Particle smoke generator and method

Abstract

A particle smoke generator having a gas turbine for combusting air and fu and for discharging heated exhaust combustion gases. A venturi tube conveys the heated exhaust gases into a low-pressure region away from the combustion means. A supply of particulate smoke material is joined to a supply tube for conducting the particulate smoke material from the supply to the venturi tube. In the venturi tube the particulate smoke material is deagglomerated by the exhaust gases. The deagglomerated particles and gases are diffused in a diffuser nozzle to generate smoke in the atmosphere.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A particle smoke generator comprising: combustion means for combusting air and fuel, and for discharging heated exhaust combustion gases;   a supply of particulate smoke material;   exhaust means for conveying the heated exhaust gases along a low-pressure region away from the combustion means; and   means for conducting the particulate smoke material from said supply to said exhaust means for deagglomeration of said particulate smoke material by said exhaust gases.   
     
     
       2. The smoke generator of claim 1 wherein said combustion means is a gas turbine having an exhaust outlet means for discharging said heated exhaust gases into said exhaust means. 
     
     
       3. The smoke generator of claim 2 wherein said exhaust means includes a venturi tube. 
     
     
       4. The smoke generator of claim 3 wherein said venturi tube includes a hollow tube having an inlet portion in communication with said exhaust outlet means, a narrow throat in communication with said inlet portion, and a diffuser nozzle in communication with said throat. 
     
     
       5. The smoke generator of claim 4 wherein said means for conducting the particulate smoke material includes an outlet orifice mounted in said venturi tube at said throat. 
     
     
       6. The smoke generator of claim 5 wherein said diffuser nozzle is mounted at an angle with respect to said exhaust outlet means. 
     
     
       7. The smoke generator of claim 5 wherein said diffuser nozzle includes temperature control means for cooling said exhaust gases. 
     
     
       8. The smoke generator of claim 7 wherein said temperature control means includes means for drawing cool atmospheric air into said nozzle. 
     
     
       9. The smoke generator of claim 8 wherein said diffuser nozzle includes tapered walls extending from said throat and said temperature control means includes perforations formed in said tapered walls adjacent said throat. 
     
     
       10. The smoke generator of claim 4 further including a supply of liquid smoke material and means for conducting said liquid smoke material to said inlet portion. 
     
     
       11. A method of generating smoke comprising the steps of: combusting air and fuel to discharge heated exhaust combustion gases;   conveying the heated exhaust gases along a path through a low-pressure region;   conducting particulate smoke material to the low-pressure region for deagglomeration of said particulate smoke material by said heated exhaust gases; and   diffusing the particulate smoke material and gases into the atmosphere.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11 wherein said diffusing step includes cooling said deagglomerated particles. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 12 wherein said cooling step includes drawing cool air into said low-pressure region.