Lighted water stream

Abstract

The invention relates to devices configured and adapted to give a fluid stream the appearance of being lighted. Different colors of light, such as those provided from LEDs, may be used to generate an aesthetically pleasing effect of flowing colored fluid. In some embodiments, the fluid illumination may be accomplished by a light source directed towards a fluid stream from an external angle, for example. Alternatively, the light source may be pointed in the direction of the fluid stream, lighting it substantially internally. In yet other embodiments, the fluid illumination may be enhanced with the employment of reflective surfaces that bounce light around and through the fluid stream. To increase the appearance of being lighted, the reflective fluid surface area may be increased by generating turbulent flow. In certain embodiments, turbulent flow is achieved with the use of a separator to separate a single fluid stream into a plurality of micro-streams.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment wherein a fluid travels in a single lighted stream in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an LED or light holding device for use in conjunction with a stream of fluid in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exterior light source device comprising two LED holders with reflectors, and a fluid separator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-section view of an internal light source device comprising an LED holder and a cylindrical fluid dispenser in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a coaxial light source device comprising a transparent LED holder, light shields, and a fluid separator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A device to light a stream of fluid comprising: a transparent tube disposed between an upper and a lower end, in communication with a fluid source at the upper end and open at the lower end to allow a stream of fluid to exit the device;a light source mounted on a support at a distance from the transparent tube to provide light directed at the fluid in the tube; anda light director disposed behind the light source to reflect light towards the fluid in the transparent tube, the light director including a concave reflective surface that extends toward the lower end of the tube.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the light source comprises an LED.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the fluid comprises water.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the light director defines a cone-shaped configuration further defining a wide end mounted to the support and a narrow end mounted to the lower end of the tube, the light director configured to surround at least a portion of the tube.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a separator disposed at the open end of the tube at the lower end of the device to separate the fluid stream into a plurality of fluid micro-streams to substantially increase the surface area of the fluid exiting the device.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the separator defines a plurality of generally parallel channels.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the plurality of generally parallel channels and vertical and each have a substantially smaller diameter than that of the tube.

8. A device to light a stream of fluid comprising: a tube disposed substantially vertically in the device in communication with a fluid source at an upper end of the tube;a separator to separate the fluid stream into a plurality of fluid micro-streams, the separator disposed at the lower end of the tube and in communication with the tube;a first light source disposed at the lower end of the device and spaced a distance from the separator;a first reflector disposed behind the first light source to bounce light towards the micro-streams of fluid;a second light source disposed at the lower end of the device and spaced a distance from the separator; anda second reflector disposed behind the second light source to bounce light towards the fluid micro-streams.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the first light source and the second light source comprise LEDs.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the fluid comprises water.

11. The device of claim 8 wherein the separator defines a plurality of generally parallel channels.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the plurality of generally parallel channels and vertical and each have a substantially smaller diameter than that of the tube.

13. A device to light a stream of fluid, the device defining a clear body, comprising: a reflective shield disposed on the clear body to bounce light back and forth throughout the clear body;a tube disposed within the body and including a vertical portion;a light source disposed above the vertical portion of the tube to provide light both in the direction of the vertical fluid flow and through the clear body, whereby the reflective shield will bounce the light back and forth throughout the clear body and into the fluid; anda separator disposed at an open lower end of the tube to separate the fluid stream into a plurality of fluid micro-streams to substantially increase the surface area of the fluid exiting the device.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the clear body comprises acrylic.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the light source comprises an LED.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the separator is comprised of a plurality of generally parallel vertical channels, each having a substantially smaller diameter than that of the vertical portion of the tube.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the fluid comprises water.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the tube further includes a horizontal portion in communication with the vertical portion.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the horizontal and vertical portions of the tube form a generally L-shaped configuration.

20. The device of claim 13 wherein the reflective shield is made of a black material.