GB2402468A

GB2402468A - Transparent barrier for a simulated solid fuel gas fire

Info

Publication number: GB2402468A
Application number: GB0313039A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Anthony Byrne
Original assignee: Valor Ltd
Current assignee: Valor Ltd
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2003-06-06
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-06
Also published as: GB2402468C; GB2402468B; GB0313039D0

Abstract

A heating apparatus 1 comprises a heat source 34 protected by a transparent barrier 36 in front of the heat source 34 and a passage 42 to allow gaseous flow to and from the heat source 34. The heat source 34 may be heat resistant imitation coals 34 stacked in a bowl 28 with one or more gas burners positioned within the bowl 28 and underneath the imitation coals 34. The transparent barrier 36 may be heat resistant borosilicate glass positioned in front of an aperture 24 in a front wall 20 of the heating apparatus 1 and may be parallel with the front wall 20 and mounted on four perpendicular pins 38, which define the size of the passage 42. In the event of a blocked exhaust flue or downdraught, exhaust gases cannot be exhausted and thus the passage 42 permits the exhaust gases to escape into the room, and although not ideal it does allow combustion to continue since fresh air may be drawn in by the passage and prevents the formation of dangerous gases from incomplete combustion. The barrier 36 may be a plurality of elongate parallel horizontally arranged glass strips (50, fig 3) spaced apart by gaps (52).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HEATING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to heating apparatus having a radiant heat source and in particular, but by no means exclusively, to a heating apparatus in the form of a simulated solid fuel gas fire.

Conventionally, a simulated solid fuel gas fire comprises a bed of randomly arranged simulated solid fuel elements, e.g. heat-resistant simulated coals andlor logs, housed within a casing which connects with an exhaust flue.

The housing also usually has a decorative surround and is normally set into a wall.

lo The simulated solid fuel elements rest on a gas burna usually comprising a tray mixed with sand or vermiculite, through which a gas/air mixture is passed.

The gas/air mixture is ignited and heats up the simulated solid fuel elements which glow in the manner of a real fire. Combustion of the gas also results in flames which emerge from the simulated fuel bed which add to the effect.

Is In some cases the opening to the fire is uncovered, which allows a good supply of air for combustion of the gas, resulting in efficient and safe combustion.

Moreover, if the flow of combustion products out of the flue is hindered, for example by a blockage or by a downdraught in the flue, it is possible for combustion products to escape out of the open front of the fire into the room where the fire is situated. Whilst this is obviously not desirable in the long term, the efficient combustion of fuel as a result of the good supply of air results in the formation and discharge of relatively few toxic combustion products into the room.

However, since the fire is open, thus exposing the hot simulated fuel bed and flames, it is necessary for safety reasons for a hearth to be constructed in front of such fires. Whilst this might be acceptable in many circumstances, it uses up a considerable amount of floor space within the room and thus such fires may not be suitable in circumstances where floor space is limited.

In order to remove the need for a heard, it is known to close over the opening with a transparent heat-resistant glass sheet. This essentially seals the! opening but allows radiant heat to pass through and allows the glowing simu]Late,d fuel bed and the flames to be seen.

The air for combustion enters via a specially provided inlet and the combustion products are exhausted through the flue, as usual.

Whilst the enclosing of the radiant heat source allows the fire to be fitted without a hearth, problems can occur if combustion products are prevented from being exhausted via the flue, for example in the event of a blocked flue or a l o downdraught. In such cases, there is no alternative route for combustion products to be exhausted. As a result, combustion products will tend to build up within the fire which will in turn result in incomplete combustion of the fuel and production of harmfilL combustion products which can then spill over from the fire into the room.

Is It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or alleviate the problems

associated with the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention a heating apparatus comprises a combustive radiant heat source, a barrier formed from transparent material located in front of the heat source and passage means associated with the barrier to allow a gaseous flow to and from the heat source.

The term 'transparent" is intended to mean transparent to at least the radiant heat and preferably also transparent to visible light.

With such an arrangement, the provision of a barrier allows a hearth to be dispensed with. In addition, the provision of the passage means allows the supply 2s of air for efficient and complete combustion of the fuel and allows combustion products to escape if they are prevented or hindered from escaping via the flue.

Preferably the barrier is located in front of an aperture which exposes the radiant heat source. /!

The barrier may be located in front of a recess in which the radiant heat source is located.

Preferably, the barrier is positioned with respect to the heat source to form t a passage means which allows a gaseous flow around the barrier to and from the heat source.

Preferably, the heating apparatus comprises a housing within which the I heat source is located and the battier is attached to the housing.

In one embodiment, the barrier comprises a sheet of material. The sheet is preferably spaced from the housing to define the passage means.

lo The sheet may be mounted on a plurality of projections extending from the housing.

In another embodiment, the heating apparatus comprises a plurality of I barriers fanning from transparent material.

The plurality of barriers may be elongate and, if so, are preferably arranged parallel to one another, whereby the passage means is defined between adjacent elongate barriers.

Conveniently, the barrier may be formed from glass, for example heat resistant glass such as borosilicate glass.

The heating apparatus preferably furler comprises a simulated fuel bed which is heated by combustion of gas.

The apparatus preferably further comprises an exhaust port for directing combustion gases into a flue.

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 2s Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe heating apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of heating apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The first embodiment is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises a t "living-flame" gas heater 10 having a pressed metal casing with a rectangular rear s wall 12, converging side walls 14, 16, an inclined top wall 18 and a rectangular front wall 20 which is formed into a decorative flange 22 at its top edge and its I two vertical side edges. A rectangular aperture 24 in the *out wall 20 leads into a combustion chamber 26 within the casing. In the embodiment illustrated the combustion chamber houses a metal bowl 28 seated in an aperture 30 in a raised lo floor 32 forming the base of the combustion chamber. Several conventional heat resistant ceramic imitation coals 34 are stacked in the bowl 28 and one or more gas burners (not shown) are positioned within the bowl underneath the imitation I coals. Exhaust gases are directed out of the heater into a flue (not shown) via an elongate exhaust port 35 projecting rearwardly from the top wall 18.

A planar, rectangular heat-resistant borosilicate glass sheet 36, having the same dimensions as the flange 22 is positioned in front of the aperture 24, parallel to the front wall 20. The sheet 36 is mounted on four pins 38 projecting perpendicularly to the outer face of the front wall 20, one located at each corner of I the sheet, and is held in position on each pin 38 by means of a bolt 40 passing zo Trough a hole provided in the plate and into a tapped bore in the pin. As seen in the drawings, the mounting of the sheet 36 on the pins spaces the sheet from the front wall 20 of the housing, whereby the rear face of the glass sheet 36 is spaced from the outer face of the *ont wall 20 of the housing by a gap 42 having a predetermined spacing d *om the outer face of the *ont wall 20.

In use, the gas supply to the heater is turned on and the gas is ignited in the conventional manner, producing flames which emerge from the simulated-fuel bed. Exhaust of the combustion gases through the exhaust port 35 and into the flue causes *esh air to be drawn into the combustion chamber through the gap 42 s between the glass sheet 36 and the front wall 20 of the casing. Thus, by setting the width d of the gap the amount of air flowing to the combustion chamber can be regulated to a level which produces efficient combustion of the gas.

As the combustion continues, the simulated coals 34 heat up until they glow, in the manner of real coals. The heat from the glowing simulated coals is radiated out through the borosilicate glass sheet 36 into the room where the heater is located. The emission of radiation is enhanced by having a silvered and curved rear wall 44 of the combustion chamber. The transparent glass sheet 36 allows transmission of radiated heat and allows the flames and glowing simulated fuel lo bed to be viewed but also acts as a safety guard by preventing access to the combustion chamber 26 and the hot simulated coals within the chamber. As a consequence, there is no requirement for a hearth on the floor in front of the heater, which would otherwise be necessary to deter people from approaching the heater too closely. This allows much more freedom in the positioning of the heater and also allows it to be fitted in circumstances where it is not possible to have a hearth.

In the event of a blocked exhaust flue or in the case of a downdraught down the flue, it is not possible for the combustion products to exit via the flue in the normal manner. However, in such circumstances, the provision of the gap 42 between the glass sheet 36 and the front wall of the heater allows combustion products to escape into the room where the heater is located. Although this is obviously not ideal, it does allow combustion to continue relatively unhindered (particularly since entry of fresh air via the gap 42 results in more efficient combustion) and prevents the formation of dangerous levels of harmful products (e.g. carbon monoxide) which can result from incomplete combustion.

In a modification to the first embodiment, the glass sheet 36 is particularly reflective (e.g. semi-silvered on its outer surface) but is still transparent. The result of this is that when the heater is not in operation it can function as a mirror

Claims

(if positioned appropriately) since insufficient light for illuminating the simulated fuel bed is able to reach the combustion chamber. However, when the heater is turned on the glowing coals and flames can be seen through the semi-silvered glass sheet 36. A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 3. This embodiment is virtually identical to the first embodiment (with minor changes to the decorative flange 22') except that the glass sheet 36 is replaced by several identical elongate, parallel borosilicate glass strips 50 extending horizontally across the opening 24. The strips 50 are made of clear borosilicate glass, are lo about 2.5cm wide and are spaced apart form each other by gaps 52 about 2cm in width. i Air for combustion is allowed to enter the combustion chamber 26 through the gaps 52 between the glass strips 50, the amount of air being governed by the width and number of gaps and being adjustable to suit the characteristics of any I s particular heater in order to achieve efficient combustion. The gaps 52 also allow combustion products to be exhausted in the event of a blocked flue or downdraught. The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. CLAIMS

1. A heating apparatus comprising a combustive radiant heat source, a barrier formed from transparent material located in front of the heat source and passage means associated with the barrier to allow a gaseous flow to and from the heat source.

2. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier is located in front of an aperture which exposes the radiant heat source.

3. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the barrier is located in front of a recess in which the radiant heat source is lo located.

4. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier is positioned with respect to the heat source to form a passage means which allows a gaseous flow around the barrier to and from the heat source.

5. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a housing within which the radiant heat source is located and wherein the barrier is attached to the housing.

6. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier comprises a sheet of transparent material.

7. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sheet of transparent material is spaced from the housing to define the passage means.

8. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the sheet is mounted on a plurality of projections extending from the housing.

z5

9. A heating apparatus as claimed in any claims I to 5, comprising a plurality of barriers formed from transparent material.

10. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 9, comprising a plurality of elongate barriers. r

11. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the elongate barriers are arranged parallel to one another and wherein the passage means is defined between adjacent barriers.

12. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the transparent material from which the barrier is formed comprises glass.

13. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the glass comprises heat-resistant glass.

14. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the heatresistant lo glass comprises borosilicate glass.

15. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the radiant heat source comprises a simulated fuel bed which, in use, is heated by combustion of fuel.

16. A heating apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the simulated fuel bed is heated by combustion of gas.

17. A heating apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising an exhaust port for directing combustion gases into a flue.

18. A heating apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in, Figs. 1 and 2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.