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US 12,678,707 B2Granted
Systems and methods for a dry steam special effect
AssigneeUniversal City Studios LLC
InventorsMichael Gordon, Matthew Robert Rossett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A special effect system may include a steam generator, a reheater, and a steam separator configured to generate dry steam. The steam generator is coupled to a show element comprising a one or more compartments. Steam from the steam generator passes through the reheater and the steam separator before entering the one or more compartments such that condensate is removed and cooling of the steam within the system between the steam generator and the show element is remedied.
Claims17
A dry steam special effect system, comprising:
- a show element;
- a support structure coupled to the show element;
- a steam generator configured to generate a steam and coupled to the support structure;
- a steam conduit configured to receive the steam from the steam generator;
- a reheater coupled to and in-line with the steam conduit and configured to reheat the steam received from the steam generator;
- and
- a steam separator coupled to and in-line with the steam conduit and configured to receive reheated steam from the reheater, wherein the steam separator is configured to separate condensate from the reheated steam to generate a dry steam, and wherein the show element is coupled to the steam conduit such that the dry steam is transferred to a compartment of the show element via the steam conduit.
4 more elements
A special effect method for creating a dry steam effect, the method comprising:
- instructing, using an attraction controller, a steam generator to generate steam in response to an activation signal;
- transferring the steam via a conduit to a reheater and a steam separator;
- instructing the reheater and the steam separator to heat the steam and separate condensate from the steam to generate dry steam;
- allowing the dry steam to fill one or more compartments of a show element;
- and
- allowing the dry steam to exit via one or more outlets of the show element while controlling movement of the show element using the attraction controller.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.