GB2279454A - Electric fires - Google Patents

Abstract

An electric fire appliance includes in combination a ceramic emitter (14) capable of producing long wave infra-red heat and a gas discharge lamp (20). The emitter is mounted within a hollow reflective cavity (8) which is formed in the appliance. The gas discharge lamp is mounted within a second hollow reflective cavity (6). In use the emitter provides heat from the appliance and the gas discharge lamp provides a "flicker flame" effect of a live fire. An air passage-way (18) is provided adjacent the cavity (8) and residual heat from the emitter heats the walls of the passage-way causing convection of air warmed as it passes through the passage-way. <IMAGE>

Description

A SPACE HEATER.

This invention relates to a heater, particularly but not exclusively to a domestic electric fire.

Domestic electric fires have been in use for many years and have generally included a resistance heating element which emits heat into a room. Often the heating element is located in front of a polished surface of a reflector to direct the heat into the room. It has also been practised to form part of the fire to simulate logs or coals, and these are coloured in red and black and are illuminated by electric lights bulbs mounted within or beneath the surface of the simulated fuel.In order to give the coals or logs a "live" effect it has been the practice to mount a reflector in the form of a circular fan on a pointed end of a stiff wire rod immediately above the electric light bulb and convection currents of air from the heated bulb cause the fan to rotate, reflecting the light from the bulb to move across the underside of the simulated fuel and across the face of a near vertical rear plate above and behind the "fuel".

The effect of this reflection has succeeded to some degree in giving a "live" fire effect. However it has been found that the mounting of the "fan" on the point of the wire rod to provide a low friction bearing causes difficulties if the fire needs to be moved, or partially disassembled in order to replace a burnt out electric lamp. It is often found to be difficult to replace the fan correctly on its pivot point and then the fan may not rotate smoothly, if at all.

It is found that the heating elements used in the majority of electric fires are of the short wave radiation type which has been associated with damage to the eyes. Further, they are known to have a comparatively short service life.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electric heater having a "live fire" effect without the above-mentioned disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided an electric fire appliance as defined in the accompanying claims.

In an embodinment there is provided an electric fire appliance which includes, in combination, a ceramic emitter capable of producing long wave infra-red heat, the emitter being mounted within the confines of a first hollow reflective cavity formed in the appliance, and at least one gas discharge lamp mounted within a second hollow reflective cavity in the appliance, the arrangement being such that the ceramic emitter provides heat from the appliance and the at least one gas discharge lamp provides a "flicker flame" effect of a live fire.

The cavity in which the at least one gas discharge lamp is mounted may be closed by a glass plate diffuser.

An air passage-way may be provided adjacent the hollow cavity in which the ceramic emitter is mounted, residual heat from the emitter heating the walls of the passage-way and causing convection of air warmed as it passes through the passage-way.

The above and other features of the invention will become clear from the following description given by way of example only with reference of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a fire according to the invention, and Fig 2 is a section on the line II - II of Figure 1.

As seen in the drawings, a fire 2 comprises a main housing 4 having an upper cavity 6 and a lower cavity 8. The interior surfaces 10 and 12 of the cavities 6 and 8 respectively are polished or otherwise treated to provide a high degree of reflectivity.

Housed within the lower cavity 8 is a ceramic emitter 14 which is capable of producing long wave infra-red heat. A wire guard 16 is provided across the opening of the cavity 8 and around the cavity is formed a passage-way 18.

Mounted to project into the upper cavity 6 is an array of gas discharge lamps 20, each located in a bulb holder 22 which is secured in a bracket 24 formed as part of the housing. The lamps, similar to those disclosed in British patent 997961 have their electrodes shaped to provide an unstable mode discharge and when illuminated give a flickering light effect. The outer surface of the lamps are tinted e.g. with a phosphor coating to provide an orange red light. A diffusing plate 26 of frosted glass is mounted across the opening of the cavity 6 and the combined action of the lamps 20, reflective surfaces 10 and diffuser 26 provides a pleasing, warm "live-flame" effect.

Black heat from the emitter 14 is radiated into the air space directly from the emitter itself and by reflection from the internal surface 12 of the cavity 8. Any heat which is not reflected by the surface 12 is transmitted through the walls of the passage-way 18 to warm the air within that passage-way and so provide a warm air convection current to flow in the direction of the arrows A to further warm the air space in front of the fire.

Thus, there is provided an effective space heater capable of providing a safe long wave heat, warm air convection currents and a pleasing rosy glow, the heater having no moving parts and requiring little maintenance apart from the occasional replacement of a lamp.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS :

1 An electric fire appliance which includes, in combination a ceramic emitter capable of producing long wave infra-red heat, the emitter being mounted within the confines of a first hollow reflective cavity formed in the appliance and at least one gas discharge lamp mounted within a second hollow reflective cavity in the appliance, the arrangement being such that the ceramic emitter provides heat from the appliance and that at least one gas discharge lamp provides a "flicker flame" effect of a live fire.

2 An electric fire appliance comprising at least one discharge lamp providing a "flicker flame" effect.

3 An electric fire appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said lamp comprises one or more electrodes adapted to provide an unstable discharge.

4 An electric fire appliance according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a glass plate diffuser of frosted or otherwise patterned glass.

5 An electric fire appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said diffuser closes a cavity in which said lamp is mounted.

6 An electric fire appliance according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a reflective surface is provided behind a gas discharge lamp.

7 An electric fire appliance according to claim 1 wherein said emitter is mounted in relation to a reflector and a passageway in the apparatus through which air can flow by convection, the arrangement being such that heat not reflected by the reflector heats air within said passageway.

8 An electric fire appliance comprising a ceramic emitter adapted to produce long wave infra-red heat, means for transferring heat by reflection and convection, and a discharge lamp having an unstable discharge in association with reflection and diffuser means for said lamp.

9 An electric fire appliance as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.