Smart smoke unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for producing puffs of smoke to be emitted by a toy train, the apparatus comprising:
- a smoke generating element;
a fan that directs an airstream toward the smoke generating element;
a motor operatively coupled to the fan to the turn the fan to generate the airstream; and
a controller operatively coupled to the motor to control an angular velocity of the fan, the controller being configured to;
provide a current to the motor to control durations of the puffs of smoke; and
reverse the current to the motor to abruptly stop the fan and thereby produce well-defined intervals between the puffs of smoke;
wherein the airstream directed toward the smoke generating element is adjusted in response to at least one of train load and train speed, thereby enhancing puffing action of the train.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A smoke generating device for a model train that includes a smoke generating element supported by a support member. The smoke generating element can be wound around the support member is a generally helical pattern. The number of turns and the distance between turns can be varied to enhance the smoke generating properties of the device. The support member can be braided fiberglass. A length and cross-section of the support member can be varied to support smoke generating elements of different lengths. The length of the smoke generating element can be varied to produce smoke generating devices having different resistive values.
85 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for producing puffs of smoke to be emitted by a toy train, the apparatus comprising:
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a smoke generating element; a fan that directs an airstream toward the smoke generating element; a motor operatively coupled to the fan to the turn the fan to generate the airstream; and a controller operatively coupled to the motor to control an angular velocity of the fan, the controller being configured to; provide a current to the motor to control durations of the puffs of smoke; and reverse the current to the motor to abruptly stop the fan and thereby produce well-defined intervals between the puffs of smoke; wherein the airstream directed toward the smoke generating element is adjusted in response to at least one of train load and train speed, thereby enhancing puffing action of the train. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for producing puffs of smoke to be emitted by a toy train that includes a smoke generating element, a fan for directing an airstream toward the smoke generating element, and a motor operatively coupled to the fan to the turn the fan to generate the airstream, the method comprising:
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providing a current to the motor to control durations of the puffs of smoke; and reversing the current to the motor to abruptly stop the fan and thereby produce well-defined intervals between the puffs of smoke; and adjusting the airstream directed toward the smoke generating element in response to at least one of train load and train speed, and thereby enhance puffing action of the train. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification