Patent Description:
This discussion is believed to help provide the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Entertainment venues, such as theme parks, amusement parks, theaters, movie theaters, stadiums, concert halls, and the like, have been created to provide guests with various immersive experiences. These entertainment venues may include show attractions (e.g., movies, plays, rides, games) that provide the guests with the immersive experiences. For example, a traditional show attraction may include a system configured to generate steam and output the steam (e.g., onto a stage or show platform) as an effect of the traditional show attraction. However, it is now recognized that traditional systems used for show attractions may output an undesirably large amount of liquid condensate instead of, or in addition to, the steam output, reducing a desired effect and/or increasing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost needed to remove the liquid condensate from various surfaces (e.g., of the stage or show platform). Further, certain traditional systems used for show attractions may include chemicals other than water to generate a vaporous fluid (e.g., synthetic steam) that leaves an undesirable chemical residue on various surfaces (e.g., of the stage or show platform), increasing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost needed to remove the chemical residue from the various surfaces. Accordingly, it is now recognized that improved steam generation and output componentry for show attractions are desired.

<CIT> discloses an example of a fluid dispersal device comprising an ultrasonic transducer system.

Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from embodiments set forth below.

The invention provides a steam effect nozzle for an entertainment venue according to claim <NUM> and a steam output system for an entertainment venue according to claim <NUM>.

The present disclosure relates generally to a show attraction of an entertainment venue and, more particularly, to a steam effect nozzle configured to output steam for the show attraction. For example, the present disclosure is directed to a steam effect nozzle that separates a liquid condensate of a fluid from a steam of the fluid, drains the liquid condensate, and outputs the steam into a show attraction space (e.g., above a stage or show platform).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam effect nozzle may include an inlet section configured to receive a fluid (e.g., having liquid condensate and steam) and a housing section coupled to the inlet section and configured to receive the fluid from the inlet section. The inlet section, for example, may be coupled to a pipe of a steam generation and transport assembly. The steam effect nozzle also includes one or more baffles disposed in the housing section and configured to coordinate to separate the liquid condensate of the fluid from the steam of the fluid by slowing fluid flow through the steam effect nozzle, which allows the liquid condensate to fall out of the fluid and be routed by gravity (e.g., toward a condensate outlet section) rather than pushed through the steam effect nozzle (e.g., toward a steam outlet section) along with the steam. For example, the baffles may be arranged to enable the steam to pass over a top of the baffles, relative to a gravity vector, and to cause the liquid condensate to fall downwardly toward a sloped lower surface of the housing section that gravity feeds the liquid condensate toward the condensate outlet section.

The condensate outlet section of the steam effect nozzle may be coupled to the housing section and configured to drain the liquid condensate therefrom. Further, the steam outlet section may be coupled to the housing section and configured to output the steam into a show attraction space, such as above a stage or show platform of the show attraction. That is, the show attraction space may be an environment external to the steam effect nozzle and viewable by an audience of the show attraction. Output of the steam from the steam effect nozzle may be controlled to coincide with various elements of the show attraction. For example, output of the steam from the steam effect nozzle may be controlled via a steam effect valve that is triggered by a controller to release the steam at a particular moment during the show attraction, such as from the mouth of a dragon that appears at a particular interval or moment of the show attraction. That is, the steam may simulate smoke being emitted from the mouth of the dragon, while other show effects (e.g., lighting effects) may be used to simulate fire being emitted by the mouth of the dragon. By reducing or eliminating liquid emission along with the steam, other devices, such as lighting, may be protected from damage or maintenance issues related to the liquid being expelled around the steam effect nozzle.

The housing section of the steam effect nozzle may include a geometry that promotes draining of the liquid condensate through the condensate outlet section. For example, when the steam effect nozzle is in an installed condition and/or in operation, the housing section may include a sloped lower surface that slopes downwardly toward the condensate outlet section and gravity feeds the liquid condensate toward the condensate outlet section. The term "lower" in sloped lower surface is intended to refer to a position and/or orientation of the sloped lower surface (relative to gravity) when the steam effect nozzle is in the installed condition and/or in operation.

Further, the baffles disposed in the housing section may be sized, shaped, and/or positioned to promote separation of the liquid condensate of the fluid from the steam of the fluid, and to guide of the liquid condensate toward the above-described sloped lower surface. For example, a first baffle may be disposed toward an upper area of the housing section (e.g., relative to the sloped lower surface) such that flow of the fluid in the upper area is separated into liquid condensate and steam, and a second baffle may be disposed toward a lower area of the housing section (e.g., relative to the sloped lower surface) such that flow of the fluid in the lower area is separated into liquid condensate and steam. Because the liquid condensate of the fluid may include a higher density than the steam of the fluid, the first and second baffles may block the liquid condensate from flowing toward and through the steam outlet section and guide the liquid condensate toward the above-described sloped lower surface. The relatively less dense steam of the fluid may travel around the first and second baffles toward and through the steam outlet section. The above-described steam effect valve may be controlled to increase a pressure of the fluid prior to the fluid entering the steam effect nozzle, where the increased pressure is used to convey the fluid through the steam effect nozzle and toward the steam outlet section of the steam effect nozzle.

Further, at least one baffle may be coupled to the above-described sloped lower surface (e.g., adjacent the steam outlet section of the steam effect nozzle) and may include a passage, such as a slot, therethrough. This baffle may be disposed, for example, adjacent an end wall of the housing section of the steam effect nozzle, where the end wall may be coupled to the steam outlet section of the steam effect nozzle. The passage through this baffle may enable any liquid condensate gathered between the baffle and the end wall of the housing section to travel from a first side of the baffle facing the end wall and the steam outlet section, through the passage, to a second side of the baffle facing the condensate outlet section, and along the sloped lower surface toward and into the condensate outlet section.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam effect nozzle may be configured to output steam formed only by heated water (e.g., where the water is heated via a boiler). Accordingly, the steam output by the steam effect nozzle does not leave an undesirable chemical residue on various surfaces (e.g., of a stage or show platform) receiving the steam output, thereby reducing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost relative to traditional embodiments employing chemicals other than water. Further, the above-described configuration of the steam effect nozzle, elaborated upon below with reference to the drawings, may reduce or negate an amount of liquid condensate (e.g., liquid water) output by the steam effect nozzle relative to traditional embodiments, thereby reducing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost required to remove the liquid condensate (e.g., liquid water) from various surfaces receiving the steam output. These and other features are described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Continuing with the drawings, <FIG> is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a steam output system <NUM> having a steam effect nozzle <NUM> coupled to a steam generation and transport assembly <NUM>. The steam output system <NUM> may be used in a show attraction to generate a steam output coordinated with the show attraction to give a desired effect to an audience of the show attraction. The steam generation and transport assembly <NUM> of the steam output system <NUM> may include a boiler <NUM>, a first steam separator <NUM>, a second steam separator <NUM>, a steam trap <NUM>, a cooling box <NUM>, and a steam effect valve <NUM>. The steam generation and transport assembly <NUM> also includes piping <NUM> disposed between the above-described components as illustrated in <FIG>. The boiler <NUM> may be configured to heat a liquid (e.g., water) to generate steam or a two-phase fluid having steam and liquid condensate.

The fluid output by the boiler <NUM> may be transported through the piping <NUM> toward a series of steam separators <NUM>, <NUM>. As the fluid travels through the piping <NUM>, pressure loss of the fluid may cause some of the steam of the fluid to condense into liquid condensate. The steam separators <NUM>, <NUM> may be employed to separate the steam and the liquid condensate, to pass the steam toward the steam effect valve <NUM> and the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, and to drain the liquid condensate toward the steam trap <NUM>. The steam trap <NUM> is configured to discharge the liquid condensate toward the cooling box <NUM>. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooling box <NUM> may direct the liquid condensate back to the boiler <NUM> for heating as described above. While the illustrated embodiment includes the first steam separator <NUM> and the second steam separator <NUM>, it should be noted that fewer or more steam separators may be used depending on the distance between the boiler <NUM> and the steam effect valve <NUM> or the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. Indeed, the boiler <NUM> may be disposed a sufficient distance from the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and a show space <NUM> (e.g., above a stage or show platform) receiving the steam effect from the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, such that heat associated with the boiler <NUM> does not substantially affect an environment in the show space <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more supplemental heaters (e.g., an electric heating coil or heat exchanger) may be disposed along the route (e.g., piping <NUM>) to maintain or boost temperature of the fluid and limit liquid production or separation.

The steam effect valve <NUM> of the steam generation and transport assembly <NUM> may be configured to selectively block a flow of the fluid through the piping <NUM> and toward the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, and to selectively enable the flow of the fluid toward the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. When the steam effect valve <NUM> selectively blocks the flow of the fluid toward the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, a pressure of the fluid may be increased. When the steam effect valve <NUM> selectively enables the flow of the fluid into the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, the increased pressure of the fluid may bias the fluid through the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and toward the show space <NUM>. The steam effect valve <NUM> may be controlled via a controller <NUM> that actuates the steam effect valve <NUM> to open or close the flow path through the piping <NUM> toward the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, as described above. The controller <NUM> may include a processor <NUM> and a memory <NUM>, where the memory <NUM> stores instructions thereon that, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the controller <NUM> to instruct the steam effect valve <NUM> to open or close the flow path through the piping <NUM> adjacent the steam effect nozzle <NUM> at certain intervals. For example, a schedule may be stored to the memory <NUM> of the controller <NUM>, and the controller <NUM> may be configured to instruct various components (e.g., the steam effect valve <NUM>, lighting effects) to actuate in response to various time periods or intervals in the schedule.

The controller <NUM> may selectively open the steam effect valve <NUM> to cause a flow of the fluid to the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, which outputs steam into the show space <NUM> (e.g., above a stage or show platform) to cause a steam effect coordinated (e.g., by the controller <NUM>) with elements of the show attraction. In an embodiment, the steam effect may be output from the steam effect nozzle <NUM> disposed in a mouth of a dragon to give the impression that the dragon is breathing smoke at a particular coordinated interval of the show attraction. Further, lighting or other effects may be controlled by the controller <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may control lights <NUM> to simulate fire emanating from the mouth of a dragon, and the controller <NUM> may control the steam effect valve <NUM> to simulate, via the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, smoke emanating from the mouth of the dragon. In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may instruct the steam effect valve <NUM> and the lights <NUM> to cause simulation of the fire and smoke at the same time and in response to a schedule stored to the memory <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. Further, the controller <NUM> may instruct the steam effect valve <NUM> at a first period of time or moment and the lights <NUM> at a second period of time or moment different than the first period of time or moment, again in response to a schedule stored to the memory <NUM> of the controller <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may instruct the lights <NUM> to simulate fire at a first moment. Then, the controller <NUM> may instruct the steam effect valve <NUM> to open at a second moment different than the first moment such that the fluid is passed to the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and smoke is simulated via the steam output of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. Other effects and componentry are also possible, including auditory componentry such as a speaker.

As will be appreciated in view of <FIG> below, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may include certain features that efficiently separate steam of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> from liquid condensate of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, and allow for the liquid condensate to be drained from the steam effect nozzle <NUM> such that the steam can be output by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> into the show space <NUM> without substantial entrained liquid. That is, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may be configured to output a "drier steam" than would otherwise be possible without the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. By removing liquid condensate and outputting a drier steam, the desired effect may be improved and/or time, maintenance, and/or cost associated with cleaning liquid condensate from surfaces defining the show space <NUM> may be reduced or negated between iterations of the show attraction employing the steam output system <NUM>.

<FIG> is perspective view of an embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> of <FIG> having a housing section <NUM> that forms an asymmetrical truncated cone. The steam effect nozzle <NUM> also includes an inlet section <NUM> coupled to a first end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, a steam outlet section <NUM> coupled to a second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, and a condensate outlet section <NUM> coupled to the housing section <NUM>. In an embodiment, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may not include the inlet section <NUM>, the steam outlet section <NUM>, and the condensate outlet section <NUM>, and instead may merely include inlet/outlet openings disposed directly in the housing section <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet section <NUM> may be configured to couple to, and receive a fluid from, the piping <NUM> of the steam generation and transport assembly <NUM> of <FIG> (e.g., downstream from the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>). The housing section <NUM> may guide and facilitate transport of portions of the fluid from the inlet section <NUM> toward the steam outlet section <NUM>, which is configured to output a steam of the fluid through a nozzle outlet <NUM> (e.g., formed in the steam outlet section <NUM>) of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and into the show space <NUM> (e.g., above a stage or show platform). In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may not include the steam outlet section <NUM>, and the nozzle outlet <NUM> may be formed directly in the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>. As described in detail below, the housing section <NUM>, and components internal to the housing section <NUM>, may be configured to separate the steam of the fluid received by the inlet section <NUM> from a liquid condensate of the fluid received by the inlet section <NUM>, and to guide the liquid condensate toward the condensate outlet section <NUM>.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, the housing section <NUM> includes a shape resembling an asymmetrical truncated cone. For example, the illustrated steam effect nozzle <NUM> is oriented (e.g., in an installed or operating condition) such that a portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> extending above (e.g., relative to a gravity vector <NUM>) an axis <NUM> through a center <NUM> of the steam outlet section <NUM> (along a general direction of flow) resembles a half of a cylinder. Further, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> is oriented such that an additional portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> extending below (e.g., relative to the gravity vector <NUM>) the axis <NUM> resembles a half of a truncated cone. Together, the portion <NUM> and the additional portion <NUM> form the above-described asymmetric truncated cone. Put differently, in the portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> above the axis <NUM>, a first radius <NUM> at the first end wall is substantially equal to a second radius <NUM> at the second end wall <NUM>, whereas in the additional portion <NUM> of the housing section below the axis <NUM>, a third radius <NUM> at the first end wall <NUM> is greater than a fourth radius <NUM> at the second end wall <NUM>. The difference between the third radius <NUM> and the fourth radius <NUM> may be enabled by a sloped lower surface <NUM> of the additional portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, which slopes downwardly from the second end wall <NUM> toward the first end wall <NUM> (e.g., to the condensate outlet section <NUM>). In other words, the second end wall <NUM> and the sloped lower surface <NUM> may form an obtuse angle <NUM> therebetween. The sloped lower surface <NUM> may be referred to as a "lower" surface in relation to its position relative to the gravity vector <NUM> when the steam effect nozzle <NUM> is in an installed (or operating) condition. In contrast, the illustrated embodiment includes an upper surface <NUM> that extends generally parallel to the axis <NUM>.

The orientation of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> relative to the gravity vector <NUM>, in addition to components internal to the housing section <NUM> and described in detail with reference to later drawings, may cause liquid condensate of the fluid received by the housing section <NUM> (e.g., via the inlet section <NUM>) to fall toward the sloped lower surface <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>. For example, flow of the relatively dense liquid condensate through the housing section <NUM> may be blocked by the components internal to the housing section <NUM> such that gravity causes the liquid condensate to fall toward the sloped lower surface <NUM>. Further, the sloped lower surface <NUM> may guide the liquid condensate (e.g., via gravity) toward the condensate outlet section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. Steam of the fluid received by the housing section <NUM> (e.g., via the inlet section <NUM>), which is less dense than the liquid condensate, may be biased by pressure exerted or enabled by the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The pressure may cause the steam, which is less dense than the liquid condensate, to travel around (e.g., over) the internal components in the housing section <NUM>, toward and through the nozzle outlet <NUM> formed in the steam outlet section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, and into the show space <NUM> (e.g., above a stage or show platform). By employing substantially straighter walls or surfaces in the upper portion <NUM> (e.g., via the cylindrical shape), the steam in the fluid (which will typically rise relative to liquid droplets) has a more direct path to the steam outlet section <NUM>, which may avoid or limit undesired condensation from being output by the steam outlet section <NUM> through the nozzle outlet <NUM>.

It should be noted that the housing section <NUM> may include a shape other than the above-described asymmetric truncated cone, such as a symmetric truncated cone, an oblique cylinder, or rectilinear shapes (e.g., rectilinear prisms). For example, <FIG> is a perspective view of an embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> of <FIG> having the housing section <NUM> forming a trapezoidal prism. In the illustrated embodiment, the housing section <NUM> includes the first end wall <NUM> forming a rectangular shape and the second end wall <NUM> forming another rectangular shape. The rectangular shape of the second end wall <NUM> is smaller than the rectangular shape of the first end wall <NUM>. The steam effect nozzle <NUM> includes the axis <NUM> extending through the center <NUM> of the steam outlet section <NUM>. The portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> above the axis <NUM> may resemble a half of a rectangular prism, whereas the additional portion <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> below the axis <NUM> may resemble a half of a truncated trapezoidal or triangular prism. Together, the portion <NUM> and the additional portion <NUM> form a trapezoidal prism. The additional portion <NUM> is defined at least in part by the sloped lower surface <NUM> forming the obtuse angle <NUM> with the second end wall <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. In contrast, the upper surface <NUM> may extend parallel to the axis <NUM> through the center <NUM> of the steam outlet section <NUM>. Like the embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may include components internal to the housing section <NUM> that cause the liquid condensate of the fluid received by the inlet section <NUM> and passed to the housing section <NUM> to flow downwardly (e.g., relative to the gravity vector <NUM>) toward the sloped lower surface <NUM>. The sloped lower surface <NUM> may guide the liquid condensate toward and into the condensate outlet section <NUM>.

As described above, components internal to the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may block a flow of the relatively dense liquid condensate toward the steam outlet section <NUM>, causing the liquid condensate to fall toward the sloped lower surface <NUM>. <FIG>, described in detail below, illustrate various embodiments of the above-described components internal to the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>.

For example, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> includes an internal volume <NUM> defined by the inlet section <NUM>, the housing section <NUM>, the steam outlet section <NUM>, and the condensate outlet section <NUM>. The internal volume may receive a fluid from the piping <NUM> (e.g., of the steam generation and transport assembly <NUM> of <FIG>). The fluid may include steam and liquid condensate. As previously described, the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may include internal features configured to separate the liquid condensate from the steam. For example, as shown, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> includes a first baffle <NUM>, a second baffle <NUM>, and a third baffle <NUM> disposed within the housing section <NUM>.

Each of the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to block a flow of the liquid condensate toward the steam outlet section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. For example, the liquid condensate of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may include a higher density than the steam of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM>. When the relatively dense liquid condensate approaches the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may block the flow of the relatively dense liquid condensate, causing the relatively dense liquid condensate to fall toward the sloped lower surface <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> while the steam readily passes over. The term "lower" in the sloped lower surface <NUM> is intended to refer to a position and/or an orientation of the sloped lower surface <NUM> when the steam effect nozzle <NUM> is in the installed condition and/or in operation. That is, when the steam effect nozzle <NUM> is in the installed condition and/or in operation, the sloped lower surface <NUM> may be beneath the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> relative to the gravity vector <NUM>. Accordingly, when the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> block the flow of the liquid condensate toward the steam outlet section <NUM>, gravity may act upon the liquid condensate and cause the liquid condensate to fall toward and onto the sloped lower surface <NUM>.

Further, the sloped lower surface <NUM> is sloped downwardly from the second end wall <NUM> (e.g., adjacent the steam outlet section <NUM>) toward the condensate outlet section <NUM> proximate the first end wall <NUM> (e.g., adjacent the inlet section <NUM>). Indeed, the sloped lower surface <NUM> forms the obtuse angle <NUM> with the second end wall <NUM>. Because of these features, the steam effect nozzle <NUM> promotes capture of the liquid condensate and then flow of the liquid condensate toward and into the condensate outlet section <NUM>, which drains the liquid condensate from the steam effect nozzle <NUM>.

The steam of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> includes a relatively low density compared to the above-described liquid condensate. Accordingly, the steam of the fluid may readily travel around the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (e.g., above the baffles) toward and through the nozzle outlet <NUM> formed in the steam outlet section <NUM>. As previously described, the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may bias travel of the fluid through the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and toward the steam outlet section <NUM>. For example, the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may be actuated to selectively block the fluid from entering the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, which increases a fluid pressure upstream of the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. When the steam effect valve <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is actuated to selectively enable the fluid to enter the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, the above-described fluid pressure may bias the fluid through the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and toward the steam outlet section <NUM>. As the fluid travels through the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> bias the liquid condensate toward the sloped lower surface <NUM>, as described above, which gravity feeds the liquid condensate to the condensate outlet section <NUM>. In this way, a flow direction <NUM> of the steam through the steam effect nozzle <NUM> may oppose a flow direction <NUM> of the liquid condensate along the sloped lower surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the steam outlet section <NUM> generally receives the steam of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and the condensate outlet section <NUM> generally receives the liquid condensate of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM>.

The third baffle <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is coupled to the sloped lower surface <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> and separated from the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> by a space <NUM>. As shown, the third baffle <NUM> may include a passage <NUM> (e.g., one or more slots or openings) adjacent the sloped lower surface <NUM>. Accordingly, any liquid condensate that gathers in the space <NUM> between the third baffle <NUM> and the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> may be drained through the passage <NUM> and toward the condensate outlet section <NUM>. That is, the passage <NUM> may enable the liquid condensate to flow from a first side <NUM> of the third baffle <NUM> facing the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>, through the third baffle <NUM>, and to a second side <NUM> of the third baffle <NUM> facing the first end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM>.

The first baffle <NUM> and the second baffle <NUM> may be positioned to separate the liquid condensate from the steam of the fluid received by the steam effect nozzle <NUM> at various regions within the inner volume <NUM>. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of <FIG>, the first baffle <NUM> is positioned a first distance <NUM> from an upper surface <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, the second baffle <NUM> is positioned a second distance <NUM> from the upper surface <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, and the first distance <NUM> is greater than the second distance <NUM>. Thus, fluid flow including liquid condensate that more easily flows over the first baffle <NUM> may still be engaged and captured by interfacing with the second baffle <NUM>.

Other baffle configurations are also possible. For example, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> of <FIG>. In <FIG>, the third baffle <NUM> does not include the passage <NUM> included in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. However, in the embodiment in <FIG>, the third baffle <NUM> is sized such that any liquid condensate gathered in the space <NUM> between the third baffle <NUM> and the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> does not spill through the nozzle outlet <NUM> formed in the steam outlet section <NUM> and into the space <NUM>. For example, a top <NUM> of the third baffle <NUM> in the illustrated embodiment is lower, relative to the gravity vector <NUM>, than a bottom <NUM> of the steam outlet section <NUM>. Accordingly, any liquid condensate gathered in the space <NUM> will spill over the top <NUM> of the third baffle <NUM> and onto the sloped lower surface <NUM> adjacent the second side <NUM> of the third baffle <NUM> facing the first end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM>, enabling the sloped lower surface <NUM> to guide the liquid condensate toward the condensate outlet section <NUM>.

Still other baffle configurations are also possible. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> of <FIG>. In the illustrated embodiment, all three of the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are coupled to the sloped lower surface <NUM>. As previously described, the baffle <NUM> closest to the second end wall <NUM> of the housing section <NUM> includes the passage therethrough <NUM>. Further, the baffle <NUM> includes a passage <NUM> therethrough, and the baffle <NUM> includes a passage <NUM> therethrough. Accordingly, the liquid condensate can travel along the sloped lower surface <NUM> through the passage <NUM>, the passage <NUM>, and/or the passage <NUM>, and toward and into the condensate outlet section <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in each of the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, the steam outlet section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> is offset from the inlet section <NUM> of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> relative to the gravity vector <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the steam outlet section <NUM> is positioned higher than the inlet section <NUM> relative to the gravity vector <NUM>. As previously described, the steam of the fluid received by the inlet section <NUM> may tend to rise or pass through upper portions of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> (e.g., above the baffles <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>). By elevating the steam outlet section <NUM> (e.g., positioning the steam outlet section <NUM> higher than the inlet section <NUM> relative to the gravity vector <NUM>), the steam of the fluid may be directed toward and through the steam outlet section <NUM>. In contrast, the liquid condensate of the fluid may be directed away from the steam outlet section <NUM> (e.g., toward lower portions of the steam effect nozzle <NUM> and onto the sloped lower surface <NUM>).

The above-described steam output system and corresponding steam effect nozzle may reduce or negate an amount of liquid condensate (e.g., liquid water) output by the steam effect nozzle relative to traditional embodiments, thereby reducing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost required to remove the liquid condensate (e.g., liquid water) from various surfaces receiving the steam output. Further, the steam output may be drier than traditional show attraction embodiments, which may improve a desired effect of the steam output. Further still, the steam output may be composed of water that is cleaner than traditional embodiments employing other chemicals that leave a chemical residue on surfaces receiving the fluid output, thereby reducing an amount of time, maintenance, and/or cost required to remove the chemical residue from the surfaces.

Claim 1:
A steam effect nozzle (<NUM>) for an entertainment venue, the steam effect nozzle comprising:
a housing section (<NUM>) configured to receive a fluid having a mixture of steam and liquid condensate;
a plurality of baffles (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed in the housing section and configured to separate the steam of the fluid from the liquid condensate of the fluid, enable the steam to travel from a first end wall (<NUM>) of the housing section to a second end wall (<NUM>) of the housing section, and bias the liquid condensate of the fluid toward a sloped lower surface (<NUM>) of the housing section, the sloped lower surface sloping downwardly from the second end wall (<NUM>) toward the first end wall (<NUM>);
a nozzle outlet (<NUM>) adjacent to the second end wall (<NUM>) of the housing section, wherein the nozzle outlet is configured to output the steam to an external environment (<NUM>); and
a steam outlet section (<NUM>) coupled to the second end wall (<NUM>) and having the nozzle outlet (<NUM>) formed therein, wherein the steam outlet section is configured to receive the steam from the housing section (<NUM>) and output the steam through the nozzle outlet (<NUM>) to the external environment (<NUM>),
wherein a baffle (<NUM>) of the plurality of baffles is coupled to the sloped lower surface (<NUM>), and a top (<NUM>) of the baffle (<NUM>) is disposed lower than a bottom (<NUM>) of the steam outlet section (<NUM>) relative to a gravity vector (<NUM>).