GB2129926A

GB2129926A - Fire burning controller

Info

Publication number: GB2129926A
Application number: GB08224777A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Francis Rodney Kirkham
Original assignee: Ulverston Sheet Metal & Engine
Current assignee: Ulverston Sheet Metal & Engine
Priority date: 1982-08-28
Filing date: 1982-08-28
Publication date: 1984-05-23

Abstract

A fuel burning control device (10) is located in front of an open fronted fire grate (11) and comprises a surround (12) which is dimensioned to form an enclosure with the grate (11). The device also comprises a front part (13) having preferably horizontally disposed upper and lower louvres (14, 15) which are openable and closable independently of each other to control the fuel burning rate. The louvres may be moved either manually or automatically. The device (10) may be located forwardly of the grate (11) by an amount sufficient to allow an extension of the fuel supporting basket to increase the capacity thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Fire burning controller This invention relates to a fuel burning control device, and in particular though not exclusively to means for controlling the burning of a coal fire to provide for the most economical use of the coal.

It is known that with conventional open fires burning coal or other solid fuels that a large proportion of the heat generated is carried up the chimney by the rising hot air and smoke instead of heating the room in which the fire grate is situated. It is also a feature of such open fires that there is little control over the rate of burning and that in consequence the most efficient use of the fuel cannot be ensured.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for use with such an open fire, the use of which overcomes or at least obviates to a substantial extent, the abovementioned disadvantages.

The invention provides a fuel burning control device for use with an open fronted fire grate, comprising a structure having a front part and a surround part, said surround part being adapted to cooperate with said grate to form an enclosure therewith and said front part having an aperture or apertures therein, closure means for said aperture or apertures and means operable to move said closure means between positions in which said aperture or apertures is or are fully open and positions in which said closure means fully close said aperture or apertures.

Preferably said closure means comprises a plurality of louvre blades mounted so as to be pivotal about spaced parallel axes. Such louvres may be mounted so as to be pivotal about substantially horizontal axes or substantially vertical axes.

The aperture or apertures may be disposed in upper and lower regions of said front part and said closure means may comprise respective closure means for the aperture or apertures in said upper region and for the aperture or apertures in said lower region. The upper and lower closure means may be movable independently of each other.

The device may comprise a perforate support for burning fuel, the support being disposed at a level between said upper and lower regions.

The means operable to move the closure means may comprise a manually operable lever mechanism and/or may comprise sensing means and control means adapted to operate said closure means in response to a signal from said sensing means relating to the rate of burning of the fuel.

Embodiments of fire burning control devices in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the embodiments of Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a fuel burning control device 10 located in the open front of a fire grate 1 The device 10 comprises a surround 12 which is dimensioned so as to correspond with the dimensions of the fire grate 11. The device 10 also comprises a front part 1 3 consisting of a plurality of horizontally disposed pivotally mounted upper and lower louvres 14, 1 5.

When louvres 14, 15 are in the closed position the front part 13 completely closes the front opening of grate 1 The upper and lower louvres 14, 1 5 may be movable collectively or preferably upper louvres 14 are movable independently of lower louvres 1 5 so that either of the upper or lower regions of the front 13 may be opened or closed as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 2 in conjunction with Fig. 1 it can be seen that the surround 12 fits at the front of the grate 11 and that front part 1 3 completely closes the front opening of grate 11 when louvres 14 and 1 5 are in the closed position.

Upper louvres 14, shown in the open position, are disposed above and lower louvres 15, also shown in the open position, are disposed below the level of the fuel 'basket' or support 1 6 of the fire grate 11. By means of the device 10 of the present invention the opening at the front of the grate 11 can be varied at wiil dependent upon the circumstances and the requirements as regards burning of fuel in the grate 11 and heating of the room in which grate 11 is situated. For example lower louvres 15 may be opened and upper louvres 14 closed whilst the fire is started, thus creating a strong updraught through basket 1 6.

When burning has become established lower louvres 15 may be moved towards or to the closed position and upper louvres 14 opened to the required amount to provide optimum heating of the room at the most efficient rate of burning of the fuel. Opening or closing of louvres 14, 1 5 may be effected manually by means of lever mechanisms 1 7 to which each respective upper or lower louvre 14, 1 5 is connected.

Referring now to Fig. 3 in conjunction with Fig. 1 it may be seen that in this embodiment the front 1 3 is disposed forwardly of grate 11.

Surround 12 comprises sidewalls 18 and top 19, thus providing with grate 11 an enclosure in which the fuel may be burned. The device 10 also includes a fuel supporting tray 20 which is disposed at a level corresponding with basket 1 6 of grate 11. In this way the fire may be located further into the room than is possible with the grate 11 alone, thus adding to the room heating capability of the fire.

The louvres 14, 1 5 may be operated manually as described in relation to the previous embodiment, but in order to provide for the most efficient burning of the fuel the louvres 14, 1 5 may be operated by a controller 21 which is itself operable in response to signals from a sensor 22.

Sensor 22 comprises one or more sensing elements and a programmabie unit, e.g., a microprocessor, programmed so that opening and closing of louvres 14, 15 is performed in a manner providing for the optimum rate of burning of the fuel and maximum heat output to the room in which grate 11 and the device 10 is situated.

Other embodiments of the invention will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example, although horizontally disposed louvres are preferred and described herein, vertically disposed louvres may be provided if desired.

Alternatively other aperture closing means may be provided, such as flaps, shutters and the like.

Furthermore the louvres or other closing means may be further subdivided into groups, for example left and right half groups and/or uppermost middle and lower groups.

It is envisaged that the device 10 is manufactured of stainless steel or like material resistant to the heat generated in the environment of the grate. A device 10 of steel may have a vitreous enamel finish applied thereto.

In the case of either embodiment described the front part 13 may be detachable from or pivotal relative to surround 12 for the purpose of supplying fuel to the grate 11. In the case of the embodiment of Fig. 3 the top 19 may be removable or pivotal for this purpose instead of front part 13.

The device 10 may also include a blower (not shown) which is either manually operable or controlled by sensor 22 and controller 21 so as to create an upward draught through basket 1 6 and/or tray 20 if required.

If desired the louvres, particularly the upper louvres 14, may be of a heat resistant glass so that the burning fuel may be viewed therethrough when in the closed positions, thereby adding to the pleasant appearance of the device.

Claims

1. A fuel burning control device for use with an open fronted fire grate, comprising a structure having a front part and a surround part, said surround part being adapted to cooperate with said grate to form an enclosure therewith and said front part having at least one aperture therein, closure means for the aperture or apertures, and means operable to move said closure means between positions in which the or each aperture is fully open and positions in which said closure means fully closes the or each aperture.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said closure means comprises a plurality of louvre blades mounted so as to be pivoted about spaced parallel axes.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said axes are substantially horizontal.

4. A device according to claim 2, wherein said axes are substantially vertical.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one aperture is disposed in an upper region of said front part and at least one aperture is disposed in a lower part of said front part.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said closure means comprises respective aperture closure means for the upper and lower parts of said front part.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said respective aperture closure means are operable independently of each other.

8. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a perforate support for burning fuel.

9. A device according to claim 8, when dependent on claim 5, wherein said support is disposed at a level between said upper and lower regions.

1 0. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said moving means comprises a manually operable lever mechanism.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said moving means comprises sensing means operable to detect a rate of burning of fuel and control means adapted to operate said closure means in response to a signal provided by said sensing means.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said closure means is of stainless steel.

13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said closure means is of heatresistant glass.

14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said front part is pivotally secured to said surround part.

1 5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said front part is detachably secured to said surround part.

16. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a blower.

17. A device according to claim 16, when dependent on claim 1 1, wherein said blower is operable in response to a signal provided by said sensing means.

18. A fuel burning control device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figures 1 and 3 of the accompanying drawing.