Air intake device for the end of a chimney

Abstract

A terminal assembly for a chimney is provided, having an exhaust layer having an exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust gas from the device. An outlet opening of the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer. An intake layer is separated from the exhaust layer. The intake layer has a housing defining a positive pressure zone within the housing and a plurality of openings. Each opening has a cross-sectional area decreasing from the outer surface of the housing toward the positive pressure zone within the housing. The intake pipe is adapted to receive incoming air at an inlet opening located in the positive pressure zone. The pressure in the positive pressure zone of the intake layer is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the terminal assembly and the pressure in the exhaust layer to prevent airflow reversal in the exhaust pipe.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 884,859, filed August 9, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] A device is provided for the end of a chimney, which generates positive pressure along the air inlet at the end. Background Technology

[0004] Chimney venting end assemblies can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Generally, a chimney end assembly is attached to the venting duct of a device. One example is U.S. Patent No. 7,458,888. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In at least one embodiment, an end assembly for a chimney is provided, having an intake pipe adapted to receive incoming air to be delivered to a device. An exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the device, the exhaust pipe terminating in an exhaust layer. An intake layer is disposed above or below the exhaust layer. The intake layer has a first ring and is mounted on an exhaust plate separating the exhaust layer from the intake layer. At least one truncated conical ring is separated from the first ring and guides the incoming air at an angle toward the first ring into a positive pressure zone. An intake plate is mounted opposite the first ring on the truncated conical ring. The positive pressure zone is defined within the first ring and the truncated conical ring and is located between the exhaust plate and the intake plate. The intake pipe originates in the positive pressure zone.

[0006] In at least one embodiment, an end-of-line assembly for a chimney is provided, having an exhaust layer having an exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the device, wherein the outlet opening of the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer. An intake layer is separated from the exhaust layer. The intake layer has a housing defining a positive pressure zone within the housing and a plurality of openings that guide incoming air toward the positive pressure zone at an angle. The intake pipe is adapted to receive incoming air at an inlet opening located in the positive pressure zone. The pressure in the positive pressure zone of the intake layer is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the end-of-line assembly and the pressure in the exhaust layer to prevent airflow reversal in the exhaust pipe.

[0007] In another embodiment, a plurality of openings are formed by at least one truncated conical ring separated from the housing portion. The openings are formed between the truncated conical ring and the housing portion. The angle of the openings is defined by the angle between the lower and upper edges of the truncated conical ring.

[0008] In another embodiment, the truncated conical ring is separated from the outer shell portion by a plurality of fins, wherein the fins are radially oriented.

[0009] In another embodiment, the end assembly also includes at least two truncated conical rings spaced apart by vanes.

[0010] In another embodiment, the first truncated conical ring has a first angle, and the second truncated conical ring has a second angle different from the first angle.

[0011] In another embodiment, the angle is in the range of 20 to 80 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the positive pressure housing.

[0012] In another embodiment, the truncated conical ring has a circular outer perimeter along its cross-section.

[0013] In another embodiment, the truncated conical ring has a polygonal outer perimeter along its cross-section.

[0014] In another implementation, the exhaust pipe extends through the intake layer.

[0015] In another embodiment, the exhaust pipe and the intake pipe are arranged coaxially.

[0016] In another embodiment, the exhaust pipe is disposed inside the intake pipe.

[0017] In another embodiment, the exhaust pipe and the intake pipe are arranged in a collinear manner.

[0018] In another embodiment, the multiple openings are formed by multiple fish-scale plates.

[0019] In another embodiment, the fish scales are integrally formed in the positive pressure housing.

[0020] In another embodiment, the intake layer is separated from the exhaust layer by a first plate, wherein the exhaust pipe extends through the first plate.

[0021] In another embodiment, the air intake layer is defined between a first plate and a second plate opposite to the first plate, wherein an exhaust pipe and an intake pipe extend through the second plate.

[0022] In another embodiment, each of the plurality of openings has a cross-sectional area that decreases from the outer surface of the housing toward the positive pressure zone of the housing.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, an end assembly for a chimney is provided, having an exhaust layer having an exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the device. An outlet opening of the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer. An intake layer is separated from the exhaust layer. The intake layer has a housing defining a positive pressure zone within the housing and a plurality of openings. Each of the openings has a cross-sectional area decreasing from the outer surface of the housing toward the positive pressure zone within the housing. The intake pipe is adapted to receive incoming air at an intake opening located in the positive pressure zone. The pressure in the positive pressure zone of the intake layer is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the end and the pressure in the exhaust layer to prevent airflow reversal in the exhaust pipe.

[0024] In another embodiment, the housing includes at least two rings separated by a plurality of flaps, wherein the flaps are radially oriented. A plurality of openings are formed between the two rings and two adjacent flaps. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the chimney end assembly including the positive pressure device of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a top perspective view of the positive pressure device of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the end of a chimney including a positive pressure device, showing the airflow forming positive pressure.

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the positive pressure device.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the exhaust layer at the end of the chimney.

[0030] Figure 6 It shows the connection to Figure 5 The positive pressure device in the exhaust layer.

[0031] Figure 7 The lower plate of a chimney end assembly according to one embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 8 A bottom perspective view of a chimney end assembly according to another embodiment is shown.

[0033] Figure 9 Is it through Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the chimney end device shows the formation of positive pressure by the airflow.

[0034] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken through a chimney end device according to another embodiment.

[0035] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of a chimney end device according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0036] This document discloses detailed embodiments of the invention as claimed; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of how the invention can be implemented in different and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; certain features may be enlarged or reduced to show details of specific components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but are merely representative bases for teaching those skilled in the art to use the invention in various ways.

[0037] For proper operation, direct-vent appliances (such as fireplaces or stoves) must exhaust combustion gases through a dedicated exhaust system and introduce fresh air for combustion through a dedicated intake system. The design of these appliances, and the specific gas terminals they use, dictate that exhaust gases flow on the exhaust side of the system and intake air flows on the intake side, ensuring proper start-up of the fireplace and proper airflow within the appliance. Proper airflow enables complete combustion, such as stoichiometric combustion, by providing sufficient oxygen. Proper airflow also provides an internal air scouring system for the fireplace's glass panel.

[0038] Direct-vent gas fireplaces do not function properly in the event of backflow. Backflow occurs when the exhaust side of the vent becomes the system's intake side, and the system's intake side becomes the exhaust side. When backflow happens, the exhaust gas is drawn back into the ventilation system, and the fireplace "starves" because there is not enough oxygen for combustion in the exhaust gas. Backflow also inhibits proper operation of the appliance. In the case of a direct-vent gas fireplace where the diameter of the exhaust vent is larger than that of the intake vent, there is insufficient duct and end volume to exhaust the fireplace's exhaust gas, thus creating limitations that hinder proper operation or causing the fireplace to shut down via its internal operation or safety mechanism.

[0039] The device of this application with a positive pressure housing 20 has a chimney end assembly 10 that prevents backflow and generates positive pressure on the intake side of the intake system near the intake ventilation device. Figure 1 The chimney end assembly 10 is shown, which has in Figure 2-5 The positive pressure housing 20 is shown in more detail below.

[0040] The positive pressure housing 20 for the direct-exhaust gas terminal may be attached to or formed as part of the terminal assembly 10. The positive pressure housing 20 guides air into a closed or semi-closed space through an opening 28 in the intake layer 50 having an intake duct 62. A Venturi effect is observed as air enters the intake layer through the narrow opening 28. The air velocity increases through the opening 28, while the pressure decreases according to the Venturi effect and Bernoulli's principle. Once the air flows within the housing 20, the air velocity decreases and the pressure increases, creating a positive pressure zone 54 within the housing 20 with a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the exhaust layer 40, ensuring that air introduced into the terminal assembly 10 by wind flows into the intake layer 50 more easily than air flows out. This introduces air into the intake duct 62 as combustion air in the device and ensures that post-combustion air flows out of the exhaust duct 46.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the positive pressure housing 20 is formed as a rainproof ring 22 located above the pressure generating ring 24. As indicated, both the rainproof ring 22 and the pressure generating ring 24 have generally circular cross-sections. However, the rainproof ring 22 and the pressure generating ring 24 may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as polygons or other suitable shapes.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the rainproof ring 22 is generally cylindrical. The pressure generating ring 24 is inclined inward and upward toward the rainproof ring 22, and forms a truncated, generally conical shape or a frustoconical shape.

[0043] Ring 24 is separated from rainproof ring 22 and adjacent rings 24 by vanes 26. Vanes 26 are angled and aligned so as to be parallel to the transverse conical surface of pressure generating ring 24. Thus, vanes 26 are not parallel to each other and are tilted to guide the incoming airflow into the positive pressure housing 20.

[0044] Refer again Figure 1 The end assembly 10 includes a cover 30. The cover 30 forms the top of the end assembly. Intake and exhaust assemblies are housed within an outer body 32 forming the outer portion of the end. As shown, the outer body 32 has a grille or mesh along its outer surface to prevent debris such as leaves from entering the intake or exhaust assemblies. In another embodiment, the body 32 may be rectangular or other suitable shapes. In another embodiment, a positive pressure housing 20 may be integrally formed with the body along its outer surface.

[0045] The end assembly 10 has an exhaust layer 40. The exhaust layer 40 is connected to the cover 30 and extends below the bottom side of the cover 30. As shown, the exhaust layer 40 has a baffle 42.

[0046] The first plate 44, or exhaust plate, defines the bottom of the exhaust layer 40. Plate 44 defines an opening 48 that cooperates with the exhaust pipe 46. Exhaust air from the device flows through the exhaust pipe 46 and exits at the end of the exhaust layer 40 in the opening between the baffles 42. The exhaust pipe 46 extends through the opening 48 into the exhaust layer 40.

[0047] Plate 44 separates the exhaust layer 40 from the intake layer 50. Positive pressure housing 20 is located on the intake layer 50. Exhaust pipe 46 extends through the intake layer 50, but has no openings along the intake layer 50.

[0048] The upper surface 52 of the positive pressure housing 20 abuts against the exhaust plate 44. The second plate 60 forms the bottom of the intake layer 50. The positive pressure housing 20 has a pressure generating area 54 or cavity defined inside the rings 22, 24 and located between the plate 44 and the intake plate 60. The second plate 60 forms the bottom surface or mounting surface of the end assembly 10.

[0049] like Figure 7 As shown, the second plate 60 has two openings. An intake pipe 62 extends through the plate 60. The plate 60 also has a vent opening 56 through which an exhaust pipe 46 extends. The plate 60 abuts against the lower edge 64 of the positive pressure housing 20. The lower edge 64 is defined by a lower opening of the lower ring 24.

[0050] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a portion of the chimney end assembly 10 and the positive pressure casing 20 is shown. As shown, the exhaust pipe 46 terminates in the exhaust layer 40 at the outlet opening 70. The intake pipe 62 begins in the intake layer 50 at the inlet opening 72.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, clean air enters the intake layer 50 along the intake device or, based on wind direction, along the windward side 34. The clean air is guided upward and inward through the inclined openings between the truncated conical rings 24. The cross-sectional area of ​​the inclined openings 28 decreases from the outer surface of the housing 20 towards the positive pressure zone 54 within the housing 20. This creates positive pressure in the area surrounding the inlet opening 72 of the intake pipe 62. The positive pressure housing 20 makes it difficult for clean air to leave the intake layer 50 on the leeward side 36. Instead, clean intake air enters the intake pipe 62. "Dirty" combustion air exits on the exhaust side 36 opposite the intake side 34, thus eliminating the risk of exhaust air entering the intake device.

[0052] like Figure 4 As shown in the cross-sectional view of the positive pressure housing 20, the conical ring 24 has an upper edge 66 located inside the lower edge 68 of the rainproof ring 22 and above it. Figure 4As shown, the upper edge 66 has a diameter A. The lower edge 64 of the ring 24 has a diameter B and is generally equal to the cylindrical opening 68 of the rainproof ring 22. The diameter A of the upper edge 66 is smaller than the diameter B of the lower edge. The angle defined between the lower edge 64 and the upper edge 66 can be in the range of 20 degrees to 85 degrees relative to the central longitudinal axis 80 of the pressure housing 20. As shown, this angle is approximately 70 degrees. The pressure housing 20 can also be oriented such that the opening 28 defined by the rings 22 and 24 is tilted downwards.

[0053] The vanes 26 are also oriented at an angle relative to the pressure-generating ring 24. Thus, the vanes 26 are not parallel to each other and are tilted to constrain and / or guide the incoming airflow into the positive-pressure housing 20. Adjacent vanes 26 are oriented at an angle converging towards the inside of the housing 20. Together with the truncated conical ring 24, the vanes 26 define a plurality of openings 28 along the housing 20 with a decreasing cross-section. As the openings narrow, the airflow is constrained, and the airflow velocity increases due to the Venturi effect. This allows air to enter the housing 20 more easily than it leaves, and creates a positive-pressure zone 54.

[0054] As shown in Figure 10, the inclined ring 24 can be shaped to have different angles between its lower edge 64 and upper edge 66 to form openings 28 with different angles, thereby constraining airflow along the length of the opening channel. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the lower ring 74 is oriented at a steeper angle than the upper ring 76. In one example, the upper ring 76 may have 69 degrees, while the lower ring 74 has a steeper angle of 73 degrees between its lower edge 64 and upper edge 66.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 20 has two pressure generating rings 24. However, other numbers of pressure generating rings may also be used. For example, the housing 20 may have one pressure generating ring 24, or more than three pressure generating rings 24. In another embodiment, the pressurized housing 20 may have a rectangular, other polygonal, or other geometric cross-section, and the pressure generating rings 24 may have corresponding sloping sidewalls extending between a smaller upper edge 66 and a larger lower edge 64. For example, Figure 10 shows a pressurized housing 20 that is octagonal and has pressure generating rings 24 with octagonal outer perimeters.

[0056] Figure 5 The exhaust layer 40, removed from the main body 32 of the chimney end 10, is shown. Figure 6 In this configuration, the positive pressure housing 20 is connected to the exhaust layer 40, such that the upper surface 52 abuts against the exhaust plate 44. Although the exhaust layer 40 is shown above the intake layer 50, the intake layer 50 and the housing 20 may also be located above the exhaust layer.

[0057] Figure 7An intake plate 60 is shown removed from the body 32 of the chimney end 10. The intake plate 60 has an opening for an exhaust pipe 46. An intake pipe 62 extends through the intake plate 60. The intake plate 60 shows an embodiment where the intake and exhaust pipes are collinear. Collinearity is an industry term referring to parallel but separate intake and exhaust pipes. The intake plate 60 has an opening for the exhaust pipe, but the exhaust pipe extends through the intake layer to the exhaust layer.

[0058] Figure 8 A bottom perspective view of the chimney end assembly is shown, in which the intake pipe 62 and exhaust pipe 46 are coaxial. The exhaust pipe 46 and intake pipe 62 are centered on the same axis. As shown, the exhaust pipe 465 is the inner pipe, and the intake pipe 62 is the outer pipe. Figure 8 As shown, the exhaust pipe 46 and the intake pipe 62 are generally centered along the central longitudinal axis 80 of the end assembly 10. However, the exhaust pipe 46 and the intake pipe 62 may share an axis that is offset from the central longitudinal axis of the end assembly 10.

[0059] Figure 9 Is it through Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the chimney end assembly 10 shows the positive pressure generated by airflow in the coaxial embodiment. Clean air is blown into the intake layer 50 through openings 28. The clean air is guided upward and inward toward the positive pressure zone 54 within the housing 20 through the inclined openings 28 between the truncated conical rings 24. The inlet opening 72 of the intake pipe 62 is located within the intake layer 50 and the positive pressure zone 54. "Stale" combustion air exits on the exhaust side opposite the intake side, thus eliminating the risk of exhaust air entering the intake system.

[0060] Figure 11 This is a perspective view of the chimney end assembly 10, showing a pressurized outer casing 20 with openings 28 forming fish-scale plates 82. (As shown) Figure 11 As shown, the positive pressure outer shell 20 can be integrally formed with the outer body 32 of the end 10. The body may have inclined slots or a series of scale-like plates 82 extending inward from the outer surface of the body 32. The body 32 may be cylindrical, with a circular or rectangular cross-section or other geometric cross-sections. Figure 11 As shown, the fish scale plate 82 extends inward from the outer surface and slopes downward. The fish scale plate 82 can also be oriented to slope upward. The fish scale plate 82 can be integrally formed with the body 32 using a mold for stamping the fish scale plate 82.

[0061] The scale plate 82 can be shaped like a shovel and closed on the side 84. The sidewalls 84 of the scale plate 82 can be inclined inward, such that the opening area of ​​the scale plate 82 decreases from the outside to the inside of the housing 20 to generate positive pressure. The housing 20 may include a plurality of scale plates 82 arranged in an array, for example, three rows of two scale plates 82 are shown. The scale plate 82 can also be formed as an elongated opening.

[0062] The rainproof ring 22 can also be part of the outer body 32 at the end and can be square, such as... Figure 11 As shown, it can be a circle, polygon, or other suitable geometry. This part of the body can remain "unperforated" and features can be created by applying pressure directly to the interior of the body or formed within the body itself as described above.

[0063] The following reference numerals are used with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0064] 10-End Components

[0065] 20-Positive Pressure Casing

[0066] 22-Rainproof ring

[0067] 24-Pressure generating ring

[0068] 26-wing

[0069] 28-Open

[0070] 30-End cap

[0071] 32-External body at the end

[0072] 34-Front / Intake Side

[0073] 36-Leaf / Exhaust Side

[0074] 40-Exhaust Layer

[0075] 42-Wind deflector

[0076] 44-board

[0077] 46-Exhaust pipe

[0078] 50-Inlet

[0079] 52 - Upper surface of the positive pressure casing

[0080] 54-Pressure generation area or cavity

[0081] 56-Exhaust ventilation pipe opening in plate

[0082] 60 - Second Board

[0083] 62-Intake pipe

[0084] 64-lower edge

[0085] 66-Upper Edge

[0086] 68 - Cylindrical opening of the rainproof ring

[0087] 70 - Exhaust pipe outlet opening

[0088] 72-Inlet opening of the intake pipe

[0089] 80-Center longitudinal axis

[0090] 82-Fish Scale Plate

[0091] 84-Side wall of fish scale plate

[0092] While exemplary embodiments have been described above, these embodiments do not represent all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the terminology used in this specification is descriptive rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, features of multiple embodiments can be combined to form other embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. An end assembly for a chimney, comprising: An air inlet pipe, which is adapted to receive incoming air to be delivered to the equipment; An exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the device; An exhaust layer, wherein the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer; An intake layer, disposed above or below the exhaust layer and mounted on an exhaust plate separating the exhaust layer from the intake layer, the intake layer comprising: The first ring defines a positive pressure zone within the first ring; At least one truncated conical ring, spaced from the first ring and defining an external opening that guides the incoming air at an angle toward the first ring into the positive pressure zone; and An intake plate, which is mounted on the truncated conical ring opposite to the first ring, The positive pressure zone is defined within the first ring and the truncated conical ring and is located between the exhaust plate and the intake plate. The intake pipe originates in the positive pressure zone.

2. An end assembly for a chimney, comprising: An exhaust layer having an exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the equipment, wherein the outlet opening of the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer; An intake layer separated from the exhaust layer, the intake layer comprising: A housing that defines a positive pressure zone within the housing, and the housing having a plurality of openings that guide air into the positive pressure zone at an angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the housing; An intake pipe adapted to receive the incoming air at an inlet opening located in the positive pressure zone. The pressure in the positive pressure zone of the intake layer is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the end and the pressure in the exhaust layer to prevent airflow reversal in the exhaust pipe. The plurality of openings are formed by at least one truncated conical ring separated from the outer casing portion, the openings being formed between the truncated conical ring and the outer casing portion, wherein the angle of the openings is defined by the angle between the lower and upper edges of the truncated conical ring.

3. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The truncated conical ring is separated from the outer shell portion by a plurality of fins, wherein the fins are radially oriented.

4. The end assembly of claim 3, further comprising at least two truncated conical rings spaced apart by the vane.

5. The end component according to claim 4, wherein, The first truncated conical ring has a first angle, and the second truncated conical ring has a second angle different from the first angle.

6. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the positive pressure shell is in the range of 20 degrees to 85 degrees.

7. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The truncated conical ring has a circular outer perimeter along its cross-section.

8. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The truncated conical ring has a polygonal outer perimeter along its cross-section.

9. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The exhaust pipe extends through the intake layer.

10. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The exhaust pipe and the intake pipe are arranged coaxially.

11. The end component of claim 10, wherein, The exhaust pipe is located inside the intake pipe.

12. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The exhaust pipe and the intake pipe are arranged in a collinear manner.

13. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, Multiple openings are formed by multiple fish-scale plates.

14. The end component of claim 13, wherein, The fish-scale plates are integrally formed within the positive pressure shell.

15. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The intake layer is separated from the exhaust layer by a first plate, wherein the exhaust pipe extends through the first plate.

16. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, The air intake layer is defined between a first plate and a second plate opposite to the first plate, wherein the exhaust pipe and the air intake pipe extend through the second plate.

17. The end component according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the plurality of openings has a cross-sectional area that decreases from the outer surface of the housing toward the positive pressure zone of the housing.

18. An end assembly for a chimney, comprising: An exhaust layer having an exhaust pipe adapted to receive exhaust air from the equipment, wherein the outlet opening of the exhaust pipe terminates in the exhaust layer; An intake layer separated from the exhaust layer, the intake layer comprising: A housing that defines a positive pressure zone within the housing, and the housing having a plurality of openings, each of the plurality of openings having a cross-sectional area decreasing from the outer surface of the housing toward the positive pressure zone within the housing; An intake pipe adapted to receive incoming air at an intake opening located in the positive pressure zone. The pressure in the positive pressure zone of the intake layer is greater than the atmospheric pressure outside the end and the pressure in the exhaust layer to prevent airflow reversal in the exhaust pipe. The outer casing includes at least two rings separated by a plurality of fins, wherein the fins are radially oriented. The plurality of openings are formed between the two rings and the two adjacent flaps.

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