Patent Publication Number: US-3878624-A

Title: Modular demonstrator

Description:
1 1 Apr. 22, 1975 1 1 .MODULAR DEMONSTRATOR [75] Inventor: Victor A. DeFelice, Brockton, Mass.  
 [73] Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization,  
 Inc., New York, N.Y.; a part interest 22 Filed: Oct. 15.1973  
  21 Appl. No.: 406,491  
 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Stansi Scientific Division Catalog, Rec&#39;d Feb. 1969, page 136 only.  
 Cenco 1969 Educational Catalog, page 57 only.  
 Knott Apparatus Co., Catalogue Scientific lnstruments 1916. page 136 only.  
 Primary E.\&#39;uminerHarland S. Skogquist Attorney. Agent, or Firm-Daniel Jay Tick 1 1 ABSTRACT A modular demonstrator comprises a base member. A transparent cylindrical tube is supported in substantially upright position by the base member and has a plurality of bores formed therethrough at different points thereof and a plurality of petcocks. Each of the petcocks is accommodated in a corresponding one of the bores. The tube has a predetermined diameter and a volume of water therein. A substantially pressuretight cover is provided on the open end of the tube. A variable pressure device selectively varies the pressure of air over the volume of water in the tube. A pressure-sensitive capsule of smaller diameter than the tube and having a volume of dyed water therein freely floats in the water in the tube.  
 3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MODULAR DEMONSTRATOR DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a modular demonstrator.  
  Objects of the invention are to provide a modular demonstrator of simple structure. which is inexpensive in manufacture and which may be utilized with facility. convenience. simplicity and comfort to illustrate several scientific phenomena with accuracy. clarity and precision.  
  In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect. it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. wherein:  
  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the modular demonstrator of the invention:  
 FIG. 2 is a top view ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1: and  
  FIG. 3 is a view of an embodiment of the pressuresensitive capsule of the modular demonstrator of the invention.  
  In the FIGS. the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.  
  The modular demonstrator of the invention comprises a base member 1 (FIG. 1). A transparent cylindrical tube 2 (FIG. 1) is supported in substantially upright position by the base member 1. The tube 2 has a plurality of bores formed therethrough at different points thereof. Each of a plurality of petcocks 3. 4 and 5 (FIG. 1 is accommodated in a corresponding one of the bores. The tube 2 has a predetermined diameter D and a volume of water 6 therein (FIG. I).  
  A substantially pressure-tight cover 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided on the open end 8 of the tube 2. This may be accomplished by a flange 9 on the top of the tube 2 having a plurality of bolts extending upright therefrom. A gasket 10 is provided on the flange 9. The cover has a plurality of holes 11, and so on. formed therethrough through which the corresponding bolts 12, and so on. pass. Nuts 13. and so on. hold down the cover 7 by being threadedly coupled to the corresponding bolts 12. and so on.  
  A variable pressure device selectively varies the pressure ofair over the volume of water 6 in the tube 2. The variable pressure device comprises a substantially flexible air tube 14 (FIG. 1) affixed at one end 15 to a petcock 3 over the volume of water 6 in the tube 2. A flexible bulb I6 is affixed to the other end 17 of the air tube 14 (FIG. 1). A combined pressure-vacuum hand pump is preferably used instead of the flexible bulb 16.  
  A pressure-sensitive capsule 18 (FIGS. 1 and 3) of smaller diameter 1 than the tube 2 has a volume 19 of dyed water therein (FIG. 3). The capsule 18 floats freely in the water 6 in the tube 2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention. the capsule 18 comprises an inverted test tube having a membrance 20 (FIG. 3) affixed over and sealing its open mouth. A combined pressure-vacuum gage is mounted at the top of the unit (not shown in the FIGS).  
 A saftey valve 21 may be provided in the cover 7.  
  When the bulb 16 is squeezed. the pressure of air above the water 6 in the tube 2, and the pressure of such water. increases. The increase in pressure is transmitted to the capsule 18 and decreases the volume of the air pocket 22 over the volume of water 19 therein in volume. causing the capsule to descend. When the bulb 16 is released. the capsule 18 commences to ascend andmay be held at any desired depth-General applications of the modular demonstrator of the invention are as a pressurized unit. a partial vacuum unit. a container for selected gas or fluid mixtures and as a large graduate for group demonstrations.  
  Among the several phenomena which may be demonstrated by the demonstrator of the invention are the Cartesian diver, Boyles law, Charles law, cloud and fog synthesis. slow oxidation as an indication of oxygen in the atmosphere. atmospheric temperature inversions. atmospheric greenhouse effect. mass versus acceleration due to gravity and Mariotte&#39;s bottle or water pressure versus depth.  
  Cartesian Diver Unit. Relates to Archimedes principle of buoyancy. Pascals principle of hydraulics. and Boyle&#39;s law of gas elasticity.  
  1. Remove top; close bottom and middle nozzles: open top nozzle.  
  2. Fill with water to a level which. when floating the diver. is about one-quarter inch below the top nozzle hole. The density of the water is significantthe temperature should be about room temperature when doing this activity.  
  3. Use commerical Cartesian diver or a large testtube containing dyed water and whose mouth is sealed by a thin rubber diaphragm with an elastic. Adjust the amount of water in the diver so it just floats.  
 4. Attach the pressure-bulb to top nozzle.  
 5. Place diver in water; seal top.  
  6. Slow. gentle pressure will cause diver to submerge to any depth; release to make diver rise. Quick. forceful pressure is not desirable.  
  Water Vapour Cloud Maker. Instantly makes an actual. white cloud of water vapor exactly as occurs in nature. by depressurizing a saturated parcel of air. Cloud maker relates to meterology. nature of cloud and fog formation. nature of super-saturation. nature of evaporation and condensation. nuclei of condesation. latent heat, and the Kinetic Theory of Gases and Heat. Cloud and Fog Formation I. Add about one half inch of cold water to unit; seal top.  
  2. Close top and middle nozzles; open bottom nozzle and attach vacuum pump and slightly evacuate.  
  3. Hold a cigarette or smoldering cloth near a nozzle as it is opened and allow a small quantity of smoke to draw in. This will act as nuclei of condensation.  
  4. Make sure top and middle nozzles are shut; switch to the pressure pump and pressurize to 3 or 5 PSI and shake the unit gently a few times.  
  5. Repeat process of alternately shaking and gradually pressurizing until about 10 PSI is attained.  
  6. Depressurize rapidly by opening a nozzle; a cloud appears.  
 7. Shut nozzle and pressurize until cloud disappears.  
  8. By alternately depressurizing and pressurizing unit. the cloud can be made to appear and disappear.  
  Greenhouse Effect Demonstrator. Relates to nature of light and heat waves. heat transfer: is analogous to earths own heating system; raises probing questions concerning consequences of atmospheric pollution. Atmospheric Greenhouse Effect 1. Place a dark piece ofpaper on bottom. inside unit; place a thermometer upon the paper.  
 2. Close all nozzles and seal top.  
  3. Place a similar paper with thermometer near the Modular Demonstrator unit.  
 4. Shine lights of equal intensity upon both the inside and outside thermometers, for a least 10-15 minutes.  
  5. The temperature inside the cylinder becomes con siderably higher even though both thermometers received equal light.  
  6. Relate to greenhouse effect of atmosphere and make an analogy between transparent plastic of unit and gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor in atmosphere.  
  7. Experiment with higher carbon dioxide concentrations in the unit and relate to possible consequences of pollution to earths weather and climates. Atmospheric Temperature inversions 1. Remove top; close bottom nozzle; open middle nozzle.  
  2. Fill with warm water to level about one-fourth inch below middle nozzle.  
  3. Attach a rubber tube to nozzle and very gently exhale a few mouthsful of cigarette smoke through the tube.  
  4. Close nozzle and note the time required for most of the smoke or pollution to disperse.  
  5. Repeat procedure using ice water and allowing about 10 minutes for a cold air mass to form over the ice water.  
  6. Then admit the smoke gently; note how much longer the smoke lingers within cold air.  
 Falling Bodies and Acceleration Versus Mass in Ordinary and Vacuum Conditions 1. Place a feather inside the unit.  
  2. Seal top; flip unit upside down and note time required for feather to flutter down. Repeat several times.  
  3. Shut top and middle nozzles: open bottom nozzle and attach vacuum pump.  
  4. Evacuate to 25 on vacuum gauge; close nozzle; detach pump.  
  5. Now flip unit upside down and note time required for the feather to fall. Relate to acceleration of falling bodies in a vacuum. and in air where there is wind resistance.  
  Special Environment Container. May be used as an air-tight. water-tight container of special environments such as (a) aerobic (b) anaerobic (c) partial vacuum (d) moderate high pressure (e) various-composition gaseous atmospheres (f) marine or aquatic (g) pollution-induced environments for ecology studies.  
  Sedimentation Column. Relates to earth science; the nature and cause of sedimentary rock layers (strata) and their texture; illustrates natural sorting and stratification of elastic sediments into distinct layers (coarse sediment at bottom. successively finer layers above) when mixed sediment is carried by streams and rivers into a body of water.  
  Comparative Density Demonstrator. Different colored liquids of unlike densities, when poured into the cylinder. will arrange themselves graphically into distinct layers. with most dense layers at bottom and successively lighter densities above. Relates to nature of density and specific gravity.  
  Ocean Current Demonstrator. lf blue dyed cold water is poured carefully into the cylinder containing red dyed warm water. the cold water will be seen to sink and collect at the bottom-analogous to oceanic density currents and Polar Creep&#34; of cold polar water along earth&#39;s ocean floors.  
  Demonstrator of Indicator Theory of Acids and Bases. Relates to chemistry; using chemicals to make a solution in the cylinder. the solution itself will graphically turn different colors suddenly by the addition of a few drops of certain chemicals. indicating an acidic or basis solution.  
  Demonstrator of Nature of Mixtures and Emulsions. An unstable oil-water mixture will suddenly change into a stable oil-water emulsion with the addition of a few drops of detergent. Relates to nature of mixtures, emulsions. detergent.  
 Expanding and Contracting Balloon Demonstration.  
  A balloon placed in cylinder can be made to expand as a vacuum is produced or contract under pressure-relates to Charless law and Boyles law. Both laws can also be graphically demonstrated by attaching a tube from nipple of cylinder to a ready-made. openended manometer and having several students place their warm hands upon the closed cylinder. causing slight expansion of the air in the cylinder and subsequent change in water levels in the manometer. Boyles Law Relationship for Gases. Pressure Versus Volume 1. Place a small inflated balloon having a diameter of 3 to 4 inches into empty unit.  
 2. Seal top; closed top and middle nozzles.  
  3. Attach vacuum or pressure pump to opened bottom nozzle.  
  4. Pressurizing unit causes balloon to contract; depressuring or evacuating unit causes balloon to expand. Charles Law Relationship for Gases. Temperature Versus Volume 1. Seal empty unit.  
 2. Close top and middle nozzles; open bottom nozzle.  
  3. Attach a tube from bottom nozzle to an open manometer or U-tube containing dyed water for easy visibility.  
  4. Four or five people place their warm hands upon the Modular Demonstrator. In a minute or two. the heat will cause expansion of air and will register as pressure by changing the water levels in the manometer.  
  5. Demonstrate contraction due to cold by placing a moist paper towel around the cylinder and fanning it a minute or two. The manometer will indicate a small vacuum, since evaporation is a cooling process.  
  While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto. for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
 Air  
  1. Place about one-half inch cool water into unit; stuff a handful or two of moistened steel wool over the water.  
 2. Close top and middle nozzles; seal top.  
  3. Open bottom nozzle and attach to an open manometer containing dyed water for visibility.  
  4. A partial vacuum will gradually form as oxidation occurs and the oxygen in the air combines with the steel; a change in manometer level indicating vacuum will result.  
  While the invention has been described by means of a specific example and in a specific embodiment, I do not wish to be limited thereto. for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
 I claim:  
 Slow Oxidation as a Demonstration of Oxygen in the l. A modular demonstrator for demonstrating a plurality of nature phenomena and scientific principles. said demonstrator comprising a base member:  
 a transparent cylindrical tube supported in substantially upright position by the base member and having a plurality of bores formed therethrought at different points thereof and a plurality of petcocks each accommodate in a corresponding one of the bores. the tube having a predetermined diameter and a volume of water therein:  
 .a substantially pressure-tight cover on the open end of the tube;  
 variable pressure means for selectively varying the pressure of air over the .volume of water in the tube: and  
 a pressure-sensitive capsule of smaller diameter than the tube and having a volume of dyed water therein. said capsule freely floating in the water in the tube.  
  2. A modular demonstrator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capsule comprises an inverted test tube having a membrane affixed over and sealing its open mouth.  
  3. A modular demonstrator as claimed in claim I. wherein the variable pressure means comprises a substantially flexible air tube affixed at one erid to a petcock over the volume of water in the tube and a flexible bulb affixed to the other end of the air tube.