Smoke generator method and apparatus

Abstract

A smoke generator apparatus and method are provided in which the apparatus has a pump connected to a reservoir of liquid smoke agent and to an electrical resistance heating tube incorporated into an electrical circuit. The electrical resistance heater tube has first and second end portions. The first end portion has an inside tube diameter larger than the second end portion inside tube diameter. The heating tube is activated by a control circuit for activating the pump and the electrical circuit to thereby heat the electrical resistance heating tube and pump a fluid from a reservoir into the heating tube. A pressure relief valve located between the pump and the electrical resistance heating tube input portion helps control the pressure and works in combination with the multisized heating tube to allow a low thermal mass of heater for use of a high temperature smoke agent which can be used in an open flame environment. A method is provided which selects the smoke generator of the apparatus, activates the electric circuit of the selected smoke generator apparatus to thereby activate the electrical resistance heating tube to begin heating the tube, and activating the pump to pump the liquid smoke agent initially through a pressure relief valve and then upon heating up into the electrical resistance heating tube to produce smoke out the heating tube orifice.