System and Method for Directional Control of Flame Effects

Abstract

A system and method for directional control of generating flame effects. The system includes a flame effect generator having a nozzle and an igniter configured to ignite a flammable substance ejected from the nozzle to generate a flame effect. The system also includes an adjustable mounting system supporting at least a portion of the flame effect generator to directionally control a trajectory of the flame effect.

1 . A system for generating flame effects comprising:
 a flame effect generator having a nozzle and an igniter configured to ignite a flammable substance ejected from the nozzle to generate a flame effect; and   an adjustable mounting system supporting at least a portion of the flame effect generator to directionally control a trajectory of the flame effect.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a control system configured to control the adjustable mounting system to automatically adjust the trajectory of the flame effect. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the control system is programmed to control the adjustable mounting system according to a predetermined sequence to adjust the trajectory of the flame effect. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable mounting system includes at least one yoke configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and mounting plate supported by the yoke and configured to rotate about a second rotational axis. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the yoke is configured to rotate approximately 360 degrees about the first rotational axis and the mounting plate is configured to rotate approximately 180 degrees about the second rotational axis. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the rotation of the yoke about the first rotational axis pans the trajectory of the flame effect with respect to a static position and rotation of the mounting plate about the second rotational axis tilts the trajectory of the flame effect with respect to the static position. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are perpendicular. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the nozzle and the igniter are supported by the mounting plate. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable mounting system provides two degrees of freedom through which to directionally control the trajectory of the flame effect. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an array of burner heads, each having an igniter configured to generate an ignition spark;   a reservoir containing a high flash point liquid;   a pump configured to draw the high flash point liquid from the reservoir and pump it under high pressure to the array of burner heads;   a solenoid valve arranged at each burner in the array of burner heads to control a flow of the high flash point liquid through each burner head;   a nozzle arranged at each burner head to convert the high flash point liquid to a combustible form;   a sensor arranged at each burner head to generate an ignition confirmation signal upon detecting the ignition spark at the igniter;   a controller programmed to independently control each valve to control the flow of the high flash point liquid to the burner based on the ignition confirmation signal to generate a flame effect;   a plurality of yokes configured to rotate about a first rotational axis and respective mounting plates supported by the yokes and configured to rotate about a second rotational axis; and   wherein each of the burner heads in the array of burner heads is supported by respective mounting plates and yokes configured to directionally control a trajectory of the flame effect   
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the controller is further configured to only allow the flow of the high flash point liquid to the burner when an ignition confirmation signal has been received from the sensor monitoring the burner. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the controller is further configured to control movement of the plurality of yokes and support plates about the first and second rotational axes to adjust the trajectory of the flame effect. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a flame safeguard control module configured to prohibit the flow of the high flash point liquid to the burner unless the ignition confirmation signal is received from the sensor monitoring the burner. 
   
   
       14 . A method for controlling generation of flame effects comprising:
 delivering a fuel to at least one nozzle configured to direct the fuel toward an igniter;   sparking the igniter to ignite the fuel and generate a flame effect; and   adjusting a position of at least the nozzle to control a trajectory of the flame effect over time.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fuel includes a high flash point liquid and wherein the method further comprises:
 monitoring the igniter to confirm sparking of the igniter before expelling the high flash point liquid from the nozzle; and   controlling valves associated with the nozzle to only open after sparking of the igniter has been confirmed.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising controlling the valves to generate the flame effect in compliance with a National Fire Protection Act (NFPA) 160 standard. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising at least one of panning and tilting a position of the nozzle with respect to a static position to control the trajectory of the flame effect over time. 
   
   
       18 . A system for generating flame effects comprising:
 a burner configured to ignite a flammable substance passed thereby to generate a flame effect; and   an adjustable mounting system supporting at least a portion of the burner to adjust a trajectory of the flame effect over time.   
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18  further comprising a control system configured to control the adjustable mounting system to automatically adjust the trajectory of the flame effect according to a predetermined sequence. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the adjustable mounting system includes at least one yoke configured to rotate approximately 360 degrees about a first rotational axis and a mounting plate supported by the yoke and configured to rotate approximately 180 degrees about a second rotational axis, and wherein the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are perpendicular to pan the trajectory of the flame effect upon rotation about the first rotational axis and tilt the trajectory of the flame effect upon rotation about the second rotational axis.