GB2241323A

GB2241323A - Igniting solid fuel fires

Info

Publication number: GB2241323A
Application number: GB9103653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Diana Margery Dennison
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-02-21
Filing date: 1991-02-21
Publication date: 1991-08-28
Also published as: GB9103653D0; GB9004346D0

Abstract

A front for a grate incorporates a fuel ignition apparatus comprising a hot air generating apparatus with fan means (36) to exhaust hot air along piping (22) whose outlet is directed to play on fuel (30) in the grate. The hot air generating apparatus is electrically operable and comprises a heat element (34). The element (34) is located in the inlet end of the piping (22). A removable casing (32) with one or more air inlet vents (42) in the wall surround thereof houses the hot air generating apparatus. <IMAGE>

Description

GRATES.

This invention relates to a grate for an open fire place, and particularly relates to a fuel ignition apparatus for use with such a grate. Grates have been provided heretofore comprising a basket framework of parallel bars or equivalent intended to hold fuel in a fireplace, the framework having legs to support the bars off a surface and to provide an area under the bars to accommodate an ash pan resting on said surface and intended to receive ashes through the bars resulting from combustion of the fuel. Fronts have been provided in or for such grates, each front having an ash pan access door in a lower portion thereof. Hereinafter in the specification and claims, a grate as described above will be referred to as "a grate of the type stated".

Accordingly, the present invention is in or for a grate of the type stated, a front incorporating therewith a fuel ignition apparatus.

Preferably, the fuel ignition apparatus comprises a hot air generating apparatus with fan means to exhaust hot air along piping whose outlet is directed to play on any fuel placed in the basket framework.

The front desirably has a first extension to one lateral side to which the hot air generating apparatus is fitted.

Preferably also, the hot air generating apparatus is electrically operable and comprises one or more heat elements and the fan means. The element(s) are preferably located in the inlet end of the piping. The piping is desirably of a material to withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Centigrade at least at the portion adjacent to the one or more elements and the portion conveying the hot air therefrom. The material of the piping is preferably of a type to convey the air without substantial loss of heat due to radiation.

Preferably also, a casing is provided with one or more air inlet vents in the wall surround thereof to house the hot air generating apparatus. Air is preferably induced through the or each vent into the casing by the fan means and passed over or through the one or more heat elements of the hot air generating apparatus.

Preferably further, a second extension similar to the first extension is provided at the opposite lateral side of the front.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a grate according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram for tapping a low voltage current from an element to drive an electric motor of fan means of the grate.

Referring to the drawings, a grate of the type stated has a basket framework 10 and a front 14 having a slotted top portion 16 and an ash pan access door 18 in a lower portion.

A fuel ignition apparatus is provided integral with the front. The fuel ignition apparatus is a hot air generating apparatus with fan means to exhaust hot air along piping 22 provided to egress through the slot 12 of the slotted top portion 16 to play onto any fuel placed in the framework 10. The piping 22 which is of circular cross-section terminates in a cranked horizontal flattened portion 23 as shown.

The front 14 has a first extension 20 to one lateral side of the slotted portion 16 and door 18. A casing 32 houses the hot air generating apparatus.

The hot air generating apparatus is electrically operable by cable 24 with a plug 26 to a mains electricity supply socket and comprises one or more heat elements 34 and the fan means 36. The fan means 36 has an electric motor 39 on whose output shaft a rotor fan blade 37 is carried. The current to drive the motor 39 is obtained from tapping along an element 34 to acquire a necessary low voltage current as shown in Fig. 3. The plug 26 incorporates an OFF/ON switch 38. An electronic timing module 40 enabling the fuel ignition apparatus to switch itself ON at any pre-programmed time and to switch itself off after a preset period of time can be incorporated into the switch 38. Child safety security code switch (not shown) can be incorporated.The piping 22 is of a material to withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Centigrade at least at the portion adjacent to the one or more elements 34 and the portion conveying the hot air therefrom, and is of a type to convey the air without substantial loss of heat due to radiation.

The casing 32 is box-shaped and is provided with one or more air inlet vents 42 in the wall surround thereof, and is for fitment into the first extension 20, the casing 32 having a plug 33 for fitment into a socket 35 with leads to the one or more elements 34.

A second extension 28 similar to the first extension 20 is provided at the opposite lateral side of the front for cosmetic appearance purposes.

In use, fuel for example coal 30 is placed in the framework 10, the casing 32 fitted, and the apparatus switched ON. Air is induced through the or each vent 42 by the fan means and passed over or through the one or more heat elements 34 of the hot air generating apparatus and thence through the piping 22 to play on the coal. The temperature of the hot air is between 7001000 degrees Centigrade and this over a short period of time causes the fuel to ignite. The switch to energise the apparatus automatically turns OFF after a preset time if the module 40 is being used. After the fuel is ignited, the casing 32 is disconnected and removed for storage.

In a first modification, the casing can be an integral part of the first extension 20.

Variations and other modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention above described.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. In or for a grate of the type stated, a front incorporating therewith a fuel ignition apparatus.

2. A front as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fuel ignition apparatus comprises a hot air generating apparatus with fan means to exhaust hot air along piping whose outlet is directed to play on any fuel placed in the basket framework.

3. A front as claimed in Claim 2, wherein a first extension is provided to one lateral side thereof to which the hot air generating apparatus is fitted.

4. A front as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the hot air generating apparatus is electrically operable and comprises one or more heat elements and the fan means.

5. A front as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the element(s) are located in the inlet end of the piping.

6. A front as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the piping is of a material to withstand temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Centigrade at least at the portion adjacent to the one or more elements and the portion conveying the hot air therefrom.

7. A front as claimed in Claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the material of the piping is of a type to convey the air without substantial loss of heat due to radiation.

8. A front as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 7, wherein a casing is provided with one or more air inlet vents in the wall surround thereof to house the hot air generating apparatus.

9. A front as claimed in Claim 8, wherein air is induced through the or each vent into the casing by the fan means and passed over or through the one or more heat elements of the hot air generating apparatus.

10. A front as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 9, wherein a second extension similar to the first extension is provided at the opposite lateral side thereof.

11. A front as claimed in any one of Claims 4 to 10, wherein the fan means comprises a motor to an output shaft of which a rotor fan blade is mounted.

12. A front as claimed in Claim 11, wherein a low voltage current to drive the motor is obtained by tapping one element.

13. A front for a grate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

14. A grate having a front substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.