Importance

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Abstract

A balloon valve that can control the flow of a display fluid through the supply pipe of a water display. The supply pipe is typically suspended from a structure and releases a slug of water into a pool. The pipe is located at a distance from the pool so that the water slug breaks up into a rain shower. The balloon valve includes an inflatable hose located within the supply pipe and coupled to a source of pressurized working fluid. The flow of working fluid into the balloon valve is controlled by a control valve. When the control valve is in a first state, working fluid flows into the balloon valve to expand the hose. The hose is expanded to completely fill a portion of the pipe and prevent the display fluid from flowing through the pipe. When the control valve is in a second state, the balloon valve is deflated so that the display fluid can again flow through the supply pipe and out of the display. The balloon valve is rapidly deflated and inflated to create a slug of water that falls out of the pipe and burst into a rain shower.

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First Claim