Fluid projection screen system

• US 5,265,802 A
• Filed: 10/02/1992
• Issued: 11/30/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WM. Hobbs, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: WM. Hobbs, Ltd.
• Inventors: Graham, Roger T., Hobbs, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kashinikow, Andres
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAINOR, CHRISTOPHER
• Application Number:
  US07/955,476
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 239/18, 239/19, 239/20, 239/22, 239/23, 239/505, 239/524, 239/507, 239/518, 239/513, 239/514, 239/515, 239/509, 239/510, 239/590.5, 239/519
• US Class Current: 239/18
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 1/267 the liquid or other fluent material being deflected in determined directions
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 17/085 designed to produce sheets or curtains of liquid, e.g. water walls
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/608 Fluid screens

Abstract

A fluid projection screen is formed by projecting a substantially spatially coherent stream of fluid, such as water, and directing it against a deflection plate. The deflection plate causes the stream to be broken up into fluid droplets which form a fan shaped screen extending at an angle to the fluid stream. A projector projects an image upon the screen, and visual acuity from edge to edge of the image is achieved by imparting a bend to the deflection plate which, in turn, imparts a bend to the screen so that the distances from the center and the edges of the screen to the projector are equalized.

Claims

1. A display screen generator for generating a fluid display screen, said generator comprising;

stream forming means for producing a substantially spatially coherent stream of fluid axially along a path;

deflection means disposed in the path of the stream of fluid and spaced downstream from said stream forming means for breaking up the stream into a plurality of droplets and directing the droplets in a direction at the angle to the path;

said deflection means comprising a member having a first upper edge above the axis of the path and first and second side edges on either side of the axis of the path;

first means for moving said first upper edge toward said stream forming means; and

second means for moving said first and second side edges toward said stream forming means independently of said first means and independently of each other.

2. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deflection means comprises a plate member disposed in said path against which said stream is directed.

3. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said plate member is adjustable about a first axis to vary a first angular relationship between said plate and said path.

4. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 3 wherein said plate member is adjustable about a second axis to vary a second angular relationship between said plate and said path.

5. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second means comprises means for imparting a curvature to said plate.

6. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for producing a substantially spatially coherent stream comprises a nozzle.

7. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 6 wherein said nozzle comprises an elongated substantially tubular member having fluid turbulence reducing means disposed along at least a portion of the interior length thereof.

8. A display screen generator for generating a fluid display screen, said generator comprising;

a first means having an output end for producing a substantially spatially coherent stream of fluid and directing it axially along a path;

first support means for said first means;

means for pivotally mounting said first means to said support means for adjusting the direction of the path of the stream;

deflection means for deflecting the stream;

second support means for supporting said deflecting means in the path;

means for mounting said deflection means to said second support means including first adjustable means for moving said deflection means about an axis at an angle to the axis of the path to vary a first angle of said deflection means with respect to the path;

second adjustable means for moving said deflection means independently of said first adjustable means about a second axis at an angle to the axis of the path to vary a second angle of said deflection means with respect to the path; and

third adjustable means for moving at least a portion of said deflection means independently of said first and second adjustable means about an axis at an angle to the axis of the path.

9. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said support means for said first means comprises means for varying the distance between the output end of said first means and said deflection means.

10. A display screen generator as claim in claim 8 wherein said deflection means comprises;

a support plate;

a deflection plate mounted on said support plate; and

wherein said third adjustable means comprises means on said support plate for bending at least a portion of said deflection plate.

11. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 10 wherein said deflection plate has lateral edges and said means for being comprises means for forcing at least one of said lateral edges toward said output end of said first means.

12. A display screen generator as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means for bending comprises at least one member passing through said support plate to bear against said deflection plate.

13. A screen display system having a fluid projection screen comprising

means for directing a fluid under pressure to a screen generating assembly, and

projector means for projecting an image having a center and both lateral and top and bottom edges on said projection screen,

said screen generating assembly having means for forming said projection screen from said fluid under pressure, and

means for enhancing the edge sharpness of the projected image on said screen comprising means for equalizing the distance from said projector to the said edges of the image and the center thereof.

14. A screen display system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for enhancing the edge sharpness of the projected image comprises means for causing the projection screen to slope toward said projector.

15. A screen display system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for enhancing the edge sharpness of the projected image comprises means for imparting a curvature to said projection screen.

16. A screen display system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said means for enhancing the edge sharpness forms the projection screen in the shape of an arc centered on said projector.

17. A method of forming a fluid display screen comprising:

creating a stream of fluid under pressure and directing said stream of fluid along a path;

deflecting said stream from said path sufficient to form a display screen of fluid droplets at an angle to the path; and

imparting a tilt to said planar display screen relative to the vertical.

18. A method of forming a fluid display screen comprising:

creating a stream of fluid under pressure and directing the stream along a path;

deflecting the stream from the path sufficient to form a display screen of fluid droplets at an angle to the path; and

imparting a curvature to said screen to form substantially an arc whereby the center of the screen and the edges thereof are substantially equidistant from the fixed point.

19. A method of displaying images upon a fluid display screen comprising:

creating a substantially spatially coherent flow stream of fluid under pressure along a path;

deflecting the stream from the path sufficient to form a display screen of fluid droplets at an angle to the path and having a center and lateral and top and bottom edges;

projecting an image onto the screen from a point spaced from the screen along a line substantially normal thereto; and

substantially equalizing the distance from said point to the top and bottom edges of the screen.

20. A method of displaying images upon a fluid display screen comprising:

creating a substantially spatially coherent flow stream of fluid under pressure along a path;

deflecting the stream from the path sufficient to form a display screen of fluid droplets at an angle to the path and having a center and lateral and top and bottom edges;

projecting an image onto the screen from a point spaced from the screen along a line substantially normal thereto; and

substantially equalizing the distance from the point to the lateral edges of the screen.

21. A method of displaying images upon a fluid display screen as claimed in claim 20 and further including the step of substantially equalizing the distance from said point to the top and bottom edges of the screen.