GB2210449A

GB2210449A - Flue extensions for gas fires

Info

Publication number: GB2210449A
Application number: GB8822101A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul William Wormald
Original assignee: Hepworth Heating Ltd
Current assignee: Hepworth Heating Ltd
Priority date: 1987-09-26
Filing date: 1988-09-14
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Also published as: GB8722687D0; GB8822101D0

Abstract

A flue extension 10 for a gas fired heating appliance 5 comprises a hollow casing having openings at its opposite ends, one end of the casing being adapted for connection to a flue outlet 12 of the heating appliance so that the opening at that end communicates with the flue outlet, and the casing being so shaped and dimensioned as to extend upwardly into the chimney or flue when the applicance is fitted, whereby the outer opening 13 forms an elevated outlet for combustion products located at a level above the flue outlet on the appliance itself. The flue extension is detachable from the appliance by releasing bolts 16 and the angled opening 13 allows debris to rest behind and on the appliance without blocking the opening 13. <IMAGE>

Description

Space Heating Appliances This invention relates to space heating appliances.

Gas fired space heating appliances of the inset type, that is which are fitted within a fire opening in a wall rather than being self-standing against the wall, require to be installed in the fire opening in a manner which leaves a gap around the casing of the appliance in which debris falling down the flue or chimney may collect. The requirement to allow space for debris collection conflicts with the desire to install the fire in openings of standard dimensions while at the same time maximising the area of the fuel bed and the perfcrmance of the fire.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this disadvantage.

The invention provides a flue extension for a gas fired heating appliance adapted to be fitted in a fire opening and to communicate with a chimney or flue through which combustion products are discharged to atmosphere, said flue extension comprising a hollow casing having openings at its opposite ends, one end of the casing being adapted for connection to a flue outlet of said heating appliance so that the opening at that end communicates with the flue outlet, and the casing being so shaped and dimensioned as to extend upwardly into the chimney or flue when the appliance is fitted in the fire opening, whereby said other opening forms an elevated outlet for combustion products located within the chimney or flue at a level above the flue outlet on the appliance itself.

Preferably the casing is of generally box-like section formed from sheet metal. The outlet opening is preferably arranged to be directed transversely of the flue or chimney when the appliance is fitted and may be provided with a protective shield to prevent entry of debris.

Preferably also the end of the casing which connects to the heating appliance is provided with releasable attachment means accessible from the front of the appliance.

The invention also provides a gas fired heating appliance adapted to be fitted in a fire opening and to communicate with a chimney or flue through which combustion products are discharged to atmosphere, the appliance having a flue outlet at an upper region thereof, and a flue extension connected at one end to said flue outlet and adapted in use to extend upwardly therefrom to an outlet opening located within the chimney or flue at a level above the flue outlet of the appliance itself.

Preferably the flue outlet is so shaped and dimensioned as to extend upwardly and rearwardly from the appliance into a chimney or flue when the appliance is fitted in its operative position.

Preferably the flue outlet is detachably connected to the appliance by releasable attachment means accessible from the front of the appliance when the latter is in its operative position.

The elevated outlet opening is preferably directed transversely of the appliance and may be provided with shield or baffle means to prevent entry of debris.

The invention also provides a method of reducing the space required for debris accumulation around a gas fired heating appliance inset into a fire opening communicating with a chimney or flue, comprising arranging for combustion products to be discharged into said chimney or flue at a point within the chimney or flue above the level of the top of said appliance, whereby to enable an increase in the size of appliance which may be fitted in a fire opening of a given size without reducing the volume available beneath the point of discharge of combustion products for accumulation of debris before the discharge outlet becomes blocked.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section showing a heating appliance installed in a wall structure and fitted with a flue extension attachment; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the flue extension attachment; and Fig. 3 is a front view of the attachment shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in Fig. 1 a gas fired heating appliance 5 installed within a fire opening 6 in a wall structure or the like 7 from which a flue or chimney 8 extends for removal of combustion products. A clearance 9 is left around the back and sides of the appliance 5 for collection of debris falling from the chimney 8. Conventionally the flue gases exit directly into the flue from the upper region of the appliance 5 and hitherto problems have arisen in that accumulation of debris can result in some instances in blockage of the flue outlet from the appliance resulting in discharge of noxious gases into the space to be heated.

In order to increase the volume available for accumulation of debris without requiring an excessive clearance 9 to be left around the appliance, a flue extension 10 is fitted. This comprises a casing 10 in the form of box-like structure of sheet metal construction having an inlet aperture 11 adjacent its lower end for communication with a flue spigot 12 on the appliance 5 and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the inlet end to an outlet opening 13 communicating with the chimney 8 at a position substantially above the top of the appliance 5 and of the fire opening 6 in which it is installed. A flange 14 surrounds the inlet aperture 11 and is provided with threaded nut members 15 engageable by bolts 16 inserted from the front of the appliance 5.

In order to prevent falling debris from entering the flue extension, the outlet opening 13 is directed transversely of the flue and is provided with a protective baffle or shield 17 to deflect debris away from the opening.

In use the attachment 10 is temporarily held up the chimney 8 and the appliance 5 placed into the fire opening 6 while locating the attachment over the spigot 12. The attachment may then be securely fixed to the appliance by inserting and tightening the bolts 16 and the appliance can then be adjusted and fixed finally in position in the fire opening. The construction of the flue extension attachment is such that it is sufficiently strong to be self-supporting and to withstand striking by falling debris. Any such debris will fall past the extension and accumulate in the clearance around the appliance itself. If substantial debris accumulates this can extend to a level above the top of the spigot 12 (where gases would normally be discharged) but will not interfere with exit of flue gases until it reaches the outlet opening 13 of the extension 10.It is most unlikely in practice that sufficient debris would accumulate to reach this point.

However should this arise the debris can be removed by releasing the bolts 16, removing the appliance 5, clearing the debris which will free the attachment 10 and then reassembling and refitting the appliance.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example alternative means of attaching the flue extension to the appliance may be provided and the flue extension may vary in shape and size dependent on the construction of the appliance and of the fire opening and flue to which it is to be fitted.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A flue extension for a gas fired heating appliance adapted to be fitted in a fire opening and to communicate with a chimney or flue through which combustion products are discharged to atmosphere, said flue extension comprising a hollow casing having openings at its opposite ends, one end of the casing being adapted for connection to a flue outlet of said heating appliance so that the opening at that end communicates with the flue outlet, and the casing being so shaped and dimensioned as to extend upwardly into the chimney or flue when the appliance is fitted in the fire opening, whereby said other opening forms an elevated outlet for combustion products located within the chimney or flue at a level above the flue outlet on the appliance itself.

2. A flue extension according to claim 1 wherein the end of the casing which connects to the heating appliance is provided with releasable attachment means accessible from the front of the appliance.

3. A flue extension according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said casing is of generally box-like section formed from sheet metal.

4. A flue extension according to any preceding claim wherein said outlet opening is arranged to be directed transversely of the flue or chimney when the appliance is fitted.

5. A flue extension according to any preceding claim wherein said outlet opening is provided with a protective shield to prevent entry of debris.

6. A flue extension for a gas fired heating appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. A gas fired heating appliance fitted with a flue extension according to any preceding claim.

8. A gas fired heating appliance adapted to be fitted in a fire opening and to communicate with a chimney or flue through which combustion products are discharged to atmosphere, the appliance having a flue outlet at an upper region thereof, and a flue extension connected at one end to said flue outlet and adapted in use to extend upwardly therefrom to an outlet opening located within the chimney or flue at a level above the flue outlet of the appliance itself.

9. An appliance according to claim 8 wherein said flue extension is detachably connected to the appliance by releasable attachment means accessible from the front of the appliance when the latter is in its operative position.

10. An appliance according to claim 8 or 9 wherein said outlet opening is so constructed as to prevent entry of falling debris therein.

11. A gas fired heating appliance substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of reducing the space required for debris accumulation around a gas fired heating appliance inset into a fire opening communicating with a chimney or flue, comprising arranging for combustion products to be discharged into said chimney or flue at a point within the chimney or flue above the level of the top of said appliance, whereby to enable an increase in the size of appliance which may be fitted in a fire opening of a given size without reducing the volume available beneath the point of discharge of combustion products for accumulation of debris before the discharge outlet becomes blocked.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein, said discharge point is elevated by directing said combustion products through a flue extension fitted to and extending upwardly from the appliance into said chimney or flue.

14. A method of reducing the space required for debris accumulation around a gas fired heating appliance substantially as hereinbefore described.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.