GB2068105A

GB2068105A - Imitation solid-fuel gas fires

Info

Publication number: GB2068105A
Application number: GB8100184A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-01-08
Filing date: 1981-01-06
Publication date: 1981-08-05
Also published as: GB2068105B

Abstract

A solid fuel effect gas fire comprises a base member, refractory particulate material supported thereon, means for introducing gas into the particulate material, a plurality of refractory bodies simulating solid fuel arranged on the particulate material, and duct means for leading air from beneath the base member to the refractory bodies, the duct means being such that, in use, some of the gas introduced into the particulate material enters the duct means to mix with the air flowing therethrough.

Description

SPECIFICATION Solid fuel effect gas fires This invention relates to solid fuel effect gas fires and in particular to a base member suitable for use as part of such fires.

A base member is provided in solid fuel effect gas fires for supporting a quantity of refractory particulate material.

In use, gas is introduced into the particulate material and it percolates between the particles of the material to the upper surface of the material on which a plurality of refractory bodies, shaped and coloured to represent solid fuel, are arranged. The gas burns mainly with luminous flames which extend around the bodies.

To increase the efficiency of the fire and also make it look more realistic, it is known to provide at least one duct leading to spaces between the refractory bodies and through this duct air is supplied so that some of the gas in the spaces between the bodies burns with non-luminous flames.

According to the present invention, a solid fuel effect gas fire comprises a base member, a quantity of refractory particulate material supported on the base member, means for introducing gas into the refractory particulate material, a plurality of refractory bodies, shaped and coloured to represent solid fuel, arranged on the particulate material and at least one duct projecting upwardly from the base member to said refractory bodies, the bore of said duct being in communication with the underside of the base member and means for ensuring that, in use, air flowing upwardly through the bore of the or each duct is mixed in the bore thereof with a portion of the gas which is introduced into the refractory particulate material.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1,2 and 3 are sectional side elevations of part of a base member of a solid fuel effect gas fire according to alternative embodiments of the invention.

A base member for a solid fuel effect gas fire comprises a base plate having an upstanding wall from its upper surface to form a tray in which a quantity of refractory particulate material is contained. Means are provided for introducing gas into the quantity of particulate material. In use, the gas percolates upwardly through the particles to the upper surface of the refractory material into spaces between a plurality of refractory bodies which are shaped and coloured to represent solid fuel. One or more ducts in the form of tubes project upwardly from the base plate and the bore of the or each tube is in communication with the underside ofthe plate so that air can pass from beneath the base member up the or each tube into spaces between the refractory bodies. This causes some of the gas to burn with non-luminous flames.In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to ensure that some of the gas introduced into the refractory particulate material enters into the bore of the or each tube to mix with the air passing upwardly through the tube.

Referring to the figures, the base plate 1 of the base member has a hole 2 therethrough and a tube 3 secured to the base member so that the bore of the tube is in communication with the underside of the plate 1 through the hole 2.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the tube 3 has one or more outwardly extending projections 4 and a further tube 5 fits over the upper end of tube 3 and rests upon the projection(s). The projection(s) 4 does not extend completely around the periphery of the tube 4 and there is a space between the two tubes.

Some of the gas entering the mass of particulate material enters through this space into the tube 5 where it mixes with the air entering this tube from tube 3.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 2, a further tube 6, of greater internal diameter than the outer diameter of tube 3 and of greater length, is fitted over tube 3 and rests on the plate 1. One or more holes 7 are provided in the wall of tube 6 so that gas can flow through the hole(s) 7 into the upper end of tube 6 and mix with air passing through this tube through the hole 2.

In the arrangement of Figure 3, a second tube 8, having an internal diameter of substantially the same diameter as the tube 3, has its lower end 9 enlarged to increase its internal size and this tube is fitted over the upper end of tube 3. The enlarged lower end of tube 8 does not have a true circular cross-section so that, when it fits over the upper end of tube 3, there are some spaces between the two tubes and some of the gas introduced into the refractory particulate material flows through these spaces into the tube 8 where it mixes with air flowing therethrough from the hole 2.

In a simpler construction, not illustrated, a single tube may be used with one or more holes formed through its wall so that gas can pass through this hole(s) into the tube to mix with the air passing through the tube.

By ensuring that some of the gas introduced into the particulate material enters into the bore of the or each duct, premixing of the air and the gas takes place in the duct prior to burning of the gas/air mixture in the spaces between the refractory bodies.

To prevent strike back of flames into the or each duct, a flame trap, such as a gauze, may be fitted over the top end of the or each duct.

The air duct may be provided between two separate trays and openings are formed in the walls of the trays which lead into the duct so that some gas may enter the duct from the trays.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the or each duct may comprise a tube upstanding from the base member and with an end of the tube surrounding an opening in the base member. The end of the tube is tack welded to the upper surface of the base member but the tube is in non-sealing relation with the base member thereby allowing some gas to pass between the end of the tube and the base member into the bore of the tube and to mix with the air flowing along the bore of the tube from the underside of the base member.

Claims

1. A solid fuel effect gas fire comprising a base member, a quantity of refractory particulate material supported on the base member, means for introducing gas into the refractory particulate material, a plurality of refractory bodies, shaped and coloured to represent solid fuel, arranged on the particulate material and at least one duct projecting upwardly from the base member to said refractory bodies, the bore of said duct being in communication with the underside of the base member, said duct being such that, in use, some of the gas introduced into the refractory particulate material enters into the bore of the duct to mix with air flowing upwardly through the bore of the duct.

2. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each duct is a tube projecting upwardly from the base member and the or each tube has one or more holes through the wall thereof for the passage of gas into the bore of the tube.

3. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each duct is a first tube projecting upwardly from the base member and a second tube of greater diameter and greater axial length posi tioned around said first tube with a space therebe tween, said second tube having at least one hole through the wall thereof for the passage of gas into the space between the two tubes.

4. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each duct is a first tube projecting upwardly from the base member and having a projection extending outwardly from a side thereof and a second tube of greater inner diameter than the outer diameter of the first tube fitted over the top of the first tube and resting on said projection.

5. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each duct is a first tube projecting upwardly from the base member with a second tube fitted over the upper end of the first tube, the upper end of the first tube and the lower end of the second tube being of different cross sectional shape to allow gas to pass between the adjacent ends of the two tubes into the bore of the second tube.

6. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the base member comnprises two parts arranged side-by-side in spaced apart relation and the adjacent walls of the two parts define said duct, and at least one opening is formed in one of said walls to permit gas to flow from the part into said duct.

7. A solid fuel effect gas fire as claimed in claim 1, in which the or ech duct is a tube projecting upwardly from the base member with one end of the tube extending around an opening in the base member, said tube being secured in non-sealing relation to the upper surface of the base member to permit gas to pass between said end and the base member into the bore of the tube.

8. A solid fuel effect gas fire substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accom Danying drawing.