BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a schematic representation of a fluid display that embodies the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a schematic representation of another fluid display that embodies the invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a schematic representation of another fluid display that embodies the invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a schematic representation of another fluid display that embodies the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in FIG. 1, a fluid display 100 that embodies the invention includes a fluid source 106, a gas source 102, and a light source 104. The fluid source 106 coherently emits fluid along a first trajectory 108. Coherent fluid emission is used to mean that the fluid is emitted with very low turbulence, such as a laminar fluid jet. The laminar jet diameter may preferably be from ⅛ inch to 2 inches. A coherent fluid travels along a trajectory held together by the surface tension of the fluid and without breaking up into droplets. The fluid may be water. The gas source 102 emits gas along a second trajectory 110 that intersects the first trajectory 108. The gas may preferably be supplied at a pressure of approximately ¼ to 250 pounds per square inch. The gas may be air or an inert or a flammable gas.
The collision of the gas and fluid causes the coherent fluid to suddenly burst apart or splatter at the intersection 112 of the first trajectory 108 and the second trajectory 110. The light source 104 is directed toward the intersection 112. The fluid display 100 may provide a “water sparkler” effect in which the burst of water droplets refract and reflect the light to provide a decorative display.
As shown in FIG. 1, the second trajectory 110 may intersect the first trajectory 108 at an oblique angle. In other embodiments, the second trajectory may intersect the first trajectory at a right angle or an acute angle.
FIG. 2 shows another fluid display 200 that embodies the invention. The fluid source 206 intermittently emits fluid along a first trajectory 208 producing a succession of coherent fluid slugs. Each slug bursts apart or splatters as it collides with the gas emitted by gas source 102 creating an intermittent burst at the intersection 212 of the first trajectory 208 and the second trajectory 110 illuminated by the light source 104.
FIG. 3 shows another fluid display 300 that embodies the invention. The fluid source 306 may emit a succession of fluid globules 308. The fluid source 306 emits the globules 308 with very low turbulence so that the fluid assumes a substantially spherical shape due to surface tension of the fluid. The globules travel along a first trajectory without breaking apart into droplets. The globules may preferably be from approximately ⅛ inch to 2 inches in diameter.
FIG. 3 shows a gas source 302 that intermittently emits a gas vortex 310 along a second trajectory that is perpendicular to the first trajectory. The emitted gas vortex 310 is a substantially toroidal pocket of gas rotating from the center of the toroid to the outer circumference and back to the center. The rotation of the gas in the vortex propels the vortex along the second trajectory allowing the vortex to be projected further than a simple gas jet. For example, a gas vortex may be projected 20 feet while maintaining substantial momentum.
The emission of the fluid globules 308 by the fluid source 306 is synchronized with emission of the gas vortices 310 by the gas source 302 so that the emitted fluid collides with the emitted gas at the intersection 312 of the first trajectory and the second trajectory. This creates intermittent bursts at the intersection 312 of the first trajectory and the second trajectory that are illuminated by the light source 304. It will be appreciated that the first trajectory may be at angles other than vertical and that the second trajectory may intersect the first trajectory at angles other than a right angle.
FIG. 4 shows another fluid display 400 that embodies the invention. The fluid source 406 may emit a laminar fluid stream 408 that falls downward vertically. The gas source 402 emits gas along a second trajectory 410 that intersects the first trajectory 408 at an acute angle. The collision of the gas and fluid causes the coherent fluid to suddenly burst apart or splatter at the intersection 412 of the first trajectory 408 and the second trajectory 410. The light source 404 is directed toward the intersection 412 to provide a decorative display.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
Patent Application
20080296787
