Liquid outlet adapted to provide lighting effects and/or for illumination

• US 4,749,126 A
• Filed: 12/30/1985
• Issued: 06/07/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: G. J. C. L. Bruls, H. P. M. Kessener
• Original Assignee: G. J. C. L. Bruls, H. P. M. Kessener
• Inventors: Bruls, G. J. C. L., Kessener, H. P. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashnikow, Andres
• Application Number:
  US06/822,417
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 239/18-20, 239/590, 239/289, 239/12, 362/96, 362/101, 362/154, 362/267
• US Class Current: 239/12
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/08 Fountains drinking fountains E03B9/20; wash fountains E03C1/16
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/085 designed to produce sheets or curtains of liquid, e.g. water walls
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 8/00 Lighting devices intended for fixed installation F21S9/00, F21S10/00 take precedence; using a string or strip of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 9/40 with provision for controlling spectral properties, e.g. colour, or intensity
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/02 for fountains
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

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.

Claims

1. The method of creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the steps of forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by air bubbles in the liquid.

3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by particulate material present in the liquid.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 in which the stream is formed by a faucet.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein creation of the spectacular display is effected by creating turbulence in the stream.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the stream is of ribbon-like form.

7. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the stream is directd downwardly to arch by gravity.

8. Apparatus for creating a spectacular display by using a stream of liquid as a light guide, which comprises the combination of means for forming a solid elongate stream of substantially non-turbulent liquid medium having a first index of refraction into a medium which is ambient atmosphere having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction to provide an outer boundary surface of the stream contacting the ambient atmosphere, means for introducing light into the stream closely adjacent the formation of the stream at its emergence into ambient atmosphere and in the direction of the liquid flowing in the stream so that light which enters the stream to strike the outer boundary surface at an angle of incidence greater than or equal to the critical angle for the media is guided within the stream by the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light in the stream, and means for creating the spectacular display by controlling the exit of light from the stream.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the means for forming comprises a conduit having a discharge opening through which the liquid is discharged, the means for introducing light comprising a light source.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for introducing light also comprises light guide means for guiding light from the light source to the discharge opening.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the means for introducing light also comprises means for reflecting light from the light source to the discharge opening.