VORTEX GENERATOR

Abstract

A vortex generator for use in establishing air fountains, kinetic sculptures, or unique stage effects comprised of a circular planar stage upon the surface of which a central vertical updraft is created by forced swirling air emanating from a cylindrical plenum beneath the stage, the air exiting through a circular orifice and lip forming a circumferential flow restrictor encircling the stage.

Claims

1. A vortex generator comprising: (a) a drum-like, generally cylindrical plenum including an upper disc surface and lower disc supported by an inner cylindrical wall; an outer cylindrical wall spaced outwardly of the inner wall concentrically therewith; (b) the upper disc having a circumferential edge spaced inwardly of the outer wall and cooperating therewith to define a circular orifice; (c) frame means supporting the plenum; (d) pressurizing blower means associated with the plenum, said blower means discharging air under pressure into said plenum; and (e) a circumscribing lip means mounted on the outer wall adjacent the circular orifice to establish a flow restrictor in combination therewith; (f) whereby the flow restrictor is adapted to produce a vertical updraft of exiting pressurized air above the center of the upper disc surface.

2. The vortex generator of claim 1, in which: (a) the blower means comprises a plurality of centrifugal blowers; (b) said blowers are arranged at predetermined angles with respect to the radius of the cylindrical plenum.

3. The vortex generator of claim 2, in which: (a) housing means support the centrifugal blowers adjacent the cylindrical wall.

4. The vortex generator of claim 1, in which: (a) baffle means and deflector means are mounted in the plenum between the blower means and the flow restrictor.

5.-7. (canceled)

8. A vortex generator, comprising: (a) a horizontal circular stage with a planar surface of predetermined circumference; (b) a cylindrical plenum chamber beneath said stage; (c) a circular orifice at the circumferential edge of the stage established by and communicating between the plenum chamber and the planar surface; (d) blower means pressurizing the plenum chamber with air under pressure and adapted to force air pressure outwardly of said orifice in a rotational pattern; and (e) lip means adjacent the orifice adapted to direct air under pressure inwardly from the orifice to the center of said stage; (f) whereby the pressurized air creates a vertical updraft at the center of the stage.

9. The vortex generator of claim 8, in which: (a) baffle means are included in the plenum chamber to control the air flow.

10. The vortex generator of claim 8, in which (a) the blower means include centrifugal fans.

11. The vortex generator of claim 10, in which (a) the fans are mounted externally of the plenum chamber and are oriented at angle with respect to the radius of said stage.

12.-16. (canceled)

17. Method of generating a visual display with a generated vertical updraft and aerodynamic material, comprising: (a) establishing a horizontal circular stage with a planar surface of predetermined circumference; (b) providing a controlled source of pressurized air; (c) providing a circular orifice at the stage communicating between the controlled source and the planar surface; (d) directing the air under pressure outwardly of said orifice in a rotational pattern; (e) whereby the pressurized air creates a vortical updraft at the center of the stage; and (f) injecting lightweight aerodynamic material into the updraft to establish a dynamic visual display.

18. The method of claim 17, in which: (a) the injected material is a plurality of discrete, lightweight, aerodynamic elements.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the new vortex generator embodying the principles of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the new vortex generator;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on plane 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the new vortex generator schematically showing the air flow and swirling fabrics in the generated vortex;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on plane 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing internal support structure;

[0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged cross-sectional views taken on planes 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of FIG. 2 of the vortex generator;

[0015] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the arranged blowers and support elements of the vortex generator;

[0016] FIGS. 8-11 are perspective views of dancing fabrics forming kinetic sculptures in accordance with the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-7, a preferred embodiment of the vortex generator of the invention generally includes a lower base support structure 10 having outer cylindrical wall 11, central column 45, and radial arms 44, which support an extended round stage 20 above a plenum chamber 60 formed in part by a planar upper disc 20 and a spaced lower disc 30. The discs 20, 30 are joined by an inner cylindrical wall 21, which is completed by and mounts twelve centrifugal blowers 22 on blower panels 23, and an outer cylindrical wall 31, to form the drum-like plenum chamber 60. A circumscribing ring 50 of L-shaped cross section having an inwardly projecting, flat circumferential lip 51 is mounted at the top of the wall 31. Cylindrical filler 52 is superimposed on wall 31 flush with ring 50 to provide a smooth aesthetic exterior as shown in FIG. 6. A dark, flat, reflective mirror 27 is superimposed on the disc 20 to enhance the special visual effects created when flyable materials are inserted into the vortex generated by the unit. An exploded perspective view of the assembled vortex generator is shown in FIG. 2.

[0018] The upper disc or stage 20 advantageously may have a flat shiny surface or as shown mounts the separate reflective mirror 27, and is supported by extended radial arms 44, abbreviated arms 47, central column 45, and vertical posts 46 extending between the discs 20 and 30. The arms 44 engage and support the underside of discs 20 and 30 as shown in FIG. 4 and may include circular and rectangular cutouts to reduce their weight and permit circulation of air in the base 10.

[0019] In accordance with the principles of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the upper disc 20 is of slightly smaller diameter than that the diameter of the outer wall 31 to form along therewith and with the lip 51 a narrow circular peripheral opening which functions as a flow constrictor 53 at the upper disc surface or stage of the drum-like plenum 60.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, ambient air enters the support 10 through ports 12 formed in outer wall 11 and thereafter flows into the blower inlets 28. The air passes through the blower 22 and is pressurized and expelled through outlets 24 to pressurize the plenum 60. The pressurized air then passes over an upwardly extending baffle 62, and then between a downwardly extending baffle 61 and a convex circumscribing deflector 63 formed by molded silicone at the intersection of the disc 30 and wall 31, before exiting the plenum 60 at the peripheral flow constrictor 53. The confluence of the inwardly directed streams of the blowers 22 at the upper surface of the mirror 27 on disc 20 creates the vortex.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the downwardly projecting, circumscribing baffle 61 is supported at the periphery of the upper disc 20, while the upwardly projecting baffle 62 is supported on the lower disc 30. The baffles are of a height approximately half of the spacing of the upper and lower discs (the depth of the plenum chamber 60). The baffles 61, 62 serve to control the airflow and the pressure within the plenum chamber 60.

[0022] The blower panels 23 each mount a centrifugal blower 22, advantageously a conventional air mover with a capacity of approximately 2000-4000 CFM. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the blowers 22 are supported by the blower panels (boxes) 23 and have rectangular outlet openings 24 which direct the air flow from each blower 22 into the plenum 60 at a predetermined angle with respect to the radius of the plenum to generate a laminar flow L (FIG. 6) as the air exits the plenum 60 through the flow constrictor 53. The blower panels 23 are directly fastened (by bolts not shown) to and supported by the upper disc 20.

[0023] As shown and described above and illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 6, the blowers 22 issue individual pressurized streams of air which enter the plenum 60 at the inner cylindrical wall 21. The blower air travels radially outwardly over the lower baffle 62 and the upper baffle 61 to exit the plenum 60 at the narrow circumferential opening of the flow constrictor 53 formed by the flat peripheral lip 51 and the upper edges of the cylindrical wall 31 and peripheral edges 26 of the upper disc 20.

[0024] When the pressurized air reaches the mirrored upper disc surface 27, it is in the form of a continuous laminar flow L directed radially inwardly to the center of the upper disc surface. In accordance with the invention, the radially inwardly directed flow from the peripheral edges converges at the central portion of the upper disc and interacts to create a vortex the characteristics of which can be adjusted or otherwise fine-tuned by changing the air pressure within the plenum.

[0025] To establish a kinetic sculpture or air fountain such as shown in FIGS. 8-11, lightweight elements 80, 81, 82 or other lightweight flyable material of predetermined size, shape, color, number and/or aerodynamic property such as, for example, confetti, feathers, Styrofoam, peanuts, balloons, vapor fog, or artificial snow flakes are introduced into the vortex where the materials will fly about in generally repeating patterns. The aesthetic effects of the kinetic sculpture may be enhanced by directional external lighting (not shown) and by the flat mirror 27 on the upper disc 20.

[0026] FIGS. 2-7 herein are illustrative and exemplary of the general proportions, arrangement, and sizing of an operative vortex generator embodying the principles of the present invention. It is to be appreciated however that variations may be made in creating vortex generators within the scope of the invention. The illustrated unit may be scaled to larger and smaller sizes. The plenum chamber 60 may be appropriately pressurized by an external air source, the output of which may be introduced into the plenum by ductwork or piping. The pressure and flow generated by the illustrated series of twelve centrifugal blowers may be created by an appropriate single blower source mounted internally. Other systems of fewer or more blowers may also be employed to pressurize the plenum as will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in an alternative version of the new generator, fans may be located remotely from the disc-shaped enclosure and the forced air may be directed to the enclosure through a system of ducting. The flow restrictor may be formed at the periphery of the inner wall in such an arrangement. Additional louvers may be employed to generate airflow for rotational spin. The mirror may be omitted when the stage surface is shiny or otherwise reflective.

[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the specific form of the invention herein illustrated and described is intended to be representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.