JP2542260C - - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fountain device. (Prior Art) The EPCOT Center at Disney World, Florida, is provided with a fountain device known as a Leap Frog fountain using laminar nozzles. In this fountain device, a plurality of laminar flow nozzles are arranged at various intervals so as to cross a certain space. Each laminar nozzle is adapted to direct laminar flow to an adjacent laminar nozzle. In addition, each of the adjacent laminar flow nozzles is a sink portion,
The laminar flow entering the sink is reduced so that the water can be reused. Thereby, each nozzle sends the laminar flow to the sink, which is an adjacent nozzle, in an arch shape having a constant height and width. Two laminar flow nozzles are provided at each nozzle position so that the laminar flow can be sent in both directions of the pattern as desired. By controlling the flow, a leap-frog display resembles a sea snake, with one stream of fixed length coming out of the ground, passing through the ground at the other point in an arc, and finally It can be made to disappear inside. By properly combining such laminar flows, fountains can create unique shapes that both children and adults can enjoy. It was developed by Disney for this patent for Disney. As a result, the assignee of the present invention has installed this general type of fountain throughout the world under a license agreement with Disney. The object of the present invention is to create a more unique effect that can attract people's attention both day and night by expanding the range of use of the laminar flow nozzle with another new fountain device. Is to be able to do it. (Means and Actions for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a configuration according to claims 1 to 14. A fountain device is disclosed that creates a dynamic arched display using laminar flow nozzles located in a fixed location . The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly that changes its angle or repositions so that the laminar flow can appear at various angles from a fixed point and the display can be changed dynamically. By controlling the position and angle of the nozzle simultaneously with the control of the pressure of the water supplied to it, the flow is changed to create a dynamic display and the water returns to the fixed position sink regardless of the height of the water flow You can do so. By illuminating the laminar flow from within, it can be colored like a neon tube with a color that can be changed as desired. By crossing the laminar flows, a cross-shaped water shaping is obtained, and when two water flows having different colors cross each other, the crossed and spread portion becomes the third color. The features of the invention can be used individually or collectively in the same device, or in various combinations as desired. (Embodiment) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a laminar flow nozzle 20 is located below the ground surface, and a laminar flow 22 is directed upwardly in an arch to a "sink" section 24 which minimizes splashing. The laminar flow is constrained to receive and return water through drain 26, filtered, and then re-used in the device. The sink section 24 can be of various shapes, often with small rocks placed on a suitable screen to provide a natural feel, but can receive water in a desired manner. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a plurality of arch-shaped water flows 22 are used to form a canopy shape that can be used at an entrance of a shopping center or the like. Details of the laminar flow nozzle used in the present invention are shown in FIGS. The nozzle is provided with a cylindrical casing 28, and a water inlet 30 for supplying pressurized water into the casing is provided near the bottom thereof. Above the water inlet, a plurality of relatively small flow passages are formed to eliminate turbulence and rectify.
For example, a hard open-cell foam is provided. Plenum 3 on top
2 located below the outlet orifice 34 formed in the upper part of the casing cover 36. The exit orifice is sharply angled so that the viscous drag of the laminar flow emerging therefrom is almost nil. Thus, the water stream 22 is not only laminar but also a slag flow, which is highly preferred for the present invention. That is, the laminar flow is a flow in which local streamlines are parallel. This is in contrast to turbulent flows where the streamlines intersect each other and the fluid in the flow mixes. When a complete laminar flow is flowed inside the tube, the speed of the streamline becomes almost parabolic, that is, the maximum speed is at the center of the tube, and the speed decreases in the radial direction due to the viscous effect and the The speed on the wall becomes zero. On the other hand, slug flow is not only laminar, i.e. not only are the local streamlines parallel to each other, but also the velocity of all streamlines across the cross section of the flow area is the same. I have. Since the orifice 34 has a sharp edge that does not have a large area in contact with the high-speed flow 22, a slug flow is generated by the laminar flow nozzle of FIGS. Obviously, it is not possible to achieve a complete laminar or slug flow, but, as will be explained in more detail later, a good quality laminar flow can usually be obtained, and furthermore many embodiments of the invention In the present invention, the dynamic effect is preferably set to be a slug flow. Next, the support structure of the laminar flow nozzle of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The base, provided with the parallel base member 38 kept isolated by a transverse member 40 welded thereto (see FIG. 3), is provided with a flange 42 for securing the assembly in the desired installation position. . The base includes a pair of upright members 44.
Near one end and the inclined member 46 are firmly welded, and when viewed from the side,
A triangle is formed with the base. A rod end bearing 48 is fixed near the upper end of the member 46, as shown in FIG. 4, which is a view taken in the direction of the plane of the member 46 along the line 4-4 in FIG. A shaft 54 is inserted through these rod end bearings, and a structure having parallel members 50 (see FIGS. 3 and 5) held apart by a welded cross member 52 is provided at the end of the shaft. Supported. At the upper end of the member 50 is mounted a further rod end bearing 56 supporting a laminar flow nozzle 58, the shaft-like projection 60 of which is connected to the laminar flow nozzle. Preferably, the laminar flow nozzle is supported at about its center of gravity to allow rotation about rod end bearing 56 without significant imbalance.
The counterweight 6 is attached to the opposite end of the parallel member 50 so as to balance the weight of the laminar flow nozzle 58 about the axis formed by the shaft 54 and the rod end bearing 48.
1, ie a solid metal weight is provided (see FIG. 3). A wheel-shaped member 62 is fixed to the member 46 (refer to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 in particular), and a clearance portion 64 for passing one of the cross members 52 is passed through the wheel-shaped member. Is provided. A wheel 66 is mounted on the same plane as the wheel-shaped member 62, and the laminar flow nozzle 58 rotates with the rotation of the wheel 66 about the axis of the rod end bearing 56. 66 is fixed to the nozzle 58. The wheel-shaped member 62 and the wheel 66 are connected by a stainless steel belt 68. As shown in the drawing, the belt 68 is fixed to the wheel-shaped member 62 at one end 70, and is rotated clockwise therefrom. After being wound, it is wound on a wheel 66 and then returns to the wheel-like member 62, which is further secured by an adjustable fastener 72, which applies the desired tension to the belt. The belt is pulled against a spring 74 provided between the fastener and the stainless steel belt 68 so that the belt can be mounted. In order to prevent the belt from slipping against the wheel 66, the belt is securely fixed to the wheel 66 by a clamp bolt 76 which allows the belt to be securely fixed at a fixed position on the wheel 66. Due to the above structure, the assembly in which the laminar flow nozzle 58 is provided at one end and the counterweight 61 is mounted at the other end is in a balanced state and is rotatable around the shaft 54 within a certain angle. You will see that. During such rotation, if the wheel 66 and the wheel-shaped member 62 have the same diameter, the laminar flow nozzle 58 swings while drawing an arc, but no rotation about its center of gravity occurs. The position of the starting point of the laminar flow changes, but the angle does not change. On the other hand, when the wheel 66 is smaller than the wheel-shaped member 62,
The action of the belt 68 causes the entire structure to rotate about the shaft 54 and the laminar flow nozzle to rotate about its center of gravity. In FIG. 6, which illustrates this, the assembly with the laminar flow nozzles is
When rotating clockwise about the axis of 4, the laminar flow nozzle is rotating counterclockwise with respect to the fixed base. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the laminar flow 22 exiting the laminar flow nozzle when the assembly is in two particular mounting orientations will be displaced from the nozzle by an amount determined by the relative dimensions of the wheel 66 and the wheel-like member 62. Constant space point 7 above
Go through 8. As the relative position of the assembly changes, the angle of the laminar flow 22 also changes.
If this point 78 is at ground level to pass through 8, then by controlling the position of the assembly, it will emerge from a fixed point on the ground surface with the desired laminar flow angle change. Can be shown. One cross member 4 on the fixed frame assembly to control the assembly
A pneumatic cylinder 80 is connected between the rotation assembly 0 and a pin 82 (see especially FIG. 4) inserted through a clevis-like member 84 welded to the cross member 52 of the rotating assembly. Extending the pneumatic cylinder rotates the assembly counterclockwise, and vice versa, because the axis of pin 42 is substantially below the axis of shaft 54, which is the center of rotation of the assembly. These various parts are referred to as 7 in FIG.
It is also shown in FIG. 7, which is a view taken along line -7. The control of the system is shown schematically in FIG. A computer 86, typically a personal computer such as an IBM PC or PC compatible computer, controls the pressure of water supplied from a pump 88 to the laminar flow nozzle 58 by a suitable controller 90. Similarly, the supply from pump 92 to pneumatic cylinder 80 is controlled by controller 94. Overall, these controls may be of the known type for such purposes. By way of example, to control the water to the laminar nozzle, based on the desired pressure in the laminar nozzle casing or based on the pressure measured at a representative point in the supply line feeding the laminar nozzle, Controls the water flow from the pump to the laminar nozzle. Alternatively, the desired pressure or pressure can be obtained by sending water to a throttle in the line and then draining a part of the water, and constantly selecting the amount of water discharged so that the water pressure in the laminar flow nozzle can be controlled as desired. The water flow may be controlled so as to obtain a profile. While it is possible to control the pump 88 itself to change the pressure, it is generally more difficult to operate the pump at a constant power level to control the water flow. Again, control of the pneumatic cylinder 80 is based on the commanded position from the computer 86 and the actual position of the pneumatic cylinder so that the position of the pneumatic cylinder does not shift over time due to the absence of position feedback. Is processed by a controller, or position feedback is used to return the pneumatic cylinder to a known position. In this regard, a turnbuckle-type adjusting device 96 (see FIG. 7) is provided at the connection between the pneumatic cylinder 80 and the rotating assembly to provide a known pneumatic cylinder position and a desired corresponding laminar flow direction. To allow manual adjustment to match. Next, advantages and effects of the above-described device will be described with reference to FIG. As shown, the laminar flow 22 emerges upward from the nozzle assembly 20, proceeds in a curve, and falls to the sink 24. The laminar flow 22 can be made irregular by simply changing the pressure of the water supplied to the laminar flow nozzle. However, depending on how the pressure in the laminar flow nozzle is changed, the falling point of the water fluctuates near the sink 24. , Sometimes in the foreground or passing by. However, by controlling both the pressure and the angle of flow in the laminar flow nozzle, the laminar flow 22 can be shaped as shown in FIG. 10 while continuously flowing into the sink 24 without significant wander. Can be dropped. This can be explained as follows. In FIG. 1, the laminar flow 22 describes a parabola, exits the laminar flow nozzle 20 and enters the sink 24. However, the arch shown is only one of a series of arches exiting the laminar flow nozzle 20 and entering the sink section 24, and for the other arches, so that water reaches the sink section and, if necessary, the sink section. By changing the angle of the laminar flow nozzle and adjusting the water pressure via the device so as to reach only the section, it can be made higher or lower. In this regard, the relationship between the pressure and the angle of the laminar nozzle or the position of the device controlled by the pneumatic cylinder 80 can be calculated. Preferably, an empirical measurement that sets the angle and adjusts the pressure so that the arch enters the sink 24 is used to create a look-up table for use by the computer under system control. Because of the slug flow, each water flow is like a separate trajectory fired from the laminar nozzle to the sink 24, and does not affect the front and rear portions of the cross section of the water flow,
Note that due to the nature of the slug flow across the space at a uniform velocity, it prevents water diversion between adjacent flow sections on different trajectories. This is the reason why the slag flow is preferred in the present invention, otherwise, in the case of a laminar flow with a high flow velocity in the central portion where water is converted as described above, especially the glass flow as shown in FIG. The characteristics of the dynamic flow, such as a rod, are impaired. From the above description, the portion 96 on the water flow 22 is fired from the laminar flow nozzle at an angle and pressure corresponding to the arch 98 indicated by the dotted line, that is, a relatively high pressure and high angle arch. , The water flow part 1 not far from the part 96
It is clear that 00, along with portions 104 and 106, is on a much lower arch 102 fired from a laminar nozzle at low angle and low pressure. Portion 96, of course, travels along track 98, and portions 100, 104 and 106
Also travels along the track 102 and enters the sink section 24 at substantially the same point. Naturally, the water stream passing through the intermediate track travels along the intermediate track and again enters the sink 24 at the same point. Thus, as is apparent from FIG. 10, when the angle of the water flow changes within a certain range, the amount of the water flow "oscillating" increases until it reaches the top of the track, and then decreases. It looks like it is 0 when entering the sink. However, this does not limit the instantaneous contour as shown in FIG. 10, but at any moment each part of the contour represents the water stream fired at each time, The angle change at the rising or falling part of the water flow may be greater than at the top of the orbit. Another feature of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 8 and 9. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the optical fiber bundle penetrates the wall of the laminar flow nozzle 58 and extends upward through the rectifying means 31 coaxially with the water flow 22 and its upper end 110 Are located slightly below the outlet orifice 34 of the laminar flow nozzle. Thereby, the light connected to the optical fiber bundle can be sent along the laminar flow 22, and the laminar flow becomes a thick light pipe. In particular, the light emitted from the optical fiber bundle is scattered within a narrow range,
In addition, since the outer surface of the laminar flow 22 is smooth like a glass rod, light is reflected at the water / air interface, and travels along the laminar flow while being repeatedly reflected at the water / air interface. Since the laminar flow is not perfect and may be curved, some of the light along the flow will not be reflected at the angle of incidence to the water / air interface and will "leak" from the surface of the water flow, The net effect is that the laminar flow shines over its entire length in the color of the light supplied to it, resulting in a very unique and fantastic night display. As shown in FIG. 6, the color wheel 112 is controlled by the computer 86,
Create a continuously changing color stream, command a color change as part of its production in synchrony with laminar flow movement, or change the color and movement of the water stream as needed to further events, For example, it can be synchronized with music or the like. Next, another display which can be achieved by the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, two laminar nozzles 20 fire laminar flows 22a and 22b upwardly from both ends of the same arch, impinging on the top and fanning outward at portion 116. By supplying water of the same pressure to the two laminar flow nozzles and controlling their mounting directions together, the laminar flow 22 can be moved up and down or symmetrically oscillated as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the sector 116 can be moved up and down. In this embodiment, interesting movement can be created by changing only the pressure, only the angle of both water streams, or both the pressure and the angle. By simultaneously changing the pressure, angle and position of the nozzle, the water stream emerges from two points, as if each stream were suspended at one of its respective points through two fixed points in the air, regardless of trajectory. And can collide them as described above. When the two laminar flows are illuminated with light of different colors, for example, as shown in FIG.
When 2a is illuminated red and the laminar flow 22b is illuminated green, the two laminar flows shine in their respective colors, but in the sector 116, the two colors mix to form a yellow sector. In some cases, if the fan-shaped portion 116 is not provided at the center as shown in FIG. 11, but is largely shifted to one side of the display, the same curve becomes a mushroom shape by the action of gravity. In any case, since the laminar flow is a slug flow, the fan-shaped portion 116 expands, and except for a portion of the outer periphery that is far away from the collision point where water becomes small droplets due to surface tension, the fan-shaped portion 116 is compared. Make a perfect shape. In some cases, a desired effect can be obtained by changing the pressure of water sent to the laminar flow nozzle without changing the mounting angle of the laminar flow nozzle in a complementary manner. The resulting laminar flow has an interesting wobble that varies with time as intended. Also, in this case, the water flow does not drop to a position at a certain distance from the laminar flow nozzle, and the distance is determined by the supply water pressure of the nozzle when each part of the water flow exits the nozzle orifice. There is no problem if it falls on a terrace deck provided with a suitable drainage device such as an open-type connected pavement terrace deck provided with a sufficient drainage channel between deck slabs. In this way, an interesting effect can be obtained from a single laminar flow nozzle, but if a plurality of nozzles driven by a common variable pressure water source are arranged side by side, the movement of each of the plurality of water flows can be synchronized. Even more interesting displays can be created. A new and unique fountain device has been described that uses a laminar nozzle to achieve various decorative and recreational effects, preferably a laminar nozzle that produces a slug flow. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, the trajectory of a laminar flow sent from a laminar flow nozzle arranged at a certain place is changed, and the laminar flow is controlled so as to reach a sink part arranged at a certain place. By doing so, the water flow sent out from the laminar flow nozzle is received by the sink regardless of the change in the trajectory. Further, the present invention changes the trajectory of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle, and,
By controlling the laminar flows to collide with each other, the water flows sent from the laminar flow nozzle collide with each other regardless of the change in the trajectory. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an interesting fountain device that draws the attention of people by these unique actions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fountain device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view of a laminar flow nozzle and a supporting device in an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view taken along the line 3-3, FIG. 4 is a partial side view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken in the same manner as FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for controlling the movement of the laminar flow nozzle and its supporting structure together with the movement thereof. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a typical laminar flow nozzle, FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the laminar flow nozzle taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 3, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a dynamic fountain device in the embodiment, FIG. 11 is another fountain device of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of an intersection of two laminar flows in FIG. 20, 58 ... Laminar flow nozzle 22 ... Water flow 24 ... Sink 26 ... Drain 28 ... Casing 31 ... Rectifier 34 ... Orifice 86 ... Computer 94 ... Controller 98 ・ ・ ・ Orbit

Claims (1)

Claims: (1) A pressurized water source, a laminar flow nozzle connected to the pressurized water source and arranged at a fixed place for continuously sending out a laminar flow, and a laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle. A sink unit arranged at a predetermined location to receive the laminar flow, and a control unit for changing a trajectory of the laminar flow sent out from the laminar flow nozzle, and controlling the laminar flow to reach the sink unit. Fountain equipment. (2) the laminar flow nozzle is a means for generating a slag flow in the sent laminar flow,
The fountain device according to claim 1. (3) The fountain device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the control unit controls an elevation angle of the laminar flow nozzle. (4) The fountain device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means controls a position of the laminar flow nozzle. (5) The control means is a means for changing the elevation angle and the position of the laminar flow nozzle, and the laminar flow nozzle is capable of changing the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle regardless of the change of the elevation angle and / or the position. The fountain device according to claim 3, wherein the fountain device is configured and arranged to pass through a certain point in the air. (6) The fountain device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control means controls the pressure of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle to be variable. (7) The fountain device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising light source means for transmitting light along an axis of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle. (8) a pressurized water source, a plurality of laminar flow nozzles connected to the pressurized water source and continuously sending out a laminar flow, changing the trajectory of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle, and colliding the laminar flows with each other. A fountain device comprising: control means for controlling the fountain operation. (9) The laminar flow nozzle is a means for generating a slag flow in the laminar flow sent out,
The fountain device according to claim 8. (10) The fountain device according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the control means controls an elevation angle of the laminar flow nozzle. (11) The fountain device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the control means controls a position of the laminar flow nozzle. (12) The control means is means for changing an elevation angle and a position of the laminar flow nozzle, and each of the laminar flow nozzles is adapted to change the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle regardless of a change in its elevation angle and / or position. 13. The fountain device according to claim 10, wherein the fountain device is configured and arranged to pass through a certain point in the air. (13) The fountain device according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the control means performs control so that the pressure of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle can be changed. (14) The fountain device according to any one of claims 8 to 13, further comprising light source means for transmitting light along an axis of the laminar flow sent from the laminar flow nozzle.