Fireplace with electrostatic particle separator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wood-burning stoves require significant installation space and complex electrical wiring for electrostatic dust separators, which are typically installed outside the stove or chimney, limiting their practicality and ease of retrofitting.

Innovation Solution

The smoke deflection chamber and its outlets in the fireplace are designed as separation electrodes, with a spray electrode insulated from the blind cover, using the chamber walls and outlets as collection electrodes, and a high-voltage supply line through a tubular insulator to electrostatically charge and collect dust particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If electrostatic dust separators are installed outside the stove in the area behind its flue outlet or at the chimney, then dust separation function is achieved, but installation space requirement increases and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust content in flue gasesVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the electrostatic dust separator with the existing smoke deflection chamber by integrating the spray electrode into the blind cover and using the chamber walls as collection electrodes. This combination eliminates the need for separate external dust separator units, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining dust separation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The smoke deflection chamber is given dual functionality: it continues to serve its original purpose of directing smoke flow while simultaneously functioning as an electrostatic dust separator. The blind cover is transformed from a simple closure to a multi-component assembly housing the spray electrode and high-voltage supply connection, demonstrating universal design where existing structures perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If electrostatic dust separators are installed outside the stove, then dust separation function is achieved, but wiring complexity and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust content in flue gasesVSAvoidelectrical wiring and installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The high-voltage supply line is integrated directly into the blind cover structure, which is already part of the stove assembly. This merging of the electrical supply system with the existing structural component simplifies wiring by eliminating separate external electrical connections and reduces installation complexity by utilizing pre-existing mounting points and pathways within the stove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of stationary object

If the spray electrode is positioned close to surrounding components, then installation space is saved, but spark discharges may occur between high-voltage components and zero potential components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidrisk of spark discharges
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tubular insulator acts as an intermediary element between the high-voltage spray electrode and the surrounding zero-potential components (chamber walls, deflection plates, blind cover). This insulating barrier allows the spray electrode to be positioned within the smoke deflection chamber while maintaining sufficient electrical clearance, thus preventing spark discharges while still achieving compact integration within the existing stove structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design minimizes installation space requirements and allows easy retrofitting of existing stoves with electrostatic dust separation, ensuring safe operation by maintaining a safe distance from surrounding components.

Implementation Method 1

a spray electrode arranged in the interior of the smoke deflection chamber, which is electrically insulated from the blind cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic charging: Electrostatic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the walls of the smoke deflection chamber and the subsequent smoke outlets are designed as separating electrodes of an electrostatically acting dust separator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentEP4521022B1Fireplace with electrostatic particle separator
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 KARL SCHRADER NACHF INH KARL HEINZ SCHRADER E K
  • EP4521022B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4521022B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4521022B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a wood-burning stove with a smoke deflection chamber (4) arranged above its combustion chamber (2), which is provided with two identically designed smoke outlets (5, 6), the first (5) of which exits upwards and the second (6) to the rear of the wood-burning stove, wherein one of these smoke outlets (5 or 6) is connected to a flue pipe (7) leading to the chimney, while the other smoke outlet (6 or 5) is closed by a blind cover (8).In order to equip such a fireplace with an electrostatic dust separation system in a simple and space-saving manner, the invention proposes that the walls of the smoke deflection chamber (4) and the adjoining smoke outlets (5, 6) are designed as separation electrodes of an electrostatic dust separation device, and that a spray electrode (12) is arranged in the interior of the smoke deflection chamber (4), which is electrically insulated from the blind cover (8).