Edward George Herman

US Patent:

53741919, Dec 20, 1994

Filed:

Apr 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/045075

Inventors:

Edward G. Herman - Lutherville MD
Fred W. Arbogast - Shrewsbury PA
John C. Pershina - Freeland MD

Assignee:

AAI Corporation - Cockeysville MD

International Classification:

G09B 900

US Classification:

434226

Abstract:

An enhanced deck for generating live fire simulations of fuel spill and chemical fires and the like includes a receptacle for receiving a volume of fluid such as water within which is mounted a fuel burner array. Gaseous or liquid fuel is delivered to the burner assembly under pressure, resulting in the expulsion of fuel into the liquid, where the fuel transforms into vapor and rises to the surface of the receptacle. A support surface such as a metal grating or other rigid temperature resistant structure is provided at the upper end of the liquid receptacle and is at least partially immersed in the liquid so as to be in heat transfer relationship with the support surface. The fuel vapor is ignited at the support surface to generate a training fire. Preferably, a flow of liquid is provided to the receptacle to replace liquid that evaporates from the heat of combustion to maintain the support surface at or below a predetermined temperature. Dispersion of the fuel can be enhanced through the provision of a diffuser that is positioned between the receptacle base and the surface of the liquid.