Patent Description:
Amusement parks contain a variety of attractions providing unique experiences to each park guest. Among these attractions are water attractions. These water attractions may utilize fountains, for example, during a show. However, typically, these fountains either remain visible when not in use, or require large systems to raise and lower them relative to the water's surface, and thus, a problem with a single platform of this system can keep the fountains associated with that platform from being utilized during the show. With the increasing sophistication and complexity of modern attractions, and the corresponding increase in expectations among amusement park and/or theme park guests, improved and more creative attractions are needed, including attractions that provide a unique guest experience. With a more sophisticated and demanding audience, it is increasingly important to elegantly conceal technical equipment, so one does not take away from the performance, as well as remove risk of a large-scale technical failure, such as the favor of all of the fountains associated with a platform, in favor of smaller risks that are easier to overcome during the live performance.

<CIT> discloses a fountain device having a model flying object which resembles a launching fuel injection. This resemblance is accomplished by elevating a model flying body holding means to raise a model flying body with the visual effect of launching from the water surface level of a fountain and gushing water from downward facing spout nozzles.

In one embodiment, a modular fountain system is provided. The modular fountain system includes multiple fountain nozzles. Each fountain nozzle of the multiple fountain nozzles includes a body configured to telescope during extension and retraction, and a nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body. The fountain system also includes an extension system configured to actuate the extension and retraction of the body. The fountain system also includes an actuation system configured to activate discharge of a liquid from the nozzle outlet. The extension system and the actuation system are discrete systems. The modular fountain system also includes a control system coupled to the multiple fountain nozzles. The control system is configured to independently control extension and retraction of each fountain nozzle of the multiple fountain nozzles, and to keep the body of at least one fountain nozzle of the multiple fountain nozzles extended without a liquid being discharged from the nozzle outlet of the at least one fountain nozzle. The extension system includes a conduit that extends through the body of each respective fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles. A first valve is disposed along the conduit within a segment at a bottom portion of the body and a second valve is disposed along the conduit adjacent segments near a top portion of the body. A pump is coupled to a fluid source and configured to provide fluid to the conduit, wherein the control system is configured to open the first valve, close the second valve and cause the pump to pump fluid into the conduit to extend the body of the respective fountain nozzle.

In another embodiment, a method for utilizing a modular fountain system is provided. The method includes extending, via an extension system, a portion of a telescopic body of one or more of the plurality of fountain nozzles out of a liquid. A nozzle outlet is coupled to an end of the portion of the telescopic body of one or more of the plurality of fountain nozzles extending out of the liquid. The method also includes activating, via an actuation system, discharge of the liquid from the nozzle outlet whilst keeping the body of at least one fountain nozzles extended without liquid being discharged from the nozzle outlet of the at least one fountain nozzle. The extension system and the actuation system function separately from each other. The method further comprises, via a control system of the modular fountain system: opening a first valve disposed along a conduit within a segment at a bottom portion of the body of the respective fountain nozzle; closing a second valve disposed along the respective conduit adjacent segments near a top portion of the body; and providing fluid to the respective conduit using a pump coupled to a fluid source, to extend the body of the respective fountain nozzle.

Amusement parks feature a wide variety of entertainment, such as amusement park rides, performance shows, and games. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a fountain system for a water attraction (e.g., show) that may be utilized at an amusement park or other entertainment venue. A fountain system for a water attraction includes a plurality of fountain nozzles (e.g., telescopic fountain). The fountain nozzles include a body that telescopes during extension and retraction. During retraction, the fountain nozzles may be completely submersed in the water. During extension a portion of the body may extend out of water. A nozzle outlet coupled to an end of the body (outside of the water) discharges water (or other liquid) provided to the fountain nozzle. The extension and retraction occurs via an extension system. The extension system extends the body (e.g. to full length) and maintains the extension without water being discharged from the nozzle outlet. Activation of the discharge of water from the nozzle outlet occurs via an actuation system. The actuation system is separate or discrete from the extension system. In certain embodiments, the actuation system may include a pump (e.g., for hydraulic actuation). In certain embodiments, that actuation system may include an air compressor/pump may be utilized (e.g., for pneumatic actuation). In certain embodiments, an electric feed for an electric actuator may be utilized for actuation. A control system controls both the extension and actuation systems. The fountain system is a modular fountain system that includes multiple fountain nozzles. The control system, via the extension and actuation systems, independently or separately controls the extension and retraction and discharge of water of each fountain nozzle. Thus, if one or more of the fountain nozzles does not function, the remaining fountain nozzles may be utilized. In addition, utilizing distinct systems to control the extension and retraction and discharge of water expands the functionality of the telescopic fountain nozzles during the water attraction. This avoids having to utilize a large platform that supports dozens or hundreds of nozzles.

Turning to the figures, <FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a fountain system <NUM> of a water attraction (e.g., show). As depicted, the fountain system <NUM> includes a telescopic fountain or fountain nozzle <NUM> disposed within a body of water <NUM>. The body of water <NUM> may be in a pond, lake, pool, tank, or building structure (e.g., located at an amusement park). The fountain nozzle <NUM> includes a body <NUM> (e.g., telescopic body) that extends in a first direction <NUM> (e.g., vertical direction) and retracts in a second direction <NUM> (e.g., opposite vertical direction). The body <NUM> telescopes when extending or retracting. In particular, the body <NUM> includes multiple segments <NUM> arranged in a concentric arrangement that extend from each other when extended and retract within each other when retracted (e.g., in a nested arrangement). As depicted, each subsequent segment <NUM> extending from the body <NUM> in direction <NUM> is narrower than the previous segments <NUM> below it. Thus, the body <NUM> narrows from a bottom portion <NUM> to a top portion <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the body <NUM> widens from the bottom portion <NUM> to the top portion <NUM> (see <FIG>). As depicted, the body <NUM> of the fountain nozzle <NUM> is fully extended so that a portion (e.g., top portion <NUM>) is located out of the water <NUM> and a portion (e.g., bottom portion <NUM>) is located within the water <NUM>. In certain embodiments, an entirety of the body <NUM> may extend outside the water <NUM>. The fountain nozzle <NUM> includes a nozzle outlet <NUM> located at an end <NUM> of the top portion <NUM> of the body <NUM> where water is discharged (e.g., indicated by reference numeral <NUM>). In certain embodiments, nozzle outlets <NUM> may be disposed along the side of the body <NUM> for discharge of water from the fountain nozzle <NUM>.

The fountain system <NUM> includes an extension system <NUM> that extends and retracts the body <NUM> of the fountain nozzle <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, the extension system <NUM> includes a pump to extend and retract the body <NUM>. The extension system <NUM> may fully extend, partially extend, fully retract, and/or partially retract the fountain nozzle <NUM>. The fountain system <NUM> also includes an actuation system <NUM> that activates or causes the water to flow through the body <NUM> of the fountain nozzle <NUM> to be discharged via the nozzle outlet <NUM>. As described in greater detail below, the actuation system <NUM> may include a pump, valves, compressor, or other mechanisms to control the discharge of water from the fountain nozzle <NUM>. Both the extension system <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM> are coupled to a control system <NUM> (e.g., controller). The control system <NUM> controls the extension system <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM> to control the extension and retraction of the fountain nozzle <NUM> and the discharge of water from the fountain nozzle <NUM>.

The extension system <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM> are two discrete or separate systems that are separately or independently controlled by the control system <NUM>. This enables the body <NUM> of the fountain nozzle <NUM> to be extended without the discharge of water or other liquid from the nozzle <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> includes a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM> configured to execute instructions stored on the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include multiple processors, one or more "general-purpose" microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor <NUM> may include one or more reduced instruction set (RISC) processor, advanced RISC machine (ARM) processor, performance optimization with enhanced RISC (PowerPC) processor, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) integrated circuit, graphics processing unit (GPU), or any other suitable processing device.

The memory device <NUM> may include a volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), nonvolatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, or any combination thereof. The memory device <NUM> may store a variety of information that may be used for various purposes. For example, the memory device <NUM> may store processor-executable instructions (e.g., firmware or software) for the processor <NUM> to execute, such as instructions for controlling the extension and retraction of the fountain nozzle <NUM>, discharge of water or other liquid from the nozzle <NUM>, flow rate of water into the nozzle, or other instructions related to the fountain system <NUM>. The storage device(s) (e.g., nonvolatile storage) may include ROM, flash memory, a hard drive, or any other suitable optical, magnetic, or solid-state storage medium, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of a modular fountain system <NUM> of a water attraction (e.g., having multiple telescopic fountain nozzles <NUM>). As depicted in <FIG>, multiple telescopic fountain nozzles <NUM> as described in <FIG> are coupled to the extension system <NUM>, actuation system <NUM>, and the control system <NUM> to form the modular fountain system <NUM>. As depicted, the fountain nozzles <NUM> are disposed within the body of water <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the fountain nozzles <NUM> may be disposed on a common platform. The control system <NUM>, via the extension system <NUM>, is configured to independently or separately control the extension and retraction of each fountain nozzle <NUM> of the modular fountain system <NUM>. In other words, the control system <NUM> may cause one or more fountain nozzles <NUM> to extend, while some fountain nozzles <NUM> remain retracted. Also, the control system <NUM> may cause one or more fountain nozzles <NUM> to retract, while some fountain nozzles <NUM> remain extended. As depicted, the modular fountain system <NUM> includes four fountain nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The number of fountain nozzles <NUM> may vary (e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM><NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or any other number of fountain nozzles <NUM>). As depicted, fountain nozzles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are extended, while fountain nozzle <NUM> is retracted.

The control system <NUM>, via the actuation system <NUM>, is configured to independently or separately control the discharge of water or other liquid from each fountain nozzle <NUM>. In other words, the control system <NUM> may cause one or more fountain nozzles <NUM> to discharge water, while some fountain nozzles <NUM> do not discharge water. As depicted, fountain nozzles <NUM> and <NUM> are discharging water as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>. As mentioned above having discrete extension <NUM> and actuation systems <NUM> enables the fountain nozzle <NUM> to be extended without water being discharged from the fountain nozzle <NUM> (as depicted by the fountain nozzle <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the extension system <NUM> (e.g., electrically actuated piston <NUM>), which is not covered by the claimed subject-matter, interfacing with a portion of the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM>. The extension system <NUM> includes a piston <NUM> disposed within the body <NUM> of the fountain nozzle <NUM>. The piston <NUM> includes a piston head <NUM> that interfaces with the top segment <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The nozzle outlet (e.g., nozzle) is coupled to the piston head <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the piston head <NUM> may interface with a different segment <NUM> of the body <NUM> and/or with more than one segment <NUM> of the body <NUM>. As depicted, the piston <NUM> is coupled to an electric power source <NUM> that causes the piston head <NUM> to extend or retract from the piston <NUM>. The electric power source <NUM> may be controlled by the control system <NUM>. When the piston head <NUM> extends from the piston <NUM> in direction <NUM>, it pushes on the top segment <NUM> of the body <NUM>, causing the body <NUM> to extend. As depicted, each body segment <NUM> includes a lip or flange <NUM> that interfaces with the lip or flange <NUM> of the adjacent body segment <NUM> below it. As an upper force is exerted on the top segment <NUM>, the top segment's flange <NUM> exerts an upper force on the flange <NUM> of the adjacent segment <NUM> causing it to lift upward, while a similar interaction occurs along the flange interfaces of the other segments <NUM>, thus, causing the telescoping extension of the body <NUM>. When the piston head <NUM> retracts toward the piston <NUM> in direction <NUM>, the segments <NUM> of the body <NUM> retract or nest within each other.

In certain embodiments, which are not covered by the claimed subject-matter, as an alternative to a piston, the extension system <NUM> may include a threaded insert extending out of a tapped segment (e.g., similar to a hollowed-out version of an electric lead screw). The tapped segment may be similar to the piston head extend and/or retract the segments <NUM> of the body <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the extension system <NUM> (e.g., hydraulically actuated piston or pneumatically actuated piston <NUM>), which is not covered by the claimed subject-matter, interfacing with a portion of the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM>. The piston <NUM> is as described in <FIG> except the piston <NUM> is hydraulically or pneumatically actuated. Thus, movement of the piston head <NUM> is actuated via a fluid (e.g., air, water, etc.) within the piston <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the fountain system <NUM> that includes the extension system <NUM> and actuation system <NUM> interfacing with the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM>. The telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM> is as described above. As depicted, the extension system <NUM> includes a conduit <NUM> that extends through the body <NUM> of the telescopic nozzle <NUM>. One or more valves may be disposed along the conduit <NUM> at different locations. As depicted, a valve <NUM> is disposed along the conduit <NUM> within the segment <NUM> at the bottom portion <NUM> of the body <NUM>. In addition, a valve <NUM> is disposed along the conduit <NUM> adjacent the segments <NUM> near the top portion <NUM> of the body <NUM>. The extension system <NUM> also includes a pump <NUM> coupled to a fluid source <NUM> (e.g., water, air in a pneumatic system, etc.). The pump <NUM> is coupled to conduit <NUM> via conduit <NUM> and is configured to provide the fluid (e.g., water, air, etc.) to the conduit <NUM>. In certain embodiments, conduit <NUM> may be coupled to the nozzle outlet <NUM>. Providing the fluid to the conduit <NUM> extends the body <NUM> of the telescopic nozzle <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is coupled to and controls the pump <NUM> and the valves <NUM>, <NUM>. The control system <NUM> may open valve <NUM> and close valve <NUM> and cause the pump <NUM> to pump fluid into the conduit <NUM> to extend the body <NUM>. Upon the desired extension of the body <NUM>, the control system <NUM> may close the valve <NUM> to maintain the extension of the body <NUM>, while ceasing flow of fluid from the pump <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the extension of the body <NUM> may be maintained without activating the discharge of water from the nozzle outlet <NUM>. In certain embodiments, an outlet may be coupled to conduit <NUM> and/or conduit <NUM> to release the fluid from within conduit <NUM> (e.g., when valve <NUM> is opened) to enable the retraction of the body <NUM>.

A separate activation system <NUM> is also coupled to the control system <NUM> for activating discharge of water from the nozzle outlet <NUM>. As depicted, the activation system <NUM> includes a pump <NUM> coupled to a water supply <NUM> (e.g., the body of water <NUM>). The pump <NUM> is coupled to a conduit <NUM>. As depicted, conduit <NUM> is coupled to a conduit <NUM> (e.g., separate from conduit <NUM>) disposed within the body <NUM>. Conduit <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle outlet <NUM>. In certain embodiments, conduit <NUM> may be disposed within one or more walls of the body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, conduit <NUM> may be disposed within a space (e.g., cavity) between the walls of the body <NUM>. Upon a signal from the control system <NUM>, the pump <NUM> provides water to the conduit <NUM> for discharge from the nozzle outlet <NUM>. In certain embodiments, conduit <NUM> or <NUM> may be coupled (e.g., fluidly coupled) to the conduit <NUM> to provide water for discharge from the nozzle outlet <NUM> when valve <NUM> is open. In certain embodiments, the system <NUM> may utilize a single pump for both extension and activation of water discharge.

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the actuation system <NUM>, which is not covered by the claimed subject-matter, interfacing with a portion of the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM>. The actuation system <NUM> includes the pump <NUM>, water supply <NUM>, and the conduit <NUM> as described above. The fountain nozzle <NUM> includes the piston <NUM> as described above (e.g., electrically or hydraulically actuated) in an extended position extending the body <NUM>. Upon the pump <NUM> providing water to the nozzle outlet <NUM>, via the conduit <NUM> (e.g., flexible hose or rigid fitting coupled to nozzle outlet <NUM>), water is discharged from the fountain nozzle <NUM> (as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates an embodiment of the actuation system <NUM>, which is not covered by the claimed subject-matter, interfacing with the portion of the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM> (e.g., having water pathways in walls of telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM>). The actuation system <NUM> includes the pump <NUM>, water supply <NUM>, and the conduit <NUM> as described above. The fountain nozzle <NUM> includes the piston head <NUM> as described above (e.g., electrically or hydraulically actuated) in an extended position extending the body <NUM>. Passages <NUM> extend through a wall <NUM> of the top segment <NUM> of the body <NUM>. Upon the pump <NUM> providing water to the fountain nozzle <NUM>, via the conduit <NUM>, the water passes through the passages <NUM> (as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>) and through passages <NUM> (as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>) that form the nozzle outlet <NUM> for discharge of water from the fountain nozzle <NUM>. As depicted, the passages <NUM> are fluidly coupled to an interior (e.g. cavity) within the body <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the passages <NUM> may be only located within one or more walls <NUM> of one or more segments <NUM> of the body <NUM> with the conduit <NUM> directly coupled to the passages <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method <NUM> for utilizing the fountain system <NUM> of a water attraction. One or more of the steps of the method <NUM> may be performed by the control system <NUM> (e.g., via the extension system <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM>). One or more of the steps of the method <NUM> may be performed simultaneously and/or in a different order from that depicted. In addition, the method <NUM> may be performed utilizing a single fountain nozzle <NUM> or one or more fountain nozzles of a modular fountain system. The method <NUM> includes extending, via the extension system <NUM>, a portion of the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM> out of the water (block <NUM>). In certain embodiments, the method <NUM> includes keeping the telescopic fountain nozzle <NUM> extended without discharging water from the nozzle outlet <NUM> (block <NUM>). The method <NUM> also includes activating, via the actuation system <NUM>, the discharge of water from the nozzle outlet <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the extension system <NUM> and the actuation system <NUM> are discrete systems that function separately from each other as described above.

Claim 1:
A modular fountain system (<NUM>), comprising:
a plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>), wherein each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>) comprises:
a body (<NUM>) configured to telescope during extension and retraction; and
a nozzle outlet (<NUM>) coupled to an end of the body (<NUM>);
a control system (<NUM>) coupled to the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>), wherein the control system (<NUM>) is configured to independently control extension and retraction of each fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>) and to keep the body (<NUM>) of at least one fountain nozzle of the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>) extended without a liquid being discharged from the nozzle outlet (<NUM>) of the at least one fountain nozzle (<NUM>);
an extension system (<NUM>) configured to actuate the extension and retraction of one or more respective fountain nozzles of the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>); and,
an actuation system (<NUM>) configured to activate discharge of the liquid from the nozzle outlet (<NUM>),
wherein the control system (<NUM>) is coupled to and controls the extension system (<NUM>) and the actuation system (<NUM><NUM>),
wherein the extension system (<NUM>) and the actuation system (<NUM>) are discrete systems,
wherein the extension system (<NUM>) includes: a conduit (<NUM>) that extends through the body (<NUM>) of each respective fountain nozzle (<NUM>) of the plurality of fountain nozzles (<NUM>); a first valve (<NUM>) disposed along the respective conduit (<NUM>) within a segment (<NUM>) at a bottom portion (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>); a second valve (<NUM>) disposed along the respective conduit (<NUM>) adjacent segments (<NUM>) near a top portion (<NUM>) of the body (<NUM>); and, a pump (<NUM>) coupled to a fluid source (<NUM>) and configured to provide fluid to the respective conduit (<NUM>), wherein the control system (<NUM>) is configured to open the first valve (<NUM>) and close the second valve (<NUM>) and cause the pump (<NUM>) to pump fluid into the respective conduit (<NUM>) to extend the body (<NUM>) of the respective fountain nozzle (<NUM>).