Reversed Venturi Pumps
Offshore breakwaters prevent severe waves from striking the coastline next to some ocean side hotels , instead providing calmer seawater along which a promenade may be built . The modified venturi pumps with their large-area entrances and exits may be installed outside of the breakwater , with a small diameter pipe passing horizontally under the breakwater before curving vertically upward near the promenade . Each incoming wave would accelerate seawater to high velocity at the throat area of the venturi , where the small diameter intake to the fountain pipe would be located , with perhaps 10 % the cross section of the venturi throat .
A rush of seawater would enter the horizontal section of the fountain pipe at elevated velocity and leave the vertical exit nozzle vertical section of pipe at high velocity , surge upward to high elevation in the form of a fountain . Alternatively , a single fountain pipe could connect to a section of pipe with multiple vertical exit nozzles , to produce multiple
Wilderness , East Coast of South Africa
smaller fountains in ponds of a waterside patio , with fountains aimed toward the middle of each pond . The more powerful large vertical fountains would be located further offshore and in clear sight of any promenade or waterside patio .
Fountain Illumination
At night when the evening entertainment and hospitality industry serves large numbers of customers , illuminated water fountains are extremely spectacular . The often multi-color display greatly enhances the ambiance and attractiveness of late evening entertainment . Water fountains that are driven by ocean waves will be intermittent , that is , fountains will surge skyward every few seconds . The multi-color light display can be programmed to respond to input from either pressure sensate switches or from an optical signal to activate the light display in response to each successive surge of seawater from fountain nozzles .
Energy saving light emitting diode ( LED ) technology may form the basis of fountain illumination either using submerged , well insulated electrical wiring or alternatively , optical fiber technology . In the latter case , multi-color LED lighting technology and its control system would be located on the premises of a hotel . Optic technology would be free from possible electrical short circuit problems and function reliably over the long term in seawater . Ocean wave driven fountains would rise and fall in response to each incoming wave , with multi-color lights responding to illuminate the fountains to entertain spectators and visitors .
Fountains greatly enhance the attractiveness and ambiance around ponds in parks and inside cities . Many such fountains rise and fall , almost as if they were propelled by ocean coastal waves . A partially submerged venturi pump operating in reverse could accelerate the water of each incoming sea wave to higher velocity as a portion of it enters the fountain pipe . The adapted venturi pump may be made from corrosion resistant material and the design would be free from any moving parts , potentially offering the extended service life . Each adapted pump may be anchored via cable to the seafloor .
About the author Harry Valentine was born in Cape Town , South Africa and earned a degree in engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa , Canada where he undertook post-graduate studies and research into transportation economics . He has worked in both the energy and transportation sectors and has published extensively on energy and transportation issues .
ILHA 59