Systems and methods for pneumatically actuated displays for colored powder

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for pneumatically actuated displays for colored powder. In one illustrative embodiment, an indicator unit includes a hopper into which a dispersible indication powder can be loaded. An air inlet at the bottom of the hopper aligns with a hollow downpipe extending upwards to the top of the hopper. Upon receiving a signal, a burst of air is sent through the air inlet, lifting a portion of the indication powder through the downpipe and into the air above the indicator unit. For use as part of a reactive target system, one or more sensors that can be attached to the back of a target are in communication with the indicator unit and can generate a signal upon sensing a desired condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pneumatic display indicator system, comprising
 a hopper into which a dispersible indication powder can be loaded;   a hollow downpipe disposed in the hopper, extending upwards past the top of the hopper;   an air inlet at the bottom of the hopper aligned with a hollow downpipe;   a source of compressed gas in communication with the air inlet, such that upon actuation a burst of compressed gas is sent through the air inlet, lifting a portion of the dispersible indication powder through the downpipe and above the indicator assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , further comprising an enlarged bell disposed on a lower end of the hollow downpipe. 
     
     
         3 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 2 , wherein the enlarged bell disposed on a lower end of the hollow downpipe features at least one venthole passing through the sidewall thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the hopper comprises at least one inwardly sloping sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the hopper comprises a tubular chamber at the bottom thereof aligned with a bore of the chamber aligned with a bore of the hollow downpipe. 
     
     
         6 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 5 , wherein the air inlet at the bottom of the hopper is disposed at the bottom the tubular chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a positionable nozzle disposed on an upper end of the hollow downpipe. 
     
     
         8 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of compressed gas in communication with the air inlet comprises an air solenoid attached to the air inlet, the air solenoid in communication with a source of pressurized gas and opening upon actuation to allow a burst of gas to pass through the air inlet. 
     
     
         9 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 8 , wherein the air solenoid attached to a tube of pressurized gas that is connected to a source of higher pressure gas via a pressure reducing regulator. 
     
     
         10 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 9 , wherein the tube of pressurized gas comprises a rigid enlarged accumulator portion. 
     
     
         11 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 9 , wherein the source of higher pressure gas comprises a pressurized tank of gas. 
     
     
         12 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure reducing regulator allows the pressure to be adjusted. 
     
     
         13 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control system for actuating the assembly indicator, the control system comprising a circuit for actuating the burst of compressed gas through the air inlet and an input in communication with the circuit for actuating the circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 13 , wherein the input for actuating the circuit comprises at least one sensor in communicative contact with the display indicator assembly, such that when the at least one sensor detects a desired condition, it sends a signal to actuate the indicator assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one sensor includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         16 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one sensor computes an exponential moving average on the data collected by the accelerometer and then calculates a derivative and an absolute value of the averaged data, triggering a display with the absolute value exceeds a set threshold. 
     
     
         17 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 13 , wherein the input for actuating the circuit is in communicative contact with the circuit using a wireless communication protocol. 
     
     
         18 . A pneumatic display indicator system, comprising
 a hopper having at least one inwardly sloped sidewall and closed by an upper lid;   a downpipe disposed in the hopper, extending upwards past the lid;   an air inlet at the bottom of the hopper aligned with a bore of the downpipe;   a source of compressed gas in communication with the air inlet, such that upon actuation, a burst of compressed gas is sent through the air inlet and into the bore of the downpipe.   
     
     
         19 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 18 , wherein the hopper comprises a tubular chamber at the bottom thereof, the bore of the tubular chamber aligned with the bore of the downpipe and the air inlet at the bottom of the hopper disposed at the bottom the tubular chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 18 , further comprising an enlarged bell disposed on a lower end of the hollow downpipe. 
     
     
         21 . The pneumatic display indicator system of  claim 18 , wherein the source of compressed gas in communication with the air inlet comprises an air solenoid attached to the air inlet, the air solenoid in communication with a source of pressurized gas and opening upon actuation to allow a burst of gas to pass through the air inlet.