US 12,496,607 B2 · Rain simulation system

Abstract

A rain simulation system that replicates realistic raindrop characteristics for controlled testing is invented. The rain simulation system can be used as a stand-alone system with wind using a blower fan or in a wind tunnel, and without wind to create wind-driven and vertically falling rain droplets, respectively. In addition, methods to simulate rainfall for stationary and moving objects such as a road passenger vehicle are proposed. The rain simulation system is fully adjustable for a range of droplet size, impact velocity, rain intensity, rain coverage via the use of dripping nozzle devices and positioning of system components. The rain simulation system dispenses distinct droplets or continuous streams that can be broken down into droplets by wind. A rain nozzle device is coupled with a rain reservoir, and multiple nozzles are used to create a rain matrix, the full matrix is integrated with a rain rack and rainwater flow control strategy.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A rain simulation system comprising:

at least one nozzle assembly for dispensing a liquid;
at least one reservoir assembly connected to the at least one nozzle assembly for supplying the liquid to the at least one nozzle assembly;
a support rack for supporting the at least one nozzle assembly and the at least one reservoir assembly;
and,
a rain system master flow control for controlling the flow and pressure of the liquid inputted to the at least one reservoir assembly, wherein the rain system master flow control, the support rack, the at least one reservoir assembly and the at least one nozzle assembly are adjustable so that the liquid from the at least one nozzle assembly forms a predetermined rain pattern of rain droplets with at least one parameter to a test zone.

2 more elements

A rain simulation system, comprising:

at least one nozzle assembly for dispensing a liquid wherein the at least one nozzle assembly includes an inlet connected to at least one reservoir assembly, an internal channel connected to the inlet, and a flow rate controlling adjustment screw that controls an opening of the internal channel to control the flow of liquid through the opening;
the at least one reservoir assembly is connected to the at least one nozzle assembly for supplying the liquid to the at least one nozzle assembly, wherein the at least one reservoir assembly includes an inlet port in a reservoir body of the at least one reservoir that accepts liquid from a rain system master flow control and at least one exit port connected to the at least one nozzle assembly, and the flow control adjustment screw is threaded into the inlet to control the opening size of the inlet port and maintain a desired liquid level in the at least one reservoir assembly;
a support rack for supporting the at least one nozzle assembly and the at least one reservoir assembly;
and,
the rain system master flow control for controlling the flow and pressure of the liquid inputted to the at least one reservoir assembly, wherein the rain system master flow control, the support rack, the at least one reservoir assembly and the at least one nozzle assembly are adjustable so that the liquid from the at least one nozzle assembly forms a predetermined rain pattern of rain droplets with at least one parameter to a test zone.

2 more elements

A rain simulation system, comprising:

at least one nozzle assembly for dispensing a liquid wherein the at least one nozzle assembly includes an inlet connected to at least one reservoir assembly, an internal channel connected to the inlet, and a flow rate controlling adjustment screw that controls an opening of the internal channel to control the flow of liquid through the opening;
the least one reservoir assembly is connected to the at least one nozzle assembly for supplying the liquid to the at least one nozzle assembly, wherein the at least one reservoir assembly includes an inlet port in a reservoir body of the at least one reservoir that accepts liquid from a rain system master flow control and at least one exit port connected to the at least one nozzle assembly, and the flow control adjustment screw is threaded into the inlet to control the opening size of the inlet port and maintain a desired liquid level in the at least one reservoir assembly;
a support rack for supporting the at least one nozzle assembly and the at least one reservoir assembly;
the rain system master flow control for controlling the flow and pressure of the liquid inputted to the at least one reservoir assembly, wherein the rain system master flow control, the support rack, the at least one reservoir assembly and the at least one nozzle assembly are adjustable so that the liquid from the at least one nozzle assembly forms a predetermined rain pattern of rain droplets with at least one parameter to a test zone;
and
wherein the rain system master flow control further comprises a main inlet for receiving the liquid that will be flowed to the at least one nozzle assembly, at least one outlet connected to the at least one reservoir assembly, a flow control body having multiple internal flow channels, including a main channel to act as a master connection medium between the main inlet and the at least one outlet and a valve placed within the main channel to control liquid flow relative to the main inlet.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rain simulation system

Life of this patent

Rain simulation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims41