EP3859215B1

EP3859215B1 - Heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3859215B1
Application number: EP21154634.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ruben Palazzetti
Original assignee: PALAZZETTI LELIO SpA
Current assignee: PALAZZETTI LELIO SpA
Priority date: 2020-01-31
Filing date: 2021-02-01
Publication date: 2023-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-01
Also published as: EP3859215C0; IT202000001948A1; EP3859215A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a heating apparatus, more particularly a heating apparatus comprising a heat generation unit and seating elements.
In particular, a heat generation unit of the type in question can be chosen from a barbecue, an outdoor or indoor fireplace, or a stove, which can generate heat by combustion, for example from wood biomass, for example wood, or pellets, and/or charcoal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heating apparatuses are known, which comprise a heat generation unit and which, depending on the type and application, can be installed in external or internal spaces.
For example, heat generation units are known that are mainly used for heating, such as wood, pellet, or wood biomass stoves, or indoor or outdoor fireplaces, which are normally used for heating premises or rooms located inside a building, or to heat zones or portions of spaces located outside buildings, that is, in the open air.
Heat generation units are also known in which the heat generated is mainly used for cooking food. Take, for example, outdoor barbecues, indoor barbecues, or similar and comparable heat generation units.
In particular, outdoor barbecues are known, which generally comprise a fireplace of the open type, in which wood or coal is burnt to generate embers, above which a support for the food to be cooked is normally positioned.
Outdoor barbecues also comprise a chimney, that is, a hood structure disposed above the fireplace, through which the fumes deriving from cooking food are conveyed and discharged.
Generally, the barbecue consists of elements made of concrete or refractory material and/or metal material.
Barbecue units are also known, which comprise, in addition to the actual barbecue itself, other functional elements, such as for example seating elements, such as benches and/or seats, or support elements such as tables and/or shelves for example on which to put the food or the supply of firewood and/or embers.
One disadvantage that is mainly found in outdoor heat generation units, such as known fireplaces and barbecue units, is that they are normally not very usable when temperatures go down, for example in winter, especially in zones with a cold climate, and therefore they can only be used in the summer period, or at most from late spring to early autumn.
In this case, in fact, the seating elements can be uncomfortable to the point of being completely unusable.
Furthermore, it is known that, in certain environmental conditions, dew can deposit on the surface of the seating elements, making them damp and cold and therefore not very suitable for comfortably accommodating a user.
It is therefore evident that known barbecue units can be comfortably used only in certain favorable environmental conditions.
Although this problem is greater in the case of outdoor fireplaces and barbecues, it is evident that the disadvantages connected to it can also occur in the case of indoor stoves, barbecues or fireplaces, especially if located in rooms or buildings that are only used occasionally, such as for example taverns or huts, or mountain shelters.
Document US-A-5,553,604 describes a heating apparatus which comprises a stove with a combustion chamber sealed by a panel or window. The presence of the panel that seals the combustion chamber is intended to control the combustion, and also to control the introduction of suitably pre-heated combustion air, through a primary and secondary path toward the combustion chamber itself. When the stove is operational, the closing panel or window is pressure sealed against the frame that surrounds the front of the combustion chamber, reducing smoke pollution in the environment where the stove is located. In this way, moreover, only the combustion air that is introduced in a controlled manner can reach the combustion chamber, making combustion more effective.
One purpose of the present invention is to provide a heating apparatus which can be used comfortably even at low ambient temperatures and which can be used substantially in all seasons.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a heating apparatus that prevents the formation of dew on the surface of the seating elements, in particular when it is installed outside.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a heating apparatus that allows to create and promote conviviality between people, also during the possible cooking of food, or also before and after.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
In accordance with the above purposes, the present invention concerns a heating apparatus comprising a heat generation unit provided with a fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type, configured to allow the combustion of wood and/or charcoal and/or wood biomass, for example pellets, for the generation of heat, and a plurality of seating elements connected to the heat generation unit, suitable to allow one or more users to sit on them.
The heat generation unit comprises a heat exchanger, which is installed in association with the fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type, and is connected to at least one inlet channel of a flow of air from the outside. The heat exchanger is configured to heat the flow of air from the outside by means of the heat generated in the fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type.
The heating apparatus also comprises a circuit for conveying and distributing air, which is connected to the heat exchanger to receive the heated flow of air, and develops at least partly through the seating elements to convey and distribute the heated flow of air toward heating means associated with the seating elements.
Thanks to the heat exchanger and the conveyor circuit, it is therefore possible to exploit the heat generated in the fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type, to heat the seating elements, so as to provide a comfortable seat for users, even at low ambient temperatures.
According to some embodiments, the seating elements comprise a base structure and a seating plane conformed in such a way as to delimit a hollow space disposed below the seating plane, in which at least part of the conveyor circuit develops, in which the flow of air flows, which acts as a heat-carrier fluid.
By heat-carrier fluid we mean a fluid with a high thermal content compared to the ambient air, and able to transport heat for a distance.
According to some embodiments, a dividing partition is disposed in the hollow space, which develops in the longitudinal direction, substantially dividing the hollow space into two parts.
The dividing partition can be configured to force the flow of air to flow inside the hollow space following an outward and return path, that is, traveling its longitudinal length first in one direction and then in the opposite direction on one side and the other of the dividing partition.
The outward and return path in the seating elements develops between the respective inlet and outlet apertures, which are substantially located in proximity to each other, on opposite sides with respect to the dividing partition.
Providing an outward and return path for the heated flow of air in the seating elements allows to make the temperature of the seating elements uniform, substantially limiting a temperature difference that could otherwise occur between seating elements close to and far from the heat generation unit, as the temperature of the flow of air gradually falls, through the conveyor circuit.
According to some embodiments, flow deviators or turbulators can also be disposed in the hollow space, able to modify the path of the flow of air causing turbulence suitable to improve the efficiency of heat exchange between the flow of air and the seating elements.
According to some embodiments, the conveyor circuit comprises one or more ducts.
According to some embodiments, the conveyor circuit comprises at least one thermally insulated segment, disposed between the heat generation unit and at least one seating element. The thermally insulated segment allows on the one hand to prevent heat dispersion, keeping the temperature of the heated flow of air high as far as the seating elements, and on the other hand it avoids safety problems for the user, preventing possible burns due to contact with portions of the heating apparatus outside the fireplace.
According to the invention, the conveyor circuit comprises one or more ventilation means suitable to define a circulation and a forced path of the flow of air from the inlet channel toward the seating elements.
According to some embodiments, the heat exchanger is disposed inside the heat generation unit, in correspondence with or in the vicinity of the zone in which the combustion of wood and/or embers and/or wood biomass takes place, in such a way as to be directly hit by the heat generated by it and transfer it to the flow of air passing through it.
According to some embodiments, the heat exchanger comprises a box made of metal material, which delimits a heat exchange volume. The box has an upper portion connected to the inlet channel, and a lower portion provided with outlet apertures for the heated flow of air. According to some embodiments, the inlet channel and the upper portion extend at least partly above a combustion zone of the fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type, to intercept and be hit by the heat generated therein.
In some embodiments, it may be provided that the heating apparatus comprises a regulator device configured to selectively activate or deactivate the ventilation means of the conveyor circuit.
According to some embodiments, the regulator device can drive the ventilation means according to the current temperature, or the temperature desired for the seating plane, or another surface of the heating apparatus. For example, the regulator device can be configured to activate the ventilation means when the temperature falls below a first threshold value, and deactivate them when it rises above a second predefined threshold value.
A variant embodiment can also provide that the heating apparatus comprises an interception device associated with the conveyor circuit, for example provided in a duct or in the hollow space, configured to selectively intercept the flow of air, preventing it from transiting in the respective duct or hollow space.
In some embodiments, the heating apparatus may comprise support elements such as backrests, associated with the seating elements and suitable to support a user's back, and the conveyor circuit can develop at least partly through the backrests.
The backrests can comprise a second hollow space defined between a support structure and a resting structure for the back, which can be put in fluid communication with the segment of conveyor circuit disposed in the seating elements in such a way as to allow the heating of the backrests with the same heated flow of air circulating in the seating elements.
In some embodiments, the edges defining the hollow space in the seating elements may be partly discontinuous in correspondence with the side facing toward the backrests, in order to allow the flow of air to flow between the two hollow spaces.
The invention also relates to a method to heat the seating elements of a heating apparatus, comprising the features of claim 14.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

fig. 1 is a three-dimensional and schematic view of a heating apparatus according to the present invention;
fig. 2 is a three-dimensional view of a heating apparatus according to embodiments described here;
fig. 2a is an enlargement of a detail of fig. 2;
fig. 3 is a three-dimensional view, partly in section, of a part of the heating apparatus in fig. 2;
fig. 4 is a lateral view in section along a median plane of a heating apparatus according to embodiments described here;
fig. 4a is an enlargement of a detail of fig. 4;
fig. 5 is a three-dimensional view of a variant embodiment of a heating apparatus;
fig. 5a is an enlargement of a detail of fig. 5.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

We will now refer in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawings. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof.
Before describing these embodiments, we must also clarify that the present description is not limited in its application to details of the construction and disposition of the components as described in the following description using the attached drawings. The present description can provide other embodiments and can be obtained or executed in various other ways. We must also clarify that the phraseology and terminology used here is for the purposes of description only, and cannot be considered as limitative.
Embodiments described here using the attached drawings concern a heating apparatus 10 comprising a heat generation unit 11 provided with a fireplace 14, or combustion chamber, of the open type and with a heat exchanger 23 installed in association with the fireplace 14, or combustion chamber, of the open type, in which the heat exchanger 23 is connected to at least one inlet channel 24 of a flow of air A from the outside, and is configured to heat the flow of air A by means of heat generated in the fireplace 14, or combustion chamber, of the open type.
By the term fireplace or combustion chamber of the open type, we mean that the fireplace or combustion chamber is open even when operational, that is, it is not closed or sealed when operational; in particular, it has an aperture, free from closing elements such as panels, doors, slabs or suchlike, which aperture is sufficiently wide and through which the fireplace or combustion chamber can be directly accessed even when operational, that is, with combustion in progress and for example when food is cooking. This can be provided, for example for managing the food being cooked or also the fuel or for operations of ignition, shutdown, cleaning, maintenance or suchlike, therefore without needing to remove or open possible closing elements.
The heating apparatus 10 also comprises a plurality of seating elements 13 connected to the heat generation unit 11, and a circuit 12 for conveying and distributing air, connected to the heat exchanger 23 to receive the heated flow of air A.
The conveyor circuit 12 develops at least partly through the seating elements 13 and is configured to convey and distribute the heated flow of air A toward heating means 37 (see for example figs. 1, 2, 5, 5a) associated with the seating elements 13.
In this way, a user can sit on the seating elements and, by means of the heating means 37, can take advantage of a comfortable seat heated by the effect of thermal conduction thanks to the heated flow of air A.
In some embodiments, the conduction heating means 37 can, for example, be at least heat conduction heating means.
In some embodiments, the heating means 37 can be configured as slab-like elements, for example a slab, panel, plate, board, brick, block or similar element made of suitable material able to be heated by the heated flow of air A suitable for thermal conduction, to heat the user. For example, the heating means 37 can be associated, integrated or essentially constitute a seating plane 18 of the seating elements 13. The heating means 37 can be made of refractory material, for example refractory clay, stone material, refractory bricks, stone, concrete or suchlike, or combinations thereof.
The seating elements 13 can be disposed according to desired conformations, for example forming one or more seating benches, with or without backrests as required.
With regard to the present invention, by heat generation unit 11 we mean an open fire heat generation unit, for example an outdoor barbecue, an indoor barbecue, an outdoor fireplace, an indoor fireplace, a wood stove, a pellet stove or a wood biomass stove, or similar and comparable apparatuses.
The type of fuel used for heat generation can be wood, pellets, embers, charcoal, wood biomass or any other type of fuel compatible with the type of heat generation unit 11 considered.
Although reference will be made hereafter to a heat generation unit 11 of the barbecue or fireplace type for outdoor use, it is clear that the invention can be easily translated to other solutions which implement other types of heat generation units 11.
The attached drawings are used to describe embodiments of a heating apparatus made as a barbecue unit 10 comprising a heat generation unit made as a barbecue 11, in particular for outdoor use, configured to allow cooking food by means of heat generated by the combustion of wood and/or charcoal.
The barbecue unit 10 also comprises a plurality of seating elements 13 configured to allow users of the barbecue unit 10 to sit in the vicinity of the barbecue 11.
According to some embodiments, the seating elements 13 are connected to the barbecue 11.
The barbecue 11 comprises an open-type fireplace 14 configured to contain, during use, the burning wood and/or charcoal, and possibly a grill or cooking surface on which to dispose the food to be cooked.
The barbecue 11 can also comprise a hood 15, possibly provided with a chimney 15a, disposed above the open-type fireplace 14, and configured to convey the fumes produced by combustion in the open-type fireplace 14 toward the external environment.
The barbecue 11 can also comprise a support structure 16 on which the open fireplace 14 and/or the hood 15 can be disposed.
According to some embodiments, the barbecue 11 also comprises a heat exchanger 23, which is disposed in association with the open fireplace 14.
According to some embodiments, the open-type fireplace 14 can comprise one or more deflectors configured to contain and limit the radiation of the flame toward the outside of the open-type fireplace 14, allowing cooking also by adding a large quantity of wood, necessary to allow the seating elements 13 to heat. Otherwise, the heat generated would not allow them to remain close to the cooking surface. Furthermore, this solution improves the performance of the heat exchanger 23.
The heat exchanger 23 is connected to an inlet channel 24, through which a flow of air A taken from the outside can enter, suitable to act as a heat-carrier fluid.
In the case shown by way of example, two inlet channels 24 are shown in particular, but this number can be lower, or also higher.
The heat exchanger 23 can be the air/air-fumes type, that is, it can be configured to heat the flow of air A passing through it by means of the heat generated in the open fireplace 14, and deriving from the combustion of wood and/or charcoal, and possibly by the fumes generated, in the case of a barbecue 11, during the cooking of the food, or in any case by the combustion itself.
The barbecue unit 10 according to the invention also comprises a circuit 12 to convey and distribute air, which is connected to the heat exchanger 23 and develops at least partly through the seating elements 13.
In particular, the conveyor circuit 12 receives the flow of air A heated by the heat exchanger 23 and conveys it and distributes it to the seating elements 13 in order to heat them.
According to some embodiments, the conveyor circuit 12 can comprise a plurality of ducts 21 configured to allow the heat-carrier fluid to flow inside them.
According to some embodiments, the seating elements 13 are made of refractory material and are at least partly hollow, comprising inside them at least one segment of the conveyor circuit 12.
According to some embodiments, the seating elements 13 comprise inside them a duct 21 or a hollow space I suitable to allow the flow of the heat-carrier fluid, that is, the fluid with a high thermal content with respect to the ambient air, suitable for transporting heat for a distance.
In some embodiments, the seating elements 13 can be disposed in rows, that is, longitudinally aligned in series one in succession to the other. According to these embodiments, the respective ducts 21 or hollow spaces I will be connected in continuity with each other to allow the passage of the heat-carrier flow through them.
For example, shown in fig. 2 and fig. 5, a barbecue unit 10 can comprise two rows of seating elements 13 disposed on opposite sides with respect to the barbecue 11, and developing in such a way as to be at least partly facing each other, to allow several users to sit down opposite each other.
According to some embodiments, the seating elements 13 comprise a base structure 17 and a seating plane 18 associated with the heating means 37.
Some variant embodiments, one of which is shown in fig. 2, provide that the base structure 17 is made so as to comprise a cavity 19 in its upper part.
In particular, the cavity can be at least partly delimited along its sides by edges 27 which at least partly define its perimeter.
An enlargement of the above embodiment of the seating elements is visible in fig. 2a.
During use, the seating plane 18 can be positioned on the upper part of the base structure 17 of the seating elements 13.
In particular, it can be rested on the edges 27, or embedded or attached by means of attachment elements or adhesive means.
In this way, the cavity 19 and the seating plane 18 define the duct or hollow space I between them.
In some embodiments, the edges 27 of the cavity 19 can be discontinuous, thus defining one or more apertures 28 of the seating elements 13 configured to put the duct or hollow space I in fluid communication with the external environment and/or with other components of the barbecue unit 10 possibly associated with said apertures 28.
According to a preferred embodiment, the duct or hollow space I can contain a dividing partition 34.
The dividing partition 34 can be configured as one or more metal plates in succession able to define a path of the heat-carrier fluid.
Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment in which the dividing partition 34 develops longitudinally in the direction of longitudinal development of the row of seating elements 13.
With this conformation, the flow of air A in the duct or hollow space I advances along an outward and return path and allows a homogeneous heating of the seating plane/planes 18.
In some embodiments, inside the duct or hollow space I there may be flow deviators 20, or turbulators.
Advantageously, the flow deviators 20 modify the flow of the heat-carrier fluid, causing turbulence that improves the effectiveness of the heat exchange between the heat-carrier fluid and the seating plane 18.
For example, as shown in fig. 2, the flow deviators 20 and/or the dividing partition 34 are disposed so as to force the fluid to flow inside the duct or hollow space I, entering from an inlet aperture 28a provided on one side of one of the seating elements 13, traveling along its longitudinal length first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, until it emerges from another outlet aperture 28b.
In this case, the inlet 28a and outlet 28b apertures are provided on the same seating element 13, in particular the one closest to the barbecue 11, on opposite sides with respect to the dividing partition 34.
According to some embodiments, the flow deviators 20 can develop transversely, starting alternately from the edges 27 of the base structure 17 and from the dividing partition 34, so as to create a serpentine path.
In some embodiments, adjacent flow diverters 20 are distanced from each other at a constant pitch.
Advantageously, in this way, the seating plane 18 comprised in the seating elements 13 is homogeneously heated.
In particular, along the longitudinal travel of the duct or hollow space I some flow deviators 20 can be disposed substantially perpendicular to the same direction of longitudinal development of the duct or hollow space I.
In this way the flow, following a longer path and increasing its turbulence, improves the efficiency of the heat exchange with the seating plane 18.
According to one embodiment, the flow deviators 20 are configured as metal plates with at least one side having the same size as the thickness of the duct or hollow space I.
In some preferred embodiments, the seating elements 13 may comprise one or more insulation elements 33 disposed inside the duct or hollow space I.
The or each insulation element 33 can be configured as an insulating layer disposed on the surface of the cavity 19 facing toward the inside of the duct or hollow space I.
According to some embodiments, the conformation of the seating elements 13 can be the modular type. In particular, adjacent seating elements 13, which form a row, can be conformed in such a way as to be substantially equal to each other, so that they can be disposed aligned and guarantee the development and continuity of the duct or hollow space I.
This conformation allows to simplify the assembly of rows whose length can vary according to the needs of the users.
However, it can be provided that the conformation of at least the last seating element 13 in a row is different, to allow the inversion of the flow path.
In particular, the last seating element 13 of the row can be provided with a dividing partition 34 which extends only for a part of its length, and with an external transverse edge 27, so as to force the flow of the heat-carrier fluid to invert its direction and therefore to travel through the hollow space I also in the opposite direction.
The first seating element 13 in the row, that is, the seating element 13 closest to the barbecue 11, can also have a different conformation, and be provided with apertures 28a, 28b to guarantee the inlet and outlet of the heat-carrier fluid into the duct or hollow space I.
According to a possible variant embodiment, shown for example in fig. 5, the barbecue unit 10 can also comprise backrests 44.
The backrests 44 are configured to allow the users of the barbecue unit 10 to rest their back while they are seated on the seating elements 13.
In some embodiments, each backrest 44 is associated with a respective seating element 13. In these embodiments, each backrest put in succession with another can be substantially the same as the one that follows or precedes it, unless there are possible apertures for the inlet or outlet of the heat-carrier fluid.
This conformation guarantees modularity for the assembly of the rows of seating elements 13 provided with backrests 44.
Each backrest can comprise a support structure 45 and a resting wall 46.
In some embodiments, the support structure 45 and the resting wall 46 are integrally connected to each other.
According to some embodiments, the support structure 45 and/or the resting wall 46 are integrally connected to the associated seating element 13.
According to some embodiments, the support structure 45 and the resting wall 46 are conformed in such a way as to cooperate with each other and define a second hollow space Ia.
According to some embodiments, the support structure 45 and the resting wall 46 are conformed in such a way as to cooperate with each other and define a passage aperture 47 suitable to put the duct or hollow space I of the seating elements 13 into fluid communication with the second hollow space Ia comprised in the backrests 44.
In this way, part of the flow of heat-carrier fluid that flows inside the hollow space I can flow into the hollow space Ia, also heating the resting wall 46.
In some embodiments, the edges 27 of the seating elements 13 may be partly discontinuous in correspondence with the backrests 44. In particular, they may have discontinuities that allow the heat-carrier fluid to flow from the hollow space I to the second hollow space Ia.
Between one discontinuity and the other there is a portion of the edge 27 suitable to guarantee support for the seating plane 18 and/or the resting wall 46 of the backrest 44.
In possible variant embodiments, not shown in the drawings, the hollow space Ia comprised in the backrests 44 can be separated from the duct or hollow space I comprised in the seating elements 13.
In the embodiments as above, the barbecue unit 10 can also comprise one or more ducts 21 dedicated to conveying the heat-carrier fluid toward the hollow space Ia comprised in the backrests 44. Furthermore, one backrest 44, or more, can comprise apertures dedicated to the inlet and outlet of the heat-carrier fluid with respect to the hollow space Ia.
According to some embodiments, for example described with reference to figs. 3-4, the heat exchanger 23 is disposed in proximity and in cooperation with the open-type fireplace 14 and/or the hood 15.
In particular, the heat exchanger 23 can be disposed in proximity to the zone where combustion takes place.
According to some embodiments, the heat exchanger 23 can comprise a containing structure, or box 26, made of metal material, which delimits a heat exchange volume V.
The walls of the box 26 are put in direct contact with the flames, or embers, at least with the heat generated by them, and with the fumes produced by combustion in the open-type fireplace 14.
According to some embodiments, the box 26 has an upper portion 25a connected to the inlet channel/channels 24, and a lower portion 25b, connected to the upper portion 25a, and provided with outlet apertures 36 for the heated flow of air A.
According to some embodiments, the upper portion 25a comprises a portion that protrudes toward the inside of the open-type fireplace 14, the section of which progressively widens from the bottom to the top and then shrinks again in proximity to the connection with the inlet channels 24.
The lower portion 25b can have a substantially constant section.
According to some embodiments, the inlet channels 24 are disposed in such a way as to communicate with the external environment through apertures 32 made in a rear zone of the barbecue 11, for example in the hood 15.
In some embodiments, the inlet channels 24 are made in such a way as to also have a large heat exchange surface in contact with the fumes and flames generated by combustion.
According to some embodiments, the inlet channels 24 can be configured to introduce the flow of air A taken from the outside into the heat exchange volume V, increasing its turbulence and therefore the effectiveness of the heat exchange.
In particular, the inlet channels 24 can have a C-shaped or V-shaped configuration, that is, they can have two segments which form a substantially acute angle between them.
According to some embodiments, the upper portion 25a comprises a plurality of fins 40 which convey the incoming flow of air A toward the center of the heat exchange volume V so as to improve its heat exchange with the box 26 and increase the heating thereof.
For example, four or more fins 40 can be provided, disposed converging toward a median plane of the barbecue 11, which define, in cooperation with the box 26, preferential paths for the flow of air A.
In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 23, in particular the box 26, is put in contact with a rear wall 30 of the barbecue 11 which delimits the fireplace 14 of the open type.
According to some embodiments, visible in fig. 4a, the box 26 comprises an external surface 35 facing toward the rear wall 30, and an internal surface 29 facing toward the interior of the open fireplace 14.
According to some embodiments, a layer of insulating material 31 is disposed between the external surface 35 and the rear wall 30 of the open-type fireplace 14, able to guarantee better thermal insulation of the heat exchanger 23 with respect to the temperatures of the external environment.
In some embodiments, the layer of insulating material 31 can be made with a layer of glass wool.
According to some embodiments, the inlet channels 24 communicate fluidly with the heat exchange volume V by means of one or more air inlets 39 provided in the box 26, in particular in the upper portion 25a.
According to some embodiments, the conveyor circuit 12 is put in fluid communication with the outlet apertures 36 provided in the box 26, through which the heated flow of air A can pass.
According to some embodiments, the fireplace 14 of the open type and/or the hood 15 and/or the support structure 16 of the barbecue 11 can comprise through passage channels 38, which define one or more segments of the conveyor circuit 12.
In particular, referring for example to figs. 3 and 4, the support structure 16 and/or the fireplace 14 of the open type comprise passage channels 38 through which the flow of air A flows.
The arrows in figs. 3 and 4 schematically represent the flow of air A inside the heat exchanger 23 and through the passage channels 38.
According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the conveyor circuit 12 comprises at least one segment defined by one or more ducts 21 at least partly insulated, that is, made of or coated with insulating material.
According to some embodiments, at least one duct 21, at least partly insulated, can be provided, disposed between the barbecue 11 and at least one seating element 13.
According to some embodiments, the ducts 21 can be integrated or inserted in possible auxiliary structures that develop from the barbecue 11 to the seating elements 13.
According to the invention, the conveyor circuit 12 comprises ventilation means 22 configured to force the circulation of the heat-carrier fluid toward the seating elements 13.
According to some embodiments, the conveyor circuit 12 can comprise a single ventilation mean 22 able to promote the flow of air A from the external environment through the heat exchanger 23 and the conveyor circuit 12.
According to possible variant embodiments, for example in the case where two or more rows of seating elements 13 are provided, or possibly dedicated circuits and ducts associated with the backrests 44, the conveyor circuit 12 can comprise two or more ventilation means 22, for example two or more fans, each associated with a row of seating elements 13, and/or with respective rows of backrests 44.
According to some embodiments, the ventilation means 22, functioning on direct current or alternating current, can be activated and adjustable independently of each other. In this way it is possible to partly divide up the flow of air A by activating only some of the ventilation means 22 present.
In some embodiments, the conveyor circuit 12 can comprise filtering means, not shown in the drawings, able to intercept the flow in the conveyor circuit 12 and to retain any material, or dirt, which could damage the ventilation means 22.
According to some embodiments, the ventilation means 22 can be associated with one or more ducts 21 of the conveyor circuit 12.
In other embodiments, the conveyor circuit 12 can be configured to convey the flow of air A exiting from the seating elements 13 and/or the backrests 44 toward other functional elements, for example by means of dedicated ducts or pipes connected to the outlet aperture 28b. For example, the residual heat of the flow of air A can be used to keep cooked food hot.
According to an alternative variant, the barbecue unit 10 can comprise a regulator device 41, or more, for example a thermostat, configured to control the temperature of at least one portion of the seating elements 13.
Furthermore, the barbecue unit 10 can comprise a control and management unit 42 configured to communicate with the regulator device 41 and consequently command the functioning of the ventilation means 22 of the conveyor circuit 12.
In particular, the regulator device 41 can be disposed on a surface of the seating plane 18 and/or of the backrest 44, or can possibly be integrated in them, and can be configured to detect their temperature and to transmit a temperature signal to the control and management unit 42.
For example, if the temperature of the seating plane 18 detected by the regulator device 41 exceeds a first limit temperature value, the control and management unit 42 can interrupt, or stop, the functioning of the ventilation means 22.
On the contrary, if the temperature of the seating plane 18 detected by the regulator device 41 falls below a second limit temperature value, the control and management unit 42 can activate the ventilation means 22.
In possible variant embodiments, the barbecue unit 10 can also comprise a shutter 43, or more, associated with the duct or hollow space I and/or the second hollow space Ia and/or the ducts 21 of the conveyor circuit 12.
In particular, a shutter 43 can be driven automatically by the control and management unit 42, or manually by the users, to selectively intercept the heat-carrier fluid and at least partly prevent it from entering into the duct or hollow space I of the seating elements 13 or into the hollow space Ia of the backrests 44.
More particularly, a shutter 43 can assume a closed operating position, in which the heat-carrier fluid cannot reach the inside of the duct or hollow space I or hollow space Ia.
Conversely, the shutter 43 can assume an open operating position, in which the heat-carrier fluid can reach the inside of the duct or hollow space I or the hollow space Ia.
In some embodiments, the shutter 43 can assume intermediate operating positions so as to be able to divide up the flow of air in the conveyor circuit 12.
The position of the shutter 43 can be controlled by the control and management unit 42 on the basis of the temperature signal transmitted by the regulator device 41.
In some embodiments, the shutter 43 comprised in the ducts 21 of the conveyor circuit can be configured as a butterfly valve.
According to some embodiments, the shutters 43 comprised in the seating elements 13 and/or in the backrests 44 can be configured as dividing partitions, that is, plates of metal or refractory material, which can be inserted and removed manually and able to modify, during use, the conformation of the duct or hollow space I and/or hollow space Ia.
According to other embodiments, each seating element 13 can comprise one or more shutters 43, which, during use, can define portions of the dividing partition 34 and/or of the flow deviators 20.
According to a variant embodiment, a shutter 43 can be configured as a pair of metal plates hinged reciprocally at one end, which can pass from a first position, in which they are closed one on top of the other, aligned with the dividing partition 34 guaranteeing its continuity, to another operating position in which they can be substantially aligned with each other, and be perpendicular to the dividing partition 34, allowing the flow of the heat-carrier fluid to invert its direction and flow into the return segment of the duct or hollow space I.
More particularly, this conformation allows users to divide up the heating of the rows of seating elements 13 and/or of the backrests 44, choosing how many seats to heat, for example limiting the flow of heat-carrier fluid only into some of the seating elements 13/backrests 44 in succession.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the heating apparatus 10 described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field of the present invention as defined by the claims.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will certainly be able to obtain many other equivalent forms of heating apparatus 10, having the characteristics set forth in the claims and therefore all falling within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

Heating apparatus comprising:
- a heat generation unit (11) provided with a fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type, and a heat exchanger (23) installed in association with said fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type, said heat exchanger (23) being connected to at least one channel (24) for the inlet of a flow of air (A) from the outside, and being configured to heat said flow of air (A) by means of heat generated in said fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type;

- a plurality of seating elements (13) connected to said heat generation unit (11);

- heating means (37) associated with said seating elements (13);

- a circuit (12) for conveying and distributing air, connected to said heat exchanger (23) in order to receive said heated flow of air (A), said conveyor circuit (12) developing at least partly through said seating elements (13) in order to convey and distribute said heated flow of air (A) toward said heating means (37) associated with said seating elements (13),
characterized in that said conveyor circuit (12) is provided with at least one ventilation device (22) configured to force the circulation of said flow of air (A) toward said seating elements (13).
Heating apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said seating elements (13) comprise a hollow space (I) delimited between a base structure (17) and a seating plane (18), in which said conveyor circuit (12) at least partly develops.
Heating apparatus as in claim 2, characterized in that in said hollow space (I) there is disposed a dividing partition (34) which develops longitudinally along the longitudinal development of said seating elements (13) and said conveyor circuit (12) in said hollow space (I) follows an outward and return path on the opposite sides of said dividing partition (34).
Heating apparatus as in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that in said hollow space (I) there is provided a plurality of flow deflectors (20), or turbulators, able to modify the path of the flow of air (A) causing turbulences able to improve the efficiency of heat exchange between the flow of air (A) and the seating elements (13).
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said conveyor circuit (12) comprises at least one conveyor duct (21) provided with a thermally insulating layer, disposed between said heat generation unit (11) and said seating elements (13).
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said seating elements (13) are disposed in series, in continuity with each other, along a first and a second row on opposite sides with respect to said heat generation unit (11), and said conveyor circuit (12) comprises a first and a second branch which develop respectively through said first and said second row of seating elements (13).
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said heat exchanger (23) comprises a containing structure, or box (26), made of metal material, which delimits a heat exchange volume (V), which has an upper portion (25a) connected to said inlet channel (24), and a lower portion (25b), provided with outlet apertures (36) for said heated flow of air (A), communicating with said conveyor circuit (12), wherein said inlet channel (24) and said upper portion (25a) extend at least partly above a combustion zone of said fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type, in order to intercept and be hit by the heat generated therein.
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a regulator device (41) suitable to detect the temperature of at least one seating element (13) and a control and management unit (42), configured to communicate with said regulator device (41) and to command said ventilation device (22) on the basis of the temperature detected by said regulator device (41).
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said seating elements (13) are provided with backrests (44) and said conveyor circuit (12) develops at least partly through said backrests (44).
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said heat generation unit (11) is an outside barbecue.
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said heating means (37) are configured as slab-like elements, in particular a slab, panel, plate, board, brick, block or suchlike.
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said heating means (37) are made of refractory material, in particular refractory clay, stone material, refractory bricks, stone, concrete or suchlike, or a combination thereof.
Heating apparatus as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the heating means (37) are at least heat conduction heating means.
Method for heating seating elements (13) of a heating apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, comprising the following steps:
- generating heat in a heat generation unit (11) by burning wood and/or charcoal and/or wood biomass in a fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type;

- heating a flow of air (A) entering from the outside by means of the heat generated in said fireplace (14) or combustion chamber of the open type;

- conveying and distributing the heated flow of air (A) via a conveyor circuit (12) at least partly through said seating elements (13) in order to heat them,
characterized in that said conveyor circuit (12) is provided with at least one ventilation device (22) forcing the circulation of said flow of air (A) toward said seating elements (13).