Steam Effect Nozzle Baffles for Condensate Separation in Venues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional steam generation systems for entertainment venues output excessive liquid condensate and chemical residues, leading to increased maintenance and costs due to the need for cleaning, which affects the desired effect and efficiency of show attractions.

Innovation Solution

A steam effect nozzle that separates liquid condensate from steam using baffles and gravity-driven drainage, outputting clean steam formed only by heated water, reducing liquid condensate and chemical residue, and coordinating steam output with show elements via a controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional steam generation systems are used, then steam output is achieved, but excessive liquid condensate is produced requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam outputVSAvoidliquid condensate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is segmented into distinct functional zones: a steam generation chamber, a separation section with baffles, and separate output openings for steam and condensate. This segmentation allows the system to produce steam while simultaneously separating and removing condensate, resolving the contradiction between steam output and condensate accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the condensate removal function from the traditional steam output system by providing a separate condensate outlet and drainage path. The baffles extract and channel condensate away from the steam output, allowing clean steam to be delivered without the harmful liquid condensate that requires cleaning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If chemicals are used to generate vaporous fluid, then steam effect is achieved, but chemical residue is left on surfaces increasing maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaporous fluid outputVSAvoidchemical residue
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the vaporous fluid from chemical-based synthetic steam to pure water-based steam. By using only water as the generating medium and controlling the thermal parameters, the system produces steam without chemical residues, eliminating the harmful factor while maintaining the desired steam effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional steam systems output excessive condensate, then steam generation is achieved, but maintenance time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteam generation rateVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle design incorporates self-draining capabilities through gravity-assisted condensate removal and baffle-directed flow paths. The system serves itself by automatically separating and removing condensate during operation, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and maintenance interventions, thus resolving the contradiction between high productivity and maintenance time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Reduces maintenance and cleaning costs by minimizing liquid condensate and chemical residue, enhancing the desired steam effect and improving operational efficiency in entertainment venues.

Implementation Method 1

one or more baffles disposed in the housing section and configured to coordinate to separate the liquid condensate of the fluid from the steam of the fluid by slowing fluid flow through the steam effect nozzle, which allows the liquid condensate to fall out of the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4340966B1Steam effect nozzle for entertainment venue
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS LLC
  • EP4340966B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4340966B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4340966B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A steam effect nozzle includes a housing section configured to receive a fluid having a mixture of steam and liquid condensate and baffles disposed in the housing section. The baffles are configured to separate the steam of the fluid from the liquid condensate of the fluid, enable the steam to travel from a first end wall of the housing section to a second end wall of the housing section, and bias the liquid condensate of the fluid toward a sloped lower surface of the housing section, the sloped lower surface sloping downwardly from the second end wall toward the first end wall. The steam effect nozzle also includes a nozzle outlet adjacent to the second end wall of the housing section, where the nozzle outlet is configured to output the steam to an external environment.