Device for simulating a flame effect

Abstract

The device for simulating a flame effect includes a mist generator having a housing with an outlet aperture for mist; at least one ultrasonic sprayer of a liquid for generating mist, which is arranged in the housing; a mechanism for pulse supply of a liquid onto the ultrasonic sprayer of the mist generator; a mechanism for outputting of mist via the outlet aperture of the mist generator; at least one light source arranged so as to be able to illuminate a mist current escaping from the outlet aperture of the mist generator for simulation of the flame effect. The technical effect is improved uniformity of a formed mist current, reduced dimensions of the device, simplified construction, improved operational stability, and less contamination of the generator.

Claims

1. A device for simulating a flame effect, comprising: a mist generator having a housing with an outlet aperture for mist (3) and at least one ultrasonic sprayer of a liquid for generating mist, means for pulse supply of the liquid onto the at least one ultrasonic sprayer of the mist generator, means for outputting the mist via the outlet aperture of the mist generator, and at least one light source arranged to illuminate a flux of the mist outputted from the outlet aperture of the mist generator, for ensuring simulation of the flame effect.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir for the liquid, said reservoir connected to the mist generator.

3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a dispenser for forming a directed flux of the mist, said dispenser aligned with the outlet aperture of the mist generator.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a simulated log of an artificial fuel bed, wherein the mist generator is arranged within the simulated log.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the housing of the mist generator is made in the form of a container and provided with a cover in the form of a radiator, wherein at least one light source is arranged on said radiator.

6. The device according to claim 5, further comprising at least one heating element arranged on the radiator.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the radiator has projecting elements for heating of air in the housing of the mist generator.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the outlet aperture of the mist generator is made in the radiator.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein a wall of the housing of the mist generator and the radiator are arranged with a gap therebetween and have projections forming the outlet aperture of the mist generator in the form of a slit.

10. The device according to claim 5, wherein a bottom of the housing of the mist generator is made inclined and provided with at least one aperture for draining a condensate.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein an ultrasonic membrane is used as the ultrasonic sprayer.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the ultrasonic membrane is oriented horizontally.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the ultrasonic membrane is oriented vertically.

14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the means for pulse supply of the liquid are made to supply the liquid in the form of drops or streams onto the ultrasonic membrane.

15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the means for pulse supply of the liquid comprise at least one tube for pulse supply of the liquid, said at least one tube connected to the reservoir for the liquid or to a liquid supply line via a pipeline and/or a channel.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the means for pulse supply of the liquid further comprise a control unit for controlling pulse supply of the liquid.

17. The device according to claim 15, wherein the means for pulse supply of the liquid comprise at least one pump for pumping the liquid from the reservoir into the tube for pulse supply of the liquid.

18. The device according to claim 15, wherein the ultrasonic membrane on one side contacts the liquid in the channel connecting the tube for pulse supply of the liquid and the reservoir, and the ultrasonic membrane is made to oscillate for ensuring transfer of the liquid from the reservoir into the tube.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the means for outputting the mist comprises a fan for delivering air into the housing of the mist generator via an inlet aperture of the mist generator.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained with the accompanying drawings.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a general sectional view of the device according to the first embodiment.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the device according to the first embodiment.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a sectional view along the lower border of the horizontal plane of the device radiator according to the first embodiment.

(5) FIG. 4 shows an end view and a perspective view of the device radiator according to the first embodiment.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a rear elevation view of the device according to the first embodiment.

(7) FIG. 6 shows an inner sectional view of the mist generator housing of the device according to the first embodiment.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a general schematic view of the device according to the second embodiment.

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the mist generator of the device according to the second embodiment.

(10) FIGS. 9 and 10 show a general perspective views of the device according to the third embodiment.

(11) FIG. 11 shows a top sectional view of the device according to the third embodiment.

(12) FIGS. 12, 13 show schematic views of one particular embodiment of the ultrasonic membrane and the means for pulse supply of a liquid (a general view and a top view).

(13) The elements in the Figures are designated as follows: 1mist generator 2ultrasonic sprayer of a liquid (membrane) 3mist 4inlet aperture of the mist generator 5inlet slit of the mist generator 6means for outputting mist (fan) 7radiator 8light source 9aerodynamic elements (fins) of the radiator 10outlet aperture of the mist generator 11projection of the mist generator housing 12projection of the radiator 13bottom of the mist generator housing 14drain aperture of the mist generator housing 15simulated charcoal bed 16simulated logs 17support plate 18tube for pulse supply of a liquid onto the membranes 19inlet fitting of the mist generator 20outlet fitting of the mist generator 21housing of the flame simulation unit 22dispenser 23substrate for light sources 24partition 25reservoir for a liquid 26cover of the flame simulation unit housing 27bottom of the flame simulation unit housing 28pump for a liquid 29control board 30pipeline (hose) 31channel for supply of a liquid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(14) The device for simulating flame effect according to the first embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 1-6) utilizes the modular concept and comprises the mist generator (1), which housing is a spreading container. The housing of the mist generator (1) accommodates one or more ultrasonic liquid sprayers (2) in the form of ultrasonic membranes of piezoceramic radiators. The ultrasonic membrane (2) is oriented vertically in the housing of the mist generator (1) and is arranged so that a mist current generated thereby fills a maximum possible volume of the housing container. One example of this arrangement may be the arrangement in a container end. The ultrasonic membrane (2) is adapted for operation in the mode of generating mist (3) when it receives a pulse-supplied (sprayed) liquid in the form of drops or streams from a reservoir for a liquid or via a pipeline (water line) (not shown). Said supply is ensured by control and liquid precision supply means (not shown).

(15) The generator housing has the inlet aperture (4) aligned with a narrow lengthy slit (5) for providing the housing with air at small positive pressure created by the mist outputting means (6) made in the form of a fan.

(16) As the cover of the mist generator housing, a flat radiator (7) is used which outer (upper) surface is provided with light sources (8), e.g., in the form of light-emitting diodes providing LED-backlight in a predetermined configuration that resembles flames, and, if necessary, with heating elements (not shown in the Figures). The radiator (7) is intended for removal heat from the light-emitting diodes and heating elements (if installed) as well as for heating air, as coming into the housing, for forming ascending convective currents of generated mist (3). The lower side of the radiator (7) may have aerodynamic elements (plates, fins) (9) for better transfer of heat to air supplied into the housing as well as for creating, inside the housing, air currents in a required configuration which ensures capture of a maximum amount of mist (3) by the supplied air.

(17) The housing of the mist generator (1) is also provided with an outlet aperture (10) in the form of a slit for outputting of mist (3). Said aperture (10) may be formed both in the radiator (7) itself and due to incomplete covering of the mist generator housing container by the radiator (7) (i.e., due to displacement of the radiator). In particular, the slit of the outlet aperture (10) is formed by projections (11) and (12) that may be structural parts of housing container of the generator (1) and the radiator (7) and are intended for directing a mist current blown out of the container as well as for removing more heat. These projections (11, 12) also may protect the user against action of light sources' direct radiation.

(18) The bottom (13) of the mist generator (1) housing may be made inclined longitudinally or transversally and may have, in its lower portion, one or more apertures (14) for discharging a liquid (draining of condensate).

(19) During operation of the device according to the first embodiment, a dispersed (sprayed) liquid (water or any other liquid suitable for forming mist) is precision-supplied by the pulse supply means (not shown) as microscopic doses onto one or more membranes (2) that form mist (3) in the form of suspended microdrops (aerosol). Mist (3) is picked up by an air current produced by the means (6) for outputting mist (a fan) via the inlet aperture (4) and a lengthy slit (5) and leaves the container via the outlet aperture (10). A light flux produced by the light sources (8), which are arranged on the radiator (7), is dispersed on particles of mist (3) escaping from the container, and, due to that, the effect of simulated flame flickering is achieved. Heat produced by the light sources (8) (and by heating elements) is transferred to the radiator (7) that additionally heats an air current passing through the housing of the mist generator (1), thus ensuring formation of ascending aerosol flows at the output of the mist generator (1) due to convection, and this, in turn, creates the flame motion effect and increases the flame height visually.

(20) The device according to the second embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 7 and 8) has a detachable concept. FIG. 7 shows an artificial fuel bed simulating a charcoal layer (15) and logs (16) arranged thereon in the fire chamber. One of the simulated logs contains the mist generator (1) of the claimed device, as shown in FIG. 8.

(21) The bottom (13) of the generator (1) housing, which serves as a substrate, is provided with ultrasonic sprayers (2) of a liquid in the form of membranes fixed by a support plate (17) pressing the membranes (2) to the bottom (13). The evaporation surface of the membranes (2) is oriented horizontally. The housing of the mist generator (1) accommodates means for pulse supply of a liquid onto the membranes (2), said means being made as tubes (18) connected to the liquid reservoir or a pipeline (not shown) by channels. The bottom of the mist generator housing is provided with the inlet aperture (4) having a fitting (19) for the purpose of delivering air with the use of a means (not shown) for outputting mist, as well as with the outlet aperture (10) having an outlet fitting (20) for the purpose of discharging an air-mist mixture.

(22) During operation of the device, similarly to that of the first embodiment, a liquid (water) is supplied as drops from the reservoir by a pump (not shown) onto the ultrasonic membranes (2) with the use of the pulse supply means (tubes (18)) via the channels. The membranes transform the liquid drops coming thereon into mist that accumulates within the space of the mist generator made as a simulated log (16). Air is supplied via the inlet fitting (19) from the fan (not shown) into the housing of the mist generator (1), which air escapes via the fitting (20), entraining mist and formed condensate. Then an air-mist mixture enters into a dispenser (not shown) from where it is uniformly supplied through the slits into a space above the simulated logs and, with the use of the light sources (not shown), flames are simulated. Condensate, which entered the dispenser, is discharged back into the water reservoir via the aperture provided with a hose.

(23) The device according to the third embodiment of the invention (FIGS. 9-11) has a modular concept. FIG. 9 shows an artificial fuel bed simulating a charcoal layer (15) and logs (16) under which the flame simulation unit of the device is arranged.

(24) The flame simulation unit (FIGS. 10-11) comprises the housing (21) and the mist generator (1) with the ultrasonic membranes (2), which is arranged on the housing, the dispenser (22), the means for outputting mist (a fan) (6), and the light sources (backlight lamps) (8) that are fixed on the substrate (23). The housing (21) of the flame simulation unit is divided into two areas by a horizontal partition (24) (the housing end wall is not shown in FIG. 10 for convenience). The upper part of the housing forms a reservoir (25) for a liquid and is closed by a cover (26) on top. The lower part of the simulation unit housing (21) accommodates, on its bottom, the electronic and mechanical components of the device, said components comprising two peristaltic pumps (28) and a set of control boards (29) forming the liquid supply control unit. The pumps (28) are connected to the reservoir (25) for a liquid and to the housing of the mist generator (1) by pipelines (hoses). The fan (6) is attached directly to the housing of the mist generator in order to improve its operational efficiency. The dispenser (22) is arranged on the mist generator, so that its aperture is located above the light sources (8).

(25) During operation of the device according to the third embodiment, a liquid (water or any other suitable liquid) is supplied from the reservoir (25) by the pumps (28) via the pipelines as microscopic doses (drops) onto the membranes (2) that form mist. The fan (6) delivers air into the housing of the mist generator (1), which air, entraining mist, escapes via the aperture in the dispenser (22), being lighted by the lamps (8) from below, and goes up via an aperture in the simulated fuel bed, thus creating the effect of flames.

(26) According to the above embodiments of the device, the ultrasonic membranes (2), which are intended for creating mist (3), may be used as pumps for supply a liquid to their surface. In one of the embodiments (FIGS. 12-13) the membrane (2) is arranged in the housing of the mist generator (1) so that one of its sides (the upper side of the membrane (2) in FIG. 12) has the open surface for generating aerosol, and the other side (the lower side of the membrane (2) in FIG. 12) faces the means for supply of a liquid. In this case, the means for supply of a liquid comprise the inlet fitting (19) and the tube (18) for supplying a liquid onto the membrane, said fitting and tube being connected by an internal channel (31) ensuring direct contact of the liquid with the lower surface of the membrane (2). Also, the inlet fitting (19) and the tube (18) are provided with respective return valves (not shown) to prevent a backflow of a liquid.

(27) During operation of this assembly, the membrane (2) oscillates in vertical directions (as in FIG. 12). When the membrane (2) moves up, a certain amount of a liquid is caught via the inlet fitting (19) and entrained into the internal channel (31). Afterward, the membrane (2) moves down, and the volume of a liquid, as present in the channel (31), is expelled into the tube (18) due to the return valve arranged at the inlet fitting (19) for preventing a backflow of a liquid. When the membrane (2) moves up again, the return valve at the tube (18) does not allow the liquid to be expelled from the tube (18) back into the internal channel (31). The volume of a liquid, which is transferred by the membrane (2), is controlled by the control and precision-supply systems.

Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the Invention

(28) In order to create the flame simulation effect, the device according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1-6) is used with a vertically oriented membrane on which a liquid (water) is pulse-supplied as drops at a flowrate from 50 to 100 mL/h via a tube. The oscillation frequency of the membrane is 1.5-1.8 MHz. Formation of a uniform and time-stable current of fine mist is observed. It is additionally determined that mist is most efficiently formed on the condition of supplying the next drop of a liquid not earlier than the previous drop evaporates from the membrane, i.e., when the next drop of a liquid is supplied onto the essentially dry membrane. With due regard to this feature, a feedback system is realized with the use of current control on the membrane, which current changes when the membrane is dry.

(29) Due to inertial operation of the pump in the means for supply of a liquid, situations are detected when a stream of a liquid is supplied onto the membrane instead of a drop. This phenomenon does not result in compromising the mist characteristics. In such a case all excess liquid runs off the membrane and is discharged via the drain aperture.

Exemplary Embodiment 2 of the Invention

(30) The device according to the second embodiment (FIG. 8) is used with a horizontal membrane on which a liquid (water) is pulse-supplied as streams at a flowrate app. 100 mL/h. The oscillation frequency of the membrane is 1.6 MHz. Excess liquid, which is not evaporated, is discharged from the membrane due to its oscillations. As in Example 1, efficient formation of a uniform and time-stable current of mist is observed.

(31) Thus, these tests show that pulse supply of a liquid in the form of separate drops or streams onto either a horizontal membrane or a vertical one enables to form time-stable and uniform current of fine mist ensuring more real simulation of flames, as compared to known analogous solutions wherein a membrane is in permanent contact with a liquid, e.g., is immersed into a liquid.

(32) The above-described embodiments of the device are provided for the purpose of illustrating exemplary constructions possible, but are not aimed at limiting the scope of the claimed invention. Any combinations of the above concepts, as well as other embodiments of the device assemblies are possible, but within the limits of the totality of essential features according to the claimed invention.