Visual display system

Abstract

A visual display system forms various visual and audible effects through the movement of lightweight particulate matter, such as beads. The system utilizes a variable flow air array generating device that facilitates the formation of a variable flow air array within a chamber. The device includes three or more array segments and a controller. The array segments each contribute different but coordinated air flows that merge with one another within the chamber to form the variable flow air array. The controller controls each of the array segments. The variable flow air array generated by the device agitates, fluidizes, suspends, or levitates at least some of a plurality of beads within the chamber, thereby forming a dynamic display of the beads within the chamber.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and interest in co-pending U.S. Application 17 / 875,272, filed July 27, 2022, relating to all subjects common to both applications. The disclosure of the stated application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to visual effect display devices and systems for home or commercial art installations, as well as to the field of dynamic art. More specifically, this invention relates to the use of variable flow air arrays to control the movement of lightweight particulate matter (such as foamed polystyrene beads or spheres) from one area of ​​a visual display system to another area of ​​a visual display device. Background Technology

[0004] The prior patent invention described in U.S. Patent #11,017,697, granted to Sharp, is an improvement upon U.S. Patent #4,215,500, also granted to Sharp, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These patents disclose a visual display device that uses the principle of a fluidized bed to create interesting visual and auditory effects through the movement of beads of expanded polystyrene or similar materials in a flowing airflow. While the '500 patent only relates to the fluidization of beads in a single column, the '697 patent introduces a conduit or a second column to move beads from one area of ​​the column to another and to dynamically or automatically change the number of beads in the column.

[0005] US Patent #7,302,767 granted to McKnight only provides an airflow source for moving the beads. The beads, located at the bottom of the display device, also move from the outer column to the inner column via the Venturi effect. However, the Venturi effect used to move the beads is only effective over a short relative distance and fails to disclose multiple independent, controllable airflow sources combined together to form a variable flow air array.

[0006] Like McKnight, Ruiz's U.S. Patents #7,963,057B1 and #8,347,534B2 both utilize the Venturi effect to draw beads from a horizontal collection platform into a bead discharge nozzle, where they can be propelled into the air. Similar to McKnight, there are no multiple independently controlled airflows combined to form a variable-flow air array.

[0007] U.S. Patent #6,550,169 Bl to Sena provides a novel display with a fan, wherein the beads are moved into the fan's inlet by gravity and the suction of the fan. The fan then blows the beads up into a tube and through the tube, whereby the beads fall back into the visible portion of the display unit. Again, this patent only discloses a means of moving the beads through the unit, in this case by a fan. The beads flow from a sloped ramp into the fan by gravity, in part. Once the beads are close enough to the fan inlet, the suction of the fan draws the beads into the fan itself. There is no disclosure of any means of slowing or stopping the bead motion or its flow rate into the fan to control the number of beads located on the ramp or at the bottom of the unit. There is no disclosure of any means of independent control or at least providing some partial independent control of the number of beads located in one area of the display unit. Furthermore, the disclosed means of moving the beads through the unit involves the beads traveling through the fan itself. This has a significant disadvantage for units that can be run for long periods of time, as the interaction of the fan blades and the blades rotating in the housing over time will damage and / or crush the beads. Although this can happen often or can not happen often, the number of beads damaged and / or crushed due to the mechanical motion of the blades in the housing over time will accumulate into a large number, thereby affecting and degrading the overall appearance of the visual display. Therefore, frequent maintenance can be required to replace the damaged beads, which can be difficult, expensive and time consuming, especially on larger units.

[0008] U.S. Patent #5,794,364 to Richmond provides a means of launching spherical projectiles, such as balloons, from a vertical chute. The round projectiles fall onto an inclined concave surface and roll back to the vertical chute, where they are repeatedly launched. As with Sena, the inclined surface and gravity are the primary means for moving the objects of the invention into the upward moving air flow. Again, as with Sena and other references, there is no plurality of independently controlled air flows that combine together to form a variable flow air array. SUMMARY

[0009] There is a need for a display device or system for creating various visual and audible effects with a plurality of beads that is capable of providing a variable flow air array composed of a plurality of different but coordinated air flows that merge with one another within a chamber of the system to agitate, fluidize, suspend or float at least some of the plurality of beads to form a dynamic display of the beads within the chamber. The invention enables controllable effects such as controllable fountain-like jets of various sizes, quantities and intensities of behavior; inverted waterfalls; more precise spatial control and balancing of fluidized bed behavior; and the creation of various sizes and intensities of fire and flame-like effects that can appear or disappear at different locations under programmable control, among others. The invention addresses this need, among other desirable features, as a further solution.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, a visual display system is provided. The visual display system includes a chamber and a variable flow air array generating device.

[0011] The chamber has a bottom with a sifting opening therethrough, a top opposite the bottom, and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom and the top and defining an interior volume. The at least one sidewall has a viewing portion that provides an interior view of the chamber from an environment outside the chamber. A plurality of beads is disposed within the interior volume of the chamber.

[0012] The variable flow air array generating device facilitates formation of a variable flow air array. The device is in fluid communication with the sifting opening located in the bottom of the chamber. The variable flow air array generating device includes three or more array segments and a controller. The three or more array segments each contribute a different but coordinated air flow within the chamber that merges with one another to form the variable flow air array. The three or more array segments have a total combined area that is a substantial portion of a total area of the bottom having the sifting opening therethrough. The controller is in electronic communication with and controls each of the three or more array segments that provide each of the different but coordinated air flows. The variable flow air array generated by the device agitates, fluidizes, suspends or floats at least some of the plurality of beads to form a dynamic display of the beads within the chamber.

[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, the visual display system further includes a bead transport control subsystem. The bead transport control subsystem includes at least one conduit connecting a first region of the chamber with a second region of the chamber and having a sifting opening disposed in an end or wall of the conduit. At least a portion of the plurality of beads can be controlled by an additional air flow through the at least one conduit via the sifting opening. The additional air flow is controlled at least partially independently of the variable flow air array. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] These and other features of the present application will be more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is an overview of a visual display system using a large fan source and dampers as variable flow air array segments.

[0016] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the visual display system shown.

[0017] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of the visual display system shown.

[0018] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is a close-up cross-sectional bottom view of the base of the visual display system shown.

[0019] Figure 5 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of the visual display system using one large fan as the air flow source and multiple dampers as variable flow air array segments, where the larger main column variable flow air array generating device consists of two dampers in series.

[0020] Figure 6 is an overview of a visual display system using a large fan source in the top of the visual display system that pulls air up through the main column and side columns with dampers as the variable flow air array generating device.

[0021] Figure 7 is Figure 6 is an overview cross-sectional view of the visual display system shown.

[0022] Figure 8 is an overview of a visual display system that does not have a large fan source, but uses smaller fans as array segments of the variable flow air array generating system.

[0023] Figure 9 is Figure 8 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the visual display system shown, showing a grid of smaller fans as array segments for the main column of the variable flow air array generating system, and an array of 2 back-to-back or face-to-face fans in series to form a bi-directional fan as array segments for the side columns of the variable flow air array generating system.

[0024] Figure 10is a close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is made of small fans in series with dampers, and the array section of the side column of the variable flow air array generation system includes dampers and an array of 2 back-to-back or face-to-face fans, all in series.

[0025] Figure 11 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system using large fan sources to provide the air flow sources, where the main column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is made of small fans in series, and the air flow pattern generator of the side column is made of two arrays of dampers.

[0026] Figure 12 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of a visual display system, where the main column variable flow air array generation system is made of fans in series with air flow angle controllers.

[0027] Figure 13 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column variable flow air array generation system is made of small fans, whose exhaust air flow is at least partially contained in a tube located a certain height below the air flow straightener and a second tube located above the air flow straightener. The side column variable flow air array generation system is made of two back-to-back or face-to-face fans, whose air flow into or out of the top of the two fan assemblies is at least partially contained in a tube.

[0028] Figure 14 is Figure 13 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of a visual display system.

[0029] Figure 15 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the base of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is made of small fans, whose exhaust air flow is at least partially contained in a tube located a certain height below the air flow straightener. Above the air flow straightener, there is only a central row of channels to contain the air flow of the fans of the central row. The upper channels in front and back are omitted to leave space for the light bars in front and back, and the air flow of the fans of the front and back rows is still partially contained by the upper central row of channels and the two sides of the base. The side column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is made of 2 back-to-back or face-to-face fans, where only the air flow into or out of the top of the series fan assemblies of the central fan is at least partially contained in a tube.

[0030] Figure 16Close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is composed of small fans with their exhaust air flow at least partially contained by a tube located a certain height below the air flow straightener and a second tube located above the air flow straightener. In this embodiment, all other tubes are omitted because the walls of the remaining channels will enclose the air flow of the fans without channels above. Similarly, for an array of three side column fans, only the flow of the center fan needs to be contained in a tube to provide good containment of the air flow of the front and back fan groups.

[0031] Figure 17 Close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column array section of the variable flow air array generation system is composed of small fans with their exhaust air flow at least partially contained by a tube located a certain height below the air flow straightener and a second tube located above the air flow straightener. In this embodiment, all other tubes are omitted because the walls of the remaining channels will enclose the air flow of the fans without channels above. Similarly, for an array of three side column fans, only the flow of the center fan needs to be contained in a tube to provide good containment of the air flow of the front and back fan groups.

[0032] Figure 18 Close-up cross-sectional view of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column air flow variable flow air array generation system is composed of fans of different sizes, with enough of the fans having tubes to sufficiently contain the flow of the air flow exiting all of the fans.

[0033] Figure 19 Close-up cross-sectional view of a base of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column variable flow air array generation system is composed of fans of different sizes, with enough of the fans having channels above and below the air flow straightener to sufficiently contain the flow of the air flow exiting all of the fans. In addition, the channels above the air flow straightener have top openings of different sizes so that the rate of air exiting the channels can be higher or lower than the average rate of the air flow exiting the fans.

[0034] Figure 20 Close-up cross-sectional view of a base of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column variable flow air array generation system is composed of a series of six fans in a two-by-three array configuration.

[0035] Figure 21 Close-up cross-sectional view of a base of a visual display system without large fan sources, where the main column variable flow air array generation system is composed of a series of eight fans in a ring configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a visual display system that forms various visual and audible effects through the movement of lightweight particulate matter, such as beads of expanded polystyrene, the visual display system including a chamber through which a variable flow of air is configured to agitate, fluidize, suspend, or float at least some of the beads. The system utilizes a novel variable flow air array generating device that facilitates the formation of a variable flow air array within the chamber. The device includes three or more array sections and a controller. The three or more array sections each contribute a different but coordinated air flow that merges with one another within the chamber to form the variable flow air array. The three or more array sections also have a total combined area that is a substantial portion of the total area of a sifting region located at the bottom of the chamber through which the variable flow air array passes. The controller controls each of the three or more array sections of the device, providing each of the different but coordinated air flows. The variable flow air array generated by the device agitates, fluidizes, suspends, or floats at least some of the plurality of beads within the chamber, thereby forming a dynamic display of the beads within the chamber.

[0037] Figures 1 to 21 One or more example embodiments of a visual display system according to the present invention are shown in Figures 1 to 21 Throughout the drawings, the same reference designations will be used for similar or like components. Although the invention will be described with reference to one or more example embodiments that are illustrated in the drawings, it should be understood that many alternatives can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that different methods can be used to alter parameters of the disclosed embodiments, such as the size, shape, or type of elements or materials, in ways that still fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0038] The visual display system 100 includes a base assembly 2, a chamber assembly 4, and a top assembly 6. The base assembly 2 includes a chamber base 20, and, in certain embodiments, such as shown in Figure 1 , the base assembly includes a fan base 10 and a duct base 30. The base assembly 2 can be constructed of any suitable solid material, such as wood, plastic, or metal. The chamber assembly 4 includes a chamber 41, and, in certain embodiments, such as shown in Figure 1 , the chamber assembly includes a duct 42. The top assembly 6 includes a top cover 50. The top assembly 6 can be constructed of any suitable solid material, such as wood, plastic, or metal. In some embodiments, such as shown in Figure 1 , the top cover 50 can further include an exhaust port 52 that is at least partially controlled by a damper 51.

[0039] The chamber 41 of the chamber assembly 4 has: a bottom 34, at which it is attached to the chamber base 20 of the base assembly 2; a top 36, at which it is attached to the top cover 50 of the top assembly 6; and at least one sidewall 38 extending between the top 36 and the bottom 34 and defining an internal volume 102 of the chamber 41. The bottom 34 has a sieving opening 44 therethrough. The sieving opening 44 can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal, which allows air to pass through without expelling the particulate material or beads 43 contained in the chamber 41. Typically, such a sieving material will have an aperture or opening smaller than the diameter of the smallest bead 43 used in the visual display system 100. At least one sidewall 38 has an observation portion that provides a view of the interior of the chamber 41 from the environment outside the chamber 41. In some embodiments, the observation portion of at least one sidewall 38 comprises a substantially transparent or substantially translucent material, such as glass, plexiglass, or polycarbonate.

[0040] A plurality of beads 43 are disposed within the internal volume of the chamber 41. In some embodiments, the plurality of beads 43 comprises lightweight expanded polystyrene plastic beads. The beads 43 may have a density of less than about 1 g / cm³. 3 (gm / cm 3 Any relatively lightweight, small material, preferably spherical in shape. In some embodiments, common expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads, such as those used in "bean bag" chairs, are between 2 and 5 millimeters in size and have a density of approximately 0.016 g / cm³. 3 Up to 0.022 gm / cm 3 However, for very large displays, a larger expanded polystyrene bead size, such as up to about 13 mm or larger, may be preferred.

[0041] The visual display system 100 further includes a variable flow air array generating device 104, which facilitates the formation of a variable flow air array 106. The variable flow air array 106 generated by the device 104 agitates, fluidizes, suspends, or floats at least some of the plurality of beads 43, forming a dynamic display of the beads 43 within the chamber 41. Here, the variable flow air array generating device 104 is housed within the chamber base 20 of the base assembly 2. The device 104 is in fluid communication with a sieving opening 44 located in the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. The device 104 includes three or more array segments and a controller 801.

[0042] Each of the three or more array sections contributes a different but coordinated air flow 108 within the chamber 41 that merge with one another to form the variable flow air array 106. The three or more array sections have a total combined area that is a substantial portion of the total area of the floor 34 having the sieve openings 44 passing therethrough. In certain embodiments, the total combined area of the three or more array sections is at least 40% of the total area of the floor 34 having the sieve openings 44 passing therethrough. In some embodiments, the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device 104 are substantially continuous. In other embodiments, the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device 104 are arranged in a grid, a one-dimensional array, a plurality of spaced apart one-dimensional arrays, or a ring configuration. Examples of such configurations can be seen in Figure 20 and Figure 21

[0043] The controller 801 is in electronic communication with and controls each of the three or more array sections of the device 104 that each provide one of the different but coordinated air flows 108. In certain embodiments, the controller 801 of the variable flow air array generating device 104 comprises an analog controller, a processor, or a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the controller 801 of the variable flow air array generating device 104 provides a variable signal to each of the three or more array sections individually. Control can be provided via DMX 512 type digital control or by any analog, digital, network, software, microprocessor driven, or other method known to those skilled in the art to control air flow with HVAC and industrial controls.

[0044] In some embodiments, the system 100 further comprises a bead transport control subsystem similar to that disclosed in U.S. Patent #11,017,697 to Sharp, which comprises at least one conduit 42 connecting a first region of the chamber 41 with a second region of the chamber 41 and having a sieve opening 45 disposed in an end or end or wall of the conduit 42. The conduit 42 can also have one or more sieve exhaust openings in the side wall, as shown in U.S. Patent #11,017,697. In this example, the at least one conduit 42 is connected to the first region of the chamber 41 via a bottom opening 46 and is connected with the second region of the chamber 41 via a top opening 47. This bead transport system allows for control of at least a portion of the plurality of beads 43 by passing additional air flows 110, 114 through the at least one conduit 42 via the sieve opening 45. The additional air flows 110, 114 are controlled at least partially independently of the variable flow air array 106.

[0045] ​In some such embodiments, the bead transport system further comprises a second variable flow air array generating device 112 that facilitates the formation of the variable flow air array 110, the second variable flow air array generating device 112 being in fluid communication with the sieved opening 45 in the conduit 42. The device 112 comprises a plurality of array segments that contribute different but coordinated air flows 114 within the conduit 42 that merge with one another into the variable flow air array 110.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the three or more array segments of the variable flow air array generating device 104 comprise a damper system 221, wherein each of the one or more segments is a damper 922. An example of this can be seen in Figures 2-5 The embodiments here utilize a central air source, such as one or more controllable bottom fans 12. In this example, the bottom fan 12 is housed in a fan base 10. The fan base 10 can include dampers 11 to help control the amount of air flow into the base assembly 2 and into the chamber 42, as well as to help control the amount of negative pressure in the fan base 10 relative to the ambient air outside of the base assembly 2. The dampers 11 can be implemented in many different ways known to those skilled in the art to create a controllable air flow obstruction between the interior and exterior of the cabinet, thereby creating a pressure drop from the exterior of the cabinet to the fan 12 inlet. The fan 12 is shown as a centrifugal blower; however, any type of blower or fan can be used here, such as propeller, axial, hybrid flow, in-line, computer cooling fan, etc. Although this fan 12 can be a fixed speed fan, advantageously, this fan, as well as any other fans used in the preferred embodiments, also has the ability to vary its speed. Many different mechanical and electronic methods are well known to those skilled in the art to vary the speed of any fan used in the embodiments of the present invention. For example, an in-line centrifugal blower can be used with an electronic commutated DC motor that is controlled with its variable speed controller by, for example, an analog or digital control signal of 0 to 10 volts.

[0047] The fan 12 exhausts and intakes air into the chamber base 20 (in this case through the column base 30). The three or more array segments of the variable flow air array generating device 104 (in this example, the damper system 221) are disposed between the bottom fan 12 and the sieved opening 44 at the bottom of the chamber 41. In this example, each individual damper 922 is mounted in an array on a mounting plate 921 located below the sieved opening 44 to form the damper system 221, such that the exhaust air from the fan 12 passes through the individual dampers 922 of the system 221, creating different but coordinated air flows 108 within the chamber 41 that merge with one another into the variable flow air array 106.

[0048] In certain embodiments, the controllable damper system 221 includes a second damper system 222. An example of which can be seen in Figure 5 FIG. 21. Here, the second damper system 222 includes a plurality of individual controllable dampers 922 mounted to opposite sides of the mounting plate 921 such that each damper 922 of the second damper system 222 is in fluid communication with a damper 922 of the first damper system 221. In such cases, one of the dampers 922 in series operates as a quick on / off mechanism while the other damper 922 at least partially controls the amount, rate, and / or direction of airflow. Each damper 922 can be individually controlled by the controller 801.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the system 100 further includes a honeycomb air flow straightener 22 or fine mesh screen disposed between and in fluid communication with the sieving opening 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41 and one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generation device 104 (the damper system 221 in Figures 2-5

[0050] In certain embodiments, the visual display system 100 further includes one or more light sources 421, 451. Here, the light sources 421 are disposed between the sieving opening 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41 and one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generation device 104 to shine upward into the chamber 41 to illuminate the underside of the chamber 41. In some such embodiments, at least one of the one or more light sources 421 is disposed in at least one of the three or more array sections. The light sources 451 are disposed in the top cover 50 so as to shine downward into the chamber 41 and illuminate the chamber 41 from the top. These lights can be of any type, but are preferably LED lights whose color and intensity can be digitally controlled or manually controlled by the controller 801 through a DMX 512 type or other type of electronic control system and programmed to run on a preset program or to run interactively.

[0051] In embodiments in which the visual display system 100 further includes a bead transport control subsystem, the system can also include one or more dampers 211, 231, 232 configured to at least vary the volume of additional airflow to fluidize or cause the plurality of beads 43 to move through at least one conduit 42. In Figures 2-5 ​In some such embodiments, the bead transport control subsystem further comprises an air flow control device configured to control the additional air flow into or out of the at least one conduit 42 through the screening opening 45. The air flow control device comprises a first damper system 231 mounted to the mounting plate 931. The first damper system 231 has a first end connected to the at least partially enclosed space of the conduit base 30 and further connected to the one or more bottom fans 12, wherein a second end of the first damper system 231 is configured to blow at least a portion of the outlet air flow of the one or more bottom fans 12 as the additional air flow 110 through the screening opening 45 into the at least one conduit 42. The second damper 211 has a first end connected to the at least partially enclosed second space of the fan base 10 and further connected to the inlet of the one or more bottom fans 12, wherein a second end of the second damper 211 is configured to draw the additional air flow 110 through the screening opening 45 from the at least one conduit 42 into the inlet of the one or more bottom fans.

[0052] In some such embodiments, further comprising a bead transport control subsystem, such as Figures 2-5 As shown, the bead transport system can further comprise a honeycomb air flow straightener 32 or fine mesh screen disposed between and in fluid communication with the screening opening 45 of the conduit 42 and the plurality of array segments of the second variable flow air array generation device 112 Figures 2-5 of the damper system 231) in the fan base 10.

[0053] Figure 6 and Figure 7Embodiments utilizing one or more controllable top fans 62 are depicted. Here, the top 36 of the chamber 41 includes a sifting opening 48, and a controllable top fan 62 is disposed in a top fan cover 60 in fluid communication with the sifting opening 48, the controllable top fan being configured to draw an airflow through the interior volume of the chamber 41 and out through the sifting opening 48 of the top 36. The fan 62 is shown as a centrifugal blower; however, any type of blower or fan can be used here, such as a propeller, axial, mixed flow, inline, computer cooling fan, etc. Although this fan 62 can be a fixed speed fan, it is advantageous for this fan, and any other fans used in the preferred embodiments, to also have the ability to vary its speed. There are many different mechanical and electronic methods well known to those skilled in the art to vary the speed of any fan used in embodiments of the present invention. For example, an inline centrifugal blower can be used with an electronic commutated DC motor that is controlled with a variable speed controller thereof by an analog or digital control signal, for example, from 0 to 10 volts. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the top fan 62 can also be used in conjunction with the bottom fan 12 or another airflow mechanism.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the top fan cover 60 further includes a light source 462 disposed in the top fan cover 60 so as to shine downward into the chamber 41 and to illuminate the chamber 41 from the top. The lights are arranged so as not to impede airflow. These lights can be of any type, but are preferably LED lights, the color and intensity of which can be digitally controlled or manually controlled by the controller 801 through a DMX 512 type or other type of electronic control system, and programmed to run on a preset program or interactively.

[0055] In some versions of this embodiment, including the use of a bead transport control subsystem using a damper system 231, the controllable damper system 231 includes a second damper system 232. An example of this can be seen in Figure 7 Here, the second damper system 232 includes a plurality of individual controllable dampers mounted to opposite sides of a mounting plate 931, such that each damper of the second damper system 232 is in fluid communication with a damper of the first damper system 231. In such cases, one of the dampers in series operates as a quick on / off mechanism, while the other damper at least partially controls the amount, rate, and / or direction of airflow. Each of the dampers can be individually controlled by the controller 801.

[0056] Figure 8 and Figure 9An embodiment is depicted in which the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device 104 include a fan system 321. Here, this embodiment does not use one or more bottom fans 12 or top fans 62. Instead, the fan system 321 is comprised of three or more individual fans 926 that are arrayed mounted to a mounting plate 925 located below the sifting opening 44 to form the fan system 321 that is the source of the variable flow air array 106 and the different but coordinated air flows 108 into the chamber 41. Each fan 926 of the fan system 321 draws in air through the air inlet 23 and discharges different but coordinated air flows 108 within the chamber 41 that merge with one another to form the variable flow air array 106. An example of a suitable fan for each fan 926 is a computer cooling fan that can be controlled with a PWM (pulse width modulation) control signal whose pulse width can be varied to vary the speed of the motor or analog voltage or digital addressing control via the controller 801. In certain embodiments, one or more of the controllable array fans 926 include variable pitch fan blades. In some embodiments, the controllable array fan system 321 includes a controllable bidirectional array fan or a bidirectional array fan system that includes two controllable array fans that are in fluid communication toward or away from one another. Other possible configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0057] In embodiments in which the visual display system 100 further includes a bead transport control subsystem, the system can also include an additional air flow control device 331 that includes one or more bead transport fans 936, 937 that are configured to vary at least the volume of the additional air flow. An example of which can be seen in Figure 9 . The fan 936 is configured to direct the air flow 110 into the conduit 42 while the fan 937 is configured to draw the air flow 110 out of the conduit 42. As the additional air flow 110 flows out of the at least one conduit 42 through the sifting opening 45, a first subset of the plurality of beads 43 are drawn against or frozen in place near the sifting opening 45 such that the first subset of the plurality of beads 43 stops or restricts a second subset of the plurality of beads 43 from flowing through the at least one conduit 42.

[0058] Figure 10 An embodiment is depicted in which the fan system 321 further includes a damper system 222 for use in conjunction with the fan system 321 such that each fan 926 has a corresponding damper 922 that is oppositely mounted on the mounting plate 925 and in fluid communication with each fan 926. The dampers 922 can operate as backdrafts or quick open / close controllable dampers and are controlled by the controller 801 in a similar manner to the controllable array fans 926.Figure 5 The implementation method is controlled in this way.

[0059] For a broader effect, some of the fans 926 can be shut off or run at very low speeds. Under these conditions, where some of the fans 926 are running at higher speeds, the positive pressure generated by the higher-speed fans can force air to flow downwards or in reverse through the shut-off or much lower-speed fans. To prevent airflow leakage or wasteful short-circuiting around the higher-speed fans, gravity-driven or spring-loaded dampers 922 connected in series with the low-speed or zero-speed fans can be automatically closed, or can be commanded to close to prevent such backflow or uncontrolled airflow reversal through the lower-speed or shut-off fans. Instead of using these additional reversing devices or controlled on / off fans, in situations such as... Figure 9 In the embodiment shown without a damper 922 connected in series with the fan 926, backflow is prevented by ensuring that all fans 926 are always running and have at least a minimum speed sufficient to generate a positive pressure approximately equal to that of the higher-speed fan operating at a higher flow rate under low or zero flow conditions, so as to prevent air from flowing backward through these slower fans.

[0060] At least one other purpose of rapidly operating the damper 922 is to provide a rapid change in the volume of airflow through chamber 41 or duct 42. The fan 926 typically has sufficient inertia in its fan wheel or blades to take 5 to 20 seconds or more to accelerate to full speed or higher, or decelerate to zero or lower speeds. A damper 922 with a rapid (0.5 to 5 seconds) damper actuator, a rapid linear actuator, or a rapid linear or rotary solenoid valve can open or close much faster than using the fan 926 alone, to increase or decrease the airflow into the column more quickly. This can be used to enhance various effects.

[0061] In an embodiment where the visual display system 100 further includes a bead transport control subsystem, the system may also include a damper system 232, which is used in conjunction with an additional airflow control device 331 including one or more bead transport fans 936, 937.

[0062] Figure 11 It is a further reference Figures 2-5 The bottom fan 12 is used in conjunction with Figure 10 The bottom fan 12 can, for example, help increase the airflow to the fan 926 and also help prevent backflow through those fans that are running slowly or have been turned off.

[0063] Figure 12One embodiment of the system 100 is depicted in which the cellular filter 22 is disposed between the fan system 321 and the airflow angle controller 522. The airflow angle controller 522 changes at least a portion of the airflow through the sifting opening 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41 to a different angle than perpendicular to the sifting opening 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. Here, the airflow angle controller includes one or more damper devices 928 with controllable vanes to change the angle of the airflow through the airflow angle controller 522. Each damper or airflow angle control device 928 can be individually controlled by the controller 801 to statically set an individual airflow angle or can dynamically control the angle of the airflow to create various effects similar to a fountain display that can change in synchronization with music and oscillate the angle of the water jets that shoot up into the air.

[0064] In certain embodiments, one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generation device 104 further include channels 621, 622 in fluid communication with the array section to provide better definition of the airflow exiting the array section. Examples of these channels 621, 622 can be seen in Figures 13-19 In Figure 13 , the channels 621 are disposed between the fan system 321 and the cellular filter 22 such as shown in Figures 8-9 , and the channels 622 are disposed between the cellular filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. In Figure 14 , the channels 621 are disposed between the fan system 321 and the cellular filter 22, the fan system including a controllable bidirectional array fan or a bidirectional array fan system with two controllable array fans 926, 927 in fluid communication, the two controllable array fans facing toward or away from each other, and the channels 622 are disposed between the cellular filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. Having channels 621 and 622 used in conjunction with a bidirectional fan helps to prevent airflow short circuiting within the base assembly 2 containing the fans, particularly when some of the fans in the variable flow air array generation device 104 move air in one direction and other fans in the variable flow air array generation device 104 simultaneously move the airflow in the opposite direction. In Figure 15 , the channels 621 are disposed between the fan system 321 and the cellular filter 22 such as shown in Figures 8-9 , and the channels 623 are disposed in a single array along the middle of the sifting portion between the cellular filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41, allowing for the placement of light sources 421 along the front and back edges. In Figure 16 , the channels 621 are disposed between the fan system 321 and the cellular filter 22 such as shown in Figure 9The fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22 are shown between the fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22, while the channels 622 are provided in an alternating pattern between the honeycomb filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. This still provides containment of the airflow for each fan, but each fan does not have its own channel 622. In Figure 17 The channels 621 are provided between the fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22, the fan system having fans 926, 929 of different sizes and / or configurations to match the different degrees of control and resolution of airflow required, possibly using fewer fan or damper elements or fan or damper elements that better fit the geometry of the desired variable flow air array 106, while the channels 622 are provided between the honeycomb filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. In Figure 10 The fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22 are shown between the fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22, while the channels 622 are provided in an intermittent pattern between the honeycomb filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. In Figure 18 The channels 621 are provided between the fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22, the fan system having fans 926, 929 of different sizes and / or configurations to match the different degrees of control and resolution of airflow required, possibly using fewer fan or damper elements or fan or damper elements that better fit the geometry of the desired variable flow air array 106, while the channels 622 are provided between the honeycomb filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. In Figure 19 The channels 621 are provided between the fan system 321 and the honeycomb filter 22, the fan system having fans 926, 929 of different sizes and / or configurations to match the different degrees of control and resolution of airflow required, possibly using fewer fan or damper elements or fan or damper elements that better fit the geometry of the desired variable flow air array 106, while the channels 622 are provided between the honeycomb filter 22 and the sifting portion 44 of the bottom 34 of the chamber 41. In

[0065] In the visual display system 100 further comprising a bead transport control subsystem, the system 100 can further comprise channels 631 configured in a similar manner to the channels 621 and 622.

[0066] In certain embodiments, at least a portion of one of the channels 621 and 622 is lined with sound deadening material as would be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to help reduce the level of noise from the fans that is heard outside of the visual display device.

[0067] Figure 20 and Figure 21 Alternative configurations of three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generation device 104 are depicted. In Figure 20 The variable flow air array generation device 104 has a series of six fans 926 in a two-by-three (2x3) array configuration that occupies 40% of the total area of the bottom 34 having sifting openings 44 therethrough. In Figure 21In this embodiment, the variable flow air array generating device 104 has a series of eight fans 929 in a ring configuration that occupies 53% of the total area of the bottom 34 with the sifting openings 44 passing therethrough.

[0068] It should be appreciated that the examples and embodiments depicted herein can be modified and combined in any number of combinations. For example, one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device 104 can have a different size or configuration than the other array sections of the variable flow air array generating device. Other possible configurations and implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0069] As used herein, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" are intended to be interpreted as encompassing, rather than exclusive. As used herein, the terms "exemplary," "example," and "illustrative" are intended to indicate "an example of," "one example of," or "an instance of," and are not intended to indicate a preferred or advantageous example, nor are they intended to exclude other configurations. As used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" are intended to encompass amounts within a range of values plus or minus ten percent or less of a value, such as variations in characteristics, parameters, sizes, and dimensions. In one non-limiting example, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" mean equal to or within ten percent or less of a value. In one non-limiting example, the terms "about," "approximately," and "substantially" mean close enough to be considered within the scope of the relevant art. As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to a complete or nearly complete range or degree of an action, feature, characteristic, state, structure, item, or result, as understood by those skilled in the art. For example, an object that is "substantially circular" would mean that the object is completely a mathematically determinable limit of a circle or nearly so as would be recognized or understood by those skilled in the art. In some cases, the exact allowable deviation from absolute completeness can depend on the particular context. However, generally, a deviation of less than 5% from absolute completeness would be considered to be within the scope of "substantially complete," and a deviation of less than 1% would be considered to be within the scope of "substantially complete" in most contexts. As used herein, the use of "substantially" when used in a negative connotation is likewise intended to refer to a complete or near complete lack of an action, feature, characteristic, state, structure, item, or result, as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0070] In light of the above description it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and alternative embodiments can be made to the application. Accordingly, the description is to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, and is intended to teach the best mode of carrying out the application to others skilled in the art. Changes in structure, materials, and arrangements can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the application and the exclusive use of all modifications that are within the scope of the claims and the rules of applicable law. In this description, embodiments have been described in a way which enables a clear and concise description to be provided. However, it is intended that the embodiments can be practised differently without departing from the invention. The present invention is intended to encompass only what can be claimed and all statements only insofar as they serve to interpret the claimed invention.

[0071] It is also to be understood that the appended claims will encompass all generic and specific features of the invention described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention, as can be said to fall there between in language.

Claims

1. A visual display system for creating various visual and audible effects with a plurality of beads, the visual display system comprising: a chamber comprising: a bottom having a sifting opening therethrough; a top opposite the bottom; and at least one sidewall extending between the bottom and the top and defining an interior volume, the at least one sidewall having a viewing portion that provides an interior view of the chamber from an environment outside the chamber; a plurality of beads disposed within the interior volume of the chamber; and a variable flow air array generating device that facilitates creation of a variable flow air array, the device being in fluid communication with the sifting opening located in the bottom of the chamber, and the device comprising: three or more array segments that each contribute a different, individually varying but coordinated air flow within the chamber that merge with one another to form the variable flow air array, a total combined area of the three or more array segments being a substantial portion of a total area of the bottom having the sifting opening therethrough; and a controller in electronic communication with and controlling each of the three or more array segments of the device, each of the different, individually varying but coordinated air flows being provided by individually providing a variable signal to each of the three or more array segments; wherein the variable flow air array generated by the device agitates, fluidizes, suspends, or levitates at least some of the plurality of beads, thereby creating a dynamic display of beads within the chamber such that controllable effects are produced, the controllable effects being controllable fountain-like jets of various sizes, quantities, and intensities of behavior, inverted waterfalls, spatial control and balancing of fluidized bed behavior, and various sizes and intensities of fire and flame-like effects that appear or disappear at different locations under programmable control.

2. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the total combined area of the three or more array segments is at least 40% of the total area of the bottom having the sifting opening therethrough.

3. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the viewing portion of the at least one sidewall comprises a transparent or translucent material.

4. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the controller of the variable flow air array generating device comprises an analog controller, a processor, or a microcontroller.

5. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the three or more array segments of the variable flow air array generating device are contiguous.

6. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the three or more array segments of the variable flow air array generating device are arranged in a grid, a one-dimensional array, a plurality of spaced apart one-dimensional arrays, or a ring configuration.

7. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, one or more of the three or more array segments of the variable flow air array generating device have a different size or configuration than other array segments of the variable flow air array generating device.

8. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, the top of the chamber comprises a sifting opening, and one or more controllable top fans are disposed at the top of the chamber, the one or more controllable top fans being configured to draw air flow through the interior volume of the chamber and out through the sifting opening of the top.

9. The visual display system of claim 1, further comprising one or more controllable bottom fans in fluid communication with the chamber and providing a source of airflow within the chamber.

10. The visual display system of claim 9, wherein, Three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device are disposed between the one or more controllable bottom fans and a sifting opening of a bottom of the chamber.

11. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, One or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device include a controllable damper system.

12. The visual display system of claim 11, wherein, The controllable damper system includes two controllable dampers in fluid communication.

13. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, The three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device include a controllable array fan system.

14. The visual display system of claim 13, wherein, The controllable array fan system includes a controllable array fan in fluid communication with a reversing device or a controllable damper.

15. The visual display system of claim 13, wherein, The controllable array fan system includes a controllable bi-directional array fan or a bi-directional array fan system having two controllable array fans in fluid communication toward or away from each other.

16. The visual display system of claim 13, wherein, The controllable array fan system includes variable pitch fan blades.

17. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, One or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device further include an airflow angle controller, wherein the airflow angle controller changes at least a portion of airflow through the sifting opening of the bottom of the chamber to a different angle than perpendicular to the sifting opening of the bottom of the chamber.

18. The visual display system of claim 17, wherein, One or more of the airflow angle controllers include a damper device having controllable vanes to change the angle of airflow through the airflow angle controller.

19. The visual display system of claim 1, further comprising a honeycomb airflow straightener or fine mesh screen disposed between and in fluid communication with one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device and a sifting opening of a bottom of the chamber.

20. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, One or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device further include a channel in fluid communication with the array section providing a definition to airflow exiting the array section.

21. The visual display system of claim 20, wherein, At least one of the channels is shaped and configured to increase a rate of airflow through the channel.

22. The visual display system of claim 20, wherein, At least one of the channels is shaped and configured to decrease a rate of airflow through the channel.

23. The visual display system of claim 20, wherein, At least a portion of one of the channels is lined with sound deadening material.

24. The visual display system of claim 1, further comprising one or more light sources.

25. The visual display system of claim 24, wherein, At least one of the one or more light sources is disposed between the sifting opening of the bottom of the chamber and one or more of the three or more array sections of the variable flow air array generating device.

26. The visual display system of claim 25, wherein, At least one of the one or more light sources is disposed in at least one of the three or more array sections.

27. The visual display system of claim 1, wherein, The plurality of beads includes lightweight foamed polystyrene plastic beads.

28. The visual display system of claim 1, further comprising a bead transport control subsystem, the bead transport control subsystem comprising: at least one conduit connecting a first region of the chamber with a second region of the chamber and having a sifting opening disposed in an end or end or wall of the conduit; wherein at least a portion of the plurality of beads is controlled by an additional air flow through the at least one conduit via the sifting opening; and wherein the additional air flow is controlled at least partially independently of the variable flow air array.

29. The visual display system of claim 28, wherein, The bead transport control subsystem further comprises one or more bead transport fans configured to at least vary a volume of the additional air flow.

30. The visual display system of claim 28, wherein, The bead transport control subsystem further comprises one or more dampers configured to at least vary a volume of the additional air flow.

31. The visual display system of claim 28, wherein, The bead transport control subsystem further comprises: an additional air flow control device configured to at least control a volume of the additional air flow, wherein the additional air flow flows out of the at least one conduit through the sifting opening, wherein a first subset of the plurality of beads is drawn against or frozen in place near the sifting opening such that the first subset of the plurality of beads stops or restricts a second subset of the plurality of beads from flowing through the at least one conduit.

32. The visual display system of claim 28, wherein, The bead transport control subsystem further comprises: an additional air flow control device configured to at least control a volume of the additional air flow, wherein the additional air flow flows into the at least one conduit through the sifting opening; wherein the additional air flow is configured to fluidize the plurality of beads or cause the plurality of beads to move through the at least one conduit.

33. The visual display system of claim 28, wherein, The bead transport control subsystem further comprises: an air flow control device configured to control the additional air flow into or out of the at least one conduit through the sifting opening, wherein the air flow control device comprises: a first damper having a first end connected to at least a partially enclosed space of a conduit base and further connected to one or more bottom fans, wherein a second end of the first damper is configured to blow at least a portion of an outlet air flow of the one or more bottom fans into the at least one conduit through the sifting opening as the additional air flow; and a second damper having a first end connected to at least a partially enclosed second space of a fan base and further connected to an inlet of the one or more bottom fans, wherein a second end of the second damper is configured to draw the additional air flow out of the at least one conduit through the sifting opening into the inlet of the one or more bottom fans.

34. The visual display system of claim 33, wherein, The bead transport control system further comprises a second variable flow air array generation device to facilitate formation of a variable flow air array, the second variable flow air array generation device being in fluid communication with a sifting opening located in the conduit, the second variable flow air array generation device comprising: a plurality of array segments each contributing a different, individually variable but coordinated air flow within the conduit that merge with one another into a variable flow air array.

Images