Improved water distribution tank

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a decorative water jet device, comprising a water outlet basin having a lower flat wall (4) with a plurality of openings (5), each of which is fitted a nozzle (51) for discharging a water jet out of the outlet basin. One of the nozzles (52), at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube (6) of a length chosen to avoid disparity in the jets exiting the other nozzles (51).

Description

Title of the invention: Improved water distribution tank

[0001] The present description relates to a water dispersion tray, for producing water jets, in particular for an ornamental fountain.

[0002] Such a fountain can find applications in particular in furniture decorations, for example as a table leg or as a support column or to form a curtain of water (for discretion, or as a mosquito net, or for cooling against hot outside air).

[0003] Such an achievement is described in particular in the applicant's document WO-2020 / 212209.

[0004] The attached [Fig. 1] shows a presentation of the distribution tray 2 of this document. The tray 2 has a lower wall 4 having openings 5 ​​housing nozzles for emitting jets of water from these nozzles, which are distributed in the lower wall 4 of the tray.

[0005] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], one of the openings 8 in the lower wall 4 of the tank 2 is a water supply opening from a supply column 3. This opening 8 is, in principle, much larger than a nozzle opening 5. Indeed, as described in the aforementioned document, a motor-driven pump PO is mounted in a water receiving tank (located below the distribution tank 2). The pump PO then injects water in a controlled manner into the supply tube 3. This water reaches the distribution tank 2, which is closed and watertight. The water flows out through nozzles 51.

[0006] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], each nozzle 51 has an internal water channel 513 to guide it downwards with a uniform jet JET in a laminar flow (without dispersion of the jet at the nozzle outlet 514). The jets JET exiting the tank 2 are therefore straight and all vertical, thus giving aesthetic harmony to this water distribution.

[0007] Furthermore, as described in the aforementioned document, the PO pump can be configured to deliver water at a controlled flow rate in order to generate:

[0008] - continuous jets exiting the nozzles, at a sufficiently high pump flow rate, exceeding a certain flow rate threshold,

[0009] - or alternatively discontinuous jets at the nozzle outlet, in drip-by-drop mode drops, at a pump flow rate lower than the limit flow rate threshold.

[0010] The frequency of drop outlets in drip mode therefore depends on the pump flow rate (and decreases with a lower pump flow rate).

[0011] In this drip-feed mode, the problem then arises of ensuring that all the nozzles can emit a drop simultaneously, and then stop also to emit a drop at the same time. The unsynchronized emission and cessation of drops would be disharmonious for an ornamental fountain.

[0012] Furthermore, depending on the inclination of the tank, if its lower wall is not perfectly horizontal, some of the nozzles at one end of the tank may appear to drip more frequently than others (or even produce a continuous jet while the other nozzles are in drip mode), which is unbalanced. This lack of flatness can indeed lead to the venting of holes 511 and 512 of a nozzle, which has the effect of drawing air into tank 2 and thus allowing other nozzles to empty.

[0013] The present description improves the situation.

[0014] For this purpose, it proposes a device for an ornamental water jet, in particular of the fountain type, comprising a water outlet basin having a lower flat wall having a plurality of openings in each of which is inserted a water jet outlet nozzle outside the outlet basin, characterized in that one of the nozzles, at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube of length chosen to avoid a disparity of the jets at the outlet of the other nozzles, at the beginning and at the end of the jets.

[0015] Thus, fitting the head of a nozzle with this tubing allows the air pressure in the water outlet tank to be controlled, thereby ensuring a synchronized and harmonious flow for all the nozzles.

[0016] Typically in a drip mode in which the nozzles are configured to emit discontinuous jets, the nozzles other than the one capped with the aforementioned tubing can emit drops at the same time, and / or stop the emission of a drop at the same time.

[0017] The device as described in this disclosure is intended for decorating, for example, a piece of furniture such as a table, a screen curtain, a window, or a stair step. Typically, the water outlet of such a device can be positioned under the transparent tabletop, with its flat underside facing the floor and the nozzles allowing the water to flow vertically by gravity. Advantageously, the visual effect of drops falling simultaneously from the nozzles provides a highly desirable decorative element for the aforementioned piece of furniture. Indeed, the dripping of water, similar to rain, has the advantage of not obscuring objects or landscapes from the viewer and is designed to enhance the aesthetics of an object, decoration, or piece of furniture in a more discreet manner.

[0018] In order to obtain a better visual effect of the drip irrigation, the flow of water from the nozzles must be smooth and controlled. More specifically, the flow of the drops must be synchronized for all the nozzles of the device, even in conditions where the water outlet tray is slightly inclined and the lower wall is not perfectly horizontal, as may be the case on floors that are not perfectly flat.

[0019] This simultaneous operation of the nozzles is made possible in particular by the clever design of the nozzle topped with the tubing of chosen length.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the flow nozzles can be positioned in the same plane on the lower wall, and the nozzles can be arranged equidistant from each other, and distributed in rows, over the entire surface of the lower wall of the outlet tray.

[0021] The openings on the lower wall of the water outlet tray are configured to be the same shape and dimensions as the nozzles, thus ensuring a watertight seal between the nozzles inserted into the openings and the lower wall of the water outlet tray. Watertight seals can also be added to the openings, around each of the nozzles, to reinforce the seal of the lower wall.

[0022] Furthermore, in an embodiment described in detail later with reference to [Fig. 2], each nozzle is cylindrical in shape and comprises a head extending vertically inside the water outlet tray, through which the water enters, opposite the nozzle outlet through which the water flows out of the outlet tray. It has proven advantageous for the nozzle to have two water inlet holes at the head, with diameters smaller than the single outlet hole formed by an internal channel within the nozzle. The nozzle head is larger than the opening in the wall into which the nozzle is inserted, in order to ensure a watertight seal for the water outlet tray. The nozzle outlet is the same size as the opening in the wall so that it can be pressed into place.

[0023] The distribution and distance between each nozzle modify the visual appearance of the water flow. It is therefore possible to distribute the nozzles with varying distances between them, or in groups, for example to form polygons, to leave space for pedestrians, or to follow the specific shape of the objects to be decorated. The nozzles in the same group or row are, for example, separated by a regular spacing, which is greater than a threshold distance in order to eject individual jets from the nozzles, thus avoiding a near-continuous veil of water in this embodiment.

[0024] In such an embodiment where the jets exiting the nozzles are thus individual, it is preferable to ensure that in drip mode, the drops are emitted at the same time, which also allows for the application of other decorative aspects such as, in particular, frequency lighting of the device at a lighting frequency close to the drip mode to provide a stroboscopic effect.

[0025] One possible interpretation of the role of the tubing covering one of the nozzles in achieving this effect of simultaneous droplet emission can be explained as follows. The tubing, by cooperating with the nozzle it covers, forms an airtight and watertight barrier around the nozzle, particularly around the nozzle head, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. In other words, the tube prevents the nozzle head from being exposed to air when a sufficient volume of water is present in the water outlet tray.

[0026] The flow control mechanism using the capped nozzle is illustrated in [Fig. 5], which is discussed in detail later. In general terms, when the water outlet container (which is closed and airtight) gradually fills with water, the air volume decreases, and air escapes from the capped nozzle of the tubing, creating a low-pressure area in the container. Once the head of the aforementioned nozzle is submerged, the water volume in the container is sufficient to increase the air pressure. This air pressure allows the water to be ejected from the nozzles outside the container, producing a droplet. However, as soon as the water supply stops, the water volume in the container decreases, while the water volume in the capped nozzle remains constant. The air pressure then becomes insufficient for the other nozzles to produce a droplet. This phenomenon is repeated for each drop emitted by the drip-drip nozzles.

[0027] For this purpose, the water outlet tank further comprises at least one motor pump supplying the water outlet tank, and configured to inject water in a controlled manner into the device.

[0028] The pump can then supply the water distribution tray at a frequency that determines the droplet emission rate from the nozzles, in drip-by-drip mode. In other words, the pump's on / off frequency generates a controlled water flow to the outlet tray, thus controlling the droplet emission frequency. The higher the pump's operating frequency and the water flow rate, the higher the droplet emission frequency.

[0029] Furthermore, when the flow rate sent by the pump becomes greater than a flow rate limit threshold, defined according to the length and shape of the nozzles, the water flows from the nozzles in continuous jets, and no longer in drips.

[0030] The pump can also be set to send a flow of water greater than the limit flow threshold and stopping cyclically so as to generate interrupted and successive jets of water (water "streaks").

[0031] In this embodiment, the pump is mounted for example in a water receiving tank located under the water outlet tank, for water recirculation from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank.

[0032] Thus, the device can be filled with water before its actual commissioning. The pump therefore uses the water already present to reinject it into the water outlet tank.

[0033] The water collection tray includes rims to contain the water and is shaped to the same dimensions as, or larger than, those of the water outlet tray in order to properly collect the water flowing from the nozzles. Thus, the water collection tray can generally be designed with a shape similar to, or slightly larger than, that of the water outlet tray. A large portion of the water used is thereby recycled, without requiring regular refilling.

[0034] The water outlet tank further includes on its lower wall at least one water supply opening larger than the nozzle openings, the supply opening being connected to a supply tube through which the pump distributes the water in a closed circuit from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank.

[0035] In one embodiment, the water supply tube may be made of a rigid material suitable for supporting the water outlet above the receiving tank, and is preferably transparent or translucent to blend in with the jets (for example, glass or Plexiglas®). In this embodiment, the supply tube may then be straight and vertical to blend in as closely as possible with the water jets. Alternatively, it is of course possible to choose a supply tube that may be curved.

[0036] In another embodiment, several supply tubes may be provided, each comprising a motor-driven pump, and each connecting the outlet tank to the receiving tank. In such a configuration, the tubes are preferably positioned regularly between the tanks, as in the example illustrated in [Fig. 6], so that the weight of the water outlet tank is better distributed across the tubes. However, it is also possible to place the supply tube(s) at the ends of the tanks, or off-center, depending on the desired visual effect.

[0037] A multi-tube water supply system allows for the creation of larger, heavier devices with dozens, or even hundreds, of jets. In such a configuration, several nozzles topped with tubing can be used to ensure synchronized flow from all the nozzles.

[0038] In one embodiment, the feed opening is positioned closer to the nozzle surmounted by the tubing than to the other nozzles. An example of this embodiment is shown in Figure 6. In this configuration, the feed tube is thus positioned to advantageously conceal the flow exiting the nozzle surmounted by the tubing, which does not necessarily drip in a synchronized manner with the other nozzles.

[0039] Furthermore, the nozzles are all of the same length, the length of the nozzles being chosen so that the water flows in laminar flow at the outlet of the nozzles.

[0040] In such an embodiment, there is no water dispersion at the nozzle outlet; the water jets and droplets are uniform and flow smoothly without turbulence to the collection tray. In this way, it is also possible to limit water splashing.

[0041] It has thus been empirically defined that the length of the nozzles is on the order of ten times their internal diameter.

[0042] In addition, the tubing surmounts said nozzle by a few millimeters.

[0043] More specifically, in one embodiment, the tubing surmounts said nozzle by 2 millimeters while the length of a nozzle is between 20 and 30 millimeters.

[0044] In particular, in the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 3], the tubing extending 2 mm above the nozzle ensures a sufficiently high water level to submerge the holes in the capped nozzle head. When the water supply from the pump is stopped, the capped nozzle remains fully submerged, preventing uncontrolled flow from all the other nozzles.

[0045] In one embodiment, the nozzles have dimensions comprising a length of 25 mm and a diameter of 2.5 mm.

[0046] Other advantages and features of this device will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below of embodiments and examining the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example of the general shape of the tray water distribution 2, - Figure [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates an example of the general shape of a 51 water distribution nozzles, - Figure 3 illustrates a buzzard of the type shown in Figure 2 (left) and a nozzle of the same type surmounted by tube 6 (on the right), - Figure 4 illustrates an example of the construction of a water outlet tank 2. (on the left) including the tube 6 overhanging one of its openings 5 ​​made in its lower wall 4 (water outlet), as well as a cross-sectional profile A-A' of the device (on the right) and an enlarged view of the tube 6 (at the bottom of [Fig.4]), - Figure 5 illustrates an example of the construction of a multi-nozzle tank, of which One is topped by a tube 6, with water filling (top left), up to the first drops coming out of the nozzles (right), then stopping the water supply (bottom left), - Figure 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment to that of Figure 4, several water supply columns.

[0047] The present description proposes that the water distribution tray 2 has a tube 6 inside the tray and that one of the nozzles 52 is surrounded by this tube 6, which overhangs the head of the nozzle 52, as illustrated in [Fig. 3]. Such an embodiment advantageously allows all nozzles (at least the nozzles 51 other than the one 52 topped with the tube 6) to emit a drop at the same time and stop emitting a drop at the same time, especially in drip mode.

[0048] Thus, the frequency of the drops emitted by all these nozzles 51 is the same. As previously stated, this drop frequency is regulated by the flow rate supplied by the pump PO (lower than a limiting flow rate beyond which the nozzles deliver uniform jets, in continuous mode).

[0049] Thus, in drip mode, all the nozzles 51 drip at the same time and at the same frequency.

[0050] Such a regular drip-feed effect across all nozzles 51 could also be achieved without a tube 6, but by choosing one of the nozzles 52 that is longer than the others. However, from an aesthetic point of view, this would result in a nozzle of a different length being visible, which could appear unsightly.

[0051] In terms of dimensions, with reference to [Fig. 4], particularly the cross-section A-A' and the enlarged view, the tube 6 may only overhang the nozzle head 52 by a few millimeters, and measure, for example, 13 mm in height. In the illustrated example, it is 2 mm higher than the level of the inlet holes 511 and 512 of the nozzles, and in particular of the nozzle 52 which is capped by it. This ensures, during filling, a sufficient water level to submerge these holes. Thus, when the water supply is stopped or with very low flow rates, such as in drip mode, a sufficient vacuum is created to prevent uncontrolled water flow from certain nozzles. Among other things, the water level in the tube serves to prevent air from passing through another nozzle and thus maintains a vacuum necessary for the uniform operation of all the nozzles.

[0052] The tube 6 then forms a sealed barrier for the holes of the nozzle 52, which is open to air only through its bottom opening 514.

[0053] During the initial filling of the tank 2 (or its refilling after emptying), the role of the tube 6 can be seen as maintaining a single nozzle 52 as a possible air outlet. Thus, with a sufficient flow rate, the tank 2 gradually fills, while simultaneously producing a slight drip from all the other nozzles 51. When the water level reaches the top of the tube 6, it fills, thereby closing the vent holes 511 and 512 in the nozzle head 52, making them completely airtight.

[0054] From then on, pressure regulation governs the operation of the emitter tank 2: under negative pressure, the tank reduces the water flow through the nozzles, while maintaining a constant air volume inside the tank. All the nozzles then simultaneously stop ejecting water if water is no longer injected through tube 3. Conversely, when water enters through tube 3, the tank fills with water as before, which Submerges all the nozzle heads 51 up to tube 6, so that water drains from all the other nozzles 51 simultaneously when tube 6 becomes submerged. A slow drip is therefore possible: the flow rate of the droplets (at the nozzle outlets 514) depends only on the incoming flow rate (through tube 3 and the large opening 8), since there is no possibility for air to fill the space that would be created by an output flow driven solely by gravity. Tank 2 thus remains under slight negative pressure.

[0055] To obtain faster drip-by-drip operation, see jets, simply increase the flow rate of water coming from tube 3.

[0056] Thus, the role of this tube 6 is to close the vent of the tank 2 with a sufficiently high water level above the nozzles to avoid recreating a connection between the volume of air above the nozzles and the outside air, even in the event of variation in water height or lack of flatness of the ground.

[0057] These different situations are illustrated in [Fig. 5]. In the upper left, the tank 2 is gradually filling with water during a tank filling phase. The tube 6 is not yet immersed, and the nozzle 52 on which it is mounted is still exposed to the air, so air escapes from the tank, creating a low-pressure area. In particular, the atmospheric pressure (air pressure) in the tank 2 is insufficient to make the other nozzles 51 flow, even though their heads are covered with water.

[0058] Referring now to the intermediate figure on the right of [Fig. 5], water enters the tank 2 through the opening 8 until it submerges the tube 6. The water in the tube 6 forms an airtight barrier. The volume of water in the tank 2 becomes sufficient to increase the air pressure of the remaining air volume in the tank 2 (complementary to the water volume). This air pressure increase, along with the volume of water in the tank 2, is sufficient to force the water downwards out of the nozzles. The dripping then occurs at a uniform frequency at the nozzles 51.

[0059] Referring now to the bottom of [Fig. 5], when the water supply stops, the volume of water decreases, but the volume in the tube remains constant, leaving tube 6 submerged and airtight. The air pressure is no longer sufficient to cause the other nozzles 51 to drip. Thus, all the nozzles 51 (other than the one 52 covered by tube 6) stop dripping simultaneously.

[0060] As long as the nozzles begin and stop dripping simultaneously, at the same frequency, it is possible to illuminate the fountain with LEDs, at a frequency equal to or close to the frequency of the droplets' emission (or one being a multiple of the other). At the same frequency, the drops appear motionless above a drip collection tray. At a similar (slightly different) frequency, the drops appear to fall slowly into the collection tray or rise slowly towards the distribution tray, due to a stroboscopic effect.

[0061] Nozzle 52 may have an erratic flow (i.e., different from the other nozzles). However, on the one hand, it is only a single, isolated nozzle, and on the other hand, its position can be advantageously chosen, for example, hidden by the jets of other nozzles as illustrated in [Fig. 4] where the tube is in a median position within the radius of the container 2, here circular in shape (for a table leg). It is indeed an isolated nozzle 52, among approximately one hundred nozzles 51 (for a distribution container approximately 30 cm in diameter and 3 cm high).

[0062] In one possible embodiment of the nozzles themselves 51, 52, the latter may have two bores 511 and 512, with a diameter of 0.8 mm. This size was determined empirically as representing a good compromise between a significant pressure drop and a sufficiently low initial filling flow rate.

[0063] It is preferable to place at least two offset holes to supply the nozzles. The openings from these holes are sufficiently fine, in line with the nozzle axis, to each produce a fine jet that barely touches the internal walls of the conduit 513, and therefore does not produce uncontrolled droplets at the nozzle 514 outlet, thus allowing a uniform jet at the nozzle 51 outlet.

[0064] The angle between the two holes was determined by simulation as being the best to limit turbulence at the nozzle outlet. It was set at 30° with respect to the vertical.

[0065] The length of the nozzles has been fixed at 10 diameters, i.e. 25 mm for a diameter of 2.5 mm, in order to also limit the turbulence at the nozzle outlet, and thus allow the formation of a laminar jet JET as long as possible.

[0066] Of course, these are examples of possible embodiments and dimensions. The present description is not limited to these embodiments. Other shapes of the tray 2 (not as a drum for a table leg as illustrated in [Fig. 4]), but as a parallelepiped for a privacy curtain, for example, are possible.

[0067] Furthermore, the use of a single tube 6 to cover one of the nozzles 52 has been described above. However, it is possible to provide for more than one tube 6, particularly in the case of a large tank 2 with more than one hundred nozzles 51 for example.

[0068] Furthermore, in [Fig. 4], an embodiment is illustrated where a single column 8 carries the water from the pump to the distribution tank 2. This is, of course, just one example. Alternatively, several columns 81-85 can be provided to carry the water into the distribution tank, which can advantageously conceal the nozzle 52 topped with the tube 6 (and which may consequently have an erratic flow compared to the other nozzles 51) against one of these multiple columns, for example column 82 in the example illustrated in [Fig. 6].

Claims

Demands

1. A device for an ornamental water jet, comprising a water outlet basin (2) having a lower flat wall (4) having a plurality of openings (5) in each of which is inserted a nozzle (51) for discharging a water jet out of the outlet basin (2), characterized in that one of the nozzles (52), at an opposite end of a water jet outlet, is surmounted by a tube (6) of chosen length, said tube being higher than the nozzle and forming a watertight barrier around the nozzle, to avoid a disparity of the jets at the outlet of the other nozzles (51), at the beginning and at the end of the jets.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzles (51) are configured to emit discontinuous jets, in drip-by-drip mode.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said other nozzles (51), in drip-by-drip mode, emit drops at the same time.

4. Device according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said other nozzles (51), in drip-by-drip mode, stop the emission of a drop at the same time.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one motor pump (PO) supplying the water outlet tank (2).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said pump is mounted in a water receiving tank located under the water outlet tank (2), for recirculation of water from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank (2).

7. Device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, taken in combination with any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the pump (PO) supplies the water distribution tray at a frequency of emission of drops by the nozzles (51), in drip-by-drip mode.

8. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the water outlet tray (2) comprises on its lower wall (4) at least one water supply opening (8; 81-85) larger than the nozzle openings (5), the supply opening (8) being connected to a supply tube (3) through which the pump

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15. (PO) distributes the water in a closed circuit from the receiving tank to the water outlet tank (2). Device for ornamental water jet according to claim 7, characterized in that the supply opening (8) is arranged closer to the nozzle (52) surmounted by the tubing (6), than to the other nozzles (51). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzles (51) are all of the same length, the length of the nozzles being chosen so that the water flows in laminar flow at the outlet of the nozzles. Device according to claim 10, wherein the length of the nozzles is on the order of ten times their internal diameter. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubing extends a few millimeters above said nozzle (52). A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the tubing extends 2 millimeters above said nozzle (52), while the length of a nozzle is between 20 and 30 millimeters. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distribution tray (2) comprises several dozen nozzles (51). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water outlet tray (2) is closed and sealed.