U.S. patent application number 14/743070 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for instantaneous heater for a smoke generator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ming-Cheng Chang. Invention is credited to Ming-Cheng Chang.
Application Number | 20160023123 14/743070 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52166224 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160023123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Ming-Cheng |
January 28, 2016 |
Instantaneous Heater for a Smoke Generator
Abstract
An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator includes a heating
rod having first and second sections. The second section is
connected to a power supply system of a smoke generator. An outer
tube is mounted around the heating rod. An end cap is sealing
mounted to a first end of the outer tube and covers the first
section of the heating rod. The outer periphery of the heating rod,
the inner periphery of the outer tube, the end cap, and the
connection cap together defines a heating passage
intercommunicating with an outlet of the end cap. A connection cap
is sealingly mounted around a second end of the outer tube. The
connection cap includes a coupling hole intercommunicating with the
heating passage. A guiding tube is mounted between the coupling
hole of the connection cap and an oil tank of the smoke
generator.
Inventors: |
Chang; Ming-Cheng; (Tainan
City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chang; Ming-Cheng |
Tainan City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
52166224 |
Appl. No.: |
14/743070 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/397 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J 5/025 20130101;
F22B 1/282 20130101; F22B 27/165 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63J 5/02 20060101
A63J005/02; F22B 1/28 20060101 F22B001/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 25, 2014 |
CN |
201420415060.5 |
Claims
1. An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator comprising: a
heating rod including a first section and a second section, with
the heating rod further including an outer periphery extending from
the first section through the second section, with the second
section of the heating rod adapted to be connected to a power
supply system of a smoke generator; an outer tube mounted around
the heating rod, with the outer tube including a first end facing
the first section of the heating rod and a second end facing the
second section of the heating rod, and with the outer tube further
including an inner periphery extending from the first end through
the second end of the outer tube; an end cap sealing mounted to the
first end of the outer tube, with the end cap including an outlet,
with the end cap covering the first section of the heating rod,
with the outer periphery of the heating rod, the inner periphery of
the outer tube, the end cap, and the connection cap together
defining a heating passage intercommunicating with the outlet of
the end cap; a connection cap sealingly mounted around the second
end of the outer tube, with the connection cap including a coupling
hole intercommunicating with the heating passage; and a guiding
tube including a first end coupled to the coupling hole of the
connection cap, with the guiding tube further including a second
end adapted to be connected to an oil tank of the smoke
generator.
2. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in
claim I, further comprising: a flow guiding member, with the inner
periphery of the outer tube defining a chamber, with the flow
guiding member being helical, with the flow guiding member received
in the chamber of the outer tube and located between the inner
periphery of the outer tube and the outer periphery of the heating
rod, with the flow guiding member including an outer periphery
abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube, with the flow
guiding member further including an inner periphery abutting the
inner periphery of the outer tube, with the heating passage being
helical.
3. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in
claim 1, with the inner periphery of the outer tube being helical,
with the inner periphery of the outer tube including a helical
crest abutting the outer periphery of the heating rod, and with the
inner periphery of the outer tube further including a helical root
spaced from the outer periphery of the heating rod, and with the
heating passage being helical.
4. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in
claim 1, with the outer periphery of the heating rod being helical,
with the outer periphery of the heating rod including a helical
crest abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube, with the
outer periphery of the heating rod further including a helical root
spaced from the inner periphery of the outer tube, and with the
heating passage being helical.
5. The instantaneous heater for a smoke generator as claimed in
claim 1, with the end cap including a compartment defined in an end
face thereof, with the compartment including a bottom wall having
an abutment face, with the first section of the heating rod having
an end face abutting the abutment face of the end cap, and with the
end cap further including a plurality of guiding grooves defined in
the abutment face.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a heater for a smoke
generator and, more particularly, to an instantaneous heater for
heating and vaporizing an oil in a smoke generator into smoke.
[0002] A smoke generator for providing a stage performance effect
generally heats and vaporizes an oil in the smoke generator into
smoke, and the smoke is ejected to the outside to provide a smoke
effect on the stage. A conventional smoke generator includes a
heating rod wound around by a helical tube made of heat conducting
material. An end of the helical tube is coupled to a pump connected
to an oil tank. The heat generated by the heating rod is
transmitted to the helical tube. The oil in the helical tube is
heated and vaporized into smoke which is ejected outwards from the
other end of the helical tube. The helical tube can increase the
heating time of the oil to assure reliable vaporization of the oil
into smoke.
[0003] However, the smoke generator requires a longer period of
time for preheating, because the oil is indirectly heated.
Furthermore, the contact area between the helical tube and the
outside is relatively large, such that most of the heat dissipates
rapidly. Thus, a thermal insulating mechanism must be provided to
the outer side of the helical tube. Furthermore, the smoke
generator cannot continuously operate for a long period of time,
because the vaporization speed of the smoke generator is not fast
enough due to the indirect heating. Furthermore, since the oil is
indirectly heated, 5-10 minutes of preheating is required if the
smoke generator is started from a stopped state. Furthermore, when
the smoke generator is not generating smoke, the smoke generator
must keep in a standby mode for maintaining the temperature, and
the heating rod requires intermittent heating to keep the helical
tube at a certain temperature for timely provide the smoke. Thus,
the smoke generator must keep at a high temperature state that
might damage associated electronic components, and the volume of
the smoke generator must be increased to avoid excessive high
temperature at the housing of the smoke generator. Furthermore,
more electricity is consumed in keeping the heating state of the
heating rod.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An instantaneous heater for a smoke generator according to
the present invention includes a heating rod having a first section
and a second section. The heating rod further includes an outer
periphery extending from the first section through the second
section. The second section of the heating rod is adapted to be
connected to a power supply system of a smoke generator. An outer
tube is mounted around the heating rod. The outer tube includes a
first end facing the first section of the heating rod and a second
end facing the second section of the heating rod. The outer tube
further includes an inner periphery extending from the first end
through the second end of the outer tube. An end cap is sealing
mounted to the first end of the outer tube. The end cap includes an
outlet. The end cap covers the first section of the heating rod.
The outer periphery of the heating rod, the inner periphery of the
outer tube, the end cap, and the connection cap together defines a
heating passage intercommunicating with the outlet of the end cap.
A connection cap is sealingly mounted around the second end of the
outer tube. The connection cap includes a coupling hole
intercommunicating with the heating passage. A guiding tube
includes a first end coupled to the coupling hole of the connection
cap. The guiding tube further includes a second end adapted to be
connected to an oil tank of the smoke generator.
[0005] In an example, the instantaneous heater further includes a
flow guiding member that is helical. The flow guiding member is
received in a chamber defined by the inner periphery of the outer
tube and is located between the inner periphery of the outer tube
and the outer periphery of the heating rod. The flow guiding member
includes an outer periphery abutting the inner periphery of the
outer tube. The flow guiding member further includes an inner
periphery abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube. The
heating passage is helical.
[0006] In another example, the inner periphery of the outer tube is
helical. The inner periphery of the outer tube includes a helical
crest abutting the outer periphery of the heating rod. The inner
periphery of the outer tube further includes a helical root spaced
from the outer periphery of the heating rod. The heating passage is
helical.
[0007] In a further example, the outer periphery of the heating rod
is helical. The outer periphery of the heating rod includes a
helical crest abutting the inner periphery of the outer tube. The
outer periphery of the heating rod further includes a helical root
spaced from the inner periphery of the outer tube. The heating
passage is helical.
[0008] The end cap can include a compartment defined in an end face
thereof. The compartment includes a bottom wall having an abutment
face. The first section of the heating rod has an end face abutting
the abutment face of the end cap. The end cap further includes a
plurality of guiding grooves defined in the abutment face.
[0009] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this
invention described in connection with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The illustrative embodiments may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous
heater for a smoke generator of a first embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smoke generator including
the instantaneous heater of FIG. 1, with a housing of the smoke
generator removed for clarity
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the smoke generator of FIG.
2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along section line
4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of a circled portion of FIG.
4.
[0016] FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of another circled portion of
FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous
heater for a smoke generator of a second embodiment according to
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the instantaneous heater of
FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along section line
7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective view of an instantaneous
heater for a smoke generator of a third embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the instantaneous heater of
FIG. 8.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along section line
10-10 of FIG. 9.
[0023] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to
number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form
the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within
the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read
and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings have been read and understood.
[0024] Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "first", "second", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "side", "end",
"portion", "section", "part", "longitudinal", "length", and similar
terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms
have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it
would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only
to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 1-4, 4A, and 4B, an instantaneous
heater 50 of a first embodiment according to the present invention
is mounted in a casing 20 of a smoke generator 10. The casing 20
includes a first board 22, a second board 24, and a bottom board 26
extending between the first board 22 and the second board 24. The
first board 22 has a through-hole 23. A cap 48 is mounted to an
outer face of the first board 22 and includes a plurality of holes
corresponding to the through-hole 23. The casing 20 further
includes a partitioning board 28 mounted on the bottom board 26 and
extending between the first board 22 and the second board 24. The
partitioning board 28 separates the interior of the casing 20 into
a first compartment 30 and a second compartment 32. The second
compartment 32 receives an oil tank 38 and a pump 40. The oil tank
38 receives an oil that can be heated to vaporize into smoke. The
pump 40 includes a first coupler 42 and a second coupler 44 spaced
from the first coupler 42. A pipe 46 is mounted between the oil
tank 38 and the second coupler 44. When the pump 40 operates, the
oil in the oil tank 38 is pumped through the pipe 46. The first
coupler 42 of the pump 40 is located in the first compartment 30. A
holder 34 is mounted to a side of the partitioning board 28 and is
located above the first coupler 42. The holder 34 includes an
insertion groove 36 for holding the instantaneous heater 50.
[0026] The instantaneous heater 50 of the first embodiment includes
a heating rod 52 having circular cross sections. The heating rod 52
includes a first section 54 and a second section 56. The heating
rod 52 further includes an outer periphery 58 extending from the
first section 54 through the second section 56. The outer periphery
58 is free of grooves and protrusions. The second section 56 of the
heating rod 52 is connected to a power cord 60 connected to a power
supply system of the smoke generator 10. Thus, when the smoke
generator 10 is started, the heating rod 52 generates heat
energy.
[0027] The instantaneous heater 50 further includes a flow guiding
member 62 mounted around the heating rod 52. The flow guiding
member 62 is a helical compression spring in this embodiment. The
flow guiding member 62 includes an outer periphery 62A and an inner
periphery 62B. The inner periphery 62B of the flow guiding member
62 abuts the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52.
[0028] The instantaneous heater 50 further includes an outer tube
64 mounted around the flow guiding member 62. A longitudinal length
of the outer tube 64 is smaller than a longitudinal length of the
heating rod 52. The outer tube 64 includes a first end 66 facing
the first section 54 of the heating rod 52 and a second end 68
facing the second section 56 of the heating rod 52. The outer tube
64 further includes an inner periphery 70 extending from the first
end 66 through the second end 68 of the outer tube 64. The inner
periphery 70 of the outer tube 64 defines a chamber 72 having an
inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the heating rod 52.
The first end 66 of the outer tube 64 is substantially flush with
an end face of the first section 54 of the heating rod 52. The flow
guiding member 62 is received in the chamber 72 of the outer tube
64. The outer periphery 62A of the flow guiding member 62 abuts the
inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64.
[0029] The instantaneous heater 50 further includes an end cap 74
sealing mounted to the first end 66 of the outer tube 64. The end
cap 74 includes a compartment 74A defined in an end face thereof.
The compartment 74A includes a bottom wall having an abutment face
75. The end cap 74 further includes a plurality of guiding grooves
76 defined in the abutment face 75. The end cap 74 further includes
an outlet 78 extending from an outer face of the end cap 74 through
the abutment face 75. The end cap 74 is mounted around the first
end 66 of the outer tube 64 and covers the first section 54 of the
heating rod 52. The peripheral edge of the end cap 74. and the
outer periphery of the outer tube 64 are sealed by welding. The end
face of the first section 54 of the heating rod 52 abuts the
abutment face 75 of the end cap 74. Thus, each guiding groove 76
intercommunicates with the heating passage 71.
[0030] The instantaneous heater 50 further includes a connection
cap 80 sealingly mounted around the second end 68 of the outer tube
64. The connection cap 80 includes a first part 82 and a second
part 84 having an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of
the first part 82. The connection cap 80 further includes a space
85 extending from the first part 82 through the second part 84. The
space 85 receives the second end 68 of the outer tube 64 and the
heating rod 52. A stepped portion 86 is formed in the space 85 at
an intersection between the first part 82 and the second part 84.
The connection cap 80 further includes a coupling hole 88 extending
from an outer periphery of the second part 84 to the space 85. A
first end of a guiding tube 90 is coupled to the coupling hole 88
of the connection cap 80 by welding. A locking member 92 is mounted
to a second end of the guiding tube 90. The connection cap 80 is
mounted around the second end 68 of the outer tube 64. The second
end 68 of the outer tube 64 abuts the stepped portion 86. The
second section 56 of the heating rod 52 extends out of the second
part 84 of the connection cap 80. The outer periphery 58 of the
heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64, the
flow guiding member 62, the end cap 74, and the connection cap 80
together define a beating passage 71 in a space between the heating
rod 52 and the outer tube 64. The heating passage 71 is helical.
The heating passage 71 intercommunicates with the outlet 78 of the
end, cap 74 and the coupling hole 88 of the connection cap 80.
[0031] The outer tube 64 is held in the insertion groove 36 of the
holder 34 in the first compartment 30 of the casing 20. The locking
member 92 of the guiding tube 90 is coupled to the first coupler 42
of the pump 40. Thus, the second end of the guiding tube 90 is
connected to the oil tank 38 of the smoke generator 10 via the pump
40 and the pipe 46. A first temperature sensor 96 and a holder 111
are fixed to each other and together clamp the outer periphery of
the outer tube 64 at a location adjacent to the second end 68. A
second temperature sensor 98 and another holder 111 are fixed to
each other and together clamp the outer periphery of the outer tube
64 at a location adjacent to the first end 66. The first and second
temperature sensors 96 and 98 cooperate with each other to control
the temperature of the heating rod 52. Furthermore, a housing 94 is
mounted outside of the casing 20 of the smoke generator 10 to seal
the first and second compartments 30 and 32.
[0032] In use, after the smoke generator 10 has been started, the
heating rod 52 begins to generate heat, and the pump 40 starts to
operate to pump the oil in the oil tank 38 through the pipe 46 and
the guiding tube 90 to the heating passage 71 of the instantaneous
heater 50. Since the heating passage 71 is helical, the oil
entering the heating passage 71 must move windingly from the second
end 68 towards the first end 66 of the outer tube 64. Thus, the oil
moving along the heating passage 71 has sufficient time for heating
and vaporization into smoke by the heating rod 52. The smoke moves
through the guiding grooves 76 of the end cap 74 and is ejected
outwards via the outlet 78. Thus, the smoke can be ejected to the
outside via the holes in the cap 48.
[0033] FIGS. 5-7 show an instantaneous heater 50 of a second
embodiment. In the second embodiment, the instantaneous heater 50
does not include the flow guiding member 62. Furthermore, the wall
of the outer tube 64 is helical. Namely, the inner periphery 70 of
the outer tube 64 is helical. Specifically, the inner periphery 70
of the outer tube 64 includes a helical crest 70A abutting the
outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52. The inner periphery 70 of
the outer tube 64 further includes a helical root 70B spaced from
the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52. Thus, the outer
periphery 58 of the heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the
outer tube 64, the end cap 74, and the connection cap 80 together
define a helical heating passage 71. As a result, the oil entering
the heating passage 71 has to move windingly from the second end 68
towards the first end 66 of the outer tube 64, such that the oil
has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into smoke by the
heating rod 52.
[0034] FIGS. 8-10 show an instantaneous heater 50 of a third
embodiment. The third embodiment does not include the flow guiding
member 62. Furthermore, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod
52 is helical. Specifically, the outer periphery 58 of the heating
rod 52 includes a helical crest 58A abutting the inner periphery 70
of the outer tube 64. The outer periphery 58 of the heating rod 52
further includes a helical root 58B spaced from the inner periphery
70 of the outer tube 64. Thus, the outer periphery 58 of the
heating rod 52, the inner periphery 70 of the outer tube 64, the
end cap 74, and the connection cap 80 together define a helical
heating passage 71. As a result, the oil entering the heating
passage 71 has to move windingly from the second end 68 towards the
first end 66 of the outer tube 64, such that the oil has sufficient
time for heating and vaporization into smoke by the heating rod
52.
[0035] The instantaneous heater 50 directly uses the heating rod 52
to heat and vaporize the oil into smoke without using any heat
accumulator or heat conducting device. Thus, the heating rate can
be increased, because the time for accumulating heat for preheating
purposes in the conventional device is not required. Furthermore,
heat accumulation for maintaining the temperature is not required
during standby, such that undesired heat loss and undesired waste
in electricity are avoided, saving the electricity. Furthermore,
the time for preheating of the smoke generator 10 is greatly
reduced, because the heating rod 52 directly heats the oil. Since
the time of preheating is relatively short, when the smoke
generator 10 is in the standby state, temperature maintaining and
the material therefor are not required. Thus, the standby
temperature of the smoke generator 10 can be greatly reduced while
greatly reducing the interior space of the smoke generator 10.
Thus, the overall volume of the smoke generator 10 can be greatly
reduced to permit more flexibility in appearance design while
reducing the material costs. Furthermore, the damage possibility of
the electronic components of the smoke generator 10 can be reduced.
The material costs can be further cut, because the material for
maintaining temperature is not required.
[0036] In view of the foregoing, the smoke generator 10
continuously outputs the smoke, greatly reduces the manufacturing
costs, reduces the volume of the smoke generator 10, permits more
flexibility appearance deign, reduces the temperature during
standby, and reduces the electricity consumption by more than 50%
to provide an electricity saving effect.
[0037] Now that the basic teachings of the present invention have
been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to
one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the flow guiding
member 62 of the instantaneous heater 50 of the first embodiment
can be non-helical. Namely, the flow guiding member 62 is used to
define the windingly heating passage 71, such that the distance the
oil has to move through is more than the longitudinal length of the
outer tube 64 to provide the oil with sufficient time for heating
and vaporization. Thus, the flow guiding member 62 can be
configured to make the oil move windingly in the heating passage
71. Alternatively, the helical crest 70B of the inner periphery 70
of the outer tube 64 of the instantaneous heater 50 of the second
embodiment can be non-helical. For example, the inner periphery 70
of the outer tube 64 can include a plurality of non-rectilinear
protrusions to make the oil move windingly along the heating
passage 71. Alternatively, the helical crest 58B of the outer
periphery 58 of the heating rod 52 of the third embodiment can be
non-helical. For example, the outer periphery 58 of the heating rod
52 can include non-rectilinear grooves to make the oil move
windingly along the heating passage 71. In these arrangements, the
oil has sufficient time for heating and vaporization into
smoke.
[0038] Furthermore, the heating passage 71 can be non-helical. For
example, the heating passage 71 can be small channels having
annular cross sections, and the inner diameter of the outlet 78 is
reduced. In this case, a larger pressure is required to move the
air in the heating passage 71 through the outlet 78 into the
heating passage 71, and the oil takes a longer time to reach the
outlet 78. Thus, the oil has sufficient time for heating and
vaporization into smoke.
[0039] Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may
be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the
spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have
been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be
considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The
scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *