Abstract: The present invention provides a nozzle assembly for producing varying water patterns. In one embodiment, a variable first flow of water is constrained to flow in a linear direction. A variable second flow of water is applied to the first flow of water to impart a twist to the first flow of water. The resulting flow of water has a height component that is largely determined by the first flow of water and a lateral component that is largely determined by the second flow of water. For example, if there is only a first flow and no second flow, the resulting water effect is a narrow column of water. If there is no first flow and a second flow, the resulting water effect is a cone with a small vertical dimension. If there are both first and second flows, a cone is produced with a vertical dimension that is largely determined by the first flow and a lateral dimension that is largely determined by the second flow.

Abstract: A water display that has a container with a floor that defines an inner cavity. The container has a top opening adapted to allow a fluid to flow into the inner cavity at a first predetermined flowrate. The floor is constructed to contain the fluid when the fluid flows into the inner cavity, such that the fluid reaches a first predetermined level within the container. The floor also has a floor opening adapted to allow the fluid to flow out of the inner cavity. Within the container is a valve operatively connected to the floor opening that allows the fluid to flow out of the inner cavity at a second predetermined flowrate, when the fluid level reaches the first predetermined level. The second flowrate being greater than the first flowrate, such that when the valve allows the fluid to flow out of the container, the fluid level in the inner cavity decreases until the fluid level reaches a second predetermined level.

Abstract: A simulator for water rides, that has a raft which is moved about such that it approximates the movement of a raft floating along a body of water. The simulator has a theater projection system constructed to display visual images onto a screen located inside a simulator room. The visual images typically being scenes of a rapidly flowing river as seen from the front of a raft floating down the body of water. Within the room is a raft constructed to support an audience while they view the visual images. The raft is surrounded by a pool of water that can have valves or actuators incorporated to create waves and water mist to simulate a river. The raft can be moved within the pool, by displacing the water beneath the raft such that the raft moves in conjunction with the scene depicted on the screen. Water displacement may be induced by a wave created in the pool, or by pushing the water under the raft with actuators or a flexible plate located at the bottom of the pool directly under the raft.

Abstract: Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersections of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection.

Abstract: A wave generator for generating waves in pools and the like for water sports, amusement and the like. The wave generator has a water inlet/outlet disposed and configured so that when acting as an inlet, it will draw water from the pool and not air from above the pool. The wave generator includes a sealable chamber coupled to the water inlet/outlet for temporary storage of a substantial quantity of water at elevations above the level of water in the pool. In operation the chamber is sealed and air is pumped therefrom by a suitable air pump, by an entrainment device or other equipment, substantially filling the chamber with water from the pool. To generate a wave, the upper part of the chaber is then vented to the atmosphere, allowing the water in the chamber to rush out through the inlet/outlet thereof, with the sudden rush of water generating the desired wave. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection.

Abstract: Hydraulic jump water displays and methods for creating the same to provide attractive and varying displays are disclosed. In accordance with the method, water under pressure is expelled in the form of a thin sheet across a substantially flat, approximately horizontal surface bounded at the opposite end thereof by a very small dam, preferably water pool therebelow. By varying the water pressure of the source, a hydraulic jump may be created in the water backing up from the dam, which hydraulic jump may be caused to move in either direction, with the water flowing over the dam, ranging in quantity from essentially none to a substantially surge depending upon the direction or motion of the hydraulic jump. Appropriate control of the water supply pressure will generate relatively non-repetitive displays. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Fast acting airpowered water displays which may be computer controlled to operate over a wide range of duration and timings and methods of operating the same are disclosed. The water displays are comprised of one or more nozzles directed upward, typically just above or just below the water level in a fountain pool. Each nozzle is connected to a water reservoir submerged, at least in part, in a fountain pool and coupled adjacent the bottom of the reservoir to the inlet for the nozzle. The water reservoir, which may be in the form of a pipe of a substantial diameter, is also coupled to a check valve submerged in the fountain pool to allow water to refill the reservoir but to prevent water from escaping therefrom through the check valve. A solenoid valve controllably connects the upper portion of the water reservoir to a supply of air under pressure.

Abstract: Water displays utilizing laminar flow streams to create dynamic arch-like displays are disclosed. The laminar flow nozzle is mounted on an assembly for changing the angle and repositioning the laminar flow nozzle so that the laminar flow stream appears to eminate from a fixed location at different angles, which allows varying the characteristics of the display in a dynamic manner. Simultaneous control of the nozzle position and angle with control of the pressure of water supplied thereto allows the stream to be varied to create a dynamic display with the stream returning to a sink region at a fixed position independent of the height of the water stream. Illuminating the laminar flow stream internally causes the same to glow like a fluorescent tube with the color being supplied thereto, changeable as desired. Intersecting laminar flow streams provide interesting water formations, with the intersection of two streams of different colors causing still a third color at the flared region of the intersection.

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: 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.