LESSON 1
DESCRIBE THE M3A4 SMOKE GENERATOR AND THE PURPOSES AND USES OF
SMOKE GENERATORS
TASK
Describe the M3A4 smoke generator, its capabilities, limitations, purposes, and uses.
CONDITIONS
Given information about and illustrations of the purposes, uses, capabilities, and limitations of the
M3A4 smoke generator.
STANDARDS
Demonstrate knowledge by responding to the multiple-choice test covering the purposes, uses,
capabilities, and limitations of the M3A4 smoke generator.
REFERENCES
FM 3-50
FC 3-50-1
TM 3-1040-276-10
Learning Event 1
DESCRIBE THE M3A4 SMOKE GENERATOR
The M3A4 smoke generator (Figure 1) is a device that vaporizes fog oil and releases it to condense
in the air as a white smoke useful for large-area screening. The M3A4 smoke generator has a pulse jet
engine with only one moving part, a 16-petal engine valve. The engine uses approximately 3 gallons of
gasoline per hour. Smoke is produced when fog oil is injected into the engine tube while the engine is in
operation. Fog oil is atomized by the hot combustion gases moving past the fog oil injection nozzle at a
high velocity. The generator may be operated on the ground,
from a truck or boat, or on any other reasonably level base.
Because of simple construction, this generator may be
operated continuously for extended periods with normal
maintenance.
The M3A4 mechanical smoke generator is a self-
contained unit that uses a pulse jet engine and fog oil to
produce smoke. The unit consists of an engine, a fuel
system, a fog oil system, a starting system, and a frame
assembly. The smoke generator components are mounted on
a tubular steel frame. The frame is provided with retractable
carrying handles that permit the smoke generator to be
carried short
Figure 1. M3A4 smoke generator.
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