Method and apparatus for generating consistent simulated smoke

• US 20070145069A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Barton, Steven, Lazzarini, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,529,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/4
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 9/06 Apparatus for generating artificial fog or smoke screens for producing special effects on stages A63J5/00; smoke-pot projectors, e.g. arranged on vehicles, F42B5/155
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/145 of fire detection circuits

Abstract

A simulated smoke generator method and apparatus is provided for generating a consistent smoke plume. By using a closed loop controller to maintain at least one property, affecting one or more characteristics of the oil, at a desired level, a consistent type of simulated smoke is generated.

Claims

1. A method of generating simulated smoke for testing of fire detection systems, the method comprising:

providing liquid oil;

using closed loop control to maintain at least one property, affecting one or more characteristics of the oil, at a desired level; and

expelling the oil in droplet form to generate a consistent type of simulated smoke.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one property that is maintained at a desired level includes liquid oil temperature.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one property that is maintained at a desired level includes air temperature associated with the oil in droplet form.

4. The method of claim 1, further including controlling a volumetric flow rate of air.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein controlling a volumetric flow rate of air includes controlling an effective air flow area.

6. A method of generating simulated smoke, comprising:

heating oil to a temperature elevated with respect to ambient temperature;

regulating the temperature of the oil using a closed-loop controller; and

dispersing the oil in droplet form.

7. The method of claim 6, further including purging excess oil prior to dispersing the oil in droplet form.

8. The method of claim 6, further including regulating the temperature of air that surrounds the oil in droplet form.

9. The method of claim 6, further including controlling an effective air flow area associated with the oil in droplet form.

10. A simulated smoke generator comprising:

a liquid oil tank;

a closed loop controller to maintain at least one property, affecting one or more characteristics of liquid oil in the liquid oil tank, at a desired level; and

a nozzle for dispersing the oil in droplet form into a chimney to generate a consistent type of simulated smoke.

11. The simulated smoke generator of claim 10, wherein the closed loop controller is adapted to maintain liquid oil temperature at a desired level.

12. The simulated smoke generator of claim 11, wherein the closed loop controller is further adapted to control an effective air flow area of the chimney.

13. The simulated smoke generator of claim 10, wherein the closed loop controller is further adapted to maintain chimney air temperature at a desired level.

14. The simulated smoke generator of claim 13, wherein the closed loop controller is adapted to maintain liquid oil temperature at a desired level.

15. The simulated smoke generator of claim 14, wherein the closed loop controller is further adapted to control an effective air flow area of the chimney.

16. The simulated smoke generator of claim 10, wherein the closed loop controller is further adapted to control an effective air flow area of the chimney.

17. The simulated smoke generator of claim 16, wherein the closed loop controller is further adapted to maintain chimney air temperature at a desired level.