Abstract:
The present invention comprises an apparatus for flame production comprising: at least one power supply; at least one 120 volt power inverter; at least one main operation control; at least one 24 volt transformer; at least one ignition flame sensing control; at least one gas valve and tank; at least one ignition source; at least one flame pipe; and means for connecting all components.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/992,712 filed May 13, 2014, titled “Apparatus for Flame Production” and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to an apparatus for flame production, and more specifically, flame production on a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or element will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying figures. 
         [0004]    Apparatuses for producing flames in the exhaust pipes of vehicles are known in the prior art. US 20100307138 A1 entitled “Diesel Engine Exhaust Purifier” provides a system that is installed into the exhaust pipe of an automobile. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,508,478 entitled “Visible Flame Exhaust Pipe” simply provides a transparent exhaust pipe installed in the car&#39;s exhaust system so the combustion flames are visible as they exit the exhaust system. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,057 entitled “Combination Muffler and After Burner” provides an apparatus designed to reduce the quantity of unburned hydrocarbons in auto exhaust gases before being discharged into the atmosphere. The prior art device is a muffler and must be installed into the exhaust system of the automobile and must be connected to the electrical system of the automobile. 
         [0007]    The prior art apparatuses require extensive installation on the automobile, and in some cases, connecting directly to the gas line of the automobile. Additionally, the prior art apparatuses are only to be installed in the exhaust system of automobiles, thus limiting their use. 
         [0008]    The apparatus of the present invention comprises an ignition source and gas and/or liquid dispersion system disposed on or in a tube. A tank attached to the apparatus holds the gas and/or liquid and controls the flow of the gas and/or liquid. An external control panel allows the user to turn the ignition source on and off, as well as to control the flow of the gas and/or liquid thus creating flames. 
         [0009]    The ignition source is chosen from the group comprising, including, but not limited to, glow plugs, hot surface igniters, and/or electronic igniters. 
         [0010]    Glow plugs are well-known in the prior art and are typically used in compression-ignition-type internal combustion engines, such as diesel engines. Diesel engines do not use spark plugs to induce combustion, as do gasoline engines, but instead, diesel engines rely solely on compression to raise the temperature of the air whereby the diesel will combust spontaneously when introduced to the hot high pressure air. Glow plugs aid in the starting of diesel engines, especially in cold weather, by heating up the air in the combustion chamber so that self-combustion is possible. 
         [0011]    Glow plugs, when electrified, create heat by electrical resistance and emit light in the visible spectrum. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention comprises an apparatus for flame production comprising: at least one power supply; at least one 120 volt power inverter; at least one main operation control; at least one 24 volt transformer; at least one ignition flame sensing control; at least one gas valve and tank; at least one ignition source; at least one flame pipe; and means for connecting all components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described herein. The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring the present invention, some well-known system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. 
         [0016]    The figures illustrating embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures. 
         [0017]    The same numbers are used in all the drawing figures to relate to the same elements. The embodiments have been numbered first embodiment, second embodiment, etc. as a matter of descriptive convenience and are not intended to have any other significance or provide limitations for the present invention. 
         [0018]    For expository purposes, the term “horizontal” as used herein is defined as a plane parallel to the plane or surface of the apparatus of the present invention, regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as just defined. Terms, such as “above”, “below”, “bottom”, “top”, “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher”, “lower”, “upper”, “over”, and “under”, are defined with respect to the horizontal plane, as shown in the figures. The term “on” means that there is direct contact among elements. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of flame production system  100 . Main power supply  107  is connected to the 120 volt power inverter  103  through connection  112 . Main operation control  106  is connected to 120 volt power inverter  103  through connection  113 . 120 volt power inverter  103  is connected to 24 volt transformers  105  and  105 ′ through connections  115  and  115 ′, respectively. 24 volt transformers  105  and  105 ′ are connected to ignition flame sensing controls  104  and  104 ′ through connections  111  and  111 ′, respectively. Ignition flame sensing controls  104  and  104 ′ are connected to gas valves and tanks  102  and  102 ′ through connections  108  and  108 ′, respectively, and flame pipes  101  and  101 ′ through connections  109  and  109 ′, respectively. Gas vales and tanks  102  and  102 ′ are connected to flame pipes  101  and  101 ′ through connections  110  and  110 ′, respectively. Box  114  represents the enclosure around the various components. 
         [0020]    Main power supply  107  is any source of power capable of powering flame production system  100 . In the current embodiment, main power supply  107  provides direct current. Main operating control  106  comprises all operating controls for the user to turn the flame production system  100  on and off, as well as control the flow of gas and flames in the present invention. 120 volt power inverter  103  changes the electricity provided by main power supply  107  from direct to alternating current. 
         [0021]    24 volt transformers  105  and  105 ′ change the current from 120 volt power inverter  103  to 24 volts in order to power the current embodiment of the present invention. The voltage from the 24 volt transformers  105  and  105 ′ power the ignition flame sensing controls  104  and  104 ′. The ignition flame sensing controls  104  and  104 ′ detect the presence or non-presence of a flame in flame pipes  101  and  101 ′, respectively, and control the flow of gas and/or liquid contained in gas valves and tanks  102  and  102 ′, respectively. The gas and/or liquid flows through connections  110  and  110 ′ into flame pipes  101  and  101 ′, respectively. 
         [0022]    When a flame is detected by the ignition flame sensing controls  111  and  111 ′ in flame pipes  101  and  101 ′, respectively, or the ignition source is determined by the ignition flame sensing controls  111  and  111 ′ to be at the proper temperature to create the desired flame, gas valves and tanks  102  and  102 ′ release gas into flame pipes  101  and  101 ′, respectively. If not flame is detected in flame pipes  101  and/or  101 ′, no gas from gas valves and tanks  102  and  102 ′ is released. 
         [0023]    Flame pipes  101  and  101 ′ each comprise an ignition source disposed on or in the flame pipes  101  and  101 ′. Once the ignition source in flame pipes  100  and  100 ′ is activated, the flame production system  100  is ready to be operated and the flame pipes  100  and  100 ′ are ready to ignite the gas and/or liquid. 
         [0024]    The ignition source contained in flame pipes  101  and  101 ′ is chosen from the group comprising, including, but not limited to, glow plugs, hot surface igniters, and electronic igniters. 
         [0025]    In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, gas valves and tanks  102  and  102 ′ contain any combustible liquid or gas. 
         [0026]    The apparatus of the present invention comprises any number of flame pipes  101  and  101 ′. The tubes are such that they are mounted onto an automobile, specifically a pick-up truck, directly behind the cab and extending vertically. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installed horizontally under an automobile. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installed on a boat. 
         [0029]    In on embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is installed on any movable or immovable object, or may be operated independently. 
         [0030]    In all embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can be bolted-on to the automobile, boat, or other external device. 
         [0031]    The flame production system  100  is self-sustained and self-contained. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, a plurality of 120 volt power inverters, 24 volt transformers, ignition flame sensing controls, gas valves and tanks, and/or flame pipes  101  and  101 ′ are contained in the flame production system. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the flame production system  100  is controlled via Bluetooth or other wireless method of transmitting data. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention is wired directly to the electrical system of the automobile, boat, or other external device. 
         [0035]    An improvement of the present invention is that it is portable and inexpensive. An additional improvement of the present invention is that it is easy to install. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters previously set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.