WO2015050479A1

WO2015050479A1 - Flame and smoke simulation device

Info

Publication number: WO2015050479A1
Application number: PCT/RU2014/000697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Алексей Александрович ПОЛИВАХИН; Алексей Ильич НОНИАШВИЛИ; Алексей Юрьевич ФОМЕНКО
Original assignee: Алексей Александрович ПОЛИВАХИН
Priority date: 2013-10-03
Filing date: 2014-09-18
Publication date: 2015-04-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to electric fireplace devices, and more particularly to a device for simulating the flames produced during the combustion of a solid fuel and/or for simulating the smoke formed during the combustion of a solid fuel. The claimed technical solution is intended to enhance the dynamism of the flame and smoke simulation process, with a high vapour (aerosol) production efficiency, and to improve the directional orientation thereof. The proposed device, which comprises an imitation fuel with openings, a light source, an aerosol generator that comprises at least one fluid supply system connected to a system of fluid supply channels, and ultrasonic transducers, is characterized in that at least each of the aforesaid ultrasonic transducers is connected to a corresponding fluid supply channel so that an aerosol can be formed at the outlet of said channel, and at least each fluid supply channel is aligned with a corresponding opening in the imitation fuel so that a channel for the egress of an aerosol via said imitation fuel can be formed.

Description

FLAME AND SMOKE IMITATION DEVICE

Technical field

The present invention relates to devices for electric fireplaces and, in particular, to a device for simulating a flame when burning solid fuel and / or simulating smoke generated during the burning of solid fuel.

State of the art

Electric fireplaces are substitutes for traditional fireplaces, which are based on the burning of fuel, and have the disadvantage of having to clean them. The heat from the electric fireplace is created when it is turned on and does not require any cleaning. In the process of carrying out new developments in the field of fireplaces, the main improvements are elements that simulate the combustion of fuel with the release of flame and smoke. Simulation of flicker of the flame was carried out by using strips of light material (tapes), oscillating under the influence of the flow of air directed at them. However, such an imitation is far from real perception.

Another constructive solution for simulating flickering flames is to project light onto the screen, emanating from a light source and passing through the rotating fan blades, while these blades are curved along the involute, which allowed the mobile combustion front to be displayed. Such a solution is described in UK patent GB 512481, cl. F24C 7/00, publ. 1939-09-18. The main structural elements of the fireplace disclosed in the patent are a grill on which a fuel simulator, a light source, a screen and a fan are placed.

A more advanced design of a fireplace with an optical imitation of flame is shown in GB Patent GB 2395550, cl. F24C 7/00, publ. 2005-08-30. Where light is supplied from light sources to a light filter made in the form of a comb, and above it a rotating shaft with elements in the form of petals mounted on it is mounted. Light falling on a rotating shaft with petals acquires the effect of movement. And when it gets into the light and dark areas of the light filter, an intermittent motion effect is created. The front screen with etched areas serves as a diffraction grating, and the light is blurred, more real. Recently, fireplaces have appeared in which not only the flame is simulated, but also the smoke rising from the fuel. So in the publication WO 2006027272, cl. F24C 7/00, publ. 2006-03-16 to simulate flames and smoke, steam was obtained using a steam generator by evaporating a liquid, such as glycol. Rising steam passing through openings in the grill and fuel simulator was illuminated by light sources, which created the effect of rising smoke and flame. This design provides for steam recovery. It passes between the walls of the fireplace and returns to the inlet, where it again heats up and rises.

GB Patent GB 2460453 also discloses a flame and smoke effect electric fireplace device that includes a steam generator that functionally provides steam to produce a flame and smoke effect.

The closest analogue of the proposed solution can be called US patent 8,413,358, cl. F24C 7/00, publ. 2013-04-09, which presents the design of the fireplace, including the main and additional reservoirs with liquid, an aerosol generator, light source (s), a fan, a substrate with a fuel simulator. The aerosol generator may include one or more ultrasonic transducers that can be controlled by a controller to control the amount of aerosol produced. Ultrasonic transducers can be installed on the bottom of the liquid tank.

The main drawback of these fireplace designs is the loss of steam to simulate smoke, because part of the formed vapor settles on a part of the surface of the substrate of the fuel simulator that does not have channels for the exit of steam, thereby reducing the efficiency of the steam generator.

Therefore, there is a need to create an improved design of a device for simulating flame and smoke in a fireplace, with high efficiency for producing steam (aerosol) and its oriented direction to simulate flame and smoke. Brief creature

The invention is intended to improve the dynamics of the process of simulating flame and smoke.

The proposed device includes:

a fuel simulator with openings, a light source, an aerosol generator comprising at least one fluid supply system connected to a fluid supply system and ultrasonic transducers, characterized in that at least each of said ultrasonic transducers is connected to a respective a channel for supplying liquid, with the possibility of aerosol formation at the outlet of said channel, and at least each channel for supplying liquid is aligned with a corresponding hole made in the simulator t Pliva, to form a channel for the exit of aerosol from said simulator fuel.

The fluid supply system provides a predetermined pressure and fluid flow rate in the fluid supply channels so that fluid particles exit the fluid supply system only in the form of an aerosol (vapor). Structurally, the fluid supply system can be made in the form of an electromagnetic valve connected to a fluid source, or in the form of other systems known from the prior art.

When the liquid enters the zone of action of the ultrasonic transducer, a cavitation process occurs, as a result of which the liquid is crushed and converted into an aerosol. The oscillation frequency and power of the ultrasonic transducer is consistent with the pressure and flow rate of the fluid in the fluid supply duct so that the fluid particles exit the fluid supply system only in the form of an aerosol.

Each channel for supplying liquid is combined with a corresponding hole made in the substrate with a fuel simulator and, thus, a channel is formed for the aerosol formed to exit through the substrate and then through the fuel simulator. Such a combination avoids losses of the resulting aerosol, which could accumulate on the surface of the substrate in the event that the channels for supplying liquid and holes in the substrate were located in a chaotic manner. The aerosol passing through the holes in the common substrate and the holes in the fuel simulator is illuminated by a backlight system, creating the effect of flames and smoke from burning fuel.

Due to the operation of the control system that controls the order of turning on / off the ultrasonic transducers and light sources, it is possible to create the effect of ascending / descending aerosol flows to simulate flicker of flame and smoke.

It is possible to use a system for creating an upward flow of air, which carries with it the resulting aerosol. The system for creating an upward flow of air can be performed either in the form of a fan, or in the form of a heating element that creates convective flows, or using other systems known from the prior art.

It is possible to use several means of generating aerosol (steam), working independently. In this case, the fluid supply system can be either uniform for several steam generation systems, or individual for each steam generation system. In the case of using a single fluid supply system, the fluid supply channels from the respective steam generation systems are combined into one common channel and connected to the corresponding fluid supply system.

It is possible to use a fluid supply system made in the form of a reservoir with a fluid connected to channels for supplying fluid, forming a system of communicating vessels. The fluid level at the end of the fluid supply channel must match the fluid level in the tank. In this case, the requirement to maintain a predetermined pressure and fluid flow is reduced to maintaining a predetermined fluid level in the fluid replenishment tank in the system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 presents a schematic view illustrating a device for simulating flame and smoke, where

11 - valve of the fluid supply system

12 - channel for supplying fluid

13 - liquid

14 - liquid level 15 - liquid level sensor

16 - ultrasonic transducer

17 - aerosol (steam)

18 - flames and smoke

21 - fuel simulator

22 - logs

23 - coals

24 - substrate

25 - holes (slots) in the substrate

26 - holes (slots) in the fuel elements

31 - light source

32 - backlight conductor system

33 - power source

34 - conductor system of ultrasonic transducers

35 - signal generator

36 - control system

The essence of the claimed decision

The operation of the device for simulating flame and smoke will be further described with reference to figure 1.

From the reservoir of replenishment of fluid into the system (not shown in FIG.), The fluid 13 through the valve 1 1 enters the channels 12 for supplying fluid. The volume of fluid in the system is maintained constant by triggering the sensor 15 adjusting the level of 14 fluid between min and max values. It is possible to use several autonomously working fluid supply systems. Channels 12 for supplying liquid are located under the fuel simulator 21, which contains elements that simulate logs 22, coals 23. These elements of the fuel simulation can be located on a common substrate 24 or represent a single unit with it. The substrate 24 is made with holes (slots) 25. Elements that simulate logs 22 and coals 23 can also be made with holes 26.

These channels 12 are equipped with ultrasonic transducers 16. When the fluid 13 enters the zone of action of the ultrasonic transducer 16, a cavitation process occurs, as a result of which the liquid is crushed and converted into an aerosol (steam) 17. The oscillation frequency and power of the ultrasonic transducer 16 is consistent with the pressure and flow rate of the liquid in the liquid supply channel 12 so that the liquid particles exit the liquid supply system only in the form of an aerosol 17. Each the channel 12 for supplying liquid is combined with the corresponding hole 25 made in the substrate 24 and, thus, a channel is formed for the exit of the formed aerosol 17 through the substrate 24 and then through the fuel simulator 21.

Passing through holes 25 in the common substrate 24 and holes 26 in the fuel simulator 21, the aerosol 17 is illuminated by light sources 31, creating the effect of flames and smoke 18 from conventionally burning fuel.

The ultrasonic transducers 16 are connected to the signal generator 35 through a system of conductors 34. In this case, the signal generator 35 generates a high-frequency oscillation at a frequency corresponding to the optimal operation of the ultrasonic transducer 16. For independent control of the ultrasonic transducers 16, the signal generator 35 may have several independent channels.

The light sources 31 through a system of conductors 32 are connected to a power source 33. For independent control of individual light sources 31, the power source 33 may be multi-channel.

From the control system 36 receives control signals to the valve 1 1, the signal generator 35 and the power source 33.

The control system 36 controls the sequence of turning on / off the ultrasonic transducers 16 and the light sources 31 and thereby creates the effect of upward / downward flows of the aerosol 17 to simulate the flickering of tongues 18 of flame and smoke.

To create an upward flow of air, entraining the resulting aerosol 17, you can use a fan, or a heating element that creates convective flows, or use other systems known from the prior art.

The inventive device simulating flame and smoke with directed flows of the resulting aerosol (vapor) allows you to get a more realistic perception of the "burning" of fuel in the fireplace, with high efficiency of the aerosol generator.

Claims

CLAIM

1. A device for simulating flame and smoke, including

2. The device according to claim 1, where the fluid supply system includes a valve and a liquid level sensor.

3. The device according to claim 1, where it further includes a system for creating an upward flow of air.

4. The device according to p. 3, where the system for creating an upward flow of air includes heating means.

5. The device according to p. 3, where the system for creating an upward flow of air include a fan.

6. The device according to claim 1, where it includes a control system.