Patent Publication Number: US-10309599-B2

Title: Modulated resonator generating a simulated flame

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of PCT patent application no. PCT/US2017/036862, having an international filing date of Jun. 9, 2017 and claiming the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/179,706, filed on Jun. 10, 2016 and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,568,157 on Feb. 14, 2017; and this application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/555,051 filed on Sep. 7, 2017 and to U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/554,419, filed on Sep. 5, 2017; the entirety of all applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure is generally directed to the creation of an imitation flame for use in non-flammable candles as well as numerous other applications. 
     Background 
     Simulated flames in candles are desirable for use in enclosed spaces where a real flame is undesirable, impractical or not permitted. There are different ways to generate simulated flames, and some simulated flames are more realistic than others. Creating a cost effective and compact simulated flame is desirable for many applications in both homes and commercial environments. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus having a transducer configured to transduce and modulate a liquid to form a simulated flame. The transducer may be a piezoelectric transducer driven by a modulated drive signal such that a liquid transduces to a mist/aerosol, such that the transducer controls (or varies) and shapes the mist to create a vapor plume. Use of a nozzle/manifold a certain distance above the transducer may shape the mist as well. The plume is illuminated by a colored light source to generate the simulated flame. A wick or a dispenser may be one means of presenting the liquid to the transducer. Controlling the droplet size presented to the transducer may shape the size, dimension of the plume. The transducer may have multiple transducer openings, angled or straight perforations, notches, and/or impressions to shape the plume and create the effect of a dancing flame. 
     An exemplary artificial flame apparatus utilizes a mist plume that is illuminated by a light source to imitate a flame. In an exemplary embodiment, the mist exits a housing around an artificial wick. The artificial wick may be shaped like a conventional wick or have a flame shape, such as a silhouette of a flame. The artificial wick may comprise a light source such as a light emitting diode, fiber optics or light tubes, for example. An exemplary artificial wick comprises a plurality of individual light sources or elements, such as LEDs, fiber optics or light tubes that are configured to imitate a wick of a candle and/or a flame. A plurality of fiber optics or light tubes may be spiraled about each other for example and an individual light source may emit a different color light from one of the other light sources. In addition, the light intensity or color may change to produce a more realistic artificial flame appearance. A light source may also be configured in proximity to the mist plume, such as around the base of the mist outlet and may project light onto the exiting mist and/or onto the artificial wick. The light emitted by the light source may be a colored light and may change color and/or intensity to produce a more realistic artificial flame. 
     The mist of an exemplary artificial flame apparatus is produced by a transducer, such as an ultrasonic transducer having a transducer surface that produces vibrations, such as ultrasonic vibrations that create a mist when in contact with liquid. An exemplary transducer may be a piezoelectric transducer. The liquid from a liquid reservoir within the housing may be in contact with the transducer surface directly, via a porous wick or via droplets that impinge on the transducer surface. A portion of the transducer, such as the transducer surface may be in direct contact with the liquid within the liquid reservoir, whereby the transducer surface may be submerged in the liquid. A wick, such as a porous wick, may transport liquid from the liquid reservoir to the transducer surface through capillary forces. A pump or gravity feed apparatus may present liquid from the liquid reservoir to the transducer surface and may produce droplets that fall onto the transducer surface, which may more effectively control the variation in the production of mist. 
     The rate of mist exiting the housing may be varied to change the size, shape or height of the mist plume to produce a more realistic looking artificial flame. An oscillator device may be utilized to change the rate of flow of the mist from the housing. An exemplary oscillator comprises an air-moving device, such as a fan, that forces the mist from the housing or mist reservoir. The air-moving device may change the airflow rate, or a valve may be configured to modulate that rate of airflow and thereby change the flow rate of mist exiting the housing. An air-moving device may produce a flow of air that travels through an airflow conduit and then through inlet ports into the mist reservoir. An exemplary oscillator device is a sonic device that produces sound waves and associated sound or acoustic pressure that pushes the mist from the housing. A sonic device or a sound-wave generator may generate sound waves with a sound wave frequency or varying sound wave frequencies. The sound-wave generator may be configured with a standing wave tube having one or more enclosure openings, whereby the rate of mist exiting the one or more enclosure openings may be expelled through the enclosure openings as a function of the standing wave frequency and/or magnitude. An exemplary enclosure, such as a tube, standing wave tube, or Ruben&#39;s tube, may be configured proximal to the artificial wick and may have a plurality of enclosure openings to produce a plurality of individual mist plumes. In an exemplary embodiment, a standing wave tube is configured around a portion of the artificial wick and may comprise a toroid shaped enclosure that extends around the artificial wick proximal to the mist outlet. The toroid shaped enclosure may have a plurality of enclosure openings around the outer perimeter of the artificial wick. The sound-wave generator of a standing wave tube may produce sound waves having a beat or rhythm or may produce random sound waves. A standing wave tube may be utilized in an artificial flame apparatus having a plurality of individual artificial wicks and flames, such as an artificial fire table or pit, log or fireplace configuration, and the standing wave may have a rhythm or beat, whereby the rate of flow of mist from the series of enclosure openings changes as a function of the standing wave, sound waves, and/or resultant associated sound or acoustic pressure. 
     A controller may control and vary the functions of the artificial flame apparatus including the power, frequency, waveform and/or rate of mist exiting the housing through one or more housing openings, and may control the transducer, the rate of liquid delivery to the transducer, the color or intensity of the light, the oscillator and the like. A controller may comprise a microprocessor and/or a control circuit. In an exemplary embodiment, a modulator produces a modulation signal that is used to change one or more of the features of the artificial flame apparatus, such as the intensity, color, rate of change of intensity and/or color of the light, and/or the rate of flow of mist from the housing. A modulator may control the transducer to produce mist and to control a variation of the rate of mist produced. A microprocessor may be configured to run a control program that includes a modulation program, thereby making the microprocessor a modulator. 
     Liquid within the liquid reservoir may comprise water and other agents such as aromatic agents to produce a mist having a scent. An aroma agent, such as a liquid or solid may be mixed directly with the liquid, such as water, in the liquid reservoir or may be placed in a pod whereby the aroma agent is slowly added to the liquid. 
     An exemplary artificial flame apparatus may be a single flame having a single artificial wick or may comprise a plurality of artificial wicks and flames. An artificial flame apparatus may be in the shape of a log or be configured in a fire table, fire pit or be an insert to a fire feature or fireplace. 
     The summary is provided as a general introduction to some of the disclosed embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments including variations and alternative configurations of the disclosed embodiments are provided herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates alternative resonator designs having different transducer opening sizes. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates alternative resonator designs having multiple transducer openings. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates alternative nozzle designs. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a representative waveform diagram(s) depicting a drive signal from the control circuit to modulate the resonator. 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate different simulated flames that are generated by various embodiments of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8-11  illustrate an apparatus and method of dispensing droplets of a fluid on a transducer to create a mist plume. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an insert comprised of multiple embodiments. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an imitation log for receiving the insert. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another embodiment of an insert; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  show embodiments helical and tiered artificial wicks, and include intertwined or braided light sources, or fiber optic cables of varying colors, or LED lights/tubes. 
         FIG. 17  shows another embodiment including a liquid reservoir and pump. 
         FIG. 18  shows a diagram of an exemplary artificial flame apparatus comprising a liquid reservoir, a transducer to produce a mist, an oscillator to vary the rate of flow of the mist from the housing and a plurality of light sources configured to illuminate said mist exiting the housing. 
         FIG. 19  shows an exemplary oscillator comprising a standing wave tube  500 , also referred to as a Ruben&#39;s tube that is configured in a circular form around the artificial wick  11 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the Figures. The Figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Further, the Figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying Figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention. 
     The following description of exemplary embodiments provides information that enables a person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter set forth in the appended claims, but may omit certain details already well-known in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, to be taken as illustrative and not limiting. 
     The example embodiments may also be described herein with reference to spatial relationships between various elements or to the spatial orientation of various elements depicted in the attached drawings. In general, such relationships or orientation assume a frame of reference. However, as should be recognized by those skilled in the art, this frame of reference is merely a descriptive expedient rather than a strict prescription. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary artificial flame apparatus  16  comprises a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nebulizer forming a candle shown at  10 . The candle  10  is configured to generate a simulated candle flame by controllably and irregularly modulating liquid droplets at a varying power and/or frequency to create an aerosol or mist  12  about an artificial wick  11 , and then illuminating the vapor mist  12  to produce a flame-like effect. A nozzle  14  is utilized to produce a variety of effects. The liquid may be water, ethanol, essential oils, or any combination of liquids. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown an exploded perspective view of the candle  10 . Candle  10  comprises a reservoir  20  configured to hold a liquid, such as water. A porous wick structure  22  is concentrically positioned in the reservoir  20  and is configured to wick the liquid from the reservoir  20  and present the liquid to a transducer  106 , an ultrasonic resonator  24  as shown. The resonator  24  comprises a PZT piezoelectric ceramic ring resonator and steel membrane assembly that is positioned a distance DI above a top surface  26  of the wick structure  22 , and is the active resonant component transducing the liquid into aerosol  12  by means of ultrasonic vibration. 
     The resonator  24  is controlled by a control circuit  28  that provides a selectively controllable electrical modulated drive signal  30  to control variations in the shape and appearance of the generated aerosol  12 . The drive signal  30  may be pulsed, and generated at varying power levels, frequencies and waveshapes to variably control the transducing energy and produce a dancing flame-like effect, and such that it swirls, floats, or produces other selected shapes, such as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The mist directing/shaping nozzle  14 , shown as a cone, is configured to shape the aerosol vapor  12 . The nozzle  14  may be positioned directly on the top surface of the wick structure  22  and above the resonator  24 , but is preferably spaced a distance D 2  above the resonator  24 , and a distance DI+D 2  above the wick structure  22  such as using spacers. 
     The resonator  24  has at least one centrally located transducer opening  32  configured to allow the aerosol  12  to rise through the transducer opening  32 , and helps shape the aerosol vapor  12  such that is swirls, floats, or produces other selected shapes. At least one light source  34 , which may produce a colored light or be a colored light source, is configured to illuminate the aerosol  12  to create the appearance of a flame. The light source  34  may be a light emitting diode (LED) source, integrated fiber optic light source, and is internal to the candle  10  such as shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . Color filters  36  may be used as well. The light source  34  may also comprise a polymer optical filter that provides light to image the aerosol  12 . The colors may vary from the blues, yellows, oranges, and red, thereby emulating the varying colors of a flame, and may be intermittent, flicker, travel, or change colors. The light source  34  may be configured to illuminate the mist from below, or the candle artificial wick  11  may provide the light source from within the mist, i.e. the candle artificial wick would be encapsulated within the mist. The candle artificial wick  11  may have different shapes i.e. helical, tiered, and include intertwined or braided fiber optic cables of varying colors that may travel along the cables, or LED lights/tubes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , exemplary transducers  106  may consist of a certain shape, dimension, material type, impressions, perforations, notches, etc. resulting in shaping the liquid into mist/aerosol with flame-like characteristics. The transducer may be comprised of a metal plate, or a ceramic element/material of suitable composition, electrode patterns, such as solid, wrap-around, side-tab, insulation band, bull&#39;s-eye, tolerances such as, capacitance, d33 value, Frequency, voltage, shape, size, surface finish, shaping process and/or post-processing, specific patterns or alternative electrode materials including, but not limited to, nickel or gold. The resonator  24  may have larger and/or shaped transducer openings  32 , such as shown as resonator  40  and resonator  42  in  FIG. 3 , or have a plurality of transducer openings  32  as shown with resonators  44 ,  46  and  48  in  FIG. 4 . The different transducer opening(s) designs provide varying dielectric resonator responses and resultant aero vapor shapes to produce a different actual flame-like appearance. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the nozzle  14 , or manifold, may have other shapes/sizes, such as shorter cone nozzle  50 , or taller cone nozzle  52 , or be configured as a spiral nozzle  54 . The various nozzles  14  help shape the aerosol, and also control the height and variations in the height of the aerosol  12 . The nozzle  14  can be created via fast 3-D printing techniques, enabling a variety of aerosol  12  shapes. A cone shaped nozzle may be preferred as it may shape the exiting mist to resemble a flame. 
       FIG. 6  shows an example drive signal  108  delivered to the transducer  106  to create and control variations in the mist plume  12 . The drive signal  108  may be a digital signal or an analog signal. Variations in amplitude and frequency of the signal may create variations in the mist plume  12 . 
     Various illuminated aerosol vapors that can be created are shown in  FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 7C . 
     An alternative embodiment of this disclosure is shown in  FIGS. 8-17 . This embodiment creates a realistic multiuse, multiplatform flame technology. This embodiment includes fireplace units that are fully integrated and can be incorporated into any sized opening or manufacturer&#39;s firebox, along with any available log set on the market. This creates a realist looking, safe alternative to fire. 
     One illustrative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 8-11  comprises an imitation flame generator  100  that includes realistic vapor flame technology (RVFT) utilizing variable evaporating droplet technology (VEDT). This generator  100  comprises a liquid dispenser  102  configured to dispense liquid droplets  104  onto a piezoelectric transducer  106 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The dispenser  102  can take many forms, and may include a fluid reservoir, or may receive fluid via a conduit feeding one or more openings. The transducer  106  is driven by a modulated resonating drive signal  108  generated by a modulator  110 . The modulator  110  may be comprised of a Class E inverter and/or a piezoelectric transformer. The dispenser  102  may be comprised of devices and/or effects such as capillary effect, use of solenoid valves, a cavitation process tubes, pumps, wicking effect, and/or the implementation of fluidic technology such as switches, amplifiers, oscillators, and the like, that control the specific droplet size being dispensed onto the transducer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the droplet  104  impinges upon transducer  106  to disperse, like a splash as shown at  112 . The droplets  104  may be of different sizes and be intermittently disposed/placed on certain/key places on the transducer  106  by the dispenser. The mist changes shape and size as a function of the varying size/shape of the droplets being dispensed to the transducer. 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the modulated transducer  106  causes the dispersed droplet  112  to transduce and form a mist/aerosol  114  that rises from the transducer  106 . The varying energy of drive signal  108  delivered to the transducer  106  causes the mist  114  to transform into a vapor plume  116 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Varying energy of the drive signal  108 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , to the transducer  106  results in the liquid being atomized/nebulized at different mist/aerosol droplet sizes. The drive signal which may be generated by the modulator may produce a drive signal with irregular varying frequencies, irregular power, pulse width modulation ratios and the like. This variation in mist/aerosol droplet sizes results in varying heights, shapes/sizes of the plume  116 . This modulation of energy to the transducer  106 , varying liquid droplet sizes onto the transducer  106 , and/or the resultant varying mist/aerosol droplet sizes cause the vapor plume  116  to move up and down, emulating the dancing effect of a real flame. This is the resultant of the vapor-resonator interface. 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the resonant frequency of the drive signal  108  of the modulated transducer  106  is a driving signal of 28.52 kHz, at an operating power about 20 Watts. In other embodiments the frequency may be about 100 kHz. The diameter of the transducer  106  is 26 mm (about 1 inch). What creates the flame effect is the generated irregular, ultrasonic wave that spreads upwards from the modulated transducer. This works brilliantly for candles. Essential oils can be added to the liquid and diffused for scented candles—opening a market of proprietary products. 
     The transducer  106  arrangements can be one of a number of types, such as a piezoelectric transducer creating a high frequency mechanical oscillation just below the surface of a source of water, such that an ultrasonic vibration turns the liquid into mist. The dispensed fluid, such as water, may be dispersed as onto the modulated transducer  106  to take advantage of gravity. The droplets may be a substantially consistent size or inconsistent size. The water may be injected onto the transducer  106  using an injector, and the water may be a standing liquid residing in a basin. The fluid can be transported, dropped, placed, pushed onto, through transducer  106  in many fashions. The implementation of capillary effect, use of solenoids, tubes, pumps, wicking effect, and/or the implementation of fluidic technology such as switches, amplifiers, oscillators, and the like, may be utilized to effectively transport liquid and/or create plume motion and support functions that may allow for the movement of specific sized droplets of liquid onto the transducer. Liquid may be injected, pumped, pressurized onto the transducer  106 . A fluidic switch and/or a solenoid valve may be utilized to effectively create and move specific sized droplets of liquid for movement and release onto the transducer  106 . A system of fluid supply channels through a solenoid valve, and/or a cavitation process, may provide random plume sizes as droplets are intermittently delivered onto the transducer to create various flame heights to mimic a real flame. Integrated circuitry may allow random frequency/power modulation of the transducer. Variable droplet size may be achieved through a fluidic valve delivery system or through a modulated pump system disseminating fluid onto the transducer in several fashions including, but not limited to, dropping via gravity, pushing or pumping, capillary effect, injecting and the like. The liquid may be brought into contact from below, the side, and/or the center onto the transducer. 
     One embodiment comprises a fireplace insert  120  as shown in  FIG. 12 , where several transducers  106  may be lined up in a varying tiered offset radius pattern, with random droplet sizes being dispensed onto the transducers  106  at different intervals, creating a realistic dancing vapor flame. The insert  120  may be positioned in a recess  122  of a carved log  124  such as shown in  FIG. 13 . An artificial fire log or artificial flame configured with a log or log shaped housing may comprise a Ruben&#39;s tube having a transducer that creates sound waves that vary the shape, size and/or height of the flame from the individual enclosure openings, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  of provisional patent application No. 62/554,419; incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIG. 14  shows an insert  126  having linearly arranged transducers  106 . The dispensers  102  comprise nozzles fed by a conduit  130 , which conduit  130  is fed by a liquid such as water from the fluid reservoir. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show embodiments of helical and tiered artificial wicks, and include intertwined or braided light sources, or fiber optic cables of varying colors, or LED lights/tubes. Light sources  34  may be arranged in a tiered configuration with a transducer  106  at each tier. The light sources  34  may be shaped to create an artificial wick  11  that may simulate the shape of a flame or a wick. 
       FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of a candle at  200 , shown to include a body  202 , liquid reservoir  204 , pump motor  206 , liquid delivery conduit  208 , resonator  210 , control circuit  212 , electrical conductors  214  providing a modulated drive signal, artificial wick  216 , and vapor plume  218 . Similar to the previous embodiments, the pump  206  delivers liquid in constant or varying droplet sizes from reservoir  204  via vertically extending conduit  208  to proximate the resonator  210 . The resonator  210  modulates the presented liquid to create the vapor plume  218 , wherein varying the power and/or waveform of the modulated control signal generated by control circuit  212  causes the vapor plume  218  to shape. The pump motor  206  may deliver liquid in varying droplet sizes causing the vapor plume  118  to shape. On or more light sources, such as a LED fibers), can be disposed in or about the artificial wick  216  to color the vapor plume  218  and resemble a flame. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , an exemplary artificial flame apparatus  16  comprises a liquid reservoir  20 , transducers  106  ( 106 ′) to produce a mist  114  that collects in the mist reservoir  412 . An oscillator  384  varies the rate of flow of the mist from the housing  202  such that the vapor plume  218  of mist changes shape or height. The oscillator  384 , which may produce waves, pressure gradients and/or vibrations, may cause the flow of the mist to pulsate, swirl, etc., producing a dancing-flame effect to the resultant vapor plume. A light source  34  may be configured to illuminate the vapor plume  218  or vapor mist  12  exiting the housing around the artificial wick  11  and may also illuminate the artificial wick  11 . The artificial wick  11  may comprise the light source  34  and may comprise a fiber optic  37  or light tube  38 , for example. As described herein, the fiber optic or light tube may be configured to look like a wick or flame and/or a plurality of light sources, such as fiber optics or light tubes may be twisted about each other, such as spiral wrapped, tiered, helical, braided etc. The light emitted by the light source may be a colored light and may change color and/or intensity to produce a more realistic artificial flame. A portion of the fiber optic or light tube may be colored, and a portion may be translucent or transparent to allow the light to emit therefrom. The cover nozzle  14  may be of various shapes to channel and shape the vaporized mist generated from the resonator  106  as it exits the housing  202 . A light source, such as a ring of light  66 , may be configured proximal to the enclosure opening  504  or at the nozzle exit and this light source may produce a colored light such as white, blue, red, orange, yellow, etc., to reflect and illuminate the mist and vapor plume  218 , and/or an artificial wick  11 . The light emitted by the light source may be a colored light and may change color and/or intensity to produce a more realistic artificial flame. One or more light sources, such as fiber optic cables and/or filaments, LED fiber(s), can be disposed in or about the artificial wick  11  to color the vapor plume  218  to resemble a flame. The artificial wick, or a portion thereof, may also be colored to resemble a burnt candle wick. The wick may be helical, tiered, shaped, molded, and may include intertwined or braided light sources such as fiber optic cables of varying colors, or LED lights/tubes. 
     An air-moving device  388 , such as a fan, may produce a flow of air, as indicated by the bold arrows that forces the mist  114  from the housing. Power to the fan may be modulated to control a flow of air to further shape and control the mist plume. As shown, the air-moving device produces a flow of air that travels through flow conduits  389  and then through inlets  408  into the mist reservoir  412  to force the mist  114  out of the housing  202 . A splash guard  432  may be configured to prevent large droplets of liquid from entering and/or exiting the housing through the nozzle  14 . The splash guard may prevent condensation droplets from dropping onto the transducer. The air-moving device may be controlled by a controller  27  having a control circuit  28  and a modulator  110  that changes air-moving device output, which may change the flow rate of the airflow and subsequently the rate of mist exiting the housing. A modulator may also regulate the transducers to vary the rate of mist production, as a function of a controller. A modulator may also control the light emitted by the light source by changing colors and/or intensity to produce a more realistic artificial flame. A shaping nozzle  512  may be configured to shape the mist as it exits the housing to form a flame shaped vapor plume  218 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , there are two representative transducers  106  and  106 ′. The first transducer  106 ′, is located outside the liquid reservoir  20  and comes in contact with liquid  71  from the liquid reservoir via a porous wick structure  22  that draws liquid from the liquid reservoir via capillary forces to the transducer surface  26 ′. A second representative transducer  106  is located within the liquid reservoir  20 . The transducer surface  26  of the transducer  106 , or mist producing surface, is in direct contact with the liquid of the liquid reservoir. An exemplary artificial flame apparatus  16  may comprise one transducer or a plurality of transducers. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , a pod  370  is configured to retain an agent or plurality of agents, such as an aroma agent  371  that mixes with the liquid in the liquid reservoir to produce a mist having a fragrance or scent. 
     The vapor mist  12 , or vapor plume  218  produced by the exemplary artificial flame apparatus  16  may be configured to oscillate or change shape, size or height to mimic a real flame that moves, dances, and changes shape. An oscillator  384  may create sound waves, vibrations, or pressure gradients that force the mist  114  from the housing  202  at a variable rate, thereby creating a changing plume. An oscillator may produce sound waves, sound pressure or acoustical pressure, and may be configured with a standing wave tube  500 , also referred to as a Ruben&#39;s tube. An oscillator may be used to create waveforms controlling properties such as amplitude, frequency, rise time, time interval, distortion and others. Mist  114  may enter an inlet  502  to enclosure  501  of the standing wave tube and a sound wave generator  506  may create sound waves/sound pressure that travel along the enclosure  501  forcing the mist out of enclosure openings  504  in the enclosure  501 . The mist may be expelled from the enclosure openings as a function of the sound wave, or sound pressure, whereby it may change at a rhythm or beat of the sound wave. The controller  27  and/or modulator  110  may control the sound generator  506  to produce a mist that moves to a particular beat or rhythm due to the controlled variation in the sound waves. This variation may be the product of an acoustical selection or creation, sound wave pattern creation, modulated sound wave pattern or may be random. The oscillator may be a surface acoustic device. 
     An exemplary artificial flame apparatus may comprise a power source  29 , such as a battery or rechargeable battery  19  or a wired power connection, such as a plug adapted to be plugged into an electrical outlet including a wall outlet or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) outlet/micro USB or similar manner. In an exemplary embodiment, a rechargeable battery is configured within the housing  202  of the artificial flame apparatus and is configured to be recharged through a USB connection. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , an exemplary oscillator  384  is a standing wave tube  500 , also referred to as a Ruben&#39;s tube that may be configured in a circular form, wherein the enclosure  501 , such as a tube, extends in an arc around the artificial wick  11 . The mist may enter the enclosure  501  through an inlet  502  and a sound generator, an oscillator  506 , may produce sound waves and sound pressure that forces the mist  114  from the enclosure opening  504 . As shown the enclosure extends around a portion of the artificial wick and the artificial wick comprises a light source  34 . A shaping nozzle  512  may be configured to shape the mist as it exits the housing to form a flame shaped vapor plume  218 . 
     Other uses of the apparatus as described herein, may include biological applications, not necessarily related to simulation of a realistic flame, pyrotechnics, fire pits, torches, car exhaust tubes, education, magic acts, special effects, military/law enforcement/first responders training, etc. This flame technology can be utilized in any application requiring the simulation/replication of a realistic flame. The appended claims set forth novel and inventive aspects of the subject matter described above, but the claims may also encompass additional subject matter not specifically recited in detail. For example, certain features, elements, or aspects may be omitted from the claims if not necessary to distinguish the novel and inventive features from what is already known to a person having ordinary skill in the art. Features, elements, and aspects described herein may also be combined or replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.