Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems and methods of delivering fluid from one or more armrests of seat systems. In a feature, the system includes a seat support assembly with armrests with one or more fluid nozzles mounted on one or more of the armrests, a fluid delivery system coupled to the one or more fluid nozzle(s), wherein the fluid nozzles are mounted on an end of the armrest that slopes upward to direct fluid toward the viewer. In another feature, the system includes a seat support assembly with air outlet(s) on an armrest coupled to a fan, which reduces the load on the fluid delivery system. In another feature, the system includes a controller (e.g., a network server) configured to communicate on and off commands that correspond to events on a timeline of a movie to actuate the fluid delivery system to deliver fluids to the outlets.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/484,196, which is incorporated by reference herein, and filed on Sep. 11, 2014. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods of fluid delivery for effects for a viewer in a seat system. 
         [0003]    Disney&#39;s Star Tours and Universal Studio&#39;s The Simpsons Ride, commercial movie theaters, gaming environments, and training centers (e.g., military, law enforcement, and flight schools) use effects to produce the sensation that one is immersed in the reality displayed on a movie screen. 
         [0004]    A motion effect is implemented by synchronizing the seat motion of the viewer to correspond to the displayed scenes. The motion seat systems can be adapted to receive motion signals that move seats to correspond (e.g., synchronize) to other signals (e.g., video and/or audio signals) that are perceived by person(s). For example, the seat system may synchronize seat motions with the displayed motions in a theater to simulate the forces one would experience seated in a vehicle in a chase scene where the vehicle races around a city street. 
         [0005]    Another effect is to deliver fluids such as a water mist, a blast of air, wind, and one or more scents to the viewer with the displayed scenes. For example, a system may deliver an orange scent to the viewer while movie displays a character traveling through an orange orchard, deliver a water mist to the viewer when the character travels through a rainy jungle or wind in a storm scene. To the inventors&#39; awareness, the wind effect is implemented by fans hanging in a theater, but this may distract from the viewer&#39;s experience and may be noisy. The water mist and scents have been implemented by installing nozzles in a front rail in front of a row of seats or installing the nozzles into the back of the seats in front of the viewers, but either approach is expensive to implement and not practical because the motion of the seats affects the directionality of the fluid delivery. In short, the motion seats may move the viewer out of the path of fluid delivery. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention relates to systems and methods of fluid delivery for effects for a viewer in a seat system. 
         [0007]    In a feature, the system includes a seat support assembly, one or more seats on the seat support assembly, including one or more armrests, an air nozzle on one of the armrests, and a fluid delivery system including a controllable valve array including an air inlet, a high flow air outlet, a low flow air outlet, a first scent outlet, a high flow air line connected from the high flow air outlet through a high flow air regulator to a first fluid line, a low flow air line connected from the low flow air outlet through a low flow air regulator to the first fluid line, and a first scent line connected from the first scent outlet through a first scent flow regulator and a first scent tank to the first fluid line, wherein the first fluid line is coupled to the air nozzle. 
         [0008]    In another feature, the valve array further includes a second scent outlet, wherein a second scent line is connected from the second scent outlet through a second scent flow regulator and a second scent tank to the first fluid line coupled to the air nozzle. 
         [0009]    In another feature, the system further includes a water nozzle on the one of the armrests, and a water valve with a water inlet and a water outlet, wherein a water line is connected from the water outlet to a second fluid line coupled to the water nozzle. 
         [0010]    In still another feature, the valve array further includes an atomizing air outlet, an atomizing air line connected from the atomizing air outlet through an atomizing air flow regulator to the water nozzle, wherein the water nozzle is adapted to deliver atomized water when the valve for the atomizing air outlet and the water valve are open. 
         [0011]    In another feature, the system includes a seat support assembly with air outlet(s) on an armrest coupled to a fan, which reduces the load on a fluid delivery system. 
         [0012]    In yet another feature, a controller is configured to communicate on and off commands that correspond to events on a timeline of a movie to actuate one or more of the valves of the valve array to deliver fluids to the nozzles. 
         [0013]    In still another feature, the system further includes a shut-off valve on the water line downstream from the water valve. 
         [0014]    In another feature, the system includes a seat support assembly, one or more seats on the seat support assembly, including one or more armrests, and one or more fluid nozzles mounted on the one or more armrests, a fluid delivery system, including an air inlet, a high flow air outlet, a high flow air line connected from the high flow air outlet through a high flow air regulator to a first fluid line, a low flow air outlet, a low flow air line connected from the low flow air outlet, through a low flow air regulator, to the first fluid line coupled to the air nozzle. 
         [0015]    In another feature, the system further includes a shut off valve on the water line downstream from the water valve. 
         [0016]    In an additional feature, the air flow regulators can be replaced by pressure regulators. In still another feature, the flow regulators and/or the pressure regulators can be omitted. In yet another feature, the air flow regulators or the pressure regulators, can be positioned anywhere along their respective air lines or can be positioned upstream from the air inlet. 
         [0017]    In another feature, the system includes a controller configured to communicate on and off commands that correspond to events on a timeline of a movie to actuate one or more of the valves of the valve array to deliver fluids to the nozzles. 
         [0018]    In a feature, the method of fluid delivery to a viewer in a seat system includes providing nozzles, on seat armrests, coupled to a fluid delivery system, and communicating commands from a controller, wherein the commands are associated with events on a movie timeline, adapted to actuate the fluid delivery system to deliver fluids to the nozzles and/or fans. 
         [0019]    In another feature, the system includes a seat support assembly with air outlet(s) on an armrest coupled to a fan, which reduces the load on the fluid delivery system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a seat support assembly that is useful for the system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an external view of the armrest apart from the seat support assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A  is an internal view of the armrest that illustrates the nozzles and the nozzle plates. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4B  is a view with the front cover of the armrest removed to show the nozzles secured to the plates. 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of the fluid delivery system used to distribute water, air, and/or scent(s) to the respective nozzles. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a flowchart and hardware for control of the fluid delivery system. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the seat support assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the seat support assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 9A  is an external view of the armrest apart from the seat support assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 9B  is an internal view of the armrest. This embodiment illustrates a tube with a Y-splitter connected to the air outlets and a tube connected to an air, scent, and/or water outlet. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10A  is an internal view that illustrates an embodiment of the fluid delivery system including a fan coupled to the air outlets of an armrest. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10B  illustrates an embodiment of a fan, a fan mount, and a fan to tube adapter used in the fluid delivery system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of the fluid delivery system used to distribute water, air, and/or scent(s) to outlets at the armrests. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  illustrates a flowchart and hardware for control of the fluid delivery system of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The following description includes the best mode of carrying out the invention. The detailed description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is determined by reference to the claims. Each part is assigned its own part number throughout the specification and drawings. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a seat support assembly that is suitable for the system. In this embodiment, the system  10  includes a seat support assembly  42  that includes a top frame  36  and a bottom frame  40 . Front actuators  15  and  19  and a back actuator  23  provide structural support between the top and bottom frames  36  and  40 . The actuators also provide motion to the seat support assembly  42 . U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,142 B2 to Jamele et al., Motion Seat Systems and Methods of Implementing Motion in Seats, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes motion seat systems that are suitable with the systems. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  also illustrates that in an embodiment a seat frame  32  is secured (e.g., bolted and welded) to the top frame  36 . The seat frame  32  has four spaces  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  for the seats. Armrests  12 ,  17 ,  22 ,  28 , and  34  are secured (e.g., bolted and welded) to the seat frame  32 . A seat  21  in space  16  illustrates how the other seats (not shown) fit and are secured in spaces  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  on the seat support assembly  42 . 
         [0038]    In an embodiment, the seat support assembly  42  contains space for a fluid delivery system  24  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and a programmable controller  13 .  FIGS. 5-6  and the accompanying specification will describe both in detail. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  illustrates a back side view of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . As shown, the armrest  22  includes a set of nozzles  44 ,  46 ,  50 , and  52  that reside in holes in a sloped plate  48  at the end of armrest  22 . The nozzles  50  and  52  will be used to distribute fluids such as air, water, and/or scents to a viewer in seat  21 , while the nozzles  44  and  46  will be used to distribute fluids such as air, water, and/or scents to a viewer in a seat (not shown) that will occupy space  18 . A suitable water nozzle is the Hago water nozzle MW5 that can be obtained from the Hago Manufacturing in Mountainside, N.J. A suitable air nozzle is the SMC muffler ASP-2 that can be obtained from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. This fluid distribution will be described in detail in connection with  FIGS. 4A-5 . 
         [0040]    Similarly, the armrest  17  includes a set of nozzles  54 ,  56 ,  60 , and  62  that reside in holes in a sloped plate  58  at the end of the armrest  17 . The nozzles  54  and  56  will be used to distribute fluids such as air, water, and/or scents to a viewer in the seat  21 , while the nozzles  60  and  62  will be used to distribute fluids such as air, water, and/or scents to a viewer in a seat (not shown) that will occupy space  14 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is an external view of the armrest  17  apart from the seat support assembly  42  ( FIGS. 1-2 ). A cover  64  adjacent to or integral with the nozzle plate  58  is a protective enclosure for the nozzles  54 ,  56 ,  60 , and  62  and their respective fluid lines. A suitable fluid line is plastic tubing such as Festo PUN-6x1 plastic tubing from Festo in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4A  is an internal view of the armrest shown in  FIG. 3 . The cover  64  of armrest  17  is partly removed to reveal that the nozzles  54  and  56  residing in nozzle plate  58  are secured to the mounting plate  68  and coupled to nozzle fittings  66  and  70 , which in turn are coupled to a first fluid line  72  and a second fluid line  74 . A suitable water nozzle fitting is the SMC KQ2K06-01AS and a suitable air nozzle fitting is the SMC KQ2F07-35, both from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4B  is an internal view of the components in the armrest. The front cover  64  is fully removed from armrest  17  to reveal that the nozzles  54 ,  56 ,  60  and  62  are secured to the mounting plate  68  and are coupled to the nozzle fittings  66 ,  70 ,  76 , and  78 , which in turn are coupled to the fluid lines  72 ,  74 ,  80 , and  82 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment of a fluid delivery system that can be used to distribute water, air, and scents to the nozzles shown in  FIGS. 2-4B . 
         [0045]    As illustrated, the fluid delivery system  24  includes a valve array  88 . A suitable valve array can be assembled from Festo valve manifold VABM-L1-14S-G14-5 and Festo valves VUVG-L14-T32C-AT-G18-1P3, which can be obtained from Festo, Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. The valve array includes an air inlet  85 , a high flow air outlet  98 , a low flow air outlet  96 , a first scent outlet  94 , a second scent outlet  92 , and/or an air outlet  99 . 
         [0046]    An air supply source (e.g., an air compressor at 100 psi, not shown), supplies air to the air inlet  85 . In an embodiment, a high flow air line  124  is connected from the air outlet  98  through a high flow air regulator  114  to the fluid line  72 . A low flow air line  122  is connected from the air outlet  96  through a low flow air regulator  112  to the fluid line  72 . A first scent line  120  is connected from the air outlet  94  through a first scent flow regulator  110  and a first scent tank  89  to the fluid line  72 . A second scent line  118  is connected from the air outlet  92  through a second scent flow regulator  108  and a second scent tank  90  to the fluid line  72 . As a result, the first fluid line  72  is able to deliver high air flow (e.g., air blast), a low air flow (e.g., wind), and scent(s)(e.g., freshly cut grass) through a single air nozzle  56  ( FIG. 4B ). A suitable flow regulator is the SMC AS2051FG-08 Inline Flow Control from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. A suitable scent tank is the Clear Inline DI Filter Cartridge  214  that can be obtained from Filter Direct in Santa Ana, Calif. A suitable scent source is the Scent Sleeve from Escential Resources FX from Torrance, Calif. 
         [0047]    In additional embodiments, the air flow regulators  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116  can be replaced by pressure regulators. A suitable pressure regulator is the SMC AW30-NO3-Z Filter Regulator from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. In another embodiment, the air flow regulators  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  and/or  116  and/or the pressure regulators can be omitted. In other embodiments, the air flow regulators  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114 , and  116 , or the pressure regulators, can be positioned anywhere along their respective air lines  118 ,  120 ,  122 ,  124 , and  126 , or can be positioned upstream from the air inlet  85 . 
         [0048]    A water pump (not shown), e.g., 30-70 psi, supplies water to the water inlet  102  of the water valve  101 , which couples the water line  128  from the water outlet  100 , through a shut-off valve  103 , to the fluid line  74 . An atomizing air line  126  is coupled to the air outlet  99  and to an air flow regulator  116 . The atomizing air line  126  is coupled to the fluid line  74 . As a result, the fluid line  74  is able to deliver a fine spray of atomized water (e.g., mist) and/or water through a single water nozzle  56  ( FIG. 4B ). When the atomized water is delivered both the air outlet  99  and the water valve  101  are opened. A suitable water valve is the SMC water valve VDW22AA from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. 
         [0049]    Many of the parts of the systems can be purchased and implemented with high strength steel, but the person of ordinary skill would readily understand the materials and parts to use after review of the specification. Further, the choice of materials and conventional parts is not essential to the invention. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart of the process and hardware transmitting commands from the controller to valves to control the fluid delivery system. In an embodiment, using known conventional techniques, the system can include a controller  130  that transmits a digital command to a programmable controller  132 , which in turn transmits an analog voltage to an electrical terminal  134 , which in turn sends the analog voltage to the valve array  88  ( FIG. 5 ) and/or the water valve  101 , collectively called valves  136 , to actuate the valve(s). As indicated in  FIG. 6 , one or more of the hardware components  130 ,  132 , and  134  can be omitted from the control process. In an alternative embodiment, an operator will manually actuate the valves  136  to achieve the desired effects. 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the system. In this embodiment, a system  140  has a seat support assembly  144  that includes a top frame  146  and a bottom frame  148 . A set of front actuators  152  and  156  and a back actuator  154  provide structural support between the top and bottom frames  146  and  148 . The actuators provide motion to the seat support assembly  144 . U.S. Pat. No. 8,585,142 B2 to Jamele et al., Motion Seat Systems and Methods of Implementing Motion in Seats, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes motion seat systems that are suitable for use in the system. 
         [0052]      FIG. 7  illustrates a seat frame  143  secured (e.g., bolted and welded) to the top frame  146 . The seat frame  143  has four spaces  158 ,  160 ,  162 , and  164 , which will be occupied by seats. A seat  142  in space  160  illustrates how the other seats (not shown) fit within spaces  158 ,  162 , and  164  of the seat support assembly  144 . 
         [0053]    In this embodiment, armrests  176 ,  178 ,  180 ,  182 , and  184  are secured (e.g., bolted and/or welded) to the seat frame  143 . A fan to tube adapter  186  is secured (e.g., bolted and/or welded) to a fan and fan mount  166  associated with the armrest  176 . A fan to tube adapter  188  is secured to a fan and fan mount  168  associated with the armrest  178 . The seat  142  rests on the fan and fan mount  170  associated with the armrest  180 . A fan to tube adapter  190  is secured to a fan and fan mount  172  associated with the armrest  182 . A fan to tube adapter  192  is secured to a fan and fan mount  174  associated with the armrest  184 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 7 , spaces  158 ,  162 , and  164  will be each occupied with a seat like seat  142  that include at least one armrest with a fan to tube adapter and a fan and fan mount. 
         [0054]    In the illustrated embodiment, the seat support assembly  144  contains four seats and an associated fluid delivery system  151  (shown in  FIG. 11 ) and a programmable controller  150 . However, the number of seats is not essential to the invention. Further, the fluid delivery system  151  and a programmable controller  150  can be used in more than a single seat support assembly as long as the electrical power supply can support it.  FIGS. 11-12  and the accompanying specification describe other details of the programmable controller  150  and the fluid delivery system  151 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  illustrates a back view of the seat support assembly of  FIG. 7 . As shown, the frame assembly  144  includes a seat  142  with armrests  178  and  180 . The front end of armrest  180  includes air, scent, and/or water outlets  200  and  206  and air outlets  202  and  204 . In an embodiment, the front end of armrest is dome-shaped so that the air outlets  202  and  204  can direct air flow to the viewers on either side of the armrest  180 . In another feature, the air outlets  202  and  204  follow the curvature of the dome-shaped end of armrest increasing the cross-sectional area for airflow but remaining narrow enough to prevent debris or trash from entering into the air outlets  202  and  204 . Similarly, the front end of the armrest  178  includes air, scent, and/or water outlets  208  and  214  and air outlets  210  and  212 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front ends of the armrests  178  and  180  are oriented, slanted, and/or sloped so that the air outlets  204  and  210  direct fluid (e.g., air) and the air, scent, and/or water outlets  206  and  208  direct fluid (e.g., air, scent, and/or water) toward the viewer (not shown) in seat  142 . 
         [0056]    Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the air, scent, and/or water outlet  200  will be used to distribute fluids (e.g., air, scent, and/or water), and the air outlet  202  will be used to distribute a fluid (e.g., air) to a viewer in a seat (not shown) that would occupy the space  162  defined by the top frame  146  and the seat frame  143 . Further, the air, scent, and/or water outlet  214  will be used to distribute fluids (e.g., air, scent, and/or water), and the air outlet  212  will be used to distribute a fluid (e.g., air) to a viewer in a seat that would occupy space  158 . Preferably, the fan and fan mount will be in close proximity to the armrest where it delivers air flow. Thus, the fan and fan mount  166  associated with the armrest  176  and the fan to tube adapter  186  is secured (e.g., bolted and/or welded) and adjacent to the armrest  176 . However, it is not essential to the invention that the fan and fan mount be adjacent the closest armrest or even provide air flow to a single armrest. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, the fan and fan mount  166  delivers air flow to the armrest  176  and/or armrest  178 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 9A  is an external view of the armrest apart from the seat support assembly of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9A  illustrates that the air, scent, and/or water outlets  208  and  214  are relatively small openings compared to the openings of the air outlets  210  and  212 . Thus, outlets  208  and  214  are particularly useful for delivery of compressed fluids.  FIG. 11  will illustrate an embodiment of a fluid delivery system that can be used to distribute the air, scent, and/or water to these air, scent, and/or water outlets shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B . 
         [0058]      FIG. 9B  is an internal view of the front end of the armrest  178  that was shown in  FIG. 7 . A foam tube  220  with a Y-splitter  211  that is connected to the air outlets  210  and  212 . The foam tube  220  is made of sound absorbing material and has a large diameter to reduce resistance to the delivery of air to the viewer. A suitable foam tube for any of the foam tubes such as the foam tube  220  is the Armacell AP Armaflex Pipe Insulation APT11838 that can be obtained from Carrier Enterprise Canada, LP Victoria, BC. A suitable Y-splitter for any of the Y-splitters such as the Y-splitter  211  can be obtained from MediaMation Inc. in Torrance, Calif. 
         [0059]    In an alternative embodiment, the foam tube and Y-splitter are a single structure rather than separate structures. 
         [0060]    Because the air, scent, and/or water lines are described in connection with  FIGS. 4A-4B , we don&#39;t illustrate each line (e.g., a tube) connected to the air, scent, and/or water outlets  208  and  214 , but show a representative air, scent, and/or water tube  213  that communicates with the air, scent, and/or water outlet  214 . The nozzles and tubes used to connect the air and/or water outlets  208  and  214  are same material and construction used in the tubes illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B  and described in the accompanying specification. 
         [0061]      FIG. 10A  is an internal view that illustrates an embodiment of the fluid delivery system including a fan system coupled to the air outlets of an armrest. In the embodiment, the armrest  176  has an associated fan  224  secured to a fan mount  222 . The fan  224  communicates with or is coupled to a fan to tube adapter  186  that is in turn connected to the foam tube  220 . In an embodiment, the foam tube  220  is inside the armrest  176  and coupled to a Y-splitter  211  ( FIG. 9B ) that opens or is connected to the air outlet  216 . In the embodiment, the foam tube  220  has material that absorbs noise and vibration. In addition, the physical separation of the fan  224  from the armrest  176  and seat (not show) effectively provide noise and fan vibration isolation from the viewers. 
         [0062]      FIG. 10B  illustrates an embodiment of a fan system, including a fan, a fan mount, and a fan to tube adapter. In an embodiment, the fan system is an independent source of air than the air delivered by the fluid delivery system of  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 10B  is an exploded view of the fan and fan mount  166  that includes the fan  224  secured (e.g., using machine screws of welding) to a L-shaped fan and the fan mount  222  made of steel and secured by welding or screws or bolts to the front of the top frame  146  ( FIG. 7 ). In an embodiment, the fan mount  222  has a cut out bent  90  degrees downward to provide an additional surface adjacent to the top frame  146 . The output of the fan  224  is secured with a conventional clamp or frictionally fit to the fan to tube adapter  186 . The fan to tube adapter  186  is J-shaped and secured with a conventional clamp or frictionally fit inside or outside the end of the foam tube  220  ( FIG. 10A ). 
         [0063]    A suitable fan mount for any of the fan mounts such as the fan mount  222  can be obtained from MediaMation Inc. in Torrance, Calif. A suitable fan for any of the fan such as fan  224  is the Sanyo Denki San Ace 9BMB245S201 that can be obtained from Sanyo Denki in Torrance, Calif. A suitable fan to tube adapter for any of the fan to tube adapters such as fan to tube adapter  186  can be obtained from MediaMation Inc. in Torrance, Calif. 
         [0064]      FIG. 11  illustrates an embodiment of the fluid delivery system used to distribute water, air, and/or scent(s) to outlets at the armrests. The fluid delivery system is used to distribute water, air, and/or scent(s) to air, scent, and/or water outlets  200 ,  206 ,  208  and  214  ( FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B ). In The fan system of  FIGS. 10A-10B . 
         [0065]    As illustrated, the fluid delivery system  151  includes a valve array  250 . A suitable valve array can be assembled from Festo valve manifold VABM-L1-14S-G14-5 and Festo valves VUVG-L14-T32C-AT-G18-1P3, which can be obtained from Festo, Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. The valve array  250  includes an air inlet  252 , an air valve outlet  254 , an air valve outlet  256 , and an air valve outlet  258 . 
         [0066]    An air supply source (not shown), for example, an air compressor at 100-125 psi supplies air to the air inlet  252 . A first air line  242  is connected from the air valve outlet  256  through a first flow regulator  234  and a first scent tank  230  through a check valve  231  to the air nozzle outlet  270 . A second air line  244  is connected from the air valve outlet  254  through a second flow regulator  236  and a second scent tank  232  through a check valve  233  to the air nozzle outlet  270 . The first flow regulator  234  controls the flow rate of first scent delivered to the viewer. The second flow regulator  236  controls the flow rate of second scent delivered to the viewer. The first check valve  231  prevents upstream contamination of the first scent tank  230  and the second check valve  233  prevents upstream contamination of the second scent tank  232 . A suitable check valve is the AKH08-00 from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. A suitable flow regulator is the SMC AS2051FG-08 Inline Flow Control from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. A suitable scent tank is the Clear Inline DI Filter Cartridge  214  that can be obtained from Filter Direct in Santa Ana, Calif. A suitable scent source is the Scent Sleeve from Escential Resources FX from Torrance, Calif. In an embodiment, the scent tanks provide scent to each seat of the seat assembly, and can be readily replaced to match the scent requirements of a given movie. 
         [0067]    As a result, the air nozzle outlet  270  delivers air, scent, and/or water outlets  200 ,  206 ,  208  and  214  ( FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B ). For example, the air nozzle outlet  270  can deliver high air flow (e.g., air blast), a low air flow (e.g., wind), and scent(s)(e.g., the smell of oranges) through, e.g., the air outlet  208  and/or air outlet  212  ( FIG. 9A ). 
         [0068]    In additional embodiments, the flow regulators  234  and  236  can be replaced by pressure regulators. A suitable pressure regulator is the SMC AW30-N03-Z Filter Regulator from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. In another embodiment, the air flow regulator  234  and/or the air flow regulator  236  and the scent tanks can be omitted. In other embodiments, the flow regulator  234  and/or the flow regulator  236 , or the pressure regulators, can be positioned anywhere along their respective air lines  242  and  244  and can be even positioned upstream from the air inlet  252 . 
         [0069]    A water pump (not shown), e.g., 30-70 psi, supplies water to the water inlet  262  of the water valve  260 , which couples the water line  248  from the water outlet  264  through a thumb valve  240  to the air and/or water nozzle outlet  272 . An atomizing air line  246  is coupled to the air valve outlet  258  and to a flow regulator  238 . The atomizing air line  246  is coupled to the air and/or water nozzle outlet  272 . As a result, the air and/or water outlet  272  is able to deliver a fine spray of atomized water (e.g., mist) and/or water through one or more air and/or water outlets  200 ,  206 ,  208  and  214  ( FIGS. 8 and 9A-9B ). When the atomized water is delivered both the air outlet  258  and the water valve  260  are opened. A suitable water valve is the SMC water valve VDW22AA from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. The thumb valve  240  will be secured near the cup holder  209  ( FIG. 9B ) of the armrest (e.g., armrest  178 ) or another part of the seat support assembly  144  that can be readily accessed by any viewer not interested in the water effect. A suitable thumb valve is the VHK-06F-06F from SMC in Noblesville, Ind. 
         [0070]      FIG. 12  illustrates a flowchart of the process and hardware transmitting commands to the fans for control of the fluid delivery system of  FIG. 11 . In an embodiment, using known conventional techniques, the system can include a controller  280  that transmits a digital command to a programmable controller  282 , which in turn transmits an analog voltage through a fuse  284  (optional), which in turn sends the analog voltage to an electrical relay  286  (optional) that sends an analog voltage to turn the fan on, set the flow rate, and turn the fan off. A suitable controller for the controller  280  in this process and hardware arrangement is the MediaMation MM-Showflow Controller that can be obtained from MediaMation Inc., in Torrance, Calif. A suitable programmable controller for the programmable controller  282  in this process and hardware arrangement is the MediaMation MX4D Control Box that can be obtained from MediaMation Inc., in Torrance, Calif. A suitable fuse for the fuse  284  and this process and hardware is the Konnect-It KN-F10L24DC fuse that can be obtained from Automation Direct in Cumming, Ga. A suitable relay for the electrical relay  286  is the Fujitsu FTR-LYCA024Y relay that can be obtained from Fujitsu Components America, Inc. San Jose, Calif. 
         [0071]    As indicated in  FIG. 12 , one or more of the hardware components  280 ,  282 ,  284 , and  286  can be omitted from the control process, but preferably all of these components are used to enhance control (e.g., controller  280  and relay  286 ) and safety (e.g., fuse  284 ) of the system. The controller  280  (e.g., personal computer) can run a program that transmits a set of digital commands on a serial port (e.g., Ethernet) to the programmable controller  282  that reads the digital command and converts them to an analog signal which is an input to the fan control  288  that determines whether the fan is on or off and, when on, the fan rpm. In an alternative embodiment, an operator can manually actuate the fans to achieve the desired effects. 
         [0072]    In a preferred embodiment, a controller  280  will send a digital command over Ethernet to each programmable controller  282  that transmits an analog signal to each fan to vary fan rpm to produce the flow rate required to simulate the effect as required during the movie. For example, if the movie depicts a hurricane, the analog signal will be at a higher voltage that causes the fan to run at a higher rpm to generate a higher flow rate to simulate the hurricane. If the movie depicts a scene with a balmy breeze, the analog signal will be a lower voltage that causes the fan to run at a lower rpm to generate a lower flow rate. An operator can watch the movie and set the fan commands (e.g., off or on with high, medium, low flowrates) over the length of the movie to simulate what viewers would expect to experience if actually in the movie. 
         [0073]      FIGS. 1-12  illustrate the fluid delivery systems and methods of fluid delivery in a four-seat support assembly. However, the inventors recognize the fluid delivery system may be implemented for one or more seats, and each seat may include one or more armrests. Furthermore, the system may be implemented by an operator rather than a controller (e.g., a network computer), which is also referred to as a central controller. It is also recognized that the system is not limited to seating designed for commercial theaters, theme parks, exhibits, home theaters, and gaming. For example, it may be used in any environment where fluid effect will enhance or change the experience of the viewer in the seat. 
         [0074]    Thus, the systems and methods described also eliminate the need for hanging fans to produce in-theater effects such as wind. In addition, the system eliminates the need for rails mounted in front-row seats and water jets on the back of each additional row. Instead, the effects (e.g., air blasts, wind, water, mist and scents) are implemented at the armrest of the seat of the viewers. If the seat also moves, the effects move along with the viewer. 
         [0075]    The design of the system allows unlimited configurations as to the number of seats, however, four seats in an assembly is a preferred arrangement. It also may provide each rider with the same experience at a relatively low cost. Many of the parts of the systems can be purchased and implemented in metal such as high strength steel, but the person of ordinary skill would readily understand the materials and parts to use after review of the specification. Further, the choice of materials and conventional parts is not essential to the invention.