3-D printed variable pattern nozzle
A monolithic 3-D printed nozzle assembly that produces a variable water pattern includes a first translucent hollow section portion that receives a first stream of water and provides a linear stream of water moving along a longitudinal axis of the first section. A translucent tangential injector portion integrally formed with the first section defines at least one passageway. The injector portion receives a second stream of water and directs it to rotate about a rotational axis using the passageway(s). A second translucent hollow section portion integrally extends from the first section and receives the linear stream of water from the first section and the second stream of water rotating about the rotational axis from the tangential injector, providing a third stream of water formed therefrom. A third translucent hollow section portion integrally extends from the second section and receives the third stream of water, directing it to an exterior environment.
1 . A method for producing a variable lighted water pattern, the method comprising:
selectively providing a first stream of water to a first end of a translucent cylindrical tube;
selectively providing a second stream of water to a structure integrally formed with the translucent cylindrical tube, the structure causing the second stream of water to rotate about a rotational axis;
merging the first stream of water with the second stream of water in the translucent cylindrical tube, such that the longitudinal axis of the translucent cylindrical tube is other than perpendicular to the rotational axis of the second stream of water, the first and second streams of water forming a third stream of water;
providing the third stream of water to an exterior environment from the translucent cylindrical tube; and
at least one of (1) varying a volume of the first stream of water, changing a height of the third stream of water in the exterior environment and (2) varying a volume of the second stream of water, changing lateral dispersion of the third stream of water in the external environment;
directing light at least one of through and about the translucent cylindrical tube, illuminating at least one of the translucent cylindrical tube and the water streams;
wherein the lighting assembly is an LED light source positioned at an end in opposition to a third translucent hollow section portion directing the third stream of water to the exterior environment;
wherein a first hollow section portion at the first end of the translucent cylindrical tube comprises an integrally formed lens configured to receive light from the LED light source.
2 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 1 further comprising providing a lighting assembly configured to direct light through at least a first translucent hollow section portion, a second translucent hollow section portion, and a third translucent hollow section portion, illuminating the translucent cylindrical tube and/or one or more of the water streams.
3 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises a light emitting diode (LED) ring assembly positioned about the translucent cylindrical tube.
4 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising an attachable object top providing an orifice for water flow.
5 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the attachable object top comprises a translucent material configured to allow illumination from a lighting assembly.
6 . A method for producing a variable lighted water pattern, the method comprising:
providing a monolithic 3-D printed nozzle assembly configured to produce a variable water pattern comprising:
a first translucent hollow section portion comprising an integrally formed translucent wall portion, the first hollow section portion configured to receive a first stream of water and provide a linear stream of water moving along a linear axis;
a translucent tangential injector portion integrally formed with the first translucent hollow section portion, the translucent tangential injector portion defining at least one passageway, the translucent tangential injector portion configured to receive a second stream of water and direct the second stream of water to rotate about a rotational axis using the at least one passageway;
a second translucent hollow section portion comprising the translucent wall portion of the first hollow portion, integrally formed with an outer translucent wall portion of the second hollow portion, the second hollow section portion configured to receive the second stream of water and to provide a rotating stream of water that rotates about a rotational axis from the tangential injector portion, such that the rotational axis is other than perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, providing a third stream of water formed from the first and second streams of water;
a third translucent hollow section portion comprising the translucent wall portion of the first hollow portion integrally extending from the second hollow portion, the third translucent hollow section portion configured to receive the linear stream of water and the rotating stream of water, such that the linear axis and the rotational axis are non-perpendicular, and provide a third stream of water formed by the linear stream of water and the rotating stream of water; and
a nozzle tip portion configured to receive the third stream of water and direct the third stream of water into an exterior environment via an orifice;
selectively providing the first stream of water to the first translucent hollow section portion;
selectively providing the second stream of water to the second translucent hollow section portion;
forming a third stream of water from the first stream of water and the second stream of water;
providing the third stream of water to the third translucent hollow section; and
directing the third stream of water into the exterior environment via the orficie of the nozzle tip portion received from the third translucent hollow section.
7 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the second hollow section portion comprises an integrally formed tangential diffuser defined by the translucent wall portion of the first hollow portion integrally formed with the outer translucent wall portion of the second hollow portion, the integrally formed tangential diffuser comprising a plurality of passages defined in the translucent wall portion of the first hollow portion and configured to direct the second stream of water about the rotational axis.
8 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the plurality of passages comprises a plurality of exit ports that are arranged in a circle.
9 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the second hollow section portion further comprises an integrally formed plenum defined between the translucent wall portion of the first hollow portion and the outer translucent wall portion of the second hollow portion, the plenum comprising:
an integrally formed inlet port configured to receive the second stream of water; and
an integrally formed tangential diffuser.
10 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the second hollow section portion comprises an integrally formed plenum defining a torus shape and an integrally formed inlet port located to direct at least a portion of the second stream of water with a tangential component relative to a radius of the plenum torus shape.
11 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the nozzle tip portion is translucent and is integral with at least the first hollow section portion, the second hollow section portion, and the third hollow section portion, receiving the third stream of water and directing the third stream of water into the exterior environment by an orifice.
12 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising illuminating at least one of the printed 3-D nozzle assembly and one or more of the water streams with a lighting assembly configured to direct light through at least the first translucent hollow section portion, the second translucent hollow section portion, the third translucent hollow section portion, and the translucent nozzle tip portion.
13 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises an LED ring assembly positioned about the monolithic 3-D printed nozzle assembly.
14 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 12 , wherein the lighting assembly comprises an LED light source positioned at an end in opposition to the third hollow section portion providing the third stream of water.
15 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 14 , wherein the first hollow section portion comprises an integrally formed lens configured to receive light from the LED light source.
16 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 6 , further comprising a removable object top providing an orifice for water flow.
17 . The method for producing a variable lighted water pattern in accordance with claim 16 , wherein the removable object top comprises a translucent material configured to allow illumination from a lighting assembly.