GB2552764A

GB2552764A - Closed front gas fire apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2552764A
Application number: GB1609358.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Stonier Christopher
Original assignee: HEARTH PRODUCTS Ltd
Current assignee: HEARTH PRODUCTS Ltd
Priority date: 2016-05-26
Filing date: 2016-05-26
Publication date: 2018-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-05-26
Also published as: GB2552764B; GB201609358D0

Abstract

A closed front gas fire 12 comprises a housing 32 defining a combustion space 34, with a gas burner assembly 36 in the combustion space 34. The burner assembly 36 includes a fire bed 38 on which visible flames (40, Fig. 3B) are produced. The housing 32 comprises a front wall 42 which includes a viewing panel 44 allow a user to view the fire bed 38 and flames (40, Fig. 3B). Combustion products are exhausted through an outlet aperture 46. An uppermost height 52 of the viewing panel 44 is greater than an uppermost height 48 of the aperture 46. The fire 12 may include a flow passage arrangement 54 comprising an exhaust passage 56, downdraught diverter passage 58, a common flow passage 60, and a junction space 62 in communication with the exhaust passage 56, downdraught diverter passage 58, and common flow passage 60. The fire 12 may fit into a standard size fireplace opening (18, Fig. 1). A fireplace, a fireplace with a flue spacer, and a method of installing a gas fire are also claimed.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Closed front gas fire apparatus

Abstract Title: Gas fire with viewing panel and flow passage with downdraught diverter (57) A closed front gas fire 12 comprises a housing 32 defining a combustion space 34, with a gas burner assembly 36 in the combustion space 34. The burner assembly 36 includes a fire bed 38 on which visible flames (40, Fig. 3B) are produced. The housing 32 comprises a front wall 42 which includes a viewing panel 44 allow a user to view the fire bed 38 and flames (40, Fig. 3B). Combustion products are exhausted through an outlet aperture 46. An uppermost height 52 of the viewing panel 44 is greater than an uppermost height 48 of the aperture 46. The fire 12 may include a flow passage arrangement 54 comprising an exhaust passage 56, downdraught diverter passage 58, a common flow passage 60, and a junction space 62 in communication with the exhaust passage 56, downdraught diverter passage 58, and common flow passage 60. The fire 12 may fit into a standard size fireplace opening (18, Fig. 1). A fireplace, a fireplace with a flue spacer, and a method of installing a gas fire are also claimed.

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy. The claims were filed later than the filing date but within the period prescribed by Rule 22(1) of the Patents Rules 2007.

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Closed Front Gas Fire Apparatus

The present invention relates to a closed front gas fire apparatus.

Conventionally, a closed front gas fire apparatus comprises a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, in which a gas burner assembly is located. In use, gas flows to the gas burner assembly where it is ignited to produce flames. The combustion chamber housing extends completely around the combustion space, as opposed to an open fronted fire apparatus which has an open side for viewing the flames. Usually the combustion chamber housing of the closed front gas fire apparatus includes a transparent front wall to permit viewing of the flames in the combustion space by viewers in a room.

Closed front gas fire apparatus which is installed in an open flue such as a chimney place is susceptible to downdraughts coming down the flue which can extinguish the fire and/or pilot light. This can lead to unstable and/or incomplete combustion, which constitutes a risk of danger to persons and property. To avoid this, regulatory standards specify that closed front gas fire apparatus is designed so that when downdraughts occur, the downdraught air flow and combustion gas product flow are diverted into the room by diverter passages with vents which are usually located above the front wall. Before type certification, a closed front gas fire apparatus must be tested to ensure this is the case.

In the UK, houses have been traditionally built with fireplace openings which are 400mm (16 inches) wide and 550mm (22 inches) high. This imposes limits on the dimensions of the combustion space. However, there is a growing trend towards larger gas fire apparatus with larger combustion spaces and this often means that building work is required to enlarge the fireplace opening.

In this specification, the term “front” is used to refer to a part which is closest to or towards a viewer in an installed condition and the term “rear” is used to refer to a part which is furthest away or away from the viewer in the installed condition.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a closed front gas fire apparatus, the apparatus including a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, a gas burner assembly which is located in the combustion space, the burner assembly including a fire bed on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames are produced, the combustion chamber housing including a front wall, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space to be heated, the front wall including a viewing panel which permits light transmission therethrough to allow a person in the room space to view the fire bed and/or the flames, the chamber housing defining an outlet aperture for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition, an uppermost part of the outlet aperture being located at a height above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane, the viewing panel extending upwardly to an uppermost height above the base datum plane, wherein the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height.

Possibly, the apparatus is for fitting into a fireplace opening, which may have a width dimension, and may have a height dimension from the base datum plane. Possibly, the fireplace opening is of a standard size. Possibly, the width dimension is approximately 400mm (16 inches). Possibly, the height dimension is approximately 550mm (22 inches).

Possibly, the uppermost outlet aperture part height is smaller than the fireplace height dimension. Possibly, the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the fireplace height dimension.

Possibly, the apparatus defines a flow passage arrangement for permitting, in use, flow of the combustion products away from the combustion space. Possibly, the flow passage arrangement includes an exhaust passage, and may include a downdraught diverter passage arrangement, and may include a common flow passage arrangement. Possibly, the flow passage arrangement includes a junction space, which communicates with the common flow passage arrangement, and/or the exhaust passage and/or the downdraught diverter passage arrangement.

Possibly, the exhaust passage extends from the outlet aperture to the junction space. Possibly, the apparatus includes exhaust passage ducting, which may define the exhaust passage. Possibly, the exhaust passage extends substantially upwardly and rearwardly from the outlet aperture. Possibly, the exhaust passage extends upwardly and rearwardly at an angle to the base datum plane of greater than 45° and desirably greater than 60°.

Possibly, the outlet aperture is substantially planar and may be orientated substantially in parallel to the base datum plane.

Possibly, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends from the junction space to a vent aperture, which may communicate with the room space. The vent aperture may be located above the front wall, and a lowermost height of the vent aperture may be at a greater height above the base datum plane than the fireplace opening height. Possibly, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends substantially upwardly and forwardly from the junction space. Possibly, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends upwardly and forwardly at an angle to the base datum plane of greater than 45° and desirably greater than 60°.

Possibly, the cross sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement increases away from the junction space.

Possibly, the apparatus includes downdraught diverter passage ducting, which may define the downdraught diverter passage arrangement.

Possibly, the common flow passage arrangement extends from the junction space to a flue aperture, which may communicate with a flue passage, which may be defined by a flue or chimney structure, which may comprise part of a building. Possibly, the apparatus includes common flow passage ducting, which may define the common flow passage arrangement. Possibly, the common flow passage arrangement extends rearwardly at an angle to a normal of the base datum plane of greater than 45° and desirably greater than 60°. Possibly, the common flow passage arrangement extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly from the junction space to the flue aperture.

Possibly, the common flow passage ducting has an uppermost height from the base datum plane, which may be smaller than the fireplace opening height dimension, so that the common flow passage ducting fits into the fireplace opening.

Possibly, in use, in the combustion condition, the combustion products exit from the combustion space via the outlet aperture, pass along the exhaust passage, through the junction space, along the common flow passage arrangement, through the flue aperture(s) and into the flue passage.

Possibly, in use, in a non-combustion downdraught condition, a down draught airflow passes from the flue passage through the flue aperture, along the common flow passage arrangement, through the junction space, along the downdraught diverter passage arrangement, and through the vent aperture into the room space.

Possibly, in use, in a combustion downdraught condition, a downdraught airflow passes from the flue passage through the flue aperture, along the common flow passage arrangement and into the junction space, the combustion products exit from the combustion chamber housing via the outlet aperture, pass along the exhaust passage, mix with the downdraught airflow in the junction space, the combined downdraught airflow and combustion products flow along the downdraught diverter passage arrangement and through the vent aperture into the room space.

Possibly, the cross sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement at the junction space is greater than the cross sectional area of the exhaust passage at the junction space. Possibly, the ratio of the cross sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement at the junction space to the cross sectional area of the exhaust passage at the junction space is at least 55:45 and may be at least 60:40.

Possibly, the cross sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement increases moving away from the junction space

Possibly, the cross sectional area of the exhaust passage reduces moving towards the junction space.

Possibly, at the junction space, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement includes a plurality of downdraught diverter passages, and may include two spaced downdraught diverter passages, which may diverge away from each other from the junction space. Possibly, at the vent aperture, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement includes a single plenum downdraught diverter passage. Possibly, the downdraught diverter passages extend to the plenum downdraught diverter passage.

Possibly, the common flow passage arrangement includes a plurality of common flow passages, and may include two spaced common flow passages.

Possibly, the combustion chamber housing includes a mask wall, which may comprise part of a rear wall of the chamber housing, and may comprise an upper part of the rear wall of the chamber housing. Possibly, the lowermost height of the mask wall above the base datum plane is no greater than the lowermost height of the outlet aperture above the base datum plane.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas fire fireplace arrangement, the fireplace arrangement including a closed front gas fire apparatus, the apparatus including a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, a gas burner assembly which is located in the combustion space, the burner assembly including a fire bed on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames are produced, the combustion chamber housing including a front wall, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space to be heated, the front wall including a viewing panel which permits light transmission therethrough to allow a person in the room space to view the fire bed and/or the flames, the chamber housing defining an outlet aperture for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition, an uppermost part of the outlet aperture being located at a height above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane, the viewing panel extending upwardly to an uppermost height above the base datum plane, wherein the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height.

Possibly, the gas fire fireplace arrangement includes a flue spacer for spacing the apparatus from a flue structure.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas fire fireplace arrangement, the fireplace arrangement including a gas fire apparatus and a flue spacer for spacing the apparatus from a flue structure.

Possibly, the apparatus is a closed front gas fire apparatus as described in any of the previous statements.

Possibly, the gas fire fireplace arrangement includes a support structure for fixing the apparatus to a building wall. Possibly, the arrangement includes a surround structure, which may define a surround structure aperture. Possibly, in an installed condition, the apparatus is located in the surround structure aperture, and the viewing panel may be visible through the surround structure aperture.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installation of a gas fire apparatus, the method including providing a closed front gas fire apparatus, the apparatus including a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, a gas burner assembly which is located in the combustion space, the burner assembly including a fire bed on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames are produced, the combustion chamber housing including a front wall, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space to be heated, the front wall including a viewing panel which permits light transmission therethrough to allow a person in the room space to view the fire bed and/or the flames, the chamber housing defining an outlet aperture for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition, an uppermost part of the outlet aperture being located at a height above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane, the viewing panel extending upwardly to an uppermost height above the base datum plane, wherein the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height.

Possibly, the apparatus includes any of the features described in any of the preceding statements or following description. Possibly, the method includes any of the steps described in any of the preceding statements or following description.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a gas fire fireplace arrangement;

Fig. 2A is a rear view of a closed front gas fire apparatus assembled with a support structure;

Fig. 2B is a side cross sectional view of the apparatus and the structure of Fig. 2A taken along a section line as indicated by arrows Y-Y in Figs. 2A and 2C;

Fig. 2B is a plan cross sectional view of the apparatus and the structure of Figs. 2A and 2B taken along a section line as indicated by arrows X-X in Fig. 2B;

Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are views corresponding to those of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively showing the apparatus and the structure in an installed condition and in a combustion condition;

Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C are views corresponding to those of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively showing the apparatus and the structure in the installed condition and in a non-combustion downdraught condition;

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C are views corresponding to those of Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C respectively showing the apparatus and the structure in the installed condition and in a combustion downdraught condition;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a second gas fire fireplace arrangement;

Figs. 7A and 7B are perspective schematic views showing stages in the construction of a first installation of the second gas fire fireplace arrangement; and

Figs. 8A and 8B are perspective schematic views showing stages in the construction of a second installation of the second gas fire fireplace arrangement.

Referring to Fig. 1, a gas fire fireplace arrangement 10 includes a closed front gas fire apparatus 12, a support structure 26 for fixing the apparatus 12 to a building wall 16, and a surround structure 22. The surround structure 22 defines a surround structure aperture 114. In an installed condition, the apparatus 12 is located in the surround structure aperture 114, and the viewing panel 44 is visible through the surround structure aperture 114.

Figs. 1 to 5 show the closed front gas fire apparatus 12, the apparatus 12 including a combustion chamber housing 32 defining a combustion space 34, and a gas burner assembly 36 which is located in the combustion space 34.

The burner assembly 36 includes a fire bed 38 on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames 40 are produced.

The combustion chamber housing 32 includes a front wall 42, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space 14 to be heated. The front wall 42 includes a viewing panel 44 which permits light transmission therethrough to allow a person in the room space 14 to view the fire bed 38 and/or the flames 40.

The chamber housing 32 defines an outlet aperture 46 for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition. An uppermost part of the outlet aperture 46 being located at a height 48 above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane 50. The viewing panel 44 extends upwardly to an uppermost height 52 above the base datum plane 50. The viewing panel uppermost height 52 is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height 48.

The apparatus 12 is for fitting into a fireplace opening 18 defined by the building wall 16. The fireplace opening 18 has a width dimension 28 and a height dimension 30 from the base datum plane 50. In one example, the fireplace opening 18 is of a standard size, the width dimension 28 being approximately 400mm (16 inches) and the height dimension 30 being approximately 550mm (22 inches).

The uppermost outlet aperture part height 48 is smaller than the fireplace height dimension 30. The viewing panel uppermost height 52 is greater than the fireplace height dimension 30.

The apparatus 12 defines a flow passage arrangement 54 for permitting, in use, flow of the combustion products away from the combustion space 34. The flow passage arrangement 54 includes an exhaust passage 56, a downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58, and a common flow passage arrangement 60. The flow passage arrangement 54 includes a junction space 62, which communicates with the common flow passage arrangement 60, the exhaust passage 56 and the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58.

The exhaust passage 56 extends from the outlet aperture 46 to the junction space 62. The apparatus 12 includes exhaust passage ducting 64 which defines the exhaust passage 56. The exhaust passage 56 extends substantially upwardly and rearwardly from the outlet aperture 46, at an angle 82 to the base datum plane 50. In one example, the angle 82 could be greater than 45° and desirably could be greater than 60°. In one example, the angle 82 is approximately 70°.

The outlet aperture 46 is substantially planar. In the example shown, the outlet aperture 46 is orientated substantially in parallel to the base datum plane 50.

The downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 extends from the junction space 62 to a vent aperture 66, which communicates with the room space 14. The vent aperture 66 is located above the front wall 42, and a lowermost height 68 of the vent aperture 66 is at a greater height above the base datum plane 50 than the fireplace opening height 30.

The downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 extends substantially upwardly and forwardly from the junction space 62. The downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 extends upwardly and forwardly at an angle 70 to the base datum plane 50. In one example, the angle 70 could be greater than 45° and desirably could be greater than 60°. In the example shown, the angle 70 is approximately 68°.

The apparatus 12 includes downdraught diverter passage ducting 72 which defines the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58.

The common flow passage arrangement 60 extends from the junction space 62 to a flue aperture 74, which communicates with a flue passage 20. The flue passage 20 is defined by a flue or chimney structure 76, which comprises part of a building. The apparatus 12 includes common flow passage ducting 78 which defines the common flow passage arrangement 60.

The common flow passage arrangement 60 extends rearwardly at an angle 84 to a normal of the base datum plane 50. In one example, the angle 84 could be greater than 45° and desirably could be greater than 60°. In the example shown, the common flow passage arrangement 60 extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly from the junction space 62 to the flue aperture 74.

The common flow passage ducting 78 has an uppermost height 80 from the base datum plane 50 which is smaller than the fireplace opening height dimension 30, so that the common flow passage ducting 78 fits into the fireplace opening 18.

The cross sectional area 86 of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 at the junction space 62 is greater than the cross sectional area 88 of the exhaust passage 56 at the junction space 62. In one example, the ratio of the cross sectional area 86 of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 at the junction space 62 to the cross sectional area 88 of the exhaust passage 56 at the junction space 62 could be at least 55:45 and desirably could be at least 60:40.

The cross sectional area 88 of the exhaust passage 56 reduces moving towards the junction space 62.

At the junction space 62, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 includes a plurality of downdraught diverter passages 90. In the example shown, at the junction space 62, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 includes two spaced downdraught diverter passages 90, which diverge away from each other from the junction space 62. At the vent aperture 66, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 includes a single plenum downdraught diverter passage 92. The two spaced downdraught diverter passages 90 extend to and communicate with the plenum downdraught diverter passage 92.

The ducting 72 defining the downdraught diverter passages 90 includes a lower forward wall 110 which is at a shallower angle to the base datum plane 50 than the angle 70 and an upper forward wall 112 which is at a steeper angle to the base datum plane 50 than the angle 70.

The common flow passage arrangement 60 includes a plurality of common flow passages 94 which extend from the junction space 62 to a corresponding plurality of the flue apertures 74. In the example shown, the common flow passage arrangement 60 includes two spaced common flow passages 94 which extend to two respective flue apertures 74. The flow passage arrangement 54 includes a splitter guide 96 which divides flow from the junction space 62 into two and directs the flow into the common flow passages 94.

The combustion chamber housing 32 includes a mask wall 98, which comprises an upper part of a rear wall 100 of the chamber housing 32. The lowermost height 102 of the mask wall 98 above the base datum plane 50 is no greater than the lowermost height 104 of the outlet aperture 46 above the base datum plane 50.

The combustion chamber housing 32 defines a plurality of inlet apertures 106 which permit the intake of air into the combustion space 34 in the combustion condition.

The closed front gas fire apparatus 12 includes a fascia member 116 which is mounted to the front of the housing 32. In one example, the fascia member 116 is mounted by adjustable mountings (not shown) which could, for example be magnetic mountings. The fascia member 116 defines upper fascia apertures 118A and lower fascia apertures 118B which permit airflow into and out of the vent aperture 66 and inlet apertures 106. Importantly, the upper fascia apertures 118A have a larger cross sectional area than the vent aperture 66, so that flow through the vent aperture 66 is not restricted by the upper fascia apertures 118A.

The fascia member 116 includes a viewing panel 128 which locates in front of the viewing panel 44. The fascia member viewing panel 128 permits light transmission therethrough to allow a person in the room space 14 to view the fire bed 38 and/or the flames 40.

The surround structure 22 defines a surround structure aperture 114.

The gas fire fireplace arrangement 10 includes a base member 24, which could be in the form of a hearth and on which the apparatus 12 is located in the installed condition. The upper surface of base member 24 could be planar and could be coplanar with, and form part of the base datum plane 50. However, it should be noted that this is not necessarily the case and the base datum plane 50 could in fact be any convenient horizontal plane which provides a reference plane for the various heights, and could be a notional plane.

The support structure 26 includes rearwardly projecting flanges 108.

In use, the gas fire fireplace arrangement 10 is installed as follows. The support structure 26 is located on the base member 24 adjacent the fireplace opening 18 so that the flanges 108 are received within the fireplace opening 18, and the support structure 26 fixed to the wall 16. The apparatus 12 is then located on the base member 24, within and fixed to the support structure 26, so that the rear of the apparatus 12 projects into the opening 18, with the common flow passage ducting 78 locating underneath the wall 16 defining the uppermost part of the opening 18.

At this stage, the apparatus 12 can be connected to a gas supply and the operation of the apparatus 12 tested to ensure compliance with regulatory standards. According to these standards, the apparatus 12 must operate safely when subjected to intermittent, relatively strong downdraughts, which reverse the direction of flow in the flue passage 20.

Referring to Fig. 3, in use, in the combustion condition, the gas burner assembly 36 is in operation, producing visible flames 40 in the combustion space 34. The combustion products exit from the combustion space 34 via the outlet aperture 46, pass along the exhaust passage 56, through the junction space 62, along the common flow passages 94, through the flue apertures 74 and into the flue passage 20, as indicated by arrows A. In the combustion condition, inlet air is drawn in through the inlet apertures 106 and the lower fascia apertures 118B as indicated by arrows B.

Referring to Fig. 4, in use, in a non-combustion downdraught condition, the gas burner assembly 36 is not in operation. A downdraught airflow as indicated by arrows C passes from the flue passage 20 through the flue apertures 74, along the common flow passages 94, through the junction space 62, up the downdraught diverter passages 90 and along the plenum downdraught diverter passage 92, through the vent aperture 66 and the upper fascia apertures 118A into the room space 14.

Referring to Fig. 5, in use, in the combustion downdraught condition, the gas burner assembly 36 is in operation, producing visible flames 40 in the combustion space 34. The combustion products exit from the combustion space 34 via the outlet aperture 46, pass along the exhaust passage 56, and into the junction space 62, as indicated by arrows A. At the same time, a downdraught airflow as indicated by arrows C passes from the flue passage 20 through the flue apertures 74, along the common flow passages 94, and into the junction space 62, where it meets and mixes with the combustion products flow. The combined downdraught airflow and combustion products flow as indicated by arrows AC passes up the downdraught diverter passages 90 and along the plenum downdraught diverter passage 92, through the vent aperture 66 and the upper fascia apertures 118A into the room space 14.

There is thus provided closed front gas fire apparatus 12 which provides an extended height viewing panel 44, providing the viewer in the room space 14 with a better view of the fire bed 38 and the flames 40. The greater viewing area permits the transmission of more radiant heat. Although the height of the outlet aperture 46 is relatively low in comparison with the uppermost height 52 of the viewing panel 44, the outlet aperture 46 is not visible to the viewer because the mask wall 98 masks its location.

Conventionally, in a closed front gas fire apparatus, the downdraught airflow meets the flow of combustion products in the vicinity of and at the same height as the vent apertures. This means that with suitably large vent apertures, the combined flow of the downdraught airflow and the combustion products will readily exit through the vent apertures, thus maintaining safe combustion conditions for the gas burner assembly by maintaining the “draw” of the combustion products out of the combustion space, rather than permitting the downdraught airflow to enter the combustion space.

The Applicant has found that the height 52 of the viewing panel 44 and the vent aperture height 68 relative to and above the fireplace opening height 30 and the outlet aperture height 48 results in airflows which are different to that of conventional arrangements. In particular, the applicant has found that significant back pressure is present in the down draught diverter passage arrangement because of the relative length and generally upward direction of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement.

The Applicant has found that this problem can be overcome by providing: a plurality of combined flow passages; and/or a plurality of downdraught diverter passages; and/or a single exhaust passage; and/or an exhaust passage in which the cross sectional area reduces towards the junction space; and/or a downdraught diverter passage arrangement in which the cross sectional area increases away from the junction space; and/or the downdraught diverter passage arrangement cross section area at the junction space being greater than the cross section area of the exhaust passage at the junction space.

Reducing the cross sectional area of the exhaust passage 56 towards the junction space 62 effectively provides a nozzle which increases the speed of flow of the combustion products into the junction space 62, to reduce the risk of back flow down the exhaust passage 56. Similarly, increasing the cross sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58 helps to draw the combined flows up the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58.

The change in angle between the lower forward wall 110 and the upper forward wall 112 of the downdraught diverter passage ducting 72 helps to smooth the change of direction of the combined flows up the downdraught diverter passage arrangement 58, reducing back pressure.

Advantageously, the flow passage arrangement 54 of the invention provides gas flows in use in downdraught conditions which comply with the regulatory standards applicable to closed front gas fire apparatus 12, while permitting the apparatus 12 to be fitted to a fireplace opening 18 of a standard size 16 by 22 inches (400mm by 550mm) and having a viewing panel which extends upwardly beyond the height of the fireplace opening 18.

Figs 6 to 8 show other embodiments of the invention, many features of which are similar to those already described in relation to the embodiment of Figs 1 to 5. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiments will only be described in so far as they differ from the embodiment already described. Where features are the same or similar, the same reference numerals have been used and the features will not be described again.

Fig. 6 shows a second gas fire fireplace arrangement 210. The second gas fire fireplace arrangement 210 includes the closed front gas fire apparatus 12, the support structure 26 and the surround structure as described above. The second gas fire fireplace arrangement 210 further includes a flue spacer 126. The spacer 126 could be formed of a fireproof or fire resistant material.

In certain installations, it is necessary or desirable to install a flue structure 120, which could be pre-formed. This is installed, either within an existing chimney/flue structure 76 or built in as part of a new chimney/flue structure 130, as will be described below.

The flue structure 120 is provided in standard dimensions, typically of width 310mm (12 inches), which is a considerably smaller width than the width 28 of the fireplace opening 18 (16 inches/400mm). It will be noted that the housing 32 includes a rearwardly projecting part 132 below the common flow passages 94 which tapers outwardly. In the installations described below, the flue spacer 126 is inserted between the flue structure 120 and the support structure 26. The flue spacer 126 moves the closed front gas fire apparatus 12 away from the flue structure 120 so that only a narrower part of the projecting part 132 is required to fit into the flue structure 120. Thus the combination of the tapering rearwardly projecting part 132 and the flue spacer 126 extends the possible installation options of the closed front gas fire apparatus 12.

In one example, the spacer 126 is in the region of 30mm to 80mm in thickness and optimally could be approximately 55mm in thickness.

Figs. 7A and 7B show stages in the construction of a first installation of the second gas fire fireplace arrangement. In this installation, a new chimney/flue structure 130 is formed which includes a wall 216 in which the spacer 126 is incorporated. In the example shown, the wall 216 is a stud wall defining a cavity 134 and the spacer 126 locates within the cavity 134. The new flue structure 120 is located behind the wall 216.

The support structure 26, the surround structure 22 and the closed front gas fire apparatus 12 are then installed against the wall 216 in a similar manner to that previously described.

Figs. 8A and 8B show stages in the construction of a second installation of the second gas fire fireplace arrangement 210. In this installation, the flue structure 120 is installed into the fireplace opening 18 and the spacer 126 locates against the wall 16. The support structure 26, the surround structure 22 and the closed front gas fire apparatus 12 are then installed against the wall 16 in a similar manner to that previously described.

In this installation, the spacer 126 spaces the apparatus 12 from the wall 16. A deeper surround structure 22 could be provided to cover the gap caused by the flue spacer 126.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The gas fire fireplace arrangement, the closed front gas fire apparatus and the various components thereof could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material (within the scope of the specific definitions herein).

Any of the features or steps of any of the embodiments shown or described could be combined in any suitable way, within the scope of the overall disclosure of this document.

There is thus provided a gas fire fireplace arrangement and a closed front gas fire apparatus with a number of advantages over conventional arrangements. In particular the closed front gas fire apparatus provides an extended height viewing panel while permitting installation in a standard fireplace opening without structural alteration to the wall 16 of the flue/chimney structure 76 being required.

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Claims

1. A closed front gas fire apparatus, the apparatus including a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, a gas burner assembly

5 which is located in the combustion space, the burner assembly including a fire bed on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames are produced, the combustion chamber housing including a front wall, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space to be heated, the front wall including a viewing panel which permits light transmission therethrough to

10 allow a person in the room space to view the fire bed and/or the flames, the chamber housing defining an outlet aperture for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition, an uppermost part of the outlet aperture being located at a height above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane, the viewing panel extending upwardly to an uppermost

15 height above the base datum plane, wherein the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus is for fitting into a fireplace opening, which has a width dimension, and a height dimension

20 from the base datum plane.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the fireplace opening is of a standard size.

25

4. Apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, in which the width dimension is approximately 400mm (16 inches).

5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the height dimension is approximately 550mm (22 inches).

6. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 5, in which the uppermost outlet aperture part height is smaller than the fireplace height dimension.

26 05 17

7. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 6, in which the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the fireplace height dimension.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the 5 apparatus defines a flow passage arrangement for permitting, in use, flow of the combustion products away from the combustion space, the flow passage arrangement including an exhaust passage, a downdraught diverter passage arrangement, a common flow passage arrangement and a junction space, wherein the junction space communicates with the

10 common flow passage arrangement, the exhaust passage and the downdraught diverter passage arrangement.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the apparatus includes exhaust passage ducting, which defines the exhaust passage.

10. Apparatus according to claims 8 or 9, in which the exhaust passage extends from the outlet aperture to the junction space.

20

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the exhaust passage extends substantially upwardly and rearwardly from the outlet aperture.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the exhaust passage extends upwardly and rearwardly at an angle to the base datum plane of greater

25 than 45eand desirably greater than 60e.

13. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the outlet aperture is substantially planar and is orientated substantially in parallel to the base datum plane.

14. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends from the junction space to a vent aperture, which communicates with the room space.

26 05 17

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, in which the vent aperture is located above the front wall.

16. Apparatus according to claims 14 or 15 when dependent on claim 2 or any 5 claim dependent thereon, in which a lowermost height of the vent aperture is at a greater height above the base datum plane than the fireplace opening height.

17. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which 10 the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends substantially upwardly and forwardly from the junction space.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the downdraught diverter passage arrangement extends upwardly and forwardly at an angle to the

15 base datum plane of greaterthan 45eand desirably greaterthan 60a

19. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the cross-sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement increases away from the junction space.

20. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the apparatus includes downdraught diverter passage ducting, which defines the downdraught diverter passage arrangement

25

21. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the common flow passage arrangement extends from the junction space to a flue aperture, which communicates with a flue passage, which may be defined by a flue or chimney structure, which may comprise part of a building.

22.Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the common flow passage arrangement extends rearwardly at an angle to a normal of the base datum plane of greaterthan 45eand desirably greaterthan 60e.

26 05 17

23.Apparatus according to claim 22, in which the common flow passage arrangement extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly from the junction space to the flue aperture.

5

24,Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 23, in which the apparatus includes common flow passage ducting, which defines the common flow passage arrangement.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim 10 dependent thereon, in which the common flow passage ducting has an uppermost height from the base datum plane, which is smaller than the fireplace opening height dimension, so that the common flow passage ducting fits into the fireplace opening.

15 26.Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 25, in which, in use, in the combustion condition, the combustion products exit from the combustion space via the outlet aperture, pass along the exhaust passage, through the junction space, along the common flow passage arrangement, through the flue aperture(s) and into the flue passage.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 26 when dependent on claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in use, in a non-combustion downdraught condition, a down draught airflow passes from the flue passage through the flue aperture, along the common flow passage

25 arrangement, through the junction space, along the downdraught diverter passage arrangement, and through the vent aperture into the room space.

28. Apparatus according to any of claims 21 to 27 when dependent on claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which in use, in a combustion

30 downdraught condition, a downdraught airflow passes from the flue passage through the flue aperture, along the common flow passage arrangement and into the junction space, the combustion products exit from the combustion chamber housing via the outlet aperture, pass along

26 05 17 the exhaust passage, mix with the downdraught airflow in the junction space, the combined downdraught airflow and combustion products flow along the downdraught diverter passage arrangement and through the vent aperture into the room space.

29. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the cross-sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement at the junction space is greater than the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage at the junction space.

30. Apparatus according to claim 29, in which the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement at the junction space to the cross sectional area of the exhaust passage at the junction space is at least 55:45 and may be at least 60:40.

31. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the cross-sectional area of the downdraught diverter passage arrangement increases moving away from the junction space.

20

32. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the cross-sectional area of the exhaust passage reduces moving towards the junction space.

33. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which

25 at the junction space, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement includes a plurality of downdraught diverter passages, and may include two spaced downdraught diverter passages, which may diverge away from each other from the junction space.

30

34. Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which at the vent aperture, the downdraught diverter passage arrangement includes a single plenum downdraught diverter passage.

26 05 17

35.Apparatus according to claim 34 when dependent on claim 33, in which the downdraught diverter passages extend to the plenum downdraught diverter passage.

5

36. Apparatus according to claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the common flow passage arrangement includes a plurality of common flow passages, and may include two spaced common flow passages.

37. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the 10 combustion chamber housing includes a mask wall, which comprises part of a rear wall of the chamber housing, and may comprise an upper part of the rear wall of the chamber housing.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, in which the lowermost height of the 15 mask wall above the base datum plane is no greater than the lowermost height of the outlet aperture above the base datum plane.

39. A gas fire fireplace arrangement, the fireplace arrangement including a closed front gas fire apparatus according to any of the preceding claims.

40. An arrangement according to claim 39, in which the gas fire fireplace arrangement includes a flue spacer for spacing the apparatus from a flue structure.

25

41.A gas fire fireplace arrangement, the fireplace arrangement including a gas fire apparatus and a flue spacer for spacing the apparatus from a flue structure.

42. An arrangement according to any of claims 39 to 41, in which the gas fire

30 fireplace arrangement includes a support structure for fixing the apparatus to a building wall, a surround structure which defines a surround structure aperture, and in an installed condition, the apparatus is located in the

26 05 17 surround structure aperture, and the viewing panel is visible through the surround structure aperture.

43. An arrangement according to claims 41 or 42, in which the apparatus is a 5 closed front gas fire apparatus as defined in any of claims 1 to 38.

44. A method of installation of a gas fire apparatus, the method including providing a closed front gas fire apparatus, the apparatus including a combustion chamber housing defining a combustion space, a gas burner

10 assembly which is located in the combustion space, the burner assembly including a fire bed on or in which, in a combustion condition, visible flames are produced, the combustion chamber housing including a front wall, which in an installed condition, faces into a room space to be heated, the front wall including a viewing panel which permits light transmission

15 therethrough to allow a person in the room space to view the fire bed and/or the flames, the chamber housing defining an outlet aperture for exhaust of combustion products in the combustion condition, an uppermost part of the outlet aperture being located at a height above an in use substantially horizontal base datum plane, the viewing panel

20 extending upwardly to an uppermost height above the base datum plane, wherein the viewing panel uppermost height is greater than the uppermost outlet aperture part height.

45. A method according to claim 44, in which the apparatus is a closed front

25 gas fire apparatus as defined in any claims of 1 to 38.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1609358.5 Examiner: Dr Rhys Williams