On the way to the station after last night's storm, I passed a bridge over a river. Bizarrely, it was raining under the bridge (the water finally working its way through the metalwork, I guess), while the open water was undisturbed, nary a ripple.

So, that gave me the idea for a fountain in the shape of a giant umbrella, sprinkling water like rain on the ground below it. But when it's actually raining, the water will shut off, and the umbrella will function normally as a shelter.

[As to how a statue can tell when it's raining, I don't exactly know, but my windshield wipers can, so the technology is out there.]
-- DrCurry, Jun 03 2004

[Ao]'s portable version: http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Un-brella
[k_sra, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Waterfall Bridge http://graphics.wor...Alberta/slide23.jpg
One aspect of the idea previously discussed in a halfbakery idea of the same name.. [jurist, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

Umbrella Man http://www.cleverma...travel/portland.htm
Even though it's as likely to be raining as not in Portland,OR, I suppose this statue( unplumbed, and without Hunter* Rain Sensors) doesn't count as a bonafide umbrella fountain. [jurist, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Motion sensors? water sensors, whichever it is a lovely idea. +

Oh I just thought of a hitch, if there is water underneath the umbrella, like a pond, the shelter it provides in rain is useful only to ducks, and fishies.
-- dentworth, Jun 03 2004


no, the water can drain away as in a shower and be recycled! so its not portable then?
-- po, Jun 03 2004


Reminds me of rainbrellas. Or underbrellas or unbrellas. Or something.
-- k_sra, Jun 03 2004


Always a plus for rain.
-- sartep, Jun 03 2004


Nice idea [DrC]. As to your sensors, there are plenty on the market that are used in commercial buildings for atrium louvres and the like. We interfaced with a small control panel that did just this. We open the louvre when cooling is required. The sensor will override closed when moisture is detected. The sensors were conductivity meters about 1" by 3" and would react to spit and water but not dew droplets.
-- gnomethang, Jun 05 2004



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