Water Spouting Device Back-Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water spouting devices using compressed air suffer from time delays in starting and stopping water spouting, and difficulty in quickly changing the height or size of the spouted water, which limits their synchronization with music and light displays.
Innovation Solution
A water spouting device with a closed water storage container, a compressed air supplier, an aqueduct, and a controller that maintains constant back-pressure by controlling the air pressure and water supply, allowing for immediate changes in the height or size of the spouted water by adjusting the air pressure and water level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional fountain device uses compressed air in an air charge tank connected to a water charge tank via an open/close valve, then the system structure becomes complex, but the starting or stopping of water spouting is quick. However, a time delay occurs between supplying high pressure air to the water charge tank and the spouting of water from the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the water storage system into multiple separate tanks (first water charge tank, second water charge tank) with independent air supply systems. Each tank can be controlled independently, allowing the air to be supplied directly to the tank that needs water spouting without waiting for air to travel through long pipelines to a single centralized tank. This segmentation eliminates the time delay between air supply and water spouting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a water supply pump as an intermediary device that actively pushes water from the water charge tank to the nozzle. This pump ensures that water is immediately available at the nozzle when air pressure is applied, eliminating the delay that would otherwise occur while water slowly fills the aqueduct from the tank. The pump acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between air supply and water delivery.
2Device complexity
If the height or size of spouting water is controlled by the amount of water supplied to the water charge tank, then the system structure remains simple, but it is difficult to promptly change the height or size of the spouting water
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from the amount of water in the tank to the air pressure applied to the water in the tank. By controlling the air pressure (a gas parameter) rather than the water volume (a liquid parameter), the system can rapidly adjust the spouting height and size. The air pressure can be changed instantly by the compressor, allowing immediate response in height adjustment without waiting for water to be added or removed from the tank.
3Device complexity
If multiple nozzles are controlled by a single water charge tank, then the system structure is simple, but the heights of spouting water from multiple nozzles tend to vary when changed all together
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the water storage system into multiple independent tanks (first water charge tank for first nozzle, second water charge tank for second nozzle). Each tank has its own air supply and control system, allowing independent control of water pressure and flow to each nozzle. This ensures that all nozzles can maintain uniform spouting heights even when operated separately or at different rates, as each tank can be precisely controlled to provide the exact amount of water needed.
4Device complexity
If a feeding pump is used to supply water to the nozzle, then the system structure remains simple, but there is a time gap between driving the feeding pump and actual delivering of water at predetermined pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a water supply pump as an intermediary that works in conjunction with the air pressure system. The pump is positioned to receive water from the water charge tank and deliver it directly to the nozzle. When air pressure is applied to the tank, the pump immediately picks up water and delivers it to the nozzle, eliminating the time gap that would occur if water had to travel through long pipelines from the tank to the nozzle without active pumping.
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 prompt starting and stopping of water spouting, as well as smooth and continuous changes in height or size, enhancing synchronization with other elements like music and lights, thereby improving ornamental and entertainment properties.
Implementation Method 1
a compressed air supplier for feeding compressed air in an upper space in the first water storage container
Implementation Method 2
controlling the compressed air supplier on the feeding of compressed air in a manner as to maintain the air pressure in the upper space in the first water storage container at a predetermined level
Implementation Method 3
an open/close valve provided at a point in the aqueduct; and f) a controller for controlling the spouting of water from the nozzle and the stopping of the spouting water by opening or closing the open/close valve
Implementation Method 4
the high pressure air in the air charge tank is supplied into the water charge tank by opening the open/close valve so that the water stored in the water charge tank is discharged by the air pressure from the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
In a second tank unit, a controller controls the on/off switching of a water supply solenoid valve so that water is stored in a sub tank within the level of Lu to Ll. At the same time, the controller controls the on/off switching of a pressurizing solenoid valve and a decompressing solenoid valve so that the air pressure in the upper space in the sub tank is maintained at a target value. As a result, regardless of the water level in the sub tank, the back pressure in the tank is maintained at the target value higher than atmospheric pressure. In this state, when a central controller turns on a water spouting solenoid valve, pressured water rapidly spouts from a nozzle. Moreover, a change in the target values of the back pressure promptly changes the height of the spouting water. Accordingly, water spouting can be promptly started/stopped, and the height or size of the spouting water can be readily and smoothly changed.