Combustion special effects system and method

The special effects system rapidly deploys and reverses combustion effects using a fog generating device and pressure management, addressing the bulkiness and deployment challenges of existing systems to create immersive experiences.

JP2025538379APending Publication Date: 2025-11-28UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025527134
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2022-11-16
Filing Date
2023-11-15
Publication Date
2025-11-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing combustion effects systems in amusement parks are bulky and not suitable for rapid deployment and reversal, making it difficult to create realistic and immersive experiences with visually appealing smoke and fog effects.

Method used

A special effects system using a fog generating device, compartments, and a controller to manage positive and negative pressures for rapid fog accumulation and release, allowing for layered combustion effects.

Benefits of technology

Enables rapid deployment and reversal of realistic combustion effects, enhancing guest experience with unique and immersive visualizations.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The special effects system includes a fog generating device configured to generate fog, a show element including one or more compartments, and a controller communicatively connected to the fog generating device. The fog generating device includes one or more positive pressure sources and one or more negative pressure sources. The controller executes a procedure including applying negative pressure from the one or more negative pressure sources to the one or more compartments for a period of time, causing fog to enter the one or more compartments after the period of negative pressure, and applying positive pressure from the one or more positive pressure sources to cause the fog to exit the one or more compartments to cause a combustion effect.
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Description

[Background technology]

[0001] This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and / or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. As such, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0002] Amusement parks and other entertainment venues may use special effects to immerse patrons in experiences such as rides and attractions. The immersive environment may include three-dimensional (3D) props and specific configurations, robotic or mechanical elements, electrical or chemical elements, and / or displays presenting information media. For example, the immersive environment may be provided by show components that operate to create visual combustion effects (e.g., smoke, cloud, or fog effects). However, the infrastructure for creating such combustion effects is bulky and not suitable for rapidly deploying effects. Therefore, improved systems and methods for recreating the appearance of combustion effects are desirable to provide a more realistic, relevant, and / or desirable interactive experience. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed subject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are merely intended to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the subject matter and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Indeed, the subject matter may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the following embodiments.

[0004] In one embodiment, a special effects system includes a fog generating device configured to generate fog, a show element including one or more compartments, and a controller communicatively connected to the fog generating device. The fog generating device can include one or more positive pressure sources and one or more negative pressure sources. The controller can perform an operation including applying negative pressure from the one or more negative pressure sources to one or more compartments for a period of time, causing fog to enter the one or more compartments after the period of negative pressure application, and applying positive pressure from the one or more positive pressure sources to expel the fog from the one or more compartments to create a combustion effect.

[0005] In one embodiment, a method of special effects comprises directing, via a controller, a fog generating device to generate fog and directing, via the controller, to apply negative pressure from one or more vacuum blowers to one or more compartments for a period of time to evacuate the one or more compartments. The method may further include, after a period of time, causing the fog from the fog generating device to fill the one or more compartments and directing, via the controller, to apply positive pressure from one or more compressed air sources to the one or more compartments to generate a combustion effect.

[0006] In one embodiment, an attraction system can include a show element including a compartment configured to store and release fog, one or more dampers configured to open or close to control the flow of air to and from the compartment, a vehicle configured to move along a path proximate to the show element, and a controller communicatively connected to the show element and the vehicle. The controller can determine a position of the vehicle and, based on the position of the vehicle, direct one or more compressed air sources and / or one or more blowers to apply positive pressure so as to release the fog stored in the compartment.

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a special effects system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 2] 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of a compartment used in the special effects system of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 3A] 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a compartment used in the special effects system of FIG. 1 prior to creating a combustion effect, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 3B] 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a compartment used in the special effects system of FIG. 1 after causing a combustion effect, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 4] 2 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of operating the special effects system of FIG. 1 to create a combustion effect, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the special effects system of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 6] 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method of operating the special effects system of FIG. 5 to create a combustion effect, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 7]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an attraction system including the special effects system of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to mean the presence of one or more of the element. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also contain the recited features.

[0017] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. In the interest of brevity in describing these embodiments, not all features of the implementations are described herein. It will be understood that the development of any such implementation, as in any engineering or design project, requires numerous implementation-specific decisions to be made to achieve the developer's particular objectives, including compliance with system- and business-related constraints that may vary from implementation to implementation. Moreover, it will be understood that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but would be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0018] The present disclosure is directed to combustion special effects for amusement or theme parks. Amusement parks may include various features for entertaining guests, such as rides (e.g., roller coasters), theatrical shows, set designs, performers, and / or decorative elements. Special effects may be used to complement or supplement, e.g., to provide a more immersive and / or unique experience for guests. For example, special effects may be used to mimic real-world elements to provide a more realistic atmosphere for guests.

[0019] An embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a special effects system for providing a combustion effect (e.g., spontaneous combustion) in a realistic manner. In one embodiment, the combustion special effect can be a rapidly deployed effect, such as rapid laser damage. Achieving a rapid change from an initial, undamaged configuration to a burned or otherwise affected configuration is difficult. Furthermore, because an attraction cycles throughout the day, it is also beneficial to quickly return the show elements to their undamaged configuration for the next cycle without leaving any trace of smoke or other effects. The combustion effect may include smoke, mist, or other visual features that permeate the environment and may take time to dissipate between cycles. Additionally, it is difficult to quickly generate large amounts of smoke to create a more visually appealing special effect. For this reason, combustion effects have traditionally not been well-suited for rapid deployment and rapid reversal.

[0020] The present embodiment provides show elements (e.g., animated figures, props, statues, objects) that are manipulated as part of a realistic and / or immersive environment for entertaining patrons. The show elements can be coupled to a fog generating device and one or more blowers (e.g., fans) via one or more fluid conduits (e.g., ducts). Because fog generation is a slow process, the fog generating device can remain on and continuously generate fog. The show elements can include one or more compartments for storing fog to accumulate a desired amount of fog before a combustion effect is activated. The fog can travel through the conduits to accumulate within the compartments of the show element before triggering the combustion effect.

[0021] In one embodiment, the fog generating device is located outside and remote from the show element, and both the show element and the compartment can be any suitable shape or size. For example, the compartment can be designed as the body of the show element to provide a realistic and immersive experience to guests. Furthermore, the compartment can include one or more outlets for the fog to exit. Positive pressure can be applied to the compartment to push the fog out through the compartment's outlets to create and visualize the combustion effect. In a specific example, one or more compressed air sources can be used to apply positive pressure to a first compartment to push the fog at high speed for a primary combustion effect. A fan can then be used to apply positive pressure to push the retained fog from a second compartment for a secondary combustion effect. The secondary combustion effect can be a slower effect and last for a longer period of time compared to the primary combustion effect. In this manner, combustion effects provided by a special effects system can be layered to provide guests in an amusement park with unique and / or realistic visualizations of combustion effects, including spontaneous combustion.

[0022] With the above in mind, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a special effects system 50 used to create a combustion effect. For example, the special effects system 50 can include a fog generating device 52 located externally but connected to a show element 54. One or more fluid conduits 56 (e.g., ducts) can couple the fog generating device 52 to the show element 54. By locating the fog generating device 52 externally of the show element 54, size and material constraints on components within the special effects system 50 can be reduced or eliminated. For example, because the show element 54 serves as a central location for storing fog rather than a location for generating fog, the show element 54 can be of any suitable shape, size, or material. Additionally or alternatively, the ducts within the fog generating device 52 may have material constraints to protect against fog, while the one or more fluid conduits 56 can be made of any suitable material for handling air and / or fog flow.

[0023] In one embodiment, the fog-generating device 52 may include a fog device that operates to generate fog when activated. For example, because fog generation can be a slow and time-consuming process, the device may be activated (e.g., on) before, during, and after the combustion effect. In the on state, fog-generating materials may enter the device to generate fog. For example, the fog generator may combine active ingredients (e.g., propylene glycol, glycerin) with water to produce a thick vapor that appears as fog or smoke. In another example, the fog generator may heat chemical compounds (e.g., carbon dioxide, liquid nitrogen, water) to generate fog. The duct to the fog generator may be made of stainless steel or high-pressure water piping with insulation to accommodate the fog-generating materials. To generate the combustion effect, the fog-generating device 52 may include one or more blowers (e.g., fans) and one or more compressed air sources to create positive pressure and force the fog outward. The fog generating device 52 may also include one or more vacuum blowers configured to create a negative pressure to prevent the fog from escaping from the show element 54 prior to the combustion effect.

[0024] In certain examples, fog from the fog generator can travel to the show element 54 through one or more fluid conduits 56. The center block 57 can cover and / or support the one or more fluid conduits 56. For example, the center block 57 can include one or more holes for supporting the fluid conduits 56. The show element 54 can include one or more compartments 58 for storing the fog prior to the combustion effect. The one or more compartments 58 can be made of a non-breathable material for retaining the fog and can include multiple outlets (e.g., openings) through which the fog can flow to create the combustion effect. A compressed fluid, such as air, can be applied to the one or more compartments 58 via the one or more fluid conduits 56 to push the fog out to create the combustion effect. In certain examples, each of the one or more compartments 58 can be coupled to one of the one or more fluid conduits 56. For example, the one or more compartments 58 may include a first compartment 58a coupled to a first fluid conduit 56a and a second compartment 58b coupled to a second fluid conduit 56b. As described further herein, it may be beneficial to include one or more compartments 58 within the show element 54 to control the visual appearance of the combustion effect.

[0025] For purposes of illustration, the show element 54 is depicted as a snowman, with one or more sections 58 forming the body (e.g., torso) of the snowman. To create a realistic and / or immersive environment, the show element 54 may include one or more appendages 60 and / or accessories 62. For example, the appendage 60 may be the head of the show element 54, and the accessory 62 may include a hat or cape worn by the show element 54. Additionally, the appendages 60 and accessories 62 may be used to hide one or more elements of the special effects system 50 (e.g., one or more fluid conduits 56, motion controller 64, fog generator 110) from view by the patron. While the illustrated embodiment depicts the show element 54 as a snowman, in other embodiments, the show element 54 may include a vampire, a dragon, a troll, a humanoid, an alien, a house, a volcano, a food item, or any suitable object for providing an immersive burning effect to the patron.

[0026] The show elements 54 can be coupled to a motion controller 64 (e.g., show action equipment) configured to support and coordinate the movement of the show elements 54. For example, the motion controller 64 can include a movable arm 66 (e.g., a robotic arm, a movable member) coupled to the show elements 54. The show elements 54 can be driven by the motion controller 64 via the movable arm 66. In this manner, the motion controller 64 can generate visual effects that can be perceived by guests, such as the show elements 54 flying, floating, levitating, falling, walking, etc. In certain examples, the show elements 54 can be static, with the motion controller 64 providing additional support for the show elements 54. In another example, the motion controller 64 can be supported by transmission lines (e.g., one or more cables) that extend along (e.g., internally, laterally) the motion controller 64 and provide power and / or data to the show elements 54. For example, power supplied via the transmission lines can cause the show elements 54 to be animated to depict reactions or interact with other show elements of the attraction system. In this manner, the manipulation and animation of show elements 54 can enhance the guest's perceived experience.

[0027] The special effects system 50 may include a support structure 68 for supporting the motion controller 64 and / or the fog generating device 52. The support structure 68 may include a platform (e.g., a table, a stand) for supporting the motion controller 64 and the fog generating device 52. In certain examples, the support structure 68 may also be coupled to the show elements 54 to provide additional support for the show elements 54. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the special effects system 50 may not include a support structure.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of one or more compartments 58 of special effects system 50. One or more compartments 58 may include one or more conduit ports 80 for receiving fog and one or more outlets 82 for emitting fog for combustion effects. One or more compartments 58 may receive fog from a fog generator via one or more fluid conduits, such as fog generator 52 and fluid conduits 56 described with respect to FIG. 1. One or more fluid conduits 56 may each be connected to one or more compartments 58 via one or more conduit ports 80 (e.g., duct ports). One or more conduit ports 80 may be openings configured to receive one or more fluid conduits 56 and provide an inlet for the fog. For example, a first fluid conduit 56 may be a hose and a conduit port 80 configured to receive and connect the hose. In the illustrated example, one or more compartments 58 include two conduit ports 80, however, in other embodiments, one or more compartments 58 may include one, three, four, five, six, or any suitable number of conduit ports 80. For example, the first compartment 58a may include three conduit ports 80 configured to receive one or more fluid conduits 56.

[0029] One or more compartments 58 may serve as reservoirs for collecting and storing fog. To this end, one or more compartments 58 may be made of a non-porous material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic, thermoformed plastic, carbon fiber, metal, wood, or any other suitable material for storing fog. To create a combustion effect, one or more compartments 58 may include one or more exhaust ports 82. The one or more exhaust ports 82 may be created by cutting or piercing one or more compartments 58 to form openings through which fog can be released for the combustion effect. For example, one or more exhaust ports 82 may be circular holes created by removing a portion of the non-porous material of one or more compartments 58. In the illustrated example, the one or more exhaust ports 82 include openings of different shapes and sizes. Additionally, the exhaust port openings may be covered with an open weave (e.g., a screen, mesh, or perforated material) that includes multiple openings through which fog can be released from the compartments 58. The openings in the open knitting (e.g., fabric) can be any suitable shape or size. Open knitting with a large percentage of open area can allow mist to pass through at a faster rate compared to open knitting with a small percentage of open area, thereby creating a visually enhanced burning effect. In another example, the exhaust openings can be uncovered by the open knitting, allowing a greater percentage of mist to pass through compared to mist emitted from an exhaust opening covered by the open knitting. By controlling the number of one or more exhaust openings 82 in one or more compartments 58, the shape and size of the one or more exhaust openings 82, and / or the shape and size of the gaps in the open knitting, the visual appearance of the burning effect can be controlled (e.g., tailored). Furthermore, the open knitting can be painted to match the color and / or texture of one or more compartments 58 to camouflage or hide one or more exhaust openings 82 from a customer's view.

[0030] In the illustrated example, the one or more compartments 58 may include a central compartment 58a and a main compartment 58b (collectively, one or more compartments 58). The central compartment 58a may include a first conduit port 80a for receiving fog via connection with one or more fluid conduits 56 and one or more outlets 82 for discharging the fog. The main compartment 58b may include a second conduit port 80a for receiving fog and one or more outlets 82 for discharging the fog. In the illustrated example, the main compartment 58b may be larger than the central compartment 58a and thus may hold a greater amount of fog. As further described herein, the central compartment 58a may be used for primary combustion effects, and the main compartment 58b may be used for secondary combustion effects. Indeed, different shapes and sizes of the central compartment 58a and the main compartment 58b may enable visually different combustion effects. In this manner, the combustion effects provided by the special effects system 50 may be layered to provide unique and / or realistic combustion visualizations.

[0031] While the illustrated example includes one central section 58a and one body section 58b, in certain embodiments, the special effects system 50 may include two, three, four, five, or any number of central sections 58a and body sections 58b suitable for producing a combustion effect. The visual appearance of the combustion effect may be tailored based on the number of one or more sections 58, the number of one or more exhaust ports 82 in the one or more sections 58, or both. Furthermore, one or more sections 58 may be designed with any suitable number of conduit ports 80, such that one or more sections 58 may be coupled to any suitable number of one or more fluid conduits 56.

[0032] FIG. 3A is a side view of one embodiment of one or more compartments 58 in a configuration in which the special effects system 50 is configured before or during a combustion effect cycle, e.g., before generating a combustion effect or before initiating the next combustion effect cycle after the combustion effect is completed. In the illustrated example, the one or more compartments 58 can be configured as a multi-space compartment including a central compartment 58a and a main compartment 58b to generate the combustion effect. The central compartment 58a can be located in the center of the main compartment 58b, but the central compartment 58a can also be located adjacent (e.g., above, below, left, or right) to the main compartment 58b. In one embodiment, the central compartment 58a can be separated or fluidly isolated from the main compartment 58b. Thus, in one embodiment, mist stored in the central compartment 58a does not travel directly from the central compartment 58a to the main compartment 58b, and vice versa. However, in certain embodiments, one or more compartments 58 in a multi-space configuration can include specific passageways to allow direct gas transfer.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the central section 58a and the main section 58b have different characteristics, which can produce visually different combustion effects. For example, the internal volume of the main section 58b can be larger compared to the central section 58a, thereby allowing the main section 58b to store more mist. The central section 58a can be characterized by a total surface area of ​​its outlets (e.g., the area corresponding to the surface area of ​​the section 58 removed or drilled to create passageways) that is larger than the total surface area of ​​the outlets of the main section 58b. Thus, when configured in a multi-compartment structure, one or more compartments 58 can include different compartments with relatively different internal volumes and different numbers and / or sizes of outlets 82. Furthermore, the number of one or more second outlets 82b can be greater than the number of first outlets 82a, thereby changing the visual appearance of the generated combustion effect. However, the size of each of the one or more second outlets 82b can be smaller compared to the first outlets 82a. For example, the surface area of ​​the first outlet 82a can be greater than the total surface area of ​​the one or more second outlets 82b. In this manner, the mist emitted from the one or more second outlets 82b can be slowed compared to the mist emitted from the first outlet 82a. In this manner, the central section 58a can be used to generate a primary combustion effect, and the body section 58b can be used to generate a secondary combustion effect.

[0034] To receive the fog, the central section 58a and the body section 58b can be coupled to the fog generating device 52 via one or more fluid conduits 56. As shown, the central section 58a can be coupled to a first fluid conduit 56a, and the body section 58b can be coupled to a second fluid conduit 56b. By separately coupling the central section 58a and the body section 58b, the movement of fog to and from each of the one or more sections 58 can be individually controlled. In this manner, the visual appearance of the combustion effect can also be controlled.

[0035] 3B is a side view of one embodiment of one or more sections 58 of the special effects system 50 during operation of a combustion effect. For example, the central section 58a can be used for a larger primary combustion effect 90a, while the body section 58b can be used for a smaller secondary combustion effect 90b. To generate the primary combustion effect 90a, the first fluid conduit 56a coupled to the central section 58a can create a positive pressure that forces collected fog outward through the first outlet 82a. Because the fog is centrally stored within the central section 58a, it can be quickly exhausted from the first outlet 82a. In certain examples, the attraction controller can instruct the attraction system to generate additional special effects (e.g., lighting effects, sound effects, visual effects, smell effects) in parallel with the primary combustion effect 90a. For example, the attraction controller may direct a laser to generate a visual effect (e.g., a sunbeam) and shine it on a show element 54 (e.g., a snowman), and the special effects system 50 may cause the show element 54 to appear to spontaneously combust (e.g., a primary combustion effect 90a).

[0036] During the primary combustion effect 90a, the body section 58b can continuously receive mist via the second fluid conduit 56b. The second fluid conduit 56b can then release positive pressure on the body section 58b, forcing the stored mist out. The body section 58b includes one or more second exhaust ports 82b, allowing the mist to slowly exit the body section 58b, visually appearing as a smoldering or burning effect. In this manner, the secondary combustion effect 90b can be made to appear less visually significant than the primary combustion effect 90a. By layering the primary combustion effect 90a and the secondary combustion effect 90b, the visual appearance of the combustion effect can be tailored.

[0037] To further enhance the burning effect, the show elements 54 can be coupled to appendages and / or accessories, such as appendages 60 and / or accessories 62 described with respect to FIG. 1 . For example, the accessories can include lightweight garments, such as loose clothing or fabric strips. The accessories can be attached around one or more of the exhaust ports 82 so that when one or more compartments 58 are positively pressurized, the accessories 62 bulge outward to indicate to the guest that a burning effect is occurring. The accessories can also add a storytelling aspect to the guest. For example, if the show elements 54 are flying through the air via the motion controllers 64, the accessories can move adjacent to the show elements 54 to enhance the flying effect. In this manner, the show elements 54 can create a realistic and / or immersive environment for the guest.

[0038] With the above in mind, FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of an example method 100 for operating special effects system 50. Method 100 will be described with reference to the features illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B. Method 100 may begin with an empty compartment. Method 100 may be performed according to instructions stored on one or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media and / or may be directed by a processor or processing circuitry of a control system (e.g., a fog generation control system) described herein or other suitable controller. The blocks of method 100 may be performed in any suitable order. Additionally, certain blocks of method 100 may be omitted and / or other blocks may be added to method 100.

[0039] In block 102, the controller can receive an activation signal. For example, the controller can receive instructions (e.g., user input, automated signal) to trigger a combustion effect. In another example, the controller can receive a signal instructing the combustion effect based on a received sensor signal or timing signal indicating a patron's proximity to the special effects system 50. In response to receiving the activation signal, the controller can instruct one or more blowers to push fog into one or more compartments 58 (e.g., center compartment 58a, main compartment 58b) via one or more fluid conduits 56. As described herein, generating fog can be a slow and time-consuming process. Therefore, the controller can instruct the fog generators in the fog generating device 52 to continuously generate fog, and initiating the combustion effect can include opening a valve to allow fog to enter one or more compartments 58. In a particular example, fog can first fill the center compartment 58a and then the main compartment 58b. In another example, fog can fill the center compartment 58a and the main compartment 58b in parallel. The mist can travel through one or more fluid conduits 56 to compartments 58 through a low level of positive pressure that is set to a level that is not sufficient to diffuse or cause the mist to blow out of one or more outlets 82, but that encourages the mist to collect in one or more compartments 58.

[0040] During the initial charging phase of the combustion effect, it may be beneficial to create a low level of negative pressure within one or more compartments 58 to prevent the mist from being released prior to triggering the visible phase of the combustion effect. Thus, the charging phase of the combustion effect may include the activation of a low level of negative pressure that prevents the mist within one or more compartments 58 from being released through one or more outlets 82.

[0041] In block 104, the controller can direct one or more fog generating devices 52 to apply a positive pressure to push fog out of one or more compartments 58. The fog generating devices 52 can include one or more air sources that generate air to create the positive pressure to push the fog out of the compartments 58. In this manner, a combustion effect is created. For example, the controller can direct one or more compressed air sources to create a positive pressure applied to the central compartment 58a. The positive pressure pushes fog out of the central compartment 58a, thereby creating the primary combustion effect 90a. In another example, the controller can direct one or more blowers to activate and create a positive pressure applied to the main compartment 58b. The one or more blowers can slow the rate at which the fog exits the main compartment 58b compared to the fog exiting the central compartment 58a, thereby creating the secondary combustion effect 90b. In one embodiment, the positive pressure for forcing the mist through the outlet(s) 82 is greater than the pressure used to fill the compartment(s) 58 .

[0042] Additionally or alternatively, the controller may instruct the attraction controller to generate light effects, sound effects, smell effects, mechanical effects, etc. in combination with the burning effect. For example, the controller may instruct the motion controller 64 to activate the show elements 54 to create the appearance of an attack followed by a burn. Further, the controller may instruct the attraction controller to generate a smoky or burning smell that is carried to the patron on a fog. In another example, the controller may instruct the attraction controller to generate sound effects in conjunction with the burning effect to create an immersive environment for the patron.

[0043] In block 106, the controller may receive a stop signal. For example, the controller may receive an instruction (e.g., user input, automatic signal) to reset the special effects system 50. The controller may instruct one or more devices to enter a sleep state. In another example, the controller may instruct the motion controller 64 to return the show elements 54 to a default position. In block 108, the controller may instruct one or more of the fog generating devices 52 to generate negative pressure to remove fog from one or more compartments 58.

[0044] 5 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a special effects system 50 including a fog generating device 52 and a show element 54. As described herein, the fog generating device 52 can be located outside of the show element 54 to reduce or eliminate clutter in the show element 54 and / or one or more compartments 58. The fog generating device 52 can be coupled to one or more compartments 58 via one or more fluid conduits 56, including flexible ducts made of any suitable material. In the illustrated example, the fog generating device 52 can be coupled to a central compartment 58a via a first fluid conduit 56a and to a body compartment 58b via a second fluid conduit 56b. Using separate fluid conduits 56 for each of the central and body compartments 58a and 58b can be beneficial for controlling the visual appearance of the combustion effect.

[0045] As shown, the fog-generating device 52 may include a fog generator 110, one or more devices (e.g., vacuum blower 112, fan 121), one or more ducts 114, one or more valves 116, one or more dampers 118, and one or more compressed air sources 120. During activation, the fog generator 110 may generate fog for the special effects system 50. For example, the fog generator 110 may combine an active ingredient with water to generate fog. In another example, the fog generator 110 may heat an ingredient to generate fog. In yet another example, the fog generator 110 may emit a fluid into the atmosphere to generate fog. Additionally, the fog-generating device 110 may be coupled to one or more blowers (e.g., air blowers) capable of generating positive pressure to push fog from the fog-generating device 110 into the one or more ducts 114.

[0046] In certain cases, the one or more ducts 114 can be made of a high-performance material that can withstand the fog. For example, the fog can be generated by heating liquid nitrogen, in which case the one or more ducts 114 can include insulation to reduce or eliminate freezing caused by the nitrogen. In another example, the fog can include steam, in which case the one or more ducts 114 can include insulated high-pressure water pipes to withstand the heat or pressure used to generate the steam to produce the fog. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more ducts 114 can be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, or other suitable materials. However, as the fog passes through the special effects system 50, certain properties of the fog dissipate, reducing or eliminating material constraints on the one or more fluid conduits 56.

[0047] To control the movement of fog within the special effects system 50, the one or more ducts 114 can be coupled to one or more valves 116 and / or one or more dampers 118. For example, the one or more valves 116 can include a check valve that allows air or fog to flow in a particular direction (e.g., from the fog generator 110 to the compartment 58). In another example, the one or more valves 116 can include a ball check valve with a closure that opens when pressure exceeds a threshold and reseals when pressure falls below the threshold. Additionally or alternatively, the controller can instruct the one or more valves 116 to open or close based on instructions (e.g., user input, an automatic signal).

[0048] One or more dampers 118 may also be used to control the flow of air or fog within the fog generating device 52 and / or special effects system 50. The one or more dampers 118 may include a three-way damper, a two-way damper, a single blade damper, an inlet vane damper, an isolation damper, a valve, or the like. In some cases, the one or more dampers 118 may include a three-way damper that receives air from an intake port and expels air from an exhaust port. The one or more dampers 118 may receive or deliver air from a third port. In certain configurations, receiving or delivering air from the third port may cause the one or more dampers 118 to move from an open position to a closed position, or vice versa. In another example, the one or more dampers 118 may be pneumatically actuated valves that change between an open position or a closed position based on whether pressure is above or below a threshold. For example, one or more dampers 118 may close to stop the flow of air in one or more ducts 114 when the pressure falls below a threshold, and open to allow the flow of air in one or more ducts 114 when the pressure exceeds the threshold. In particular examples, the controller may direct one or more dampers 118 to open to create a combustion effect in response to receiving an activation signal, and direct one or more dampers 118 to close to reset the special effects system 50 in response to receiving a deactivation signal.

[0049] The special effects system 50 may include one or more devices for creating positive or negative pressure (e.g., fog generating device 52). For example, the one or more devices may include one or more vacuum generating devices or one or more airflow generating devices. For example, the one or more devices may include one or more vacuum blowers 112, one or more blowers 113, one or more electric blowers, one or more fans 121, or any suitable device for creating a current of air or fog. As shown, the one or more devices may include one or more vacuum blowers 112 configured to draw air or fog to create a negative pressure within one or more fluid conduits 56 and / or one or more compartments 58. The one or more vacuum blowers 112 may draw air from one or more fluid conduits 56 toward one or more dampers 118 for delivery from the fog generating device 52. In another example, one or more fluid conduits 56 can create a Venturi effect to draw air from one or more compartments 58. In another example, the one or more devices can include a blower 113, such as a fog blower, that creates a positive pressure to force fog generated by the fog generator 110 into one or more ducts 114. In one embodiment, the blower 113 can be the same as the fan 121 and configured to apply a positive pressure to the system. For example, the blower 113 and fan 121 can be blowers configured to push fog out of one or more compartments 58.

[0050] The fog-generating device 52 may include one or more compressed air sources 120 configured to generate a positive pressure to generate the primary combustion effect 90a. The one or more compressed air sources 120 may include a motor-driven device (e.g., including an air compressor or a vacuum air compressor) that pressurizes air based on one or more settings. For example, the settings may include motor speed, pressure, volume, duration of pressurization, etc. A controller may receive instructions for the settings and instruct the one or more compressed air sources 120 to pressurize the air based on the settings. The one or more compressed air sources 120 may receive air from an intake valve, compress the air to a desired volume, and release the compressed air through an exhaust valve. The pressurized air may enter the central section 58a via the first fluid conduit 56 and push the collected fog outward, thereby generating the primary combustion effect 90a.

[0051] In certain cases, one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116 can control the movement of air to and from the central section 58a. In the illustrated example, the central section 58a can be coupled to a fog generator 110, one or more compressed air sources 120, and one or more vacuum blowers 112. The one or more vacuum blowers 112 can draw air to create a negative pressure within the central section 58a. Additionally or alternatively, the fog generator 110 can be activated to generate fog to fill one or more ducts 114 of the fog-generating device 52. In response to receiving an activation signal, the controller can direct the one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116 to open so that the fog moves to the central section 58a. After a period of time, the controller may direct one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116 to close, thereby preventing the mist from moving into the central section 58a. The controller may direct one or more compressed air sources 120 to release pressurized air into one or more ducts 114 to create a positive pressure within the central section 58a to generate the primary combustion effect 90a.

[0052] In the illustrated example, the body section 58b can be coupled to the fog generator 110 and two or more devices of the fog generating apparatus 52. For example, the body section 58b can be coupled to one or more vacuum blowers 112 that create a negative pressure within the body section 58b. Prior to creating the secondary combustion effect 90b, the controller can direct the one or more vacuum blowers 112 to draw air to create a negative pressure within the body section 58b and prevent fog from being expelled from the body section 58b. The controller can also direct one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116 coupled to one or more ducts 114 to open to allow air to flow from the body section 58b to the one or more vacuum blowers 112. During or after the primary combustion effect 90a, the controller can direct one or more dampers 118 and / or valves 116 to open to allow fog to enter the body section 58b from the fog generator 110 via one or more fluid conduits 56. After the primary combustion effect 90a, the controller can direct one or more fans 121 to create a positive pressure within the fog generator 110, which can push the fog out of the body section 58b to create the secondary combustion effect 90b.

[0053] In one embodiment, the fog generator 110 is active (e.g., on) and capable of continuously generating fog. As described herein, fog generation can be a slow and time-consuming process. Therefore, it may be beneficial to keep the fog generator 110 active to continuously generate fog and control the movement of the fog by opening and closing one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116. Furthermore, components of the fog generator 52 may take time to enter an active state. For example, it may take time for one or more fans 121 to ramp from an inactive state to an active state, which may cause a delay in the combustion effect. As another example, it may take time for one or more compressed air sources 120 to pressurize the air. Therefore, it may be beneficial to keep certain components of the fog generator 52 active and control the movement of the air by opening and closing the associated one or more valves 116 and / or one or more dampers 118. Accordingly, by controlling the opening and closing of one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116, the visual appearance of the combustion effect can be controlled.

[0054] The fog generation device 52 can be controlled by a fog generation controller 122 (e.g., a control system). The controller 122 can include a memory 124 and a processing circuit 126. The memory 124 can include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or other non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions for operating the special effects system 50 and / or the fog generation device 52. The processing circuit 126 can be configured to execute such instructions. For example, the processing circuit 126 can include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general-purpose processors, or a combination thereof.

[0055] In one embodiment, the fog generation controller 122 can set, adjust, and / or change one or more parameters of the combustion effect, such as the visual appearance of the combustion effect, the timing of the combustion effect, or the length of the combustion effect. For example, the fog generation controller 122 can direct one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116 to open or close, thereby applying positive or negative pressure to one or more compartments 58. As another example, the fog generation controller 122 can direct the fog generator 110, one or more airflow devices, or one or more compressed air sources 120 to activate or deactivate before, during, or after the combustion effect. In one embodiment, the controller 122 can direct the fog generation device 52 to remain activated to generate fog, negative pressure, or positive pressure. Additionally, the fog generation controller 122 can direct the motion controller 64 to activate show elements 54 to create a realistic and immersive environment for the patron. In this manner, the fog generation controller 122 can create visually realistic combustion effects and a realistic and / or immersive environment for the patron.

[0056] 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method 150 for operating special effects system 50. For example, show element 54 may be the snowman described with respect to FIG. 1, and the background may include the snowman spontaneously combusting after being exposed to a light beam. The burning effect may occur in two stages. For example, upon exposure to the light beam, the snowman may experience a large explosion in its torso (e.g., a primary burning effect), followed by a smoldering or burning effect (e.g., a secondary burning effect).

[0057] In preparation for the combustion effect, the special effects system 50 can generate and store fog. In block 152, the controller 122 can instruct the fog generator 52 to activate and generate fog. For example, the controller 122 can instruct the fog generator 110 to ramp up to an activated state for fog generation. In another example, the controller 122 can instruct the fog generator 110 to ramp up to continuous fog generation. In this case, the fog generator 110 can remain activated and generate fog without the controller 122 instructing the fog generator 110.

[0058] In block 154, the controller 122 may direct one or more vacuum blowers 112 to draw air from the compartment 58, thereby creating a negative pressure within the compartment 58. For example, the controller 122 may direct one or more vacuum blowers 112 to activate and draw air within the special effects system 50. The controller 122 may also direct one or more dampers 118 associated with the one or more vacuum blowers 112 to open, such that a negative pressure is applied to the compartment 58. For example, opening the associated one or more dampers 118 may cause a first vacuum blower of the one or more vacuum blowers 112 to draw air from the central compartment 58a via the first fluid conduit 56a, and a second blower of the one or more vacuum blowers 112 to draw air from the body compartment 58b via the second fluid conduit 56b. In other examples, air drawn from the central section 58a and entering a first vacuum blower of one or more vacuum blowers 112 can be discharged through an outlet of the first vacuum blower, and air drawn from the main section 58b and entering a second vacuum blower can be discharged through an outlet of the second vacuum blower.

[0059] In block 156, the controller 122 may receive an activation signal. The activation signal may be an automatic signal or a user input instructing to cause a combustion effect. For example, the controller 122 may receive a user input instructing to generate a combustion effect. In another example, the controller 122 may receive a signal from the memory 124 instructing to generate a combustion effect. In response to receiving the activation signal, the controller 122 may instruct one or more dampers 118 to close. In this manner, the negative pressure applied to one or more compartments 58 may be stopped.

[0060] In block 158, the controller 122, based on the activation signal, can instruct one or more dampers 118 to open so that fog fills the one or more fluid conduits 56 and / or one or more ducts 114. When the fog generator 110 generates fog, the fog can enter one or more ducts 114 coupled to the fog generator 110. The controller 122 can instruct one or more dampers 118 coupled to one or more ducts 114 to open so that fog can flow into one or more fluid conduits 56 (e.g., first fluid conduit 56a, second fluid conduit 56b). In a particular example, the controller 122 can direct one or more dampers 118 coupled to the first fluid conduit 56a to open so that fog fills the first fluid conduit 56a, and after a period of time, the controller 122 can direct one or more dampers 118 coupled to the second fluid conduit 56b to open so that fog fills the second fluid conduit 56b. In this manner, fog can be stored in the central section 58a before the body section 58b.

[0061] In block 160, the controller 122 may cause the fog to collect in one or more compartments 58. A negative pressure is applied to one or more compartments 58, allowing the fog to move through one or more fluid conduits 56 and into the compartments 58. Because fog generation is a time-consuming process, it may be beneficial to use one or more compartments 58 as a central storage location before generating the combustion effect. Rather, by creating a positive pressure within the special effects system 50 to push the fog out of the one or more compartments 58, the combustion effect can be generated quickly.

[0062] In block 162, the controller 122 can activate one or more devices of the fog generating device 52 to push the collected fog through one or more outlets 82 of one or more compartments 58. For example, the controller 122 can direct one or more compressed air sources 120 to generate pressurized air. The pressurized air can create a positive pressure in the central compartment 58a and push the fog to generate the primary combustion effect 90a. In a particular example, the pressurized air can fill one or more fluid conduits 56 and apply pressure to one or more of the valves 116. In this manner, the pressurized air can travel through the first fluid conduit 56a to the central compartment 58a. The pressurized air quickly pushes the collected fog in the central compartment 58a to be released through the first outlet 82, thereby generating the primary combustion effect.

[0063] In another example, the controller 122 can direct one or more fans 121 to generate an airflow to create a positive pressure within the body section 58b. The air can push accumulated fog through one or more exhaust ports 82 in the body section 58b to create a secondary combustion effect. For example, the controller 122 can direct one or more vacuum blowers 112 to activate and continuously generate an airflow. The controller 122 can direct one or more fans 121 to generate high-velocity air and then direct one or more dampers 118 to open so that the high-velocity air pushes fog out of the body section 58b through one or more exhaust ports 82. Compared to air pressurized by one or more compressed air sources 120, the high-velocity air from the one or more fans 121 can move slower, apply less positive pressure, etc. In this way, the secondary combustion effect 90b can appear visually smaller than the primary combustion effect 90a. By layering the primary combustion effect 90a and the secondary combustion effect 90b, a visually realistic combustion effect can be produced.

[0064] In block 164, the controller 122 may receive a stop signal. For example, the controller 122 may receive an instruction (e.g., user input, automatic signal) to reset the special effects system 50. In response to receiving the stop signal, the controller 122 may instruct one or more dampers 118 to close to stop the flow of air into one or more compartments 58. For example, the controller 122 may instruct one or more dampers 118 associated with one or more fluid conduits 56 to close to prevent air (e.g., compressed air, high-velocity air) from entering one or more compartments 58. Additionally, or alternatively, closing the dampers 118 may stop fog from entering one or more compartments 58. In this manner, the show elements 54 may be reset until the next activation signal. In one embodiment, the controller 122 may instruct one or more of the fog generating devices 52 to enter a sleep state and stop forcing fog into one or more compartments 58. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 122 can direct one or more dampers 118 associated with the negative pressure to open to draw any remaining fog from one or more compartments 58. Additionally, the controller 122 can direct the motion controller 64 to move one or more compartments 58 to an initial position. The method 150 can return to block 152 to create fog and to block 154 to create negative pressure in the compartments 58.

[0065] Method 150 may be performed according to instructions stored on one or more tangible, non-volatile, machine-readable media and / or by a processor or processing circuitry 126 of a control system (e.g., fog generation controller 122) or other suitable controller described herein. The blocks of method 150 may be performed in any suitable order. Additionally, certain blocks of method 150 may be omitted and / or other blocks may be added to method 150.

[0066] 7 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an amusement park attraction system 180 that uses a special effects system 50. For example, the attraction system 180 may include a roller coaster, a motion simulator, a water ride, a walk-through attraction (e.g., a maze), etc. The attraction system 180 may also include special effects 182 that are operated to enhance the guest experience provided by the attraction system 180. For example, the special effects 182 may include light effects, movable objects (e.g., robots), smoke effects, sound effects, etc. The special effects 182 may also include a combustion effect produced by the special effects system 50. For example, the combustion effect may be used in tandem with other special effects 182 to create a realistic and / or immersive environment for guests.

[0067] Attraction system 180 may also include rides 184 having ride vehicles 186. Rides 184 may include, for example, roller coasters, water rides, motion simulators, dark rides, etc. To this end, in one embodiment, ride vehicles 186 may move (e.g., translate, rotate, pivot) around a motion base and / or along a track of attraction system 180. Additionally or alternatively, ride vehicles 186 may remain stationary within attraction system 180. One or more guests may be located within ride vehicles 186. Rides 184 may entertain guests through the movement of ride vehicles 186, such as by providing guests with a particular sensation of movement. Additionally or alternatively, special effects 182 may entertain guests located within vehicles 186 by providing realistic visual and / or sound effects, etc.

[0068] In one embodiment, the special effects 182 may include a combination of electrical effects, visual effects, scent effects, smoke effects, sound effects, and fog effects. For example, the special effects 182 may include a combustion effect produced by a special effects system 50 controlled by a fog generation controller 122 (as described with respect to FIG. 5 ). The special effects system 50 may include a fog generator 52 configured to generate fog and push the fog through one or more fluid conduits 56 coupled to one or more compartments 58, and the visual appearance of the combustion effect may be controlled by opening or closing one or more dampers 118 and / or one or more valves 116. Additionally, the special effects 182 may include sound effects, light effects, water effects, movement, visual effects, scent effects, etc. used in parallel with the combustion effect. For example, the special effects 182 may include a lighting effect simulating sunlight falling on the show elements 54. The special effects 182 may include a specific display with visual effects that complement the combustion effect. As described herein, the special effects 182 may also include specific smells and sounds to complement the burning effects.

[0069] Attraction system 180 may also include an attraction control system 188 coupled to fog generation controller 122 and ride vehicle 184. Attraction control system 188 may include memory 190 and processing circuitry 192. Memory 190 may include volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), an optical drive, a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, or other non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes instructions for operating attraction system 180. Processing circuitry 192 may be configured to execute such instructions. For example, processing circuitry 192 may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more general-purpose processors, or any combination thereof.

[0070] Additionally, the attraction control system 188 may cause additional special effects to be generated before, during, or after the burn effect. For example, the attraction control system 188 may control the movement of the ride vehicles 186 within the attraction system 180 and / or the various outputs provided by the fog generation controller 122. In one embodiment, the attraction control system 188 may set, adjust, and / or modify one or more parameters of the burn effect to control the appearance of the visual burn effect. For example, the attraction control system 188 may manipulate the burn effect so that the show elements 54 move or appear to move in a particular manner relative to the ride vehicle 186. For example, the attraction control system 188 may instruct the show elements 54 to move toward the ride vehicle 186 and burn before reaching the vehicle 186. In another example, the attraction control system 188 may instruct the show elements 54 to move adjacent to the ride vehicle 186. In one embodiment, the burn special effect may be activated based on the location of the ride vehicle 186 within a certain distance of the show element. For example, a vehicle position signal is provided to the special effects system 50.

[0071] The special effects system 50 can be added to new and existing special effects. Additionally, the special effects system 50 described herein can be incorporated into new and existing show elements 54 (e.g., objects). The incorporation of the special effects system 50 can include incorporating compartments within a figure or object or coupling to a fog generator and / or motion controller. For example, the special effects system 50 can be applied to an animated figure or other non-human-shaped object. Additionally, or alternatively, the object can be coupled to a motion controller for movement relative to other special effects within the system.

[0072] While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art and 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 invention.

[0073] The technology shown and claimed herein is not abstract, intangible, or purely theoretical, since it refers to and is applied to tangible objects and specific examples of a practical nature, thereby providing a definite improvement in the art. Moreover, where any claim appended at the end of this specification contains one or more elements designated as "means for [performing] ... [function]" or "step for [performing] ... [function]," it is intended that such elements be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Conversely, for any claim containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements not be construed in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Claims

1. 1. A fog generating device configured to generate fog, comprising: one or more positive pressure sources; a mist generating device comprising one or more negative pressure sources; a show element comprising one or more compartments; a controller communicatively connected to the fog generating device, applying negative pressure from the one or more negative pressure sources to the one or more compartments for a period of time; allowing the mist from the mist generating device to enter the one or more compartments after the period of negative pressure; a controller configured to execute a procedure including applying positive pressure from the one or more positive pressure sources such that the mist exits the one or more compartments to cause a combustion effect; and A special effects system comprising:

2. the one or more sections comprising a central section configured for a primary combustion effect and a body section configured for a secondary combustion effect; The special effects system of claim 1 .

3. the central section includes one or more outlets configured to emit the mist for the primary combustion effect, and the body section includes additional outlets configured to emit the mist for the secondary combustion effect; 3. The special effects system of claim 2.

4. the one or more positive pressure sources comprise one or more blowers, one or more compressed air sources, one or more fans; The special effects system of claim 1 .

5. the one or more compartments comprising one or more exhaust ports configured to emit the mist during the combustion effect; The special effects system of claim 1 .

6. the outlet comprises a cover comprising a perforated material; 6. The special effects system of claim 5.

7. The controller: Receive a stop signal, instructing a negative pressure damper of a plurality of dampers to open to apply the negative pressure from the one or more negative pressure sources to the one or more compartments for a period of time; The special effects system of claim 1 .

8. The controller: Receives a start signal, after the predetermined period of time, instructing the negative pressure damper of the plurality of dampers to close; instructing a positive pressure damper of the plurality of dampers to open to allow the fog to enter the one or more compartments.

8. The special effects system of claim 7.

9. the mist generating device comprises one or more vacuum generating devices configured to apply the negative pressure to the one or more compartments; The special effects system of claim 1 .

10. a negative pressure damper of a plurality of dampers coupled to the one or more vacuum generating devices, wherein the controller is configured to execute a procedure including instructing the negative pressure damper of the plurality of dampers to open to apply the negative pressure from the one or more vacuum generating devices to the one or more compartments; 10. The special effects system of claim 9.

11. the fog generating device is configured to generate the fog; The special effects system of claim 1 .

12. instructing the fog generator via the controller to generate fog; directing, via the controller, one or more vacuum blowers to apply negative pressure to the one or more compartments for a period of time to evacuate the one or more compartments; after the period of time, allowing the fog from the fog generator to fill the one or more compartments; directing, via the controller, the application of positive pressure from one or more compressed air sources to the one or more compartments to generate a combustion effect; Special effects methods.

13. directing, via the controller, a negative pressure damper to open so that the negative pressure is applied to the one or more compartments; The method of claim 12.

14. commanding the vacuum damper to close in response to receiving an activation signal via the controller; directing, via the controller, a positive pressure damper to open so that the fog from the fog generator enters the one or more compartments; The method of claim 13.

15. the mist is configured to travel through one or more fluid conduits before entering the one or more compartments; 15. The method of claim 14.

16. commanding the positive pressure damper to close in response to receiving a stop signal via the controller; directing, via the controller, the vacuum damper to open to apply the vacuum for a period of time; 15. The method of claim 14.

17. filling a first compartment of the one or more compartments with the fog from the fog generator; applying, via the controller, the positive pressure from one or more blowers to the first compartment to create a primary combustion effect; filling a second compartment of the one or more compartments with the fog from the fog generator; applying, via the controller, the positive pressure from the one or more blowers to the second compartment to create a secondary combustion effect that is visually smaller than the primary combustion effect; 17. The method of claim 16.

18. a show element comprising a compartment configured to store and emit fog; one or more dampers configured to open or close to control the flow of air into and out of the compartment; a vehicle configured to move along a path adjacent to the show element; a controller communicatively connected to the show elements and the vehicle, the controller comprising: determining the location of the vehicle; a controller configured to direct application of positive pressure to expel stored fog from the compartment based on a position of the vehicle; An attraction system comprising:

19. a fog generator configured to generate fog, the one or more dampers configured to open to allow the fog to accumulate within the compartment; 19. The attraction system of claim 18.

20. one or more blowers activated by the controller to apply the positive pressure; 19. The attraction system of claim 18.