Abstract: The present invention comprises a base coupled to a water source, the base outputting a stream of water for supporting a toy ball in mid air. The base includes filtering device for substantially eliminating turbulence from the water stream so that it is substantially laminar. The flowing stream contacts a toy ball and lifts it into a position of equilibrium where the upward force of the stream balances the downward force of gravity acting on the ball so that the ball is suspended in mid air. The flowing water clings to the surface of the ball and generates a force tending to center the ball in this supporting stream. If the ball becomes off center, an unequal force on the side of the ball furthest from the center of the stream will force the ball back to the stream center.

Abstract: Dynamic fountain displays and methods of creating the same for providing water displays wnich may substantially constantly vary in interesting and seemingly endless ways. In one form, the fountains are comprised of a matrix of fountain nozzles positioned below a deck formed with open joint paving so as to be useable as a patio or walkway when the fountain is not used. Each nozzle is connected to a source of water under pressure through a proportional control system for that nozzle responsive to a computer output so that each nozzle may be independently and proportionally controlled by the computer as desired. To facilitate the programming of the settings for a large array of nozzles, a plurality such as 256 individual patterns for the array of nozzles are first mutually programmed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a means for generating and controllably terminating a laminar flow stream of fluid to give the effect of slicing the output stream perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis. The diverting means of the present invention is formed as a unitary assembly with a laminar output nozzle, and is disposed in a water tight tank coupled to the laminar flow nozzle. For diversion of the laminar flow stream, a continuous flow of water is controllably diverted by an electrically controlled solenoid valve into the path of the laminar flow stream. This diverting stream diverts the direction of the output flow so that it is captured within the tank and merely allowed to drain therefrom. By providing the diverter as an integrated assembly with the laminar flow nozzle, the diverter may be adjusted one time, and thereafter may be disassembled, reassembled, etc., without requiring further adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a venturi- and snorkel-less water fountain nozzle that creates low mounds of flowing water for water fountain displays. Instead of incorporating a venturi and snorkel like prior art nozzles, the present invention features an inverted cone dispersion element mounted partially within the nozzle that accelerates water flowing through the nozzle and directs it radially outwards to produce the appearance of a mound. The nozzle is typically submerged under 1/2 to 3/4 inches of water. The appearance of the mound can be varied by varying the depth of submergence of, or the flow rate of water through the nozzle.

Abstract: The invention consists of a colored flame system for illuminating water fountains. A burner assembly, comprising a main burner, a pilot burner, an igniter, a flame sensor and multiple colorant nozzles is located adjacent to one or more water nozzles of the fountain. A control unit oversees operation of the system. Upon commands from an operator, the control unit causes the pilot and main burners to light and injects the desired colorants into the main burner flame. The colorants are concentrated solutions of metallic salts. The flame sensor acts as a safety device insuring that gas and colorants are emitted only when the pilot and main burners are lit.

Abstract: Airpowered water displays for generating transient water displays which may have variable and high energy content are disclosed. In one form, a cylindrical chamber with a nozzle at one end thereof is disposed within a pool or lake so that the tip of the nozzle is substantially flush with the top of the water. Coupled to the lower part of the cylindrical chamber through a solenoid valve is a compressed air tank which, between firings, is filled with compressed air at a pressure selected in accordance with the height of the water display desired, with the pressure being varied between firings, such as by way of computer control. Opening of the solenoid valve couples the high pressure air to the bottom of the water column in the cylindrical chamber, forcing most of the water therein upward through the nozzle to heights which may reach one hundred fifty feet or more, dependent upon the pressure. Between firings, the cylindrical chamber is automatically refilled by the surrounding water.

Abstract: A sound activated fountain display. A plurality of transducers are disposed on the bottom of the pool of a fountain display with the fountain being normally off. Whenever a coin is tossed into the fountain's pool, the sound waves generated by the coin are received by the transducers, activating the fountain display. By gating the responses of the various transducers, the area of the pool in which the coin was tossed may be identified. In this manner, the display may be caused to be directed to that area of the pool, customizing the display for that particular viewer. If desired, the fountain display may be in a central pool with separate "satellite" coin pools surrounding the fountain and for activating the fountain display.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a kinetic water display is provided having a plurality of water jets for outputting streams of water and also having a transparent plate of clear glass or acrylic material. The transparent plate is disposed proximate to and in opposing relationship to the streams of water such that the streams impinge upon the inner surface of the transparent plate thereby forming at least one kinetic shape comprised of ambient air and water upon the inner surface of the transparent plate.

Abstract: An underwater lighting system for the illumination of decorative water displays and the like is disclosed. Each light in a typical lighting system is disposed below the surface of the water, with the light source having a flat lens to avoid the spreading of the rays due to the index of refraction of the water. Disposed over the light source with the upper surface thereof above the water surface and the lower surface thereof below the water surface is a light guide for allowing the passage of light therethrough substantially perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces, though at the same time substantially inhibiting light from passing therethrough which is not substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the light guide, at least with respect to one transverse axis thereof. In this manner, the normal diffusing of underwater lighting encountered in water display caused by ripples in the pool are avoided because of the upper surface of the light guide being above the water level.