Patent Application
20060199130
The present invention pertains to the field of simulators, and more particularly to a black smoke generator apparatus and method that uses acetylene or other gases that generate black smoke due to incomplete combustion in atmospheric oxygen, instead of pyrotechnic chemicals.
Apparatuses and methods for generating black smoke are known in the art. These apparatuses and methods are typically used in weapons training exercises, for theatrical purposes, or in other situations where it is necessary to create black smoke in a manner that does not cause property damage or create a significant risk of property damage.
These apparatuses and methods use pyrotechnic devices that are triggered using electrochemical triggering mechanisms, and the pyrotechnic devices are made with hazardous chemicals. In addition to being potentially dangerous and unstable, these pyrotechnic devices create smoke that contains compounds that may be toxic, are expensive to produce, and have a shelf life that requires the pyrotechnic devices to be used within a predetermined period of time or discarded. If the pyrotechnic devices must be discarded, then special precautions must be used to ensure that they are not taken to an incinerator or otherwise handled in a manner that can result in personal injury.
In accordance with the present invention, an apparatus and method for generating black smoke are provided that overcome known problems with generating black smoke for purposes such as weapons training simulators.
In particular, an apparatus and method are provided that utilize acetylene or other fuel materials that generate black some when combusted in atmospheric oxygen due to incomplete combustion of the fuel.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for generating a black smoke signal is provided. The apparatus includes an acetylene burner assembly that further includes an acetylene delivery structure, a perforated burner head disposed at an end of the acetylene delivery structure, and an electric spark igniter disposed adjacent to the perforated burner head, so as to allow a flow of acetylene through the perforated burner head to be ignited. An acetylene flow control system provides acetylene at a rate that causes the acetylene to be partially combusted in atmospheric oxygen through the acetylene burner assembly, so as to generate black smoke.
The present invention provides many important technical advantages. In one important technical advantage of the present invention is a black smoke generator that uses acetylene or other combustible materials instead of pyrotechnic chemicals, which results in a more stable and less expensive source of black smoke, and which can deliver black smoke at volumes that are not economically feasible using prior art apparatuses and methods.
Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the advantages and superior features of the invention together with other important aspects thereof on reading the detailed description that follows in conjunction with the drawings.
In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures might not be to scale, and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
Black smoke generator 100 includes burner head 102. Burner head 102 is optimized to burn acetylene gas or other suitable materials at a flow rate that results in incomplete combustion of the acetylene in atmospheric oxygen. It is noted in this regard that it is usually necessary to provide an oxidant with acetylene and atmospheric oxygen in order to prevent it from generating smoke. As such, acetylene is usually provided with a dual port burner head where the oxidant is provided through a first port and the acetylene is provided through the second port. Likewise, if acetylene is burned in atmospheric oxygen, it may be mixed with other gases, provided at a low flow rate, or otherwise provided in a manner to reduce the generation of smoke. As such, burner head 102 is configured to provide acetylene flow rates for burning in atmospheric oxygen that are not found in the prior art.
Radiant heat/wind screen 104 is disposed behind burner head 102, and shields participants, operators, equipment, or other persons or objects from the effects of burning acetylene through burner head 102. In one exemplary embodiment, the combustion of acetylene or other related materials through burner head 102 can generate infrared radiation, heat, or other types of damaging or dangerous effects. Radiant heat/wind screen 104 thus helps to prevent exposure of personnel or objects to the damaging effects of combustion of acetylene.
Flame sensor 106 is disposed near burner head 102, such as through radiant heat/wind screen 104. Flame sensor 106 generates a signal when a flame is present so as to allow an operator at a distance to determine whether acetylene flow through burner head 102 has been ignited, whether the acetylene flow has stopped after ignition so as to quench the flame, or other conditions.
Thumb screws 108 are used to hold telescopic support arm 122 in location. In one exemplary embodiment, thumb screws 108 are used to allow burner head 102 to be extended or retracted so as to position burner head 102 in a location where the risk of damage to adjacent materials is reduced.
Igniter 124 is disposed adjacent to burner head 102, and allows an operator to ignite cause acetylene that is flowing through burner head 102. In one exemplary embodiment, igniter 124 provides a spark or other suitable ignition energy to ignite acetylene or other suitable materials that are being provided through burner head 102.
Base support bracket 120 includes locking pin 118 that locks the angle of telescopic support arm 122. Stablizing legs 126 are also provided for support (only one base leg is shown in
Fuel hose 110 couples to burner head 102 underneath telescopic support arm 122. Fuel hose 110 extends to a suitable fuel supply, such as an acetylene tank contained within a projectile resistant housing, and may also be coupled to a regulator or other suitable flow control devices.
Igniter cable 112 carries energy to igniter 124, such as high voltage electric energy to generate a spark or other suitable energy. Likewise, igniter ground cable 114 is coupled to the base support bracket 120 or other suitable locations on black smoke generator 100 so as to create a ground point so that the voltage difference between igniter 124 and ground can be used to generate a spark or otherwise ignite acetylene flowing from burner head 102.
Flame sense cable 116 connects to flame sensor 106 and provides a signal to an operator, a controller, or other suitable locations to allow the operator or controller to determine whether combustion is occurring at burner head 102.
In operation, black smoke generator 100 allows black smoke to be controllably generated by the combustion of acetylene gas or other suitable materials in atmospheric oxygen, thus avoiding the need for expensive pyrotechnic chemicals which have been used in the past to generate black smoke. In one exemplary embodiment, black smoke generator 100 allows large amounts of black smoke to be generated in a controllable manner, such as in response to the impact of a projectile on a target (to simulate destruction of the target), after impact is observed, sensed by sound or impact sensors, or in other suitable manners.
Black smoke generator 100 can be deployed inside of buildings, vehicles, or other suitable locations, such as by attachment of base support bracket 120 to a suitable service and locating burner head 102 and radiant heat/wind screen 104 in a location where the building, vehicle or other structure will not be damaged, such as by appropriate placement of telescopic support arm 122. In this manner, impact affects can be simulated for training practice with dummy ammunition loads to create a realistic training environment that accurately simulates the effects of target destruction, clearly reflects hits on targets, and otherwise helps to create an environment that simulates an actual battlefield environment.
Controller 320 includes flame sense input 306, which couples to flame sense cable 116. AC power input 308 or DC power input 310 can be used to receive AC power from AC cable 312 or DC power from DC cable 314. In one exemplary embodiment, both AC and DC power can be used, such as to provide power to lower voltage control functions, and to provide AC power for conversion and generation of a spark or other suitable purposes.
Fuel cable 318 is coupled to fuel input 316. In this exemplary embodiment, fuel is provided to the controller 320. The controller 320 regulates the flow of acetylene or other smoke-producing fuels to a burner head. Likewise, controller 320 can control the flow of fuels so as to cause the incomplete combustion of the fuel and resulting generation of black smoke.
In operation, controller 320 provides controls to ignite the acetylene or other fuel at the burner head, to provide acetylene to the burner head, or to otherwise ensure that acetylene is provided only when it has been ignited. In this manner, controller 320 prevents gas buildups that can result in explosions or other unwanted consequences from occurring. In one exemplary embodiment, impact sensor inputs or a manual control input can be provided.
In operation, acetylene tank 504 can be placed inside of acetylene canister vault 400 in housing 404. Fuel line 502 is coupled to the regulator of acetylene tank 504, and regulator control block 408 is used to control the flow of acetylene from acetylene tank 504. Door 402 is enclosed and latched with handle 406, and top 410 is placed over the top. In this manner, acetylene tank 504 can be protected from damage resulting from impact by practice projectiles, debris, or other potential damage mechanisms.
Igniter 704 is disposed adjacent to perforated burner head 702 and radiant heat/wind screen 104, and creates a spark that ignites acetylene from perforated burner head 702. Burner head inflow pipe and quick disconnect gas connection 706 allow an acetylene fuel line to be quickly connected and disconnected from an acetylene fuel hose or other suitable fuel sources.
In one exemplary embodiment, burner assembly and support 800 can be used in a method for generating a black smoke signal. The method includes actuating an acetylene burner assembly that further includes the steps of providing acetylene to an acetylene delivery structure having a perforated burner head disposed at an end of the acetylene delivery structure and providing an electric spark through an igniter disposed adjacent to the perforated burner head to ignite the acetylene. The acetylene flow control system is then actuated so as to provide acetylene at a rate that causes the acetylene to be partially combusted in atmospheric oxygen through the acetylene burner assembly, so as to generate black smoke.
The method can further include providing acetylene to the acetylene delivery structure having the perforated burner head disposed at the end of the acetylene delivery structure where projectiles may impact. In this exemplary embodiment, the end of the acetylene delivery structure can be protected from projectile impact, and the acetylene can be provided from an impact resistant housing.
The method can also include ensuring that human personnel are not exposed to damaging levels of ultraviolet radiation generated at the perforated burner head, such as by keeping human personnel are at a distance of greater than approximately 30 feet from the perforated burner head.
The method can also include actuating the acetylene burner assembly after a target in proximity to the acetylene burner assembly has been struck with a projectile, such as by manually activating the assembly burner assembly, by using an impact detector that measures the frequency of vibration of a structure, sound, or other suitable impact detectors.
The method can further include detecting whether a flame is present using a flame detector disposed in the vicinity of the perforated burner head, such as by generating a flame indicator for an operator or otherwise using a flame detector signal. In one exemplary embodiment, a flame detector signal can be input to a controller, which can inhibit the operation of a safety or other signal or control if a flame is present.
Although exemplary embodiments of a system and method of the present invention have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will also recognize that various substitutions and modifications can be made to the systems and methods without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
