GB1561099A - Gas silencer - Google Patents

Description

(54) GAS SILENCER (71) We, ERIC NOEL PARKER, a British subject of The Mill, Boston Road, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire and PE TER WILLIAM BIGGADYKE, a British subject of 3 Albert Street, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to a gas silencer for distributing gas to the combustion region of a fire tray.

According to the invention there is provided a gas silencer for distributing gas to the combustion region of a fire tray, comprising a chamber provided with a gas inlet means and a plurality of gas outlets and containing material for reducing the noise of gas flow therethrough.

In order that the invention may be well understood, some embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a fire tray provided with a gas silencer; Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view along the line A-A of Figure 1; and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are similar views to Figure 3 showing respective alernative constructions.

Like references indicate like parts in the figures.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a fire tray 1 formed of sheet metal which is adapted to fit into a fire place (not shown) and which comprises a base portion 2 and edge portions 3, 4, 5 and 6 inclined thereto providing a combustion region above the base. Edge portion 6 forms the front of the tray in use.

A chamber 7 of a gas silencer for distributing gas to the combustion region of the tray and shown as being defined by the tray and a co-operating member 8 extends between the edge portions 3 and 5 at the front of the tray. The member 8 is formed of sheet metal and comprises two portions 9 and 10 which are spaced from and extend substantially parallel to the edge portion 6 and base portion 2 of the tray and side portions 11 and 12 which extend to the portions 6 and 2.

Flanges 13 and 14 connected to the side portions 11 and 12 facilitate securing of the member 8 to the tray as for example by welding, brazing and/or with the use of fasteners such as rivets or screws.

An extension 15 to the flange 13 extends forward of the tray to provide a surface substantially parallel to the base portion 2.

The chamber is provided with gas inlet means which feeds gas into the chamber from below the tray. As shown in Figure 2, the gas inlet means comprises a member formed as a nipple 16 which extends through the portion 10 of the sheet metal member 8 and the base portion 2 of the tray and is provided with outlet passageways 17 connected to its throughbore 18. An elbow 19 is connected at one end 20 to the nipple portion below the tray and is adapted to be connected at its other end portion 21 to a gas supply pipe or lead. A cap 22 is screw-threaded onto the portion of the nipple above the chamber to close the throughbore 18 and to fixedly secure the nipple 16 in the chamber so that the elbow 19 extends in a desired direction dependent upon the position of the gas supply.Figure 1 shows three alternative orientations of the gas inlet means with respect to the chamber, the positions of the elbow in these orientations being shown in dotted line to illustrate this feature.

The chamber is provided with a plurality of gas outlets which comprise spaced apart apertures 23 in the chamber wall formed by the sheet metal member 8.

The chamber contains material 24 for reducing the noise of gas flow therethrough.

This material is non-combustible and porous or arranged so as to allow the gas to diffuse therethrough. Examples of suitable materials are mineral wool or ceramic wool.

In use, the combustion region of the tray is part filled with mineral or ceramic wool (not shown) which covers the chamber. A further layer of mica (not shown) may cover the mineral or ceramic wool and imitation fuel (not shown) for example, logs or coal pieces are placed thereon. Alternatively, the tray may be partially or completely filled with mineral wool, in the form of resin impregnated matting, unimpregnated matting, or loose wool, and the imitation fuel placed thereon. The gas is turned on and the 'fire' is lit. Since the chamber is provided with a plurality of outlets and because the gas therefrom also diffuses through the mineral or ceramic wool the effect of the fire appears most realistic. The flames lick around the fuel and do not appear to come from discrete outlets.Furthermore any tendency for the fuel to blacken with smoke from the case is reduced since proper combustion is assisted. The mica or the wool glows to provide the effect of ashes.

A modified arrangement is shown in Figure 3. In this Figure, an alternative gas inlet means is utilised and the extension 15 of the member 8 is wrapped under the edge portion 6. In the gas inlet means the nipple is replaced with a two part construction comprising a cup-like shaped member 25 which defines a compartment 26 within the chamber 7 and is provided with outlet passageways 27 thereto, and a bolt-like member 28 which extends through the portion 10 of the sheet metal member 8 and the base portion 2 of the chamber passing through the compartment 26. The end of the member 28 below the tray is connected to the elbow 19 and the head 29 of the member 28 engages the portion 10. A bore 30 in the member communicates the compartment 26 with the elbow 19. The inlet means in Figure 3 like that in Figure 2 can be fitted so that the elbow 19 extends in any desired direction.

Figures 4 and 5 show further arrangements. In both of these embodiments the chamber 7 is provided in a channel 30 in the base 2 of the tray, and fits flush with the top surface of the tray. In Figure 4 the chamber is adjacent the front edge 6 of the tray whereas in Figure 5 it is spaced rearwardly therefrom.

The gas inlet means are similar to the two part construction illustrated in Figure 3, but the member defining the compartment 26 is formed as a sleeve 31.

It will be readily appreciated that the other constructions of inlet means are possible.

It is to be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the tray partially defined the gas silencer chamber, the chamber could be provided as a separate unit which would be secured to the tray. Furthermore, the chamber may occupy the front and/or the bottom of the tray, and may extend over the whole of the tray.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A silencer for distributing gas to the combustion region of a fire tray, comprising a chamber provided with a gas inlet means and a plurality of gas outlets and containing material for reducing the noise of gas flow therethrough.

2. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas outlets comprise a plurality of spaced apart apertures in a wall of said chamber.

3. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said gas inlet means is adapted to be connected to a gas supply lead and is adjustable in orientation with respect to said chamber for connection to such a gas supply lead from different directions.

4. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gas inlet means comprises a member located in said chamber and extending therefrom to form connection means for connection to a gas fitting, said member having passageway means extending from said connection means for supplying gas into said chamber.

5. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gas inlet means includes a further member defining a compartment within the chamber for receiving gas from said passageway means, said further member defining outlet means from said compartment to said chamber.

6. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said further member comprises a cup-like shaped member.

7. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further member comprises a sleeve.

8. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said material contained in said chamber comprises rock wool.

9. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a fire tray.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein said chamber is defined by said tray and a co-operating member.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein said chamber is provided in a channel in the base of said tray.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein said tray contains rock wool in its combustion region.

13. A gas silencer substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (14)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The chamber contains material 24 for reducing the noise of gas flow therethrough. This material is non-combustible and porous or arranged so as to allow the gas to diffuse therethrough. Examples of suitable materials are mineral wool or ceramic wool. In use, the combustion region of the tray is part filled with mineral or ceramic wool (not shown) which covers the chamber. A further layer of mica (not shown) may cover the mineral or ceramic wool and imitation fuel (not shown) for example, logs or coal pieces are placed thereon. Alternatively, the tray may be partially or completely filled with mineral wool, in the form of resin impregnated matting, unimpregnated matting, or loose wool, and the imitation fuel placed thereon. The gas is turned on and the 'fire' is lit. Since the chamber is provided with a plurality of outlets and because the gas therefrom also diffuses through the mineral or ceramic wool the effect of the fire appears most realistic. The flames lick around the fuel and do not appear to come from discrete outlets.Furthermore any tendency for the fuel to blacken with smoke from the case is reduced since proper combustion is assisted. The mica or the wool glows to provide the effect of ashes. A modified arrangement is shown in Figure 3. In this Figure, an alternative gas inlet means is utilised and the extension 15 of the member 8 is wrapped under the edge portion 6. In the gas inlet means the nipple is replaced with a two part construction comprising a cup-like shaped member 25 which defines a compartment 26 within the chamber 7 and is provided with outlet passageways 27 thereto, and a bolt-like member 28 which extends through the portion 10 of the sheet metal member 8 and the base portion 2 of the chamber passing through the compartment 26. The end of the member 28 below the tray is connected to the elbow 19 and the head 29 of the member 28 engages the portion 10. A bore 30 in the member communicates the compartment 26 with the elbow 19. The inlet means in Figure 3 like that in Figure 2 can be fitted so that the elbow 19 extends in any desired direction. Figures 4 and 5 show further arrangements. In both of these embodiments the chamber 7 is provided in a channel 30 in the base 2 of the tray, and fits flush with the top surface of the tray. In Figure 4 the chamber is adjacent the front edge 6 of the tray whereas in Figure 5 it is spaced rearwardly therefrom. The gas inlet means are similar to the two part construction illustrated in Figure 3, but the member defining the compartment 26 is formed as a sleeve 31. It will be readily appreciated that the other constructions of inlet means are possible. It is to be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the tray partially defined the gas silencer chamber, the chamber could be provided as a separate unit which would be secured to the tray. Furthermore, the chamber may occupy the front and/or the bottom of the tray, and may extend over the whole of the tray. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A silencer for distributing gas to the combustion region of a fire tray, comprising a chamber provided with a gas inlet means and a plurality of gas outlets and containing material for reducing the noise of gas flow therethrough.

2. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gas outlets comprise a plurality of spaced apart apertures in a wall of said chamber.

3. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said gas inlet means is adapted to be connected to a gas supply lead and is adjustable in orientation with respect to said chamber for connection to such a gas supply lead from different directions.

4. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gas inlet means comprises a member located in said chamber and extending therefrom to form connection means for connection to a gas fitting, said member having passageway means extending from said connection means for supplying gas into said chamber.

5. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 4, wherein said gas inlet means includes a further member defining a compartment within the chamber for receiving gas from said passageway means, said further member defining outlet means from said compartment to said chamber.

6. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 5 wherein said further member comprises a cup-like shaped member.

7. A gas silencer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said further member comprises a sleeve.

8. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said material contained in said chamber comprises rock wool.

9. A gas silencer as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a fire tray.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, wherein said chamber is defined by said tray and a co-operating member.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 10, wherein said chamber is provided in a channel in the base of said tray.

12. A combination as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11 wherein said tray contains rock wool in its combustion region.

13. A gas silencer substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of

the accompanying drawings.

14. A gas silencer substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.