Abstract
A water-rocket water-transfer-station, referred to as the water station, is comprised of a specialized manifold combined with a plastic carbonated drink bottle, which functions as a water reservoir. The water reservoir is pressurized with air to make a water transfer station for water rockets. By using pressurized air, water can be transferred from the water station to a water rocket launch system, referred to as the launcher, and into an attached water rocket. A second unique feature of this system is the ability to return water from the water rocket back into the water station reservoir, as in the case of an over-fill, or in a launch abort. This unique water station can easily and quickly transfer water to a water rocket from a water reservoir, and in reverse from a rocket, without having to remove the rocket from the launcher. This saves time and minimizes water waste which is important when water has to be hand carried into a remote launch field.
Claims
1. A water-rocket water-transfer-station comprising: a water station manifold; a storage bottle attached to the water station manifold; a launch system having an air inlet valve, an air tube, and an air/water transfer valve; a rocket bottle attached to the launch system; and a transfer hose connecting the water station manifold to the air/water transfer valve; wherein the air/water transfer valve allows air or water to flow from the launch system to the storage bottle and allows water to flow from the storage bottle to the launch system.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the accompanying drawings the water station is shown as a specialized manifold and plastic carbonated drink bottle connected to a water rocket launch system via an air/water transfer hose.
(2) FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of a rocket water station with no water in the rocket.
(3) FIG. 2 is a view of one embodiment of a rocket water station with water transferred to the rocket from the water station.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(4) FIG. 1 is a view of the water-rocket launch system with water station (100). The air inlet valve (1) is used to pump rocket air pressure (13) into the rocket bottle (12) via the air tube (11) of the launch system (2). By placing the air/water transfer valve (3) in the open position, air pressure (13) is transferred from rocket bottle (12) through the quick connect (4) and transfer hose (5) through water station manifold (6) into the storage bottle (8) through storage bottle water (9) into storage bottle air pressure (10). When the correct storage bottle (8) air pressure (10) is reached the air/water control valve (3) is placed in the closed position. If storage bottle air pressure (10) exceeds a preset limit, pressure relief valve (7) will release pressure. The rocket air pressure (13) is released through pressure release valve (15).
(5) FIG. 2 is a view of the water-rocket water launch system with water station (100) with rocket water (14) transferred from the fill station manifold (6) storage bottle (8) to the rocket bottle (12). By opening the air/water transfer valve (3) storage bottle (8) air pressure (10) forces storage water (9) through water station (6), transfer hose (5), quick connect (4) air/water transfer valve (3) and launch system (2) into rocket bottle (12). When the correct amount of rocket water (14) is transferred to the rocket bottle (12) the air/water control valve (3) is placed in the closed position. Air can now be pumped in through air inlet valve (1) via the air tube (11) of the launch system (2) into rocket air pressure (13) in preparation for rocket launch. Rocket water (14) can be transferred back to the storage bottle (8) by pumping a higher rocket air pressure (13) than storage bottle air pressure (10) and opening the air/water transfer valve (3) to transfer the water through launch system (2), air/water transfer valve (3), quick disconnect (4) transfer hose (5), water station (6) into storage water (9). After rocket water (14) has transferred to storage water (9) the air/water control valve (3) is placed in the closed position. The remaining rocket bottle air pressure (13) can be released from the rocket bottle (12) through pressure release valve (15). The rocket launch mechanism (2) can be disconnected from the water fill station (6) without releasing storage water (9) by depressing the release button of the quick disconnect (4) and removing the transfer hose (5) with quick disconnect (4). The quick disconnect (4) has a spring loaded valve to stop flow out of transfer hose (5) when disconnected. Storage bottle air pressure (10) can be released from storage bottle (8) by flipping over storage bottle (8) and opening pressure release valve (7) without loss of storage water (9).
