Telescoping Bubbler Assembly for Pool Plume Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bubblers in swimming pools or spas have exit openings mounted flush with the surface, causing the water plume to travel a significant distance through the water body before reaching the surface, leading to undesirable rotation and aesthetic issues due to the main body of water's impact.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping pipe system that allows the exit opening to be selectively positioned closer to the water surface, reducing the distance the plume travels through the water body, using a pressurized water flow to extend the pipe and maintain the plume's characteristics, with an optional weight and lip mechanism for retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the exit opening is mounted flush with the pool or spa surface, then the installation is simple and the structure is stable, but the plume travels a long distance through water causing rotation and aesthetic degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the pipe telescopic rather than fixed. The pipe can extend vertically to position the exit opening near the water surface when water flow is present, and retract to a flush position when not in use. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize plume characteristics by minimizing water interaction distance while maintaining structural stability and aesthetic appearance when the bubbler is not active.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the exit opening is positioned closer to the water surface, then the plume interaction with main water body is minimized, but the structural complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the telescopic pipe within a recessed opening in the pool or spa surface. The pipe can extend outward from the recessed opening to position the exit near the water surface, then retract back into the opening when not in use. This nested configuration allows the system to achieve optimal plume characteristics during operation while maintaining a clean, integrated appearance during installation and when inactive, thereby reducing perceived structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a telescoping pipe is used to position the exit opening near the water surface, then the plume characteristics are maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the telescopic pipe to automatically extend and retract based on water pressure. When pressurized water flows through the pipe, the water pressure itself drives the telescopic mechanism to extend the pipe vertically, positioning the exit opening near the water surface. When water flow stops, the pipe automatically retracts to its stored position. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for external motors, sensors, or control systems, thereby achieving optimal plume aesthetics without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 solution stabilizes the plume's characteristics by minimizing its interaction with the main water body, enhancing aesthetic and physical performance by maintaining the desired flow properties and dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
Telescoping pipe 12 is coupled with another pipe (not pictured) that is part of a water-recirculation system of the pool or spa and that is downstream of a pump of the water-recirculation system. In this way, telescoping pipe 12 can receive pressurized water from the pump of the water-recirculation system.
Implementation Method 2
Telescoping pipe 12 may include a weight 22 and a lip 20 configured to interface with the inner ring 26 of the lens 24 and serve as a stop.
Data Source
AI summary
A bubbler assembly including a pipe that telescopes relative to a surface of a pool or spa such that an exit opening of the bubbler is closer to the water surface than is conventionally possible. When in the initial position, a first end of the telescoping pipe is flush or substantially flush with the surface of the pool or the spa. When in the extended position, the first end of the telescoping pipe is adjacent the water surface, which is spaced apart from the surface of the pool or spa. By transferring the exit opening of the bubbler to a location adjacent the water surface, the plume need travel only a small distance through the main body of water before penetrating the water surface.