WO2020190937A1

WO2020190937A1 - Controlled humidity fog machine

Info

Publication number: WO2020190937A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/023139
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chris MARKGRAF; Adam Garner POGUE
Original assignee: Froggy's Fog, Llc
Priority date: 2019-03-19
Filing date: 2020-03-17
Publication date: 2020-09-24

Abstract

A controlled humidity fog machine is configured to consistently produce an appropriately-humidified blended fog mixture that performs as a low-lying fog. Air flow generated by fans of the machine pushes vaporized fog across a surface of a deflector and through a channel. A flow gradient is created by flow through the channel, which results in mixing of the vaporized fog and air with water vapor in an expansion chamber. A pressure from the fans pushes the fog mixture through the machine toward a filter and nozzle, where the fog mixture exits the machine as a fully blended fog mixture that is appropriately humidified to perform as low-lying fog.

Description

Controlled Humidity Fog Machine

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/820607, filed March 19, 2019, and entitled "Controlled Humidity Fog Machine," which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Theatrical productions often involve a variety of special effects. Fog is a commonly used features of theatrical productions and entertainment attractions. Fog can appear in a variety of forms. In order to achieve a desired fog effect, aspects of the fog can be varied. Fog that lays low to the ground can be achieved by increasing the weight of the fog mixture. One way to increase weight of a fog vapor is to humidify it. When fog is sufficiently humidified, it remains low to the ground instead of rising. When it is too dry, the fog will rise and disperse more quickly.

Typically, a fog machine can be used to produce fog. To create low-lying fog, some existing systems use devices such as ultrasonic water crackers to atomize water and create water vapor. Some of these devices use ultrasonic pulses to convert liquid water into water vapor. As liquid water is converted, more water needs to be added periodically to maintain an appropriate water level, otherwise fog production and performance suffers. Performance also suffers if too much or too little water vapor is produced for humidifying the fog. The amount of water vapor needed to adequately humidify fog can vary based on environmental conditions. For existing systems, the user is required to frequently monitor of the water level within the machine, and estimate the environmental conditions impacting humidification.

Conventional systems do not automatically monitor water levels or detect environmental conditions. Existing machines sometimes perform poorly because they cannot achieve and maintain an appropriate level of fog humidity to achieve the desired fog attributes. These machines are unable to maintain required water levels for creating water vapor. They also are unable to account for variations in environmental conditions that affect fog characteristics. Improved techniques for producing and maintaining fog at an appropriate humidity level are generally desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a three-dimensional rear perspective view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments

FIG. 2 depicts an alternative three-dimensional rear perspective view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a three-dimensional side perspective view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative side view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a top view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a bottom view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a three-dimensional rear perspective cut away view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a three-dimensional front perspective cut away view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts an alternative three-dimensional rear perspective cut away view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 depicts an alternative three-dimensional front perspective cut away view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 depicts paths of water within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15A depicts a float valve in water within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15B depicts a float valve in water within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15C depicts a float valve in water within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 16 depicts a path of an air and fog mixture within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 depicts an alternative view of a path of an air and fog mixture within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a view of air and fog mixing within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a view of an air and fog mixture mixing with water vapor within a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20A depicts a filter media and nozzle of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20B depicts a filter media and split nozzle of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 depicts a controlled humidity fog production system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a controlled humidity fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart describing a method for a controlled humidity fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 24 depicts a three-dimensional rear perspective view of a fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A. DEFINITIONS Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of this disclosure. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity or clarity.

The terms "about" and "approximately" shall generally mean an acceptable degree of error or variation for the quantity measured given the nature or precision of the measurements. Typical, exemplary degrees of error or variation are within 20 percent (%), preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range of values. Numerical quantities given in this description are approximate unless stated otherwise, meaning that the term "about" or "approximately" can be inferred when not expressly stated.

It will be understood that when a feature or element is referred to as being "on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being

"directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Spatially relative terms, such as "under," "below," "lower," "over," "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another when the apparatus is right side up.

The terms "first," "second," and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Terms such as "at least one of A and B" should be understood to mean "only A, only B, or both A and B." The same construction should be applied to longer list (e.g., "at least one of A, B, and C").

The term "consisting essentially of" means that, in addition to the recited elements, what is claimed may also contain other elements (steps, structures, ingredients, components, etc.) that do not adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure. Importantly, this term excludes such other elements that adversely affect the operability of what is claimed for its intended purpose as stated in this disclosure, even if such other elements might enhance the operability of what is claimed for some other purpose.

In some places reference is made to standard methods, such as but not limited to methods of measurement. It is to be understood that such standards are revised from time to time, and unless explicitly stated otherwise reference to such standard in this disclosure must be interpreted to refer to the most recent published standard as of the time of filing.

It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like.

B. Controlled Humidity Fog Machine

The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for implementing a controlled humidity fog machine. FIGs. 1-9 depict various views of exterior portions of a controlled humidity fog machine in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The machine 1 has a machine body 2 that encloses various devices for consistently producing an appropriately-humidified fog mixture that performs as a low-lying fog. A top face 35 of the machine body 2 has a fan intake grate 3, onboard water supply tank door 4, external water supply door 5, and fog fluid supply door 6. A rear face 39 of the machine body 2 of FIGs. 1-9 has a user interface 10 positioned on a first rear panel 40 and has a second rear panel 41 that includes a data interface 207, power supply 210, and power switch 212. Turning briefly to FIG. 22, in some embodiments, the machine 1 can have a controller

202 configured to execute control logic 235 to control all or a portion of the operation of essentially any or all of the functionality ascribed to features and components of the machine 1 described herein. A computer may be a uniprocessor or multiprocessor machine. Accordingly, a computer may include one or more processors and, thus, the aforementioned computer system may also include one or more processors. Examples of processors include sequential state machines, microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), gated logic, programmable control boards (PCBs), and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure.

Additionally, the computer may include one or more memories. Accordingly, the aforementioned computer systems may include one or more memories. A memory may include a memory storage device or an addressable storage medium which may include, by way of example, random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), hard disks, floppy disks, laser disk players, digital video disks, compact disks, video tapes, audio tapes, magnetic recording tracks, magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory, optical memory storage, quantum mechanical storage, electronic networks, and/or other devices or technologies used to store electronic content such as programs and data. In particular, the one or more memories may store computer executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the procedures and techniques described herein. The one or more processors may be operably associated with the one or more memories so that the computer executable instructions can be provided to the one or more processors for execution. For example, the one or more processors may be operably associated to the one or more memories through one or more buses. Furthermore, the computer may possess or may be operably associated with input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a keypad, controller, a mouse, a microphone, a touch screen, a sensor) and output devices such as (e.g., a computer screen, printer, or a speaker).

The computer may execute an appropriate operating system such as LINUX^®, UNIX^®,

MICROSOFT^® WINDOWS^®, APPLE^® MACOS^®, IBM^® OS/2^®, Digital Multiplex Signal DMX 512, CHROME^® OS, ANDROID, and PALM^® OS, and/or the like. The computer may advantageously be equipped with a network communication device such as a network interface card, a modem, or other network connection device suitable for connecting to one or more networks.

A computer may advantageously contain control logic, or program logic, or other substrate configuration representing data and instructions, which cause the computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner as, described herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable a control processor to perform and/or cause the performance of features of the present disclosure. The control logic may advantageously be implemented as one or more modules. The modules may advantageously be configured to reside on the computer memory and execute on the one or more processors. The modules include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components that perform certain tasks. Thus, a module may include, by way of example, components, such as, software components, processes, functions, subroutines, procedures, attributes, class components, task components, object-oriented software components, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro code, circuitry, data, and/or the like.

The control logic conventionally includes the manipulation of digital bits by the processor and the maintenance of these bits within memory storage devices resident in one or more of the memory storage devices. Such memory storage devices may impose a physical organization upon the collection of stored data bits, which are generally stored by specific electrical or magnetic storage cells.

The control logic generally performs a sequence of computer-executed steps. These steps generally require manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical, magnetic, or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, or otherwise manipulated. It is conventional for those skilled in the art to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, text, terms, numbers, files, or the like. It should be kept in mind, however, that these and some other terms should be associated with appropriate physical quantities for computer operations, and that these terms are merely conventional labels applied to physical quantities that exist within and during operation of the computer based on designed relationships between these physical quantities and the symbolic values they represent.

It should be understood that manipulations within the computer are often referred to in terms of adding, comparing, moving, searching, or the like, which are often associated with manual operations performed by a human operator. It is to be understood that no involvement of the human operator may be necessary, or even desirable. The operations described herein are machine operations performed in conjunction with the human operator or user that interacts with the computer or computers.

It should also be understood that the programs, modules, processes, methods, and the like, described herein are but an exemplary implementation and are not related, or limited, to any particular computer, apparatus, or computer language. Rather, various types of general purpose computing machines or devices may be used with programs constructed in accordance with some of the teachings described herein. In some embodiments, very specific computing machines, with specific functionality, may be required. Similarly, it may prove advantageous to construct a specialized apparatus to perform the method steps described herein by way of dedicated computer systems with hard-wired logic or programs stored in nonvolatile memory, such as, by way of example, read-only memory (ROM).

In some embodiments, features of the computer systems can be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, hardware components such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or field-programmable gated arrays (FPGAs). Implementation of the hardware circuitry will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s). In yet another embodiment, features of the computer systems can be implemented using a combination of both general- purpose hardware and software.

In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the machine includes a controller 202 that is configured to execute instructions stored in memory 220. The controller 202 can be implemented in hardware and configured to communicate with and drive the other resources of the machine 1 via internal interface 205, which can include one or more buses. The machine 1 also has a user interface 10, that may be configured to receive inputs from a user (e.g., via buttons 11) and display an output to the user 32 (e.g., via screen 12). The user interface 10 can include various hardware, software or combinations thereof, and is in communication with the controller 202. In some embodiments, the user interface 10 can be implemented on a mobile device such as a mobile device of a user 32, or on an RF enabled wireless controller configured to communicate with controller 202.

The controller 202 also can be configured to control operation of an external water supply valve 104 and pump 111 via a fluid control interface 216, which can include various types of hardware for communicating with and controlling the water supply valve 104 and pump 111.

Returning to FIGs. 1-9, the user interface 10 can include a plurality of buttons 11. The plurality of buttons 11 can be configured to receive user inputs associated with a variety of functions of the machine, but in some embodiments, the buttons 11 comprise at least one button configured to perform various operations. Exemplary buttons 11 include those configured to provide and toggle a menu of machine functions. An exemplary menu may provide any suitable information for enabling user selection and management of various machine operations, such as: start or stop a function of the machine, heating up fog fluid, adjust fog attributes (e.g., vary humidity, fog fluid density, fog mixture density, heater core operation, water atomizer operation, etc.), control communications between the machine 1 and other sources (e.g., other machines, mobile devices, a network, etc.), control fog output (as a percentage), fan speed (as a percentage), set a default timer interval, set a default timer duration, timer fog output (as a percentage); timer fan speed (as a percentage); timer humidity (as a percentage), communication addresses (e.g., DMX, DMX 512, etc.), sensing of fluids, wireless communication and pairing, memory settings, warning notifications or otherwise. Exemplary buttons 11 also may include buttons for setting and resetting a timer function, a "volume" button for directly adjusting an amount of fog produced by the machine (e.g., fog production rate), and a hard "stop" button to allow a user to stop fog production essentially immediately. The interface 10 can include other buttons 11 in other embodiments.

The screen 12 can be various types of screens, such as an LCD or LED screen. In some embodiments, the screen 12 can be a touchscreen, such as when interface 10 is implemented on a mobile device of a user 32 (FIG. 22) that is configured to be in communication with the controller 202 and comprises an application configured to allow user control and management of machine 1. Through such mechanisms or other mechanisms, such as by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless data connections, associated electronics in the machine 1 may be paired with a user's mobile device, communication and/or computing device such as a smartphone (e.g., iPhone^®) or tablet computer (e.g., iPad^®). The machine 1 can have a pairing table memory (FIG. 22) that stores several previously paired Bluetooth- or other-enabled devices. An application installed on such a device, such as an application downloaded to the device from an application stored, can be purchased or obtained for free, and may provide for enhanced interactivity with one or more machines 1.

The machine 1 may be configured to have ingress protection. As such, the machine 1 may be configured to have an ingress protection ("IP") or Ingress Protection Code rating corresponding to one or more ingress protection tests under an applicable IP code standard.

Example IP code standards include International Electrotechnical Commission standard 60529,

IB originally defined in 1998 and published, as revised, in 2019, although other standards are possible in other embodiments. In some embodiments, the machine 1 may have an ingress protection rating of IP 65; alternatively, IP 66; alternatively, IP 67; or, alternatively, IP 68. In some embodiments, the machine 1 may be configured to have one or more of the foregoing IP ratings. Other IP ratings are possible in other embodiments.

The machine 1 also can include a removable cover 600 for shielding the interface 10 and fan intake grate 3 from moisture, particles, or other conditions (FIG. 24). The cover 600 can be installed in environments when rain is likely or when high environmental moisture levels could result in excess moisture entering the machine and interfering with fog production performance or affecting electronic functionality of the machine's resources (e.g., controller 202, interface 10, etc.). In some embodiments, the cover 600 may be configured to allow the machine 1 to achieve a desired IP rating, such as IP 65 or otherwise.

The machine 1 has a data interface 207 configured to enable communication between the machine 1 and various external data sources. As noted above, the data interface 207 can be configured to communicate using various communication protocols. In some embodiments the data interface 207 can include various components configured to facilitate communication, including via wired and wireless communication protocols, including but not limited to: I2C, SPI, Ethernet, RS-232/485, USB, UART, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-wave, Bluetooth, RF, 6LowPAN, G PRS/3G/LTE/4G/5G, NFC or otherwise.

The exemplary data interface 207 includes a plurality of data ports 15-18 to enable communication according to communication protocol compatible with conventional production controllers (e.g., 3- or 5-pin 512 DMX controller, etc.) or with various data sources, such as production control computer 25 operated by an engineer 30 (FIG. 21), other fog machines 27- 28 (FIG. 21), network 35 (FIG. 21), one or more remote servers, such as server 20 (FIG. 21), or one or more other computers or devices capable of exchanging data with the machine 1 (not specifically shown in FIGS. 1-9). Although the data interface 207 has approximately 4 data ports in the embodiment of the machine 1 shown in FIGs. 1-9, various numbers of data ports may be possible in other embodiments.

The machine 1 also has a power supply 210 and power switch 212 positioned adjacent to the data interface 207. The power supply 210 can be configured to receive various types of power (e.g., alternating current, direct current, inductive power, etc.), and can comprise either an onboard (e.g., a battery) or off board source (e.g., via conductive powering). In some embodiments, the power supply 210 comprises a connector for receiving alternating current such as from a wall outlet (e.g., 110 V or otherwise). The power switch 212 can have "on" and "off" positions configured to transition the machine from a powered state when "on" to an unpowered state when "off." The switch can include various types of hardware for toggling a power circuit of the machine (e.g., a circuit connecting voltage to load) between an open and closed circuit. The switch 212 can include one or more of a fuse, diode, or other components.

The machine 1 of FIGs. 1-9 has a plurality of handles 33 positioned on side faces 37, and 38 of the body 2 that can be used by a user 32 to carry the machine 1. The machine 1 also has a plurality of wheels 34 positioned on a bottom face 36 of the machine body 2 that can allow the machine 1 to roll. Various numbers and types of wheels are possible in some embodiments, but the embodiment of FIGs. 1-9 has four caster wheels, which can include mechanical brakes to allow the machine to remain in position.

Note that each of the onboard water supply tank door 4, external water supply door 5, and fog fluid supply door 6 is shown as having a hinged portion and a handle or a notched or recessed portion that is opposite the hinged portion for allowing a user to easily open the doors. In some embodiments, the onboard water supply tank door 4, external water supply door 5, and fog fluid supply door 6 can be a magnetically-conductive material and can be secured in a closed position via magnets embedded on the machine body 2. The onboard water supply tank door 4, external water supply door 5, and fog fluid supply door 6 are depicted as having particular dimensions and orientations on the machine body 2 but can have various suitable dimensions, locations, orientations and other configurations in other embodiments.

Note that the machine body 2 can be made of various materials, but in some embodiments, comprises a plastic material that is impact resistant. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the machine body 2 can be coated with an anti-friction coating. In addition, all or a portion of the machine body 2 can be made from plastic, composite, metal or other materials.

As shown in FIGs. 3 and 6, machine 1 has a nozzle 45 positioned on its front face 39 and adjacent to a filter 240. Additional views of some embodiments of the nozzle 45 and filter 240 can be seen in FIG. 17A and 17B. The nozzle 45 acts as an outlet for fog produced within the machine 1, as indicated by flow arrows in FIG. 17A. As described in further detail below, one or more fans (e.g., plurality of fans 126) can be activated to create an airflow through the machine

1 by pulling air in through fan grate 3 and blowing the air into an interior portion of the machine 1. As a result of air intake, pressure is created within the machine 1 sufficient to expel blended low-lying fog through the nozzle 45. In some embodiments, the nozzle 45 can be coupled to a hose or conduit for channeling fog to a desired location after it exits the nozzle 45. In some embodiments, such as shown by FIG. 17B the nozzle can be configured as a split nozzle 245 having one or more exit points, and a filter 246 associated with the split nozzle 245 can have a shape corresponding to the shape of the nozzle 245. The split nozzle filter 246 may be configured to perform similarly to the filter 240, and may have similar attributes, except that its shape is configured to correspond to the shape of the nozzle 245. In this regard, one or more hoses can be coupled to the one or more exit points of a nozzle 45, 245 for channeling fog to one or more desired locations after it exits the nozzle 45, 245. The nozzle 45, 245 can have other configurations in other embodiments.

The machine 1 has a drain plug 46 configured to plug a drain outlet of the operating water tank 106 (FIGs 10-17). A bottom surface of the operating water tank 106 may have a channel 100 (FIGs 10-17) that slopes toward the drain outlet 101 of the operating water tank 106. The drain plug 46 can be removed to allow water to drain from the operating water tank 106 and out of the machine when water needs to be removed from the tank 106, such as when the machine 1 is not in use (e.g. flow arrow into drain 101 shown in FIG. 14).

A plurality of ventilation slits 47 may be positioned on the machine 1 to allow for cooling of heat producing components of the machine 1. The plurality of slits 47 can be positioned as needed to achieve a desired exchange of thermal energy from an interior portion of the machine 1 to the environment. In the embodiment of the figures, the plurality of slits 47 is positioned on the rear face 41, but in some embodiments, the plurality of slits 47 can be positioned in other locations on the machine 1, and other portions of the machine 1 can have slits of the plurality of slits 47.

1. Creation of a Blended Foe Mixture.

In some embodiments, the machine 1 can be configured to produce low-lying fog by consistently producing a blended mixture of water vapor and fog vapor (a "blended fog mixture") that has a desired humidity for low-lying fog performance. A height above the ground at which the blended mixture lies may be based on a humidification level of the blended fog mixture relative to a humidity of the environment, among other aspects. In dry environments, a blended fog mixture needs less water vapor to bond with in order to achieve a low-lying effect than is needed in more humid environments. A height at which the blended fog mixture lies relative to the ground thus can be controlled by varying the water vapor available for humidifying fog vapor when creating the blended fog mixture. The machine 1 may be configured to produce a blended fog mixture having a desired humidity, fog vapor density, and blended fog height based on user inputs, environmental information, or other criteria provided to the machine 1. This may achieve a desired low-lying fog performance needed for production applications, as well as other applications, such as marine vessel hull testing. Other applications may be possible where performance aspects similar to those described herein are desirable. Additional description of techniques for mixing atomized water with fog vapor to form a blended fog mixture are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,833, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,418, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,625, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Various types of fog fluid can be used as a basis for creating fog vapor, but in some embodiments, fog fluid used by the machine can comprise at least glycol and water. In some embodiments, the fog fluid may comprise one or more of glycerin, glycol, polyfunctional alcohols or otherwise. The fog fluid may be configured to bond with water vapor within the machine, such as a fog fluid that comprises glycol. A humidity level of the blended fog mixture may be based on available water vapor and a saturation point of the vaporized fog fluid. The fog fluid also may include a coloring agent for producing a colored blended fog mixture. The fog fluid can also have one or more additives for producing fog with a desired scent. In addition, humidification of the blended fog mixture may increase with a length of time during which the vaporized fog is exposed to water vapor within the machine. In some embodiments, the machine 1 may be configured to vaporize an essentially optimal amount of water vapor and to vaporize an essentially optimal amount of fog fluid to form a low-lying blended fog mixture based on attributes of the blended fog mixture selected by the user.

An amount of water vapor to be produced can be based on a desired fog height. Humidification of fog vapor is associated with a height at which fog lies after it is expelled from the machine. In some embodiments, an amount of water vapor produced (and thus, an amount of water vapor available to humidify vaporized fog) by the machine 1 may be controlled by controlling operation of number of water atomizers operating in the machine 1.

With regard to FIGs. 10-19, the figures depict cutaway views of various perspectives of a humidity controlled fog machine 1 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of machine 1 depicted in FIGs. 10-19 has various components configured to produce humidified fog. The embodiment of the machine 1 depicted in the figures has particular quantities, dimensions, and orientations of components, but in other embodiments, variations of these component characteristics may be possible. The machine 1 has an onboard water supply tank 102 and external water supply valve

104 configured to provide water to the machine that can be atomized to humidify fog before it is blown through the nozzle. The onboard water supply tank 102 stores water until it is needed to make water vapor, and in some embodiments, can hold up to approximately 9 gallons of water, although other capacities are possible. In some embodiments, the water can include pigment or dye needed to create a colored blended fog mixture and one or more additives for producing fog with a desired scent can be added to water in onboard supply tank 102. Water can flow from the onboard water supply tank 102 through outlet 103 when ball water float switch 110 is open, as described further below. The onboard water supply tank 102 is accessible via onboard water supply tank door 4, which can be opened to add water to the onboard water supply tank 102.

Similarly, the external water supply valve 104 is configured to couple to an external water source to provide water to the operating water tank 106 for making water vapor. Exemplary external water sources include a connection to a municipal water supply, water from an external reservoir, or otherwise. The valve 104 can include various components to facilitate coupling to receive water from one or more external water sources (e.g., a hose or other connector configured to provide water from an external water source, such as by threading or otherwise coupling the connector to the supply valve 104). In some embodiments, the valve 104 can be part of an assembly that includes a threaded fitting for attaching a hose, pipe, or other channel for providing water to the valve 104 so that, when the valve 104 opens, water is provided to the operating water tank 106 via channel 108 (see flow arrow in FIG. 14). The external water supply valve 104 is accessible via the external water supply door 5, which can be opened to access the valve 104.

As illustrated by FIG. 14, the machine's water atomizers (e.g., atomizers 116, 118, 119, and 120) atomize water to create water vapor which can be blended with vaporized fog to humidify it and create low-lying fog. In some embodiments, the water atomizers 116, 118, 119 and 120 are configured as ultrasonic water atomizers that use ultrasonic pulses to atomize or vaporize water. Note that, although a particular number of water atomizers is shown in FIGs. 10-19, various numbers of water atomizers may be possible in other embodiments.

Fog fluid tank 105 stores fog fluid until it is needed to make water vaporized fog which can be humidified within the machine's expansion chamber 130. The fog fluid tank 105 can be accessed via fog fluid supply door 6, and can hold various amounts of fog fluid, such as approximately 1 gallon. A fog fluid pump interface 107 can provide pressure (e.g., negative pressure) from the pump 111 and allow fog fluid to flow from the fog fluid tank 105 to fog fluid pump 111 (e.g., via fluid line 113).

The fog fluid pump 111 can provide pressure to line 113 to provide fog fluid to heater core 117, which can include various components configured to convert the fog fluid to vaporized fog. The heater core 117 can include various components to vaporize fog fluid and provide it to an interior portion of the machine for blending with water vapor in the expansion chamber 130, as described further below. In some embodiments, the heater core 117 can be a conventional heater used to vaporize fog, and can be controlled to generate fog having various characteristics (e.g., density, etc.) by varying an amount of heat applied to fog fluid. A heat shield 115 shields components of the machine 1 from heat generated by the heater core 117. Additional techniques for making fog vapor are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,833, U.S. Pat.

No. 7,434,418, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,625.

After fog fluid is vaporized within the heater core 117 the pump 111 can provide pressure to push the vaporized fog out and into an interior portion of the machine via fog vapor inlet 109. The inlet 109 can comprise a tube or nozzle for directing vaporized fog to interact with air blown by one or more fans of the plurality of fans 126 and into the channel 131, as described further below.

As shown by FIG. 18, when vaporized fog 372leaves the inlet 109, it may be positioned below a plurality of fans 126 and above deflector 128 and channel 131. The fans 126 are configured to draw air 370 from the environment and blow it into the machine 1 via fan grate 3 at various flow rates based on speed of one or more of the fans 126. In some embodiments, the fans 126 can operate independently of one another, or all at the same time, and their rates and operations can be controlled by controller 202. The fans 126 can have an IP rating, such as the various IP ratings of the machine 1 described herein (e.g., IP 65, IP 67, IP 68, etc.).

The deflector 128 may be positioned below the fans 126 and the inlet 109. The deflector

128 is positioned at an angle relative to the direction of airflow produced by the plurality of fans 126, and is configured to act as a lateral vortex generator for generating at least one vortex, such as one or more of vortices 302, and 304 of Fig. 18 and vortices 402, 404, 406 and 408 of FIG. 19. The vortices may mix fog vapor 372 and water vapor 320 within the machine 1, as shown in FIG. 19. In some embodiments, the deflector 128 can be configured as an airfoil to promote flow of air 370 and vaporized fog 372 over a surface of the deflector 128 and through channel 131 to form an air and fog mixture 374. In other embodiments, the deflector 128 can have essentially any suitable features to achieve a desired flow of air and vaporized fog across a surface of the deflector that will result in a desired flow profile within the expansion chamber as described further below.

In some embodiments, channel 131 may be defined by a gap between inner wall 132 and deflector 128. The channel 131 can have varying areas (e.g., widths, profiles, etc.), but in some embodiments, the channel 131 has an area configured to change a flow rate of fluids passing through it to achieve a desired mixing with water vapor in expansion chamber 130, as described below. In this regard, a flow rate of the air and vaporized fog mixture 374 passing through the channel 131 may be changed (e.g., accelerated). In addition, the channel 131 can be configured to direct a flow of fluids passing through it in a desired direction, again, such as to facilitate a desired mixing within expansion chamber 130.

The expansion chamber 130 is configured to receive a flow of fluids passing through channel 131 and facilitate further mixing of vaporized fog with water vapor to create the desired blended fog mixture 450. Water vapor 320 rises above a water level in the operating water tank 106 when atomized by the water atomizers 116, 118, 119 and 120 (see flow arrows in FIG. 14). The expansion chamber 130 may be defined as a volume above the atomizers and a water level within the operating water tank 106 (e.g., LI, L2, L3, etc.) but below deflector 128 and channel 131, and may have a length which fluids travel on their way to the filter 240 and out the nozzle 45 of the machine 1. The expansion chamber 130 can have various other attributes and be located in other locations in other embodiments, while still achieving the functionality described herein. Additional techniques for implementing an expansion chamber are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,833, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,418, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,625. In some embodiments, the deflector 128, channel 131 and expansion chamber 130 may be configured to facilitate a desired mixing of air, vaporized fog, and water vapor. In some embodiments, this desired mixing may be accomplished by formation of one or more vortices 302, 304, 402, 404, 406, and 408 (Figs 18 and 19) within the expansion chamber 130. The vortices 302, 304, 402. 404, 406, and 408 may be formed as the air and fog vapor mixture 374 passes through the channel 131 and into the expansion chamber 130. The air-vaporized fog mixture 374 may pass through the channel 131 at a first flow rate that is equal to or higher than a flow rate of air and water vapor within the expansion chamber 130. As a result, a flow gradient may be created within the expansion chamber 130, resulting in a mixing action within the expansion chamber 130.

As an illustration, because the mixture 374 of air and vaporized fog flowing through the channel 131 is directed toward an end of the expansion chamber adjacent to wall 132, although a flow through the channel 131 may be essentially laminar, upon exiting the channel 131, the flow may interact with a fluid mixture within the expansion chamber 130 and become a turbulent flow. In some embodiments, the interaction may result in formation of one or more vortices (see flow arrows in FIGs. 16, 17). At least a portion of the one or more vortices 302, 304, 402. 404, 406, and 408 may comprise any or various combinations of air 370, vaporized fog 372 and water vapor 320 (the "fog mixture" 450). Additional air flow may flow into the machine and push the fog mixture toward the nozzle 45. The one or more vortices 302, 304, 402. 404, 406, and 408 may dissipate as they are pushed toward the nozzle 45. In addition, the fog mixture 450 may interact with other components on an interior of the operating tank 106 of machine 1 (e.g. switch 110, onboard water supply tank 102, etc.), resulting in further mixing action on the fog mixture 450. When the fog mixture passes through the filter 240 and exits via nozzle 45, the fog mixture may be a blended fog mixture 450 having a desired humidity for achieving desired low lying performance.

Note that humidity of the fog mixture 450 increases as the mixture 450 travels the length of the expansion chamber 130. Humidity of the fog vapor increases the longer it is in contact with water vapor. Thus, when increased humidity is desired (e.g., in humid environments), the machine (e.g., controller 202) may control fan speed (e.g., decrease the fan speed) to reduce flow rate within the machine and allow the fog vapor and water vapor more time to mix within the machine 1 before being expelled through the nozzle 45 and into the environment. When decreased humidity is desired (e.g., in dry environments), the machine

(e.g., controller 202) may control fan speed (e.g., increase the fan speed) to increase flow rate within the machine and allow the fog vapor and water vapor less time to mix within the machine before being expelled through the nozzle 45 and into the environment. Other techniques for controlling humidity based on a mixing time of the fog vapor and water vapor may be possible.

FIGs. 16 and 17 illustrate flow arrows representing an approximate exemplary path of flow of fluids through the machine 1 during the fog production process. Air blown by the fans 126 may propel the fog vapor across a surface of the deflector 128. The air 370 mixes with vaporized fog above the deflector 128 and flows with the vaporized fog 372 through channel 131 and into the expansion chamber 130, where it mixes with vaporized water 320 (FIGs. 14,

19) in one or more vortices 302, 304, 402. 404, 406, and 408 formed by flow of fog vapor and air mixture 374 through the channel 131 and into the expansion chamber 130 where essentially upwardly rising and laterally stationary water vapor 320 is located. The vortices 302, 304, 402.

404, 406, and 408 may mix the air 370, fog vapor 372 and water vapor 320 to form the fog mixture 450, which may be propelled toward an end of the machine 1 and through the filter 240, exiting through nozzle 45 (FIGs. 20A, 20B).

With regard to FIGs. 20A and 20B, note that filter media 240 may be various types of media configured to cause any vaporized water particles passing through the filter 240 that are not bonded with fog vapor to be deposited onto to a surface of a fiber of the filter 240. In this regard, the filter media 240 can prevent accrual of condensation on nozzle 45 or on an exterior of the machine and associate buildup of fog residue from use. In some embodiments, the filter comprises a fibrous media, and can be made from various materials (e.g., polymer, metal, etc.). The water vapor caught by the filter media 240 may be residual water vapor that was not sufficiently blended with fog vapor when traveling through the interior of the machine 1, or may be associated with a humidity level of the fog that exceeds a condensation threshold for the blended fog mixture.

Note that, in some embodiments, the controller 202 can be configured to control essentially any aspect of production of water vapor and fog vapor described herein to achieve the desired blended fog mixture. The mixture may be based on information (e.g., a user input or environmental information) indicative of a desired humidity level (e.g., via user interface 10), a desired fog height, fog density, throw of the blended mixture from the machine (e.g., a distance the blended fog mixture travels after exiting the fog machine 1), or otherwise. Alternatively, in some embodiments, humidification and fog vaporization levels corresponding to desired blended fog mixture characteristics and performance can be determined by controller 202 based on information about environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind, geographic location, etc.) stored in memory 220 as environment data 230. The environment data 230 can include information indicative of environmental conditions received from an onboard humidity sensor (not specifically shown), via communication with one or more external data sources via data interface 207 (e.g., the National Weather Service, etc.), via an application running on a mobile device of a user 32 (e.g., user interface 10), or otherwise.

The controller 202 can communicate with and control atomizers 116, 118, 119 and 120 via atomizer interface 206 to produce water vapor in an amount appropriate to achieve a desired humidity of the blended fog mixture. For example, if a first blended fog mixture having a first humidity level (and first blended fog height) is desired, controller 202 can activate a first water atomizer 116. If a second blended fog mixture having a second humidity level that is higher than the first humidity level (and a second blended fog height that is lower than the first blended fog height) is desired, controller 202 can activate a first water atomizer 116 and second water atomizer 118. If a third blended fog mixture having a third humidity level that is higher than the first and second humidity levels (and a third blended fog height that is lower than the first and second blended fog heights) is desired, controller 202 can activate the first water atomizer 116, second water atomizer 118 and third water atomizer 119. The mixture can have a fourth, even higher humidity level may be performed by activating a fourth atomizer 120. In this regard, the machine 1 (e.g., controller 202) can produce varying amounts of water vapor and control humidity of the blended fog mixture. 2. Automatic Water Refill and Low-Fluid Shut Off.

In a fog machine, damage to the machine's components may occur if the machine is operated without sufficient fog fluid or water. For example, water atomizers, pumps and other components may overheat or experience excess wear when operated dry. As part of the process of making low-lying fog, water may be vaporized in order to humidify vaporized fog fluid, which is then blown out of the machine. As water is vaporized and expelled from the machine, the water level within the machine decreases. Similarly, fog fluid is vaporized and blended with water vapor before being expelled from the machine. Eventually, more fog fluid and water must be added before it runs out or falls below a level that may damage the machine's components. This typically requires a user to monitor the machine and refill it when the fluid levels in the machine become too low, requiring attention and increasing the risk of damage from insufficient water and fog fluid levels.

In some embodiments, the machine 1 may have safeguards to prevent operation of the machine when there is insufficient water within the machine 1 to allow safe operation. The machine can have a water level sensor 124 that is in communication with a sensor interface 214

(FIG. 22) and configured to sense a water level within the operating water tank 106, and provide a water level signal to controller 202 indicating a level of the water within the operating water tank 106. The sensor 124 can sense essentially any water level within the operating tank 106, including water levels associated with heights LI, L2, LB, or otherwise. The controller 202 may determine whether operation of the machine 1 (e.g., water atomizers 116, 118, 119 and

120, etc.) should be allowed based on the water level signal and control the external water supply valve 104 and switch 110 based on the determination. If more water is needed to achieve a water level that will allow safe or desired operation (e.g., to raise the water level to at least the water level threshold LB), the controller 202 can control the external water supply valve 104 to open or close as needed and let more water into the operating tank 106. Controller 202 can permit operation of the machine 1 to continue once it determines that the water level in operating water tank 106 is at least a safe or desired level (e.g., based on a comparison of the water level signal with the water level threshold L3). An exemplary volume of water at which the controller 202 can permit operations to resume may be approximately 7- 9 gallons in the operating water tank 106, and approximately 0.5 gallons in the fog fluid tank 105. In some embodiments, the fog fluid tank 105 may have a volume of approximately 3 liters, but various other volumes are possible to achieve the functionality ascribed herein.

Similarly, the machine 1 can comprise a fog fluid level sensor (not specifically shown) that is in communication with the sensor interface 214 and configured to sense a fog fluid level within the fog fluid tank 105 and provide a fog fluid level signal to the controller 202 indicating the a level of fog fluid within the fog fluid tank 105. The controller 202 may determine whether operation of the machine 1 should be allowed based on the fog fluid level signal and control the fog fluid pump 111 and heater core 117 to prevent operation of those components based on the determination. The controller 202 may be configured to permit operation of the machine 1 to continue once it determines that the fog fluid level in the fog fluid tank 105 is at least a safe or desired level (e.g., based on a comparison of the fog fluid level signal with a fog fluid level threshold).

To further ensure that a water level within the operating water tank 106 remains within an approximately optimal range of water levels during operation of the machine 1, the machine 1 can have a ball water float switch 110 that is configured to maintain a desired water level in the operating water tank 106. In some embodiments, the switch 110 may be configured similarly to a float valve, and may include a valve (e.g., ball valve) which allows the switch 110 to "open" and "close," and thereby control flow of water through the onboard water tank inlet 114 (see FIG. 14). The switch 110 also may include a buoyant float 112 configured to float essentially on the water surface and thus change position (e.g., by moving up and down along an essentially linear path, such as shown in FIG. 14) as the level of the surface of the water within the operating water tank 106 changes.

In some embodiments, the switch 110 may be operable to open and close based on a threshold water level. This threshold water level may be associated with a water level that allows production of a desired amount of water vapor by water atomizers of the machine 1 (e.g., atomizers 116, 118, 119 and 120). When the water level within the operating water tank 106 falls below a threshold level, the switch 110 may open to allow water to flow from the onboard water supply tank 102 to the operating water tank 106. The switch 110 may be configured to close when enough water has filled the operating water tank 106 to raise the buoyant float 112 to a height that is at or above a height associated with the threshold water level. Thus, the height which the buoyant float 112 must reach in order to close the switch 110 is based on the water level threshold.

FIG. 10 and FIGs. 15A-15C show three different exemplary heights within the operating water tank 106, indicated as "LI," "L2" and "L3." Note that these heights are mere examples and may not be shown to scale in the figures. Other numbers and variations of heights are possible in other embodiments. FIGs. 15A-15C show the water float valve in water within the

BO fog machine 1. Water levels and positions of the objects in FIGs. 15A-15C, including switch 110, float 112 and inlet 114 are approximate, and may not be to scale. In some embodiments, components of the switch 110 may change position relative to other components, such as when the float 112 rises and falls with a level of water in 106. Although not specifically shown in FIGs. 15A-15C, the float 112 may move up and down within the tank and may be coupled to the other portions of the switch 110 via components such as a static or telescoping channel, which may lengthen or shorten as the float 112 changes position and rises and falls with the water level. Other configurations are possible in other embodiments.

To illustrate operation of the switch 110, when the operating water tank 106 is low or even empty, the buoyant float 112 may be in a position that corresponds to height LI, a height that is approximately lower than the threshold water level L3, or distance L2, which may be a height corresponding to an approximate maximum water level, and switch 110 may be open. Thereafter, water may be added to the onboard water supply tank 102, and may flow from onboard water supply tank 102 to the operating water tank 106 via the onboard water tank inlet 114 (see flow arrow in FIG. 14). As water fills the operating water tank 106, a water level within the tank 106 may begin to rise from approximately height LI. The buoyant float 112 may rise with the water level as it rises. When enough water has filled the operating tank 106 to raise the water level to a level that is at least approximately the threshold water level L3, the switch 110 may close and prevent water from continuing to flow from the onboard water supply tank 102 to the operating water tank 106. In some embodiments, the switch 110 may be configured to close after the water level within the tank has raised to approximately height L2, which exceeds heights LI and L3. Water level height L2 may be a water level corresponding to an approximate maximum height of a water level above the machine's atomizers for achieving desired water vaporization. The switch may close once the float 112 (and thus water level) reaches approximately height L2, and no more water may flow from tank 102. As water is vaporized (see flow arrows in FIG. 14), and the level of water in the operating water tank 106 falls to or below approximately height L3, the switch 110 may open again, and more water may flow from the onboard water supply tank 102 to fill the operating water tank 106. The water may continue to flow from onboard tank 102 into operating water tank 106 until the water level rises to approximately height L2 or there is no water left in onboard water supply tank 102. The switch 110 may be configured to close at various other heights in other embodiments to achieve desired performance of the machine in terms of water atomization and fog humidification.

Note that, in some embodiments, distance LI may correspond to an approximate maximum displacement of the float 112 from the onboard water supply tank 102, such as when the operating water tank 106 has a very low water level or empty. Distance L2 may correspond to an approximate minimum displacement from the onboard water supply tank 102. In some embodiments, distance L2 may be approximately 7/8" above a top surface of the machine's water atomizers (e.g., atomizers 116, 118, 119, 120) or approximately 2 ¼" above an interior bottom surface of the operating water tank 106. Distance L3 may be approximately 1/8" lower than distance L2: that is, approximately 2 1/8" above the interior bottom surface of the operating water tank 106. Other distances are possible in other embodiments. In some embodiments, when the machine 1 is receiving water from the external water supply valve 104, similar steps to the functionality ascribed to the float switch 110 above may be performed by a combination of one or more of the onboard water level sensor 124, controller 202 and external water supply valve 104. In this regard, when more water is needed in the operating water tank 106 to maintain a water level approximately at or above threshold height L3, the water level sensor 124 may provide a water level signal to the controller 202 indicative of the water level in the operating water tank 106, and the controller 202 in turn may control the water supply valve 104 to open and allow more water to fill the operating water tank 106 via the external water supply valve 104. The controller 202 may continue to monitor additional water level signals from the water level sensor 124 until the controller 202 determines that the water level within the operating water tank 106 has reached a desired level (e.g., at least approximately height L3, or, in some cases, approximately height L2). Thereafter, the controller 202 may close the external water supply valve 104 until the water level in the operating water tank 106 falls below the water level threshold L3, at which time the controller 202 may open the external water supply valve 104 again to add more water.

In some embodiments, when the controller 202 determines that either an insufficient amount of water is available in operating water tank 106 or an insufficient amount of fog fluid is available in fog fluid tank 105, the controller 202 may attempt to add more water or fog fluid to either the operating water tank 106 or the fog fluid tank 105, respectively. If the controller 202 determines based on one or more additional the water level signals or fog fluid level signals that additional water or fog fluid cannot be added to provide sufficient fluid to allow safe or desired operation of the machine, the controller 202 may be configured to control the resources of the machine 1 to prevent operation of the machine 1 until both the operating water tank 106 and fog fluid tank 105 have sufficient fluid levels to permit safe operation. When the controller 202 receives signals from the sensors indicating that there is sufficient water and fog fluid available to permit the machine to operate (e.g., based on a water level signal and a fog fluid level signal), the controller 202 may permit operation of the machine to resume.

Note that bacteria, mold, and other contaminants can grow or propagate when water is left standing for a period of time (e.g., when the water is stagnant). When water-based fog machines are not in use, water may need to be emptied from the machine (e.g., by draining or pumping the water out) to keep water from becoming stagnant. As shown by FIGs. 10 and 11, in some embodiments, the machine 1 may comprise a water recirculating filter system 195 configured to recirculate and filter water left in the operating tank 106 when the machine is not in use. In this regard, the recirculating filter system 195 can reduce or prevent the risk that the water will become stagnant and filled with bacteria and mold. Note that the position of the recirculating filter system 195 is exemplary and that it may be oriented or positioned within the operating water tank 106 in various ways in some embodiments to achieve the functionality described herein.

The recirculating filter system 195 can include a recirculation pump 199 configured to pump water from the operating water tank 106 through filter 198 and then back into the operating water tank 106 via an outlet tube 197. The recirculating filter system 195 also can include a UV filter 199 configured to filter water and reduce or remove bacteria and mold, or other contaminants in the water. The recirculating filter system 195 can include other components in other embodiments. C. Network-Enabled Foe Production.

In some embodiments, a fog production system 305 can include a plurality of fog machines 1, 27 and 28 configured to be controlled by one or more users 30, 32 to achieve a desired fog production. The system 305 may include a network 335, server 20 and production terminal 25 used by a production engineer 30. Each of the machines 1, 27 and 28, server 20 (e.g., National Weather Service for providing environmental data) and production engineer terminal 25 (e.g., for allowing user control of the machines 1, 27, 28) may be configured to communicate with one another via the network 335 and the network 15 itself. In addition, the machines 1, 27 and 28 can be configured to communicate with one another and other members of subnetwork 315, which also can be in communication with network 335 and other data sources via network 335. The system 5 can include various other components and perform other functionality consistent with the present disclosure in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the network 335 can be various types of networks, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), or other network. A single network 335 is shown in FIG. 21, but in some embodiments, network 335 can comprise various quantities of networks. In an embodiment, the network 335 may be configured to communicate via various protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.), and can comprise either or both a wireless network, wired network, or various combinations thereof.

The fog production system 305 can be configured to facilitate control and coordination of fog production according to the functionality described herein via communication with one or more fog machines 1, 27, 28 based on communication of information between the machines

1, 27, 28, network 335, subnetwork 315, server 20 and terminal 25. In some embodiments, the fog production system 305 can include additional components and be configured in additional manners in order to achieve the functionality described herein for each of the various components.

D. Example Method of Operation of Controlled Humidity Foe Machine.

Data flow 500 of FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary method of operation of a controlled humidity fog machine 1, such as may be performed by controller 202 executing control logic 235. Processing may begin at step 502, and at step 504, a water level signal is received from water level sensor 124. At step 506, a determination may be made as to whether additional water should be added to the operating water tank 106 based on the water level signal. If more water should not be added (e.g., the water level is approximately at or above the threshold water level based on the water level signal), processing may return to step 504, and additional water level signals may be received until such signals indicate that water should be added.

If the water level signal indicates that additional water should be added to the operating water tank 106, processing may proceed to step 508, where a determination may be made as to whether an external water supply is connected to the machine 1, such as at the external water supply valve 104. If external water is not connected, this may be an indication that the onboard water supply tank 102 has insufficient water to fill the operating water tank 106 to at least the threshold water level (otherwise, water would flow into the operating tank via switch 110), and processing may proceed to step 510 where processing may pause until a connection to an external water supply is established, at which time processing may proceed to step 512.

Alternatively, the waiting at step 510 may continue until a water level signal is received that indicates that a water level in the operating water tank 106 is at or above the threshold level, at which time processing may continue to step 514.

If an external water supply is connected to the external water supply valve 104, processing may continue to step 512, where the external water supply valve 104 may be opened to allow more water to flow into operating water tank 106. Processing then may proceed to step 514, where another water level signal is received and compared with a water level threshold at step 516. If the water level threshold is not exceeded, processing may return to step 514, where an additional water level signal may be received. If the threshold is exceeded, processing may proceed to step 518, where an additional water level signal may be received. At step 520, this signal may be compared with an approximate maximum desired water level within the operating water tank 106. If the water level is not at or above the approximate maximum desired water level, processing may return to step 518. If the water level is at or above the approximate maximum desired water level, processing may end.

E. Conclusion.

The foregoing description illustrates and describes the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein, commensurate with the skill and/or knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain certain best modes known of practicing the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the teachings of the present disclosure in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses. Accordingly, the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. § 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational queues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A fog machine, comprising:

a water supply tank;

an operating water tank coupled to the water supply tank;

a float valve coupled to the water supply tank and configured to control a flow of water from the water supply tank to the operating water tank;

a plurality of water atomizers to atomize water in the operating water tank, wherein an amount of water atomized is based on a number of water atomizers of the plurality of water atomizers atomizing the water;

a fog fluid container coupled to a fog fluid pump;

a heating section to vaporize fog fluid from the fog fluid container;

a fan to blow the vaporized fog fluid across a surface of a deflector and through a channel; and

an expansion chamber to receive vaporized fog fluid flowing through the channel and atomized water from the water atomizers, wherein at least one vortex mixes the atomized water and vaporized fog fluid within the expansion chamber to form a fog mixture, and wherein the fan propels the fog mixture through a length of the expansion chamber.

2. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the float valve allows water to flow when a water level within the operating water tank is below a refill threshold, and wherein the float valve prevents water from flowing when the water level is above the threshold refill.

3. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the refill threshold is based on a desired water level, and wherein the desired water level is based on a desired humidity of the fog mixture.

4. The fog machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a nozzle positioned on an end of the expansion chamber, wherein the nozzle is adjacent to a filter for removing excess atomized water from at least a portion of the fog mixture before it passes through the nozzle.

5. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the fan comprises a fan having an Ingress Protection rating of IP 65.

6. The fog machine of claim 4, further comprising a controller coupled to the plurality of water atomizers, the float valve and the fan; and

memory coupled to the controller and comprising instructions stored therein which, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to:

identify a desired humidity and fog density of the fog mixture;

activate a first plurality of the plurality water atomizers to atomize water based on the desired humidity;

set a temperature of the heating section to vaporize the fog fluid based on the desired fog density; and

set a speed of the fan corresponding to a flow rate based on the desired humidity and fog density of the fog mixture.

7. The fog machine of claim 6, wherein the controller is coupled to a user interface, and wherein the user interface has an Ingress Protection rating of IP 65.

8. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the operating water tank is coupled to a

recirculator to recirculate water within the operating water tank.

9. The fog machine of claim 8, wherein the recirculator has a UV filter.

10. The fog machine of claim 6, further comprising a humidity sensor to sense a humidity level of an environment external to the fog machine and coupled to the controller, wherein the desired humidity is identified based on a sensed humidity level of an environment external to the fog machine.

11. The fog machine of claim 10, wherein the desired humidity is identified based on a desired fog height.

12. The fog machine of claim 10, wherein the desired humidity is identified based on user inputs received via a user interface, wherein the controller is coupled to the user interface.

IB. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the operating water tank receives a gravity-fed supply of water from the water supply tank.

14. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the operating water tank has a drain.

15. The fog machine of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a filter to retain excess water from the portion of the fog mixture.

16. A fog machine, comprising:

a water supply;

an operating water tank coupled to the water supply;

a water level sensor coupled to the operating water tank and configured to sense a water level within the operating water tank;

a heating section to vaporize fog fluid; a fan to blow the vaporized fog fluid across a surface of a deflector and through a channel; and

an expansion chamber coupled to receive vaporized fog fluid flowing through the channel and atomized water from the water atomizers, wherein at least one vortex mixes the atomized water and vaporized fog fluid within the expansion chamber to form a fog mixture, and wherein the fan propels the fog mixture through a length of the expansion chamber.

17. The fog machine of claim 16, wherein the water supply comprises an external water supply valve, and wherein the external water supply valve allows water to flow into the operating water tank when a water level within the operating water tank is below a refill threshold, and wherein the external water supply valve prevents water from flowing when the water level is above the refill threshold.

18. The fog machine of claim 17, wherein the refill threshold is based on a desired water level, and wherein the desired water level is based on a desired humidity of the fog mixture.

19. The fog machine of claim 17, further comprising:

20. The fog machine of claim 17, further comprising a controller coupled to the plurality of water atomizers, the external water supply valve and the fan; and

identify a desired humidity and fog density of the fog mixture; activate a first plurality of the plurality water atomizers to atomize water based on the desired humidity;