Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Matthew A Cotter

Charles P Davis

Evelyn S Wiseman

Theodore R Carlsson

Jennifer Magill

Michael A Layman

William T Slusser

Jason A Badger

James A Badger

Jennifer M Magill

A fluid effects apparatus for creating a fluid display. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal. A fluid outlet manifold is provided with an inlet for receiving fluid and a nozzle. The fluid outlet manifold is supported on the center point gimbal to pivot with the gimbal. A drive assembly is provided with first and second drive mechanisms that each drive input arms attached to the fluid outlet manifold at an angular offset. Each of the input arms is configured with three pivot points to translate rotational input from a crank arm of the drive mechanism into linear movement, and each input arm includes a first swing arm pivotally coupled to the crank arm, a second swing arm coupled to an end of the first swing arm, and a collar receiving a portion of the fluid outlet manifold and pivotally supported by the second swing arm.

Mechanical linkages for pivotable fluid effects platform

A fluid effects apparatus for producing a water display or show. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal mechanism and a fluid outlet manifold with an inlet for receiving fluid. The fluid outlet manifold is pivotally supported upon the center point gimbal mechanism and includes a nozzle manifold with a pivotally mounted nozzle for dispersing the received fluid and a nozzle drive assembly coupled to the nozzle that selectively rotates the nozzle about its rotation axis. The drive assembly includes a motor mounted to pivot with the fluid outlet manifold upon the center point gimbal. The drive assembly includes an output drive element of the motor that is coupled to the nozzle to selectively rotate the nozzle. The nozzle manifold includes a second nozzle and switching means for selectively directing the received fluid to one of the two nozzles.

Selectable and twisting nozzle for fluid effects platform

A fluid effects apparatus to produce a fluid display or effect. The apparatus includes a base with a center point gimbal. A fluid outlet manifold is provided with an inlet for receiving fluid and an outlet device such as a nozzle for dispersing the received fluid. The fluid outlet manifold is supported upon the center point gimbal to pivot with the gimbal in all directions. A drive assembly is provided with first and second drive mechanisms such as submersible servos that each drive input arms attached to the fluid outlet manifold at an angular offset such as about 120 degrees. The drive mechanisms are separately and concurrently operable to move the input arms to pivot the fluid outlet manifold on the center point gimbal to selectively position the outlet device such as to articulate it in arcs of 110 degrees or more in all directions about a nozzle center axis.

Fluid effects platform with a pivotally-mounted and remotely-positioned output manifold

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Orange, CA, United States of America

Matthew A Cotter