Reconfigurable Water Maze Spray Bars With Seamless Flow Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water maze systems face high fabrication costs and long lead times due to custom parts, and suffer from issues like delayed water discharge, opaque walls, and gaps between panels, limiting geometric flexibility and visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using tubular integral spray bars with flow regulators and seamless connectors to form a reconfigurable wall of falling water droplets, allowing simultaneous discharge across outlet holes and seamless connections for uniform water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If custom-length water-dispensing pipes and custom connector angles are used, then the water maze can be fabricated to specific design requirements, but the fabrication cost increases and lead time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water maze into modular sections using standardized pipe lengths and connector units. Each module can be independently manufactured and assembled, eliminating the need for custom-length pipes and custom-angle connectors while maintaining design flexibility through various assembly configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized connectors are designed to serve multiple functions and accommodate various pipe orientations. The universal connector design allows the same component to create different angles and configurations, replacing the need for specialized custom-angle connectors for each specific geometry requirement.
2Ease of manufacture
If standard PVC pipes and connectors are used to reduce cost and lead time, then fabrication becomes easier, but the geometry of the suspended array is limited to boring 90° angles
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow the same standard connector to adapt to various angles and geometries. This dynamic capability enables the system to achieve complex non-90° geometries while maintaining the simplicity of using standard PVC components throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation and configuration parameters of standard connectors through various mounting orientations and assembly configurations. By altering how standard 90° connectors are positioned and combined, the system achieves diverse geometric outcomes without requiring custom-angle connectors.
3Ease of operation
If water discharge is delayed at the ends of PVC source pipes, then the water flow can be controlled, but the appearance becomes sloppy when water panels are turned off and on
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates preliminary action by pre-filling the connector and pipe sections with water before activation. This ensures that when a water panel is turned on, discharge occurs immediately and uniformly across all outlets without delay or sloppiness, while still allowing flow control through valve mechanisms.
4Speed
If the pipe capacity or diameter is narrowed to force instantaneous turn-on, then water discharge becomes more immediate, but the falling droplets create a semi-opaque wall that is too sparse to capture light projection
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of narrowing the entire pipe, the system segments water discharge into multiple smaller outlet holes distributed along the pipe length. This segmentation provides numerous discharge points that collectively deliver sufficient water volume for light projection capture while each individual outlet responds quickly to activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe design applies different qualities to different sections - the main pipe maintains sufficient diameter for rapid water delivery, while multiple small outlet holes provide localized discharge points. This local quality differentiation achieves both instantaneous response and adequate water density for optical effects.
5Device complexity
If connectors between pipes lack dispensing apertures, then the connector structure is simpler, but gaps occur between adjacent water panels
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design merges the connection function with the water discharge function. The connector itself incorporates dispensing apertures that align with adjacent panels, creating continuous water discharge across panel boundaries while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure rather than requiring separate components.
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 cost-effective, geometrically flexible, and visually appealing water maze production with seamless water discharge and reduced material usage, enhancing the visual experience.
Implementation Method 1
The shelf may be porous and invite resistive flow from the inlet interior to the outlet interior
Implementation Method 2
A series of outlet holes may extend along a length of the spray bar through which the received water is dischargeable to produce the falling water droplets
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed an apparatus for producing a water maze from walls of falling water droplets. The apparatus may comprise a plurality of tubular spray bars each perforated with a water inlet for receiving pressurized water. A series of output holes may extend along a length of each spray bar through which the received water is discharged to produce the droplets. A plurality of connectors may be configured to join two or more of the spray bars at one or more vertices in an array producing the water maze. A flow regulator may be disposed between the water inlet and the series of outlet holes for resistively spreading the inlet water evenly across the length of the spray bar prior to the discharging. A 3D printing of the connectors may facilitate a wide variety of horizontal angles required between spray bars joining at the vertices in one-of-a-kind maze designs.