US 2006/0032936 A1 · Recirculating water fountain

Abstract

A recirculating water fountain configured for table/desk top use comprises a water reservoir, a plenum mounted above the reservoir and configured to accumulate a substantially still pool of water, and a pump operable to pump water upwardly from the reservoir to form the water pool in the plenum. The recirculating water fountain includes a visually open flow pathway sloping downward from beneath the plenum to receive water from a plenum overflow for return to the reservoir, and a controller for alternately defining a pump-on mode and a pump-off mode. The pump controller functions to define the pump-off mode in response to the water level in the reservoir falling below a first height mark and to prevent resumption of the pump-on mode until the water level in the reservoir exceeds a second height mark. The open flow pathway includes a first portion defining convex and concave surfaces which guide the sheet flow along a visually pleasing generally sinuous path, and a second downwardly sloping diverging ramp portion which is ridged to produce a visually pleasing rippling effect.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A recirculating water fountain comprising:

a reservoir for accommodating a volume of liquid;
a plenum mounted above said reservoir configured to accumulate a liquid pool;
a pump operable in a pump-on mode to pump liquid upwardly from said reservoir to form said liquid pool in said plenum;
a visibly open flow pathway sloping downwardly from beneath said plenum and configured to receive liquid from a plenum overflow for return to said reservoir;
detector means for providing a first signal when the liquid level in said reservoir is less than a predetermined first height mark and for providing a second signal when the liquid level in said reservoir is greater than a predetermined second height mark, where said second height mark is greater than said first height mark;
and
controller means responsive to said first and second signals for setting a pump-off mode in response to said liquid level being less than first height mark and for preventing setting of said pump-on mode unless said liquid level is greater than said second height mark.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Recirculating water fountain

Life of this patent

Recirculating water fountain

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13