U.S. patent number 3,690,554 [Application Number 05/102,757] was granted by the patent office on 1972-09-12 for multi-tier fountain nozzle.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rain Jet Corporation. Invention is credited to John O. Hruby, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,690,554 |
Hruby, Jr. |
September 12, 1972 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
MULTI-TIER FOUNTAIN NOZZLE
Abstract
An ornamental fountain nozzle has no moving parts and includes a
hollow body defining an internal chamber having a liquid inlet at
one end thereof and an outlet opening at its opposite end. The
communication between the chamber and the outlet end of the body is
via grooves formed in a plug disposed across the outlet end of the
body and having substantial length between its opposite end
surfaces. The net area available for water flow out of the nozzle
through the grooves is less than the area of the liquid inlet to
the chamber.
Inventors: |
Hruby, Jr.; John O. (Burbank,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Rain Jet Corporation (Burbank,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
22291532 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/102,757 |
Filed: |
December 30, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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32333 |
Apr 27, 1970 |
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78117 |
Oct 5, 1970 |
3645449 |
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784541 |
Dec 9, 1968 |
3558053 |
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691111 |
Dec 8, 1967 |
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492389 |
Oct 4, 1965 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
239/17;
239/552 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
17/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B05B
17/08 (20060101); B05B 17/00 (20060101); B05b
017/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;239/17,18,522,DIG.16 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wood, Jr.; M. Henson
Assistant Examiner: Culp, Jr.; Thomas C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending
application, Ser. No. 32,333 filed Apr. 27, 1970 and copending
application Ser. No. 78,117 filed Oct. 5, 1970 now U.S. Pat. No.
3,645,449 application, Ser. No. 32,333 was abandoned upon the
filing of the present application by transfer of the drawings
thereof to this application. Application, Ser. No. 32,333 was filed
as a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 784,541 filed
Dec. 9, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,558,053 as a continuation-in-part
of application, Ser. No. 691,111, now abandoned, filed Dec. 8, 1967
as a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 492,389 filed
Oct. 4, 1965, and now abandoned. Application, Ser. No. 78,117 was
filed as a continuation-in-part of copending application, Ser. No.
784,541 and its now-abandoned predecessors.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An ornamental fountain nozzle for discharging water upwardly
therefrom comprising an elongate body defining therein an internal
chamber having a lower water inlet opening thereto and an upper
water outlet opening therefrom, a plug having substantial length
between opposite ends thereof relative to the mean transverse
dimension of the chamber fixedly disposed across the chamber at the
outlet opening with a portion of the length of the plug disposed
within a portion of the chamber which has walls defining a cylinder
of constant diameter extending from the outlet opening along the
chamber for a distance greater than the extent of said plug
portion, a plurality of essentially identical grooves formed in the
circumferential surface of the plug at regular intervals along the
periphery of the plug with a substantial portion of their length
disposed within the body, the grooves all extending parallel to the
length of the plug from lower ends communicating with the chamber
at the lower end of the plug to upper ends communicating with the
exterior of the nozzle, the surfaces of the grooves opposite from
the peripheral surface of the plug being inclined outwardly from
the length of the plug, the surfaces of the nozzle at the outlet
end of each groove being arranged to define a definite corner edge
with the intersecting walls of the groove, the grooves collectively
having a net water flow area which is substantially less than the
cross-sectional area of the chamber and of the inlet opening, the
plug between the grooves throughout the length of the plug within
the body being engaged in surface-to-surface contact with the
chamber walls.
2. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the plug has a length
along each of the grooves which is at least equal to one-quarter of
the mean transverse dimension of the chamber at the location of the
plug in the chamber.
3. A nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the chamber at the
location of the plug is of right circular cylindrical
configuration.
4. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the groove upper ends
communicate at least partially to the exterior of the nozzle
through the upper end surface of the plug.
5. A nozzle according to claim 4, wherein the configuration of the
opening of each groove to the plug upper end surface approximates a
semicircle.
6. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the groove upper ends
communicate to the exterior of the nozzle only through the plug
peripheral surface.
7. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the taper of the grooves
is uniform along their length within the body.
8. A nozzle according to claim 8, wherein the taper of each groove
is approximately 15.degree..
9. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each groove has a length
between its opposite ends which is at least as great as twice the
average transverse cross-sectional dimension of the groove at its
outlet opening to the exterior of the nozzle.
10. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein each groove within the
body has opposing side walls which intersect the chamber walls at
substantially a right angle.
11. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the spacing of the
grooves around the circumference of the plug is such that the
distance along the circumference of the plug between each adjacent
pair of grooves is substantial relative to the width of each
adjacent groove circumferentially of the plug.
12. A nozzle according to claim 11, wherein the spacing around the
circumference of the plug between each adjacent pair of grooves
approximates the width of each of said grooves.
13. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the grooves provide the
sole communication between the chamber below the plug and the
exterior of the nozzle.
14. An ornamental fountain nozzle for discharging water upwardly
therefrom comprising an elongate body defined by a first tube
forming therein an internal chamber having a lower water inlet
opening thereto and an upper water outlet opening therefrom, a plug
having substantial length between opposite ends thereof relative to
the mean transverse dimension of the chamber disposed across the
chamber at the outlet opening, a plurality of grooves formed in the
circumferential surface of the plug at regular intervals along the
periphery of the plug, the grooves all extending parallel to the
length of the plug from lower ends communicating with the chamber
at the lower end of the plug to upper ends communicating with the
exterior of the nozzle, the surfaces of the grooves opposite from
the peripheral surface of the plug being inclined outwardly from
the length of the plug, the surfaces of the nozzle at the outlet
end of each groove being arranged to define a definite corner edge
with the intersecting walls of the groove, the grooves collectively
having a net water flow area which is substantially less than the
cross-sectional area of the chamber and of the inlet opening to the
chamber, the plug between the grooves within the body being engaged
in surface-to-surface contact with the chamber walls, an elongate
open-ended second tube disposed coaxially of the first tube and
having a diameter substantially less than that of the first tube,
and means coupling together the first and second tubes at a
location spaced along the first tube from the plug and closing the
chamber between the interior of the first tube and the exterior of
the second tube, the upper end of the second tube defining the
inlet opening to the chamber.
15. A nozzle according to claim 14, including screen means disposed
across the chamber intermediate the plug and the upper end of the
second tube.
16. A nozzle according to claim 14, including an elongate
open-ended third tube having an inner diameter substantially
greater than the outer diameter of the second tube disposed
concentric to the second tube, the third tube having its upper end
spaced along the second tube from the lower end of the first tube
and from the means coupling the first and second tubes, the open
lower end of the third tube defining a water inlet opening to the
nozzle.
17. A nozzle according to claim 16, including an annular plug
disposed across the interior of the third tube intermediate the
ends thereof and journaling the second tube in the axial bore
thereof for coupling together the second and third tubes, the
annular plug being a second plug as to the plug disposed across the
upper end of the first tube, the second plug having substantial
length along the third tube relative to its diameter, and a
plurality of inclined liquid flow passages defined through the
second plug adjacent the circumferential surface of the second plug
at regularly spaced locations around the periphery of the second
plug, the inclined liquid flow passages being inclined to the
length of the second plug and opening at their opposite ends to the
interior of the third tube above and below the second plug.
18. A nozzle according to claim 17, wherein the liquid flow
passages are comprised of a plurality of grooves formed in the
circumferential surface of the second plug and cooperating with the
inner walls of the third tube.
19. A nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the circumference of
the second plug between the inclined grooves is snugly mated to the
inner walls of the third tube.
20. A nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the inclined liquid
flow passages change in cross-sectional area along the length of
the second plug.
21. A nozzle according to claim 20, wherein the inclined liquid
flow passages increase in area from their lower ends to their upper
ends.
22. A nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the net water flow area
of the inclined liquid flow passages and of the second tube is less
than area of the water flow opening to the nozzle.
23. A nozzle according to claim 18, wherein the lower end of the
second tube is spaced below the second plug, and including a
foraminous cylindrical element having a diameter greater than that
of the second tube and less than that of the third tube disposed
concentric to the second tube below the second plug, and means
mounting the foraminous element to the lower end of the second
tube.
24. A nozzle according to claim 23, including means closing the
lower end of the foraminous element in spaced relation below the
lower end of the second tube.
25. A nozzle according to claim 24, wherein the foraminous element
is disposed between the second plug and the lower end of the third
tube, and the means mounting the foraminous element to the second
tube comprises a collar circumferentially of the second tube, the
collar being spaced at all locations around its circumference from
the inner walls of the third tube.
26. A nozzle according to claim 14, including water streamline
straightening baffle means in the second tube.
27. An ornamental fountain nozzle for discharging water upwardly
therefrom comprising an elongate body defining therein an internal
chamber having a lower water inlet opening thereto and an upper
water outlet opening therefrom, a plug having substantial length
between opposite ends thereof relative to the mean transverse
dimension of the chamber fixedly disposed across the chamber at the
outlet opening with a portion of the length of the plug disposed
within the body, a plurality of grooves formed in the
circumferential surface of the plug at regular intervals along the
periphery of the plug, the grooves all extending parallel to the
length of the plug from lower ends communicating with the chamber
at the lower end of the plug to upper ends communicating with the
exterior of the nozzle, the surfaces of the grooves opposite from
the peripheral surface of the plug being inclined outwardly from
the length of the plug, the surfaces of the nozzle at the outlet
end of each groove being arranged to define a definite corner edge
with the intersecting walls of the groove, the grooves collectively
having a net water flow area which is substantially less than the
cross-sectional area of the chamber and of the inlet opening, the
plug between the grooves within the body being engaged in
surface-to-surface contact with the chamber walls, and a plurality
of water outlet holes defined through the body from the chamber to
the exterior of the body at a location between the water inlet
opening and the lower extent of the plug more proximate to the plug
than to the water inlet opening, the holes being uniformly spaced
along the body from the plug and spaced regularly along the
circumferential extent of the body.
28. A nozzle according to claim 27, wherein the holes are elongated
in the direction of the length of the body.
29. A nozzle according to claim 27, including an annular collar
engaged with the chamber walls adjacent the holes for modulating
the flow of water from the chamber through the holes.
30. A nozzle according to claim 29, wherein the collar is disposed
toward the chamber inlet opening from the holes.
31. A nozzle according to claim 30, wherein the collar is movable
along the chamber walls, and means operable from the exterior of
the body for fixing the collar in a desired position in the chamber
relative to the holes.
32. An ornamental fountain nozzle comprising an elongate tubular
body defining therein an internal chamber having a water inlet
opening thereto at the lower end of the chamber, a plug fixedly
disposed across the chamber at the upper end of the chamber in
spaced relation to the water inlet opening, water outlet means from
the chamber to the exterior of the nozzle, the water outlet means
comprising a plurality of water outlet holes defined through the
body for discharging water radially laterally from the nozzle, the
holes being defined at a location between the water inlet opening
and the plug more proximate to the plug than to the water inlet
opening, the holes being uniformly spaced along the body from the
plug and spaced regularly along the circumferential extent of the
body, and an annular collar circumferentially intimately engaged
with the body proximate the holes for modulating the flow of water
from the chamber through the holes, the effective area of the water
inlet opening to the chamber being greater than the effective water
flow area of the water outlet means from the chamber.
33. An ornamental fountain nozzle according to claim 32, wherein
the collar is engaged with the inner walls of the body adjacent the
lower extent of the holes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to liquid handling and, more particularly,
to nozzles for discharging water in a predetermined pattern for use
in an ornamental fountain. More specifically, this invention
relates to an ornamental fountain at least a portion of the
discharge of which is of the non-aerating type.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Ornamental fountain arrangements fall into two broad categories,
namely, the sculpture fountain in which water is used either to
attract the eye to or to carry out the theme of an underlying
sculpture which forms an integral part of the fountain arrangement,
and the non-sculptural fountain in which the basic and often the
entire aesthetic appeal of the fountain is provided by the patterns
of water discharged from one or more fountain nozzles. Sculptural
fountain arrangements are exemplified by the Renaissance fountains
of Europe and their modern counterparts. Non-sculptural fountains
now known, in turn, are either generally of the aerating type or
the non-aerating type and are usually installed in situations where
the fountain is to be viewed during the day without illumination by
artificial light, as well as at night when illuminated by
artificial light.
In order that aerating and non-aerating fountains may be effective
to provide appealing displays in daylight or under illumination by
artificial light, aerating and non-aerating fountain nozzles are
subject to radically different design considerations. That is, if
an aerating fountain is to be effective under daylight and
artificial light conditions, it is desired that the water
discharged from the fountain nozzles be aerated as fully as
possible in order that the water discharge pattern may be readily
visible in daylight, and also when subject to artificial
illumination, by reason of reflecting incident light to the
observer. On the other hand, the discharge patterns produced by
non-aerating fountains should be as free of aeration as possible
since such fountains produce their greatest appeal by reason of
light refraction in both daylight and artificial light conditions.
Non-aerating fountains are particularly effective when illuminated
by artificial light since the water streams associated with such
fountains function as in a multitude of prisms to refract white or
colored artificial light to a viewer. As a general rule, the
ability of an artificially illuminated non-aerating fountain to
produce an aesthetic and appealing display is inversely
proportional to the amount of aeration of the water discharged by
such fountains.
The production of a non-aerating water fountain nozzle which is
acceptable in terms of its performance in both daylight and
artificial light conditions has long been a troublesome problem for
those engaged in the design and manufacture of ornamental fountain
arrangements. Because of the prior inability to produce a
non-aerating fountain capable of producing a discharge pattern
which has the same aesthetic appeal during daylight and artificial
light conditions as an aerating fountain, the majority of fountains
now in private, public and commercial installations are of the
aerating type. The principal hurdle to be overcome in producing an
acceptable non-aerating fountain nozzle lies in the elimination of
aeration in the water discharge pattern, as well as the elimination
of mist or fog associated with the discharge pattern.
Heretofore it has not been known to provide a fountain nozzle
having a portion of the discharge pattern defined by unaerated
water and another portion of the fountain discharge pattern
produced by aerated water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention produces a simple, effective and reliable fountain
nozzle which, in use, produces a liquid discharge pattern a
substantial portion of which is defined by non-aerated liquid and
is characterized by an absence of mist or fog. The discharge
pattern may also include a portion defined by aerated liquid
distinct from the non-aerated portion of the pattern to provide an
aesthetic contrast in the total discharge pattern. The discharge
pattern produced by the present nozzle is considered by many to be
more appealing under daylight and artificial light conditions than
the discharge pattern produced from good quality aerating nozzles
operating under the same conditions.
Generally speaking, this invention provides an ornamental fountain
nozzle for discharging water generally upwardly therefrom and
includes an elongate body which defines an internal cylindrical
chamber. A water inlet opening is provided to the lower portion of
the chamber and an upper water outlet opening is located at the
opposite end of the chamber. A plug, which has substantial length
between its opposite ends relative to the mean transverse dimension
of the chamber, is disposed across the chamber outlet opening. A
plurality of grooves are formed in the circumferential surface of
the plug at regular intervals around the periphery of the plug. The
grooves all extend parallel to the length of the plug from lower
ends, which communicate with the chamber at the lower end of the
plug, to upper ends which communicate with the exterior of the
nozzle above the outlet end of the nozzle body. The surfaces of the
grooves opposite the peripheral surfaces of the plug are inclined
outwardly from the length of the plug. The surface of the plug at
the outlet end of each groove is arranged with the intersecting
walls of the adjacent grooves to define a sharp corner in
cooperation with the walls of the grooves. The grooves collectively
have a net water flow area which is substantially less than the
cross-sectional area of the inlet opening to the chamber. The plug
between the grooves within the body is engaged in
surface-to-surface contact with adjacent surfaces of the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention are
more fully set forth in the following detailed description of the
invention, which description is presented in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water discharge pattern
produced by a nozzle according to this invention;
FIG. 2 is an elevation view, with parts broken away, of an
ornamental fountain nozzle which functions to produce the discharge
pattern shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG.
2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another ornamental
fountain nozzle according to this invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 in FIG.
4;
FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6--6 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 4;
FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the discharge pattern produced by
the nozzle shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another nozzle
according to this invention;
FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the ornamental discharge pattern
produced by the nozzle shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the lower tier of the discharge
pattern shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of another
form of baffle ring useful in a nozzle of the type shown in FIG.
9;
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of still
another form of baffle ring useful in a nozzle of the type shown in
FIG. 9; and
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional elevation view of yet
another baffle ring which may be used to advantage in a nozzle of
the type shown in FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Ornamental fountain nozzle 10, as shown in FIG. 2, includes an
elongate, hollow, tubular body 11 which defines an elongate,
straight, circularly cylindrical duct 12. The duct extends from a
lower water inlet opening 13 at a lower end 14 of the body to an
upper water outlet opening 15 at the upper end 16 of the body. The
body, adjacent its lower end, defines external threads 17 which
adapt the body to be securely connected to a suitably sized,
preferably vertically disposed, water discharge pipe or the like
(commonly known as a riser pipe) through which water at suitable
pressure is applied to the nozzle for discharge by the nozzle of a
characteristic ornamental discharge pattern 18, shown in FIG. 1.
Alternatively, the nozzle body may be connected to a base submerged
in the fountain pool. The cylinder defined by wall 19 of duct 12 is
open across its entire extent at the upper end of the body.
In nozzle 10 as in the other nozzles described below, a plug 20,
having substantial length between its opposite ends 21 and 22
relative to the diameter of duct 12, is disposed across the duct at
body upper end 16 so that plug upper surface 22 is disposed
outwardly of duct 12 from the upper end of the body. If desired,
however, plug 20 may be disposed so that its surface 22 is flush
with tube end 16, and similarly with plugs 65 and 105 in tubes 63
and 97, respectively.
The presence of the plug across the outlet end of body 11 produces
a chamber 26 within the body below the plug and to which inlet
opening 13 communicates. Preferably, as shown, the opposite end
surfaces of the plug are parallel to each other at least around the
periphery of the plug and are normal to the length of duct 12. The
plug shown in FIG. 2 has its end surfaces flat and parallel across
the entire extent of the plug. The plug has a right circular
cylindrical peripheral surface 23 which either has the same
diameter as duct 12 or is slightly larger in diameter than the duct
with the result that the plug, when disposed in the duct as shown
in FIG. 2, has its peripheral surface snugly and intimately engaged
in contact with duct walls 19 around the entire surface of the plug
except where the plug is recessed to define a plurality of grooves
24. The plug is held securely in position axially of body 11 by a
plurality of pins 25 cooperating between the body and the plug.
It is preferred that the distance between the plug end surfaces 21
and 22, at least adjacent to the circumference of the plug in those
portions of the plug through which grooves 24 extend, be at least
one-quarter of the diameter of duct 12. Since this invention
contemplates a nozzle which may have a duct having a
cross-sectional configuration other than a circle, it is preferred
that the thickness of the plug axially of the duct through those
portions of the plug in which the grooves are defined be at least
one-quarter of the mean transverse dimension of the duct at the
location of the plug in the duct. Preferably the duct is straight
between its opposite ends through the body of a nozzle according to
this invention. In instances, however, where the duct is other than
straight between its opposite ends, it is preferred that the duct
for a substantial distance from the plug toward the inlet end of
the body be straight and of the same cross-sectional area.
As noted above, a plurality of grooves 24 are formed in plug
circumferential surface 23 and extend from plug lower end surface
21 toward plug upper end surface 22 into communication with the
exterior of nozzle 10 above body upper end 16. It is desired that
the upper ends of the grooves open to the exterior of the nozzle at
least in part through the plug circumferential surface. Grooves 24,
shown in FIG. 2, also open through the upper end surface of plug
20; grooves 67, shown in FIG. 4, open only through the peripheral
surface of the plug. As seen best in FIG. 3, grooves 24 are spaced
uniformly apart from each other around the entire circumference of
plug 20; the regularly spaced grooves need not, if desired, be
distributed around the entire circumference of the plug, as where
it is intended that the fountain nozzle be located against a wall.
The grooves, because they open to the plug circumferential surface,
cooperate with duct wall 19 to define a corresponding plurality of
water discharge passages which provide the sole communication
between duct 12 below the plug and the exterior of the nozzle above
the plug.
As shown in FIG. 2, the grooves are tapered to have a greater
cross-sectional area at their lower ends than at their upper ends.
Preferably the taper of the grooves is uniform along the entire
length of the plug. Accordingly, each groove has an inner wall
surface 28 which is inclined outwardly of the length of the plug
proceeding upwardly along the groove. As shown best in FIG. 3,
groove surfaces 28 preferably are of semicircular configuration and
are concave toward plug circumferential surface 23. Also, each
groove has parallel sidewalls 29 which extend from surface 28
essentially radially outwardly of the plug to intersect the plug
circumferential surface at essentially right angles. The grooves
are parallel to the length of the plug, as opposed to being
inclined in a helical manner to the length of the plug.
The spacing between the grooves circumferentially of the plug is
sufficient that the plug adjacent its circumferential surface
defines a plurality of essentially square-ended ribs 30, each of
which has substantial thickness circumferentially of the plug
relative to the width (i.e. the dimension of the groove
circumferentially of the plug) of the adjacent grooves. In the
nozzle shown in the drawings, each rib has a thickness which is
approximately equal to the width of each of the adjacent grooves.
As noted above, the plug circumferential surface 23, between each
adjacent pair of grooves, is engaged intimately in
surface-to-surface contact with duct wall 19 along the entire
extent of the body traversed by plug 20. This relationship between
the configuration of the grooves and the intimate cooperation of
the plug with the body assures that water discharge pattern 18 is
as devoid as possible of any mist or spray when the nozzle is
operated to produce fountain discharge pattern 18. That is, a
substantially right angle intersection between groove walls 29 and
duct wall 19 eliminates, in discharge pattern 18, the production of
thin sheets of water as would be encountered if duct walls 29 were
merged smoothly or faired into substantial tangency with duct wall
19 at least adjacent the portions of the nozzle where grooves 24
open to the exterior of the nozzle. The presence of thin sheets of
water in the discharge from nozzle 10 and the other nozzles
described below is to be avoided since such sheets rapidly break
up, even in the absence of wind, into fine spray or mist.
As shown best in FIG. 3, it is preferred, in nozzle 10, that the
taper of grooves 24 be such that the configuration of the
intersection line of the groove with plug upper surface 22 is
substantially a semicircle.
As shown in FIG. 2, which illustrates a presently preferred nozzle
single-tier according to this invention, the exterior surfaces of
the nozzle which border and define the several water discharge
passage openings of the nozzle are substantially normal to the
length of the adjacent grooves. That is, it is preferred that body
upper end surface 16 adjacent each of grooves 24 and the surfaces
of the plug to which the grooves open be disposed to make a
distinct angle with the adjacent groove walls; this is desired in
nozzle 10 and in the corresponding elements of the other nozzles
described below. Preferably, the angle of taper of grooves 24 is on
the order of approximately 15.degree.. Accordingly, when plug end
surface 22 is flat and is perpendicular to the length of duct 12,
it is apparent that surface 22 adjacent the opening of each of
grooves 24 is substantially normal to the length of each groove.
Thus, the exterior surfaces of the nozzle which bound the outlet
opening from each of the grooves define a sharp corner with the
surfaces defining the walls of the water outlet passages below the
passage outlet openings. Because water emerging from grooves 24
during operation of nozzle 10 passes a sharp corner in emerging
from the nozzle, such water separates cleanly from the nozzle and
does not tend to follow along any of the surfaces bordering the
outlet openings from the grooves. The result is that water
discharge pattern 18, and the corresponding portion of the other
discharge patterns described, are essentially free of fine spray or
mist. In order that they may be used to advantage in populated
areas, fountain nozzles should produce as little mist or fine spray
as possible. Mist is readily transported by a slight breeze out of
the fountain area to locations where viewers may be positioned.
Also, mist, fog or fine spray tends to mask the basic fountain
discharge pattern and thus detracts from the aesthetic effect
desired from the fountain discharge pattern.
Aeration in the discharge pattern produced by a fountain nozzle is
usually the result of turbulence generated in water passing through
the nozzle. Fountain nozzle 10 is arranged to produce minimum
turbulence in the water discharged from such nozzle in use.
Avoidance of turbulence follows from several factors, a principal
one of which is the net waterflow area provided by grooves 24 in
proportion to the waterflow area afforded by duct 12 below plug 20.
That is, the net flow area afforded by grooves 24 in cooperation
with body 11 is substantially less than the waterflow area afforded
by duct 12 below plug 20. Also, the net flow area afforded by
grooves 24 is less than the area of the inlet opening to the
chamber provided by duct 12 below plug 20. Thus, when nozzle 10 is
in use, duct 12 below the plug serves as a reservoir of
pressurized, relatively undisturbed water available for flow
through grooves 24. Because of the relationship between the
configuration of grooves 24 and the walls of duct 12, the water
which actually emerges from nozzle 10 flows primarily along the
smooth walls of the duct and is given direction by the taper of the
grooves such that water discharge pattern 18 is composed of a
plurality of discrete non-aerated water streams 35. Streams 35
diverge from each other as they rise from nozzle 10 to a uniform
height, and then fall back into a fountain pool 36 at equal
distances radially from nozzle 10. The nozzle preferably is located
in the pool so that only a small portion of the length of the
nozzle below end 16 is above the surface of the pool.
Avoidance of turbulence in the water discharge pattern produced by
nozzle 10 is also assured by making the grooves of substantial
length relative to their net waterflow cross-sectional area, i.e.
the area of the grooves at body upper end 16. The grooves are at
least twice as long as their average cross-sectional dimension at
the upper end of the plug; from an inspection of FIG. 2, it is
apparent that grooves 24 in the nozzle shown have a length which is
several times that of the depth of the groove at body upper end 16.
Thus the water that emerges from grooves 24 during use of nozzle 10
moves with laminar flow, rather than turbulent flow, as it emerges
from the nozzle, with the result that the emerging water streams 35
do not tend to entrain air within themselves nor do such water
streams tend to break up into droplets or spray in their passage
upwardly and then downwardly relative to the nozzle.
Turbulence in water streams 35 is also reduced by assuring that the
walls forming the boundaries of the groove water discharge passages
are smooth, and by the elimination of any burrs or the like at ends
or along the lengths of the grooves. Preferably body 11 is
fabricated of polyvinyl chloride which is easily worked to a smooth
surface, and plug 20 preferably is made of Delrin or cast epoxy for
the same reason. Also, such materials are preferred as the
materials from which the nozzle is fabricated because such
materials do not readily erode or corrode in use, with the result
that optimum performance of the nozzle is maintained over a long
period.
In describing plug 20 of nozzle 10, reference has been made to the
other nozzles described herein, all of which include components
similar to plug 20 for use in producing identical or similar
portions of an overall fountain discharge pattern. It will be
apparent that the features and characteristics of the described
plug are also found in the corresponding components of the other
nozzles described below for the reasons already set forth.
Certain dimensional relationships were mentioned above in the
description of the nozzle 10. An exemplary nozzle of the type shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes a body fabricated from a 12 inch long
section of 6 inch nominal diameter, high impact, Schedule 80
polyvinyl chloride pipe. This nozzle includes a 3 inch long plug
defined of Delrin acetal resin (E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.)
and having a diameter sufficient to mate snugly with the interior
of the pipe body. The 36 grooves in this exemplary nozzle have a
15.degree. taper angle and were machined into the plug by use of a
one-quarter inch ball end mill; the grooves have a depth of
approximately 0.20 inch at the upper end of the plug. The plug is
located in the body so that the upper surface of the plug is spaced
one-half inch outwardly from the upper end of the pipe body. In
operation, this nozzle produces 36 discrete streams of crystal
clear water which is essentially devoid of any aeration. The water
discharge pattern of this nozzle has been found to be as appealing
when viewed in daylight as when viewed under white or colored
artificial light at night.
As shown in FIG. 1, nozzle 10 operates in use to provide a fountain
discharge pattern constituted of a single tier of unaerated
discrete streams which cooperate to form an inverted conical array.
Another fountain nozzle 40 according to this invention, shown in
FIGS. 4-8, operates in use to provide a two-tier fountain pattern
43 the upper tier 41 of which is similar to that produced by nozzle
10. Nozzle 40 includes structures similar to that of nozzle 10, as
already noted, in addition to other structure which provides the
aerated inverted cone lower tier 42 of fountain pattern 43 shown in
FIG. 8.
Nozzle 40 includes an elongate straight tubular body 44 having
opposite liquid inlet and liquid outlet ends 45 and 46,
respectively. The body, between its opposite open ends, defines a
water flow duct 47 along its length, the duct being of circular
cross-sectional configuration and of constant diameter. The body,
adjacent its lower liquid inlet end, is externally threaded as at
48 to adapt nozzle 40 to be secured to a suitable fountain base or
water riser pipe, for example.
An insert plug 49 having substantial length between its opposite
ends 50 and 51 relative to the diameter of the duct is disposed
across duct 47 intermediate the ends of the duct. Preferably, plug
48 is approximately "square" in that its length along the duct is
approximately equal to or greater than the diameter of the duct.
Preferably plug end surfaces 50 and 51 are parallel to each other
and are normal to the axis of duct 47. A plurality of grooves 52
are defined in the side walls of the plug at locations spaced
uniformly about the circumference of the plug. As shown by FIGS. 4
and 5 grooves 52 extend radially of the plug and are of increasing
radial depth proceeding upwardly from lower end surface 50 to upper
end surface 51. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, grooves 52 are not
parallel to the axis of the duct, but rather are inclined a roughly
helical manner to the axis of the duct.
When nozzle 40 is secured to a suitable fountain base or water
riser pipe, and water at appropriate pressure is supplied to the
nozzle, a portion of the water entering the liquid inlet end of the
nozzle flows through grooves 52 and out the open upper end of the
body. This water, because of the attitude of grooves 52 relative to
the axis of duct 47 spirals around the interior of the body as it
flows from the grooves toward the outlet end of the body. This
spiral flow of this portion of the water discharged by nozzle 40,
due to the centrifugal effect of such water flow, flares outwardly
and upwardly from the nozzle upon emerging from outlet opening 46.
Thus, the water which passes through grooves 52 defines the
relatively translucent and only slightly aerated inverted cone of
water which constitutes lower tier 42 of fountain pattern 43.
As shown in FIG. 5 grooves 52 have side walls 53 which extend
substantially radially of the plug to the inner walls of body tube
44. The groove side walls, even considering the fact that the
grooves are helically disposed relative to the axis of the duct,
make a substantial angle (approaching 90.degree.) with the inner
walls of the body tube. Between the grooves the circumferential
surface of the plug is intimately engaged with the inner walls of
the body. Thus, the water emerging from body outlet opening 46
passes the plug only through grooves 52. Because of the
configuration of the grooves relative to the inner walls of the
duct and due to the intimate engagement of the plug with the body
tube between the grooves, the presence of fine spray or mist in the
lower tier of the fountain pattern 43 is avoided.
Preferably, body tube 44 and plug 49 are fabricated of polyvinyl
chloride and the plug is fixed in the tube either by a force fit or
by solvent welding of the plug to the tube, it being understood
that other procedures for fixing plug 49 within the interior of
body tube 44 intermediate the ends of the body tube may be
used.
An elongate, hollow, open-ended center tube 55 of circular cross
section is disposed within body tube 44 coaxially of duct 47. Tube
55 is carried in fixed relation to body tube 44 by plug 49 and is
received in an axial bore 56 through the plug. Tube 55 has an
external diameter which is substantially less than the internal
diameter of body tube 44. The outer diameter of tube 55 is less
than the minimum diametral dimension across plug 49 between opposed
ones of grooves 52, as shown in FIG. 5. Tube 55 has an open lower
end 57 disposed below the lower surface 50 of plug 49; the tube
also has an open upper end 58 disposed above end 46 of the body
tube. An elongate water flow passage 59 is defined by tube 55.
A collar 60 is secured to the center tube 59 just below its upper
end and is fixed to the tube. The collar has a lower surface 61
which is of conical configuration and flares outwardly and upwardly
from the center tube. Collar 60 is a portion of a nozzle assembly
62 which is carried by the upper end of center tube 55 and which,
in use of nozzle 40, functions to define the upper tier 41 of
discharge pattern 43 shown in FIG. 8. As shown by FIG. 8, the upper
tier of fountain pattern 43 is of canopy-like configuration;
therefore, for the purposes of reference in this description,
nozzle assembly 62 is referred to as a "canopy" nozzle.
Canopy nozzle 62 includes a body tube 63 which is aligned coaxially
with the axis of tube 55 and is carried by collar 61. Tube 63
extends upwardly from its lower end at collar 61 to an upper end 64
disposed above the upper end of tube 55. Tube 63 is of circular
cross-sectional configuration and has an outer diameter which is
less than, but roughly approximates the inner diameter of body tube
44. A plug 65, similar to plug 20 of nozzle 10, is carried by the
upper end of tube 63 in much the same manner as plug 20 is carried
by body tube 11 of nozzle 10. Plug 65 has a lower surface 66
disposed within the length of tube 63 in spaced relation to the
upper end of central tube 55.
Like plug 20 of nozzle 10, plug 65 of nozzle 40 defines a plurality
of grooves 67 in its peripheral surface 68. There are approximately
the same number of grooves 67 in plug 65 as there are grooves 24 in
plug 20, and grooves 67 are configured to be very similar to
grooves 24. As shown in FIG. 4, however, grooves 67 have their
upper ends disposed within the circumferential surface 68 of plug
65, i.e. between plug lower surface 68 and a top surface 69 of the
plug. Thus, the outlet openings from grooves 67 are defined through
the side walls of plug 65 above the upper end of tube 63, rather
than through both the side walls and the top surface of the plug as
is the case with grooves 24 of plug 20.
In view of the foregoing discussion concerning nozzle 10, it is
apparent that when nozzle 40 is secured to a suitable fountain base
or water riser pipe and liquid is supplied to the nozzle at
appropriate pressure, the nozzle functions to generate the two-tier
fountain pattern shown in FIG. 8. During such operation the canopy
nozzle assembly 62 of fountain nozzle 40 functions in the same
manner as nozzle 10 functions to produce fountain pattern 18, and
the nature of the discharge from assembly 62 of nozzle 40 is the
same as the nature of the discharge obtained from nozzle 10.
Fountain pattern 43 is characterized by the presence, in the total
pattern, of two different water textures in the upper and lower
tiers thereof respectively. That is, the upper tier 41 of fountain
pattern 43 is defined by discrete streams of essentially crystal
clear unaerated water which rise to a common height and fall back
gracefully toward the pool within which fountain nozzle 40 is
disposed. Lower tier 42, on the other hand, is defined by an
inverted cone of relatively unaerated translucent water which rises
in such a manner as to be basically continuous, as opposed to being
constituted of discrete rising streams. As the water defining the
lower tier fountain pattern 43 reaches its maximum height it
separates into randomly located discrete water streams which fall
back to the surface of the pool. Also, it is desired that the
overall diameter of lower tier 42 be substantially less than the
overall diameter of the upper tier of the fountain pattern. It has
been found that these dimensional proportions and textural or
aesthetic differences between the upper and lower tiers of fountain
pattern 43 are best provided, over the widest possible range of
water pressures applied to nozzle 40, when certain flow controlling
structural arrangements are provided in nozzle 40.
As noted above, the upper tier of fountain pattern 43 is defined by
essentially crystal clear discrete streams of water. The generation
of such water streams can be accomplished quite readily in fountain
pattern 18, using nozzle 10, merely by regulating the pressure and
rate of water flow to the nozzle. In the case of nozzle 40,
however, the presence of two fountain tiers of differing character
requires that water be supplied at higher pressures and at greater
rates to nozzle 40 than to nozzle 10 of approximately the same
nominal size. The higher pressures and gallonages associated with
nozzle 40 tends to produce turbulence in the water discharged from
the nozzle. The presence of such turbulence is not too troublesome
in the case of lower tier 42, but does tend to produce aeration, in
water defining the upper tier of the fountain pattern, particularly
when an overall fountain pattern of height comparable to that
associated with an equivalent size nozzle 10 is desired.
Accordingly, those portions of the structure of nozzle 40
illustrated in FIG. 4, for example, but not heretofore described,
are present in the nozzle for the purposes of controlling the
turbulence in the water defining upper tier 41, and also for the
purposes of controlling the relative rates of flow in the nozzle of
the water which defines the upper and lower tiers of pattern 43,
respectively.
A collar 71 is carried by central tube 55 immediately adjacent its
lower end 57. The collar extends circumferentially of the tube and
extends radially outwardly of the tube into proximity with the
inner walls of body tube 44. This collar functions as a choke or
throttle on water flowing from body inlet opening 45 toward the
grooves 52, thereby to regulate the quantity of water passing
through the grooves relative to the quantity of water flowing along
passage 59. Collar 71 also serves to control the velocity of the
water entering the grooves. Lastly, collar 71 serves as a support
for a velocity reducing strainer screen 72 which is provided in a
cylindrical form and has its upper end disposed in a circular
groove 73 formed in the lower surface 74 of the collar concentric
to center tube 55. Strainer screen 72 has a diameter greater than
that of central tube 55 but less than that of collar 71. A circular
plate 75, having a diameter equal to the outer diameter of annular
collar 71, is carried by the lower end of screen 72 by disposing
the lower end of the screen in an upwardly open circular recess 76
formed in plate 75 concentric to its center. The presence of solid
plate 75 across the lower end of the strainer screen causes water
to flow from duct 47 below the plug radially inwardly through the
screen into passage 59.
A stream straightening baffle assembly 79, which functions to
reduce turbulence in water moving from passage 59 into a chamber 80
located between collar 60 and plug 65 within tube 63, is disposed
in the upper portion of center tube 55. As shown best in FIG. 6,
baffle assembly 79 is preferably constituted by a pair of flat
plates disposed at right angles to each other diametrically of tube
55 and aligned with the axis of the tube. Baffle plates 81 and 82
act upon water passing them to assure that water entering chamber
80 from passage 59 has as little turbulence present therein as
possible.
A pair of perforated metal screens 84 and 85 are disposed across
chamber 80 between the upper end of center tube 55 and the lower
surface of plug 65. Screens 84 and 85 are spaced from each other;
the spacing between screen 85 and the lower surface of plug 65
preferably is greater than the spacing between screens 84 and 85.
The desired spacing of the screens in chamber 80 is provided by a
pair of spacer collars 86 and 87 located concentric to a bolt 88
which is coaxially threaded into the lower portion of plug 65 to
fix the screens relative to the plug. While two screens 84 and 85
are shown in FIG. 4, it has been found that, in many instances,
only a single screen may be required to produce the desired
turbulence and flow velocity control within nozzle 40. Screens 84
and 85 are desirable because the increase in flow passage area from
passage 59 to chamber 80 generates turbulence in the water which
would otherwise enter grooves 67. As noted above, however,
turbulence in the water flowing through grooves 67 leads to the
production of an opaque characteristic to the water constituting
the several streams defining upper tier 41 of fountain pattern 43.
Perforated screens 84 and 85 minimize turbulence encountered in the
water entering grooves 67.
Annular collar 71, screen cylinder 72, plate 75 and screens 84 and
85, in combination with the other structure previously described in
nozzle 40, provide a mechanism for adjusting the resistance to
water flow into and through passage 59 relative to that into and
through grooves 52 of plug 49. That is, these structural elements
of nozzle 40 provide a mechanism for regulating the relative
quantities of water emerging from the upper end of body tube 44, on
the one hand, and grooves 67 of plug 65, on the other hand. Thus,
these aspects of nozzle 40 provide control over the proportions of
the upper and lower tiers of fountain pattern 43 and make it
possible for the nozzle to be operated over a wide range of applied
water pressures to produce a water discharge pattern of relatively
unvarying appearance and proportions.
Where nozzle 40 is to be used with a fountain base adapted for such
purpose, rather than with a riser pipe, the length of body tube 44
may be reduced to place its lower inlet end 45 intermediate plug 49
and collar 71 so that cylindrical strainer screen 72 is disposed
within a chamber of the fountain base.
An exceptionally attractive fountain pattern of the type
illustrated in FIG. 8 has been obtained by use of a nominal 6-inch
nozzle in accordance with the foregoing description. The exemplary
nozzle included a body tube defined by an 18 inch length of 6-inch
schedule 80 polyvinyl chloride pipe. The center tube of the
exemplary nozzle was defined by a length of 3 1/2 inch o.d. brass
tube. The body of the canopy nozzle assembly was defined by a
length of 5-inch o.d. brass tube approximately 8 inches in length.
Circular strainer screen 72 was defined by a piece of perforated
metal having 3/32-inch-diameter holes formed through it. Similarly,
screens 84 and 85 were defined by pieces of perforated metal having
holes three thirty-seconds inch in diameter, and having a thickness
of approximately one thirty-second inch.
It has been found that double tier fountain nozzles of the type
represented by nozzle 40 are particularly effective when used in
artificially lit fountains in which the illuminating lamps are
disposed beneath the surface of the fountain pool closely adjacent
to the fountain nozzle. The presence of lower tier 42, having the
characteristics described above, diffuses the light emanating from
a single submerged lamp sufficiently that the entire fountain
pattern 43, including both the upper and lower tiers thereof, are
essentially uniformly illuminated, even where the lamp is of
relatively low wattage. It has been found that a fountain nozzle 10
of the same nominal size as a fountain nozzle 40 requires two 200
watt lamps disposed on opposite sides of the nozzle to produce the
same uniformity and brightness of illumination of fountain pattern
18 as is produced by the use of a single 200 watt lamp upon
fountain pattern 43 when the two nozzles are operated to produce
discharge patterns of essentially equal height. It is apparent,
therefore, that in addition to the exceptionally attractive
discharge pattern produced by fountain nozzle 40 such nozzle has
particular advantage when used in artificially illuminated
fountains in which different colored lamps are sequentially used to
illuminate the fountain pattern. Because of the lens effect
associated with the lower tier of fountain pattern 43, it is
possible to use fewer lamps, or the same number of lamps with more
colors, to effectively illuminate the discharge pattern than is the
case with the discharge pattern from nozzle 10.
Another fountain nozzle 90 according to this invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 and is operative to produce fountain
pattern 91, shown in FIG. 11, when connected to a suitable fountain
base or water riser pipe and supplied with water at appropriate
pressure. Fountain pattern 91 is a two-tier fountain pattern in
which the upper tier 92 is composed of a plurality of discrete
streams 93 of crystal clear unaerated water. In view of the
foregoing description, it is apparent that the upper tier 92 of
fountain pattern 91 is similar to fountain pattern 18 and to the
upper tier of fountain pattern 43, and that, as with fountain
patterns 18 and 43, each discrete stream in tier 92 of pattern 91
is attributable to a corresponding groove in the plug disposed
across the upper end of the body tube of the fountain nozzle.
The lower tier 94 of fountain pattern 91, as illustrated more
clearly in FIG. 12, is of substantially smaller overall diameter
than upper tier 92 and is composed by a plurality of discrete water
streams 95 which extend radially from fountain nozzle 90 at
regularly spaced intervals around the circumference of the nozzle
to form the dominant aspects of tier 92. The spaces between
adjacent ones of radial streams 95 are filled by fine water streams
which lend continuity to the appearance of the tier to provide the
illusion of webs in an umbrella-like skirt or support pedestal for
the canopy-like upper tier of fountain pattern 91. The fine water
streams which occur in lower tier 94 between streams 95 are not so
profuse or massive as to mask streams 95. Streams 95 are
discernible in the composite array of tier 94 as radial fingers of
water which radiate outwardly from the nozzle and appear to be
supporting the upwardly rising water streams in the upper tier of
the pattern.
As shown in FIG. 9, nozzle 90 includes an elongate tubular body 97
having an open lower inlet end 98 and an open upper outlet end 99.
A straight duct 100 of circular cross-section is defined within the
body between the opposite open ends of the body. In nozzle 90, it
is preferred that body 97 be defined by a length of relatively
thin-walled brass tubing rather than by a length of polyvinyl
chloride pipe because of the reduced wall thickness of brass tubing
relative to polyvinyl chloride pipe. A circumferential collar 101
is affixed to the body tube adjacent its lower end and defines
external threads 102 to adapt nozzle 90 to be connected to a
suitable fountain base or water riser pipe, either directly or
indirectly via a pipe union, for example.
An insert plug 105 is disposed in the upper end of body tube 97
and, like insert plugs 20 and 65 of nozzles 10 and 40,
respectively, is of substantial length relative to the diameter of
duct 100. Like plugs 20 and 65, plug 105 has a plurality of grooves
106 formed in its circumferential surface at intervals spaced
regularly along the circumference of the plug. Grooves 106 have the
same basic configuration as grooves 24 and 67 previously described
and, as shown, open through the lower end 107 of the plug into
communication with the duct and through the side walls of the plug
above tube upper end 97 to the exterior of the nozzle. As noted
above, however, the grooves of an insert plug for nozzle 90 may be
defined to open to the upper surface 108 of the plug in the manner
described and shown concerning plug 20 of nozzle 10, if desired.
Plug 20 is similar to plug 105 and, for the purposes of brevity of
description at this point, reference is made to the foregoing
description of plug 20, its proportions, the groove configurations,
and the nature of installation of the plug in the nozzle body
tube.
A plurality of holes 110 are formed through body tube 97 at
regularly spaced locations along a line circumferentially of the
body tube below insert plug 105, but substantially closer to the
insert plug than to the lower end of the body tube. Holes 110 are
elongated along the length of the body tube, and preferably are of
oval configuration. The thin-walled characteristic of body tube 97
is desired because of the presence of holes 110.
An axially bored, adjustable collar 112 is disposed within body
tube 97 adjacent the lower ends of holes 110. The axial bore 113 of
collar 112 has a diameter which is a major fraction of the diameter
of duct 100, and preferably is as large as possible relative to the
diameter of duct 100 consistent with the function which collar 112
serves in nozzle 90. As shown in FIG. 9, the lower extent of bore
113 is chamfered as at 114, the angle of chamfer to the axis of
duct 100 preferably being as small an angle as possible to
facilitate the smooth flow of water from duct 100 below collar 112
through the collar to grooves 106. The outer surface of the collar
adjacent the upper end of the collar is recessed, as at 115. The
recess has a total length along the collar which is approximately
equal to or slightly greater than the overall length of holes 110.
Recess 115 has a major portion of its length defined by a surface
116 parallel to the axis of duct 100, and a minor surface 117 which
is inclined at the lower end of the recess downwardly and outwardly
to the maximum diameter of the collar. The maximum diameter of the
collar is sized so that the collar makes a sliding fit with the
inner walls of body tube 97, whereby the position of the collar
axially of the body tube relative to holes 100 may be adjusted. The
position of the collar axially of the body tube determines the
angle at which streams 95 emerge from holes 110. The axial position
of the collar in the nozzle also determines the extent to which
fine streams 96 are present between larger streams 95 in lower tier
94 of fountain pattern 91. That is, the closer the top of collar
112 is positioned to the top of holes 110, the more pronounced will
be the presence of fine streams 96 relative to more massive streams
95. Thus, the position of the collar within the body tube is used
to regulate the "weight" of the lower tier of the fountain pattern,
and also to regulate the angle of the generally conical lower tier
of the fountain pattern.
The exact position of collar 112 in body tube 97 is fixed by
biasing a set screw 120 against collar 112 to jam the collar in the
desired position in the body tube. Set screw 120 is carried by a
sleeve 121 extending around the outside of the body tube below
holes 110. The head of the set screw is accessible from the outside
of the nozzle. Engagement of the head of the set screw with collar
112 is facilitated by a hole 122 formed in the body below holes 110
intermediate the length of sleeve 121 and of collar 112.
The adjustability of collar 112 in body tube 97 makes it possible
for the exact characteristics of discharge pattern 91 to be
adjusted at the time of installation of the fountain nozzle.
Adjustability of the precise characteristic of the discharge
pattern at the time of nozzle installation is desired since the
surroundings and environment of one particular fountain using
nozzle 90, for best aesthetic effect, may require a setting of
collar 112 somewhat different from the setting of the same collar
in another nozzle 90 in a different fountain installation.
FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show other adjustable collars 125, 130 and 133
which may be used to advantage in nozzle 90, as desired, to produce
different control capabilities over the characteristics of the
lower tier of discharge pattern 91. While such is not shown in
FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, these collars are fixed in the desired
position axially of body tube 97 by a set screw arranged and
functioning like set screw 120 described above.
Collar 125, shown in FIG. 13, has the same configuration as collar
112 at its lower end, but has a recess 126 around its upper
circumferential extent of configuration different from that of
recess 115. Recess 126 is provided by relieving the upper outer
extent of collar 125 so that the recess is bounded by a conical
surface 127 of the collar. That is, in longitudinal cross-section,
the wall of collar 125 has a shape which generally resembles a
parallelogram. Collar 130, shown in FIG. 14 has no recess defined
at its upper end; instead, the upper end of surface 131 of the
collar is normal to the axis of body tube 97. Collar 133, shown in
FIG. 15, is substantially the reverse of collar 125 in that this
collar has its inner wall surface 134 relieved radially upwardly
and outwardly, as at 135, so that in longitudinal cross-section the
wall of collar 133 has a configuration resembling that of a
truncated pyramid. Collars 130 and 133, because their outer
surfaces are not relieved adjacent the upper end of the collar, may
be used to regulate the volume of water emerging from holes 110;
collar 125 has the same capability, although to a lesser extent.
The different attitudes of the upper surfaces of collars 125, 130
and 133 impart directional control to the water flowing through
holes 110. By proper selection from between collars 112, 125 130
and 133, and by suitable adjustment of the selected collar, a
fountain pattern 91 having any desired lower tier 94 can be
provided. This versatility in the nature and aesthetic appearance
of the fountain pattern is obtained with the use of a fountain
nozzle which is essentially uniform from fountain to fountain, only
a minor component of the fountain nozzle structure being
varied.
Accordingly, in view of the foregoing, those skilled in the art to
which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that the
fountain patterns of the general type described herein may be
produced by nozzles having structures different from the precise
structures described and illustrated, but which are consistent with
the foregoing description. For this reason, the foregoing
description, which has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and example in furtherance of an exposition of
preferred embodiments of this invention, should not be regarded as
limiting the scope of this invention.
* * * * *