GB2303443A - Flame simulation apparatus - Google Patents

Description

FLAME SIMULATION APPARATUS This invention relates to flame simulation apparatus and particularly, although not exclusively, relates to a flame simulation apparatus for a heating means, for example an electric fire.

Electric fires which include flame simulation apparatus to simulate the flames of a solid fuel fire are well known. For example, UK patent no. GB 2230335 (Basic Engineering Limited) describes apparatus which may be part of or embodied in an electric or gas fire for simulating a solid fuel fire. The apparatus comprises an electric lamp arranged to direct light towards a flicker wheel for generating a flickering source of light. Flickering light then passes towards a series of ribbons which are arranged to reflect the light towards the front of the fire. A fan is provided below the ribbons and is arranged to generate a current of air which causes the ribbons to ripple or undulate thereby to simulate flames when light is reflected therefrom.

The apparatus described produces a visually acceptable flame effect. However, the inclusion of a fan for generating the current of air adds to the cost of an electric fire which includes the apparatus.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems associated with known flame simulation means.

According to the invention, there is provided flame simulation apparatus comprising a housing in which is provided light generation means for generating randomly directed light rays and light dispersal means, the light dispersal means including wall means defining a hollow region and said light generation means being arranged to direct light into said hollow region for subsequent dispersal by said wall means.

Said wall means of said light dispersal means suitably is non-linear thereby to define said hollow region. Said wall means may comprise linear portions angled relative to one another or may be curved. Said wall means preferably has a regular cross-section along its extent. An elongate axis of said wall means preferably extends upwardly, more preferably substantially vertically upwardly. Dispersal of light by said light dispersal means preferably includes the reflection of light rays, for example the total internal reflection of said rays. Dispersal also preferably includes transmission of light rays, for example by refraction, through a light transmissive wall.

Said wall means preferably defines an endless wall.

Thus, in this event, preferably said hollow region is enclosed by said wall means.

Said wall means preferably defines a tube. Said tube may be open at one, preferably both, ends. Said tube may have any cross-section, for example, triagonal, square, pentagonal, oval, elliptical or circular. Said tube preferably has a circular cross-section.

Said tube may be made form a planar sheet. Where the tube has circular cross-section, it may be made by rolling the sheet and fixing same in a circular cylindrical configuration.

Said light dispersal means is preferably made out of a plastics material. Said material is preferably arranged to transmit light. Said material is preferably arranged to reflect light when the angle of incidence of a light ray is greater than a predetermined angle. Said material may be transparent or translucent. Said material may be colourless or tinted.

Said light generation means preferably comprises a light source and randomising means for randomising light from the light source. Said randomising means preferably comprises a moveable element, for example a flicker wheel, which is movable by convection currents generated by the light source.

Said light generation means is preferably positioned generally below the light dispersal means.

Said light dispersal means is preferably arranged towards a rear wall of the housing. Said light dispersal means is preferably arranged adjacent said rear wall.

Said apparatus preferably includes a screen means which is preferably translucent and may be arranged in front of and preferably adjacent to said light generation means.

Said apparatus preferably includes coal means which is preferably arranged to be illuminated by light from said light generation means. Said light dispersal means is preferably positioned behind the coal means.

The invention extends to a method of simulating flames comprising directing randomly directed light rays into a hollow region of a light dispersal means for dispersal by a wall means thereof.

The method may use apparatus as described herein.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of an electric fire, partly in cross-section; Figure 2 is a cross-section along line II-II in figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-section along line III-III in figure 2; Figure 4 shows, schematically, dispersal of light by a light dispersal means of the fire.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, the electric fire comprises a housing 2 having a front wall 4 and a rear wall 6. Surface 7 of the rear wall which faces the front of the housing is arranged to reflect light. A bed of imitation coals 8 is supported by a hollow translucent plastics member 10 which is positioned towards the front of the housing 2. A translucent colourless vertically extending screen 12 is provided behind the coals 8 so that a gap is defined between the screen and rear wall 6 in which a light dispersal means is arranged.

The light dispersal means comprises a plurality (seven are shown in figure 3) of upright open-ended tubes 14 arranged in a line. The tubes are made out of a transparent or translucent material. Plastics sheet material may be rolled up and secured, for example using adhesive tape, in order to form the tubes. The tubes 14 are suitably secured in position in the gap between the screen and rear wall using adhesive tape.

A light bulb 20 which is arranged to emit orange/yellow light is positioned generally below the tubes 14. Directly above the bulb 20 is a rotatably mounted flicker wheel 22. The flicker wheel includes openings for the passages of light from the bulb and is arranged to be rotated by convection currents caused by heat dissipated by the bulb 20 in use.

Light from the bulb 20 passes randomly outwardly and upwardly via the flicker wheel 22. Some light is directed into the plastics member 10 and exits therefrom through gaps in the bed of imitation coals 8 thereby making the coals appear to glow. Some light is directed into the plastics tubes 14. This light may bounce back and forth across the tubes as represented in figure 4 until the angle of incidence of a light ray is such as to allow the ray to pass through the tube and through screen 12. Thus, randomly generated rays of light pass through screen 12 and it is found that these appear flame-like when viewed from the front of the fire.

The screen 12 is provided to shield the tubes 14 and to present a planar appearance when the fire is viewed from the front. The screen may additionally also have the effect of further diffusing light passing therethrough in order to enhance the flame-like appearance.

It is found that the electric fire described includes a visually acceptable flame effect in a simple and relatively cheap manner.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (18)

1. Flame simulation apparatus comprising a housing in which is provided light generation means for generating randomly directed light rays and light dispersal means, the light dispersal means including wall means defining a hollow region and said light generation means being arranged to direct light into said hollow region for subsequent dispersal by said wall means.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said wall means is non-linear thereby to define said hollow region.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said wall means has a regular cross-section along its extent.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein an elongate axis of said wall means extends upwardly.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein dispersal of light by said light dispersal means includes the reflection of light rays.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein dispersal of light by said light dispersal means includes transmission of light rays through a light transmissive wall.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said wall means defines a tube.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said tube has a circular cross-section.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein said tube is made from a planar sheet.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said light generation means comprises a light source and a randomising means for randomising light from the light source.

11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said light generation means is positioned generally below the light dispersal means.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said light dispersal means is arranged towards a rear wall of the housing.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein screen means is provided in front of said light generation means.

14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, including coal means which is arranged to be illuminated by light from said light generation means.

15. A method of simulating flames comprising directing randomly directed light rays into a hollow region of a light dispersal means for dispersal by a wall means thereof.

16. A method according to Claim 15 using an apparatus according to any of Claim 14.

17. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

18. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.