Cibernetic fountain apparatus and valve therefor
First Claim
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1. An automatic system for the selective distribution of liquid streams comprising:
- a plurality of liquid delivery members, each having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and adapted to permit a liquid stream to flow therethrough;
a valve associated with each liquid delivery member for varying the flow of said liquid stream therethrough comprising;
a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity, and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities;
means for selectively controlling liquid flow through said valve bore comprising;
a stopper member moveable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position, whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore;
means for biasing said stopper member toward said closed position; and
means for moving said stopper to said open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including an electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore;
wherein when said valve bore is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity;
wherein the flow of said liquid through the liquid outlet of each of said delivery members is individually controllable by microprocessor means operating each of said valves.
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Abstract
An automatic system for the selective distribution of liquid streams comprising a plurality of nozzles, each with an inlet end and an outlet end and adapted to permit a flow therethrough of a liquid stream, for controlling the amount of liquid flow through each nozzle; and at least one decorative element coordinated with the flow of the liquid, wherein the flow through each valve is individually controllable by a microprocessor.
87 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An automatic system for the selective distribution of liquid streams comprising:
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a plurality of liquid delivery members, each having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and adapted to permit a liquid stream to flow therethrough; a valve associated with each liquid delivery member for varying the flow of said liquid stream therethrough comprising; a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity, and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities; means for selectively controlling liquid flow through said valve bore comprising; a stopper member moveable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position, whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore; means for biasing said stopper member toward said closed position; and means for moving said stopper to said open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including an electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore; wherein when said valve bore is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity; wherein the flow of said liquid through the liquid outlet of each of said delivery members is individually controllable by microprocessor means operating each of said valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A cibernetic fountain apparatus which comprises:
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a plurality of liquid delivery members, each having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and adapted to permit a liquid stream to flow therethrough; a valve, positioned within each of said delivery members, each valve comprising; a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity, and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities; means for selectively controlling liquid flow through said valve bore comprising; a stopper member moveable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position, whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position, whereby a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore; means for biasing said stopper member toward said closed position; and means for moving said stopper to said open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including an electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore; wherein when said valve bore is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity; wherein the flow of said liquid through the liquid outlet of each of said delivery members is individually controllable by microprocessor means operating each of said valves; said outlet end of said liquid delivery member further comprising a spray head adapted to create a predetermined liquid spray flow pattern; and at least one decorative element selected from spotlights, a musical source and laser beam projectors, an effect produced by said element being coordinated with said liquid flow.
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10. A valve for selectively controlling a stream of a liquid, said valve comprising:
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a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity, and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities; means for selectively controlling liquid flow through said valve bore comprising; a stopper member movable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position, whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position whereby a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore, said stopper mounted upon a shaft, one end of which extends through said valve bore and the other end of which includes a ferromagnetic core controlled by an electromagnetic controller, said shaft mounted in at least two bearing members for allowing axial movement of said shaft and stopper member between said closed and open positions; means for biasing said stopper valve toward said closed position; and means for moving said stopper to said open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including an electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore; wherein when said valve bore is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity; wherein the flow of said liquid through the outlet cavity of each said valve is individually controllable by separate microprocessor means operatively associated therewith. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A valve for selectively controlling a stream of a liquid, said valve comprising:
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a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities; a stopper member moveable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position, whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position whereby a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore, said stopper member including at least one axial hole therein to equalize the liquid pressure on each side of said stopper member so as to allow opening and closing of the valve bore independently of the liquid pressure within the valve; means comprising a spring for biasing said stopper member toward said closed position wherein said spring is protected from exposure to said liquid flow by a jacket, one end of which includes said stopper member and a partial seal between said stopper member and said jacket and wherein said seal has an opening sufficient to prevent particulate debris from interfering with the movement of said stopper member between open and closed positions; and means for moving said stopper to said open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including an electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore; wherein when said valve is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity; and wherein the flow of liquid through the outlet cavity of each said valve is individually controllable by separate microprocessor means operatively associated therewith.
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16. A valve for selectively controlling a stream of a liquid, said valve comprising:
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a generally cylindrical body member comprising an inlet cavity, an outlet cavity and a valve bore therebetween for providing fluid communication between said cavities; a stopper member mounted upon a shaft and movable along a central axis of said valve between a closed position whereby said stopper substantially prevents said liquid from passing through said valve bore, and an open position wherein a predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore, one end of said shaft extending through said valve bore and the other end including a ferromagnetic core controlled by an electromagnetic controller, wherein said shaft is mounted in at least two bearing members for allowing axial movement of said shaft and stopper member between said closed and open positions, and wherein said stopper member includes at least one axial hole therein to equalize the liquid pressure on each side of said stopper member so as to allow opening and closing of the valve bore independently of the liquid pressure within the valve; means for biasing said stopper member toward said closed position; and means for moving said stopper to an open position to allow said predetermined amount of liquid to flow through said valve bore, said moving means including said electromagnetic controller capable of providing forces for displacing said stopper to any one of a number of positions each of which allow a different amount of liquid flow through said valve bore; wherein when said valve is open, said predetermined amount of liquid flows through said valve bore and exits through said outlet cavity; and wherein the flow of liquid through the outlet cavity of each said valve is individually controllable by separate microprocessor means operatively associated therewith.
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Specification