Rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features
A rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features comprising in one example: a fluid inlet; a housing having a fluid conduit to the fluid inlet; a distribution liner positioned within the housing; the distribution liner having a surface defining a distribution liner port; the housing having surfaces defining a plurality of housing outlets; and a drive unit configured to rotate the distribution liner within the housing to sequentially align the distribution liner port with the housing outlets so as to intermittently provide a fluid conduit between the fluid inlet and one or more housing outlets.
1. A rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features comprising:
a fluid inlet;
a housing having a fluid conduit to the fluid inlet;
a distribution liner positioned within the housing;
the distribution liner having a surface defining a distribution liner port;
the housing having surfaces defining a plurality of housing outlets;
a drive unit configured to rotate the distribution liner within the housing to sequentially align the distribution liner port with the housing outlets so as to intermittently provide a fluid conduit between the fluid inlet and one or more housing outlets;
a turbine within the housing;
the turbine fixed to the distribution liner and configured to rotate the distribution liner as fluid flows through the housing; and
wherein the turbine comprises vanes within the distribution liner port.
2. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 1 wherein the distribution liner is a hollow cylinder with the distribution liner port in the radially outward surface thereof.
3. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 1 wherein the distribution liner is a planar disk with the distribution liner port there through.
4. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 1 wherein the turbine comprises vanes affixed to the surface defining the distribution port.
5. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 4 wherein the turbine comprises surfaces defining slots in the distribution liner, overlapping the housing outlets, the slots not aligned with a rotational axis of the drive unit.
6. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 1 comprising:
a sealing disk fixed to the distribution liner, and
the sealing disk comprising a material providing a fluid seal as well as a friction reducing bearing between the distribution liner and the end plate disk.
7. The rotary hydraulic distribution manifold for water play features as recited in claim 6 wherein the distribution liner ports extend through the distribution liner and the sealing disk.