Classifications

• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
  • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
  • F24C7/002—Stoves
  • F24C7/004—Stoves simulating flames

Definitions

• the present invention relates to flame effect inserts, and in particular, to flame effect inserts for use in solid fuel heating stoves.
• solid fuel heating stoves are very popular for providing space heating in houses and other buildings.
• solid fuel stoves are visually attractive and interesting because of the moving and flickering light from the flames and the glow of the embers in the fuel bed.
• the stove is perceived to be much less attractive.
• the present invention seeks to improve the visual attractiveness of solid fuel stoves when such stoves are not being used for heating by providing a device for insertion into the stove which is viewable through the window of the stove (which is usually provided in the front door of the stove used for inserting fuel and lighting the fire), which device can provide a visual effect of glowing embers and/or moving flames.
• a device for insertion into the stove which is viewable through the window of the stove (which is usually provided in the front door of the stove used for inserting fuel and lighting the fire)
• the device can provide a visual effect of glowing embers and/or moving flames.
• the visual attractiveness of the stove is much improved. This benefit could also be of advantage when displaying new stoves for sale in shops.
• Electric heating appliances which include means for simulating a solid fuel fire (ie glowing embers and/or moving flames) are known in the art and examples of such devices are described in GB2 230 335 and GB 2 180 927. An earlier example of such a fire is described in GB 957 591.
• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a cross-section through a device according to the invention.
• the device of the invention comprises a housing 10 incorporating a simulated fuel bed 12.
• the simulated fuel bed 12 may be made from a moulded plastic which is coloured to resemble pieces of burning solid fuel such as wood or coal and to resemble the embers and/or ashes below the pieces of fuel. If desired, the fuel bed can be constructed to accommodate separate pieces of simulated fuel (or even real fuel) which rest on the fuel bed.
• the fuel bed is translucent in at least some areas, to allow transmission of light from below, thereby giving the effect of heat and burning.
• a lamp 14 is provided in the housing, generally below the fuel bed, in order to illuminate the fuel bed.
• a halogen lamp of about 5w is particularly suitable.
• Means 16 are provided for intermittently interrupting the light from the lamp 14 before it reaches the fuel bed. In this way, the changes in intensity of light from a real burning fuel bed are simulated.
• the means 16 comprises a central axle or axis 18 which is mounted substantially horizontally below the fuel bed.
• the axle is rotated by a motor (not shown) as indicated by arrow 20.
• a motor not shown
• members 22 Depending generally radially from the axle are a number of members 22. As the axle rotates, these members 22 serve to interrupt the light from the light source.
• at least some of the members 22 are reflective in order to reflect light from the light source. This can enhance the appearance of the changing intensity of the fuel bed 12.
• Light from the light source 14 may fall directly on the underside of the fuel bed 12, in addition to light interrupted (and reflected) by the means 16.
• the device further comprises a first screen 24 mounted directly behind the fuel bed.
• the front surface of the screen 24 is made partially reflective so that an observer can see a reflection of the fuel bed in the screen. This gives the effect of a deeper fuel bed, so that the overall depth of the device can be made smaller. Also, as described below, reflective screen 24 enhances the illusion by allowing the simulated flames to appear to come from the centre of the fuel bed.
• the device 10 preferably also comprise a second screen 26 mounted towards the rear of the housing, behind the first screen 24.
• the second screen 26 includes at least some areas which are reflective. Some areas which are matte and so non-reflective may also be provided.
• the screen 24, in addition to having a partially reflecting front surface is also able to transmit light. Thus, light from the light source 14 is reflected by the means 16 onto the second screen 26.
• the reflective areas of the second screen 26 reflect the light through the first screen 24.
• the first screen 24 is also partially diffusing.
• the second screen 26 is desireably patterned with reflective and non-reflective areas, the reflective areas being for example, generally flame shaped.
• the reflective and/or non-reflective areas of second screen 26 may also be coloured.
• the reflective areas can be coloured orange, green or blue and the non-reflective areas can be a matte black.
• the screens 24 and 26 provide an effect of flames as an image in the screen 24, so that the flames appear to arise between the fuel bed and its reflection.
• the movement of the means 16 causes the light from the light source 14 to be reflected as "moving beams", giving movement (and a greater degree of reality) to the simulated flames.
• a shield 28 is provided to prevent light from light source 14 from falling directly on the rear surface of screen 24.
• the screen 26 may be absent and the rear of the housing 10 may be generally non-reflective. In this case, means may be provided between the rear of the housing 10 and the first screen 24 in order to provide the simulation of flames.
• Such means may comprise suitably shaped pieces or strips of a light silk-like material which can reflect light from the means 16 (or directly from the light source 14, if the light source 14 is located nearer the front of the housing e.g. directly beneath the fuel bed) so that the reflected light is transmitted through the screen 24.
• Means such as a fan for causing the movement of air, maybe provided to cause movement of the material, thereby to enhance the effect of moving flame.
• the fan is selected to be suitable for operation at low voltages, such as l2N or 24N.
• an additional fuel bed may be provided between the screens 24,26. hi some cases, this fuel bed may replace the fuel bed 12.
• this fuel bed may replace the fuel bed 12.
• the inner surfaces 24a, 26a of the screens are made reflective. In this way, the user perceives multiple images of the fuel bed, providing the illusion of a fuel bed of greater depth.
• the means 16 serves again to provide the effect of changes in intensity of the glowing embers.
• Electric power for the lamp 14 and the motor which moves the means 16 is provided through a cable 30, preferably with a plug and socket 32, 34.
• the electricity is supplied at a safe voltage which will generally be about 24N or less, preferably about 12N.
• a transformer (not illustrated) is provided to step-down the. mains voltage-to the desired safe voltage.
• the device may be powered by electric cells (batteries) mounted in the housing.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)
• Combustion Methods Of Internal-Combustion Engines (AREA)
• Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
• Solid-Fuel Combustion (AREA)
• Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
• Gas Burners (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

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• 2001
  • 2001-02-28 DE DE20103429U patent/DE20103429U1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-08-30 GB GB0120978A patent/GB2372807B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2002
  • 2002-02-27 WO PCT/EP2002/002109 patent/WO2002068875A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-02-27 EP EP02722152A patent/EP1366325B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2002-02-27 AT AT02722152T patent/ATE450757T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2002-02-27 DE DE60234575T patent/DE60234575D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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