Blower helps give projected graphics new spherical perspective

Projected graphics for such different events and locations as concerts, museum exhibitions, conferences and TV studios took on a different perspective – quite literally – in 2005 when Pufferfish introduced its spherical displays.

Flat screen projection suddenly became passé! Now images, videos, text and other graphics effects can be shown in-the-round. This is achieved via special projection techniques involving custom engineered lenses that project media onto the inside of an inflated sphere that can be suspended from ceilings, hung from walls or simply floor ‘standing’.

This projection technology has been developed over last few years by Pufferfish and is now being used worldwide for major music events, important business conferences and eye-catching exhibitions. At the same time as the core projection technology was being proven the key factor of keeping the spheres inflated correctly was also being refined with ACI’s help.

ACI was approached by Pufferfish after consultations with specialists in inflatables regarding appropriate blower manufacturers. Initially an off-the-shelf centrifugal fan was specified. A simple solution that both inflated the sphere and cooled the projection equipment as the excess air was ducted away.

Today’s version of the Pufferfish digital spherical display is now more sophisticated and larger in size calling for a different blower solution. Unlike most inflatables, the Pufferfish sphere is non-venting; air does not escape via the seams. So the blower must be able to maintain a consistent level of inflation in response to feedback from pressure sensors. This calls for extreme opposites of performance, from the initial inflation of the sphere through to continuous ‘tick-over’ to maintain pressure without overheating. In between, there are the pressure changes resulting from variations in ambient conditions which call for different blower outputs.

“ACI has been with us from the start giving us advice on inflating our spheres,” said Will Cavendish, Chief Technology Officer for Pufferfish. “The latest blower satisfies all our inflation requirements whilst also helping us to achieve system design improvements.”

The ACI blower providing this controlled inflation is the company’s MS8/DC. The fan motor is a 24V external rotor unit and is controlled by varying the voltage. This configuration provides simple, compact, control solution that is quiet. The compactness of system facilitates easy transportation and installation, whilst the latter is essential for some applications, such as TV studios.