GB2410324A

GB2410324A - Gas fire with reflective means

Info

Publication number: GB2410324A
Application number: GB0401234A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Anthony Byrne
Original assignee: Valor Ltd
Current assignee: Valor Ltd
Priority date: 2004-01-21
Filing date: 2004-01-21
Publication date: 2005-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2024-01-21
Also published as: GB0401234D0; GB2410324B

Abstract

A heating apparatus comprises a burner means 34 which produces visible flames 42, reflective means 28 positioned behind the flames 42 and partially reflective and partially transparent means 26 positioned in front of the flames 42. The reflective means behind the flames 42 may be curved in only one plane such that it is concave and has a constant cross section which lies on the surface of a circle. The partially reflective and partially transparent means 26 positioned in front of the flames 42 may be a planar glass sheet with the front surface of the sheet treated to reduce its reflectivity. The apparatus may further comprise a decorative bed 30a,30b,38, so arranged that the flames 42 from the burner 34 are produced without impinging on the decorative bed 30a,30b,38 and the combustion of fuel in unhindered by the decorative bed 30a,30b,38. A housing 14 of the apparatus may be provided with an exhaust aperture 36. There may be provided a means 46 for altering the colour of the flames produced by the burner means.

Description

24 1 0324

DESCRIPTION

HEATING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to heating apparatus and in particular to so called "living flame" fires in which fuel (usually combustible gas) is burned and produces visible flames which simulate those of a solid fuel fire.

Existing living flame fires comprise a decorative bed, for example, a simulated bed of fuel such as coal or logs or a simulated bed of pebbles or the like, beneath which is positioned a fuel burner. Combustion of fuel at the burner causes the bed above to heat up and glow in the manner of a solid fuel bed. In 0 addition, flames from the combustion of the fuel pass through gaps between individual elements of the bed (or through apertures in the case of a one-piece bed) and are visible above the bed as flickering flames. The combination of a glowing bed and flickering flame produces a very realistic simulation of a traditional solid fuel bed, while at the same time providing significant heat.

Whilst the known fires are very realistic, the location of the bed above the burner normally results in incomplete combustion of the fuel which, while producing realistic flames, can result in the formation of potentially harmful combustion products. As a consequence, the combustion products of existing living flame fires are either vented to atmosphere or pass through a catalytic converter to convert harmful combustion products into harmless products before being discharged into the room where the fire is situated.

However, with the widespread use of central heating, it is rare that a living flame fire would be used as the primary heat source. However, such fires are still very desirable from an aesthetic point of view and as a secondary heat source when desired.

Moreover, whilst installation of a living flame fire may be desirable, where space is at a premium or where no provision has been made for installation of a flue (for example in an apartment) it may only be possible to fit a fire which is not very deep in the front to rear direction, which tends to result in a less realistic simulation of a real fire.

It is an object of the present invention to provide heating apparatus which is small in depth (i.e. in the front to rear direction) but which still produces a realistic simulation of a real fire.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a living flame effect fire which does not require external venting.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a heating lo apparatus comprises a burner means which produces visible flames, reflective means positioned behind the flames and partially-reflective and partially transparent means positioned in front of the flames.

In such an arrangement, the flames can be viewed directly through the partially-reflective and partially-transparent means. In addition, light from the flames is reflected forwardly from the reflective means positioned behind the burner means, both directly from the flames and also after having first been reflected from the rear surface of the partially-reflective means. Part of the light reflected forwardly from the reflective means passes through the partially reflective means, and part is reflected rearwardly towards the reflective means, and so on. This results in multiple images of the flames as viewed by an observer.

Preferably, the reflective means positioned behind the flames is curved.

Preferably, the reflective means is concave and is preferably curved in one plane only.

The reflective means may have a constant cross-section which lies on the 2s surface of a circle.

The partially reflective and partially transparent means preferably comprises a sheet.

The sheet preferably comprises a substantially planar rear surface. The front surface of the sheet may be treated to reduce its reflectivity.

In one embodiment the sheet comprises a glass sheet.

The heating apparatus may further comprise a decorative bed located between the partially reflective and partially transparent means and the burner means.

Preferably, the flames are produced without impinging on the decorative bed.

Preferably, the combustion of fuel in unhindered by the decorative bed.

lo There may also be a decorative bed located between the burner means and the reflective means and/or a decorative bed located in front of the partially reflective and partially transparent means.

The heating apparatus may further comprise a housing in which the burner means, the partially reflective and partially transparent means and the reflective means are located.

The housing preferably comprises an exhaust aperture for egress of combustion products form the burner means.

There may also be means for altering the colour of the flames produced by the burner means.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a heating apparatus comprises burner means which produces visible flames from combustion of fuel and a decorative bed having an aperture through which the flames emerge without impinging on the bed.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a heating apparatus comprises burner means which produces visible flames from combustion of fuel and a decorative bed having an aperture through which the flames emerge, the combustion of the fuel being unhindered by the decorative bed.

In this way, flames can be produced without impinging directly on the bed.

This allows the combustion of the fuel to be accurately controlled and thereby allows combustion without the production of significant levels of harmful by products.

The decorative bed preferably comprises a simulated fuel bed.

In one embodiment, the burner means is elongate and the aperture through which the flames emerge is elongate.

ID By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of an embodiment of heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation through the heating apparatus of IS Fig. 1.

The heating apparatus shown in the drawings comprises a pressed metal housing 10 having front and rear planar walls 12, 14, planar side walls 16, 18, and planar upper and lower walls 20, 22.

A rectangular aperture 24 in the front wall is closed off by a partially reflective and partially transparent (semi-silvered) heat-resistant planar glass sheet 26 arranged with its planar front and rear faces parallel to the plane of the front and rear walls 12, 14 and which is secured sealingly in the aperture 24 around the whole of its periphery. The front surface of the sheet 26 is preferably treated (e.g. coated) to reduce its reflectivity. A cylindrical concave mirror 28, i.e. an elongate mirror curved in one plane and having a constant cross-section which lies on the surface of a circle, is arranged adjacent to the rear wall 14 of the housing, with its longitudinal axis arranged parallel to the plane of the faces of the glass sheet 26.

Located between the partially-reflective glass sheet 26 rear mirror is a simulated fuel bed. As shown in Fig. 2, the simulated fuel bed comprises a front portion 30a and a rear portion 30b which are separated from each other by a longitudinal gap 32. Again as seen in Fig. 2, an elongate conventional burner 34 s projects into the gap 32. An elongate exhaust grille 36 for exhausting combustion gases from the burner 34 is located immediately above the partially-reflective glass sheet 26. It will also be observed that a further simulated fuel bed portion 38 extends in front of the lower portion of the partially-reflective and partially transparent sheet 26 and covers the lowermost portion of the front wall of the lo housing and is enclosed by decorative fretwork 40.

In use, a fuel/air mixture is fed to the burner 34 and is ignited, producing flames along the length of the burner. The burner is arranged to produce a number of larger flames (shown at 42 in the drawings) and several of smaller flames 44 between the larger flames.

Is The flames are visible through the partially-reflective glass sheet 26 and, in combination with the simulated fuel bed portions 30a, 30b located in front of, and behind, the flames and the further simulated fuel bed portion 38 in front of the sheet 26, produce a realistic simulation of a solid fuel fire.

However, the effect is enhanced by multiple reflection of light from the flames 42, 44 between the partially-reflective front sheet 26 and the reflective rear mirror 28, as illustrated in Fig. 2. In particular, light from the flames (both directly from the flames, as indicated at 48, and after reflection from the rear face of the front sheet 26, as indicated at 50) is reflected from the curved mirror 28.

Part of this reflected light is transmitted through the glass sheet 26 and part is 2s reflected back towards the rear curved mirror 28. After further reflection from the rear mirror, part of the light is transmitted through the front sheet 26 and part is reflected back towards the rear curved mirror, and so on. This produces multiple s images I, I',I" of the flames which gives an impression of depth of the fire which is much greater than the actual depth (the width in the front-to rear direction).

As shown in Fig. 2, the front and rear portions of the simulated fuel bed 30 do not overhang the gap 32 through which the flames 42, 44 are produced and s thus the simulated fuel bed does not interfere with the combustion of the fuel and the flames emerge without impinging on the bed 30. As a result, the combustion of the fuel, and therefore the formation of combustion products, can be precisely controlled and there is therefore no need for the combustion products to pass through a catalytic converter or to be exhausted to atmosphere. Instead, the lo combustion products are allowed to be exhausted into the room in which the fire is situated through the exhaust grille 36.

In view of the fact that the construction of the fire allows near stoichiometric combustion to take place, the flame which would normally be produced with natural gas is very blue, unlike that produced by a real solid fuel IS fire. As a result a flame colouring rod 46 attached to the burner 34 projects into the flames 42, 44 to alter the flame colour to the colour more akin to that produced by a solid fuel fire. A suitable example of flame colouring rod would be a Zoldov rod.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the forgoing embodiment.

In particular, although the embodiment supplied has been with reference to a vent free fire the invention is equally applicable to a fire in which the combustion products are exhausted to atmosphere. 2s

Claims

ICON TO 7 CLAIMS

1. A heating apparatus comprising: a burner means which produces visible flames; reflective means positioned behind the flames; and partiallyreflective and partially transparent means positioned in front of the flames.

2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reflective means positioned behind the flames is curved.

3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the reflective means lo is concave.

4. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the reflective means is curved in one plane only.

5. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reflective means has a constant cross-section which lies on the surface of a circle.

6. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the partially reflective and partially transparent means positioned in front of the Gaines comprises a sheet.

7. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet comprises a substantially planar rear surface.

8. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the front surface of the sheet is treated to reduce its reflectivity.

9. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sheet comprises a glass sheet.

10. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further 2s comprising a decorative bed located between the partially reflective and partially transparent means and the burner means.

11. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a decorative bed located between the burner means and the reflective means.

12. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the flames are produced without impinging on the decorative bed.

13. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the combustion of fuel in unhindered by the decorative bed.

14. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a decorative bed located in front of the partially reflective and partially lo transparent means.

15. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing in which the burner means, the partially reflective and partially transparent means and the reflective means are located.

16. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the housing is comprises an exhaust aperture for egress of combustion products form the burner means.

17. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for altering the colour of the flames produced by the burner means.

18. A heating apparatus comprising: burner means which produces visible flames from combustion of fuel; and a decorative bed having an aperture through which the flames emerge without impinging on the bed.

19. A heating apparatus comprising burner means which produces visible as flames from combustion of fuel and a decorative bed having an aperture through which the flames emerge, the combustion of the fuel being unhindered by the decorative bed.

20. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the decorative bed comprises a simulated fuel bed.

21. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the burner means is elongate and the aperture through which the flames emerge is elongate.

22. A heating apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.