Abstract:
A fluid handling device, for example, a laminar jet fountain, includes a jet emanating a first stream of substantially laminar fluid. The jet fountain also includes a surface disrupter that includes a body, a water inlet, a valve, a fluid outlet, and a trajectory adjuster emanating a second stream of fluid from the fluid outlet. The second stream of fluid may be positioned to intersect the first stream of fluid and perturb its laminarity. By adjusting a valve controlling the force and volume of flow of the second stream and/or by adjusting the trajectory adjuster, the intersection of the first and second streams may be modified and, therefore, the laminarity of the first stream may be modified. By disrupting the laminar surface of the first stream, light introduced into the first stream may be caused to refract outward from the first stream and thus enhance illumination of the first stream.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/340,520 filed 19 Dec. 2008 entitled “laminar deck jet,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to water handling devices for pools and spas, and more particularly to water handling devices for pools and spas with enhanced mechanical, lighting, and/or flow features. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Water handling devices may be used in a variety of settings. For example, water handling devices may be used in decorative displays that range from residential pools in a homeowner&#39;s backyard to commercial water displays of the type seen in amusement parks. Some of these decorative displays may include jets that project water supplied from a body of water back into the body of water or into a secondary body of water. In order to contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the decorative display, these jets may be implemented beneath grade and/or out of the sight of an observer viewing the decorative display. Because the jets may be employed beneath grade, however, they may be particularly difficult to construct and/or maintain. For example, some jets may be housed beneath grade and covered with a lid that allows the water from the jet to escape through an aperture in the lid. In these embodiments, the jet may be suspended from the lid itself, which may make it difficult to adjust and maintain the jet. 
         [0004]    Visual effects achieved using these jets may vary based upon the type of jet used. For example, some of these jets, termed herein as “laminar jets”, may project substantially laminar water flow back into the body of water. To add to the overall aesthetic appeal, some embodiments may couple sources of light into this laminar water flow. Unfortunately, because of the smooth surface of the laminar water flow and the straight columnar segments of the water flow, light coupled into the laminar water flow may be difficult to see. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for water handling devices with enhanced features that solve one or more of the foregoing problems. 
         [0006]    The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded as subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for fluid handling devices with enhanced functionality, such as fountains. In some embodiments, the fluid handling devices may include a plurality of filters coupled to the fluid handling device. When a first stream of fluid is passed through the plurality of filters, the laminarity of the first stream of fluid is improved. The fluid handling device also includes a surface disruptor that emanates a second stream of fluid. If the second stream of fluid is positioned so as to intersect the first stream of fluid, the laminarity of the first stream of fluid is perturbed. When a light source is included in the jet, the appearance of the light in the first stream may be modified as its laminarity is modified. For example, light introduced into the first stream of fluid may be caused to refract outward from the first stream of fluid and thus enhance illumination of the first stream of fluid. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the disruptor may include an adjustment mechanism, such as a trajectory adjuster, for adjusting the angular intersection of the first and second streams, and therefore, cause changes in the laminarity of the first stream of fluid to create different lighting effects. In still other embodiments, the disruptor may include a screw-type valve that allows the force of the second stream of fluid to vary the laminarity of the first stream of fluid and create different lighting effects. 
         [0009]    Other embodiments may include a method of operating a water handling device, such as a fountain, so as to produce different visual effects for light contained within the fluid emanated from the fountain. The method may include including passing a first stream of fluid through a plurality of filters in the water handling device and ejecting the first stream of fluid from the water handling device creating a substantially laminar fluid stream. The laminarity of the first stream of fluid may be modified by using a second stream of fluid. When a light source is used to introduce light within the first laminar stream of fluid, the disruption of the laminar surface by the second stream of fluid may cause this light to be refracted outward from the first stream of fluid and enhance illumination of the first stream of fluid. In some embodiments, this second stream of fluid is derived, at least in part, from the first stream. 
         [0010]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular written description of various embodiments of the invention as further illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary housing for a fluid handling device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an exemplary water handling device in phantom within the exemplary housing of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  illustrates the exemplary water handling device of  FIG. 1B  situated about a body of water. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1D  illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary water handling device and the housing of  FIG. 1B . 
           [0015]      FIG. 1E  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary water handling device of  FIG. 1B  within the housing. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1F  illustrates alternate lid configurations of the housing of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary water handling device. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary water handling device of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary valve in the closed position of the water handling device of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 2D  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary control network of water handling devices. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2E  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary light configuration of the water handling device of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary surface disrupter. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the surface disruptor of  FIG. 3A  during exemplary operations. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary surface disrupter. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3D  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary adjustment mechanism for the surface disrupter. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a side view of an exemplary adjustment mechanism for the surface disrupter. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3F  illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a fluid handling device for supplying the surface disruptor with water. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3G  illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of a fluid handling device for supplying the surface disruptor with water. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3H  illustrates a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of a fluid handling device for supplying the surface disruptor with water. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary operations that may be performed by the exemplary water handling device. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary surface disrupter. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the exemplary surface disruptor of  FIG. 5A  in the open position. 
           [0033]      FIG. 5C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of a surface disruptor in which the valve has a narrower thread pitch. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5D  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a surface disruptor having a valve with a steep taper along a closure surface. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5E  illustrates a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary surface disruptor having a steep tapered slope and multiple seals on the valve. 
           [0036]      FIG. 6A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary surface disruptor with a trajectory adjustment mechanism. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of another exemplary surface disruptor with an alternate embodiment of a trajectory adjustment mechanism. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of an exemplary surface disruptor with an manual adjustment mechanism for a trajectory adjustment mechanism. 
       
    
    
       [0039]    The use of the same reference numerals in different drawings indicates similar or identical items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0040]    Although one or more of these embodiments may be described in detail, the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted or otherwise used as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. Further, to the extent that certain implementations are disclosed as “exemplary”, it should be understood that these are merely representations of possible implementations rather than the only possible implementation. Also, although the terms “fluid” and “water” may be used interchangeably herein, it should be appreciated that this disclosure applies to devices operating on all types of fluids and not just water. Furthermore, the term “laminar jet”, as used herein, refers to a fluid handling device capable of projecting fluids in a coherent column or tubular form in a substantially laminar state. In addition, one skilled in the art will understand that the following description has broad application. Accordingly, the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary and is not intended to intimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to these embodiments. 
         [0041]    Embodiments are disclosed that may allow for improved laminar jet operations and/or functionality. In some embodiments, the laminar jet may be mounted to a collar of a housing rather than the lid of the housing. By mounting the laminar jet to a collar of the housing rather than the lid of the housing, the laminar jet may be more easily removed from the housing. Other embodiments may include one or more mechanisms for adjusting the flow rate of the laminar jet without having to remove the laminar jet from its housing. In still other embodiments, the laminar jet may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) that may be synchronized to LEDs in other laminar jets so as to operate in concert as a synchronized system. Further still, some embodiments may include a surface disrupter that may perturb laminar flow coming out of the laminar jet and, thereby, may enhance lighting that is coupled with the laminar flow. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an exemplary housing  100  for a fluid handling device, e.g., a laminar jet fountain. The housing  100  may include a lid  105  coupled to a canister  110  via a collar  112 . Embodiments of the lid  105  may include lids where the top is a vacant cavity that is filled with aggregate to match a surrounding grade, such as the POUR-A-LID® manufactured by Stetson Development, Inc. 
         [0043]    The housing  100  also may contain a variety of water handling devices.  FIG. 1B  illustrates a laminar jet  115  in phantom as but one of the many such water handling devices that may be implemented in the housing  100 . For the sake of discussion, this disclosure will focus on embodiments employing the laminar jet  115 , however, it should be appreciated that the principles disclosed herein apply to a wide variety of water handling devices. 
         [0044]    Regardless of the particular water handling device implemented, the housing  100  may be situated about a body of water  120  as shown in the  FIG. 1C . Although two housings  100  and/or water handling devices are shown situated about the body of water  120 , it should be appreciated that a variety of numbers of housings  100  and/or water handling devices are possible. During operation, water may be drawn from the body of water  120  via a water supply line  122 . Water from the supply line  122  may be drawn into the laminar jet  115  (situated within the housing  100  shown in  FIG. 1C ) where it is then projected through an orifice  123  in the laminar jet  115  (shown in  FIG. 1B ) and out of the housing  100  via an opening  125  in the lid  105  (shown in  FIG. 1B ). In some embodiments, water from the supply line  122  is drawn from the body of water  120  using a pump  121  that is separate from the laminar jet  115 . Thus, in some embodiments, the water in the supply line  122  may be pressurized prior to entering the laminar jet  115 . In other embodiments, the laminar jet  115  may be integrated with a pump that draws water from the body of water  120  through the supply line  122  and into the laminar jet  115 . 
         [0045]    Depending upon the configuration of the water handling device and/or the lid  105 , the water exiting the opening  125  may follow a variety of adjustable trajectories as shown in  FIG. 1C . As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1C , the top surface or lid of the housing  100  may be positioned in a cavity in a deck  130  surrounding the canister  110  and the collar  112 . In this manner, the housing  100  may be substantially flush with the surface of the deck  130  and allow it to be concealed during operation. In addition, by implementing the top of the housing  100  substantially level with the deck  130 , the top of the lid  105  may be flush with the deck  130  and reduce the risk of tripping on the housing  100  and also contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the housing-lid configuration. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1D  illustrates an exploded view of the laminar jet  115  and the housing  100 .  FIG. 1E  illustrates a cross section of the laminar jet  115  within the housing  100 . Referring to  FIGS. 1D and 1E  in conjunction with  FIG. 1B , the laminar jet  115  may be situated within the housing  100  and hang from the collar  112  using two or more adjustable hanging brackets  135 A-B. In some embodiments, the collar  112  and the adjustable brackets  135 A-B may be a single unitary piece such that only a single bracket may be used. The brackets  135 A-B may seat on an inner lip  137  of the collar  112  such that the laminar jet  115  may swivel about the collar  112  as indicated by the double sided arrow  138  in  FIG. 1B . This may allow a wide variety of trajectories in the body of water  120 . 
         [0047]    To accommodate the brackets  135 A-B, and to allow the laminar jet  115  to sit flush to the top of the collar  112 , the lid  105  may include a plurality of recesses  139  situated about the surface of the lid  115  that engage the collar  112 . Suspending the laminar jet  115  from the collar  112 , instead of from the lid  105 , may allow the laminar jet  115  to be more modular, which may allow for ease of installation and adjustment. For example, if the laminar jet  115  were hung from the lid  105 , the cumbersome combined lid-jet structure would have to be removed and then the laminar jet  115  may need to be unfastened from the lid  105  in order to adjust the laminar jet  115 . 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E , the brackets  135 A-B may couple to the laminar jet  115  using a series of stubs  140 A-B that rotatably seat within respective cavities  142 A-B. Some embodiments may secure the stubs  140 A-B to the cavities  142 A-B using a press fit connection. Other embodiments may implement the stubs  140 A-B in a threaded fashion such that the stubs  140 A-B screw into the cavities  142 A-B. In this manner, the laminar jet  115  may be centered within the housing  100  by threading and/or unthreading the stubs  140 A-B into and/or out of the cavities  142 A-B. During operation, the stubs  140 A-B may rotate within the cavities  142 A-B allowing the laminar jet  115  to move in the direction shown by the double sided arrow  143  in  FIG. 1D . Moving the laminar jet  115  in this fashion may allow fluid exiting the laminar jet  115  via the orifice  123  to accomplish the varying trajectories shown in  FIG. 1C . 
         [0049]    The opening  125  in the lid  105  also may be configured to allow for varying trajectories. For example, the opening  125  may be an elongated loop as shown in  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 D. Other embodiments, such as those shown in  FIG. 1F , may include arcuate openings  125  having a curved path with respect to the surface of the lid  105  such that the water from the orifice  123  may be adjusted along this curved path by adjusting the laminar jet  115  within the housing  110 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary implementation of the laminar jet  115 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates an exploded view of the exemplary implementation of the laminar jet  115  of  FIG. 2A . Referring to  FIGS. 2A-B , the laminar jet  115  may include a flow adjustment valve  200  coupled to a lower bracket  201  of the laminar jet&#39;s  115  housing. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-B  utilizes a screw  205  that may be rotated clockwise and/or counter clockwise to control the overall volumetric flow rate of fluid entering the bracket  201 , and thereby also may control the overall volumetric flow rate of fluid through the laminar jet  115 . As shown by the directional arrows in  FIG. 2A , during operation, water entering the bracket  201  may flow past a piston  210  coupled to the screw  205 . In this manner, as the screw  205  is rotated, the overall flow rate through the laminar jet  115  may be varied. For example,  FIG. 2C  shows the piston  210  fully seated against the supply line  122  such that fluid does not enter the laminar jet  115 . 
         [0051]    Although the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrates the use of a screw  205  for adjustment of the valve  200 , it should be appreciated that many alternate arrangements are possible. For example, the valve  200  may employ a hand actuated controller, such as a thumbscrew or T-handled valve, to adjust the flow rate. Still other embodiments may utilize an electrically controlled servo, solenoid, stepper motor, and/or worm gear to adjust the flow rate. This adjustment may be controlled individually or in a networked fashion using a logic controller  211  as shown in  FIG. 2D . For example, the logic controller  211  may couple to a plurality of servos on the laminar jets  115  to synchronize their flow operations with each other. In some embodiments, the logic controller  211  may be implemented using a microcontroller, such as the PIC32™ from Microchip. 
         [0052]    When the laminar jet  115  is positioned within the housing  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C , the volumetric flow rate may be adjusted by turning the screw  205 . This may allow a user to adjust the flow rate of the laminar jet  115  without having to remove it from the housing  100 . In fact, in some embodiments, the lid  105  may include an opening (not shown) that aligns with the screw  205  so that the screw  205  may be adjusted without removing the lid  105 . Adjusting the flow rate in conjunction with adjusting the angle of the laminar jet  115  with respect to the housing may allow various trajectories. 
         [0053]    Water flow through the laminar jet  115  may follow a path illustrated by the arrows in  FIG. 2A . Referring to  FIG. 2B  in conjunction with the arrows shown in  FIG. 2A , water may flow into a receiving chamber  215  where it may circulate about a light tube  220  (described in further detail below). Pressure from the supply line  122  may force the water from the receiving chamber through a baffle  225  into an intermediate chamber  230 . In general, turbulent flow may exist when streamlines of the fluid intersect and cross each other creating a mixture of fluid in the flow path. As water passes through the baffle  225  the turbulence of the flow path may be reduced. Water exiting the baffle  225  may circulate within the intermediate chamber  230 . The intermediate chamber  230  may contain an annular cavity  235  that surrounds the laminar jet  115  such that water entering the intermediate chamber  230  may travel within the annular cavity  235  before exiting the intermediate chamber  230 . The water&#39;s turbulence also may be reduced by traveling through the annular cavity  235  prior to exiting the intermediate chamber  230 . As shown in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2A , the annular cavity  235  may be manufactured as a rigid plastic structure. 
         [0054]    Water may exit the intermediate chamber  230  and pass through a second baffle  236  further calming the flow, and then through a plurality of conically shaped mesh filters  237 A-E. As water flows through each successive stage of the filters  237 A-E, the laminarity of the water flow may be improved until the water flow exiting the laminar jet  115  is substantially laminar in form, i.e., streamlines of fluid are substantially parallel. In this manner, the water exiting the laminar jet  115  may produce a laminar arc of water into the body of water. These laminar arcs of water may be used in a variety of settings for decorative purposes, such as decorative water fountains and/or light displays around bodies of water. 
         [0055]    Each of the filters  237 A-E may include an opening for the light tube  220  to pass through. Some embodiments may use a fiber optic material for the light tube  220 . In other embodiments, the light tube  220  may be a clear or colored plastic or other suitable material. 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 2A , the light tube  220  may couple to a plurality of lights  240 . During operation, the light tube  220  may impart photon energy it receives from the lights  240  onto the laminar water flow exiting the orifice  123 . Exemplary implementations of the lights  240  may include halogen, incandescent, digital light processing (DLP), and LEDs to name but a few. In the embodiments utilizing LEDs, the laminar jet&#39;s  115  housing may be smaller than other lighting types. Also, since the LEDs may be implemented as an array as shown, implementing the lights  240  using LEDs may add a level of redundancy such that if one of the LEDs fails, the other LEDs in the array may compensate. This may reduce the overall maintenance of the laminar jet  115 . Furthermore, implementing the lights  240  as an array of LEDs may allow different colors of lights to be turned on independent of each other. For example, the lights  240  may include red, green, and blue LEDs where the water flowing out the laminar jet  115  may be made any variety of colors by selectively combining these primary colors. 
         [0057]      FIG. 2E  illustrates an enlarged view of the lights  240  situated within the bottom of the laminar jet  115 . The lights  240  may reside in a sealed canister  245  that is thermally coupled to the water flowing in the laminar jet  115 . Water in the receiving chamber  215  may enter and/or exit a bottom chamber  247  of the laminar jet  115  through a series of slots  249  as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 2E . Once in the bottom chamber  247 , the water may immerse the canister  245  to cool the lights  240 . Because the canister  245  is sealed, water flowing through the laminar jet  115  may be prevented from entering the canister  245  and damaging the lights  240 . Some embodiments may implement the canister  245  using thermally conductive metal, such as stainless steel in compliance with the Underwriters Laboratories  676  standard for underwater luminaries and submersible junction boxes. In this manner, the water immersing the canister may cool the lights  240  and reduce the level of thermal stress on the lights  240 . The lights  240  may receive their electrical power and/or electrical control signals via an electrical supply line  255 . For example, in the embodiments where the lights  240  include multiple colors of lights, the control wires may control which of various colors are lit at different points in time. 
         [0058]    Referring back to  FIG. 2A , in some embodiments, a main electrical line  256  capable of carrying standard electrical power (e.g., 120 VAC, 60 Hz) may be coupled to a controller  260  located in the housing  100 . The controller  260  may be capable of converting the power received from the main electrical line  256  down to a suitable voltage and/or suitable current for the lights  240  and providing it to the laminar jet&#39;s  115  electrical supply line  255 . Additionally, the controller  260  may be capable of providing one or more electrical control signals to the lights  240  based upon whether an electrical signal is present on the main electrical line  256 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1C , there may be multiple laminar jets  115 , where the laminar jets  115  are coupled together via the main electrical supply line  256 . In some embodiments, the laminar jets  115  may be synchronized via the electrical supply line  256  by switching the electrical power on the supply line  255  on and off using a switch  265 . For example, as a user toggles the switch  265  on and off a predetermined number of times, the laminar jets  115  may initialize, and as the switch  265  is further toggled, the laminar jets  115  may be programmed to achieve a predetermined light color or color pattern. In some embodiments, the changes in lighting may be synchronized to music. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the switch  265  may control the flow adjustment valve  200  or a surface disruptor  300  (described in detail below) along with the light color and/or music. This control may be random in some embodiments, or a predetermined pattern in other embodiments. 
         [0059]    Light may be coupled from the light tube  220  into the fluid flow prior to exiting the orifice  123 . As mentioned previously, the water flow from the laminar jet  115  may be substantially laminar as it exits the orifice  123 , and therefore, it may have a smooth, glass, rod-like outer surface. Because of this glass, rod-like outer surface, light coupled into the water may be carried by the exiting water with minimal angular scatter. That is, the water flow may be conducted like a fiber optic light tube such that bends in the water flow path may reflect the light internally, making the light more prominent at the bends, whereas the straight portions of the water flow path may have a transparent appearance. Since the water flow from the laminar jet  115  may have a transparent appearance in some sections, the laminar jet  115  may include a surface disruptor  300  as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3E  and  5 A- 6 C. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the surface disruptor  300  may couple to the laminar jet  115  near the orifice  123 . In some embodiments, the disruptor  300  may be coupled to the laminar jet  115  using a screw  306 , while in other embodiments, the disruptor  300  may include one or more tabs (not shown) that press fit into the laminar jet  115  to secure the disruptor  300  to the laminar jet  115 . During operation, the surface disruptor  300  may perturb the surface of the laminar flow of water exiting the orifice  123 . By disrupting the surface of the laminar flow, light transmission from the surface of the water flow may be enhanced by refraction of the light. In other words, light in the water flow may be more noticeable because the glass rod-like appearance of the surface of the laminar flow may have deliberate imperfections introduced. Some embodiments may modify the surface of the laminar flow by diverting at least a portion of water from the water circulating in the laminar jet  115  into the water exiting the orifice  123 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the disruptor  300  may include an orifice  310  that emits a stream  315  of water from the laminar jet  115  in such a way that that the trajectory of the water emitted from the orifice  310  intersects with a laminar flow  320  coming from the orifice  123 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a cross section of the disruptor  300 . As a screw valve  305  threads in and out of the disruptor  300 , the flow rate of the stream  315  exiting the orifice  310  may vary. Adjusting the flow rate of the stream  315  in this manner may modify the laminarity of the laminar flow  320 , and therefore, the appearance of light conducted therein and refracted therefrom.  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate embodiments where the adjustment mechanism for the flow rate of the stream  315  is a screw that may be adjusted with a screwdriver. In these embodiments, the lid  105  of the housing  100  may include an opening (not shown) to insert a screwdriver so that the lid  105  does not need to be removed to adjust the flow rate and/or appearance of the lighting in the laminar flow  320 . Other embodiments may include hand actuated valves, such as thumbscrews or a T-valve. Still other embodiments may utilize an electrical servo to adjust the flow rate of the stream  315 . These adjustment mechanisms may be controlled by the logic controller  21   1 shown in  FIG. 2D . 
         [0062]    The angular intersection of the stream  315  and the laminar flow  320  shown in  FIG. 3B  may be adjusted to modify the lighting effects and/or trajectories of the laminar flow  320 . For example, the disruptor  300  may be attached to the top of the laminar jet  115  by a screw  306  secured through an opening in a fastening tab  307 . The fastening tabs  307  may include one or more channels such that as the screw is loosened from a fastening post  309  in the top of the laminar jet  115 , the disruptor  300  may pivot angularly. (Although not specifically shown in  FIG. 3A , the reverse side of the disruptor  300  may include a similar screw, fastening tab, and channel arrangement.) As the disrupter  300  pivots about the stationary fastening post  309 , the disrupter  300  may be adjusted in the plane defined by the surface of the laminar jet  115  such that the angular intersection of the stream  315  and the laminar flow  320  changes as the screw  306  moves within the channel  308 . In other embodiments, the top of the laminar jet  115  may include a swivel-mounted receiver for the disrupter  300  such that the disrupter  300  may swivel about the plane defined by the top of the laminar jet  115 . 
         [0063]    Also, as shown in the isometric and cross-sectional views in  FIGS. 3D and 3E , in some embodiments, the disrupter  300  may include a flexible exit tube  316  that may be adjusted to adjust the trajectory of the stream  315 . As shown, the exit tube  316  may be coupled to a hand actuated trajectory adjuster  317 . Rotating this valve may adjust the angular intersection of the stream  315  and the laminar flow  320 . While the trajectory adjuster  317  is shown as hand actuated, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may include a variety of hand actuated valves, such as thumbscrews or a T-valve. Still other embodiments may utilize an electrical servo to adjust the angle of the stream  315 . These adjustment mechanisms may be controlled by the logic controller  211  shown in  FIG. 2D . 
         [0064]    In some embodiments, the flow rate of the stream  315  may be adjusted in conjunction with the flow rate of the laminar flow  320 . For example, the screw valve  305  and the valve  200  may be adjusted together with the trajectory adjuster  317  until a desired appearance for the laminar flow  320  is achieved. 
         [0065]    Although  FIGS. 1D ,  2 A, and  3 A-B illustrate an embodiment where the surface disruptor  300  draws water from the top of the laminar jet  115 , water may be drawn from other locations. As described above, the water in the top of the laminar jet  115  may be substantially laminar. By drawing water from other locations, the laminarity of the stream  315  may be varied and, as a result, the effect on the laminar flow  320  may vary. For example, water drawn from the receiving chamber  215  via a tube  330  may be more turbulent than water drawn from the intermediate chamber  230  and drawing water from the two locations (as shown in  FIGS. 3   3 F and  3 G respectively) may result in varying degrees of illumination in the laminar flow  320 . Other embodiments may modify the surface of the laminar flow exiting the orifice  123  using a stream of water that is separate from the laminar jet  115 . For example,  FIG. 3H  illustrates an embodiment in which water from the supply line  122  may be used to disrupt the surface of the laminar flow exiting the orifice  123 . Furthermore, since the water within the top of the laminar jet  115  is substantially laminar, drawing water from this chamber may impact the overall laminarity of the laminar flow  320 . Thus, an additional benefit of drawing water from a location other than the top of the laminar jet  115  is that the laminarity of the water within the laminar jet  115  may be preserved. 
         [0066]    The laminar jet  115  may operate according to the operations shown in  FIG. 4 . In block  405 , the laminar jet  115  may pass the stream of fluid from the supply line  122  through a series of filters  237 A-E. Passing the stream of fluid through this series of filters in this manner may result in flow that is substantially laminar in nature, and this laminar flow may be ejected from the laminar jet  115  per block  410 . Next, in block  415 , the surface disruptor  300  may disrupt the substantially laminar flow exiting via the orifice  123 . As mentioned above in the context of  FIGS. 3F-3H  the fluid used by the surface disruptor  300  may come from a variety of locations within the laminar jet  115 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 5A-6D  illustrate various embodiments of a disruptor  300  in greater detail. Referring initially to  FIG. 5A , the disruptor  300  may include a screw valve  500  that is threaded in and out of a generally tubular channel  317  formed in the disruptor  300 . In some embodiments, both the screw valve  500  and the disruptor  300  may be manufactured using injection molded plastic parts. Manufacturing the disruptor  300  and screw valve  500  in this manner may produce a more cost effective method of manufacturing than conventional approaches, such as manufacturing the disruptor  300  and the screw valve  500  using stainless steel. As shown, the screw valve  500  may include an upper threaded portion  505  and a lower non-threaded portion  510 . The threaded portion  505  interfaces with corresponding threading  509  in an upper portion of the tubular channel  517 . The non-threaded portion  510  may include one or more O-rings  511  and  512 . The threaded portion  505  allows the screw valve  500  to be secured and adjusted within the disruptor  300  while the non-threaded portion  510  assists in directing fluid through the tubular channel  517  in the desired direction at the desired time. The non-threaded portion  510  of the screw valve  500  may be tapered to form a frustum  530 . The lower portion of the tubular channel  517  also may be tapered and form tapered walls  518  to receive and interface with the frustum  530 . As shown in  FIG. 5A , one of the O-rings  512  may be positioned with an annular channel  519  formed in the frustum  530 . 
         [0068]    Fluid may enter the disruptor  300  from the laminar jet  115  through an orifice  515 . An O-ring  520  may be positioned between the laminar jet  115  and the disruptor  300  so as to prevent fluid from leaking from between the interface of the disruptor  300  and the laminar jet  115 .  FIG. 5A  illustrates the screw valve  500  in a closed position and, as such, fluid entering into the orifice  515  may be prevented from exiting the disruptor  300  because the O-ring  512  may be seated against tapered walls  518  of a lower portion of the tubular channel  517 . 
         [0069]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the screw valve  500  being slightly unthreaded from the tubular channel  517  in the direction of arrow  522 . In this arrangement, fluid entering the orifice  515  may travel through a passage  525  created between a frustum  530  and the tapered walls  518  of the tubular channel  517 . As the screw valve  500  is backed out (in the direction of the arrow  522 ) the O-ring  512  no longer makes contact with the tapered walls  518  and fluid may flow through the passage  525  between the tubular channel  517  and the screw valve  500  and out the orifice  310 . Note that despite the screw valve  500  being slightly unthreaded, the top O-ring  511  may maintain contact with the walls of the tubular channel  517  so as to seal off fluid exiting the disruptor  300  through the threaded portion  505 . Thus, as the screw valve  500  is unthreaded from the tubular channel  517  (in the direction of the arrow  522 ), the size of the passage  525  may increase, and as a result, the volumetric flow and force of the fluid stream out of the orifice  310  may increase. Similarly, as the screw valve  500  is threaded into the tubular channel  317  (in the opposite direction of the arrow  522 ), the size of the passage  525  may decrease and, as a result, the volumetric flow out of the orifice  310  and also the force of the fluid stream may decrease. 
         [0070]    The configuration of the threaded portion  505  and the non-threaded portion  510  may vary between different embodiments as shown in  FIGS. 5C-5E . For example,  FIG. 5C  illustrates the screw valve  500  where the threaded portion  505  has a narrower thread pitch than what is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . By implementing the screw valve  500  with a narrower thread pitch the passage  525  may be more finely adjusted as the screw valve  500  rotates and, as a result, the overall volumetric flow rate of the disruptor  300  may be more finely adjusted. 
         [0071]    As another example,  FIG. 5D  illustrates the screw valve  500  where the non-threaded portion  510  includes a steeper frustum  530  than what is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Because the frustum  530  is steeper, the passage  525  defined as the screw valve  500  is removed from the tubular channel  317  may be longer and thinner than what is shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  and, therefore, different volumetric flow rates and fluid pressures may be defined for similar thread positioning.  FIG. 5E  illustrates the screw valve  500  with an even steeper frustum  530  than what is shown in  FIG. 5D  and where the frustum  530  defines two annular channels  519   a ,  519   b  for seating two O-rings  512  and  513 . In this embodiment, the positioning of the O-rings  512  and  513  as well as the increased angle of the frustum  530  may allow more precise control over the size of the passage  525  and, as a result, may allow more precise control over the volumetric flow rate and force of the fluid stream emanating from the disruptor  300 . 
         [0072]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate various embodiments of a trajectory adjuster  317 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , a cross section of the trajectory adjuster  317  within the disruptor  300  is shown. The trajectory adjuster  317  and housing of the disruptor  300  may be configured such that the fluid exiting the orifice  310  does not intersect with the edges of the housing of the disruptor  300  as the trajectory adjuster  317  rotates within the disruptor  300 . In some embodiments, the rotational position of the trajectory adjuster  317  may be constrained by two or more stop tabs  600  and  602  situated about the trajectory adjuster  317 . A cavity  607  within the disruptor  300  to house the trajectory adjuster  317  and may include one or more protrusions  605  that guide the rotational movement of the trajectory adjuster  317 . The protrusions  605  may further make contact with the tabs  600  and  602  so as to limit the rotational movement of the trajectory adjuster  317  within the disruptor  300 . The placement of the tabs  600  and  602  may be situated about the trajectory adjuster  317  to provide a variety of possible angular positions (shown in phantom) of an exit tube  316 . These possible angular positions may be selected such that fluid exiting the orifice  310  does not intersect with one or more edges  610  of the housing of the disruptor  300 . While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  illustrates the tabs  600  and  602  situated about the trajectory adjuster  317  such that they straddle the protrusions  605 , other embodiments are possible where tab  602  may be oriented in a different location about the valve and still maintain the desired angular rotation of the trajectory adjuster  317  (for example, tab  615  shown in phantom). A flexible tube  620  may couple a fluid channel  622  within the trajectory adjuster  317  to the fluid path of the disruptor  300 , thereby allowing the trajectory adjuster  317  to be supplied with fluid as the trajectory adjuster  317  rotates within the disruptor  300  and transmits the fluid to the exit tube  316 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 6B  illustrates a cross section of an alternative configuration of the trajectory adjuster  317 . Referring to  FIG. 6B , the trajectory adjuster  317  may include a single tab  625  that seats into a groove  630  of the disruptor  300 . The trajectory adjuster  317  shown in  FIG. 6B  may be offset to the left of the disruptor  300  such that disruptor  300  does not obstruct the exit orifice  310  as the trajectory adjuster  317  rotates within the disruptor  300 . The combination of the tab  625  and the groove  630  may act to limit rotational movement of the trajectory adjuster  317  within the disruptor  300  to prevent the orifice  310  from intersecting with the disruptor  300 . The backside of the trajectory adjuster  317  may define a flat portion  632  that creates a bowl-shaped cavity  633 . During operation of the laminar jet  115 , the trajectory adjuster  317  is coupled to the fluid flow path  525  of the disruptor  300  through the cavity  633  as the trajectory adjuster  317  rotates within the disruptor  300 . An O-ring  635  may be seated within the trajectory adjuster  317  at the edges of the flat portion  632  so as to prevent fluid from leaking from the cavity  633 , around the periphery of the trajectory adjuster  317 , and escaping around the front of the trajectory adjuster  317 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 6C  illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A . As shown, the exit orifice  310  may be rotationally adjusted so as to define differing angular trajectories for fluid exiting the disruptor  300 . The adjustment mechanism may include a cylindrically shaped knob  637  that rotates about an axis defined by the arrow  640 . In some embodiments, the knob  637  may be hand operated, while in other embodiments the knob may include one or more slots  638  for insertion of a screw driver. In still other embodiments, an electrical servo may adjust the angular trajectory of fluid exiting the disruptor  300 . It should be understood that similar control knobs or mechanisms could be similarly applied to the embodiment of  FIG. 6B . 
         [0075]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while a subsurface water handling device has been discussed in detail, the principles disclosed herein may apply to water handling devices used at or above grade.