removing any air from said enclosure means and said turbulence reducing means; and said inlet port for introducing said fluid to said enclosure means enclosure means being mounted substantially tangentially to said enclosure means such that said fluid is introduced to said enclosure means substantially tangential to said enclosure means for subsequent passage through said enclosure means and out said outlet orifice.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said outlet orifice is substantially concentric with said cylindrical enclosure
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said turbulence reducing means comprises an open cell foam member and a flow straightening member having a plurality of straight and parallel flow passages therethrough.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 9 wherein said porous foam member is disposed in said enclosure to receive flow progressing from said inlet port for passage therethrough, said flow straightening member being positioned between said foam member and said outlet orifice.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
235 words
A method of producing a laminar stream comprising the steps of (a) providing an enclosure means having an inlet port and an outlet orifice and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means, said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing the output stream; (b) providing turbulence reducing means disposed within the holding means between the inlet port and the outlet orifice, the turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths across the flow area between the inlet port and the outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in the enclosure means for developing laminar flow in the enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of the fluid within the enclosure means; (c) removing all air from the enclosure means and the turbulence reducing means; and (d) pressurizing the enclosure means by introducing fluid through an inlet port to the enclosure means substantially tangentially to the enclosure means for subsequent passage through the enclosure means and out the outlet orifice.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
235 words
A method of producing a laminar stream comprising the steps of (a) providing an enclosure means having an inlet port and an outlet orifice and defining a flow path between said inlet port and said outlet orifice, said outlet orifice having a flow area which is no more than a small fraction of the area of the flow path within said enclosure means and being a substantially sharp edge orifice constituting a step reduction in flow area from the area of the flow path within said enclosure means, said enclosure means being a means for containing a volume of fluid under pressure for producing the output stream; (b) providing turbulence reducing means disposed within the holding means between the inlet port and the outlet orifice, the turbulence reducing means being a means for defining a large plurality of small area flow paths across the flow area between the inlet port and the outlet orifice for reducing rotational flow and turbulence in the enclosure means for developing laminar flow in the enclosure means by reducing the Reynolds number of the flow of the fluid within the enclosure means; (c) removing all air from the enclosure means and the turbulence reducing means; and (d) pressurizing the enclosure means by introducing fluid through an inlet port to the enclosure means substantially tangentially to the enclosure means for subsequent passage through the enclosure means and out the outlet orifice.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |