Inspection smoke machine

Abstract

Provided is a smoke machine that comprises a heating element disposed within a chamber wherein smoke, which may be fluid vapor, is created. The chamber may contain a liquid reservoir containing a liquid that creates visible smoke when heated, e.g. to the point of vaporization, evaporation and/or condensation. A liquid transfer device transfers the liquid from the reservoir towards the heating element. The liquid transfer device may be provided around the periphery of the heating element, e.g. by being wrapped or coiled around it, of by having the heating element inserted in it. It may be tiedin place or fastened by a fastener. It may be held by friction fit provided by a friction allowing wicking but providing substantially complete coverage of the heating element or part thereof. Also provided is a smoke machine that comprises a pressure controller.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application 62 / 217,900, filed September 13, 2015, and US Provisional Patent Application 62 / 350,464, filed June 15, 2016. technical field [0002] The present invention relates to the field of steam generating devices for testing the integrity of liquid systems in general, and more particularly to steam generating devices featuring a plurality of different pressure modes of operation such that they can be readily used for testing Various liquid systems required. The invention also relates to a steam generating device for generating steam from a liquid using a heating element. Background technique [0003] Many useful systems incorporate and / or operate with liquids (gases, liquids, or a combination of both). For example, an automobile has several systems that contain and utilize fluids in their operation, including the fuel system, exhaust system, heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) system as well as hydraul...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Similarly, a fog machine designed to generate steam at a test pressure of 30 psi can be used for leak detection and location in forced induction engines, but cannot be used in naturally aspirated internal combustion engines because too high a test pressure would damage the design. In engine systems containing lower pressures (eg 1psi)

[0010] In the auto mechanics industry or other similar industrial / commercial vehicle service industries, it becomes expensive to store multiple different foggers in order to be able to perform leak detection and location on different fluid systems with different inspection (test) pressure requirements

Even if the fogger could be adapted (for example by varying the heated surface area) to generate vapor at different test pressures, it would be inefficient and time consuming to have to perform this adaptation every time the fluid system being tested is inspected for an inspection requiring a different pressure of

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