Apparatus for producing a fire special effect using steam

#The present invention is directed to a special effect device and, in particular, to a device for producing a fire special effect using a steam curtain.

#The use of a simulated fire or flame is desirable in many applications. For instance, in many theme park attractions (e.g., volcano, battle scene and disaster scenes), the use of a simulated flame or fire is preferred relative to a real flame or fire for a number of reasons. To elaborate, a real flame or fire must typically be located a substantial distance from the audience to prevent members of the audience from getting burned. Further, with respect to attractions that are located indoors, a real flame or fire produces heat and smoke that typically require additional air conditioning and ventilation. In contrast, several types of simulated flame or fire effects can be located close to an audience and do not typically impose the air conditioning and ventilation requirements of a real flame or fire.

#There are many types of devices for producing simulated flames or fire. For example, one type of device blows strips of colored material, such as silk, up into the air and shines an appropriately colored light onto the strips. From a distance, these devices provide a reasonably convincing simulated flame or fire. At the other end of the spectrum are devices that provide a television or video monitor with a signal of a pre-recorded fire or flame. Such devices are impractical in theme park applications that require a flame or fire that extends over a distance that is greater than the typical video monitor or television. Yet a further type of device involves the use of a screen of atomized water and the projection of an image or light on the screen that creates the illusion of a flame or fire.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a special effect device for producing a simulated flame or fire effect using a steam curtain;

#FIG. 2A is a cut away view of the steam console of the device shown in FIG. 1;

#FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the steam emission manifold associated with the steam console of the device shown in FIG. 1;

#The present invention is directed to a special effect device that utilizes steam to produce a simulated flame or fire effect. Generally, the device includes a steam console for producing a curtain of steam that has a substantially constant or uniform steam density along at least a portion of the length of the console, an air modulator for modulating the curtain of steam produced by the console, and a lighting assembly for illuminating the curtain of steam produced by the console. In operation, illumination of the modulated curtain of steam produced by the console and the air modulator produces a simulated flame effect.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the special effect device, which is hereinafter referred to as device 10, that uses steam to produce a simulated flame or fire effect. The device 10 comprises a steam console 12 for producing a curtain of steam of substantially uniform steam density along at least a portion of the length of the console, an air modulator 14 for modulating the curtain of steam of that is produced by the console 12, and a lighting assembly 16 for illuminating the modulated curtain of steam produced by the console 12 and air modulator 14 to achieve the simulated flame effect.

#With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the steam console 12 comprises housing 20 for holding a steam emission manifold 22 and a flow straightener 24. The housing 20 defines a manifold portion 26 for holding the steam emission manifold 22 and an outlet slot portion 28 for holding the flow straightener 24. Both the manifold portion 26 and the outlet slot portion 28 extend for substantially the length of the console 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the outlet slot portion 28 is ½″ to ¾″. However, the width can be varied if required by a particular application. The manifold portion 22 comprises several pairs of braces 30 for supporting the steam emission manifold 22. In addition, the manifold portion 22 has a number of air entrainment holes 32 that, during operation, allow air to enter the housing 20 and cool the steam being vented from the steam emission manifold to facilitate the production of the steam curtain adjacent to the outlet slot portion 28.