Abstract: A decorative and educational waterfall device has a substantially continuous film of a liquid, such as water, low viscosity oil or an aqueous solution, extending between spaced guide surfaces. The waterfall comprises a base reservoir in which is mounted an electrical pump. A liquid flow passage is mounted to the base and extends to a trough with a lip portion or a tank with a flow orifice from which water flows to form the waterfall between the spaced guide surfaces. The trough or flow orifice is configured to cause the flow of water to be directed outwardly toward the guide surfaces to improve the capability of the liquid to form a continuous film and the adherence of the liquid film to the guide surfaces.

Abstract: A method for containing and dispensing a sterile liquid includes the steps of providing a variable volume liquid container, the container having the capacity to be filled with, and dispense a liquid while isolating the liquid from any gaseous substance, the variable volume liquid container having a sterilizer disposed within the liquid when the liquid is stored in the container. The filling and dispensing conduit having sterilizing properties. The variable volume liquid container can also include an apparatus immersed in the liquid to heat or cool the liquid to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The main use of the water-ejecting device is for fountain displays. The water-ejecting device is submerged, at least in part, in a fountain pool and is comprised of a water tank with a small, smooth, tapered open end at the top. The bottom of the water tank contains an integral, spring loaded, sliding cylinder to provide automatic water tank refilling, and hydraulic cushion to prevent vibration and noise. A computer-controlled air control valve connects the lower portion of the water tank to a supply of air under pressure. When the air control valve opens, the air under pressure will push water through the taper open end at the top, and display a stream of water. When the air control valve closes, the said water tank will be refilled automatically by the integral spring loaded sliding cylinder.

Abstract: Water on fire appearing water displays characterized by a burning fuel/air mixture entrained in a stream of water. The display uses a self entraining nozzle disposed at a proper level in a body of water, with a source of flammable gas provided a flow of gas to the lower pressure portion of the air entraining region of the nozzle and with the proper flow rate to obtain a combustible mixture of fuel/air entrained in the air stream. Coordinated variation of the water and gas flow under computer control provided a dynamic display while maintaining the flame throughout the variations. Other features are disclosed.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid enters by way of the flow control valve 90 which regulates flow and thus simulated raindrop size, through the fluid supply tube 80 and enters the fixed fluid distributor body 20, past a rotational seal 154 and into the rotating shaft 10, cushioned by the accumulator chamber 50. As the rotating shaft is made to rotate by means of the drive motor 60 and transmission means 70, the radial outlet port(s) 14 sequentially line up momentarily with each side port 26, allowing fluid flow through each outlet tube 30-35 in turn overflowing each respective conical vessel 40-45 to create a fluid drop at the lower point 48 which falls as simulated rain 160 in a desired three dimensional array. Each raindrop is thus timed perfectly according to the speed of rotation of the rotating shaft 10. The transducer 100 produces an electrical pulse for each rotation, also perfectly timed to the raindrops, which is input to the triggered oscillator 110 to ultimately control the strobe light 140.

Abstract: An air powered water display nozzle unit which has an adjustable nozzle coupled to a housing by a support plate and a plurality of springs.

Abstract: An air powered water display nozzle unit which has an adjustable nozzle coupled to a housing by a support plate and a plurality of springs.

Abstract: A generator for cyclically moving jets comprises a housing including a chamber having a circular track therein, a body disposed in the chamber and rollable along the circular track, a hollow revolvable axle coupled to the body and extending to outside of the chamber and rotatably born in and sealed to the housing, a nozzle attached to the axle outside of the chamber for issuing at least one jet misalignedly in relation to the axis of rotation of the axle, and a fluid flow supply leading to an upstream region of the chamber. In operation, fluid flows past the body, through the hollow revolvable axle and issues from the nozzle as a jet. The body rolls along the circular track as a consequence of fluid-dynamic forces acting on the body. A fountain employs the generator for dynamic display of the cyclically moving jets issuing therefrom.

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: A stream of liquid is formed having a substantially smooth outer boundary surface contacting ambient atmosphere, and light is introduced into the steam closely adjacent the formation of the stream and in the direction of flow of the stream to be guided downstream by total internal reflection of light in the stream. Exit of light from the stream may be controlled by modifying the outer boundary surface of the stream or by introducing matter into the stream. The light is varied automatically in accordance with the temperature of the liquid in the stream to provide a visual perception of the temperature of the liquid.

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: Spectacular display of lighting is effected by guiding light through a stream of non-turbulent water issuing into ambient atmosphere and directed to illuminate an object and/or turbulent water. The guided light is efficiently concentrated on the object and/or the turbulent water.