Acoustically Variable Burner System

Abstract

An acoustically variable burner system is provided, having a burner wherein the flow of gas thereto, and consequently the flame pattern resulting from the ignition of the gas, is variable by transmission of acoustic waves therethrough via an acoustically-based control system. The preferred burner design produces a realistic, wood-burning type flame pattern. An acoustic controller, such as an APPLE® iPod®, MP3 player, computer, etc., may be utilized to drive/control electroacoustic transducers positioned adjacent the burner, the sound waves of which are produced thereby varying the flow rate of gas to the burner gas ports, thereby varying the flame height in direct correspondence with the audio signal. Further, the flame color may be altered by introduction of flame color variant compositions exposed to the flame via a flame color variation device removably positioned adjacent the burner. The system is preferably controlled via a specialized computer program running on the acoustic controller, which enables choice of flame patterns, duration, audible audio to accompany the flame display, etc.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An acoustically variable burner system is provided, having a burner wherein the flow of gas thereto is variable by production of acoustic waves therethrough via an acoustically-based control system. Specifically, an acoustic controller, such as an APPLE® iPod®, may be utilized to drive transducers, the sound waves of which vary the flow rate of gas to the burner, thereby varying the flame height, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Historically, variation and control of gas flow to burners has been undertaken to control the amount of heat produced by the burner, as well as attempt to create a realistic (i.e., wood-burning) flame pattern. Conventionally, to achieve same, gas burners have comprised valve mechanisms for the control of gas flow thereto. Such valve mechanisms have varied in design tremendously, ranging from basic manual control to electromechanical control systems.

In addition to mechanical and electromechanical valve systems for control of gas flow, systems have been developed for control of the gas flow/flame produced by the burner using acoustic means. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,162,045 (hereinafter '045), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, discloses a gas burner system for producing dynamic flame patterns. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A, this is achieved by creating a standing wave within the burner via a transducer. However, although the '045 reference provides an alternate (i.e., acoustic) means of flame control, neither the gas burner system of the '045 reference, nor the prior art gas burners utilizing mechanical and electromechanical valve systems, provide a system capable of dynamically interactive flame control for entertainment purposes. Further, the burner shape fails to produce a realistic flame pattern due to its linear shape.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an acoustically variable burner system capable of dynamic acoustic control.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an acoustically variable burner system capable of producing acoustically variable flames in a realistic wood-burning flame pattern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, the present inventor earnestly endeavored to develop an acoustically variable burner system capable of flame control via an audio source, such as an iPod®, MP3 player, stereo, etc., so as to produce a flame that is dynamically responsive to the audio/acoustic output of the audio source. Further, the present invention endeavored to develop such a burner system which is also capable of producing a realistic (wood-burning) flame pattern. As a result, in a first embodiment of the present invention, an acoustically variable burner system is provided comprising:

(a) a burner comprising:

• • (i) a central gas chamber; and
  • (ii) two or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer circumference, an interior area defined by the outer circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the outer circumference, the first end of each burner tube being in communication with the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas flow therefrom;

(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communication with the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creating pressure waves within the burner tubes; and

(c) a controller interface in electrical communication with the one or more electroacoustic transducers, said controller interface operable to interface with an acoustic controller so as to receive information therefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers.

The burner mentioned above may preferably comprise three or more burner tubes, each burner tube being non-linear, preferably semi-circular, in shape from the first end to the second end thereof. In a most preferred embodiment, the burner is comprised of four burner tubes.

In a further preferred embodiment of the first embodiment shown above, the acoustically variable burner system comprises one or more flame color variation devices, capable of varying the color of the flame. This flame color variation device is comprised of a retainer module having a plurality of perforations disposed therein; and one or more flame color variant compositions disposed within the retain module. Flame color variant compositions, such as strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate, are preferably utilized therein

In another preferred embodiment based on the first embodiment above, the acoustically variable burner system also comprises one or more radio frequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more of the electroacoustic transducers, thereby enabling filtering of the acoustic waves entering the burner tube.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, an acoustically variable burner system is provided comprising:

(a) two or more burners, each burner comprising:

• • (i) a central gas chamber; and
  • (ii) one or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer circumference, an interior area defined by the outer circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the outer circumference, the burners tube being in communication with the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas flow therefrom;

(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communication with each of the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creating pressure waves therein;

(c) a radio frequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more of the electroacoustic transducers;

(d) one or more controller interfaces in electrical communication with the one or more radio frequency (RF) filters, each of said controller interfaces operable to interface with an acoustic controller means so as to receive electroacoustic information therefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers via the RF filters.

In both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, as shown above, the acoustically variable burner system may further comprise an acoustic controller means in electrical communication with the controller interface. This acoustic controller means may be one or more of a computer, stereo, portable electronic device (iPod®, MP3 player, etc.), signal generator, and digital audio player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, illustrating the embodiment wherein the electroacoustic transducers are disposed in the second end of each burner tube.

FIG. 1B top perspective view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional side view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A-2, illustrating the flow of gas and resulting flame intensity thereof.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, illustrating embodiment wherein a single electroacoustic transducer is disposed adjacent the central gas chamber.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view/block diagram of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, illustrating the connectivity of the acoustic controller, RF filter and flame color variation device and the burner.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away bottom view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, illustrating the disposition of the gas ports in the burner tubes.

FIG. 8A is a side view of a linear burner tube embodiment of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the linear burner tube embodiment of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention shown in FIG. 8A, illustrating the disposition of gas ports in the burner tube.

FIG. 9 is a partially cross-sectional view of a dual linear tube embodiment of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, wherein RF filters are utilized to filter different ranges of wavelengths to each burner tube.

FIG. 10 is a box diagram illustrating the connectivity of components making up the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, wherein external speakers are in communication with the acoustic controller so as to broadcast the audio data to users.

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the acoustically variable burner system of the present invention, illustrating the disposition of the flame color variation device relative to the burner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1A-5, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an acoustically variable burner system 1 comprised generally of a burner 3, one or more electroacoustic transducers 19 in communication with the burner 3, and a controller interface 21. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2, the burner 3, which is configured to produce a wood burning-like flame, is comprised of a central gas chamber 5 in communication with a plurality of burner tubes 7. The burner tubes 7 are in communication with the central gas chamber 5 at a first end 9 of the burner tube 7, and a second end 11 of the burner tube 7 is disposed opposite the first end 9. The burner tubes may be linear or non-linear in shape. In a preferred embodiment, the burner 3 comprises a plurality of burner tubes 7, each burner tube having an arc-shape configuration.

The electroacoustic transducers 19 may be disposed adjacent the second ends 11 of the burner tubes 7, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 4, an electroacoustic transducer 19 may be disposed adjacent the central gas chamber 5. In an alternative embodiment, the electroacoustic transducer may be replaced with and/or used in addition to other means/devices capable of emitting an acoustic wave into the burner tube(s), such as an electronically controlled valve, etc. Moreover, the disposition of the electroacoustic transducers 19 relative to the burner 3 may be varied in any desired manner, as long as sufficient acoustic wave energy is transmittable into the gas flow within the interior area 15 of the burner tubes 7 in such a manner as to create waves within the gas flow sufficient to alter the rate of flow thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the gas ports 17 are disposed through the burner tubes 7 so as to allow sufficient gas flow from the burner to create a desired flame pattern. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7, the gas ports 17 are spaced apart in a descending manner, wherein the gas ports 17 are disposed closer together adjacent the central gas chamber 5, the distance between each gas port 17 increasing from the first end 9 of the burner tube 7 to the second end 11 of the burner tube 7. The present inventor has unexpectedly discovered that this configuration of gas ports 17, in conjunction with the plurality of semi-circle (arc-shaped) burner tubes 7, provides a very realistic flame pattern reminiscent of wood burning fires, as illustrated by the flame pattern shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 6, electroacoustic transducers 19 are in communication with the controller interface 21. This controller interface 21 enables connection of various acoustic controllers with the system of the present invention. For example, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, an APPLE® iPod® is provided as the acoustic controller. In further preferred embodiments, the acoustic controller may be one or more one or more of a computer (as illustrated in FIG. 10), stereo, portable electronic device (e.g., MP3 player), signal generator, and digital audio player. However, the acoustic controller should not be limited, but rather any device capable of transmitting an acoustic/audio signal to the system of the present invention may be used in conduction with the system herein.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, in a further preferred embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) filter 35 may be installed between the controller interface 21 and electroacoustic transducers 19, so as to be in communication therewith. The RF filter 35 is operable to filter the audio frequencies transmitted by the acoustic controller 37, as desired by the system user. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a sole or single set of RF filters may be utilized to filter all but one range of audio frequencies, thus producing a flame pattern correlating to a single frequency range. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, two or more RF filters or sets of RF filters 35 may be utilized with multiple burner tubes 7, thereby enabling the creation of multiple flame patterns. The number of burner tubes, as well as RF filters, is unlimited.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9 and 11, a flame color variation device 27 may be disposed adjacent one or more burner tubes 7 via, for example, one or more retainer module supports 39. As illustrated in FIG. 11, each flame color variation device 27 is comprised of a retainer module 29 having a plurality of perforations 13 formed therein, the retainer module 29 operable to hold one or more flame color variant compositions 33. Upon exposure to a flame, the flame color variant compositions begin to burn, thereby causing the color of the flame to change color, the color dependent upon the specific flame color variant composition 33.

In particular, the flame color variant composition 33 may be any chemical composition capable of altering the color of a flame when exposed thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the flame color variant composition 33 is one or more of a strontium salt (creates a red flame), calcium chloride (creates an orange flame), sodium nitrate (creates a yellow flame), barium salts (creates a green flame), copper sulfate (creates a turquoise flame), copper chloride (creates a blue flame), potassium permanganate (creates a purple flame) and magnesium sulfate (creates a white flame). Alternative compositions capable of varying the color of flames may be disposed in place of, or in combination with, the above-identified compositions.

Preferably, the flame color variation device 27 is removable and replaceable, such that when the flame color variant composition therein is expended, the retainer module 29 may be refilled with fresh composition 33. Alternatively, the retainer module 34 may be prefilled and disposable, such that new modules 34 may be placed adjacent the burner 3 at will. In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the flame color variation device 27 has a handle 34 or other means of handling, so as to enable a user to remove and replace retainer modules when needed or desired.

Additionally, the flame color variation device 27 may be utilized with any burner system, so as to color the flame thereof. In particular, the retainer module supports 30 and handle 34 may be tailored to interact with/mount on any conventional burner device. As long as the retainer module 34 is disposed adjacent a flame, the flame color variation device 27 is operable to color the flame, thereby providing decorative enhancement of the flame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the system further comprises a computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on/by the acoustic controller, wherein the computer program product is comprised of data operable to enable creation of a distinctive acoustic/audio signal which, when transmitted by the electroacoustic transducers 19, creates a predefined flame pattern.

For example, the computer program product (software application) is operable to: display list of flame pattern, and one or more of execution time (duration), frequency, and audio accompaniment options; enable input of desired flame pattern, and one or more of execution time, frequency, and audio accompaniment query a database of gas flow rate, acoustic frequency and amplitude corresponding to desired flame pattern; compile a user command comprising gas flow rate, acoustic frequency and amplitude, and one or more of execution time, frequency and audio accompaniment; and execute user command.

The computer readable medium 41 may be, for example, a hard drive external to and in communication with the acoustic controller 37. Alternatively, the computer readable medium 41 may be integrated into the acoustic controller 37, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the invention is not to be restricted to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention

LIST OF DRAWING ELEMENTS

• 1: acoustically variable burner system
• 3: burner
• 5: central gas chamber
• 7: burner tube
• 9: first end of burner tube
• 11: second end of burner tube
• 13: outer circumference of burner tube
• 15: interior area of burner tube
• 17: gas port
• 19: electroacoustic transducer (speaker)
• 21: controller interface
• 23: sound wave deflection means
• 25: deflection faces
• 27: flame color variation device
• 29: retainer module
• 31: retainer module perforations
• 33: flame color variant composition
• 34: flame color variation device handle
• 35: radio frequency (RF) filter
• 37: acoustic controller
• 39: flame color variation device support

Claims

1. An acoustically variable burner system comprising: (a) a burner comprising: (i) a central gas chamber; and(ii) two or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer circumference, an interior area defined by the outer circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the outer circumference, the first end of each burner tube being in communication with the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas flow therefrom;(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communication with the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creating pressure waves within the burner tubes; and(c) a controller interface in electrical communication with the one or more electroacoustic transducers, said controller interface operable to interface with an acoustic controller so as to receive information therefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers.

2. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, wherein the burner comprises three or more burner tubes, each burner tube being non-linear in shape from the first end to the second end thereof.

3. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 2, wherein each burner tube is semi-circular in shape.

4. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 2, wherein the burner comprises four burner tubes, each burner tube being semi-circular in shape.

5. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, wherein a distance between each gas port formed in each burner tube decreases from the first end to the second end of the burner tube.

6. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent to the second end of each burner tube, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into each burner tube.

7. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent to the central gas chamber, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into the central gas chamber.

8. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 7, further comprising a sound wave deflection means disposed within the central gas chamber, said sound wave deflection means having two or more deflection faces operable to deflect sound waves into the burner tubes.

9. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, further comprising an acoustic controller in electrical communication with the controller interface.

10. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 9, wherein the acoustic controller is comprised of one or more of a computer, stereo, portable electronic device, signal generator, and digital audio player.

11. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, further comprising one or more flame color variation devices, each flame color variation device comprised of: (i) a retainer module having a plurality of perforations disposed therein; and(ii) one or more flame color variant compositions disposed within the retain module,wherein the flame color variation device is disposed adjacent one or more gas ports of the burner tubes, so as to be operable to expose the color variant compositions to flames emitted from the burner tubes during operation of the system, thereby altering the color of produced flames.

12. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 11, wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or more selected from the group consisting of a strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate.

13. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 11, wherein the retainer module is removably attached to the burner.

14. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, further comprising one or more radio frequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more of the electroacoustic transducers.

15. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 14, wherein the radio frequency (RF) filters are one or more selected from the group consisting of high pass filters, low pass filters, band pass filters and band reject filters.

16. An acoustically variable burner system comprising: (a) two or more burners, each burner comprising: (i) a central gas chamber; and(ii) one or more burner tubes, each burner tube having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an outer circumference, an interior area defined by the outer circumference, and two or more gas ports disposed through the outer circumference, the burners tube being in communication with the central gas chamber so as to be operable to receive gas flow therefrom;(b) one or more electroacoustic transducers in acoustic communication with each of the two or more burners, so as to be operable to transmit acoustic sound waves into the interior area of the burner tubes, thereby creating pressure waves therein;(c) a radio frequency (RF) filters in communication with one or more of the electroacoustic transducers;(d) one or more controller interfaces in electrical communication with the one or more radio frequency (RF) filters, each of said controller interfaces operable to interface with an acoustic controller means so as to receive electroacoustic information therefrom and transmit same to the electroacoustic transducers via the RF filters.

17. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent to one or more ends of each burner tube, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into each burner tube.

18. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, wherein an electroacoustic transducer is disposed within or adjacent to the central gas chamber, thereby operable to transmit sound waves into the central gas chamber.

19. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 18, further comprising a sound wave deflection means disposed within the central gas chamber, said sound wave deflection means having two or more deflection faces operable to deflect sound waves into the burner tubes.

20. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, further comprising an acoustic controller means in electrical communication with the controller interface.

21. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, wherein the acoustic controller means is comprised of one or more of a computer, stereo, portable electronic device, signal generator, and digital audio player.

22. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency (RF) filters are one or more selected from the group consisting of high pass filters, low pass filters, band pass filters and band reject filters.

23. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 16, further comprising one or more flame color variation devices comprised of: (i) a retainer module having a plurality of perforations disposed therein; and(ii) one or more flame color variant compositions disposed within the retain module,wherein the flame color variation device is disposed adjacent one or more gas ports of the burner tubes, so as to expose the color variant compositions to flames emitted from the burner tubes.

24. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 23, wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or more selected from the group consisting of a strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate.

25. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 23, wherein the retainer module is removably attached to one or more of the burners.

26. The acoustically variable burner system of claim 1, further comprising a computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on/by the acoustic controller comprising: (a) application program code operable to display list of flame pattern, and one or more of execution time (duration), frequency, and audio accompaniment options;(b) application program code operable to enable input of desired flame pattern, and one or more of execution time, frequency, and audio accompaniment;(c) application program code operable to query a database of gas flow rate, acoustic frequency and amplitude corresponding to desired flame pattern;(d) application program code operable to compile a user command comprising gas flow rate, acoustic frequency and amplitude, and one or more of execution time, frequency and audio accompaniment; and(e) application program code operable to execute user command.

27. A flame color variation device comprised of: (i) a retainer module having a plurality of perforations disposed therein; and(ii) one or more flame color variant compositions disposed within the retain module,wherein the flame color variant compositions, when exposed to a flame, alter the color of the flames.

28. The flame color variation device of claim 27, wherein the flame color variant compositions are one or more selected from the group consisting of a strontium salt, calcium chloride, sodium nitrate, barium salts, copper sulfate, copper chloride, potassium permanganate and magnesium sulfate.