Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A FIRE SPECIAL EFFECT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[Para 11 The present invention is directed to a special effect device and, in
particular,
to a device for producing a simulated fire or flame special effect.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[Para 21 The use of a simulated fire or flame is desirable in many
applications. For
instance, in many theme park attractions (e.g., volcano, battle scene and
disaster scenes), the use
of a simulated flame or fire is preferred relative to a real flame or fire for
a number of reasons.
To elaborate, a real flame or fire must typically be located at a substantial
distance from the
audience to prevent members of the audience from getting burned. Further, with
respect to
attractions that are located indoors, a real flame or fire produces heat and
smoke that typically
require additional air conditioning and ventilation. In contrast, several
types of simulated flame
or fire effects can be located close to an audience and do not typically
impose the air
conditioning and ventilation requirements of a real flame or fire.
[Para 31 There are many types of devices for producing simulated flames or
fire. For
example, one type of device blows strips of colored material, such as silk, up
into the air and
shines an appropriately colored light onto the strips. From a distance, these
devices provide a
reasonably convincing simulated flame or fire. At the other end of the
spectrum are devices that
provide a television or video monitor with a signal of a pre-recorded fire or
flame. Such devices
are impractical in theme park applications that require a flame or fire that
extends over a distance
that is greater than the typical video monitor or television. Yet a further
type of device involves
the use of a screen of atomized water and the projection of an image or light
on the screen that
creates the illusion of a flame or fire.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[Para 41 The present invention is directed to a special effect device for
producing a
simulated flame or fire effect. In one embodiment, the special effect device
comprises a console
for producing a curtain of steam, which is probably more accurately
characterized as a fog,
adjacent to an outlet slot or port of a housing. The device further comprises
an air modulator for
producing a stream of air that is used to vary or modulate the curtain of
steam produced by the
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console. The rising steam in the curtain of steam and the modulation of the
curtain of steam
clos(zly mimics the dynamic action of an actual flame or fire. The special
effect device further
comprises lighting that directs a flood of appropriately colored light onto
the modulated or
undulating curtain of steam. The interaction of the flood of light with the
moving curtain of
steam yields a simulated flame or fire effect.
[Para 51 In one embodiment, the console comprises a steam manifold that
contributes
to the production of a curtain of steam with a substantially uniform or
desired steam density. In
one embodiment, the steam manifold has an elongated body with multiple output
ports
distributed along the length of the elongated body so that a curtain of steam
is produced adjacent
to the outlet slot for substantially the length of the console. The steam
manifold further
comprises an inlet port for receiving steam that is located between the ends
of the elongated
body. Locating the inlet port in this manner permits several such consoles to
be placed end-to-
end and, because each console is producing a curtain of steam for
substantially the length of the
console, a curtain of steam is produced over the extent of the consoles that
has a uniform or
desired steam density. In contrast, if consoles were utilized in which the
steam manifold of one
console had to be connected to the steam manifold of the next console by a
coupler located
between the consoles, there would likely be significant gaps between the
curtains of steam
produced by each console, thereby preventing a uniform or desired steam
density from being
achieved over the extent of the consoles. Further, even if a string of
consoles could be coupled
together so as to eliminate or substantially reduce any gaps in the resulting
steam curtain, the
ability to achieve a uniform or desired steam density over the extent of the
string of consoles is
facilitated by locating the inlet port for the steam manifold between the ends
of the elongated
body of the manifold. To elaborate, if the inlet port was not located between
the ends of the
elongated body of the manifold, a string of consoles would be coupled to one
another and steam
would be fed into the string of consoles from one or both of the consoles at
the end of the string.
In such a configuration, the pressure drop along the length of the string
would have to be taken
into account to achieve a uniform or desired steam density along the length of
the string. This
significantly complicates the design of a console, i.e., the need to take into
account the effect of
the other consoles in a string of consoles. In contrast, by placing an inlet
port between the ends of
the elongated body of the steam manifold, at least for consoles that are not
the end consoles of a
string, consoles can be independently designed to produce a uniform or desired
steam density
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without having to take into account the effect of other consoles that are to
be in a string of
consoles.
[Para 6] In another embodiment, a steam manifold is provided that contributes
to the
production of a steam curtain with a substantially uniform or desired steam
density. The
manifold comprises an elongated hollow body with an inlet port for receiving
steam and an
outlet structure that extends over at least a portion of the length of the
hollow body and allows
steam to exit with a substantially uniform or desired density. In one
embodiment, the outlet
structure comprises holes in the elongated body of the manifold that are
spaced from one another
and/or of a size such that a profile of the resistance to steam exiting from
the elongated body
decreases with increasing distance from the inlet port. For example, if the
inlet port is located at
the mid-point of the elongated body, one possible outlet structure has two
sets of holes extending
in opposite directions from the mid-point of the elongated body with each set
of holes having
holes that are evenly spaced from one another, circular in shape, and
increasing in diameter the
further a hole is located from the inlet port.
[Para 71 Another embodiment of the special effect device includes a console
for
producing a relatively tall curtain of steam, which allows a fire of flame
illusion to be produced
over a broad range of heights. In one embodiment, the console comprises a
housing with an
outlet slot or port for venting the steam that produces the curtain or screen
of steam. A steam
manifold located within the housing employs an outlet structure that presents
a relatively low
resistance to the flow of steam. As a consequence, the outlet structure of the
manifold
contributes to the height of the curtain of steam produced adjacent to the
outlet port of the
housing when the special effect device is in operation. In one embodiment, the
steam manifold
comprises an elongated body and the outlet structure is a series of holes
located between the ends
of the elongated body. The holes present a relatively low resistance to the
flow of steam when
compared to fan nozzles. To elaborate, fan nozzles force any steam passing
through the nozzle
to traverse a 90 degree turn that reduces the velocity of the steam exiting
the nozzle. This
reduction in velocity means that the fan nozzle exhibits or is characterized
by a relatively high
resistance to the flow of steam. A hole or other outlet structure does not
require the steam to
make a 90 degree turn. Consequently, the steam exits the outlet port of the
housing at a higher
velocity.
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[Para 81 In a further embodiment, the console comprises a housing with air
entrainment holes that contribute to the density of the curtain of steam
produced adjacent to the
outlet slot of the housing during operation. By producing a denser curtain of
steam, the visibility
of the resulting fire effect is improved or enhanced. The air entrainment
holes are located below
the outlet structure of a steam manifold located within the housing. In one
embodiment, the air
entrainment holes are located as far below the outlet structure of the steam
manifold as possible.
[Para 9] Another embodiment of the device addresses situations in which target
viewers of the illusion are able to inspect the device from relatively close
range. For example,
certain applications might require a torchiere (i.e., a free-standing
structure that supports a flame
producing apparatus above the floor) or sconce that target viewers can inspect
from relatively
close range. In such applications, the condensate produced within the housing
during operation
of the device typically cannot be allowed to fall on the floor or wall
surfaces adjacent to the
location of the device. In one embodiment, the device comprises a console for
producing a
curtain of steam, an air modulator, and a lighting system. The device further
comprises a
drainage pipe that is capable of conveying condensate that is produced within
the housing during
operation of the device from a condensate hole in the housing to a distal
location. Typically, the
distal location is a reservoir or drain that is hidden from the target
audience.
[Para 10] In another embodiment of a device that addresses the situation in
which target
viewers of the illusion are able to inspect the device from relatively close
range, a theme surface
is located adjacent to the console to create a particular theme for the target
viewer. For instance,
if the device is to be used to create the illusion of a wall-mounted torch in
a medieval castle, the
theme surface may be made to look like the wick portion of a such a torch.
Alternatively, in
some applications, the exterior of the housing may be susceptible to being
formed or treated to
project a theme surface.
[Para 11] In yet another embodiment of a device that addresses the situation
in which
target viewers of the illusion are able to inspect the device from relatively
close range, the device
further comprises a support that is located adjacent to the housing and
capable of supporting the
drainage pipe in a manner that is not readily visible to the target viewer. In
one embodiment, the
support is hollow and the drainage pipe is supported within the hollow
interior of the support,
thereby preventing target viewers from seeing the drain pipe. Typically, a
steam pipe for
providing steam to the console and electrical conductor for providing
electrical power to the air
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modulator and lighting system are also situated within the hollow support. In
yet another
embodiment, a theme surface is located adjacent to the support to create a
particular theme for
the target viewer. To continue with the example of the device being used to
create the illusion of
a wall-mounted torch in a medieval castle, the theme surface located adjacent
to the support is
made to look like the wooden handle portion of such a torch. Alternatively, in
some
applications, the exterior of the housing may be susceptible to being formed
or treated to project
a theme surface. For example, the support may be made of plastic that has been
formed to
appear to be the wooden handle of the medieval castle torch.
[Para 12] In many situations in which target viewers of the illusion are able
to inspect
the device from relatively close range, the air modulator and lighting system
cannot be located or
mounted on the surfaces normally present, such as floors and walls, and still
reasonably maintain
the illusion of a flame relative to the various locations from which the
target audience is able to
view the flame produced by the device. For example, if the device is used to
create the illusion
of a torchiere, the air modulator and lighting system could typically not be
located on the floor
without either ruining the illusion for the target audience or allowing the
target audience to
interfere with the creation of the illusion by interposing themselves between
the air modulator or
lighting system and the steam console from which the steam or fog emerges.
Consequently, in
one embodiment, the device comprises a mounting surface that is operatively
attached to the
console or housing and to which the air modulator and lighting system are also
operatively
attached. In many applications (e.g., torchieres, sconces, candle holders,
candelabras etc.), the
mounting surface allows the air modulator and lighting system to be located
close to the console,
thereby allowing the air modulator and lighting system to be either hidden or
camouflaged
relative to the target audience.
[Para 131 In yet another embodiment of a device that addresses the situation
in which
target viewers of the illusion are able to inspect the device from relatively
close range, the device
further comprises a cover that prevents the target user from viewing one or
more of the other
elements of the device when the device is in operation. In certain embodiments
of the device in
which the mounting surface supports the air modulator and/or the lighting
system between the
housing and the target viewer, the cover is dimensioned so as to prevent a
target viewer from
viewing the air modulator and/or lighting system and the housing. In many
applications the
cover also projects a theme surface to the viewer. For example, when the
device is used to create
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the illusion of a torchiere in an ancient Egyptian palace, the cover may be
made to look like a
large earthen or bronze bowl.
[Para 141 Another embodiment of a device for producing a simulated flame or
fire effect
is capable of being more compact and, as a consequence, capable of being used
in applications in
which the space occupied by the device is a concern. In one embodiment, the
device is
comprised of a steam curtain generator that receives steam at an inlet port
and directs the
received steam to an outlet slot that opens to the ambient atmosphere. In
operation, the steam
exiting the outlet slot is traveling in substantially one direction so as to
form a steam curtain.
The embodiment of the device is also comprised of an air modulator system that
employs a fan
to produce a flow of air that is used to alter the position of a steam curtain
produced adjacent to
the outlet slot. A lighting system is also part of the device and comprises at
least one light that is
used to project light onto a steam curtain produced adjacent to the outlet
slot. The device is
further comprised of a mount that supports the steam curtain generator, air
modulator system,
and lighting system and thereby produces an integrated structure.
[Para 15] A further embodiment of a device for producing a simulated flame or
fire
effect that is capable of being more compact is comprised of a steam curtain
generator that
receives steam at an inlet port and directs the received stream to an outlet
slot that opens to the
ambient atmosphere. In operation, the steam exiting the outlet slot is
traveling in substantially
one direction so as to form a steam curtain. A lighting system is also part of
the device and
includes at least one light that is used to project light onto a steam curtain
produced adjacent to
the outlet slot. Also comprising this embodiment of the device is an air
modulator system that
employs a fan to produce a flow of air that is used to alter the position of a
steam curtain
produced adjacent to the outlet slot. The fan has a front side from which air
is emitted during
operation of the fan and a back side. The fan is positioned at an angle to the
direction in which
steam exits the outlet slot such that the distance over which the fan extends
in the direction that is
perpendicular to the direction of steam flow is less than the distance from
the front side of the fan
to the back side of the fan. In one embodiment, the fan is positioned at angle
such that the flow
of air emitted from the fan is substantially parallel to the direction in
which steam exits the outlet
slot, i.e., the angle between the direction in which steam exits the outlet
slot and the direction in
which the flow of air emitted from the fan is less than 45 . In another
embodiment, a diverter is
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located between the fan and the outlet slot to cause the flow of air from the
fan to be directed
more, towards the steam emitted from the outlet slot.
[Para 16] A further embodiment of a device for producing a simulated flame or
fire
effect that is capable of being more compact is comprised of a steam curtain
generator that
receives steam at an inlet port and directs the received stream to an outlet
slot that opens to the
ambient atmosphere. In operation, the steam exiting the outlet slot is
traveling in substantially
one direction so as to form a steam curtain. The embodiment of the device is
also comprised of
an air modulator system that employs a fan to produce a flow of air that is
used to alter the
position of a steam curtain produced adjacent to the outlet slot. Further
comprising the
embodiment of the device is a lighting system that employs an LED light that
projects a light that
is sufficient for contributing to the production of a simulated flame or fire
effect, while also
being more compact relative to other types of lights that are also suitable
for producing such an
effect. In a particular embodiment, an LED light is employed that is capable
of being directed to
produce any one color of light from multiple colors of light that the LED is
capable of producing
and/or capable of being directed to vary the intensity of light produced. In
one particular
embodiment, the device is further comprised of a digital controller that is
capable of being used
to provide a digital signal that that is used to select the color of light
that the LED light produces
and/or cause the intensity of the light being produced by the LED to vary.
[Para 171 In yet another embodiment of a device for producing a simulated
flame or fire
effect that is capable of being more compact, the device is comprised of a
steam curtain
generator that receives steam at an inlet port and directs the received stream
to an outlet slot that
opens to the ambient atmosphere. In operation, the steam exiting the outlet
slot is traveling in
substantially one direction so as to form a steam curtain. A lighting system
is also part of the
device and includes at least one light that is used to project light onto a
steam curtain produced
adjacent to the outlet slot. The embodiment of the device is also comprised of
an air modulator
system that employs a fan to produce a flow of air that is used to alter the
position of a steam
curtain produced at the outlet slot. The air modulator system is also
comprised of an agitator that
imparts turbulent flow to the stream of air produced by the fan. In one
embodiment, the agitator
is comprised of a digital control system that is capable of producing a
digital signal that is used
to selectively control the speed of the fan so as to produced a turbulent
stream of air.
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[Para 181 In yet another embodiment, a special effect device is provided for
producing a
simulated flame or fire effect that utilizes theatrical smoke to produce the
effect. Theatrical
smoke is atomized glycol or mineral oil that is dispersed into the air and
remains suspended in
the air for a certain amount of time. Theatrical smoke, unlike steam, does not
naturally rise.
Consequently, theatrical smoke is commonly used to create "ground fogs" in
theatrical
productions. In one embodiment, the device comprises a structure for producing
a curtain of
theatrical smoke. The device is further comprised of an air modulator for
producing a stream of
air that modulates the curtain of theatrical smoke. Also comprising the device
is lighting that
operates to direct a flood of light onto the modulated curtain of theatrical
smoke.
[Para 191 In a further embodiment, the theatrical smoke-based special effect
device
comprises a housing with an outlet port that communicates with the ambient
atmosphere. The
device further comprises a structure for establishing a flow of gas
(typically, air) within the
housing that is capable of transporting theatrical smoke, which does not
naturally rise like steam,
to the outlet port and sufficiently above the outlet port to create a curtain
of theatrical smoke on
which the illusion of a flame or fire can be created. Also comprising the
device is a theatrical
smoke emission manifold that is substantially located within the housing and
further located so
as to be disposed within the flow of gas, when the device is in operation. The
device further
comprises an air modulator and lighting that respectively modulate the curtain
of theatrical
smoke and light the modulated curtain of theatrical smoke to achieve the
simulated flame effect.
[Para 201 Another embodiment of the theatrical smoke-based special effect
device
comprises a housing with an interior volume. The interior volume is comprised
of a chamber
and a slot that extends between a slot/chamber junction and an outlet port
that communicates
with the ambient atmosphere. The device is further comprised of a smoke
emission manifold
and a gas emission manifold that are both substantially located within the
interior volume. The
device further comprises an air modulator and lighting that respectively
modulate the curtain of
theatrical smoke and light the modulated curtain of theatrical smoke to
achieve the simulated
flame effect. In one embodiment, the smoke emission manifold is located
between the outlet
port of the slot and the gas emission manifold. In yet a further embodiment,
the smoke emission
manifold is located between the slot/chamber junction and the gas emission
manifold. Yet
another embodiment locates the smoke emission manifold so that the manifold
cooperates with
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the housing to define one or more passageways for the flow of gas from the
chamber to the outlet
port.
[Para 211 A further embodiment of the theatrical smoke-based device comprises
a
housing, theatrical smoke and gas emission manifolds that are each
substantially located within
the housing, an air modulator, and a lighting system. Each of the manifolds
comprises an inlet
port that is located between the ends of the manifold. By locating the inlet
ports in this manner,
two or more devices can be cascaded together and used to produce a simulated
flame or fire
effect over substantially the entire length of the devices. In one embodiment,
the inlet ports are
located at or near the midpoints of the manifolds to facilitate the production
of a substantially
uniform curtain of theatrical smoke.
[Para 22] Yet another embodiment of the theatrical smoke-based device
comprises a
housing, theatrical smoke and gas emission manifold that are each
substantially located within
the housing, an air modulator, and a lighting system. The theatrical smoke
manifold comprises a
plurality of outlet ports for venting theatrical smoke and that present a
desired resistance profile
to the flow of theatrical smoke. Similarly, the gas emission manifold
comprises a plurality of
outlet ports for venting gas and that present a desired resistance profile to
the flow of gas. In
many cases, the resistance profiles are designed so as to produce a
substantially uniform curtain
of theatrical smoke.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[Para 23] Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a special effect device for
producing a
simulated flame or fire effect using a steam curtain;
[Para 24] Fig. 2A is a cut away view of the steam console of the device shown
in Fig. 1;
[Para 251 Fig. 2B is a perspective view of the steam emission manifold
associated with
the steam console of the device shown in Fig. 1;
[Para 26] Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the steam console of the device shown in
Fig. 1;
[Para 271 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steam console shown in Fig.
1;
[Para 28] Figs. 5A-5C respectively illustrate a series of consoles of the type
shown in
Fig. 1 located end-to-end, a console of the type shown in Fig. 1 located end-
to-end with a
console having an inlet port situated at the end of the console, and a console
of the type shown in
Fig. 1 located end-to-end with consoles that each have an inlet port situated
at the end of the
console;
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[Para 29] Figs. 6A-6B illustrate two possible types of flow straighteners for
use in the
steam console shown in Fig. 1;
[Para 30] Fig. 7 illustrates the lighting assembly employed in the embodiment
of the
device shown in Fig. 1;
[Para 31] Figs. 8A-8C respectively are rear, side and top views of the device
shown in
Fig. 1;
[Para 32] Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a special effect device for
producing a
simulated flame or fire effect using theatrical smoke;
[Para 33] Fig. 10 is a cut away view of the theatrical smoke console of the
device shown
in Fig. 9;
[Para 341 Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the theatrical smoke console
shown in Fig.
9;
[Para 351 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a special effect
device for
producing a simulated flame or fire effect using a cloud of steam and that is
particularly useful in
applications in which a target viewer is typically able to inspect the device
from relatively close
range;
[Para 36] Fig. 13A is a partial cross-sectional view of the device (less the
structure
relating to the air modulator) illustrated in Fig. 12;
[Para 37] Fig. 13B is a perspective view of the steam emission manifold
illustrated in
Fig. 13;
[Para 38] Fig. 13C is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 13;
[Para 39] Fig. 14 illustrates a second embodiment of a special effect device
for
producing a simulated flame or fire effect using a cloud of steam and that is
particularly useful in
a sconce application in which a target viewer is typically able to inspect the
device from
relatively close range;
[Para 40] Fig. 15 illustrates a third embodiment of a special effect device
for producing
a simulated flame or fire effect using a cloud of steam and that is
particularly useful in a
torchiere application in which a target viewer is typically able to inspect
the device from
relatively close range;
[Para 41] Fig. 16 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a special effect device
for
producing a simulated flame or fire effect using a cloud of steam and that is
particularly useful in
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a medieval torch application in which a target viewer is typically able to
inspect the device from
relatively close range; and
[Para 42] Fig. 17 is a perspective view a fifth embodiment of a special effect
device for
producing a simulated flame or fire effect using a cloud of steam and that is
capable of being
more compact;
[Para 43] Fig. 18 is a reverse perspective view of the embodiment of the
special device
illustrated in Fig. 17;
[Para 44] Fig. 19 is an end view of the embodiment of the special effect
device
illustrated in Fig. 17;
[Para 45] Fig. 20 is a front view of the embodiment of the special effect
device
illustrated in Fig. 17; and
[Para 46] Fig. 21 is a schematic illustration of a control system for the fans
and lights
used in the embodiment of the special effect device illustrate in Fig. 17
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[Para 47] The present invention is directed to a special effect device that
utilizes steam
to produce a simulated flame or fire effect. Generally, the device includes a
steam console for
producing a curtain of steam that has a substantially constant or uniform
steam density along at
least a portion of the length of the console, an air modulator for modulating
the curtain of steam
produced by the console, and a lighting assembly for illuminating the curtain
of steam produced
by the console. In operation, illumination of the modulated curtain of steam
produced by the
console and the air modulator produces a simulated flame effect.
[Para 48] Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the special effect device, which
is
hereinafter referred to as device 10, that uses steam to produce a simulated
flame or fire effect.
The device 10 comprises a steam console 12 for producing a curtain of steam of
substantially
uniform steam density along at least a portion of the length of the console,
an air modulator 14
for modulating the curtain of steam of that is produced by the console 12, and
a lighting
assembly 16 for illuminating the modulated curtain of steam produced by the
console 12 and air
modulator 14 to achieve the simulated flame effect.
[Para 49] With reference to Figs. 1-4, the steam console 12 comprises housing
20 for
holding a steam emission manifold 22 and a flow straightener 24. The housing
20 defines a
manifold portion 26 for holding the steam emission manifold 22 and an outlet
slot portion 28 for
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holding the flow straightener 24. Both the manifold portion 26 and the outlet
slot portion 28
exterld for substantially the length of the console 12. In the illustrated
embodiment, the width of
the outlet slot portion 28 is '/z" to 3/4". However, the width can be varied
if required by a
particular application. The manifold portion 22 comprises several pairs of
braces 30 for
supporting the steam emission manifold 22. In addition, the manifold portion
26 has a number of
air entrainment holes 32 that, during operation, allow air to enter the
housing 20 and cool the
steam being vented from the steam emission manifold to facilitate the
production of the steam
curtain adjacent to the outlet slot portion 28.
[Para 501 The steam emission manifold 22 comprises an elongated tube 36 that
extends
for substantially the entire length of the housing, an inlet port 38 for
receiving steam produced by
a boiler (not shown) and providing the received steam to the elongated tube
36, and a pair of end
caps 39A, 39B that define the ends of the tube 36. The elongated tube 36 has a
plurality of holes
40 for allowing steam to vent such that there is a substantially uniform
distribution of steam
along the length of the tube 36. The substantially uniform distribution of
steam is achieved by
spacing and/or sizing the holes such that the profile of the resistance of the
holes to the flow of
steam decreases as the distance from the inlet port 38 increases. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the distance between adjacent holes is substantially constant. However, the
size or diameter of
the holes increases with increasing distance from the inlet port 38. In an
alternative embodiment,
the size or diameter of each of the holes is substantially the same, but the
distance between
adjacent holes decreases with increasing distance from the inlet port 38. In
yet a further
embodiment, both the distance between adjacent holes and the size/diameter of
the holes vary
with the distance from the inlet port 38. The spacing and size of the holes
can also be tailored to
facilitate the production of a steam curtain with varying steam density (e.g.,
greater steam
density in the middle of the console and lesser density at the ends of the
console).
[Para 51] The holes 40 facilitate the production of a tall steam curtain
adjacent to the
outlet slot portion 28 of the housing. To elaborate, in an embodiment of a
steam emission
manifold that uses a nozzle instead of a hole, the structure of the nozzle
typically requires the
steam to change direction between the elongated tube and the exit port of the
nozzle. In the case
of a fan nozzle, the steam typically has to travel around a 90 degree bend in
passing between the
elongated tube and the exit port of such a nozzle. Such changes in direction
reduce the velocity
of the steam being vented from the steam emission manifold and, as a
consequence, reduce the
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height of the steam curtain produced adjacent to the outlet slot portion of
the housing. In
contrast, a hole does not require the steam to change direction and,
therefore, facilitates the
production of a tall curtain of steam.
[Para 52] The elongated tube 36 is oriented in the housing 20 such that the
plurality of
holes 40 lie along a substantially straight line that lies substantially in a
plane defined by the
outlet slot portion 28. This orientation of the holes 40 relative to the
outlet slot portion 28 also
facilitates the production of a tall curtain of steam. To elaborate, in an
embodiment in which the
venting structure associated with the steam emission manifold does not vent
the steam in the
plane defined by the outlet slot portion, the steam is required to change
directions between the
vent and the outlet slot portion. This change in direction reduces the
velocity of the steam and,
relatedly, the height of the curtain of steam produced adjacent to the outlet
slot portion 28. In
contrast, by locating the holes 40 substantially directly under the outlet
slot portion 28, the steam
venting from the holes 40 follows a substantially straight path between the
holes 40 and the
outlet slot portion 28. Consequently, the steam does not have to change
direction and the
velocity of the steam exiting the outlet portion 28 is greater than it would
be if the steam had to
change direction. This greater velocity, in turn, facilitates the production
of a tall curtain of
steam.
[Para 531 The inlet port 38 is located between the ends of the elongated tube
36. In the
illustrated embodiment, the inlet port 38 is located at substantially the mid-
point between the
ends of the tube 36. By locating the inlet port 38 between the ends of the
tube 36, the console 12
can be placed end-to-end with one or more consoles with similarly located
inlet ports to achieve
a substantially continuous simulated flame or fire effect over the length of
the consoles, as shown
in Fig. 5A. Alternatively, the console 12 is placed end-to-end with a console
that has an inlet
port 42 located at one end of its steam emission manifold to achieve a
substantially continuous
simulated flame effect over the length of the two consoles, as shown in Fig.
5B. In yet another
alternative, the console 12 is placed end-to-end with two consoles that each
have an inlet port 42
located at one end of a steam emission manifold to achieve a simulated flame
or fire effect over
the length of three consoles, as shown in Fig. 5C. The inlet port 38 can be
placed at locations
between the ends of the tube 36 other than the mid-point and still provide the
ability to place the
console 12 end-to-end with other consoles. Generally, however, if a steam
curtain is to be
produced along the length of the console 12, the location of the inlet port 38
is chosen so as not
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to interfere with the venting of steam from the tube 36. Further, it should be
appreciated that the
location of the inlet port 38 impacts the distribution and/or sizing of the
holes 40 if a uniform
steam density or varied steam density profile is desired. In addition, it
should also be appreciate
that by placing the inlet port 38 between the ends of the elongated tube 36,
the design of a fire
special effect that requires a string of consoles is significantly simplified.
To elaborate, by
locating the inlet port 38 between the ends of the elongated tube 36, a
uniform or desired steam
density for the console 12 can be designed without having to take into account
the effect of other
consoles in a string of consoles.
[Para 541 The flow straightener 24, absent the application of the air
modulator 14,
facilitates the production of a relatively smooth curtain of steam, i.e., the
steam adjacent to the
outlet slot portion 28 flows substantially directly upward. The flow
straightener 24 also strives
to reduce condensation that, in turn, reduces the amount of steam available to
produce the curtain
of steam. To elaborate, a flow straightener in the form of "honeycomb"
(hexagonal cells) has a
relatively high surface area that promotes condensation and, as a consequence,
reduces the steam
available to produce the curtain of steam. By utilizing a flow straightener
with less surface area
relative to a "honeycomb" flow straightener, condensation is reduced. Two
possible
configuration for the flow straightener 24 that have less surface area than a
hexagonal flow
straightener are the sinusoidal or triangular configuration respectively shown
in Figs. 6A and 6B.
Other configurations are also feasible. The flow straightener 24 is preferably
made of stainless
steel, which has been found to be easier to clean and capable of withstanding
the heat of the
steam. However, other materials, such as plastic and fiberglass, are also
feasible.
[Para 55] The steam console 12 further comprises a condensate collection tray
44 for
collecting water that condenses within the housing 20 and flows out the air
entrainment holes 32
of the housing. In certain applications, the condensate collection tray 44 is
not needed. For
example, if the housing 20 is located on a floor or substrate that is capable
of draining water, the
condensate collection tray 44 may not be necessary.
[Para 56] The steam console 12 also comprises a pair of brackets 48 for
attaching the
housing 20 to a floor, substrate or frame.
[Para 57] The air modulator 14 produces a varying sheet-like current of moving
air that
is directed at the curtain of steam produced by the steam console 12. The air
modulator 14 is
comprised of a fan 52 (e.g., blower, squirrel-cage blower, shaded pole blowers
etc.), an
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electromechanical device 54 for modulating the stream of air produced by the
fan 52, and a fan
nozz4le 56 for distributing the modulated air substantially across the extent
of the outlet slot
portion 28. A bracket assembly 58 facilitates attachment of the air modulator
14 to a floor,
substrate or frame. In the illustrate embodiment, the electromechanical device
54 is a device that
rotates a disk with one or more holes in front of the intake of the fan 52 to
facilitate the
production of the varying current of moving air. Other devices for varying the
flow of air on the
intake or output side of the fan 52 or similar device are feasible. As an
alternative to the fan 52,
a compressed air driven "air amplifier" or air amplified blower/exhausters,
such as those made by
Coppus and Exair, can be used to produce the current of moving air.
[Para 581 With reference to Fig. 7, the lighting assembly 16 produces the
light that is
directed to the modulated curtain of steam produced by the steam console 12
and air modulator
14 to produce the flame or fire special effect. The lighting assembly 16 is
comprised of a lights
60 with each light having a colored filter 62. Each of the color filters is
typically a combination
of red, orange, yellow and sometimes blue color filters that are pieced
together in a manner that
when light is shown through them the colors of a flame are produced in a
naturally occurring
sequence, (e.g. red at the bottom, followed by orange, and yellow at the top).
Flicker devices are
used to modulate the intensity of the lights 60. In one embodiment, there is a
flicker device
associated with each of the lights 60 so that the lights to not flicker in
synchronism but rather
flicker in a quasi-random manner.
[Para 59] Other lighting structures are also feasible. For example, a lighting
structure
that employs different colored lights is feasible. Further, any lighting
assembly is capable of
being adapted to facilitate the production of flame or fire images of colors
other than the
previously noted red, orange, yellow and blue colors. For example, a lighting
assembly can be
adapted for the production of a flame or fire image in which the image is
comprised of various
shades of green. Yet another possible lighting structure is a projector that,
during operation,
projects a video image of a fire onto the screen.
[Para 60] With reference to Figs. 8A-8C, the operation of the device 10 is
described. A
boiler 64 produces the steam that is used by the console 12 to produce a steam
curtain.
Typically, the pressure of the steam produced by the boiler 64 is 2-5 psi.
However, the device 10
can be adapted to operate at other pressure ranges, if needed. A main manifold
66 serves to
output the steam produced by the boiler 64 to one or more of the consoles 12
at substantially
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equal and desired pressures for operation of the consoles 12. Provided the
steam lines between
the main manifold 66 and each of the consoles present substantially equal
thermodynamic losses,
the consoles 12 each receive steam at substantially the same pressure and
temperature. In the
embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8A-8C, since there is only one console 12, the
main manifold 66
could be eliminated if the boiler 64 is susceptible to appropriate regulation.
[Para 61] In any event, the steam produced by the boiler 64 is received at the
inlet port
38 of the console 12 and distributed along the length of the elongated tube
36. The steam is
vented from the tube 36 via the holes 40 such that there is substantially even
distribution of
steam along the length of the tube 36. The steam venting from the holes 40
mixes with the
relatively cooler air that is entering the manifold portion 26 of the housing
20 by the air
entrainment holes 32. The mixing of the steam with the cooler air promotes
condensation and
the densification of the resulting "steam" curtain produced adjacent to the
outlet slot portion 28.
After mixing with the cooler air, the steam passes through the flow
straightener 24 and exits the
console adjacent to the outlet slot portion 28. Absent the operation of the
air modulator 14, a
steam/fog curtain 70 is produced adjacent to the outlet slot portion 28.
[Para 62] The mixing of the steam vented from the tube 36 with the cooler air
and flow
straightener 24 promote condensation that results in some of the steam being
converted to water
droplets that are too massive to be ejected from the outlet slot portion 28 of
the housing 20.
Many of these water droplets drain through the air entrainment holes 32 and
are collected in the
condensation tray 44.
[Para 63] The air modulator 14 produces a varying current of air 72 that
modulates the
curtain of steam/fog produced by the console 12 in a manner that closely
simulates the action of
a flame or fire.
[Para 64] The lighting assembly 16 produces a flood of light 74 that interacts
with the
modulated steam/fog curtain produced by the operation of the console 12 and
the air modulator
14 to produce a simulated flame or fire effect 76.
[Para 651 A control and electrical power distribution system 78 distributes
power to the
air modulator 14 and the lighting assembly 16. The system 78 also includes the
electronic
circuitry for causing the lights of the lighting assembly to flicker or change
in intensity. Further,
the system 78 controls a solenoid 80 (Fig. 1) that permits a user to
selectively or controllably
apply steam from the boiler 64 to the console 12. The ability to control the
application of steam
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to the console 12 also impacts the height of the resulting curtain of steam,
i.e., the greater the
pressure of the steam applied to the console 12, the greater the height of the
resulting curtain of
steath produced adjacent to the outlet slot portion 28.
[Para 661 A number of modifications to the device 10, in addition to any
already noted,
are feasible. For instance, the air entrainment holes 32 could be eliminated
and a steam/fog
curtain produced. However, without the pre-cooling of the air that enters
through the holes 32,
the cooling of the steam would primarily occur after the steam was vented from
the outlet slot
portion 28. As a consequence, the steam/fog curtain would form further from
the outlet slot
portion 28 than it would otherwise, which may be undesirable in certain
applications. The
relative positions of the console 12, air modulator 14 and lighting assembly
16 can be changed
from those shown in the drawings to address particular applications of the
device 10. Further,
while many of the elements of the console 12 are linear in nature, curved
elements are also
feasible. For example, a curved tube can replace the tube 36. Further, the
holes along such a
curved tube for venting the steam can be positioned to lie in a curved plane
that is defined by a
curved outlet slot portion that houses a curved flow straightener. Another
possible modification
is to use a slot rather than the holes 40 to achieve the desired profile for
resistance to the flow of
steam.
[Para 67] A further embodiment of a special effect device that produces a
simulated
flame or fire effect utilizes theatrical smoke, rather than steam. Generally,
the device includes a
console for producing a curtain of theatrical smoke that has a substantially
constant or uniform
density along at least a portion of the length of the console, an air
modulator for modulating the
curtain of theatrical smoke produced by the console, and a lighting assembly
for illuminating the
curtain of theatrical smoke produced by the console. In operation,
illumination of the modulated
curtain of theatrical smoke produced by the console and the air modulator
produces a simulated
flame effect.
[Para 68] Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the special effect device, which
is
hereinafter referred to as device 100, that uses theatrical smoke to produce a
simulated flame or
fire effect. The device 100 comprises a theatrical smoke console 102 for
producing a curtain of
theatrical smoke of substantially uniform theatrical smoke density along at
least a portion of the
length of the console, an air modulator 104 for modulating the curtain of
theatrical smoke that is
produced by the console 102, and a lighting assembly 106 for illuminating the
modulated curtain
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of theatrical smoke produced by the console 102 and air modulator 104 to
achieve the simulated
flame effect.
(Para 691 With reference to Figs. 9-11, the theatrical smoke console 102
comprises a
housing 110 that is shaped so as to direct a gas (typically, air) and
entrained theatrical smoke so
as to form a curtain of theatrical smoke. The housing 110 comprises a first
portion 112 that
defines a chamber 114 and a second portion 116 that defines a slot 118. The
slot 118 extends
from a slot/chamber junction 120 to an outlet port 122.
[Para 701 The first portion 112 of the housing 110 is a substantially closed
surface that
forms a plenum within which sufficient gas pressure can be produced to push or
direct at least
some of the gas through slot 118. Alternatively, a perforated or open surface
can be used to
funnel or direct gas from a blower such that at least a portion of the gas
flows through the slot
118. In the illustrated embodiment, the first portion 112 extends the length
of the console 102 to
facilitate the production of a substantially continuous simulated flame when
two or more
consoles are cascaded together. If such an effect is not needed, the first
portion 112 need not
extend the length of the console 112. The first portion 112 also has a diamond-
like cross-section
that is approximately 8" wide and 8" high. Other shapes and dimensions are
feasible. Further,
the first portion 112 extends between the ends of a console 102 along a
substantially straight line.
If needed, the first portion 112 can be fabricated to follow a curved path or
a path that is a
combination of straight and curved sections.
[Para 711 The second portion 116 of the housing 110, which defines the slot
118
through which the gas and entrained smoke pass, serves to shape the gas and
entrained smoke so
that a curtain of theatrical smoke is formed above the outlet port 122. The
height of the slot 118
is a compromise between having a slot of sufficient length to form a suitable
curtain and the need
to limit the mixing of the gas and the theatrical smoke to prevent dilution of
the theatrical smoke.
In the illustrated embodiment, the height of the slot 118 is approximately 4".
Other height slots
are also feasible. The width of the slot 118 is also chosen so as that a
suitable curtain is formed.
In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the slot is approximately 3/8". A
slot with a different
width is also feasible. The slot 118 extends the length of the console 102 to
facilitate the
production of a substantially continuous flame when two or more consoles are
cascaded together.
If such an effect is not needed, the second portion 116 need not extend the
length of the console
102. Further the second portion 116 extends between the ends of the console
102 along a
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substantially straight line. If needed, the second portion 116 can be
fabricated to follow a curved
path,or a path that is a combination of straight and curved sections.
[Para 72] The console 102 is further comprised of a theatrical smoke emission
manifold
126 for providing the theatrical smoke to the interior of the housing 110. The
manifold 126
comprises an elongated tube 128, an inlet port 130 for receiving theatrical
smoke produced by a
theatrical smoke generator (not shown) and providing the received theatrical
smoke to the
elongated tube 128, and a pair of end caps 132A, 132B that define the ends of
the tube 128. The
elongated tube 128 has a plurality of holes 134 for allowing theatrical smoke
to vent such that
there is a substantially uniform distribution of theatrical smoke along the
length of the tube 128.
The substantially uniform distribution of theatrical smoke is achieved by
spacing and/or sizing
the holes 134 such that the profile of the resistance of the holes to the flow
of theatrical smoke
decreases as the distance from the inlet port 130 increases. For a
substantially constant distance
between adjacent holes, a substantially uniform distribution of theatrical
smoke is achieved when
the size or diameter of the holes increases with increasing distance from the
inlet port 130. In an
alternative embodiment, the size or diameter of each of the holes is
substantially the same, but
the distance between adjacent holes decreases with increasing distance from
the inlet port 130.
In yet a further embodiment, both the distance between adjacent holes and the
size/diameter of
the holes vary with the distance from the inlet port 130. In the illustrated
embodiment, a
substantially uniform distribution of theatrical smoke is achieved with a
substantially constant
distance between adjacent holes and a substantially constant hole size. To
elaborate, both the
length of the manifold 126 and the anticipated pressure of the theatrical
smoke within the
manifold 126 are substantial factors in determining the distance between
adjacent holes and the
size of the holes needed to achieve a substantially uniform distribution of
theatrical.smoke. In
the illustrated embodiment, the manifold 126 is relatively short and the
pressure of theatrical
smoke is expected to be relatively high. In such a case, a substantially
uniform distribution of
theatrical smoke is achievable with substantially constant spacing between
adjacent holes and
holes of substantially constant size. The spacing and size of the holes can
also be tailored to
facilitate the production of a theatrical smoke curtain with varying
theatrical smoke density (e.g.,
greater theatrical smoke density in the middle of the console and lesser
density at the ends of the
console).
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[Para 73] The tube 128 extends the length of the console 102 to facilitate the
production
of a substantially continuous simulated flame when two or more consoles are
cascaded together.
. If such an effect is not needed, the tube 128 need not extend the length of
the console 112. In the
illustrated embodiment, the tube 128 has a circular cross-section and a
diameter of 2". Tubes
with different cross-sectional shapes and dimensions are also feasible.
Further the tube 128
extends between the ends of the console 102 along a substantially straight
line. If needed, the
tube 128 can be fabricated to follow a curved path or a path that is a
combination of straight and
curved sections.
[Para 74] The console 102 is further comprised of a gas emission manifold 138
for
providing the gas (typically, air) to the interior of the housing 110 that is
used to create a stream
of gas for transporting the theatrical smoke provided by manifold 126 to the
outlet port 122. The
manifold 138 comprises an elongated tube 140, an inlet port 142 for receiving
gas produced by a
gas generator (not shown), such as a blower or fan, and providing the received
gas to the
elongated tube 140, and a pair of end caps 144A, 144B that define the ends of
the tube 140. The
elongated tube 140 has a plurality of holes 146 that extend along the length
of the tube 140 for
allowing gas to vent such that there is a substantially uniform distribution
of gas along the length
of the tube 128. The substantially uniform distribution of gas is achieved by
spacing and/or
sizing the holes 146 such that the profile of the resistance of the holes to
the flow of gas
decreases as the distance from the inlet port 142 increases. For a
substantially constant distance
between adjacent holes, a substantially uniform distribution of gas is
achieved when the size or
diameter of the holes increases with increasing distance from the inlet port
142. In an alternative
embodiment, the size or diameter of each of the holes is substantially the
same, but the distance
between adjacent holes decreases with increasing distance from the inlet port
142. In yet a
further embodiment, both the distance between adjacent holes and the
size/diameter of the holes
vary with the distance from the inlet port 142. In the illustrated embodiment,
a substantially
uniform distribution of gas is achieved with a substantially constant distance
between adjacent
holes and a substantially constant hole size. To elaborate, both the length of
the manifold 138
and the anticipated pressure of the gas within the manifold 138 are
substantial factors in
determining the distance between adjacent holes and the size of the holes
needed to achieve a
substantially uniform distribution of gas. In the illustrated embodiment, the
manifold 138 is
relatively short and the pressure of the gas is expected to be relatively
high. In such a case, a
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substantially uniform distribution of gas is achievable with substantially
constant spacing
betvieen adjacent holes and holes of substantially constant size. The spacing
and size of the
= holes can also be tailored to facilitate the production of a gas curtain
with varying gas density
(e.g., greater gas density in the middle of the console and lesser density at
the ends of the
console).
[Para 75] The tube 140 extends the length of the console 102 to facilitate the
production
of a substantially continuous simulated flame when two or more consoles are
cascaded together.
If such an effect is not needed, the tube 140 need not extend the length of
the console 112. In the
illustrated embodiment, the tube 140 has a circular cross-section and a
diameter of 3". Tubes
with different cross-sectional shapes and dimensions are also feasible.
Further the tube 140
extends between the ends of the console 102 along a substantially straight
line. If needed, the
tube 140 can be fabricated to follow a curved path or a path that is a
combination of straight and
curved sections.
[Para 76] The inlet port 130 is located between the ends 132A, 132B of the
elongated
tube 128. Likewise, the inlet port 142 is located between the ends 144A, 144B
of the elongated
tube 140. In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet port 130 is located at
substantially the mid-
point between the ends 132A, 132B of the tube 128 and the inlet port 142 is
located at
substantially the mid-point between the ends 144A, 144B of the tube 140. By
locating the inlet
ports 130, 142 between the ends of their respective tubes, the console 102 can
be placed end-to-
end with one or more consoles with similarly located inlet ports to achieve a
substantially
continuous simulated flame or fire effect over the length of the consoles.
This ability was
illustrated with respect to the steam embodiment of the device in Fig. 5A.
Alteinatively, the
console 102 is placed end-to-end with a console that has an inlet port that is
located at one end of
its gas emission manifold to achieve a substantially continuous simulated
flame effect over the
length of the two consoles. This ability was illustrated with respect to the
steam embodiment of
the device in Fig. 5B. In yet another alternative, the console 102 is placed
end-to-end with two
consoles that each have an inlet port located at one end of a gas emission
manifold to achieve a
simulated flame or fire effect over the length of three consoles. This ability
was illustrated with
respect to the steam embodiment of the device in Fig. 5C.
[Para 771 The inlet ports 130, 142 can each be placed at a location other than
the mid-
point of the tube with which each is associated and still provide the ability
to place the console
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102 end-to-end with other consoles. Generally, however, if a theatrical smoke
curtain is to be
produced along the length of the console 102, the location of the inlet ports
is chosen so as not to
interfere with the venting of theatrical smoke from the tube 128. Further, it
should be
appreciated that the location of the inlet port 130 impacts the distribution
and/or sizing of the
holes 134 if a gas stream with entrained theatrical smoke and a uniform or
varied density profile
is desired. Likewise, the location of the inlet port 142 impacts the
distribution and/or sizing of
the holes 146 if a gas stream with entrained theatrical smoke and a uniform or
varied density
profile is desired. In addition, it should also be appreciate that by placing
the inlet ports 130, 142
between the ends of the elongated tube with which each is associated, the
design of a fire special
effect that requires a string of consoles is significantly simplified. To
elaborate, by locating the
inlet ports 130, 142 between the ends of the elongated tube with which each is
associated, a
console 102 that produces a gas stream with entrained theatrical smoke with a
desired density
profile can be designed without having to take into account the effect of
other consoles in a
string of consoles.
[Para 781 The theatrical smoke emission manifold 126 and the gas emission
manifold
138 are supported within the housing 110 by mounting brackets 150. A separate
mounting
bracket or set of mounting brackets for each of the manifolds is also
feasible.
[Para 79] The elongated tube 128 of the theatrical smoke emission manifold 126
and the
elongated tube 140 of the gas emission manifold 138 are positioned within the
housing so that
the holes of the tube 128 are located between the outlet port 122 and the
holes 146 of the tube
140. This positioning generally assures that the theatrical smoke output
through the holes 134 of
the theatrical smoke emission manifold 126 will enter a stream of gas that is
headed to the output
port 122 rather being entrained in a stream of turbulent gas that would dilute
the theatrical
smoke. In the illustrated embodiment, the tube 126 is positioned adjacent to
the slot/chamber
junction 120, a location at which substantially all of the gas moving by the
tube 126 is likely to
be headed to the output port 122. Further, the tube 128 is located such that a
pair of flow paths
154A, 154B are defined that merge into the slot 118. Alternatively, depending
upon the size of
the tube 128 and the slot 118, the tube 128 can be located within the slot
118.
[Para 80] The elongated tube 128 of the theatrical smoke emission manifold 126
is also
oriented within the housing 110 such that the plurality of holes 134 lie along
a substantially
straight line that lies substantially in a plane defined by the outlet slot
118. Further, the holes
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134 are located so that the theatrical smoke exiting the holes 134 during
operation flows in a
substantially straight line towards the outlet port 122. This orientation of
the holes 134 reduces
the time that the theatrical smoke is entrained in the gas stream within the
housing 110 and
increases the height of the curtain that can be achieved adjacent to the
outlet port 122.
[Para 81] The elongated tube 140 of the gas emission manifold 138 is oriented
within
the housing 110 such that the plurality of holes 146 face in a direction that
allows the chamber
114 to create a substantially uniform gas pressure along the length of the
chamber and, as a
consequence, a relatively uniform flow through the slot 118. If the holes 146
directly faced the
slot/chamber junction 120, the flow of gas through the slot would likely be
non-uniform with
more gas flowing in the portions of the slot 118 adjacent to a hole than and
less gas flowing in
the portions of the slot 118 between holes.
[Para 82] The theatrical smoke console 102 also comprises a pair of brackets
158A,
158B for attaching the housing 20 to a floor, substrate or frame.
[Para 83] The air modulator 104 produces a varying sheet-like current of
moving air that
is directed at the curtain of theatrical smoke produced by the theatrical
smoke console 102. The
air modulator 104 is substantially identical to the previously described air
modulator 14. As a
consequence, the air modulator 104 and alternatives thereto are not described
further.
[Para 84] The lighting assembly 106 produces the light that is directed to the
modulated
curtain of theatrical smoke produced by the theatrical smoke console 12 and
air modulator 14 to
produce the flame or fire special effect. Since the lighting assembly 106 is
substantially identical
to the previously described lighting assembly 16, the lighting assembly 106
and alternatives
thereto are not described further.
[Para 85] The operation of the device 100 involves using the console 102 to
produce a
curtain of theatrical smoke adjacent to the outlet port 122; using the air
modulator 104 to produce
a varying current of air that modulates the curtain of theatrical smoke
produced by the console
102 in a manner that simulates the action of a flame or fire; and using the
lighting assembly 106
to produce a flood of light that interacts with the modulated theatrical smoke
curtain produced by
the operation of the console 102 and the air modulator 104 to produce a
simulated flame or fire
effect.
[Para 86] The theatrical smoke provided to the console 102 of the device 100
is
produced by a theatrical smoke machine 162 and conveyed to the console 102 by
piping 164.
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For the theatrical smoke produced by the machine 162 to be conveyed by the
piping 164 to the
console 102, the machine 162 is not directly connected to the piping 164.
Typically, there is a 3"
to 5" gap 165 between the outlet of the machine 162 and the inlet of the
piping 164. The amount
of smoke produced by the machine 162 is typically varied using a control
interface that is
supplied with or part of the machine. A blower 168 produces the stream of gas
that is provided
to the console 102 via piping 170. The height of the curtain of theatrical
smoke that is produced
adjacent to the outlet port 122 of the console 102 is determined by the
blower. If a constant
output blower is utilized, the height of the curtain can be adjusted by
blocking the blower intake.
Alternatively, if a variable-speed blower is used, the height of the curtain
can be adjusted by
adjusting the speed of the blower.
[Para 87] A control and electrical power distribution system, similar to the
system 78
used with the steam embodiment of the device, distributes power to the air
modulator 104, the
lighting assembly 106, smoke machine 162, and blower 164. The system also
includes the
electronic circuitry for causing the lights of the lighting assembly to
flicker or change in
intensity. Further, to the extent possible, the system allows a user to
control the smoke machine
162 and the blower 164.
[Para 881 A number of modifications to the device 100, in addition to any
already noted,
are feasible. For instance, the relative positions of the console 102, air
modulator 104 and
lighting assembly 106 can be changed from those shown in the drawings to
address particular
applications of the device 100. Another possible modification is to use a slot
rather than the
holes in either or both of the elongated tubes.
[Para 89] Fig. 12 illustrates an embodiment of a special effect device, which
is
hereinafter referred to as device 200, that uses steam to produce a simulated
flame or fire effect
and that is particularly useful in applications in which target viewers are
typically capable of
inspecting the device from relatively close range. A target viewer is an
individual that is a
member of the audience for whom the illusion is being created and who is of
normal height and
who resides in the area set aside for the audience and who does not engage in
any extraordinary
measures (e.g., standing on the seat of a chair) to inspect the device 200.
[Para 901 With reference to Figs. 13A-13C and continuing reference to Fig. 12,
the
device 200 comprises a steam console 202 for producing a cloud of steam along
at least a portion
of the length of the console, an air modulator 204 for modulating the cloud of
steam of that is
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produced by the console 202, and a lighting assembly 206 for illuminating the
modulated cloud
of steam produced by the console 202 and air modulator 204 to achieve the
simulated flame.
[Para 91] With reference to Fig. 13A-13C, the steam console 202 comprises
housing
210 for holding a steam emission manifold 212 and a flow straightener 214. The
housing 210
defines a manifold portion 216 for holding the steam emission manifold 212 and
an outlet slot
portion 218 for holding the flow straightener 214. The manifold portion 216 of
the housing 210
is also constructed to collect the condensate that is produced during
operation of the device and
direct the condensate to a condensate outlet hole 220. Communicating with the
condensate
outlet hole 220 is a drainage pipe 222 that allows condensate to be directed
to a distal location
that is typically out of the view of the target viewer. Typically, the
drainage pipe feeds into a
conventional sewage drain or reservoir at the distal location. The manifold
portion 216 also has
a number of air entrainment holes 224 that, during operation, allow air to
enter the housing and
cool the steam being vented from the steam emission manifold to facilitate the
production of the
steam cloud adjacent to the outlet slot portion 218. The air entrainment holes
224 are located so
that, during operation of the device 200, the holes 224 are at a higher
elevation above the ground
than the condensate outlet hole 220. This ensures that condensate drains
through the condensate
outlet hole 220 and the drainage pipe 222 to a distal location, instead of out
of one of the air
entrainment holes 224.
[Para 921 With reference to Fig. 13B, the steam emission manifold 212 is
comprised of
an inlet T-section 228 and a torus 230 that has a plurality of holes 232. In
operation, the upright
leg of the T-section 228 receives steam and the cross-member section of the T-
section 228
distributes the received steam to the torus 230 via inlets to the torus 230
that are located
substantially diametrically opposite of one another. The steam received by the
torus 230 is
vented via the holes 232, which are located so that the steam will pass
through the flow
straightener 214 in the outlet slot portion 218 of the housing 210. It should
be appreciated that
other configurations of steam emission manifolds can be employed. For
instance, semi-circular,
cross and chevron shaped manifolds are feasible. Relatedly, steam manifolds
with different
configurations will typically employ housings with shapes other than the
cylindrical shape in the
illustrated embodiment. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the holes 232
in the torus 230 are
substantially identical to one another and equally spaced from one another.
For a torus with a
diameter of approximately 8 inches and a cross-sectional diameter of about one-
half inch, such
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holes have been found to produce a steam cloud with a substantially uniform
steam density. For
manifolds with different dimensions or that need to achieve a particular steam
density profile, it
may be necessary to modify the size and/or location of the holes as noted with
respect to the
device 10.
[Para 93] The flow straightener 214, absent the application of the air
modulator 204,
facilitates the production of a relatively smooth curtain of steam, i.e., the
steam cloud produced
adjacent to the outlet slot portion 218 during operation of the device 200
flows substantially
directly upward. The flow straightener 214, like the flow straightener
associate with device 10,
is preferably designed to reduce condensation that reduces the amount of steam
available to
produce the cloud of steam during operation of the device.
[Para 94] The air modulator 204 is comprised of three box-type fans 236A-236C,
which
are commonly used to cool lap-top computers and the like. It should be
appreciated that the
invention is not limited to the use of a particular type of fan. Moreover, if
multiple fans are
employed, it is not necessary that the fans be of the same type. Further, in
certain applications, it
may only be necessary or desirable to use one fan in producing the desired
simulated flame or
fire effect. In the illustrated embodiment, the fans 236A-236C produce an
airflow that is
sufficiently random for the purpose of producing a simulated flame or fire
effect. If greater
randomness in the air flow produced by the fans 236A-236C is needed, the
current flow to the
fans can be modulated using a micro-controller, power line communication
("PLC") circuitry, or
any other device known to those skilled in the art. As noted with respect to
device 10, other
types of devices are capable of modulating the cloud of steam. For example, in
certain
applications, an air amplifier may be feasible.
[Para 95] The lighting assembly 206 is used to produce the light that is
directed to the
modulated cloud of steam produced by the steam console 202 and air modulator
204 to produce
the flame or fire special effect. The lighting assembly 206 is comprised
lights 240A-240C. As
with the lighting system 16 that is associated with device 10, the lights 240A-
240C employ
colored filters that are chosen so as that the colors of a flame are produced
in a naturally
occurring sequence (e.g. red at the bottom, followed by orange, and yellow at
the top). Flicker
devices are used to modulate the intensity of the lights 60. In one
embodiment, there is a flicker
device associated with each of the lights 60 so that the lights do not flicker
in synchronism but
rather flicker in a quasi-random manner. In the illustrated embodiment, each
of the lights 240A-
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240C is comprised of an MR-16 lamp. However, it should be appreciated that the
invention is
not limited to the use of a particular type of lamp. For example, LED arrays
can be used in place
of the lights 240A-240C. Other lighting devices known to the skilled in the
art are also feasible.
Further, if multiple lighting devices are employed in a particular embodiment,
it is not necessary
that the devices be of the same type. Moreover, in certain applications, a
single lighting device
may be desirable or feasible.
[Para 961 The device 200 further comprises support surfaces for supporting the
fans
236A-236C and lights 240A-240C and operatively connecting the steam console
202, the fans
236A-236C, and lights 240A-240C to one another. Specifically, the fans 236A-
236C are
respectively connected to the outer side of the housing 210 by fan supports
244A-244C. The
lights 240A-240C are connected to the inner side of the housing 210 by a light
support 246. The
fan supports 244A-244C and light support 246 facilitate the integration of the
steam console 202,
fans 236A-236C, and lights 240A-240C into a modular unit that is particularly
suitable for
applications in which: (a) target viewers of the illusion are able to inspect
the device from
relatively close range; and (b) the air modulator and lighting system cannot
be located or
mounted on the surfaces normally present, such as floors and walls, and still
reasonably maintain
the illusion of a flame relative to the various locations from which the
target audience is able to
view the flame produced by the device. Examples, of such applications are wall
sconces and
torchieres.
[Para 97] The device 200 further comprises electrical control and electrical
power
distribution circuitry substantially identical to that employed with device
10. Consequently, the
control and power distribution circuitry associated with the device 200 will
not be described
further._Furthermore, the operation of the device 200 is also substantially
identical to that of
device 10. As such, the operation of the device 200 will not be described
further.
[Para 981 With reference to Fig. 14, a second embodiment of a special effect
device,
hereinafter referred to as device 250, for producing a simulated flame or fire
effect using a cloud
of steam and that is particularly useful in an application in which a target
viewer is typically able
to inspect the device from relatively close range, the application in this
case being a sconce. The
device 250 is comprised of a steam console 252, an air modulator 254, and a
lighting system 256.
The device 250 is further comprised of a cover 258 that prevents a target
viewer from seeing the
steam console 252, air modulator 254, and lighting system 256 that are used to
produce the
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simulated flame or fire effect. The fans associated with the air modulator 254
and the lights
associated with the lighting system 256 are, like the comparable elements in
device 200,
operatively attached to the housing of the steam console 252 by support
structures. Further
comprising the device 250 is a mounting panel 260 that allows the device 250
to be attached to a
wall 260 by screws 264A-264D. The mounting panel 258 also provides clips 266A-
266D that
support the cover 258. A drainage pipe 268 communicates with a condensate
outlet hole
associated with the steam console 252. The drainage pipe 268 passes through
the wa11260 and is
shielded from the view of a target viewer by the cover 258. Similarly, a steam
inlet pipe 270 that
communicates with the inlet port of the steam manifold associated with the
steam console 252
passes through the wal1260 and is shielded from the view of a target viewer by
the cover 258.
[Para 991 It should be appreciated that the steam console 252 of the device
250 has a
different shape than the steam console 202 associated with the device 200.
Specifically, the
steam console 252 has a chevron shape; the steam console 202, in contrast, has
a circular shape.
Further, it should be appreciated that the air modulator 254 associated with
the device 250 has a
different number of fans than the air modulator 204 associated with the device
200.
Additionally, the lighting system 256 has a different number of lights than
the lighting assembly
206 associated with the device 200.
[Para 100] With reference to Fig. 15, a third embodiment of a special effect
device,
hereinafter referred to as device 280, for producing a simulated flame or fire
effect using a cloud
of steam and that is particularly useful in an application in which a target
viewer is typically able
to inspect the device from relatively close range and from 360 degrees, the
application in this
case being a torchiere. The device 280 is comprised of a steam console 282, an
air modulator
284, and a lighting system 286. The device 280 is further comprised of a cover
288 that prevents
a target viewer from seeing the steam console 282, air modulator 284, and
lighting system 286
that are used to produce the simulated flame or fire effect. The exterior of
the cover 288 may be
treated to produce a theme effect. For example, the exterior of the cover 288
may be treated so
as to appear to be a brass or copper bowl to the target viewer. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
dimensions of the steam console 282 are such that the fans associated with the
air modulator 254
and the lights 256 associated with the lighting system 256 are capable of
being accommodated
within the inner wall of the housing of the steam console 282. As such, the
fans and lights are
operatively connected to the housing by a single support structure comparable
to the light
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support 246 associated with the device 200. Further comprising the device 280
is a hollow,
cyliridrical support 290 that serves to: (a) support the steam console 282,
air modulator 284,
lighting assembly 286, and cover 288; and (b) obscure a steam inlet pipe 292
and a drainage pipe
294 from the view of a target viewer.
[Para 1011 It should be appreciated that in embodiments in which the steam
console, such
as steam console 282, is capable of preventing a target viewer from viewing
the air modulator
and lighting assembly, a cover may not be needed. Moreover, in embodiments in
which it may
be possible to dispense with a cover, it may be possible to treat the exterior
surface of the
housing of the steam console to produce a theme effect. It should be further
appreciated that,
although the device 280 utilizes a hollow, cylindrical support, other support
structures which
substantially prevent a target viewer from viewing the steam inlet and
drainage pipe are feasible.
For example, in certain applications, a flat panel or curved shell is capable
of providing the
necessary support and shielding the steam inlet and drainage pipe from a
target viewer.
[Para 1021 With reference to Fig. 16, a fourth embodiment of a special effect
device,
hereinafter referred to as device 300, for producing a simulated flame or fire
effect using a cloud
of steam and that is particularly useful in an application in which a target
viewer is typically able
to inspect the device from relatively close range, the application in this
case being a medieval
torch. The device 300 is comprised of a steam console 302, an air modulator
304, and a lighting
system 306. The device 300 is further comprised of a cover 308 that prevents a
target viewer
from seeing the steam console 282, air modulator 284, and lighting system 286
that are used to
produce the simulated flame or fire effect. The cover 308 is comprised of a
first cover portion
310 that is designed to resemble the wick portion of the torch and a second
cover portion 312
that is designed to resemble the wooden handle portion of the torch. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the dimensions of the steam console 302 are such that the fans
associated with the
air modulator 304 and the lights 306 associated with the lighting system 256
are incapable of
being accommodated within the inner wall of the housing of the steam console
302. As, such the
fans and lights are each operatively connected to the exterior side of the
housing by separate
support structures. Further comprising the device 300 is a hollow, cylindrical
support 314 that
serves to: (a) support the steam console 302, air modulator 304, and lighting
assembly 306; and
(b) obscure a steam inlet pipe 316 and a drainage pipe 318 from the view of a
target viewer.
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[Para 103] It should be appreciated that, in certain applications, it may be
possible to treat
the exterior surface of a support structure, such as the hollow, cylindrical
support 314, to create a
theme effect. For example, the exterior of such a support 314 can be painted
so as to resemble
wood. For target viewers that are not able to get very close to the device,
this may be
sufficiently convincing.
[Para 104] Figures 17-20 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a special effect
device,
hereinafter referred to as device 350, for producing a simulated flame or fire
effect using a cloud
of steam and that is particularly useful in an application in which the space
occupied by the
device is of concern. The device 350 is comprised of a steam console 352 for
producing a
curtain of steam, an air modulating system 354 for use in altering the
position of a curtain of
steam produced by the console, a lighting system 356 for projecting light onto
a curtain of steam
produced by the console, and a mount 358 for supporting each of the steam
console 352, air
modulating system 354, and lighting system 356.
[Para 105] The steam console 352 receives steam at an inlet port 360 and
directs the
received steam to an outlet slot 362. The console 352 is substantially
identical to the console 12,
although scaled down relative to the console 12. Consequently, the components
of the console
352 will not be further described. The console 352, as with console 12,
operates such that
received steam is directed to the outlet slot 362 and exits the outlet slot,
absent the operation of
the air modulating system 354, traveling in a direction that is defined by or
aligned with the
outlet slot 362. As a consequence, exiting steam produces a steam curtain that
is aligned with
the outlet slot 362 in the absence of the operation of the air modulating
system 354.
[Para 1061 The air modulating system 354 is comprised of three fans 364A-364C
that are
each comprised of a "muffin" fan 366 and a cowling 368 that operates to spread
the flow of air
produced by the fan 366 across a portion of the outlet slot 362 and narrow the
profile of the flow
of air produced by the fan 366. With reference to Fig. 19, each of the fans
364A-364C has an
outlet 370 that defines the front side of the fan and a back side 372. Each of
the fans 364A-364C
is positioned so that the flow of air produced at the outlet 370 of the
cowling 368 is in a direction
374 that is at an angle to the direction 376 at which steam exits the outlet
slot 362 such that the
distance occupied by the fan in a direction that is perpendicular to the
direction 376 is less than
the distance between the outlet 370 and the back side 372 of the fan. As a
consequence, each of
the fans 364A-364C is positioned so that depth of the device 350 is less
relative to a
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configuration in which a fan is positioned so that the direction 374 is
perpendicular or nearly
perpendicular to the direction 376.
[Para 107] In the illustrated embodiment, the fans 364A-364C are each
positioned so that
the direction 374 is substantially parallel to the direction 376, i.e., the
angle between the
direction 374 and the direction 376 is less than 45 . To control the location
at which the flow of
air output by a fan engages the steam curtain produced adjacent to the outlet
slot 362, associated
with each of the fans 364A-364C is a diverter 378. In the illustrated
embodiment, the diverter
378 is attached to the cowling 368 and made of a bendable material, such as
aluminum or
stainless steel, that allows a direction 379 in which the diverter 378
redirects the flow of air
produced by a fan to be adjusted. In the illustrated embodiment, the diverter
378 causes the flow
of air produced by a fan to be directed more towards or less parallel to the
direction 376 in which
steam exits the outlet slot 362. It should be appreciated that a diverter can
be provided that is not
directly attached to a fan, that has a different shape, that is substantially
incapable of being
adjusted, or that has a different orientation, provided the diverter serves to
redirect the flow of air
output by a fan.
[Para 1081 With reference to Fig. 18, associated with each of the fans 364A-
364C is a
comb of tabs 380 that, in certain cases, cause turbulence in the flow of air
produced by a fan.
Each of the tabs can be moved from a first position to a second position to
impart a desired
turbulence profile to the flow of air output by the fan. It should be
appreciated that other
structures for causing turbulence in the flow of air produced by a fan are
feasible. For example,
a structure that is not formed form the same piece of material as a diverter,
that is substantially
incapable of adjustment, that has a different shape, or that has a different
orientation is feasible.
[Para 109] With reference to Figs. 17 and 19, the lighting system 356 is
comprised of a
bank of LED lights 382. Preferably, each of the LED lights is capable of
producing in response
to a digital signal any one of a number of different visible colors of light
and capable of having
the intensity of the light being output varied to create, for example, a
flickering effect. In one
embodiment, Colorblast 12 Powercore LED lights produced by Color Kinetics are
employed.
[Para 110] With reference to Fig. 18, the mount 358 is comprised of end
members 384A,
384B, a first mounting rod 386 for supporting the fans 364A-364C and that
extends between the
end members 384A, 384B, and a second mounting rod 388 for supporting the bank
of LED lights
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382 and that extends between the end members 384A, 384B. The console 352 is
supported by
and extends between the end members 384A, 384B.
[Para 1111 With reference to Fig. 21, the device 350 is further comprised of a
digital
electronic control system 388 for controlling the fans 364A-364C and the bank
of LED lights
382. In the illustrated embodiment, the digital control system 388 employs
digital media
extension (DMX) technology, although other digital systems are also feasible.
More
specifically, the system 388 is comprised of a DMX data enabler 390 for use in
controlling the
LED lights and a DMX dimmer 392 for controlling the fans 364A-364C. The data
enabler 390
and the dimmer 392 are daisy chained and each separately addressable.
Consequently, in
operation, a digital signal is applied to the data enabler 390. If the digital
signal is addressed to
the enabler, i.e., meant for controlling the operation of LED lights in the
bank of LED lights 382,
the data enabler 390 processes the digital signal and causes the appropriate
control signals to be
applied to the LED lights. In the illustrated embodiment, the color output by
the LED lights and
intensity of the light output by the LED lights can be controlled. If the
digital signal applied to
the data enabler 390 is not addressed to the enabler 390, i.e., not intended
to control the LED
lights but intended to control the fans 364A-364C, the enabler 390 passes the
digital signal on to
the dimmer 392. The dimmer 392, in turn, recognizes that the digital signal is
intended for the
fans 364A-364C, processes the digital signal, and applies the appropriate fan
speed control signal
to one or more of the fans 364A-364C. By varying the digital signal used to
control the fans
364A-364C a turbulent air flow can be created that modulates a steam curtain
produced adjacent
to the outlet slot 362 in a desired fashion. The digital signal that is
applied to the data enabler
390 and dimmer 392 is typically produced by a computer (not shown). Typically,
the computer
includes a software program that allows a user to program the color or colors
of light output by
the bank of LED lights 382, the modulation of the intensity or intensities of
light output by the
bank of LED lights 382, and the speed of the fans 364A-364C to produce a
desired flame or fire
effect.
[Para 112] The device 350 further includes a steam generator, such as the
boiler 64
shown in Fig. 8C, for producing the steam that is received b the steam console
352. However, if
the space occupied by the device 350 is of concern, a portable flash steam
generator can be
employed. Further, a separate, portable flash steam generator can be used with
each steam
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console 352 in applications in which more than one steam console is utilized,
thereby eliminating
the need for the main manifold 66 employed in the embodiment illustrated in
Fig. 8C.
[Para 113] The embodiments of the invention described hereinabove are intended
to
describe the best mode known of practicing the invention and to enable others
skilled in the art to
utilize the invention.
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