Black smoke generator apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus for generating a black smoke signal is provided. The apparatus includes an acetylene burner assembly that further includes an acetylene delivery structure, a perforated burner head disposed at an end of the acetylene delivery structure, and an electric spark igniter disposed adjacent to the perforated burner head, so as to allow a flow of acetylene through the perforated burner head to be ignited. An acetylene flow control system provides acetylene at a rate that causes the acetylene to be partially combusted in atmospheric oxygen through the acetylene burner assembly, so as to generate black smoke.

1 . An apparatus for generating a black smoke signal comprising: 
 an acetylene burner assembly further comprising: 
 an acetylene delivery structure;  
 a perforated burner head disposed at an end of the acetylene delivery structure; and  
 an electric spark igniter disposed adjacent to the perforated burner head; and  
   an acetylene flow control system providing acetylene at a rate that causes the acetylene to be partially combusted in atmospheric oxygen through the acetylene burner assembly, so as to generate black smoke.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a shield disposed adjacent to the acetylene burner assembly for diverting radiant heat and protecting the acetylene burner assembly from wind.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a support coupled to the acetylene burner assembly for providing stabilization against projectile impact effects.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a projectile impact-resistant housing for holding an acetylene tank, the projectile impact-resistant housing capable of withstanding a direct hit from a practice projectile; and    an acetylene delivery system configured to be coupled to an acetylene tank contained within the projectile impact-resistant housing and the acetylene burner assembly.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the acetylene delivery system comprises a fuel hose having a first coupling at a first end that is adapted to be connected to an acetylene tank valve and a second coupling at a second end that is adapted to be coupled to the acetylene burner assembly.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a control unit generating arm control data or safety control data in response to operator-entered data, wherein the control unit causes the acetylene flow control system to turn on in response to the arm control data and to turn off in response to the safety control data.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a timer unit generating timer data; and    a control unit generating arm control data or safety control data in response to a user selection and the timer data, wherein the control unit causes the acetylene flow control system to turn on in response to the arm control data and to turn off in response to the safety control data.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 6  further comprising a regulator system coupled to the control unit, wherein the regulator system increases the flow of acetylene in response to the arm control data and decreases the flow of acetylene in response to the safety control data.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flame sensor disposed adjacent to the acetylene burner head assembly, the flame sensor generating an indication whenever a flame is present at the acetylene burner head assembly.  
   
   
       10 . A method for generating a black smoke signal comprising: 
 actuating an acetylene burner assembly further comprising: 
 providing acetylene to an acetylene delivery structure having a perforated burner head disposed at an end of the acetylene delivery structure; and  
 providing an electric spark through an igniter disposed adjacent to the perforated burner head; and  
   actuating an acetylene flow control system so as to provide acetylene at a rate that causes the acetylene to be partially combusted in atmospheric oxygen through the acetylene burner assembly, so as to generate black smoke.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing acetylene to the acetylene delivery structure having the perforated burner head disposed at the end of the acetylene delivery structure comprises providing acetylene to the acetylene delivery structure having the perforated burner head disposed at the end of the acetylene delivery structure in an area where projectiles may impact, wherein the end of the acetylene delivery structure is protected from projectile impact.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein providing acetylene to the acetylene delivery structure having the perforated burner head disposed at the end of the acetylene delivery structure comprises providing the acetylene from an impact resistant housing.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising ensuring that human personnel are not exposed to damaging levels of ultraviolet radiation generated at the perforated burner head.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising ensuring that human personnel are at a distance of greater than approximately 30 feet from the perforated burner head.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein actuating an acetylene burner assembly comprises actuating the acetylene burner assembly after a target in proximity to the acetylene burner assembly has been struck with a projectile.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the acetylene burner assembly is manually activated.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising detecting whether a flame is present using a flame detector disposed in the vicinity of the perforated burner head.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising generating a flame indicator for an operator.