Steam based faux fireplace
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gas fireplaces pose installation restrictions due to venting requirements and produce excessive heat, which limits their placement flexibility and increases costs, while electric fireplaces lack realism and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A steam-based faux fireplace system that uses a low-power boiler and pre-heating manifold to generate a realistic 3D flame, eliminating the need for venting and reducing heat output, with a configuration that pre-heats fluid before boiling, allowing for a smaller boiler and efficient steam use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a gas fireplace is used to generate realistic flames, then flame realism is improved, but installation restrictions and heat production worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas combustion system with an electric steam generation system. The boiler generates steam that is delivered through conduits to manifolds, eliminating the need for gas lines and venting while maintaining flame-like visual effects through steam illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces steam as an intermediary substance between the electric boiler and the final visual effect. The steam acts as a carrier that can be transported through conduits to various locations, enabling flexible installation while producing the desired flame appearance when illuminated.
2Illumination intensity
If a gas fireplace is used to generate realistic flames, then flame realism is improved, but heat production worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal energy release of gas combustion with an electric heating system that generates steam. The steam itself is not hot enough to produce unwanted radiant heat, and the system can be controlled to provide visual effects without excessive thermal output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the steam system to optimize visual effects while minimizing unwanted heat. The steam is generated at temperatures sufficient to create realistic flame appearance when illuminated, but controlled to avoid excessive heat production in the surrounding environment.
3Quantity of substance
If a high power boiler is used to generate steam for the fireplace, then steam production is improved, but device size and power consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-heating manifold that heats water before it enters the boiler. This preliminary action reduces the energy and time required in the boiler to generate steam, allowing a smaller, lower-power boiler to achieve the same steam production rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the manifold function of steam distribution with the function of water pre-heating. The same manifold structure serves dual purposes: delivering steam to the flame generation points and pre-heating the water supply, thereby eliminating the need for a separate pre-heater device.
4Device complexity
If cold water is fed directly to the boiler, then system simplicity is improved, but boiler power requirements and size worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-heating action in the manifold that warms the water before it reaches the boiler. This preliminary heating reduces the temperature differential the boiler must overcome, lowering its power requirements and allowing for a more compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the manifold serve multiple functions: steam distribution and water pre-heating. This multi-functionality adds a heating element to the system but eliminates the need for a separate pre-heater, maintaining relative simplicity while reducing boiler demands.
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
The steam-based system provides a safer, more flexible, and cost-effective alternative to gas and electric fireplaces, offering realistic flames without heat issues, reduced installation costs, and lower operational expenses, while being eco-friendly and compatible with TV installations.
Implementation Method 1
a boiler configured to receive water and generate steam
Implementation Method 2
The manifold is already heated due to the emitted steam. This configuration pre-heats the fluid before being presented to the boiler
Implementation Method 3
A very realistic faux flame with a significant length is generated from the low power boiler
Data Source
AI summary
A steam-based faux fireplace comprising a boiler configured to receive a fluid and generate steam, and a manifold configured to receive the steam from the boiler and emit the steam to generate a steam plume at an output. The manifold has a conduit configured to receive fluid from a reservoir and route the fluid about the manifold to heat the fluid before being routed to the boiler. The manifold is already heated due to the emitted steam. This configuration pre-heats the fluid before being presented to the boiler, allowing a smaller low power boiler to be used because the manifold acts as a fluid pre-heater. A very realistic faux flame with a significant length is generated from the low power boiler. In addition, the manifold includes a deflector configured to receive the impinging steam from the output, causing the steam to lose some energy and billow about the deflector and then illuminated to create a realistically looking flame.