IES20090145A2 - Chimney cowl system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, a chimney cowl system comprising a chimney cowl system comprising a main body for engaging with a chimney flue and/or chimney pot opening; an adjustable damper, located in said main body, for controlling the opening in the chimney flue. At least one support member extending from the main body to support a hood at a height above the main body, wherein the hood comprises an electric control motor and a sensor to control the adjustable damper in response to various conditions. One of the advantages of the invention is that the system can be easily installed with existing chimney caps. In addition because the smoke sensor and electric control motor are located within the hood positioned above the chimney cap allows for much easier installation as well as being easy to maintain. <Figure 1>

Description

controls the draft conditions through a chimney flue. In particular the invention relates to a chimney cowl that can be mountable to an existing chimney and easy to maintain.

Background to the Invention It is known that chimney flues are a source of heat energy loss in buildings, and in particular domestic homes. This has become more relevant with recent trends demanding more energy efficient houses to reduce the carbon foot print of 15 a house. The increased financial costs of energy have also made people more conscious of reducing energy losses in their homes.

It is known to provide a damper/shutter system in chimney flues to prevent heat loss through a chimney flue. Damper systems are used with ventilation systems, fire box heating systems and chimney flues. Such systems usually require substantial effort to be installed and maintained for operation due to their complexity. In addition, these types of apparatus are not constructed to be removably mountable without altering the structure of the chimney flue to which they are mounted.

For example, US patent number USS,609,522 discloses a combination damper and chimney cap apparatus is provided to ventilate a fireplace and a flue connected thereto to provide a draft through the flue. The apparatus includes a platform constructed and arranged to be removably mounted Ct cfeij-----I basd-WS— I .......- - r.,r— ; IE 0 9 0 1 4 5 to the flue and formed with an aperture extending therethrough in communication with the flue. A sensor senses temperature-smoke at the flue and at an area external to a fireplace connected to the flue to provide a 5 signal in response to the temperature-smoke. However a problem with this type of system is that the apparatus is complicated to install. The sensor and electric motor that is used to control to damper is difficult to access and maintain as they are positioned in the actual chimney flue 10 itself.

There is therefore a need to provide a chimney cowl system and method that is easy to install and maintain, and overcomes the above mentioned problems.

Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, a chimney cowl system comprising a chimney cowl system comprising a main body for engaging 20 with a chimney flue and/or chimney pot opening; an adjustable damper, located in said main body, for controlling the opening in the chimney flue; characterised in that there is provided at least one support member extending from the main body to support a hood at a height 25 above the main body, wherein the hood comprises an electric control motor and a sensor to control the adjustable damper in response to various conditions.

One of the advantages of the invention is that the system 30 . can be easily installed with existing chimney caps. In addition because the smoke sensor and electric control motor are located within the hood positioned above the chimney cap allows for much easier installation as well as IE 0 9 0 1 4 5 being easy to maintain. The system also allows for easy replacement of the components. In addition the system is easy to removably mount to a fireplace exhaust, chimney, or chimney cap, is safe and easy to operate, while eliminating energy loss through the chimney flue. Most energy is lost through an open chimney and by installing the system of the present invention will greatly decrease the amount for energy lost from a domestic house.

In one embodiment there is provided a smoke sensor pipe open at both ends, such that one end is located near the smoke sensor and the other end is located below the level of the adjustable damper.

It will be appreciated that because one end of the smoke sensor pipe is located below the damper, the pipe can provide a conduit to the smoke sensor such that when smoke is present in the chimney flue the smoke sensor can detect the smoke and provide a signal to the control motor to open the damper as necessary.

In one embodiment part of the smoke sensor pipe is embedded in said support member.

In one embodiment the main body comprises a flange positioned around the perimeter of the main body such that the flange engages with said chimney flue and/or chimney pot.

. In one embodiment the flange comprises a rubber seal on the surface for engaging with said chimney flue and/or chimney pot.

In one embodiment there is provided at least two support members connected to said main body and substantially opposite each other for supporting said hood.

In one embodiment the electric control motor controls a lever adapted to open and close the adjustable damper in response to various conditions and part of said lever is embedded in said support member.

In one embodiment the motor are powered by a smoke sensor and/or battery. electric control In one ; embodiment the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor are powered by electric power mains. In one : embodiment the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor is powered by a renewable energy source.

In one embodiment the electric control motor and a sensor are controlled by a remote control device or wireless device capable of sending wireless signals to control the adjustable damper of the system.

In one embodiment the system comprises a temperature sensor.

In one embodiment a surface of the hood comprises a solar panel for generating power, to power said smoke sensor and/or electric motor.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:5 IE 0 9 0 1 4 5 Figure 1 is a three dimensional top perspective view of the chimney cowl according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the chimney cowl of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is another side view of the chimney cowl of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, there is illustrated a chimney cowl system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The system comprises a main body 2 for engaging with a chimney flue and/or chimney pot opening 3. Located in the main body 2 is an 15 adjustable damper 4. The adjustable damper 4 is adapted for controlling the opening in the chimney flue and/or chimney pot 3, the operation of which is described in more detail below.

A support member 5 extends from the main body 2 to support a hood 6 at a height above the main body 2. The hood 6 comprises an electric control motor Ί and a smoke sensor 8 to control the adjustable damper 4 in response to various conditions. A smoke sensor pipe 9, open at both ends, such 25 that one end is located near the smoke sensor 8 and the other end is located below the level of the adjustable damper 4.

In operation the chimney cowl system 1 is fitted to the 30 existing chimney pot/flue 3 that allows smoke to escape from a fireplace (not shown). The adjustable damper 4 is in a closed position when no fire is lighting and no smoke present. When a fire is lit smoke rises and reaches the IE 0 9 0 1 4 5 closed adjustable damper 4. The smoke continues through the smoke sensor pipe 9 and passes over the smoke sensor 7 to trigger the smoke sensor that sends a signal to the electric motor to open the adjustable damper 4 to allow 5 smoke escape through the chimney pot. The hood 6 comprises an opening to allow smoke escape into the atmosphere. When the fire is extinguished and smoke stops passing through smoke sensor pipe 9 the adjustable damper 4 automatically closes and prevents heat loss though the chimney pot 3.

In one embodiment the electric control motor 8 controls a lever 10 adapted to open and close the adjustable damper 4 in response to various conditions. The lever 10 actuates a pivot hinge 11 that opens and closes the adjustable flap 10 15 depending on whether smoke is sensed or not by the smoke sensor 8. In a preferred embodiment part of lever 10 is embedded in the support member 5. In addition part of the smoke sensor pipe 9 can be embedded in the support member 5.

The main body 2 comprises a flange 12 positioned around the perimeter of the main body 2 such that the flange 12 engages with the chimney flue and/or chimney pot 3 to provide an air tight seal. The flange 12 can comprise a 25 rubber seal on the surface for engaging with the chimney flue and/or chimney pot. The flange 12 can be of any dimension to fit different sized chimney flues/pots. The air tight seal can be provided by applying a layer of silicon, for example.

In order to provide additional support for the hood at least two support members 5 connected to the main body and substantially opposite each other for supporting the hood.

IE ο 9 Ο 1 4 5 In this specification the term hood should be afforded a broad interpretation.

It will be appreciated that the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor can be powered by electric power mains and/or a battery and or a renewable energy source, for example a solar panel.

It will be appreciated that the chimney cowl system can incorporate any type of adjustable damper assembly that can be actuated electronically and/or wirelessly, depending on the application required. The damper assembly is designed to provide a draft through the flue sufficient to support combustion and cool elements of the system.

The unique design allows for easy installation and maintenance as both the control unit and smoke sensor are located in the hood to allow easy access for installation and maintenance.

It will be appreciated that the chimney cowl system of the present invention will provide significant energy savings and will pay for itself and installation in a short period of time.

It will be further appreciated that the main body of the system can be of any shape or size, for example circular, square or rectangular, so that the system can fit with existing chimney pots, chimney flues, or chimney caps. The main body, the support member and the hood of the chimney cowl system can be sold separately and assembled on site. /f O9Q745 In another embodiment of the present invention the sensor comprises a temperature sensor that actuates the damper system to an open position in response to a rise in temperature. The rise in temperature could indicate the 5 presence of smoke. More advantageously the temperature sensor can be set to open and close the damper system depending on the temperature measured. For example, in hot weather the sensor can be set to open the damper to allow a draft in a house that is desirable in hot conditions. In 10 cold conditions the temperature sensor ensures that the damper remains in the closed position. The temperature sensor and the smoke sensor (described above) can be used in combination.

While the invention has been described herein with reference to several especially preferred embodiments, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention.

Additional embodiments thereof will be obvious to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this detailed description, especially to meet specific requirements or conditions. Further modifications are also possible in alternative embodiments without departing from the inventive concept. 25 The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (5)

Claims l.A chimney cowl system comprising: a main body for engaging with a chimney flue and/or chimney pot opening; an adjustable damper, located in said main body, for controlling the opening in the chimney flue and/or chimney pot; characterised in that there is provided at least one support member .extending from the main body to support a hood at a height above the main body, wherein the hood comprises an electric control motor and/or a smoke sensor to control the adjustable damper in response to various conditions. 2.The chimney cowl system of claim 1 comprising a smoke sensor pipe open at both ends, such that one end is located near the smoke sensor and the other end is located below the level of the adjustable damper. 3.The chimney cowl system of claim 2 wherein part of the smoke sensor pipe is embedded in said support member. 4. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein the main body comprises a flange positioned around the perimeter of the main body such that the flange engages with said chimney flue and/or chimney pot. 5. The chimney cowl system as claimed in claim 4 wherein the flange comprises a rubber seal on the surface for engaging with said chimney flue and/or chimney pot. IE 0 9 0145 6. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim comprising at least two support members connected to said main body and substantially opposite each other for supporting said hood. 7. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein the electric control motor controls a lever adapted to open and close the adjustable damper in response to various conditions and part of said lever is embedded in 10 said support member. 8. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor are powered by a battery. 9. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor are powered by electric power mains, 20 10.The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein the smoke sensor and/or electric control motor are powered by a renewable energy source. 11, The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein a 25 surface of the hood comprises a solar panel for generating power to power said smoke sensor and/or electric motor. 12. The chimney cowl system as substantially hereinbefore 30 described with reference to the accompanying description and/or drawings. IE 090 145 1/3 IE 0 9 0 14 5 2/3 Fig. 2 3/3 Fig. 3 The following amended Claims were filed on 23rd February 2010 IE 09 0 145 Claims

1. A chimney cowl system comprising: 5 a main body for engaging with a chimney flue and/or chimney pot opening; an adjustable damper, located in said main body, for controlling the opening in the chimney flue and/or chimney pot; and 10. At least one support member extending from the main body to support a hood at a height above the main body, wherein the hood comprises an electric control motor and/or a smoke sensor to control the adjustable damper in response to various conditions.

2. The chimney cowl system of claim 1 comprising a smoke sensor pipe open at both ends, such that one end is located near the smoke sensor and the other end is located below the level of the adjustable damper.

3. The chimney cowl system of claim 2 wherein part of the smoke sensor pipe is embedded in said support member.

4. The chimney cowl system of any preceding claim wherein 25 the main body comprises a flange positioned around the perimeter of the main body such that the flange engages with said chimney flue and/or chimney pot.

5. The chimney cowl system as substantially hereinbefore 30 described with reference to the accompanying description and/or drawings.