CA1235346A - Heating unit - Google Patents
Heating unitInfo
- Publication number
- CA1235346A CA1235346A CA000451096A CA451096A CA1235346A CA 1235346 A CA1235346 A CA 1235346A CA 000451096 A CA000451096 A CA 000451096A CA 451096 A CA451096 A CA 451096A CA 1235346 A CA1235346 A CA 1235346A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flue
- unit
- heating
- heating unit
- convector
- Prior art date
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Abstract
A HEATING UNIT
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A heating unit adapted for attachment to or inclusion in heating appliance of the type having a combustion chamber, the heating unit including a shaped flue duct positioned in association with a com-bustion chamber of a heating appliance and adapted via fan means to draw therefrom gases and draw them through at least one convector pipe before the flue gases return and pass to a flue to be allowed to escape to atmosphere.
In a domestic central heating situation the combustion chamber can be a firebox of a space heater or an open fireplace. The firebox has in association therewith a duct through which the flue gases are drawn to a free standing convector unit in which the convector pipes are situated and around which ambient air circulates to be heated to thereby heat the area in which the convector unit is situated. In an industrial, horticultural and agricultural situation the heating unit can be associated with a firebox of a coal, wood, woodwaste or oil fired boiler or burner. The free standing convector unit thereof can be sited in a glasshouse or in a factory so that heat convected therefrom heats the ambient air in which the convector unit is sited.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A heating unit adapted for attachment to or inclusion in heating appliance of the type having a combustion chamber, the heating unit including a shaped flue duct positioned in association with a com-bustion chamber of a heating appliance and adapted via fan means to draw therefrom gases and draw them through at least one convector pipe before the flue gases return and pass to a flue to be allowed to escape to atmosphere.
In a domestic central heating situation the combustion chamber can be a firebox of a space heater or an open fireplace. The firebox has in association therewith a duct through which the flue gases are drawn to a free standing convector unit in which the convector pipes are situated and around which ambient air circulates to be heated to thereby heat the area in which the convector unit is situated. In an industrial, horticultural and agricultural situation the heating unit can be associated with a firebox of a coal, wood, woodwaste or oil fired boiler or burner. The free standing convector unit thereof can be sited in a glasshouse or in a factory so that heat convected therefrom heats the ambient air in which the convector unit is sited.
Description
-- ~2353~;
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to heating units and more particularly relates to a heating unit adapted to supply heat for use in any domestic, industrial and agricultural situation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A well known problem associated with heating units or appliances designed to burn fossil fuels and other organic matter is that a high percentage of heat is lost through natural convection as combustion exhaust gases rise through a flue pipe of the unit or appliance.
An object of the invention is to provide a heater unit with an improved heat output produced by extracting and utilizing efficiently fuel input and by utilizing efficiently hot exhaust gases from combustion which gases are normally wasted to atmosphere.
A further object of the invention is to make more efficient use of heat normally lost to atmosphere through a flue of a heating unit and to provide a heating unit adapted to apply this heat for useful purposes.
SUGARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a heating unit adapted for attachment to or inclusion in heating appliance of the type having a combustion chamber, the heating unit including a shaped I
~Z35346 flue duct positioned in association with a combustion chamber of a heating appliance and adapted via fan means to draw therefrom gases and draw them through at least one convertor pipe before the flue gases return and pass to a flue to be allowed to escape to atmosphere.
In a domestic central heating situation the combustion chamber can be a fire box of a space heater or an open fireplace. The fire box has in association therewith a duct through which the flue gases are drawn to a free standing convertor unit in which the convertor pipes are situated and around which ambient air circulates to be heated to thereby heat the area in which the con-vector unit is situated.
In industrial, horticultural and agricultural situations the heating unit can be associated with a fire-box of a coal, wood, woodiest or oil fired boiler/burner.
The free standing convertor unit thereof can be sited in a glass house or in a factory so that heat convected therefrom heats the ambient air in which the convertor unit is sited.
According to an alternative aspect of the invention the heating unit as herein before described is supplied by fuel via a feeding means, the feeding means including a hopper, an endless conveyor and a feed conveyor, the arrangement being such that the endless conveyor floats ,. . .~, , -lZ~3S3~
and is positioned relative to the hopper so that it con-vets fuel in the hopper over the rim thereof to one end of the endless conveyor which moves the fuel to the heating appliance.
The heating appliance is fed with fuel from above and the fire box has auxiliary/additional air supplied thereto via one or more stand pipes positioned therein The fan means for drawing the combustion gases to the flue can include a centrifugal fan positioned in the flue and adapted to draw the exhaust gases through a central inlet the periphery of which is sealed by a seal which contacts the side of the centrifugal fan.
BRIE_ DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
inure 1: shows a diagrammatic view of a heating unit as proposed to be used in a domestic situation;
Figure 2: shows a diagrammatic plan view of a heating unit adapted for use in a domestic situation where two rooms are to be heated . by a single heating appliance;
Figure PA: shows an example of heating unit adapted for use in association with a back-to-bac~
fireplace situation;
Figure 3B: shows a modified version of the heating unit shown in Figure PA:
~Z3S3~6 Figure 4: shows an example of heating unit as adapted for use in industrial and agricultural type situations;
Figure 5: shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a further example of heating unit;
Figure 6: shows a diagrammatic section through yet another heating unit and heating appliance incorporating the invention;
Figure 7: shows a perspective view from above of a heating unit usable with the appliance shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8: shows a plan view of a feeding means for supplying fuel to the heating appliance shown in Figure 6;
Figure 9: shows a section through the endless conveyor shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10: shows a view of the interior of a fire-- ho usable with a heating appliance - according to the invention; and Figure 11: shows a diagrammatic view of a fan means usable with the present invention.
DESCRY SHEEHAN OF THE PREFERRED E~ODIMENTS
In the following description similar parts of the different embodiments of the present invention have been referenced by the same numerals.
3~3~6 The present invention requires a burning or combustion space for a fire which is, for example, be adapted to burn coal, wood, woodiest or other fossil fuels and can be of the open or closed type.
The heating unit is mounted in association with a heating appliance which includes a combustion space or chamber. The embodiment of domestic unit shown in Figure 1 has an open fireplace generally indicated by arrow 1 as a combustion chamber. The fireplace has a shaped flue duet 2 associated therewith, the other end 3 of which feeds to a free standing eonveetor unit 4.
The convertor unit 4 includes convertor pipes S which form a sureties path from the flue duet opening 6 to a return duet 7. The eonveetor pipes 5 can inlaid a means for allowing maintenance and cleaning thereof. For example, the ends 8 of the eonveetor pipes 5 can be manifolds (not shown which can be readily removed or disengaged to enable the conv~ctor pipes 5 to be swept and cleaned when and if necessary The return duet 7 extends to a point above the combustion space 1.
Advantageously the upper region 9 of the combustion chamber 1 is sealed against a direct flow of exhaust gases from the combustion space. The air is drawn into the flue duet 2 by placing a fan 10 in the duet, for example, in the position shown. The fan 10 can be of the construction described hereinafter with reference ., to Figure 11. The fan 10 is arranged so that it draws the combustion exhaust gases from the combustion space or alternatively can be a fan (not shown) adapted to draw the air from the lower part of the flue duct 2.
In practice the convertor unit 4 is provided with an anesthetically pleasing outer casing by the inclusion of cover plates 11 (part of which are shown) which additionally provide protection to ensure that direct contact with the heated convertor pipes 5 cannot occur.
In addition the present invention can include a circulating fan 12 either installed in the bottom of the convertor unit 4 or in association therewith. The fan 12 is adapted to blow air around the convertor pipes 5 to increase the rate of heat transfer therefrom.
In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 2 - which is also designed as a domestic unit the exhaust gases are drawn from a rear 13 of the fireplace 1 and are transferred via a pipe 14 to a convertor unit positioned in another room 15. The returning gases pass back to the fireplace in the first room 16.
In the embodiment shown in Figure PA the installation is installed in a new building or alternatively in a back-to-back fireplace situation. In this embodiment the fire box 1 is a closed fire box and the air is drawn by a fan 10 from the rear of the fireplace through the convertor pipes 5 before being blown out a chimney 17.
~LZ~534~
g The fan 12 in association with the convertor unit 4 blows cooler air around the pipes 5 to improve heat transfer.
The next alternative construction shown in Figure 3B is similar to that Shannon Figure PA except that the fan 10 is not positioned in the flue flow path. The air is blown upwards into the flue pipe at 18 and this - air movement draws the air through the convertor pipes 5 and flue duct 2 before it passes through the flue or chimney 17 to atmosphere.
In industrial and commercial applications the present invention can be installed as shown in Figure 4.
This embodiment is sited in association with a glass house 19 and can, for example, be a coal fired boiler connected to appropriate dueling around the periphery of the glass-house. Air is blown up the flue 17 drawing the combustion exhaust gases from the fire box to ought the convertor pipes 20. Such an installation can include an automatic stoker.
The fan 10 is installed to create forced air draft through the heating coil by drawing in fresh air and blowing same straight up the chimney 17. This obviates the necessity of frequently cleaning of soot which can clog the fans blades.
It is also envisaged that in any of the embodiments of the invention described the convertor pipes can include additional fins to increase the heat transfer therefrom.
i2353~i In yet another alternative shown in Figure 5 the fire box 1 is mounted on a wheeled frame snot shown) at the rear of which is positioned a convertor unit 4.
The fire box 1 is adapted to burn any fuel, for example, woodiest from a timber yard or pulping plant. This construction which is readily transportable is set up at a site where heated air is required. This can, for example, be used to temporarily heat a large tent at a fair or a large building which is being used for an exhibition and the like.
It is to be appreciated that the present invention can be used for drying grain, timber, bricks, textiles and in any situation where a large volume of heat is required.
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the applicant can include in the fire box 1 a stand pipe : and auxiliary air supply to the centre and/or rear of the fire box through which additional air is supplied direct to the centre of the combustion space. The stand pipe or pipes extend from the grate upwards to a cover around the periphery of which are air outlets through which air is drawn when the fan 10 is operating. This construction is similar to the construction as herein-before described with reference to Figure lo In the embodiment of the invention which is described with reference to Figures 6 to if the heating unit is .
' .
~;~353~6 designed for placement in a glass house.
The heating unit has a convertor unit 4 associated with an enclosed fire box 1 which is fed by a feeding means shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9. The fuel which is advantageously west drops in the direction of the arrow 21 into a fuel supply chute 22 which terminates above the centre of grate 23. The fire box 1 has a door (not shown) to allow access for cleaning and/or repair. The fire box 1 includes a direct connection 24 to a flue 17. The direct connection is only used when starting a fire in the fire box and it is closed by a baffle (not shown).
The combustion gases when the heating appliance is operating pass through the flue duct opening 6 to the convertor unit 4 before passing to a return duct 7.
The convertor unit 4 is shown in more retail in Figure 7. The convertor unit includes a series of convertor pipes 5 which are connected at the ends thereof to form a circuitous path from the inlet duct 2 at 'A' to the return duct 7 at B. The manifolds 25 at one end of each pipe 5 are removable to allow the pipes 5 to be cleaned. The pipes 5 have fins 26 and more fins 26 are positioned on the lower hotter pipes 5 than on the upper cooler pipes (as shown in Figure 7).
The convertor unit 4 has a circulating fan 12 associated therewith to increase heat transfer from the ~;~3S39~6 pipes 5 and fins 26. The convertor unit 4 with the associated circulating fan 12 are mounted in a housing (not shown) with safety screens.
The combustion gases are drawn through the unit 4 by the fans 10 an example of which is shown in detail in Figure 11. The fan 10 is electrically driven by motor 27 and has a centrifugal impeller 28 which draws in the direction of arrows 29. The return duct 7 includes an extension 30 the end of which terminates in a ring seal 31 which is in contact with the side 32 of the centrifugal impeller 28. The existence of the seal 31 improves the effectiveness of the fan as no air is drawn from around the edge of the opening in the side 32 as has been the case in the past with existing fans of this type.
The combustion chamber 1 can include the features of Figure 10 wherein auxiliary air is supplied by stand pipes 33 each of which has a plurality of holes. The air is supplied via dampers 34. In addition or alter-natively the air for combustion can be supplied via the grate 23 damper 35.
The fuel is supplied generally from a situation remote from the combustion chamber 1 and an example of fuel supply means is shown in Figures 8 and 9.
The fuel is stored in a covered hopper 36 only part of which is shown. The hopper 36 has positioned in the :
Sue top thereof an endless conveyor 37 one end 38 of which is supported at one side of the hopper 36. The other end 39 floats on top of the fuel in the hopper and gradually drops down as the fuel is removed. The endless conveyor 37 is a series of slats 40 figure 9) mounted on a pair of chains and/or linked together so that they rotate in the direction of arrow 41.
The end 38 is mounted on a driven shaft 42 the drive for which is from a prime mover 43 adapted to drive a feed conveyor 44. A drive shaft connection 45 can be used. The fuel moved by the endless conveyor 37 drops over the edge 46 of the hopper 36 to fall under gravity to the feed conveyor 44 or drops down a panel to the level of the conveyor 44.
The conveyor 44 can be a worm or screw conveyor mounted in a generally level trough 47 the other end of which is above the fuel chute 22. The prime mover 43 is ideally electrically operated on an automatic stop start basis by electronic means 48 associated with chute 22.
In use with a full hopper 36 of fuel a fire is initially lit in combustion chamber 1 with the direct connection 24 to the flue 17 open. -When combustion has begun the fan 10 is operated and the direct connection 24 closed.
The exhaust or combustion gases pass to the 1;~35346 convertor unit 4 under the action of the fan lo The convertor fan 12 is operated to spread the heat from the convertor unit 4 to the space in which it is positioned. Preferably the combustion chamber and convertor unit 4 are close together so that the benefits of radiant heat are also obtained. The level and supply of fuel is maintained by the feed means in which the slats 41 draw off the fuel from the supply in the hopper 36 and drop it down in the direction of the conveyor 44. The conveyor 44 continues to operate until it is automatically shut off when fuel has built up to above the level of the electronic sensors 48.
When fuel has dropped below this level the conveyor 44 is activated again.
The control system for the unit includes automatic protection against accidental shut down of the fan lo in which case the conveyor 44 it automatically stopped.
In additional a maximum temperature sensor may be in-eluded to shut down the unit if the temperature in the Jo space reaches a preset maximum.
Thus by this invention there is provided a heating unit which efficiently uses heat normally lost to atmosphere through a flue of a central heating unit and open fire.
Examples of the present invention have been described herein and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications thereto can take place without depart-in from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
::
, .
:, .
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to heating units and more particularly relates to a heating unit adapted to supply heat for use in any domestic, industrial and agricultural situation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A well known problem associated with heating units or appliances designed to burn fossil fuels and other organic matter is that a high percentage of heat is lost through natural convection as combustion exhaust gases rise through a flue pipe of the unit or appliance.
An object of the invention is to provide a heater unit with an improved heat output produced by extracting and utilizing efficiently fuel input and by utilizing efficiently hot exhaust gases from combustion which gases are normally wasted to atmosphere.
A further object of the invention is to make more efficient use of heat normally lost to atmosphere through a flue of a heating unit and to provide a heating unit adapted to apply this heat for useful purposes.
SUGARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a broadest aspect of the invention there is provided a heating unit adapted for attachment to or inclusion in heating appliance of the type having a combustion chamber, the heating unit including a shaped I
~Z35346 flue duct positioned in association with a combustion chamber of a heating appliance and adapted via fan means to draw therefrom gases and draw them through at least one convertor pipe before the flue gases return and pass to a flue to be allowed to escape to atmosphere.
In a domestic central heating situation the combustion chamber can be a fire box of a space heater or an open fireplace. The fire box has in association therewith a duct through which the flue gases are drawn to a free standing convertor unit in which the convertor pipes are situated and around which ambient air circulates to be heated to thereby heat the area in which the con-vector unit is situated.
In industrial, horticultural and agricultural situations the heating unit can be associated with a fire-box of a coal, wood, woodiest or oil fired boiler/burner.
The free standing convertor unit thereof can be sited in a glass house or in a factory so that heat convected therefrom heats the ambient air in which the convertor unit is sited.
According to an alternative aspect of the invention the heating unit as herein before described is supplied by fuel via a feeding means, the feeding means including a hopper, an endless conveyor and a feed conveyor, the arrangement being such that the endless conveyor floats ,. . .~, , -lZ~3S3~
and is positioned relative to the hopper so that it con-vets fuel in the hopper over the rim thereof to one end of the endless conveyor which moves the fuel to the heating appliance.
The heating appliance is fed with fuel from above and the fire box has auxiliary/additional air supplied thereto via one or more stand pipes positioned therein The fan means for drawing the combustion gases to the flue can include a centrifugal fan positioned in the flue and adapted to draw the exhaust gases through a central inlet the periphery of which is sealed by a seal which contacts the side of the centrifugal fan.
BRIE_ DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
inure 1: shows a diagrammatic view of a heating unit as proposed to be used in a domestic situation;
Figure 2: shows a diagrammatic plan view of a heating unit adapted for use in a domestic situation where two rooms are to be heated . by a single heating appliance;
Figure PA: shows an example of heating unit adapted for use in association with a back-to-bac~
fireplace situation;
Figure 3B: shows a modified version of the heating unit shown in Figure PA:
~Z3S3~6 Figure 4: shows an example of heating unit as adapted for use in industrial and agricultural type situations;
Figure 5: shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a further example of heating unit;
Figure 6: shows a diagrammatic section through yet another heating unit and heating appliance incorporating the invention;
Figure 7: shows a perspective view from above of a heating unit usable with the appliance shown in Figure 6;
Figure 8: shows a plan view of a feeding means for supplying fuel to the heating appliance shown in Figure 6;
Figure 9: shows a section through the endless conveyor shown in Figure 8;
Figure 10: shows a view of the interior of a fire-- ho usable with a heating appliance - according to the invention; and Figure 11: shows a diagrammatic view of a fan means usable with the present invention.
DESCRY SHEEHAN OF THE PREFERRED E~ODIMENTS
In the following description similar parts of the different embodiments of the present invention have been referenced by the same numerals.
3~3~6 The present invention requires a burning or combustion space for a fire which is, for example, be adapted to burn coal, wood, woodiest or other fossil fuels and can be of the open or closed type.
The heating unit is mounted in association with a heating appliance which includes a combustion space or chamber. The embodiment of domestic unit shown in Figure 1 has an open fireplace generally indicated by arrow 1 as a combustion chamber. The fireplace has a shaped flue duet 2 associated therewith, the other end 3 of which feeds to a free standing eonveetor unit 4.
The convertor unit 4 includes convertor pipes S which form a sureties path from the flue duet opening 6 to a return duet 7. The eonveetor pipes 5 can inlaid a means for allowing maintenance and cleaning thereof. For example, the ends 8 of the eonveetor pipes 5 can be manifolds (not shown which can be readily removed or disengaged to enable the conv~ctor pipes 5 to be swept and cleaned when and if necessary The return duet 7 extends to a point above the combustion space 1.
Advantageously the upper region 9 of the combustion chamber 1 is sealed against a direct flow of exhaust gases from the combustion space. The air is drawn into the flue duet 2 by placing a fan 10 in the duet, for example, in the position shown. The fan 10 can be of the construction described hereinafter with reference ., to Figure 11. The fan 10 is arranged so that it draws the combustion exhaust gases from the combustion space or alternatively can be a fan (not shown) adapted to draw the air from the lower part of the flue duct 2.
In practice the convertor unit 4 is provided with an anesthetically pleasing outer casing by the inclusion of cover plates 11 (part of which are shown) which additionally provide protection to ensure that direct contact with the heated convertor pipes 5 cannot occur.
In addition the present invention can include a circulating fan 12 either installed in the bottom of the convertor unit 4 or in association therewith. The fan 12 is adapted to blow air around the convertor pipes 5 to increase the rate of heat transfer therefrom.
In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 2 - which is also designed as a domestic unit the exhaust gases are drawn from a rear 13 of the fireplace 1 and are transferred via a pipe 14 to a convertor unit positioned in another room 15. The returning gases pass back to the fireplace in the first room 16.
In the embodiment shown in Figure PA the installation is installed in a new building or alternatively in a back-to-back fireplace situation. In this embodiment the fire box 1 is a closed fire box and the air is drawn by a fan 10 from the rear of the fireplace through the convertor pipes 5 before being blown out a chimney 17.
~LZ~534~
g The fan 12 in association with the convertor unit 4 blows cooler air around the pipes 5 to improve heat transfer.
The next alternative construction shown in Figure 3B is similar to that Shannon Figure PA except that the fan 10 is not positioned in the flue flow path. The air is blown upwards into the flue pipe at 18 and this - air movement draws the air through the convertor pipes 5 and flue duct 2 before it passes through the flue or chimney 17 to atmosphere.
In industrial and commercial applications the present invention can be installed as shown in Figure 4.
This embodiment is sited in association with a glass house 19 and can, for example, be a coal fired boiler connected to appropriate dueling around the periphery of the glass-house. Air is blown up the flue 17 drawing the combustion exhaust gases from the fire box to ought the convertor pipes 20. Such an installation can include an automatic stoker.
The fan 10 is installed to create forced air draft through the heating coil by drawing in fresh air and blowing same straight up the chimney 17. This obviates the necessity of frequently cleaning of soot which can clog the fans blades.
It is also envisaged that in any of the embodiments of the invention described the convertor pipes can include additional fins to increase the heat transfer therefrom.
i2353~i In yet another alternative shown in Figure 5 the fire box 1 is mounted on a wheeled frame snot shown) at the rear of which is positioned a convertor unit 4.
The fire box 1 is adapted to burn any fuel, for example, woodiest from a timber yard or pulping plant. This construction which is readily transportable is set up at a site where heated air is required. This can, for example, be used to temporarily heat a large tent at a fair or a large building which is being used for an exhibition and the like.
It is to be appreciated that the present invention can be used for drying grain, timber, bricks, textiles and in any situation where a large volume of heat is required.
In the embodiments shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 the applicant can include in the fire box 1 a stand pipe : and auxiliary air supply to the centre and/or rear of the fire box through which additional air is supplied direct to the centre of the combustion space. The stand pipe or pipes extend from the grate upwards to a cover around the periphery of which are air outlets through which air is drawn when the fan 10 is operating. This construction is similar to the construction as herein-before described with reference to Figure lo In the embodiment of the invention which is described with reference to Figures 6 to if the heating unit is .
' .
~;~353~6 designed for placement in a glass house.
The heating unit has a convertor unit 4 associated with an enclosed fire box 1 which is fed by a feeding means shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9. The fuel which is advantageously west drops in the direction of the arrow 21 into a fuel supply chute 22 which terminates above the centre of grate 23. The fire box 1 has a door (not shown) to allow access for cleaning and/or repair. The fire box 1 includes a direct connection 24 to a flue 17. The direct connection is only used when starting a fire in the fire box and it is closed by a baffle (not shown).
The combustion gases when the heating appliance is operating pass through the flue duct opening 6 to the convertor unit 4 before passing to a return duct 7.
The convertor unit 4 is shown in more retail in Figure 7. The convertor unit includes a series of convertor pipes 5 which are connected at the ends thereof to form a circuitous path from the inlet duct 2 at 'A' to the return duct 7 at B. The manifolds 25 at one end of each pipe 5 are removable to allow the pipes 5 to be cleaned. The pipes 5 have fins 26 and more fins 26 are positioned on the lower hotter pipes 5 than on the upper cooler pipes (as shown in Figure 7).
The convertor unit 4 has a circulating fan 12 associated therewith to increase heat transfer from the ~;~3S39~6 pipes 5 and fins 26. The convertor unit 4 with the associated circulating fan 12 are mounted in a housing (not shown) with safety screens.
The combustion gases are drawn through the unit 4 by the fans 10 an example of which is shown in detail in Figure 11. The fan 10 is electrically driven by motor 27 and has a centrifugal impeller 28 which draws in the direction of arrows 29. The return duct 7 includes an extension 30 the end of which terminates in a ring seal 31 which is in contact with the side 32 of the centrifugal impeller 28. The existence of the seal 31 improves the effectiveness of the fan as no air is drawn from around the edge of the opening in the side 32 as has been the case in the past with existing fans of this type.
The combustion chamber 1 can include the features of Figure 10 wherein auxiliary air is supplied by stand pipes 33 each of which has a plurality of holes. The air is supplied via dampers 34. In addition or alter-natively the air for combustion can be supplied via the grate 23 damper 35.
The fuel is supplied generally from a situation remote from the combustion chamber 1 and an example of fuel supply means is shown in Figures 8 and 9.
The fuel is stored in a covered hopper 36 only part of which is shown. The hopper 36 has positioned in the :
Sue top thereof an endless conveyor 37 one end 38 of which is supported at one side of the hopper 36. The other end 39 floats on top of the fuel in the hopper and gradually drops down as the fuel is removed. The endless conveyor 37 is a series of slats 40 figure 9) mounted on a pair of chains and/or linked together so that they rotate in the direction of arrow 41.
The end 38 is mounted on a driven shaft 42 the drive for which is from a prime mover 43 adapted to drive a feed conveyor 44. A drive shaft connection 45 can be used. The fuel moved by the endless conveyor 37 drops over the edge 46 of the hopper 36 to fall under gravity to the feed conveyor 44 or drops down a panel to the level of the conveyor 44.
The conveyor 44 can be a worm or screw conveyor mounted in a generally level trough 47 the other end of which is above the fuel chute 22. The prime mover 43 is ideally electrically operated on an automatic stop start basis by electronic means 48 associated with chute 22.
In use with a full hopper 36 of fuel a fire is initially lit in combustion chamber 1 with the direct connection 24 to the flue 17 open. -When combustion has begun the fan 10 is operated and the direct connection 24 closed.
The exhaust or combustion gases pass to the 1;~35346 convertor unit 4 under the action of the fan lo The convertor fan 12 is operated to spread the heat from the convertor unit 4 to the space in which it is positioned. Preferably the combustion chamber and convertor unit 4 are close together so that the benefits of radiant heat are also obtained. The level and supply of fuel is maintained by the feed means in which the slats 41 draw off the fuel from the supply in the hopper 36 and drop it down in the direction of the conveyor 44. The conveyor 44 continues to operate until it is automatically shut off when fuel has built up to above the level of the electronic sensors 48.
When fuel has dropped below this level the conveyor 44 is activated again.
The control system for the unit includes automatic protection against accidental shut down of the fan lo in which case the conveyor 44 it automatically stopped.
In additional a maximum temperature sensor may be in-eluded to shut down the unit if the temperature in the Jo space reaches a preset maximum.
Thus by this invention there is provided a heating unit which efficiently uses heat normally lost to atmosphere through a flue of a central heating unit and open fire.
Examples of the present invention have been described herein and it is envisaged that improvements and modifications thereto can take place without depart-in from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
::
, .
:, .
Claims (7)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A convection heating unit in combination with a heating appliance of the type having a combustion space, the heating unit including a flue duct connected to the combustion space and adapted via fan means to draw flue gases from said space and direct them to at least one pipe formed into continuous serpentine shapes which form a path associated with said unit and which act by convection to give up heat transferred from the flue gases therein, and means to direct the flue gases from the at least one pipe to a flue leading to atmosphere, and wherein the firebox is connected to the duct through which the flue gases are drawn to a free standing convertor assembly in which the at least one pipe is situated and around which ambient air circulates to be heated to thereby heat the space where the convertor unit is situated.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the combustion space is a fire box of a space heater or an open fireplace.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted for use in an industrial, horticultural or agricultural situation, the heating unit being associated with a fire box of a coal, wood, wood waste, oil fired boiler or burner and wherein said free standing convertor assembly associated therewith is sited in a glass house or in a factory so that the heat convected therefrom heats the ambient air in which the heating appliance is sited.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the heating appliance is supplied to fuel via a feeding means, the feeding means including a hopper, an endless conveyor and a feed conveyor, the arrangement being such that the endless conveyor floats and is positioned relative to the hopper so that it conveys fuel in the hopper over the rim thereof to one end of the endless conveyor which moves the fuel to the heating appliance.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the heating appliance is fed with fuel from above and the fire box has auxiliary or additional air supplied thereto via a stand pipe positioned therein.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the means for directing the flue gases to the flue includes a centrifugal fan positioned in the flue and adapted to draw the gases through a central inlet the periphery of which is sealed by a seal which contacts the side of the centrifugal fan.
7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the pipes forming the path are connected to a return duct for returning the flue gases to the flue.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000451096A CA1235346A (en) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-04-02 | Heating unit |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000451096A CA1235346A (en) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-04-02 | Heating unit |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1235346A true CA1235346A (en) | 1988-04-19 |
Family
ID=4127560
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000451096A Expired CA1235346A (en) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-04-02 | Heating unit |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1235346A (en) |
-
1984
- 1984-04-02 CA CA000451096A patent/CA1235346A/en not_active Expired
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |