EP0032203B1 - Heat collector, especially suited for installation in a domestic chimney, and process for bringing a fluid such as water up to an elevated temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

Heat recovery apparatus able to be installed, in particular, in a domestic chimney and able to provide hot air and hot water, comprising a horizontal lower chest 2 in which is formed a combustion chamber 12, a vertical chest 1 in which are disposed deflectors 27 and a horizontal upper chest 3, the air being heated during its passage through the vertical chest 1 and in the upper horizontal chest 3, and the water being heated during its passage in the neighborhood of the combustion chamber 12 and in the vertical chest.

Description

The present invention relates to a heat sensor intended to be installed in particular in a domestic chimney and being able to supply both hot heating air and hot water for domestic use or for heating.

From patents US-A-3,159,157 and US-A-096,754, heaters are already known which can be installed in a chimney. These devices alone form the lower part of the chimney and are designed to operate on the one hand with conventional combustion materials and on the other hand with a liquid fuel such as fuel oil. It follows that these devices have a very complicated structure and do not allow the chimney which receives them to be used like a conventional chimney.

The heat sensor according to the present invention notably comprises a box extending vertically and provided at its lower part with at least one air intake opening to be heated which can be adjustable and at its upper part with at least one heated air exhaust opening and a horizontal box extending from the lower part of said vertical box and the upper face of which forms a hearth on which a fire can be made which heats the air circulating in said vertical box, the upper face of the horizontal lower box comprising an opening in which a grid can be arranged for the evacuation of the ashes to an ashtray.

According to the present invention, said lower horizontal box comprises a combustion chamber into which can be introduced by said opening of the upper face of the lower horizontal box a fuel such as coal. This combustion chamber is laterally bounded by substantially vertical walls, at its upper part by the upper face of said horizontal lower box and at its lower part by a bottom provided with an ash discharge grid, said grid on the upper face. of the horizontal lower casing which can be replaced by a solid plate and the fumes from the combustion chamber being evacuated by at least one flue, said chamber being able to serve to heat a fluid circulating in the vicinity of or in this chamber.

In a first alternative embodiment, the heat sensor according to the present invention can be used to supply heated air and a fluid such as heated water.

For this purpose, at least one duct having an inlet and an outlet and in which a fluid such as water to be heated circulates, preferably extends in the vicinity of or in said combustion chamber.

According to the present invention, said horizontal lower casing comprises a sealed chamber surrounding said combustion chamber, said duct being able to be in the form of a coil surrounding said combustion chamber and arranged in said sealed chamber.

According to the present invention, at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet and in which a fluid such as water circulates can extend in said vertical box.

In order to slow down the rise of air in the vertical box of the heat sensor, deflectors can be placed in this box.

In a variant, said conduit extending in the vertical box can extend between said deflectors so as to substantially form a coil.

In another variant, said deflectors may be hollow and sealed and be mounted in series on the conduit extending in the vertical box so that the fluid circulating in this conduit also circulates in the hollow deflectors.

According to the present invention, the conduit extending in the vicinity of or in the combustion chamber and the conduit extending in the vertical box can advantageously be mounted in series.

According to the present invention, said deflectors can extend transversely to the vertical box and have a V-shaped section whose point is directed upwards, two adjacent deflectors can also be connected together by at least one additional duct. .

In another alternative embodiment, the heat sensor according to the present invention can be used only to supply hot air.

For this purpose, the heat sensor according to the present invention may comprise at least one duct having an inlet and an outlet and in which air can circulate to heat this duct extending in the vicinity of or in said combustion chamber.

According to the present invention, this duct can be in the form of a sealed chamber surrounding said combustion chamber, this sealed chamber having at least one fresh air intake opening and at least one air exhaust opening warmed up.

Said heated air exhaust opening preferably opens into said vertical box, said sealed chamber forming a substantially annular passage around said combustion chamber in which the air to be heated circulates. In this way, the air heated around the combustion chamber can be introduced into the lower part of the vertical box and thus mix with the air circulating in this box and evacuated at the top of this vertical box.

According to the present invention, said smoke duct through which the fumes from the combustion chamber escape can advantageously pass through said vertical box.

According to the present invention, it is preferable to provide a fresh air duct whose flow rate is adjustable, this duct opening out under the lower grate of the combustion chamber so as to regulate the speed of combustion of the fuel placed in said chamber.

According to the present invention, the front part of the vertical box facing the fire can be partly constituted by a removable cast iron plate so as to have access to the interior of the vertical box and the upper face of the horizontal box as well as the walls. of said combustion chamber may be made of cast iron and also be removable.

In a simplified variant embodiment, the heat sensor according to the present invention may in particular comprise a box extending vertically and in front of which a fire can be made. This vertical box can be provided, at its lower part, with at least one air intake opening to be heated which can be adjustable and, at its upper part, with at least one heated air exhaust opening . In order to heat a fluid such as water, one can provide at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet and in which said fluid can circulate, this conduit extending in said vertical box. This duct can advantageously be in the form of a coil and the vertical box can include, inside, deflectors slowing the rise of air and between which extends said coil.

The present invention also relates to a process for bringing a fluid such as water or air to a higher temperature. This process is such that said fluid is circulated in the vicinity of or in the combustion chamber, capable of receiving a fuel such as coal, from a heat sensor installed in a domestic chimney comprising in particular a horizontal lower box in which is formed said combustion chamber.

According to the method of the present invention, the heat sensor further comprises a vertical box in which air can circulate which is heated especially when a fire is made on said horizontal box and it is also possible to circulate said fluid in this vertical box.

Thus, the fluid can be circulated in the vertical box so as to heat the air, especially in the case where only said combustion chamber is used, said fluid being previously heated in the vicinity of the combustion chamber. It is also possible to reheat the fluid circulating in the vertical box thanks in particular to the flow of hot air rising in this box.

According to the method of the present invention, said fluid can circulate in the vertical box inside deflectors capable of slowing the rise of air in this box.

According to the present invention, it is possible to associate with the heat sensor in particular a solar sensor in which said fluid will also circulate.

• la figure 1 représente en coupe verticale un capteur de chaleur installé dans une cheminée domestique capable de fournir de l'air réchauffé et de l'eau réchauffée ;
• la figure 2 représente en vue frontale le capteur de chaleur selon la figure 1, la partie inférieure étant en coupe ;
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent une variante du capteur de chaleur représenté sur les figures 1 et 2 dans des vues correspondantes ;
• et les figures 5 et 6 représentent, dans des vues correspondant aux figures 1 et 2, un capteur de chaleur capable de fournir uniquement de l'air réchauffé.

The heat sensor according to the present invention will be better understood on studying the three alternative embodiments described by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the drawing in which:

• Figure 1 shows in vertical section a heat sensor installed in a domestic chimney capable of supplying heated air and heated water;
• Figure 2 shows in front view the heat sensor according to Figure 1, the lower part being in section;
• Figures 3 and 4 show a variant of the heat sensor shown in Figures 1 and 2 in corresponding views;
• and Figures 5 and 6 show, in views corresponding to Figures 1 and 2, a heat sensor capable of supplying only heated air.

It will be noted first of all that the three heat sensors shown have generally the same structure. This is why the constructive elements which are found in each of these sensors will bear the same reference and will only be described once.

The heat sensor shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a vertical box generally identified by the reference 1, a horizontal box extending from the bottom of the vertical box 1 and generally marked by reference 2 and a decompression chamber extending from the upper part of the vertical chamber 1 and generally identified by the reference 3, the vertical chamber 1 being embedded in the back wall of the chimney and the chamber lower horizontal in its focus.

The vertical box 1 which has a substantially rectangular horizontal section has at its lower part an opening 4 allowing fresh air to be admitted into the vertical box coming from a passage 5 made in the wall of the chimney. The flow of air entering through the opening 4 in the box 1 can be adjusted by the valve 6 which can more or less obstruct the opening 4 and close it completely. It will be noted that the passage 5 which is in the example shown horizontal could as well be arranged vertically and communicate for example with a cellar.

The upper part of the vertical box 1 communicates through an opening 7 with the horizontal box 3 which has on its upper part, in the example shown, two air exhaust vents 8.

When a fire is made on the lower horizontal box 2, the air in the vertical box 1 and in the upper horizontal box 3 is heated and circulates from the opening 4 of the vertical box 1 to the outlets of outlet 8 of the horizontal upper box 3 to be distributed to the room or rooms to be heated.

The lower horizontal box 2 comprises a substantially horizontal plate 9 forming the upper face of the box 2 on which a light can be made.

This plate 9 has substantially in its middle a cylindrical opening 10 which can receive a cover 11. This cover 11 can be in the form of a grid intended for the evacuation downwards of the ashes from the fire made on the plate 9.

The horizontal lower box 2 comprises a combustion chamber 12 into which a fuel such as coal can be introduced through the opening 10 of the plate 9 and which is limited at its upper part by the plate 9, at its lower part by a bottom having an opening 14 closed by a grid 15 for evacuating the ash and laterally by a vertical wall 16 which is in the example shown cylindrical, the bottom 13 being in one piece with said wall 16. The cylindrical wall 16 has at in the vicinity of its upper part, an opening 17 for evacuating smoke. When a fuel is burned in the chamber 12, a cover 11 can advantageously be provided in the form of a solid plate.

The underside of the plate 9 has an annular groove 18 into which an annular projection 19 provided at the top of said wall 16 penetrates, an asbestos seal being disposed at the bottom of the groove 18 so as to create a smoke-tight connection.

The horizontal lower box 2 also includes a box-shaped part 20 located below the combustion chamber 12 and in which is disposed a removable drawer 21 for receiving the ash which may come from the combustion chamber 12 or above of the plate 9 passing through the combustion chamber 12.

A conduit 22 passing through the rear wall 20a of the box 20 makes it possible to communicate the passage 5 with this box 20 so as to supply fresh air under the combustion chamber 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the duct 22 is provided with an adjustable valve 23 allowing the speed of combustion to be adjusted, in particular in the combustion chamber 12.

The horizontal lower box 2 further comprises a sealed chamber 24 surrounding the cylindrical wall 16 of the combustion chamber 12. This sealed chamber 24 is delimited at its lower part by the upper wall of the chamber 20, at its upper part by the plate 9 and laterally by vertical walls located at a distance from the wall 16 of the combustion chamber 12 and in particular by a rear wall 24a extending the rear wall 20a of the chamber 20 and separating the sealed chamber 24 from the interior of the vertical box 1. It will be noted that the horizontal lower wall 4a in which the opening 4 is made is substantially in alignment with the wall separating the chamber 20 from the chamber 24, the valve 6 opening inside the vertical box and the channel 5 being substantially in alignment with the chamber 20.

A conduit, in which a fluid such as water can flow and having one end 25 opening laterally outside the horizontal lower box 2, is in the form of a coil 26 surrounding the cylindrical wall 16 of the chamber combustion chamber 12 and disposed in the sealed chamber 24.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, in dotted lines, a series of deflectors 27 is arranged in the vertical box 1. These deflectors 27 extend, horizontally, transversely to the box 1 and are arranged in alignment on horizontal rows and vertical so that the deflectors of two adjacent horizontal rows are offset from each other. These deflectors have a V-shaped section whose point is directed upwards.

The deflectors 27 are hollow and are connected with each other in series from the first deflector 27a in the lower row to the last deflector 27b in the upper row, the free ends of the branches of a deflector being connected by a conduit to the free ends of adjacent deflectors. It will be noted that said ends could be connected by several conduits. Furthermore, the coil 26 is extended by a conduit 28 opposite its end 25, this conduit 28 connecting the coil 26 to the free end of the first deflector 27a of said series of deflectors. In addition, a duct 29 has one of its ends connected to the free end of the last deflector 27b of said series of deflectors, its other end 30 opening laterally to the vertical box 1. The deflectors 27 are fixed to the rear face of the vertical box 1 and do not extend to its front face so as to allow expansion due to temperature variations. The deflectors 27 can be connected to the rear face of the box 1, for example by welded tabs 31, in the example of the deflector 27b.

It is therefore possible to circulate a fluid such as water in the coil 26 around the combustion chamber 12 and in the series of deflectors 27 arranged in the vertical box 1 between the end 25 of the coil 26 and the end 30 of duct 29 both in one direction and in the other.

The combustion chamber 12 communicates with a smoke duct 32 through said opening 17. This smoke duct 32 crosses the rear wall 24a of the sealed chamber 24 then extends substantially vertically inside the vertical box 1 and opens out to- above this vertical box to evacuate the fumes inside the chimney and at the same time heat the air circulating in the vertical box. In the vicinity of its upper part, the flue 32 is provided with a valve 33 actuable by a rod 34 extending through the front wall of the chimney flue, this valve serving to regulate fumes coming from the chamber combustion 12.

The front face of the vertical box 1 is partly formed by a decorative plate 35 extending below the upper vertical box 3 up to the horizontal plate 9 and allowing access to the interior of the vertical box 1. The lower edge of the plate 35 rests in a sealed manner by a seal 36 on the horizontal plate 9 and the three other sides of the plate 35 are tightly fixed by a seal 37 to the other parts of the vertical box 1 by bolts 35a. Thus, the vertical wall 16 and the bottom 13 of the combustion chamber, the plate 9 and the plate 35, which are preferably made of cast iron, are removable.

The valves 6 and 23 are adjustable by rods 38 and 39 extending vertically behind the plate 35 outside the vertical box 1 and laterally and extend horizontally forwards through racks in the form of racks 40 and 41 allowing the adjustment of said valves. In addition, the rods 38 and 39 are arranged in casings 42 and 43.

With reference to FIG. 1, it can be noted that the chimney flue can be closed by a pivoting plate 44 which can bear on angles 45 fixed laterally and on either side of the upper horizontal box 3.

We will now describe the main uses of the heat sensor shown in Figures 1 and 2.

First of all, if we make a fire on the plate 9 of the lower horizontal box 2, we can recover the heated air at the outlet of the vents 8, air whose flow rate is adjustable by the valve 6. We can also heating the water circulating in the coil 26 and in the series of deflectors 27, the water being essentially heated during its passage through the deflectors 27.

If a fuel is burned in the combustion chamber 12, it is possible to obtain heated air at the outlet of the vents 8, this air being heated thanks to the heat which prevails between the horizontal lower box 2 and the horizontal upper box 3 and thanks to the smoke duct 32. Hot water can also be obtained by circulating the water preferably first in the deflectors 27 then in the coil 26. If the water is circulated first in the coil 26 then in the deflectors 27, there will be a heat exchange between the air circulating in the vertical box 1 and in the deflectors 27. In this direction of water circulation, the air will also be heated by the deflectors 27. The heat loss from the water in the deflectors 27 will depend on its flow rate and on the air flow rate in the vertical box 1.

When using only the combustion chamber 12, it is preferable to close the chimney flue by the plate 44 so as not to let heat escape through in particular the upper face of the horizontal lower box 2 in order to recover this heat both in the vertical box 1 and in the horizontal upper box 3 as in the room where the chimney is fitted with the heat sensor.

In general, it can be noted that the temperature differences between the inlet and outlet for both water and air will depend on the flow rates and the temperature of the lights.

The water circulating in the heat sensor which has just been described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 can be used for any useful purpose. This heated water can be used in particular for heating the water contained in a tank, the water from this tank being able to be used for domestic purposes or for heating, for example by radiator. Water passing through the sensor can also flow directly into heating radiators. It is also possible to associate with the heat sensor which has just been described any heating appliance such as solar collectors. Many other uses are also possible in association with known devices.

Figures 3 and 4 show a variant of the heat sensor shown in Figures 1 and 2 are operation and its use corresponding to the sensor already described.

Except for the differences below, the heat sensor shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a structure similar to that of the heat sensor in Figures 1 and 2. Therefore, similar elements have the same references and will not again described.

In this exemplary embodiment, the deflectors 46 are no longer hollow but are formed by, for example, sheets in the form of a V, the point of which is directed upwards, these deflectors serving to slow down the rise in air. in the vertical box 1.

In the example shown, the deflectors have been arranged on five horizontal lines and on five columns, two horizontal rows of deflectors leaving a free horizontal space between them. The deflectors 46 are, in the example shown, fixed to the rear wall of the vertical box 1.

In the variant shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pipe forming the coil 26 is extended by a pipe 47 which extends in the vertical box 1 between the deflectors 46.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the duct 47 is, in the vertical box 1, in the form of a coil which comprises, below each horizontal row of deflectors 46, a horizontal sheet with two or more three branches 48, 49 and 50, two adjacent horizontal plies being connected by a vertical branch 51. In the example shown, the duct 47 is in the form of a coil with five horizontal plies. Following this coil, the duct 47 is extended and extends laterally outside the vertical box 1 where it has one end 52.

As the duct 47 extends for a long time inside the vertical box 1 in the form of a coil, the heat exchanges between the water circulating in this duct 47 and the air circulating vertically in the vertical box 1 will be excellent , these exchanges can be carried out in one direction or the other.

The shape of the conduit 47 inside the vertical box 1 is not limited to the example shown. This conduit 47 may indeed have a completely different shape and the position of the deflectors 46 is not limiting.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, we will now describe a heat sensor capable of supplying only heated air.

This heat sensor is generally close to the heat sensor shown in Figures 3 and 4 and includes deflectors 53 placed in the same way as the deflectors 46 of the heat sensor shown in Figures 3 and 4. However, this heat sensor no longer includes conduits through which water can circulate.

The sealed chamber 24 ′ of the sensor shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, surrounding the cylindrical wall 16 of the combustion chamber 12 disposed in the horizontal lower box 2, comprises a vertical interior partition 54 arranged substantially in the plane of symmetry of the sensor, this partition 54 connecting the wall 16 of the combustion chamber to the rear wall 55 of the sealed chamber 24 '.

On one side of the partition 54, the rear wall 55 comprises, in its lower part, an opening 56 establishing communication between the interior of the vertical box 1 and the interior of the sealed chamber 24 ′ and it comprises, of 'other side of the partition 54, in its upper part, an opening 57 which also establishes communication between the interior of the vertical box 1 and the interior of the sealed chamber 24', the smoke duct 32 passing through this opening 57 .

There is therefore obtained around the combustion chamber 12 a substantially annular passage having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for air.

We will now describe how the heat sensor shown in Figures 5 and 6 works.

When the valve 6 is open, the air from the passage 5 rises in the vertical box 1 as already described above. In addition, part of the air entering the vertical box through its lower opening 4 can penetrate inside the sealed chamber 24 through its opening 56 and, after having turned around the combustion chamber 12, come out through its opening 57 and then continue its path in the vertical box 1. Because of its orientation, the valve 6 advantageously plays the role of a deflector and makes it possible to deflect the air in the direction of the opening 56 of the sealed chamber 24 ' .

When fire is made only on the plate 9, the air circulating in the heat sensor will be essentially heated in the vertical box 1. However, when using only the combustion chamber 12, the air entering the sensor by the lower opening 4 of the vertical box 1 will be essentially heated during its passage in the sealed chamber 24 and it is essentially this heated air which will create an upward circulation in the vertical box 1.

As in the previous examples, the sensor shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and intended solely to supply heated air can have a relatively long operating autonomy, this autonomy depending on the volume of the combustion chamber 12 which can receive a fuel. such as coal.

The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. Provision can in fact be made for circulating the water or the air in the vertical wall 16 of the combustion chamber. It is also possible to provide several flue pipes 32 passing through the vertical box 1 or else a vertical pipe making the entire width of the vertical box 1 so as to obtain a greater surface of contact with the air passing through the vertical box 1. It is possible to also provide the conduits in which the water circulates in several parts to facilitate their assembly. It is also possible to arrange the annular passage in which the air to be heated circulates around the combustion chamber 12 in a completely different manner, for example forming two directions of circulation. Finally, the water conduits could also be integrated into the walls of the boxes.

Claims (17)

1. A heat collector designed especially to be installed in a domestic fireplace notably comprising a chamber (1) running vertically and provided at the bottom with at least one opening (4) admitting the air to be heated and at the top at least one opening (7) exhausting the heated air and a horizontal chamber (2) running from the bottom of the said vertical chamber, with the top face of the said horizontal bottom chamber comprising an opening (10) into which a grating (11) can be placed for removing the ashes to an ash tray (21), characterized in that the said bottom chamber (2) comprises a combustion chamber (12) into which a fuel like coal can be inserted through the said opening (10) in the top face of the horizontal bottom chamber and which is bounded laterally by roughly vertical walls (16), on top by the upper face (9) of the said horizontal bottom chamber and at the bottom by a bottom wall (13) fitted with a grating (15) for removing the ash, with it being possible to replace the said grating (11) on the top face of the horizontal bottom chamber by a solid plate and with the smoke from the combustion chamber being discharged through at least on smoke conduit (32), the said chamber (12) being able to be used to heat a fluid circulating close to or inside this combustion chamber.

2. The heat collector according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one conduit (26), having an inlet and an outlet and in which a fluid such as water to be heated circulates, runs close to or inside the said combustion chamber (12).

3. The heat collector according to claim 2, characterized in that the said horizontal bottom chamber (2) comprises a sealed chamber (24) surrounding the said combustion chamber (12), with the said conduit (26) having the form of a coil surrounding the combustion chamber and located in the said sealed chamber.

4. The heat collector according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one conduit having an inlet and an outlet, and in which a fluid such as water circulates, runs in the said vertical chamber (1).

5. The heat collector according to claim 4, with baffles located in the said vertical chamber to slow down the air rising in this chamber, characterized in that the said conduit (47) runs between the said baffles (46) so as to form a coil.

6. The heat collector according to claim 4, with baffles located in the said vertical chamber to slow down the air rising in this chamber, characterized in that the said baffles (27) are hollow and sealed and in that they are mounted in series on the said conduit (28, 29) so that the fluid flowing in this conduit also flows in the said hollow baffles.

7. The heat collector according to claim 6, characterized in that the baffles are connected in series by at least one additional conduit.

8. The heat collector according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the said baffles run transversally across the vertical chamber and have a V-shaped cross-section with the vertex of the V pointing upwards.

9. The heat collector according to either of claims 2 and 3 and according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that conduit (26) running close to or inside the combustion chamber (12) and conduit (28, 47) running inside the vertical chamber (1) are mounted in series.

10. The heat collector according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one conduit (24') circulating the air to be heated having at least one air admission opening (56) and one air exhaust opening (57) runs close to or inside the said combustion chamber (12).

11. The heat collector according to claim 10, characterized in that the said conduit comes in the form of a sealed chamber (24') surrounding the said combustion chamber.

12. The heat collector according to claim 11, characterized in that the said exhaust opening (57) of the air being heated opens out into the said vertical chamber (1), with the said sealed chamber (24') forming a roughly annular duct round the combustion chamber (12) in which the air circulates.

13. The heat collector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a fresh air conduit (22), the flow of which is adjustable, opens out under the bottom grating (15) of the combustion chamber (12).

14. The heat collector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the portion of the vertical chamber facing the fire partly consists of a plate (35) of decorative cast iron and removable so as to give access to the inside of the vertical chamber, and the top face (9) of the bottom horizontal chamber (2) along with the walls of the combustion chamber are made of cast iron and also removable.

15. The heat collector according to claim 1, characterized in that the said smoke conduit runs inside the said vertical chamber.

16. A process for raising air and/or a fluid like water to a higher temperature, characterized in that this fluid is circulated close to or inside a combustion chamber, capable of taking a fuel such as coal, of a heat collector installed in a domestic fireplace comprising notably a horizontal bottom chamber inside which the said combustion chamber is provided.

17. The process according to claim 16, wherein the heat collector also comprises a vertical chamber in which the air which is heated can circulate when a fire is made on the said horizontal chamber, characterized in that the said fluid is also made to flow in the said vertical chamber.

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