Amusement devices – Illusion or stage device – Illusion caused by visual imitation of event occurring in...
Patent
1991-10-24
1995-04-18
Friedman, Carl D.
Amusement devices
Illusion or stage device
Illusion caused by visual imitation of event occurring in...
472 57, 472 90, A63C 1910
Patent
active
054073928
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a winter scene room or a space study, which in a compact embodiment can be used as a piece of decor kept on top of a table or a cabinet and in a larger-size embodiment it can be used as a winter garden room for just spending time, walking in snow or even for winter-time swimming.
According to the invention, it has been realized that particularly interesting and beautiful visual effects can be created by refrigerating water vapor, water jets or running water in a closed space in a manner that water vapor crystallizes into snow crystals and/or frost or that running water freezes at least partially.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, temperature is adapted to alternately rise and fall on either side of 0.degree. C. to effect melting and re-freezing, frosting and/or crystallizing of ice, frost and/or snow crystals. Observing such a dynamic process is both interesting and educational while watching the space study also offers aesthetic pleasure. A space study of the invention is particularly suitable for use in the lobbies and hallways of public buildings and in various waiting rooms. While the watching of a space study entertains people, such a space study can be used for refrigerating the ambient space. Especially in hot-climate countries, there is thus a significant utility for the space study also as a refrigerating unit. The need for cooling public facilities exists also in Nordic countries in summertime.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the temperature and the amount of water vapor in the space is adjusted for creating snowfall in the space. Thus, the floor of the space can be covered with snow.
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference made to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective and partially schematic view of a space study according to one embodiment of the invention.
The drawing illustrates an embodiment which is only intended for showing a technical application of the invention. In practice, the design of a space study can be freely selected and the same is true with the interior decoration of the space by using various elements, which add to the visual experiences of a person viewing the study.
In the case shown in the drawing, the space of a space study is separated from the surrounding room by transparent walls 2 supported on a framework 1. The framework 1 can be made of metal tubes or metal profiles. The walls 2 can be made of sheets of glass or plexiglass. If necessary the walls 2 can be multi-layered for improved heat insulation.
Refrigeration of the space is effected by means of a conventional refrigerator unit, wherein refrigeration is based on the vaporization of a liquid and the adiabatic expansion of a gas. The pressure of a coolant circulating in a closed coolant pipework is raised by means of a compressor 3 (or by heating). The heated coolant is cooled in a condenser 4, wherein the coolant condensates into a liquid forced through an evaporating valve 5 to an evaporator 6, wherein the expanded coolant turns into vapor or gas and binds heat from its environment.
The condenser 4 is placed in a water basin 7 for evaporating water vapor therefrom. The rising water vapor cools and crystallizes into snow crystals as well as frosts on the surfaces of elements positioned in the space. The dried plants, bushes or trees located in the space thus receive a decorative coating. Producing water vapor from basin 7 by means of condenser 4 included in a refrigerator unit is particularly preferred, since the refrigerator unit thus becomes effective and the energy spent for cooling can be utilized for producing water vapor which is needed for creating frost and snow crystal effects in the space.
In case of a more effective cooling (condenser 4 heating vigorously) too much vapor could form in the space. This can be prevented by placing on top of basin 7 a vapor-collector hood (not shown) for passing vapor outside the space, e.g. for the humidification of ambient air. The basin 7 can be repleni
REFERENCES:
patent: 4790531 (1988-12-01), Matsui et al.
patent: 5156333 (1992-10-01), Worsfold
Friedman Carl D.
Kent Christopher Todd
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