Stove

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to stoves. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of home heating, a common practice is to use a stove with a combustion chamber. An air duct draws fresh air into the combustion chamber, where it participates in the combustion of the fuel. The exhaust gases are then expelled through a chimney. The flue gas system typically operates using natural draft. Some stoves also incorporate a heat storage material. This material is heated by the combustion chamber, stores the heat, and releases it slowly, particularly after combustion is complete.

[0003] Document WO2013 / 126,021 describes an example of a stove with a flue system in which fresh air is first drawn upwards through a front duct, then descends between the flue and the front duct before being introduced into the combustion chamber. This preheating of the fresh air occurs as it descends towards the combustion chamber near the flue. This preheating improves combustion. An insulating layer is placed between the heat storage material and the front duct.

[0004] Document WO2007125211A1 reveals an example of a stove including a secondary air duct that runs alongside a heat-accumulating refractory block.

[0005] We are always looking to improve the performance of stoves. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Thus, the invention relates to a stove comprising: a combustion chamber comprising a lower support surface adapted to receive fuel, at least one peripheral body external to the combustion chamber, and comprising a heat storage material, the heat storage material extending, in a vertical direction, from a lower portion located below the level of the lower support surface of the combustion chamber to an upper portion located above the level of the lower support surface of the combustion chamber, at least one air duct extending from a fresh air inlet to an outlet opening into the combustion chamber, characterized in that at least one air duct comprises at least a first portion in heat exchange with the combustion chamber and the material heat accumulator and conducting fresh air downwards to the level of the lower portion of the heat accumulator material, and a second portion downstream of the first portion, in contact with the heat accumulator material and conducting fresh air upwards towards the outlet opening into the combustion chamber.

[0007] Thanks to these features, heated fresh air is used to heat the heat storage material, thus improving the stove's thermal efficiency. Furthermore, this heating is clean, as it uses fresh air rather than polluting combustion gases. Consequently, this improvement is achieved without requiring increased maintenance.

[0008] Depending on various aspects, it is possible to provide one and / or the other of the characteristics below taken alone or in combination, as defined by the claims.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the air duct includes at least one intermediate portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion and carrying fresh air from the first portion to the second portion.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the intermediate portion is in heat exchange with the heat storage material.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the air duct includes at least an initial portion upstream of the first portion, carrying fresh air from the air inlet to the first portion.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the initial portion is in heat exchange with the combustion chamber and the heat storage material.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the combustion chamber comprises a front face, in which the stove comprises a rear face opposite said front face, and in which the fresh air inlet is arranged in said rear face.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the initial portion extends from the rear face to the front face and the intermediate portion from the front face to the rear face.

[0015] According to one design, the stove includes a base intended to rest on the ground, and in which the first portion extends up to the level of the base.

[0016] According to one design, the air duct is nested between the combustion chamber and the heat storage material.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the air duct is a first air duct, the stove comprising at least a second air duct extending from a fresh air inlet to an outlet opening into the combustion chamber, and comprising at least a first portion of the second air duct in contact with the heat storage material and conducting the fresh air downwards to the level of the lower portion of the heat storage material, and a second portion of the second air duct downstream of the first portion of the second air duct, in contact with the heat storage material and conducting the fresh air upwards towards the outlet opening into the combustion chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, briefly described below: [ Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a stove according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 ] is a cross-sectional perspective view in a vertical plane of the stove of the figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ] is a functional perspective diagram of the stove of the figure 1 whose heat storage bodies have been removed. In the drawings, identical references designate identical or similar objects. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] For this invention, in which gravity plays a role, the stove 1 is shown in its normal intended conditions of use. The stove 1 includes a leg 2, intended to be placed on a horizontal (not shown) surface. The stove 1 extends vertically upwards from the leg 2. The terms "bottom," "top," "lower," "upper," "above," and "below" are used here with reference to this orientation of the stove 1.

[0020] As seen on the figure 1The stove 1 includes a front panel 3. The front panel 3 is designed to be oriented towards a heating area within a living space. As will be described later, the front panel 3 may have a translucent surface allowing an outside observer to view the combustion. The front panel 3 may also include functional user interfaces, which will be described in more detail later.

[0021] The stove 1 has a rear face 4 opposite the front face 3. Typically, the rear face 4 can be close to a wall of the living room, and turned towards it, when the stove is installed.

[0022] The stove 1 can be fixed in any suitable way, for example to the floor, to the wall placed close to its rear face and / or to the ceiling.

[0023] Stove 1 includes a combustion chamber 5. As seen on the figure 1The combustion chamber 5 is positioned well above the ground. The combustion chamber 5 includes a casing 6, most often metallic, capable of withstanding high temperatures and the combustion taking place in the combustion chamber 5. The casing 6 includes a lower wall 7, peripheral walls 8, and an upper wall 9. The lower wall 7 is positioned well above the ground.

[0024] The combustion chamber 5 may also include a door 10. The door 10 comprises a leaf 11 hinged on a frame in any suitable manner. The door 10 is located on the front face 3 of the stove. The leaf 11 includes a translucent surface 12, for example transparent or glazed, allowing an observer to see the interior of the combustion chamber 5 through it.

[0025] The door 10 can alternatively take an open configuration, in which a user can access the inside of the combustion chamber 5, for example to place fuel, for example logs, and a closed configuration, in which a user cannot access the inside of the combustion chamber.

[0026] The combustion chamber 5 includes a support surface 13 on which the fuel is placed for combustion. The support surface 13 is located above the lower wall 7. The space 14 between the support surface 13 and the inner wall 7 may include a drawer (not shown) mounted to move relative to the casing 6 of the combustion chamber 5. This drawer can receive the ash from combustion and can be moved and detached from the casing 6 in order to remove the ash from the stove.

[0027] Combustion chamber 5 includes 15 fresh air inlet openings into combustion chamber 5. figure 2 represents these openings 15 arranged in a row in the rear peripheral wall 8 of the combustion chamber 5, however other arrangements are possible.

[0028] The combustion chamber 5 also includes an opening 16 for the evacuation of combustion gases. The opening 16 is, for example, located in the upper wall 9 of the combustion chamber. It is connected to a chimney (not shown).

[0029] The support surface 13 is positioned at a height relative to the floor of the dwelling. For example, the height is between 30 centimeters (cm) and 1 meter (m). This height allows the room to be heated to a level suitable for the dwelling and its inhabitants.

[0030] As seen on the figure 1, a niche 17 can be provided under the combustion chamber 5 to store the fuel while waiting to be introduced into the combustion chamber 5.

[0031] The stove 1 also includes one or more bodies 18 made of a heat-accumulating material. Here, "heat-accumulating material" refers to a material capable of storing the heat produced in the combustion chamber and releasing it slowly, particularly by radiation, notably after combustion is complete. Such a material includes, for example, ceramics, raw earth, earthenware, bricks, soapstone, steatite, or refractory concrete. The term "heat accumulator" is used in contrast to the other constituent materials of the stove, particularly the metal casing 6, which cools rapidly after combustion is complete.

[0032] A body 18 made of a heat-accumulating material is presented here. Alternatively, the body 18 could be only partially made of such a heat-accumulating material, provided that the body 18 as a whole performs this function of accumulating and slowly releasing heat. The body 18 can be made in one piece or in several components assembled together and / or assembled with other components of the stove.

[0033] The body 18 is external to the combustion chamber 5. In the embodiment shown, two bodies 18 are used, symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane of the stove 1. Thus, the two bodies 18 extend laterally from the peripheral walls 8 of the enclosure 6. Due to the symmetry of this embodiment, only one body 18 will be described here; the description of the other body 18 can be obtained by symmetry. Additionally, a cap 18s, also made of heat-accumulating material, can be provided, extending over the combustion chamber 5. Other arrangements or implementations are possible.

[0034] As can be seen on the figure 1 or the figure 2The body 18 extends vertically along the entire height of the stove. More precisely, the body 18 extends vertically from a lower level N18i to an upper level N18s. The lower level N18i is close to the ground, in any case below the level, or even well below the level N13, of the support surface 13. In one embodiment, the body 18 is not in contact with the ground in the normal configuration of the stove 1. The upper level N18s is located above the level of the upper wall 9 of the combustion chamber 5. The "lower portion" of the body 18 is the part of the body 18 extending between the lower level N18i and the level of the support surface 13, that is, positioned vertically below the level where combustion takes place.The part of the body 18 extending above the level of the support surface 13 is called the "upper portion" of the body 18, that is to say, arranged, in the vertical direction, at and above the level where combustion takes place.

[0035] Body 18, for example, has a streamlined geometry along the vertical direction. That is to say, the horizontal cross-section of body 18 is essentially constant along the vertical axis. The cross-section may deviate from this constant to accommodate a component of the stove, or for other reasons.

[0036] The body 18 is arranged to allow significant heat exchange with the combustion chamber 5. For example, the body 18 is in contact with the combustion chamber 5. For example, the inner face 19 of the body 18 is in contact with the outer face 20 of the peripheral wall 8 lateral of the combustion chamber 5.

[0037] The body 18 is fixed in any suitable way to the combustion chamber 5. For example, the body 18 is fixed to the combustion chamber 5 by an upper plate 21 and a lower plate 22.

[0038] The stove 1 includes an air duct 23 extending from a fresh air inlet (not visible in the figures) to an outlet opening into the combustion chamber 5. Air flows through the air duct 23 by natural draft when the stove is lit. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the flow of fresh air from the air inlet to the outlet opening into the combustion chamber 5.

[0039] The air duct 23 is essentially arranged interposed between the combustion chamber 5 and the body 18. For example, it is nested between the combustion chamber 5 and the body 18, in particular by having a cross-section complementary to the body 18, the combustion chamber 5, and / or both.

[0040] The fresh air intake is for example connected to outside air in the room in which the stove 1 is installed, for example by drilling through the outside wall of the house if the stove is close to this wall, or through the floor to access the basement.

[0041] As seen on the figure 3 The air duct 23 may include an initial portion 24. The initial portion 24 extends from the air inlet to above the combustion chamber 5, for example to the rear of the combustion chamber, and then above the combustion chamber 5 from the rear to the front.

[0042] The air duct 23 includes a first portion 25 downstream of the initial portion 24, extending downwards from the initial portion 24 arranged above the combustion chamber 5 to the level of the lower portion of the body 18.

[0043] The air duct 23 includes an intermediate portion 26 downstream of the first portion 25. The intermediate portion 26 extends, for example, horizontally from front to back.

[0044] The air duct 23 includes a second portion 27 downstream of the intermediate portion 26, extending upwards from the intermediate portion 26 disposed at the level of the lower portion of the body 18 to at least the level of the combustion chamber 5.

[0045] The air duct 23 may include a downstream portion, which connects the second portion 27 to the outlet opening into the combustion chamber 5.

[0046] For example, the downstream portion can guide fresh air up to above the translucent surface 12, which has the additional effect of sweeping it with an airflow and reducing its fouling due to combustion.

[0047] Other geometries than the one shown are possible for the air duct, as long as the heated air is led down below the level of the support surface 13 and then back up above it.

[0048] The stove may also include an incoming airflow control system 28. This control system 28 may include a primary control system 29 adapted to regulate the primary airflow entering the combustion chamber without passing through the air duct 23. This primary airflow is typically used for combustion start-up.

[0049] The control system 28 may include a secondary control system 30 adapted to allow regulation of the secondary airflow entering the combustion chamber through the air duct 23. This secondary airflow is typically used when combustion has a continuous rate.

[0050] The product just described can operate as follows. First, the user opens door 10, installs fuel, triggers ignition and closes door 10.

[0051] Fresh air enters the combustion chamber 5 via the primary circuit, and the combustion gases are expelled through the chimney. Combustion heats the body 18, at least at the level of the combustion chamber.

[0052] During combustion, and if necessary following the activation of the secondary control system 30, fresh air enters the duct 23 and flows downwards into the first section 25. In the upper part of the first section 25, the air is heated by the combustion chamber 5. In the lower part of the first section 25, the hot air heats the lower portion of the body 18. In the middle section 26, and then in the lower part of the second section 27, the hot air heats the lower portion of the body 18. This results in additional heating of the lower portion of the body 18 by the clean fresh air circulating in the duct 23.

[0053] In the upper part of the second portion 27, the air is again heated by the combustion chamber 5, so that it enters the combustion chamber 5 hot.

[0054] If the stove includes an initial portion 24, fresh air can also be heated by the combustion chamber 5 in it.

[0055] The invention is also applicable to a stove not including a door 10 for disposing of fuels in the combustion chamber, for example a stove in which the fuel is automatically metered into the combustion chamber from a reserve. LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0056] 1: stove 2: base 3: front face 4: back face 5: combustion chamber 6: casing 7: bottom wall 8: perimeter wall 9: top wall 10: door 11: opening 12: translucent surface 13: support surface 14: gap 15: openings 16: exhaust opening 17: niche 18: body 18s: cap 19: inner face 20: top face 21: top sheet metal 22: bottom sheet metal 23: air duct 24: initial section 25: first section 26: intermediate section 27: second section 28: adjustment system

Claims

1. Stove comprising: - a combustion chamber (5) including a lower support surface (13) adapted to receive fuel, - at least one peripheral body (18) external to the combustion chamber (5), and comprising a heat-accumulating material, the heat-accumulating material extending vertically from a lower portion located below the level (N13) of the lower support surface (13) of the combustion chamber (5) to an upper portion located above the level (N13) of the lower support surface (13) of the combustion chamber, - at least one air duct (23) extending from a fresh air inlet to an outlet opening into the combustion chamber (5), characterized in that the at least one air duct (23) comprises at least a first portion (25) in heat exchange with the combustion chamber (5) and the heat-accumulating material and conducting the fresh air downwards up to the level of the lower portion of the heat storage material, and a second portion (27) downstream of the first portion (25), in contact with the heat storage material and conducting fresh air upwards towards the outlet leading into the combustion chamber (5).

2. Stove according to claim 1, wherein the air duct comprises at least one intermediate portion (26) disposed between the first portion (25) and the second portion (27) and conducting fresh air from the first portion (25) to the second portion (27).

3. Stove according to claim 2, wherein the intermediate portion (26) is in heat exchange with the heat storage material.

4. A stove according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the air duct (23) comprises at least an initial portion (24) upstream of the first portion (25), carrying fresh air from the air inlet to the first portion (25).

5. A stove according to claim 4, wherein the initial portion (24) is in heat exchange with the combustion chamber (5) and the heat-accumulating material.

6. A stove according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the combustion chamber (5) comprises a front face (3), wherein the stove comprises a rear face (4) opposite said front face (3), and wherein the fresh air inlet is disposed in said rear face.

7. A stove according to claims 2, 4, and 6, or any dependent claim thereof, wherein the initial portion (24) extends from the rear face (4) to the front face (3), and the intermediate portion (26) extends from the front face (3) to the rear face (4).

8. A stove according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a foot (2) for resting on the floor, and wherein the first portion (25) extends to the level of the foot.

9. A stove according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the air duct (23) is embedded between the combustion chamber (5) and the heat-accumulating material.

10. Stove according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the air duct (23) is a first air duct, the stove comprising at least a second air duct (23) extending from a fresh air inlet to an outlet opening into the combustion chamber (5), and comprising at least a first portion (25) of second air duct in contact with the heat storage material and conducting fresh air downwards to the level of the lower portion of the heat storage material, and a second portion (27) of second air duct downstream of the first portion of second air duct, in contact with the heat storage material and conducting fresh air upwards towards the outlet opening into the combustion chamber.

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