Device and Circuit for the Generation of Vortex Rings

The invention relates to the electromagnetically controlled generation of vortex rings. Their visualization is achieved by means of smoke, condensed steam, visible gases, small macroscopic particles such as styroporballs, and also with special lighting sources.

Vortex rings are self-contained vortex-filaments which move at various speeds depending on their natural rotation and size and which possess a high dynamically conditioned geometric stability.

Devices for the generation of vortex rings are already known (see Westphal: "Physik", 1970, 25./26. Auflage, p. 161). These are manually operated and therefore it is not possible to determine the exact size, speed, and point of formation of the vortex.

The object of the invention is to provide a system which can generate vortex rings which are exact and reproducible in size, speed, and point of formation at any given time, and, in addition, for control of vortex ring formation from a distant point.

According to the invention pressure waves are generated by means of an electromechanical transducer which is controlled by signals of a signaler, and preferably has a loudspeaker which is installed within a box in such a manner that movements of its diaphragm cause pressure waves within the box.

According to the invention, a device for the generation of vortex rings comprises a box supplied with one or more orifices. Pressure waves are generated through an electromechanical transducer (e.g. loudspeaker) on one side of the box. The electromechanic transformer is controlled by a signaler and generates pressure waves within the box that form vortex rings at the orifices.

Low-frequency amplifiers can be used as signalers. Signals originating from rhythmical music which are fed to the electromechanical transformer (e.g. loudspeaker) generate vortex rings synchronized with the music (bassdrum) and offer an unusually attractive optical appliance.

Electronic circuits which adjust the shape, intensity, and point of time of the control signal can also be employed as signalers.

This kind of signaler may also be triggered by music or speech in order to generate vortex rings in the music's rhythm but with a far higher optimization of the control signal.

If big bass loudspeakers are used as electromechanical transducers, it is possible to generate rings which are surprisingly fast and stable and which may even be felt.

Further details of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic section of a device with a conical setup for the generation of vortex rings;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a device with a spherical setup;

FIG. 3 is an electronic circuit for the generation of suitable signals.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for the generation of vortex rings using a loudspeaker 1 with a diaphragm 2. A conical enclosure 3 is hermetically mounted on top of the diaphragm; the orifice 4 on the top of the enclosure provides an exit for the emerging vortex rings. A hole 5 serves for inspection of smoke or something similar. In this case a burning joss stick 6 is inserted into the enclosure. The connections 7 serve to connect the signaler to the loudspeaker.

FIG. 2 demonstrates a slightly different type embodiment. Here, the conical enclosure 3 is replaced by a frustocone, closed by a sphere 8 with several orifices 4.

FIG. 3 shows an electronic circuit which generates signals, suitable for vortex generation. Any given signal (speech, music etc.) is amplified in amplifier 16 and selected according to its frequency by an active low-pass filter 17 and thus reaches trigger unit 10. At certain input levels the output of the trigger unit switches to a logical "ONE" and thus opens the transistor T 1 which then transmits the rectangular and frequency-variable wave pulses from the oscillator 13 to the final LC-component 14. The period of dwell of the logical "ONE", caused by resistor trigger unit 10, is varied by R 10 and fades out exponentially depending on the RC-component 11. The transmitted pulse of T 1, that is the envelope for the signals of 13, shows a steep ascent and an exponential descent. This kind of signal prevents a collision among vortex rings because the first rings fly faster than the following ones.

The invention thus is a device for the generation of vortex rings which consists of a box with one or several orifices and an electromechanical transformer, built into one side of the box and controlled by specifiable electric signals. Vortex rings emerge in the signal's rhythm at the orifices and can be made visible by smoke, condensed steam etc. and also with the help of adapted lighting sources.