A fog machine supplies air to a fog liquid reservoir to force the fog liquid into a heater, wherein the fog liquid vaporizes to produce fog. The fog liquid supply to the heater can be halted, and the air supply can then be used to purge the heater of residual fog liquid. Within the heater, the fog liquid travels from outer passages further from the heating element(s) to inner passages closer to the heating element(s), whereby the fog liquid is preheated prior to vaporization, resulting in a higher degree of vaporization and drier fog with finer vapor particles. The fog machine may draw fog liquid from an offboard fog liquid reservoir, such as an off-the-shelf jug of liquid, and is preferably remote-controllable via a user's smartphone.

A smoke producing method and device of the present disclosure produces a non-incendiary, organic-polymerization based, smoke-producing reaction. Some versions of the smoke are effective carriers for capsaicinoid compounds. The method of generating smoke comprises initiating a frontal polymerization reaction by heating a composition comprising a monomer compound that exothermically polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator compound and an initiator compound that initiates polymerization of the monomer compound present at a mass concentration that is at least five percent of the mass concentration of the monomer compound. The polymerization of the monomer compound is exothermic, and in one embodiment the concentration of initiator compound is at least five percent of the concentration of monomer compound. The smoke mainly comprises thermal decomposition products of the initiator compound.

A smoke producing method and device of the present disclosure produces a non-incendiary, organic-polymerization based, smoke-producing reaction. Some versions of the smoke are effective carriers for capsaicinoid compounds. The method of generating smoke comprises initiating a frontal polymerization reaction by heating a composition comprising a monomer compound that exothermically polymerizes upon initiation with an initiator compound and an initiator compound that initiates polymerization of the monomer compound present at a mass concentration that is at least five percent of the mass concentration of the monomer compound. The polymerization of the monomer compound is exothermic, and in one embodiment the concentration of initiator compound is at least five percent of the concentration of monomer compound. The smoke mainly comprises thermal decomposition products of the initiator compound.

Systems and methods for modifying an infrared signature of a vehicle are provided. A method may include producing an aerosol cloud proximate the vehicle. The method may further include determining one or more characteristics of the aerosol cloud. The method may also include determining a projection plane within the aerosol cloud based on the aerosol cloud characteristics for projecting a representation of the object. The method may additionally include providing heat at particles in the projection plane of the aerosol cloud to generate the object representation.

A fog-generating device (1) is described, comprising a heat accumulator to store thermal energy and release it to a fog-generating fluid, to produce steam, and a thermal mass composed of a plurality of small metal plates (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) housed, inside a container (2), in order to locate a path of the fog-generating fluid adapted to lick the surface of the small metal plates (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), generating a vaporization of the fog-generating fluid.

The invention is that of a remote deployed obscuration system useful in protecting law enforcement and military personnel, for example, against attack. The remote deployed obscuration system comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as a drone of any suitable configuration that is equipped with an obscuration means such as one or more smoke grenades. The remote deployed obscuration system is capable of being guided from a remote location via remote-control means in communication with a remote-control receiver of the UAV, which may be used to control UAV flight patterns, actuate the obscuration means, release and reload the obscuration means, and communicate with other remote deployed obscuration systems on a concerted mission. The obscuration means may comprise a quick mount and release mechanism of heat-resistant material to enable remote reloading of grenades, for example, while protecting the UAV against heat discharged therefrom.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a haze and/or particulate level in the air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detecting unit (sensor) and a controller. The detecting unit is configured to detect the haze and/or particulate level in real time. The controller in communication with the detecting unit is configured to receive data related to a haze level from the detecting unit. The apparatus further comprises a display and a control switch. The display in communication with the controller is configured to display data related to the haze level monitored by one or more sensors. The sensors are laser based particulate sensors. The control switch in communication with the controller is configured to send a signal to control a haze generator, thereby monitoring the haze level in real time and controlling the haze generator at predetermined time periods using the control switch for attaining and maintaining a desired haze level.

An apparatus for monitoring and controlling a haze and/or particulate level in the air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a detecting unit (sensor) and a controller. The detecting unit is configured to detect the haze and/or particulate level in real time. The controller in communication with the detecting unit is configured to receive data related to a haze level from the detecting unit. The apparatus further comprises a display and a control switch. The display in communication with the controller is configured to display data related to the haze level monitored by one or more sensors. The sensors are laser based particulate sensors. The control switch in communication with the controller is configured to send a signal to control a haze generator, thereby monitoring the haze level in real time and controlling the haze generator at predetermined time periods using the control switch for attaining and maintaining a desired haze level.

A smoke generator and driver circuit (46) for controlling and powering a smoke generating canister (38), said driver circuit (46) comprising a power output connected to said smoke generating canister (38) for activation thereof. It comprises a charging unit (50) providing after a charging process sufficient power for igniting and driving said smoke generating canister (38), a switching unit (52) connected to said charging unit (50) and to a first pole (56) of said smoke generating canister (38) for releasing power from said charging unit (50) to said smoke generating canister (38), and a connecting unit (54) connected to a second pole (58) of said smoke generating canister (38) for allowing power to flow through said smoke generating canister (38), wherein activation of both said connecting unit (54) and said switching unit (52) during an overlapping time period is required for activation of said smoke generating canister (38). A method comprises applying a charging signal a charging input of the driver circuit (46), applying a control signal to a connect input of said driver circuit (46), and applying a trigger signal at a trigger input of switching unit (52).

A smoke generator and driver circuit (46) for controlling and powering a smoke generating canister (38), said driver circuit (46) comprising a power output connected to said smoke generating canister (38) for activation thereof. It comprises a charging unit (50) providing after a charging process sufficient power for igniting and driving said smoke generating canister (38), a switching unit (52) connected to said charging unit (50) and to a first pole (56) of said smoke generating canister (38) for releasing power from said charging unit (50) to said smoke generating canister (38), and a connecting unit (54) connected to a second pole (58) of said smoke generating canister (38) for allowing power to flow through said smoke generating canister (38), wherein activation of both said connecting unit (54) and said switching unit (52) during an overlapping time period is required for activation of said smoke generating canister (38). A method comprises applying a charging signal a charging input of the driver circuit (46), applying a control signal to a connect input of said driver circuit (46), and applying a trigger signal at a trigger input of switching unit (52).