Smoke production system for model locomotive
First Claim
1. A smoke production system for a model locomotive having an electric motor and a flywheel attached thereto, said flywheel mechanically linked to a drive wheel, comprising:
- a. a sensor configured to monitor rotation of said flywheel when placed adjacent thereto;
b. a smoke production unit configured to emit smoke upon receipt of an electric current;
c. a controller electrically connected to said sensor and said smoke production unit, said controller configured to count rotations of said flywheel and transmit said electric current to said smoke production unit in response thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smoke production system for a model locomotive capable of accurately simulating the exhaust characteristics of an actual locomotive. The present invention accomplishes this by monitoring the rotation to the flywheel of the electric motor used to drive the drive wheels of the model locomotive. Various devices may be used to monitor the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a magnet is employed on the flywheel and a magnetically-reactive element such as a reed switch or Hall effect sensor is positioned adjacent to the flywheel. Alternatively, an opticoupler or cam may be used to track the rotations of the flywheel. A controller counts the rotations of the flywheel and actuates a smoke production device to emit smoke four discrete times for every rotation of the model locomotive'"'"'s drive wheel.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A smoke production system for a model locomotive having an electric motor and a flywheel attached thereto, said flywheel mechanically linked to a drive wheel, comprising:
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a. a sensor configured to monitor rotation of said flywheel when placed adjacent thereto; b. a smoke production unit configured to emit smoke upon receipt of an electric current; c. a controller electrically connected to said sensor and said smoke production unit, said controller configured to count rotations of said flywheel and transmit said electric current to said smoke production unit in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A model locomotive comprising:
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a. an electric motor having a flywheel attached thereto, said flywheel mechanically linked to a drive wheel; b. a sensor attached to said model locomotive proximal said flywheel, said sensor configured to monitor rotation of said flywheel; c. a smoke production unit configured to emit smoke upon receipt of an electric current; d. a controller electrically connected to said sensor and said smoke production unit, said controller configured to count rotations of said flywheel and transmit said electric current to said smoke production unit in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (9, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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10. The model locomotive of claim 10, wherein said magnetically-reactive element is a reed switch.
Specification