Kinetic flame device

• US 8,727,569 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2013
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L&L Candle Company, LLC
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Schnuckle, Gary W., Patton, Douglas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSO, LAURA K
• Application Number:
  US14/016,339
• Publication Number:
  US 20140009948A1
• Time in Patent Office: 259 Days
• Field of Search: 362/249.02, 362/277, 362/810
• US Class Current: 362/249.02
• CPC Class Codes: F21K 9/23 Retrofit light sources for lighting devices with a single fitting for each light source, e.g. for substitution of incandescent lamps with bayonet or threaded fittings
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/04 simulating flames
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/046 by movement of parts, e.g. by movement of reflectors or light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 6/001 being candle-shaped with varying lighting effect of simulating flames F21S10/04; string of light sources F21S4/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/02 with provision for adjustment F21V17/04 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/06 the fastening being onto or by the lampholder
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 17/10 characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening F21V17/02 - F21V17/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2121/00 Use or application of lighting devices or systems for decorative purposes, not provided for in codes F21W2102/00 – F21W2107/00
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01K 7/06 for decorative purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/165 following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC]

Abstract

An apparatus creating a flickering flame effect. The apparatus includes a housing with an interior space with first and second stages. A drive mechanism generates a time varying electromagnetic field extending into the first stage. A first pendulum member is pivotally mounted in the interior space of the first stage and includes first and second magnets on first and second ends, with the first end proximate to the drive mechanism such that the first magnet interacts with the varying electromagnetic field to cause movement of the pendulum member. The apparatus includes a second pendulum member pivotally mounted in the second stage with a magnet on a first end proximate to the second end of the first pendulum member. A flame silhouette element extends from the second pendulum member, and a light source transmits light onto the flame silhouette, which is moving due to the magnetic coupling of the pendulum members.

Claims

1. An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:

a housing including an interior space;

a pendulum member pivotally mounted within the interior space, wherein the pendulum member includes first and second ends with a flame element extending from the second end such that at least a portion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing and wherein the pendulum member is pivotally mounted within the interior space using a pendulum support member coupled to the housing;

a first light source transmitting light onto the pendulum member; and

a drive mechanism positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate chaotic motion of the pendulum member in at least two dimensions; and

a drive circuit coupled to the drive mechanism and providing a time-varying signal to the drive mechanism that at least in part defines the chaotic motion of the pendulum member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a coil of wire and wherein the drive circuit provides the time-varying signal to the drive mechanism to create a time-varying magnetic field using the coil of wire.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the time-varying magnetic field applies displacement forces to a first magnet coupled to the pendulum member such that an interaction of the first magnet with the time-varying magnetic field causes the pendulum member to be displaced from an at rest position during the operating time period.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the time-varying signal provides a square wave that is intermittently interrupted.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a pause or interruption is provided after a set of pulses of the square wave, whereby the chaotic motion is enhanced.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises a second coil of wire and wherein the drive circuit provides a second time-varying signal to the drive mechanism to create the time-varying magnetic field using the second coil of wire.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the time-varying signals are asynchronous.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pendulum member is pivotally coupled within the interior space using a pendulum support element coupled to the housing and wherein the flame support element extends through a pivot hole in the pendulum member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the pendulum support member comprises a rigid, V-shaped wire.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a fan with an outlet directing output airflow towards the first end of the pendulum member.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the drive circuit provides the time-varying signal to the fan, such that at least one of a fan speed and a volumetric flow rate of the fan is varied over time as a function of the time-varying signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a fan controller configured to turn the fan on and off as a function of the time-varying signal to vary a volumetric flow rate of the output airflow over an operating period of the apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time-varying signal is a square wave signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time-varying signal is a sine wave signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time-varying signal comprises a pulse modulated signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time-varying signal comprises an amplitude modulated signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the time-varying signal comprises a frequency modulated signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a coupling member pivotally mounted within the interior space,

wherein the drive mechanism is further configured to generate chaotic motion at the coupling member in at least two dimensions and

wherein the pendulum member is magnetically coupled to the coupling member such that the chaotic motion of the coupling member is transferred to the pendulum member.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pendulum member is displaced in a random pattern over time in response to the drive mechanism.

20. A device configured to generate a flickering flame effect, comprising:

a housing including an interior space;

a pendulum member pivotally mounted within the interior space, the pendulum member including first and second ends, wherein the first end comprises a magnet or ferrous tag, wherein the second end comprises a flame element, and wherein at least a portion of the flame element extends outwardly from the housing;

a drive mechanism positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate motion of the pendulum member in at least two dimensions, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a comprises a coil of wire and a signal generator providing time-varying current to the coil of wire to create a time-varying magnetic field; and

a first light source transmitting light onto the pendulum member,

wherein the time-varying current provided to the coil of wire is intermittently interrupted.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the time varying current is provided as a square wave and wherein the intermittently interrupting comprises providing a pause or interruption after a number of pulses of the square wave, whereby the chaotic motion is enhanced.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the time-varying magnetic field applies displacement forces to the magnet or ferrous tag such that an interaction of the magnet or ferrous tag with the time-varying magnetic field causes the pendulum member to be displaced from an at rest position during the operating time period.

23. An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:

a housing including an interior space;

a flame element pivotally coupled to the housing a pendulum support member, and at least partially extending from the housing;

a first light source projecting light onto the flame element; and

a drive mechanism positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate chaotic motion of the flame element in at least two dimensions; and

a drive circuit coupled to drive mechanism and providing a time-varying signal to the drive mechanism that at least in part defines the chaotic motion of the flame element.

24. An apparatus for simulating a flickering flame effect, comprising:

a housing including an interior space;

a flame element pivotally coupled to the housing a pendulum support member, and at least partially extending from the housing;

a first light source projecting light onto the flame element; and

a drive mechanism positioned at least partially in the housing and configured to generate chaotic motion of the flame element in at least two dimensions; and

a drive circuit coupled to drive mechanism and providing to the drive mechanism a time-varying signal comprising a square wave that is intermittently interrupted that at least in part defines the chaotic motion of the flame element.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein a pause or interruption is provided after a set of pulses of the square wave, whereby the chaotic motion is enhanced.