System and Method for Generating Flame Effects

Abstract

A system and method for generating flame effects. The system includes an array of burner heads, each having an igniter configured to generate an ignition spark. The system also includes a reservoir of a high flash point liquid and a pump configured to draw the high flash point liquid from the reservoir and pump it to the array of burner heads under high pressure. A valve is arranged at each burner in the array of burner heads to control a flow of the high flash point liquid through each burner head. Also, a nozzle is arranged at each burner head to atomize the high flash point liquid before ignition. A sensor is arranged at each burner head to generate an ignition confirmation signal upon detecting the ignition spark at the igniter. Accordingly, a controller is configured to independently control each valve to restrict the flow of the high flash point liquid to the burner unless the ignition confirmation signal is received from the sensor monitoring the burner.

1 . A system for generating flame effects 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; and   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.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  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. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller is further configured to control each valve according to a predetermined pattern and only open a valve arranged at a particular burner head if the sensor monitoring the burner of the particular burner head is generating the ignition confirmation signal by sending a DMX-512 protocol signal to open the valve. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the burner includes a spark plug and wherein the sensor includes an optical sensor coupled to a relay configured to generate the ignition confirmation signal in response to a signal from the optical sensor indicating a spark generated by the spark plug. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the high flash point liquid includes Isopar G. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of a low pressure switch and a high pressure switch configured to at least one of remove power supplied to the burner heads and close a shut-off valve and open a relief valve simultaneously upon detecting an undesirable pressure condition between the reservoir and the array of burner heads. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  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. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one accumulator and wherein at least one accumulator and the reservoir include a flexible bladder. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the pump is configured to pump the high flash point liquid under a pressure of greater than 500 pounds per square inch (psi). 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the array of burner heads includes at least ten independently controllable burner heads. 
   
   
       11 . A system for generating flame effects comprising:
 a reservoir having a material stored therein having a high flash point in a liquid state and combustible when atomized;   a pump configured to move the material from the reservoir toward an expelling port;   at least one burner head disposed at the expelling port comprising:
 a nozzle configured to receive the material and at least one of atomize and vaporize the material; 
 a valve configured to restrict the material from passing through the nozzle; 
 an igniter configured to ignite the material as it passes from the nozzle to generate the flame effects; 
   a sensor configured to monitor the igniter to determine proper ignition of the burner; and   a controller configured to control the valve to restrict the material from passing from the nozzle if the sensor has not determined ignition of the burner.   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising an array of burner heads disposed at respective expelling ports and having respective valves configured to restrict the material from passing from respective nozzles, and wherein the controller is further configured to independently control the valves of each burner head in the array of burner heads; to restrict the material from passing from any nozzle where a respective sensor has not determined ignition of the burner. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the sensor includes at least one optical sensor configured to detect a luminescence increase indicative of burner ignition and relay configured to send an ignition confirmation signal to the controller indicating that the optical sensor has detected burner ignition. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the burner includes a spark plug, and wherein the optical sensor is configured to detect a luminescence increase within the expelling port caused by a spark generated by the spark plug. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a passage extending between the reservoir and the expelling port and at least one low pressure switch coupled to at least one valve disposed between the pump and the nozzle to restrict movement of the material from the reservoir to the expelling port upon detecting a low pressure condition in the passage and at least one high pressure switch coupled to at least one valve disposed between the pump and the nozzle to restrict movement of the material from the reservoir to the expelling port upon detecting a high pressure condition in the passage. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a plurality of isolation valves including at least one valve disposed proximate to the reservoir to restrict the material from passing therefrom. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  where in the material includes Isopar. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the pump is configured to push the material from the nozzle at a pressure of greater than 500 psi. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the sensor is configured to detect ultraviolet light to determine proper ignition of the burner. 
   
   
       20 . A method for generating flame effects comprising:
 pumping a high flash point liquid from a reservoir toward a plurality of nozzles configured to atomize the high flash point liquid before being passed by an igniter;   sparking an igniter associated with each of the plurality of nozzles according to a predetermined pattern to ignite the atomized high flash point liquid and generate the flame effects;   monitoring each igniter to confirm sparking of each igniter before expelling the atomized high flash point liquid according to the predetermined pattern; and   independently controlling valves located at each of the plurality of nozzles to only open a valve after sparking of the igniter has been confirmed.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising controlling the valves to generate the flame effects in compliance with a National Fire Protection Act (NFPA) 160 standard.