Air circulating fireplace
a technology of air circulation and fireplace, which is applied in the field of improved fireplaces, can solve the problems of insufficient space for a conventional hearth, and achieve the effects of preventing the rapid overheating of the area, facilitating the safe use of combustible facing materials, and maintaining heating efficiency and cost effectiveness
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-01-06
MCDONALD BRIAN A
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AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
[0013] The present invention provides improvements to the heat distribution, the use of combustible finishing materials, and the aesthetic appearance of prefabricated air circulating fireplaces, while maintaining the heating efficiency and cost effectiveness to manufacture, transport, and install these prefabricated fireplaces. The present invention can be utilized on many existing models of prefabricated fireplaces as well as being embodied into new prefabricated fireplace designs. More specifically, the present invention provides a separate air distribution assembly adapted to prefabricated air circulating fireplaces that collects heated air that would normally be discharged into the room from an opening immediately above the firebox and instead conveys the heated air upward behind the decorative facing of the fireplace where it is discharged into the room at or near the ceiling. The air distribution assembly is positioned generally above the prefabricated fireplace and forms a main portion of the fireplace facing. The assembly includes a housing with a vertical air passageway that extends through it with an opening corresponding to the outlet opening of the fireplace. The air distribution assembly conveys the heated air discharged from the fireplace outlet air opening behind the decorative fireplace facing through the assembly for discharge at or along the ceiling. The visible portions of the air distribution assembly may be pre-finished to form the decorative face of the fireplace, or unfinished for subsequent on site finishing. In an alternate arrangement, the separate air distribution system conveys the heated air discharged from the fireplace to an adjacent room. One improvement afforded by this invention is that it conceals from most vantage points the large outlet grilles visibly mounted on the face of the subject prefabricated fireplaces which detracts from the aesthetic appearance of the fireplace. Another advantage of this invention is that it redirects the heated air from the prefabricated fireplace that would normally gravitate up the decorative face of the fireplace exposing the facing, materials, mantel shelves, paintings and other decoration that commonly form part of the completed fireplace to high temperatures that could lead to damage, discoloration, or potential fire hazards. The heated air is instead conveyed in a separate air distribution assembly behind the decorative face of the fireplace thereby keeping the face of the fireplace relatively cool, facilitating the safe use of combustible facing materials in applications that it would otherwise not be safe to do so. This provides the user of this invention with new decorative finishing options. Still another advantage of this invention is that it prevents the quick overheating of the area immediately in front of the fireplace, which is usually where most seating is arranged, by separating the radiant heat output into the room by the firebox from the convection heat output, by conveying the convection heat behind the face of the fireplace for discharge at or along the ceiling. The invention can also increase convection airflow through the prefabricated fireplace with proper sizing of the air distribution assembly whereby the vertical column of heated air within the air distribution assembly greats a chimney effect drawing more air through the prefabricated fireplace.
[0015] The present invention has applications for many types of prefabricated air circulating fireplaces in the marketplace and consequently the specific form in which the invention is to be constructed would vary depending on the application. For example, an electric prefabricated air circulating fireplace does not have a firebox; it has a flame effect apparatus that produces images of flames and glowing embers and therefore does not direct significant amounts of radiant heat at the components of the subject invention positioned in front of the fireplace outlet grille and therefore there would be no need for a heat shield or non-combustible air distribution assembly. Another example of a fundamental difference between different types of prefabricated fireplaces that can affect the construction of the invention is that gas and electric fireplaces do not require a hearth that extends in front of the fireplace opening because they do not generate sparks or contain loose pieces of burning fuel that could roll out of the firebox onto the floor and present a fire hazard, as is the case with wood burning fireplaces. The air distribution assembly of the present invention may be used without a hearth providing all the benefits described except for the concealment of the inlet grille and / or opening. However, a hearth is still commonly used for aesthetic purposes with gas and electric fireplaces. Therefore, a smaller less robust hearth can be utilized in gas and electric fireplaces to reduce cost and / or take advantage of other aesthetic design opportunities that could not be utilized with the hearth requirements of wood burning fireplaces.
Problems solved by technology
Typically these prefabricated fireplaces have the inlet grilles positioned immediately below the firebox leaving insufficient space for a conventional hearth to be positioned in this location.
Method used
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[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of a prior art air circulating fireplace installed in a typical application with a raised hearth and a mantel shelf is illustrated. Prior art fireplace 10 has inlet grille 11 and outlet grille 12 visibly mounted on the face of the fireplace positioned below and above firebox 13, respectively. During fireplace operation, radiant heat is directed into the room from firebox 13 and convection heat is directed into the room from outlet grille 12, located immediately above firebox 13. Heated air discharged from outlet grille 12 flows upward in front of the decorative fireplace facing exposing facing materials, mantel, paintings or other ornamentation to high temperatures.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention used in conjunction with the same prefabricated fireplace shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. Air distribution assembly generally designated 20, is positioned above prefabricated fireplace 10 with the lower portion of ...
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The invention provides an improved prefabricated air circulating fireplace. A separate air distribution assembly is positioned generally above the fireplace and a removable hearth is positioned above the fireplace circulation air inlet opening. The air distribution assembly and removable hearth conceal the fireplace circulation air inlet and outlet grilles. The air distribution assembly is adapted to convey convection heat generated by the fireplace. During fireplace operation convection heat is conveyed behind the decorative fireplace facing and discharged at or along the ceiling providing additional opportunities for the use and positioning of combustible mantels and materials on the decorative facing of the fireplace.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to an improved fireplace of the prefabricated air circulating type and the installation thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] While historically fireplaces have been used to provide heat and a means for cooking, a modem household usually has a separate stove for cooking purposes and a separate home heating system. Nonetheless, fireplaces are a very common and desirable feature to have in a home in this day and age, although its present day utility has changed somewhat. While it is still common for a fireplace to be a feature in a home to provide heat, it is usually in a supplementary capacity; however, it is also important to many homeowners for a fireplace to have aesthetic attributes since the fireplace is also a primary household feature for people to gather around to socialize or relax. This socializing function of the fireplace is utilized regardless if the fireplace is providing either heat or a view of a fire. In fact...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): F24B1/188
CPCF24B1/1885
InventorMCDONALD, BRIAN A.
OwnerMCDONALD BRIAN A