FLAME EFFECT SYSTEM

Abstract

A burner assembly includes a conduit having a plurality of ports formed along a length of the conduit. The conduit is configured to direct a flow of gas out of the conduit via the plurality of ports. The burner assembly further includes a shroud extending along a length of the conduit and covering at least a portion of the conduit. The shroud is perimetrically offset from the conduit to form an air passage between the shroud and the conduit along an outer perimeter of the conduit. The conduit and the shroud are configured to facilitate airflow along the air passage in response to the flow of gas out of the conduit.

Claims

1. A burner assembly, comprising: a conduit comprising a plurality of ports formed along a length of the conduit, wherein the conduit is configured to direct a flow of gas out of the conduit via the plurality of ports; and a shroud extending along a length of the conduit and covering at least a portion of the conduit, wherein the shroud is offset from a perimeter of the conduit to form an air passage between the shroud and the conduit along an exterior surface of the conduit, wherein the conduit and the shroud are configured to direct a flow of air along the air passage in response to the flow of gas out of the conduit.

2. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the shroud extends over the plurality of ports, and the shroud is configured to direct the flow of the gas, and the flow of air, in the air passage toward a flame outlet.

3. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow of gas is configured to mix with the flow of air in the air passage.

4. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the shroud comprises an undulating surface.

5. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the conduit comprises a pipe with a polygonal cross-section, and the plurality of ports is formed in a corner of the pipe.

6. The burner assembly of claim 5, wherein the shroud extends along a first face and a second face of the pipe.

7. The burner assembly of claim 6, comprising cladding material coupled to a third face of the pipe, wherein the cladding material and the shroud are configured to direct the flow of the gas and the flow of air to produce a flame that swirls around the shroud.

8. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the flow of gas is configured to produce suction pressure forcing air from an external environment of the conduit through the air passage as the flow of air.

9. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the air passage comprises an air inlet at a first end of the shroud and a flame outlet at a second end of the shroud.

10. The burner assembly of claim 1, wherein the shroud is configured to facilitate a Venturi effect such that the flow of gas imparts kinetic energy to air in the air passage to generate the flow of air.

11. The burner assembly of claim 1, comprising one or more gas valves configured to control the flow of gas in the conduit.

12. A gas flow system, comprising: a plurality of conduits configured to receive and direct a flow of gas, wherein each conduit of the plurality of conduits comprises a plurality of gas ports, and each conduit is configured to direct a respective flow of gas out of the conduit via the plurality of gas ports; and a plurality of shrouds, each coupled to a respective conduit of the plurality of conduits, wherein each shroud of the plurality of shrouds comprises a surface extending partially around a perimeter of the conduit to form an air passage between an exterior surface of the conduit and the shroud, wherein each shroud is configured to direct a respective flow of air along the air passage from an air inlet at a first end of the shroud to a flame outlet at a second end of the shroud.

13. The gas flow system of claim 12, wherein each shroud of the plurality of shrouds and the respective conduit for the shroud are configured to facilitate generation of the respective flow of air along the air passage in response to the respective flow of gas out of the conduit via the plurality of gas ports.

14. The gas flow system of claim 13, wherein gas flow system is configured to produce a pressure difference between the flame outlet and the air inlet based on the flow of gas.

15. The gas flow system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of conduits is coupled to a base structure, and each conduit of the plurality of conduits extends in a radial direction relative to an axis of rotation about the base structure.

16. The gas flow system of claim 15, comprising a motor configured to rotate the plurality of conduits about the axis of rotation.

17. The gas flow system of claim 16, comprising: one or more gas valves configured to control the flow of gas; and one or more igniters configured to ignite the gas.

18. The gas flow system of claim 17, comprising a controller configured to control the one or more gas valves, the motor, or a combination thereof.

19. A gas flow system, comprising: a base structure; and a plurality of burner assemblies rotatably coupled to the base structure, wherein each burner assembly of the plurality of burner assemblies comprises: a conduit comprising a plurality of gas ports and configured to discharge a flow of gas from the conduit via the plurality of gas ports; and cladding material extending along a length of the conduit, wherein the cladding material is configured to at least partially enshroud the conduit; and an air passage between the conduit and the cladding material, wherein the air passage is configured such that kinetic energy of the flow of gas discharged from the conduit via the plurality of gas ports causes a flow of air to enter the air passage.

20. The gas flow system of claim 19, wherein the conduit of each burner assembly has a polygonal cross section, and the plurality of gas ports is formed along an edge of the conduit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction system configured to produce a flame effect, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a flame effect member of the attraction system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a burner assembly of the attraction system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a burner assembly of the attraction system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the burner assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustration of various textures of cladding material of a burner assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles a, an, and the are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms comprising, including, and having are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to one embodiment or an embodiment of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

[0016] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0017] As used herein, the terms approximately, generally, and substantially, and so forth, are intended to convey that the property value being described may be within a relatively small range of the property value, as those of ordinary skill would understand. For example, when a property value is described as being approximately equal to (or, for example, substantially similar to) a given value, this is intended to mean that the property value may be within +/- 5%, within +/- 4%, within +/- 3%, within +/- 2%, within +/- 1%, or even closer, of the given value. Similarly, when a given feature is described as being substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to another feature, generally parallel or generally perpendicular to another feature, and so forth, this is intended to mean that the given feature is within +/- 5%, within +/- 4%, within +/- 3%, within +/- 2%, within +/- 1%, or even closer, to having the described nature, such as being parallel to another feature, being perpendicular to another feature, and so forth. Further, it should be understood that mathematical terms, such as planar, slope, perpendicular, parallel, and so forth are intended to encompass features of surfaces or elements as understood to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art and should not be rigidly interpreted as might be understood in the mathematical arts. For example, a planar surface is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be substantially flat or smooth (within related tolerances) using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, a surface having a slope is intended to encompass a surface that is machined, molded, or otherwise formed to be oriented at an angle (e.g., incline) with respect to a point of reference using techniques and tools available to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0018] The present disclosure generally relates to a system that produces a burning effect of a structure by using the geometry of the structure to direct flows of one or more fluids, such as fuel gas and air, in a way that may produce a turbulent (e.g., swirling, agitated) flame from one or more flame effect members of the structure when at least one of the one or more fluids is ignited. Each flame effect member may include one or more burner assemblies that include a conduit (e.g., pipe, tube) configured to receive a flow of gas. One or more gas ports may be formed along a surface or edge of the conduit that enable the gas to flow out of the conduit. Each burner assembly may include a shroud wrapped at least partially around a perimeter of the conduit. The shroud may have an undulating surface spaced apart from the conduit to form an undulating air passage along the outer perimeter of the conduit. The air passage may extend from an air inlet to a flame outlet located near the one or more gas ports. As fast-moving gas exits the one or more gas ports, a pressure difference (e.g., suction pressure) may be created between the air inlet and the flame outlet. As a result, ambient air may be drawn into the air inlet from an external environment and forced through the air passage to the flame outlet. The shroud may be shaped to direct the mixture of air and gas out of the flame outlet in a turbulent (e.g., swirling) manner, producing a realistic flame effect.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an attraction system 10 configured to produce a flame effect, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the attraction system 10 may be designed in the form of a windmill. The attraction system 10 may include one or more flame effect members 12 (e.g., structural members, blades, windmill blades) rotatably coupled to a base structure 14 (e.g., building, column, scaffolding, stand). The one or more flame effect members 12 may be self-supporting structures or may be coupled to structural members. The attraction system 10 may include a motion system 16 configured to move (e.g., actuate, translate, rotate) the flame effect members 12. The motion system 16 may include one or more actuators 18 (e.g., motors, engine) configured to rotate the flame effect members 12 about an axis of rotation 20 that may extend substantially parallel to a lateral axis 22. To facilitate discussion, the attraction system 10 and its respective components may be described with reference to the lateral axis 22, a vertical axis 24, which is oriented relative to a direction of gravity, and a longitudinal axis 26. The axis of rotation 20 may extend substantially perpendicular to the flame effect members 12 (e.g., perpendicular to a length 28 of the flame effect members 12). The flame effect members 12 may extend in a radial direction 30 from the axis of rotation 20.

[0020] The attraction system 10 of FIG. 1 may include a gas flow system 32 configured to produce a flame effect. For example, the gas flow system 32 may emit gas from the flame effect members 12, that, when ignited, give the appearance that the flame effect members 12 are on fire. Each of the one or more flame effect members 12 may include or be constructed from one or more burner assemblies 34. The gas flow system 32 may include gas valves 36 (e.g., gas intake valves) configured to control a flow of fuel gas (e.g., propane, butane, methane, acetylene) through the burner assemblies 34 to produce the flame effect. Additionally, the gas flow system 32 may include air valves 38 (e.g., air intake valves) configured to control a flow of air into the burner assemblies 34 to facilitate combustion of the fuel gas. The gas valves 36 and the air valves 38 may include gate valves, globe valves, plug valves, check valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, and/or damper valves.

[0021] Additionally, the gas flow system 32 may include an ignition system 40 configured to ignite the gas flowing through the one or more gas flow systems 32. In some embodiments, the ignition system 40 may facilitate a sudden or dramatic burst of flame to initiate the burning of the flame effect members 12 (e.g., members presented as windmill blades). The ignition system 40 (e.g., flamethrower) may include an ignition fuel emission system 42 (e.g., gas cannon, gas ejector) positioned on or within the one or more flame effect members 12. The ignition fuel emission system 42 may be configured to emit fluid (e.g., combustible gas, combustible liquid). The ignition system 40 may also include a pilot light 44. The ignition fuel emission system 42 may be configured to eject a burst or stream of gas toward one or more of the burner assemblies 34. The pilot light 44 may be positioned along the trajectory of the fluid emitted from the ignition fuel emission system 42. The pilot light 44 may be configured to produce an initial impetus for combustion of the gas from the ignition fuel emission system 42. For example, the pilot light 44 may produce a small flame or an electrical spark to ignite the gas from the ignition fuel emission system 42. Thus, the ignition system 40 may produce a flame. The flame produced from the ignition system 40 may be a large flame projecting dramatically from the attraction system 10. The flame produced from the ignition system 40 may be directed toward the one or more gas flow systems 32 and/or at gas emitted by the one or more gas flow systems 32. The flame produced by the ignition system 40 may ignite the gas from the one or more gas flow systems 32. Additionally or alternatively, an ignition system 40 may be positioned offboard of the one or more flame effect members 12, such as at a central point of convergence 46 between the burner assemblies 34 (e.g., near the axis of rotation 20). When the ignition system 40 at the central point of convergence 46 emits a flame, the flame may burst from this central point 46 and subsequently appear to travel along the lengths 28 of each of the flame effect members 12 (e.g., along the lengths of each of the burner assemblies 34). In some embodiments, the ignition system 40 may produce a flame that crosses the gas emitted from the flame effect members 12. For example, as the motion system 16 rotates or translates the flame effect members 12 through the path of the flame of the ignition system 40, the flame may engage with and ignite the gas flowing out of each flame effect member 12 (e.g., in a clockwise or counterclockwise sequence). Thus, the flame effect members 12 may appear to catch fire as a result of the initial flame from the ignition system 40.

[0022] In some embodiments, the gas from any or all ignition systems 40 may be different from or the same as the gas supplied to the burner assemblies 34. For example, the ignition fuel emission system 42, the pilot light 44, and the burner assemblies 34 may draw gas from separate fuel sources (e.g., gas tanks). Any or all ignition systems 40 may receive the gas from a separate gas supply independent of the gas supplied to the burner assemblies 34.

[0023] In some embodiments, the gas flow system 32 may include a gas mixing system 48 configured to control a composition of the gas supplied to the burner assemblies. The gas mixing system 48 may include a mixing station 50 (e.g., gas tank, reservoir, chamber) and a monitoring system 52 configured to monitor (e.g., via gas sensors) a composition of the gas in the mixing station. For example, the mixing station 50 may contain a mixture of component gases, such as propane, butane, and methane. The monitoring system 52 may determine a relative amount of each component gas in the mixture. The composition of the gas may influence the appearance and behavior of the flames produced by the burner assemblies. Hence, the gas mixing system 48 may enable an operator or a controller to change or regulate the composition of the gas. For example, the operator may adjust a position of one or more valves to inject more or less of each of the component gases into the mixing station 50 and/or the burner assemblies 34. A gas conduit (e.g., gas line) may direct the flow of gas from the mixing station 50 to the burner assemblies 34. In some embodiments, the gas conduit may also direct the gas from the mixing station 50 to the ignition system 40.

[0024] The attraction system 10 may include one or more controllers 54 configured to control the motion system 16 and the gas flow system 32. For example, the controller 54 may receive instructions and output control signals to operate the actuators 18, the gas valves 36, the air valves 38, the ignition fuel emission system 42, the gas mixing system 48, or any combination thereof. The controller 54 may include a processor 56 (e.g., processing circuitry, processing system) and a memory 58. The processor 56 may be any suitable type of computer processor or microprocessor capable of executing computer-executable code. The processor 56 may also include multiple processors that may perform the operations described herein. The memory 58 may also be used to store data, various other software applications, and the like that are executed by the processor 56. The memory 58 may include non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., any suitable form of memory or storage) that may store the processor-executable code used by the processor 56 to perform various techniques described herein.

[0025] In some embodiments, the controller 54 may automatically control the gas mixing system 48 based on environmental parameters, such as temperature, lighting, weather, time of day, and/or atmospheric conditions. For example, the controller 54 may receive weather data (e.g., via a network such as the Internet or an intranet, from a sensor) and lighting data (e.g., via light sensors). Based on this data, the controller 54 may determine an appropriate gas composition to supply to the burner assemblies 34 and/or the ignition system 40. Then, the controller 54 may output a control signal to the gas mixing system 48 to adjust the composition of the gas accordingly. In some embodiments, the controller 54 may determine the gas composition by referencing a table (e.g., database, data structure) stored in the memory 58 that associates certain environmental conditions with corresponding parameters of the gas.

[0026] In some embodiments, the controller 54 may operate in conjunction with other systems (e.g., other controllers) of the attraction system 10 or the amusement park. For example, the controller 54 may output control signals to and/or receive feedback (e.g., sensor data, instructions) from other auxiliary systems 60 (e.g., other show effect systems), such as a lighting system 62, an audio system 64, a video system 66, and/or an animated figure system 68. In some embodiments, the attraction system 10 may operate these multiple show effects systems in coordination with one another based on a timed script. For example, the controller 54 may instruct each of these systems, along with the motion system 16 and the gas flow system 32, to perform a sequence of actions (e.g., outputs) in response to an operator input, in response to a trigger event detected via a sensor, or based on a periodic script.

[0027] In some embodiments, the attraction system 10 may be designed to resemble a windmill or a turbine, as generally shown in FIG. 1. For example, the base structure 14 may resemble a building or a housing of a windmill, and the flame effect members 12 may be designed to look like windmill blades rotating about an axle extending through the windmill. In addition to a windmill-based design, the techniques disclosed herein may be applied to attraction systems or ornamental devices of any form to produce a swirling flame effect. For example, the flame effect may be produced as part of an animated FIGURE(e.g., robot), a theater or film prop, a patio heater, a show effect, unmanned systems (e.g., unmanned aircraft) and the like. Furthermore, the motion system 16 is not limited to rotating windmill blades about an axial center of the windmill. Indeed, the motion system 16 may produce linear motion and/or rotational motion of structural members and/or fire-emitting devices along any suitable axis.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the flame effect member 12 of the attraction system 10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the flame effect members 12 (e.g., structural members) of the attraction system 10 may be attached (e.g., rotatably attached, coupled) to the base structure 14. The flame effect member 12 may be configured to couple to a rotating element (e.g., turntable) that is driven to rotate by the actuator 18 of the motion system 16 of FIG. 1. The flame effect member 12 may include the burner assembly 34 configured to produce or facilitate a flame effect. The burner assembly 34 may include one or more conduits 100 coupled to each other via one or more support members 102. The one or more conduits 100 may make up the structural form of the flame effect member 12 and are configured to generate the flame effect. Each conduit 100 may include a gas inlet 104 configured to intake gas (e.g., the fuel). For example, the gas inlet 104 may be a port coupling a gas line from a gas tank storing the fuel to the respective conduit 100. The gas inlet 104 may include the gas valve 36 (FIG. 1) configured to control a flow rate of the fuel through the conduit 100. Additionally, each conduit 100 may include an air inlet 106 configured to intake air to facilitate the combustion of the fuel in the conduit 100. The air inlet 106 may include the air valve 38 (FIG. 1) configured to control a flow rate of the air through the conduit 100. The air and the fuel may mix within the conduits 100, and the mixture 325 (FIG. 4) (hereinafter the gas) may flow in a radial direction 108 outward through the conduits along a length 110 of flame effect member 12. The conduits 100 may be closed or open at either end.

[0029] The illustrated embodiment includes three conduits extending along the radial direction 108 of the attraction system 10 from the axis of rotation 20 to form the flame effect member 12. One or more of the conduits 100 may produce the flame effect as part of the gas flow system 32 (FIG. 1). Any remaining conduit(s) may provide structure or decoration (e.g., theming) to the flame effect member 12. In other embodiments, different props and/or theming may be included (e.g., an airplane propeller). The flame effect member 12 may further include various structural members to provide support to the assemblage of conduits 100. The flame effect member 12 may further include cladding 112 (e.g., cladding material, covering, casing, shroud) covering the conduits 100. In this way, the cladding 112 may decoratively obscure the operation of the gas flow system 32 from viewers (e.g., park guests). Furthermore, the cladding 112 may be configured to enhance the flame effect by directing the flow of air and fuel in a particular manner based on the shape and position of the cladding 112.

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a burner assembly 34 of the attraction system 10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the conduit 100 of the burner assembly 34 extends along a radial length 200 of the flame effect member 12 and facilitates the flow of the gas through the conduit 100. A hollow interior 202 of the conduit 100 may have a polygonal (e.g., quadrilateral, square) cross-section. An outer perimeter 204 (defined by an outer surface) of the conduit 100 may also be substantially quadrilateral. In some embodiments, the corners 206 (e.g., vertices of the cross-section) may be substantially rounded or chamfered, which may facilitate gas port placement and/or fluid flow. The conduit 100 may include one or more gas ports 208 (e.g., holes, nozzles, outlets, apertures, openings) formed along the radial length 200 of the conduit 100. In an embodiment, the conduit 100 may include two or more gas ports 208, and the two or more gas ports 208 may be arranged in a row and formed along a corner 210 (e.g., the rounded or chamfered edge of one of four corners) of the conduit 100. Thus, gas flowing through the conduit 100 is discharged from the conduit 100 through the gas ports 208 at a relatively high velocity. In other embodiments, the gas ports 208 may be formed in multiple rows along any of the edges, the corners, or on one or more faces 212 of the conduit 100. The gas ports 208 extend through a shell 214 (e.g., wall) of the conduit 100. In addition, the gas ports 208 may be oriented in a particular hole direction, such that the gas flowing through the conduit 100 is expelled by the gas ports 208 in an emission direction 216. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the hole direction is approximately 45 degrees (e.g., diagonally outward) relative to a first face 218 (e.g., base) of the conduit 100 (e.g., approximately 45 degrees with respect to the lateral axis 22 and/or the axis of rotation 20). Without the cladding material, the gas flowing out of the gas ports 208 may flow substantially in the emission direction 216 (e.g., away from the flame effect member 12). As such, when the gas is ignited, the resulting flames may not produce a realistic appearance that the flame effect member 12 is burning. Indeed, the flames may appear to project outward in an orderly pattern unlike an actual, turbulent fire. Therefore, the burner assembly 34 includes the cladding 112, which may be coupled to the conduit 100 (e.g., via fasteners). The cladding 112 is shaped and positioned to direct a flow of air around the conduit 100 to manipulate the behavior of the flame.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a burner assembly 34 of the attraction system 10 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The burner assembly 34 includes the conduit 100 and the cladding 112 coupled to the conduit 100. The cladding 112, or a portion thereof, forms a shroud wrapped at least partially around an exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100. The cladding 112 may be formed from a heat-accommodating material, such as stainless steel or material (e.g., metal) that does not fail under high cycles of heating and cooling. The cladding 112 may cover one or more faces 212 of the conduit 100, up to and/or including the corner 210 that includes the gas ports 208. As such, the cladding 112 may be shaped relative to and/or positioned around the outer perimeter of the conduit 100, generally wrapping around at least one of the corners 206. However, contact between the cladding 112 and the conduit 100 is not airtight. Indeed, the cladding 112 is offset (e.g., separated, a distance, a varying distance) from the exterior surface 300 (e.g., perimeter) of the conduit 100. In particular, a gap 302 through which air may flow may be formed between the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100 and an interior surface 304 of the cladding 112. In other words, the gap 302 may form an air passage 306 between the cladding 112 and the conduit 100. A first edge 308 (e.g., end) of the cladding 112 may be open or at least partially unsealed (e.g., uncoupled) from the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100 to form an air inlet 310 of the air passage 306 to facilitate flow of an air flow 312 (e.g., flow of air) into the air passage 306. The cladding 112 may include a first portion 314 that extends along a first face 316 of the conduit 100, bends around a first corner 318 of the conduit 100, and extends along a second face 320 of the conduit 100. As such, the air passage 306 may extend around the conduit 100 (e.g., along the first face 316, around the first corner 318, and along the second face 320) toward a second edge 322 (e.g., end) of the cladding 112. The second edge 322 may be open or at least partially unsealed (e.g., uncoupled) from the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100 to form a flame outlet 324 (e.g., air outlet) configured to direct a flame (e.g., mixture of gas and air 325 from air passage 306, ignited mixture of gas and air 325) external to the cladding 112.

[0032] The gas flowing out of the gas ports 208 may impinge upon a second portion 326 of the cladding 112. In some embodiments, the first portion 314 of the cladding 112 may at least partially cover the gas ports 208 (e.g., the corner 210), while the second portion 326 of the cladding 112 may not cover the gas ports 208. Thus, the gas may flow out from the gas ports 208 and into the air passage 306 (e.g., near the flame outlet 324, and mix with the air flow 312). In the air passage 306, the cladding 112 may be shaped to direct the gas (e.g., the mixture of gas and air 325) toward the flame outlet 324. The second end 322 of the cladding 112 may form an overhang region 328 (e.g., lip, canopy) that extends over, overlaps, or covers the gas ports 208. The second end 322 of the cladding 112 may not block the gas from exiting the conduit 100 but instead may direct the gas through the air passage 306 (e.g., an end portion of the air passage 306) and toward the flame outlet 324.

[0033] The gas may flow out of the gas ports 208 and into the air passage 306 at a relatively high velocity (e.g., compared to ambient air). Therefore, the gas flow may produce a region of low pressure at the gas ports 208 (e.g., near the flame outlet 324). As a result, air (e.g., the air flow 312) in the air passage 306 may be pulled (e.g., via suction pressure) through the air passage 306 in the direction of the gas flow (e.g., from the air inlet 310 and toward the flame outlet 324 or gas ports 208). For example, kinetic energy of the fast-moving gas exiting the gas ports 208 may cause a decrease in potential energy, including static pressure, near the gas ports 208. As a result, a pressure difference is produced between the air inlet 310 and the flame outlet 324. Thus, kinetic energy may be imparted to the air flow 312, and the air flow 312 (e.g., ambient air) may be drawn into the air passage 306 at the air inlet 310 and forced out of the air passage 306 at the flame outlet 324 along with the gas (e.g., as the mixture of gas and air 325). As such, in some embodiments, the conduit 100 and the cladding 112 may operate as a vacuum ejector, utilizing the gas as a motive fluid (e.g., working fluid) to circulate the air flow 312 through the air passage 306. In this way, the fast-flowing gas imparts velocity to the air flow 312 in the air passage 306. The air flow and the gas may mix in the air passage 306 to form the mixture of gas and air 325 and produce a turbulent flow, supplying additional oxygen to facilitate combustion. Then, the mixture of the gas and the air 325 may be ejected (e.g., emitted, discharged) from the flame outlet 324.

[0034] In some embodiments, a width 330 of the air passage 306 (e.g., a distance between the cladding 112 and the conduit 100) may vary along the perimeter 204 (e.g., enshrouded perimeter) of the conduit 100. For example, the cladding 112 may have an undulating (e.g., curved) surface or cross section. The cladding 112 may form alternating constricted regions 332 (e.g., choke, narrow) and extended regions 334 (e.g., open, wide) of the air passage 306. In particular, a relative width of the extended regions 334 may be larger than a relative width of the constricted regions 332. Due to a Venturi effect, a velocity of the air flow 312 may increase and a pressure of the air flow 312 may decrease in the constricted regions 334 relative to the extended regions 334. As a result, turbulence along the air passage 306 may be increased, producing a disorderly (e.g., swirling) effect on the flame (e.g., ignited mixture of gas and air 325) at the flame outlet 324. In some embodiments, a constricted region 336 may be located near the gas ports 208 and/or the flame outlet 324. In this way, the gas and air mixture 325 may be ejected from the flame outlet 324 at a greater velocity, producing a turbulent flame. In some embodiments, the overhang region 328 of the cladding 112 may be curved (e.g., convex) to facilitate a swirling effect of the flame.

[0035] The cladding 112 may include the second portion 326 (e.g., a second cladding 112, additional cladding 112 portion) configured to cover at least a portion of the conduit 100. For example, the second portion 326 may extend from a second corner 338, along a third face 340 of the conduit 100, and toward the corner 210 that includes the gas ports 208. In some embodiments, the second portion 326 may be partially covered by or interface with the first portion 314 of the cladding 112 (e.g., the first portion 314 may overlap the second portion 326). The second portion 326 may be shaped to further direct the flame (e.g., mixture of gas and air 325) at the flame outlet 324. For example, the second portion 326 may have or form a projection 342 (e.g., an undulating surface) that is projecting out from the exterior surface 300 of the third face 340 of the conduit 100. The mixture of gas and air 325 flowing out of the flame outlet 324 may be directed by the second portion 326 to produce a flame that swirls around the overhang region 328 of the cladding 112. Further, the first portion 314 and the second portion 326 of the cladding 112 may function to obscure components of the flame effect member 12 (e.g., the gas ports 208, the conduit 100) or to decorate (e.g., disguise, cover, mask) the conduit 100 to produce a realistic visual effect.

[0036] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the burner assembly 34 of FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed with respect to FIG. 4, the burner assembly 34 includes the conduit 100 and the cladding 112 coupled to the conduit 100. The cladding 112 may cover the one or more faces 212 of the conduit 100, up to and/or including the corner 210 that includes the gas ports 208. The cladding 112 may be offset (e.g., separated, a distance, a varying distance) from the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100. In particular, the gap 302 through which air may flow may be formed between the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100 and the interior surface 304 of the cladding 112. In other words, the gap 302 may form the air passage 306 between the cladding 112 and the conduit 100. The first end 308 of the cladding 112 may be open to form the air inlet 310 of the air passage 306 to facilitate flow of the air flow 312 into the air passage 306. The cladding 112 may include the first portion 314 that extends along the first face 316, bends around the first corner 318, and extends along the second face 320 and toward the corner 210 that includes the gas ports 208. In addition, the cladding 112 may include the second portion 326 that extends from the second corner 338, along the third face 340, and toward the corner 210 that includes the gas ports 208. As such, the air passage 306 may extend around the conduit 100 (e.g., along the first face 316, around the first corner 318, and along the second face 320) toward the second end 322. The second end 322 may form the flame outlet 324 (e.g., air outlet) configured to direct a flame (e.g., mixture of gas and air 325 from the air passage 306, ignited mixture of gas and air 325) external to the cladding 112.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first portion 314 of the cladding 112 may at least partially cover the gas ports 208 (e.g., the corner 210), while the second portion 326 of the cladding 112 may not cover the gas ports 208. The second end 322 of the cladding 112 may form the overhang region 328 (e.g., lip, canopy) that extends over, overlaps, or covers the gas ports 208. The second end 322 of the cladding 112 may not block the gas from exiting the conduit 100 but instead may direct the gas through the air passage 306 and toward the flame outlet 324.

[0038] The width 330 of the air passage 306 (e.g., a distance between the cladding 112 and the conduit 100) may vary along the perimeter 204 of the conduit 100. For example, the cladding 112 may form the constricted regions 332 (e.g., choke, narrow) and extended regions 334 (e.g., open, wide) of the air passage 306. In some embodiments, the second portion 326 may be partially covered by or interface with the first portion 314 of the cladding 112 (e.g., the first portion 314 may overlap the second portion 326). The second portion 326 may be shaped to further direct the flame (e.g., mixture of gas and air 325) at the flame outlet 324. For example, the second portion 326 may have or form the projection 342 (e.g., an undulating surface) that is projecting out from the exterior surface 300 of the third face 340 of the conduit 100. The mixture of gas and air 325 flowing out of the flame outlet 324 may be directed by the second portion 326 to produce a flame that swirls around the overhang region 328 of the cladding 112. Further, the first portion 314 and the second portion 326 of the cladding 112 may function to obscure components of the flame effect member 12 (e.g., the gas ports 208, the conduit 100) or to decorate (e.g., disguise, cover, mask) the conduit 100 to produce a realistic visual effect. In some embodiments, the cladding 112 may be one continuous piece of material with openings for the air inlet 310 and the flame outlet 324. Alternatively, the cladding 112 may include more than one piece (e.g., 2, 3, 4).

[0039] It should be understood that relative positions of the air inlet 310 and/or the flame outlet 324 may vary along the exterior surface 300 of the conduit 100 and with respect to the cladding 112 (e.g., may be different than is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) to facilitate a realistic flame effect.

[0040] The motion (e.g., actuation, translation, rotation) of the flame effect members 12 (e.g., burner assemblies 34) may also affect the fluid dynamics of the air and the gas. For example, as the flame effect member 12 rotates, ambient air may flow across exterior surfaces (e.g., undulating surfaces) of the cladding 112, creating pressure gradients that may further agitate the flame and contribute to a swirling effect that mimics realistic burning of wood and/or other organic material. Additionally, the motion of the flame effect member 12 relative to the ambient air may affect the dynamic pressure at the air inlet 310 in a way that promotes the intake of the air flow 312 into the air passage 306 (e.g., through the air inlet 310). Although the cladding 112 may be made of a heat-safe material, such as steel, the cladding 112 (e.g., shroud and/or any additional covering) may have a visual and/or physical texture designed to give the appearance of a different material, such as wood or another organic material. For example, the cladding 112 may be engraved, embossed, colored, painted, carved, etched, stamped, and/or otherwise texturized to look and/or feel like wood with oil patina and covered in soot.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments of three-dimensional texture patterns 400 that may be applied to the cladding 112 (e.g., additionally applied or added to a surface of the cladding 112 and/or engraved into an exterior surface of the cladding 112). Indeed, the cladding 112 may be texturized based on a wood grain pattern so as to resemble a wooden structure (despite actually being metallic). In another embodiment, the cladding 112 may have a scaly texture. For example, the burner assembly 34 may be part of an animated figure designed to have scaly skin. In another embodiment, the cladding 112 may be texturized with rocky protrusions. The textures may be designed using 3D modeling techniques (e.g., computer-aided design). For example, the texture may be modeled and stored as a texture file. Then, the cladding 112 may be machined (e.g., using computer numerical control (CNC) techniques) to produce the desired texture based on the texture file.

[0042] While only certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the present disclosure.

[0043] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as means for (perform)ing (a function).Math. or step for (perform)ing (a function).Math., it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).