Stringed Instrument Liquid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stringed musical instruments lack control over the mechanical energy imparted to strings, resulting in unpredictable and random sounds when using natural sources like wind or water, failing to produce controllable music.
Innovation Solution
A stringed instrument utilizing a pump mechanism to control the flow rate of liquid over strings, allowing for adjustable tension and position to produce a range of sounds, with a conduit system and valves to manage the liquid flow, and a frame with a fretboard for precise manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If natural sources like wind or water are used to impart mechanical energy to strings, then the instrument can produce sounds without manual intervention, but the sounds become random and unpredictable rather than controllable music
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the natural mechanical energy source (wind) with a controlled mechanical system (electric pump) that delivers liquid energy to the strings. This substitution allows automated sound production while maintaining controllability through electronic control of the pump system, resolving the contradiction between automation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery mechanism of energy by using liquid flow instead of wind. The liquid flow rate, pressure, and volume can be precisely controlled through pump parameters, enabling automated operation while maintaining reliable control over the energy imparted to strings, thus producing controllable music rather than random sounds.
2Adaptability or versatility
If water is used to impart mechanical energy to strings, then alternative music production is achieved, but the ability to control the mechanical energy is lost resulting in chaotic sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual control of liquid flow with an electrically controlled pump system. This allows the instrument to use liquid (water) as an alternative energy source while maintaining ease of operation through electronic controls that precisely regulate flow rate, pressure, and volume, eliminating the chaos of uncontrolled liquid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using liquid flow delivered through a nozzle system controlled by an electric pump. This hydraulic approach provides smooth, controllable delivery of mechanical energy to the strings, making the alternative energy source adaptable and easy to control through pressure and flow rate regulation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid flow rate is increased to produce audible sounds, then sound volume increases, but the precision of frequency control decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes multiple controllable parameters of the liquid flow system (flow rate, pressure, nozzle positioning, string tension) to independently control different aspects of sound production. By adjusting these parameters, the system can increase energy transfer for audible volume while simultaneously maintaining precise frequency control through coordinated parameter adjustments, resolving the contradiction between energy delivery and frequency precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of controllable and reproducible sounds within specific frequency ranges (220 Hz to 1318 Hz), overcoming the unpredictability of natural energy sources by allowing users to manipulate the string's interaction with the liquid stream for desired vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
A stream of liquid imparts mechanical energy to a string causing the string to vibrate
Implementation Method 2
The pump mechanism controls the flow rate of liquid over strings
Implementation Method 3
A device positioned proximate the string registers vibrations emanating from the string
Implementation Method 4
an amplifier is used to increases the amplitude of the vibrations registered by the registering device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a stringed instrument that comprises a circulating element that transmits a stream of liquid through a conduit at a flow rate of 0.92 meters per second to 1.58 meters per second. A string that is displaceable along the stream of liquid produces vibrations caused by the interaction between the stream of liquid and the string. A device positioned proximate the string registers vibrations emanating from the string. Interaction between said stream of liquid and said at least one string generate vibrations with frequencies ranging from 220 Hz to 1318 Hz.