Fluid Outlet Manifold Gimbal Pivot for Water Display Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water display systems are bulky, heavy, and labor-intensive to align, with limited nozzle positioning flexibility, making them inefficient for creating complex and varied displays.
Innovation Solution
A compact fluid effects apparatus with a center point gimbal and drive assembly using submersible servos to pivot a fluid outlet manifold, allowing up to 55 degrees of motion in any direction, and a self-managing hose assembly to reduce weight and improve alignment accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing water display devices use large movable platforms with multiple assemblies to articulate nozzles to numerous positions, then the nozzle positioning flexibility and display variety are improved, but the system size and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the articulation function into two independent parts: (1) a movable platform that provides vertical positioning, and (2) a fixed base with a gimbal mechanism that provides angular articulation. This segmentation allows the heavy platform to be smaller while the articulation function is handled by a compact gimbal assembly, reducing overall system weight while maintaining full positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-assembly articulation system (requiring rotation about two perpendicular axes on the platform) to a single-gimbal system that achieves the same angular positioning through a different geometric configuration. The gimbal mechanism uses a spherical joint that naturally provides multi-axis rotation capability in a more compact form factor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing water display devices use large movable platforms with multiple assemblies, then the nozzle can articulate to numerous positions, but the equipment required to raise and lower the platform becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the vertical positioning function (handled by the movable platform) from the angular articulation function (handled by the gimbal). This allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, resulting in simpler, less bulky equipment for each function while maintaining comprehensive nozzle positioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the articulation assemblies on the movable platform (as in existing systems), the invention inverts the configuration by placing the gimbal mechanism on the fixed base. This inversion allows the platform to be simpler and lighter, while the articulation function is provided by the base-mounted gimbal.
3Ease of manufacture
If workers manually align nozzles by hand in water during shows, then alignment can be performed without complex equipment, but the alignment process is labor intensive and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes a homing mechanism that automatically returns the nozzle to a predetermined home position (typically vertical) before each show or after disturbances. This preliminary action ensures accurate alignment without requiring manual intervention, improving both precision and reliability while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gimbal mechanism is designed with inherent alignment features that allow the nozzle to self-align to the vertical home position through gravity or mechanical guidance. This self-service capability eliminates the need for labor-intensive manual alignment while maintaining high positioning accuracy.
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
The apparatus significantly reduces the size and weight of the system, enabling more precise and versatile fluid display configurations with reduced labor for alignment, while maintaining the ability to handle payloads and create complex effects.
Implementation Method 1
a center point gimbal mechanism; wherein the fluid outlet manifold is supported upon the center point gimbal mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid effects apparatus (100) to produce a fluid display or effect. The apparatus (100) includes a base (112) with a center point gimbal (122). A fluid outlet manifold (130) is provided with an inlet (134) for receiving fluid and an outlet device (144) such as a nozzle for dispersing the received fluid. The fluid outlet manifold (130) is supported upon the center point gimbal (122) to pivot with the gimbal in all directions. A drive assembly (160) is provided with first and second drive mechanisms (162,163) such as submersible servos that each drive input arms (172,173) attached to the fluid outlet manifold (130) at an angular offset such as about 120 degrees. The drive mechanisms (162,163) are separately and concurrently operable to move the input arms (172,173) to pivot the fluid outlet manifold (130) on the center point gimbal (122) to selectively position the outlet device (144) such as to articulate it in arcs of 110 degrees or more in all directions about a nozzle center axis.