Fog Machine Air-Driven Liquid Delivery and Purge System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fog machines face issues such as liquid pump burnout when empty, residual fog liquid accumulation and condensation leading to dripping, mineral deposits on heating coils, and inability to adjust heating temperature optimally, which can result in suboptimal fog quality and generation of noxious compounds.
Innovation Solution
A fog machine design utilizing an air supply to drive fog liquid through a vaporizing passage, incorporating a purging system to remove residual liquid, and a thermally conductive heater with a preheating path for even vaporization, allowing for adjustable temperature settings and external fog liquid reservoir for versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a liquid pump is used to pump fog liquid into a heating coil, then fog generation is achieved, but the pump can burn out when the liquid runs out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the liquid pump (mechanical system) with a heating system that vaporizes fog liquid directly from a reservoir. The vaporization process naturally draws liquid through capillary action and pressure differential, eliminating the mechanical pump that would burn out when liquid is depleted.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating coil serves dual functions: it heats the fog liquid for vaporization and simultaneously acts as the liquid delivery mechanism. The system self-regulates liquid flow through thermal expansion and pressure differential, eliminating the need for a separate pump component that requires maintenance.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If heating is terminated to halt operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but residual fog liquid accumulates and condenses in the coil causing dripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a purging conduit that is activated before heating termination to吹出 (blow out) residual fog liquid from the heating coil. This preliminary action prevents liquid accumulation and subsequent condensation dripping when heating stops, eliminating the harmful effect without requiring continuous heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The purging system extracts residual fog liquid from the heating coil through a dedicated conduit before shutdown. This separation of liquid removal function from the heating function allows complete liquid evacuation, preventing condensation and dripping issues during idle periods.
3Productivity
If fog liquid is heated to high temperature to improve vaporization, then fog generation is enhanced, but noxious compounds are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable temperature control for the heating element, allowing optimization of heating parameters. By controlling temperature to stay below decomposition thresholds while maintaining effective vaporization, the system achieves good fog generation without generating noxious compounds from overheating.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents liquid pump burnout, reduces residual fog liquid issues, minimizes mineral deposits, and enables customizable temperature settings for improved fog quality and safety, producing more even and steady fog production.
Implementation Method 1
the air supply 102 supplies pressurized air to a connected air supply conduit 108 which has an opening onto the fog liquid reservoir 200... the pressurized air collecting at the top of the fog liquid reservoir 200 tends to push the fog liquid at the bottom of the fog liquid reservoir 200 through the liquid supply conduit 110
Implementation Method 2
The heater 104 has one or more heating elements 114 (e.g., resistive heating elements) which vaporize any fog liquid within the vaporizing passage, producing fog
Implementation Method 3
the air supply 102 can 'blow out' the vaporizing passage and eliminate residual fog liquid... the air supply 102 supplies pressurized air to a connected air supply conduit 108 which has a length opening onto the fog liquid reservoir 200
Data Source
AI summary
A fog machine supplies air to a fog liquid reservoir to force the fog liquid into a heater, wherein the fog liquid vaporizes to produce fog. The fog liquid supply to the heater can be halted, and the air supply can then be used to purge the heater of residual fog liquid. Within the heater, the fog liquid travels from outer passages further from the heating element(s) to inner passages closer to the heating element(s), whereby the fog liquid is preheated prior to vaporization, resulting in a higher degree of vaporization and “drier” fog with finer vapor particles. The fog machine may draw fog liquid from an “offboard” fog liquid reservoir, such as an off-the-shelf jug of liquid, and is preferably remote-controllable via a user's smartphone.