Simulated Fireplace Vapour Flow for Realistic Flame Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire simulation apparatuses fail to effectively simulate realistic flames and smoke, often relying on cumbersome setups and inefficient methods for producing and directing vapor to mimic the appearance of burning fuel.
Innovation Solution
A simulated fire apparatus featuring an apertured bed, a container with a liquid and ultrasonic transducer to produce vapor, and a system for directing air to carry the vapor upward, enhancing the simulation of smoke and flames by using a combination of ultrasonic transduction and heat sources to control vapor flow and illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fan heater is used to draw water vapour through the fuel pieces, then the vapour can be expelled to resemble smoke, but the vapour is heated and loses its smoke-like appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus divides the vapour flow path into two separate zones: a lower cooling zone where vapour is generated and exits horizontally, and an upper heating zone where pre-heated air rises to create convection currents. This segmentation allows vapour to be introduced without immediate heating, preserving its smoke-like appearance while still achieving the desired thermal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
Pre-heated air from the top of the fuel bed acts as an intermediary medium. It rises to create upward convection currents that carry the cooler vapour upward through the fuel bed, achieving smoke-like effects without directly heating the vapour source. This intermediary air flow enables indirect heat transfer that preserves vapour integrity.
2Productivity
If the vapour outlet port is positioned at the top of the container, then vapour can be easily expelled, but the vapour is heated before exit and loses its smoke resemblance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the vapour outlet at the top for easy expulsion, the invention inverts the approach by placing the outlet at the bottom of the container. This allows vapour to exit horizontally into the upward convection current, preventing direct exposure to high temperatures while maintaining efficient expulsion through the natural rise of heated air.
3Ease of operation
If additional fans are added to direct vapour flow, then smoke simulation can be improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses natural convection currents created by heating air at the top of the fuel bed to automatically direct vapour flow upward through the apertured bed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional fans or mechanical moving parts, achieving effective vapour flow control through passive thermal dynamics alone.
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
The apparatus provides an improved simulation of flames and smoke by producing finer vapor droplets with reduced settling, allowing for a more realistic and efficient visual representation of burning fuel, eliminating the need for additional fans and enhancing the flame simulation effect.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer device having a transducing surface operatively in liquid contacting relation with the body of liquid and operable to produce a vapour in said head space
Implementation Method 2
means for providing a current of air directed upwardly from the apertured bed
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5B
Figure 6A~7C
AI summary
The disclosure relates to simulated flame effect fires which include an apertured bed, such as a simulated fuel bed, a vapour generating means such as an ultrasonic transducer and means for providing a rising current of air to carry the vapour through the apertured bed. Light sources are provided below the fuel bed to provide localised illumination.