Method and device for the visual simulation of exploding bodies

• US 6,814,024 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RUAG Simulation & Training AG (Thales SA)
• Original Assignee: Ruag Electronics
• Inventors: Lazecki, René
• Primary Examiner(s): Fulton, Christopher W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, R. Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/359,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20030150370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 116/209, 116/200, 116/1, 116/211, 116/214, 116/DIG.1, 434/16, 434/21, 434/22, 434/23, 293/133, 293/136, 293/172, 293/71, 293/72, 293/73
• US Class Current: 116/200
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• 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

Abstract

The detonation of e.g. a grenade or another explosive body is simulated by the evaporation of a liquid and subsequent ejection through a nozzle 17, thereby forming a cloud of vapor at the location of the detonation. The device includes an evaporator 10 heated e.g. by combustion means. The heating system 14 is designed to produce the heat for a continuous evaporation of a liquid in the evaporator. The liquid is preferably a mixture of ethylene glycol in water. It is thereby possible to simplify the handling and application and to reduce the danger potential.

Claims

1. A method for providing a visual simulation of exploding bodies, the method comprising:

storing heat in a heat accumulator, wherein the heat accumulator is associated with an evaporator;

placing a liquid in the evaporator, wherein the liquid comprises water;

bringing the liquid in the evaporator into thermal contact with the heat in the accumulator to produce a vapor, wherein a short delay occurs between the initiation of the visual simulation and the generation of the vapor, and wherein a cloud of vapor is then formed to provide the visual simulation of exploding bodies.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the heat accumulator at an operating temperature in order to have the temperature and the amount of heat required for the evaporation available by supplying heat to the heat accumulator, and wherein the accumulator is thermally insulated to reduce heat emissions to the environment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid presents a minimal sanitary or environmental risk.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid further comprises ethylene glycol.

5. A device for providing a visual simulation of exploding bodies, the device comprising:

an evaporator to evaporate liquid;

a heat accumulator associated with the evaporator, the heat accumulator being capable of storing and delivering heat to evaporate a quantity of a liquid in the evaporator for providing a cloud vapor to provide the visual simulation of exploding bodies simulating at least one simulation event, wherein the heat accumulator is enclosed in an envelope of thermally insulating material to reduce the heating power required to evaporate the quantity of liquid; and

a heating device thermally connected to the heat accumulator.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising an energy source for operating the heating device to allow the heating device to be operational for at least one day.

7. The device of claim 5, further comprising a storage container storing gas in a liquefied form and connected to the heating device, wherein the heating device is operable to combust the gas.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the heating device provides a flameless combustion of a fuel.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the heating device provides combustion of the fuel by catalytic combustion.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the evaporator includes the heat accumulator, the heat accumulator having a surface comprised of metal with a channel-shaped groove in the surface, and the channel-shaped groove is operable to evaporate liquid conducted through the groove.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the evaporator has an outlet comprising a steam jet nozzle having an aspirating portion that is connected to at least one storage container for providing color.

12. The device of claim 5, further comprising:

a storage container for storing gas in a liquefied form;

a duct between the storage container and the heating device, the duct having a closure element;

a sensing means that determines an angle of tilt of the device and the direction in which gravity will act on the liquefied gas; and

a control that is operatively connected to the sensing means, wherein the closure element of the duct is capable of being closed by the control to prevent liquefied gas from penetrating the heating device when the sensing means senses excessive tilting of the device.

13. The device of claim 5, further comprising a remotely activated and selectable control for triggering of the device to simulate an explosion.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising:

a storage container for the liquid to be evaporated,

a pump between the storage container and the evaporator for pumping the liquid, wherein the pump is adapted to be switched on and off by the control, thereby generating a simulation by switching on the pump when the device is activated.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a device for activating the control by radio.

16. The device of claim 5, further comprising a device to provide acoustic or optical signals in order to improve the perceptibility of the simulation.

17. The device of claim 5, further comprising an energy source for operating the heating device to allow the heating device to be operational for at least three days.

18. The device of claim 15, further comprising an energy source for operating the heating device to allow the heating device to be operational for at least seven days.