IT202000001948A1 - HEATING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention having as title:

"HEATING APPARATUS?

FIELD OF APPLICATION

Embodiments described herein refer to a heating apparatus, more in particular to a heating apparatus comprising a heat generation unit and seating elements. In particular, a heat generation group of the type in question can? be chosen from a barbecue, an outdoor or indoor fireplace, or a stove, which can generate heat by combustion, for example from woody biomass, for example wood or pellets, and / or charcoal.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE

Heating apparatuses comprising a heat generation unit are known which, depending on the type and application, can be installed in external or internal environments. For example, heat generation units mainly used for heating are known, such as wood, pellet, or woody biomass stoves, or indoor or outdoor fireplaces, which are normally used for heating rooms or rooms located indoors. ? inside a building, or to heat areas or portions of the environment located outside buildings, or inside? open

Heat generation units are also known in which the heat generated is mainly used also for cooking food.

For example, refer to outdoor barbecues, indoor barbecues, or similar and similar heat generation groups.

In particular, outdoor barbecues are known, which generally comprise a hearth, in which the combustion of wood or coal takes place to generate embers, above which? normally positioned a support for the food to be cooked.

The outdoor barbecues also include a fireplace, that is a hood structure arranged above the hearth, through which the fumes deriving from the cooking of food are conveyed and evacuated. Generally, the barbecue,? consisting of elements in concrete or refractory material and / or in metal material.

Barbecue groups are also known, which include, in addition to the actual barbecue, other functional elements, such as for example seating elements, such as benches and / or chairs, or support elements such as tables and / or shelves for storing food or the supply of wood and / or fire embers.

A drawback that is mainly noticeable in outdoor heat generation groups, such as known fireplaces and barbecue groups? given by the fact that they are normally not very usable when temperatures drop, for example in winter, especially in areas with a cold climate, and therefore their use remains limited to the summer period, or at most? from late spring to early autumn.

In this case, in fact, the seating elements are comfortable to the point of being completely unusable.

Furthermore, ? I note that, in some environmental conditions, on the surface of the aforementioned seating elements can? dew settles, making them damp and cold and therefore unsuitable to comfortably accommodate a user's seat.

? it is therefore evident that known barbecue groups can be comfortably used only in certain favorable environmental conditions.

Although this problem is more felt in the case of outdoor fireplaces and barbecues,? It is clear that the problems connected to it can also occur in the case of stoves, barbecues or indoor fireplaces, especially if they are set up in rooms or buildings with occasional frequentation, such as taverns or huts, or mountain huts.

An object of the present invention? that of providing a heating apparatus which can be used comfortably even with low ambient temperatures and which can be used substantially in all seasons. A further object of the present invention? that of providing a heating apparatus which avoids the formation of dew on the surface of the seating elements, in particular when it? installed outdoors. Another object of the present invention? to provide a heating system that allows you to create and encourage conviviality? between people, where foreseen also during the cooking of food, or also? at earlier or later times.

In order to obviate the drawbacks of the known art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

EXPOSURE OF THE FOUND

The present found? expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other characteristics of the present invention or variants of the main solution idea.

In accordance with the aforementioned purposes, the present invention relates to a heating apparatus comprising a heat generation unit provided with a hearth, or combustion chamber, configured to allow the combustion of wood and / or charcoal and / or woody biomass, for example pellets, for the generation of heat, and a plurality? of seating elements connected to the heat generation group, suitable to allow one or more? users to sit on them.

According to embodiments, the heat generation assembly comprises a heat exchanger, which? installed in association with the hearth, or combustion chamber, and? connected to at least one inlet duct of an air flow from the outside. The heat exchanger? configured to heat the air flow coming from outside by means of the heat generated in the hearth, or combustion chamber.

The heating apparatus also includes an air conveyance and distribution circuit, which? connected to the heat exchanger to receive the heated air flow, and develops at least in part through the seating elements to convey and distribute the heated air flow in them.

Thanks to the heat exchanger and the conveyor circuit? it is therefore possible to exploit the heat generated in the hearth, or combustion chamber, to heat the seating elements, so as to provide a comfortable seat for users, even with low ambient temperatures.

According to embodiments, the seating elements comprise a base structure and a seating surface shaped in such a way as to delimit an interspace arranged below the seating surface, in which at least part of the conveying circuit develops, in which the flow of air flows, which acts as a heat transfer fluid.

By heat transfer fluid we mean a fluid with a high thermal content compared to the ambient air, and capable of transporting heat over a distance.

According to embodiments, in the? cavity? a dividing partition is arranged, which develops in a longitudinal direction, substantially dividing the interspace into two parts.

This dividing septum can? be configured to force the flow of air to flow to the inside of? interspace following a return path, that is, traveling along its longitudinal length first in one direction and then in the opposite direction on one side and the other of the partition.

The outward and return path in the seating elements develops between respective entry and exit openings, which are substantially placed in proximity. one with the other, on opposite sides with respect to the partition.

Providing a return path for the heated air flow in the seating elements allows the temperature of the seating elements to be uniform, substantially limiting a temperature difference that could otherwise occur between seating elements near and far from the generation unit heat, as the temperature of the air flow gradually drops through the conveyor circuit.

According to embodiments, flow deviators, or turbulators, can also be arranged in the interspace, adapted to modify the path of the air flow, causing turbulence suitable for improving the efficiency of heat exchange between the air flow and the elements of sitting.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit comprises one or more? ducts.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit comprises at least one thermally insulated section, arranged between the heat generation unit and at least one seating element. This thermally insulated section allows on the one hand to avoid heat dispersion, keeping the temperature of the heated air flow high up to the seating elements and on the other it avoids safety problems for? user, preventing possible burns due to contact with portions of the heating apparatus outside the hearth.

In embodiments, the conveying circuit comprises one or more? ventilation means suitable for defining a circulation and a forced path of the air flow from the inlet channel towards the seating elements.

According to embodiments, the heat exchanger? arranged inside the heat generation group, in correspondence with or in proximity? of the area where the combustion of wood and / or embers and / or woody biomass takes place in such a way as to be directly invested by the heat generated by it and transfer it to the air flow passing through it.

According to embodiments, the heat exchanger comprises a case made of metallic material, which delimits a volume of heat exchange. The casing has an upper portion connected to the inlet channel, and a lower portion provided with outlet openings for the heated air flow. According to embodiments, the inlet channel and the upper portion extend at least partially above a combustion zone of the hearth, or combustion chamber, to intercept and be hit by the heat generated therein.

In embodiments it can? provision is made for the heating apparatus to comprise a regulating device configured to selectively activate or deactivate the ventilation means of the conveying circuit.

According to embodiments, the regulating device can? operate the ventilation means according to the current temperature, or the desired temperature for the seat surface, or another surface of the heating apparatus. For example, the regulator device can? be configured to activate the ventilation means when the temperature drops below a first threshold value, and deactivate them when it rises above a second predefined threshold value.

A variant of construction can? also provide that the heating apparatus includes an interception device associated with the conveying circuit, for example provided in a duct or in the interspace, configured to selectively intercept the flow of air, preventing its transit in the respective conduit or interspace .

In some embodiments, the heating apparatus can? include supporting elements such as backrests, associated with the seating elements and suitable to allow the support of the back of a user and the conveying circuit can? develop at least in part through the backrests.

The backrests can comprise a second interspace defined between a support structure and a support structure for the back, which can? be placed in fluid communication with the section of the conveying circuit arranged in the seating elements in such a way as to allow the backrests to be heated with the same flow of heated air circulating in the seating elements.

In embodiments it can? provision must be made for the edges defining the gap in the seating elements to be partially discontinuous in correspondence with the side facing the backrests in order to allow the flow of air to flow between the two air spaces.

Embodiments described here also refer to a method for heating seating elements of a heating apparatus, comprising:

- generating heat in a heat generation group by burning wood, charcoal and / or woody biomass in a hearth, or combustion chamber;

- heat a flow of air entering from the external by means of the heat generated in said hearth, or combustion chamber;

- convey and distribute the heated air flow at least in part through the seating elements to heat the latter.

ILLUSTRATION OF DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings in which:

- fig. 1? an axonometric and schematic view of a heating apparatus according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 ? an isometric view of a barbecue unit according to embodiments described here;

- fig. 2a? an enlargement of a detail of fig. 2;

- fig. 3? an isometric view, partially in section, of a part of the heating apparatus of fig. 2;

- fig. 4? a sectional side view along a median plane of a heating apparatus according to embodiments described herein; - fig. 4a? an enlargement of a detail of fig. 4;

- fig. 5? an isometric view of a variant embodiment of a heating apparatus;

- fig. 5a? an enlargement of a detail of fig. 5.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used wherever possible to identify identical common elements in the figures.

It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment can be conveniently incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Will it do? now reference in detail to the possible embodiments of the invention, of which one or more? examples are illustrated in the attached figures. Each example? provided by way of illustration of the found and not? intended as a limitation of the same.

Before describing the embodiments, it is further clarified that the present description is not? limited in its application to the construction and arrangement details of the components as described in the following description using the attached figures. This description can? provide for other embodiments and be implemented or practiced in various other ways. Furthermore, it is clarified that the phraseology and terminology used here? for descriptive purposes and should not be regarded as limiting.

Embodiments described here refer to a heating apparatus 10 comprising a heat generation unit 11 provided with a hearth 14, or combustion chamber, and a heat exchanger 23 installed in association with the hearth 14, or combustion chamber. combustion, in which the heat exchanger 23? connected to at least one inlet channel 24 of an air flow A from the outside, and configured to heat the air flow A by means of heat generated in the hearth 14, or combustion chamber.

The heating apparatus 10 further comprises a plurality of of seating elements 13 connected to the heat generation unit 11 and an air conveyance and distribution circuit 12, connected to the heat exchanger 23 to receive the heated air flow A.

The conveying circuit 12 extends at least in part through the seating elements 13 and d? configured to convey and distribute the heated air flow A towards the seating elements 13.

With regard to the present invention, by heat generation unit 11 we mean, for example, an outdoor barbecue, an indoor barbecue, an outdoor fireplace, an indoor fireplace, a wood stove, a pellet stove or a stove. with woody biomass, or similar and similar systems.

The type of fuel used for the generation of heat can? be wood, pellets, embers, charcoal, woody biomass or any other type of fuel compatible with the type of heat generation unit 11 considered.

Even if in the following it will be done? reference to a heat generation unit 11 of the barbecue or fireplace type for outdoor use,? clear that the found can? be easily transferred to other solutions that implement other types of heat generation groups 11.

The attached figures are used to describe embodiments of a heating apparatus made as a barbecue unit 10 comprising a heat generation unit made as a barbecue 11, in particular for outdoor use, configured to allow cooking of food by means of heat generated by the combustion of wood and / or charcoal.

The barbecue group 10 also comprises a plurality of of seating elements 13 configured to allow users of the barbecue group 10 to sit in the vicinity? of the barbecue 1 1.

According to embodiments, the seating elements 13 are connected to the barbecue 11.

The barbecue 11 comprises a hearth 14 configured to contain, in use, the wood and / or charcoal in combustion, and possibly a grill or a cooking surface on which to arrange the food to be cooked.

The barbecue 11 can? furthermore comprising a hood 15, possibly provided with a chimney 15 a, arranged above the hearth 14, and configured to convey the films produced by combustion in the hearth 14 towards the external environment.

The barbecue 11 can? furthermore it comprises a support structure 16 on which it can? the hearth 14 and / or the hood 15 be arranged.

According to embodiments, the barbecue 11 further comprises a heat exchanger 23, which? arranged in association with the hearth 14.

According to some embodiments, the hearth 14 can? understand one or more? deflectors configured to contain and limit the irradiation of the flame towards the outside of the hearth 14 allowing you to cook even adding an important quantity of wood, necessary to allow the heating of the seating elements 13. Otherwise, the heat generated would not allow it to remain close to the hob. Furthermore, this solution improves the performance of the heat exchanger 23.

The heat exchanger 23? connected to an input channel 24, through which can? enter a flow of air A taken from? external, suitable to act as a heat transfer fluid.

In the example case, two input channels 24 are shown in particular, but this number can? be inferior, or even superior.

The heat exchanger 23 can? be of the air / fumes-air type, i.e. be configured to heat the air flow A passing through it by means of the heat generated in the hearth 14, and deriving from the combustion of wood and / or charcoal, and possibly from the fumes generated, in the case of barbecue 11, during the cooking of food, or in any case from the combustion itself.

The barbecue unit 10 according to the invention also comprises an air conveyance and distribution circuit 12, which? connected to the heat exchanger 23 and extends at least in part through the seating elements 13.

In particular, the conveying circuit 12 receives the flow of air A heated by the heat exchanger 23 and conveys it and distributes it towards the seating elements 13 to heat them.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit 12 can be understand a plurality? of ducts 21 configured to allow the heat-carrying fluid to flow inside them.

According to embodiments, the seating elements 13 are made of refractory material and are at least partially hollow, comprising within them at least a portion of the conveying circuit 12.

According to embodiments, the seating elements 13 comprise inside them a duct 21 or an interspace I suitable for allowing the flow of the heat-carrying fluid, or of the fluid with a high thermal content with respect to the ambient air, suitable for transporting heat at a distance. .

In embodiments, the seating elements 13 can be arranged in rows, i.e. longitudinally aligned in series one in succession to the other. According to these embodiments, the respective ducts 21 or air spaces I will be connected in continuity. one with the other to allow the heat transfer flow to pass through them.

For example, shown in fig. 2 and fig. 5, a barbecue group 10 can? comprise two rows of seating elements 13 arranged on opposite sides with respect to the barbecue 11, and developing in such a way as to be at least partially facing each other, to allow more? users to sit facing each other.

According to embodiments, the seating elements 13 comprise a base structure 17 and a seating surface 18.

Some construction variants, of which one? represented in fig. 2, provide that the base structure 17 is made in such a way as to comprise a cavity? 19 in its upper part.

In particular the cavity? can be delimited, at least partially, along its sides by edges 27 which define, at least partially, its perimeter.

An enlargement of the above embodiment of the sealing elements? visible in fig. 2a.

In use, the seating plan 18 can? be positioned on the upper part of the base structure 17 of the seating elements 13.

In particular, it can? be placed on the edges 27, or embedded or fixed by means of fastening elements or adhesive means.

In this way the cavity? 19 and the seating surface 18 define the duct or interspace I between them.

In some embodiments, the edges 27 of the cavity 19 can be discontinuous, thus defining? one or more? openings 28 of the seating elements 13 configured to put the duct or interspace I in fluid communication with the external environment and / or with other components of the barbecue assembly 10 possibly associated with said openings 28.

According to a preferred embodiment, the duct or interspace I can? contain a partition 34.

Such a dividing septum 34 can you? configure as one or more? metal plates in succession designed to define a path of the heat-carrying fluid.

Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment in which the partition 34 develops longitudinally according to the longitudinal development direction of the row of seating elements 13.

With this configuration, the flow of air A in the duct or interspace I advances in a round-trip path and allows homogeneous heating of the seating surfaces 18.

In embodiments, all? inside this duct or interspace I there may be flow deviators 20, or turbulators.

Advantageously, these flow deviators 20 modify the flow of the heat-carrying fluid causing turbulence which improves the efficiency of the heat exchange between the heat-carrying fluid and the seating surface 18.

For example, as depicted in fig. 2, the flow deviators 20 and / or the partition 34 are arranged in such a way as to force the fluid to flow inside the duct or interspace I, entering from an inlet opening 28a provided on one side of one of the seating elements 13 , covering its longitudinal length first in one direction and then in the opposite direction, until it comes out of another outlet opening 28b.

In this case, the inlet 28a and outlet 28b openings are provided on the same seating element 13, in particular the pi? next to the barbecue 1 1, on opposite sides of the partition 34.

According to embodiments, the flow deviators 20 can develop transversely, starting alternately from the edges 27 of the base structure 17 and from the partition 34, so? to create a serpentine path.

In embodiments, adjacent flow diverters 20 are spaced apart from each other in a constant pitch.

Advantageously, in this way, homogeneous heating of the seating surface 18 included in the seating elements 13 takes place.

In particular, along the longitudinal travel of the duct or interspace I some flow deviators 20 can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the same longitudinal development direction of the duct or interspace I.

In this way the flow, following a longer path? long and increasing the turbulence, it improves the efficiency of the heat exchange with the seat surface 18.

According to an embodiment, these flow deviators 20 are configured as metal plates with at least one side of the same size as the thickness of the duct or interspace I.

In some preferred embodiments the seating elements 13 may comprise one or more? insulation elements 33 arranged at? interior of the duct or cavity I.

Is the or each insulation element 33 possible? configure as an insulating layer arranged on the surface of the cavity? 19 facing the inside of the duct or interspace I.

According to embodiments, the conformation of the seating elements 13 can? be of the modular type. In particular, adjacent seating elements 13, which form a row, can be shaped in such a way as to be substantially equal to each other in order to be arranged aligned and ensure development and continuity. of the duct or cavity I.

This conformation allows to simplify the assembly of rows whose length can vary according to the needs? of users.

Can you? however, provide that the conformation of at least the last seat element 13 of a row is different, to allow the inversion of the sliding path.

In particular, the last seat element 13 of the row can be provided with a dividing septum 34 which extends only for a part of its length, and with an external transverse edge 27, so as to force the flow of the heat-carrying fluid to reverse its direction and therefore to travel through the interspace I also in the opposite way.

Also the first element of the seat 13 in the row, that is that element of the seat 13 pi? near the barbecue 11, can? have a different conformation, and be provided with openings 28a, 28b to ensure the entry and exit of the heat transfer fluid into the duct or interspace I According to a possible variant embodiment, shown for example in fig. 5, the barbecue group 10 can? also comprise backrests 44. These backrests 44 are configured to allow users of the barbecue unit 10 to rest their backs while sitting on the seating elements 13.

In embodiments each backrest 44? associated with a respective seating element 13. In the aforesaid embodiments each backrest placed in succession with another can? be substantially the same as that which follows it, or precedes it, unless there are any openings for the inlet or outlet of the heat-carrying fluid.

This conformation guarantees the modularity? for the assembly of the rows of seating elements 13 supplied with backrests 44.

Each backrest can? comprise a supporting structure 45 and a supporting wall 46.

In embodiments, the supporting structure 45 and the supporting wall 46 are integrally connected to each other.

According to some embodiments, the supporting structure 45 and / or the supporting wall 46 are integrally connected to the associated seating element 13.

According to embodiments, the supporting structure 45 and the supporting wall 46 are shaped in such a way as to cooperate with each other and define a second gap la.

According to embodiments, the supporting structure 45 and the supporting wall 46 are shaped in such a way as to cooperate with each other and define a passage opening 47 suitable for putting the duct or interspace I of the seating elements 13 into fluid communication. second interspace la included in the backrests 44.

In this way, part of the flow of heat transfer fluid that flows inside the interspace I pu? flow into the cavity Ia, also heating the supporting wall 46.

In embodiments, the edges 27 of the seating elements 13 may be partially discontinuous in correspondence with the backrests 44. In particular, they may have discontinuities? which allow the heat transfer fluid to flow from the interspace I to the second interspace Ia. Between a discontinuity? and the other ? there is a portion of the edge 27 suitable to guarantee a support to the seat surface 18 and / or to the supporting wall 46 of the backrest 44.

In possible variants of embodiment, not shown in the figures, the interspace comprised in the backrests 44 can? be separated from the duct or cavity I included in the seating elements 13.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the barbecue unit 10 can? also include one or more? ducts 21 dedicated to the conveyance of the heat-carrying fluid towards the interspace la comprised in the backrests 44. Furthermore, a backrest 44, or more, may include openings dedicated to the entry and exit of the heat-carrying fluid with respect to the interspace la.

According to embodiments, for example described with reference to figs. 3-4, the heat exchanger 23? arranged in the vicinity? and in cooperation with the hearth 14 and / or the hood 15.

In particular, the heat exchanger 23 can? be willing in the vicinity? of the area where the combustion takes place.

According to embodiments the heat exchanger 23 can? comprise a containment structure, or box 26, made of metallic material, which delimits a volume of heat exchange V. The walls of the box 26 are placed in direct contact with the flames, or embers, at least with the heat generated by them, and with the fumes produced by combustion in the hearth 14.

According to embodiments, the casing 26 has an upper portion 25a connected to the inlet channel (s) 24, and a lower portion 25b, connected to the upper portion 25a, and provided with outlet openings 36 for the flow of air A warmed up.

According to embodiments, the upper portion 25a comprises a portion protruding towards the inside of the hearth 14, the section of which progressively widens from the bottom towards the top and to shrink again in the vicinity of the hearth 14. connection with input channels 24.

The lower portion 25b pu? have a substantially constant section.

According to embodiments, the inlet channels 24 are arranged in such a way as to communicate with the external environment through openings 32 made in a rear area of the barbecue 11, for example in the hood 15.

In some embodiments the inlet channels 24 are made in such a way as to also have a large heat exchange surface placed in contact with the fumes and the flames generated by combustion.

According to embodiments, the inlet channels 24 can be configured to introduce the air flow A taken from the outside into the heat exchange volume V, increasing its turbulence and therefore the efficiency of the heat exchange.

In particular, the input channels 24 can have a? C? or a? V?, that is, they can have two sections that form a substantially acute angle between them.

According to embodiments, the upper portion 25a comprises a plurality of of fins 40 which convey the incoming air flow A towards the center of the heat exchange volume V so as to improve its heat exchange with the casing 26 and increase its heating. For example, four or more? fins 40 arranged converging towards a median plane of the barbecue 11, which define, in cooperation with the casing 26, preferential paths for the flow of air A.

In some embodiments, the heat exchanger 23, particularly the casing 26? placed in contact with a rear wall 30 of the barbecue 11 which delimits the hearth 14.

According to embodiments, visible in fig. 4a, the casing 26 comprises an external surface 35 facing the rear wall 30 and an internal surface 29 facing the interior of the hearth 14.

According to embodiments, between the outer surface 35 and the rear wall 30 of the hearth 14? a layer of insulating material 31 is arranged to ensure better thermal insulation of the heat exchanger 23 with respect to the temperatures of the external environment.

In some embodiments, such a layer of insulating material 31 can? be made with a layer of glass wool.

According to embodiments, the inlet channels 24 communicate fluidly with the heat exchange volume V through one or more? air inlets 39 provided in the box 26, in particular in the upper portion 25 a.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit 12? placed in fluid communication with the outlet openings 36 provided in the casing 26, through which it can be pass the heated air flow A.

According to embodiments, the hearth 14 and / or the hood 15 and / or the support structure 16 of the barbecue 11 can comprise passing channels 38, defining one or more? sections of the conveying circuit 12.

In particular, referring for example to figs. 3 and 4, the support structure 16 and / or the hearth 14 comprise passage channels 38 through which the flow of air A flows.

The arrows in figs. 3 and 4 schematically represent the flow of air A to? inside the heat exchanger 23 and through the passage channels 38.

Second embodiment, can it? it may be provided that the conveying circuit 12 comprises at least a section defined by one or more? conduits 21 at least partially, insulated, or made of, or lined with insulating material.

According to embodiments, it can? at least one duct 2 1, at least partially insulated, arranged between the barbecue 11 and at least one seating element 13 be provided.

According to embodiments, the ducts 21 can be integrated or inserted in any auxiliary structures that extend from the barbecue 11 to the seating elements 13.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit 12 comprises ventilation means 22 configured to force the circulation of the heat-carrying fluid towards the seating elements 13.

According to embodiments, the conveying circuit 12 can be comprising a single ventilation means 22 suitable for promoting the flow of air A from the external environment through the heat exchanger 23 and the conveying circuit 12.

According to possible variants of embodiment, for example in the case in which two, or more? rows of seating elements 13, or possibly dedicated circuits and ducts associated with the backrests 44, the conveying circuit 12 can understand two or more? ventilation means 22, for example two or more? fans, each associated with a row of seating elements 13, and / or with respective rows of backrests 44.

According to embodiments, the ventilation means 22 operating by means of direct current or alternating current can be activated and adjustable independently from each other. So ? It is possible, if necessary, to partialize the flow of air A by activating only some of the ventilation means 22 present.

In some embodiments the conveying circuit 12 can be comprise filtering means, not shown in the figures, suitable for intercepting the flow in the conveying circuit 12 and for retaining any material, or dirt, which could damage the ventilation means 22.

According to embodiments, the ventilation means 22 can be associated with one or more? ducts 21 of the conveying circuit 12.

In further embodiments, the conveying circuit 12 can? be configured to convey the flow of air A exiting the seating elements 13 and / or the backrests 44 towards further functional elements, for example by means of dedicated ducts or pipes connected to the outlet opening 28b. For example, the residual heat of the air flow A pu? be used to keep cooked food warm.

According to an alternative variant, the barbecue group 10, can? comprising a regulating device 41, or more, for example a thermostat, configured to control the temperature of at least a portion of the seating elements 13.

In addition, the barbecue group 10 can? include a? unit? control and management 42 configured to communicate with the regulator device 41 and consequently control the operation of the ventilation means 22 of the conveying circuit 12.

In particular, this regulating device 41, can? be arranged on a surface of the seat surface 18 and / or the backrest 44, or possibly be integrated into them, and can be be configured to detect the temperature and to transmit a temperature signal to the unit? control and management 42.

For example, if the temperature of the seating surface 18 detected by the regulating device 41 exceeds a first limit temperature value, the unit? of control and management 42 pu? interrupt, or stop, the operation of the ventilation means 22.

On the contrary, if the temperature of the seat surface 18 detected by the regulating device 41 falls below a second limit temperature value, the unit? of control and management 42 pu? activate the means of ventilation 22.

In some possible embodiments, the barbecue group 10 can? also comprise a damper 43, or more, associated with the duct or interspace I and / or the second interspace la and / or ducts 21 of the conveying circuit 12.

In particular, a shutter 43 can? be operated automatically by the unit? control and management 42, or manually by users, to selectively intercept the heat transfer fluid and prevent, at least partially, its entry into the duct or interspace I of the seating elements 13 or into the? interspace of the backrests 44. Pi? in particular, a shutter 43 can? assume a closed operating position, in which the heat transfer fluid cannot? reach the inside of the duct or cavity I or of the cavity la.

Conversely, the shutter 43 can? assume an open operating position, in which the heat transfer fluid can? reach the inside of the duct or interspace I or interspace Ia.

In some embodiments, the damper 43 can? assume intermediate operating positions so as to be able to partialize the flow of air in the conveyor circuit 12.

The position of the damper 43 can? be controlled by the unit? control and management 42 on the basis of the temperature signal transmitted by the regulator device 41.

In embodiments, the damper 43 included in the ducts 21 of the conveying circuit can be carried out. configure as a throttle valve. According to embodiments, the shutters 43 included in the seating elements 13 and / or in the backrests 44 can be configured as partitions, or metal plates or refractory material, which can be inserted and removed manually, and which can modify, in use, the shape of the duct. or interspace I and / or interspace la.

According to further embodiments, each seating element 13 can? understand one or more? dampers 43, which, in use, can define portions of the partition 34 and / or of the flow deviators 20.

According to a variant embodiment, a shutter 43 can? be configured as a pair of metal plates hinged reciprocally at one end, which can pass from a first position, in which they are closed on top of the other, aligned with the partition 34 ensuring continuity, to another operating position in which can be substantially aligned with each other, and be perpendicular to the partition 34, allowing the flow of the heat transfer fluid to reverse and flow into the return section of the duct or interspace I.

Pi? in particular, this configuration allows users to partialize the heating of the rows of seating elements 13 and / or of the backrests 44, choosing how many seats to heat, for example by limiting the flow of heat transfer fluid only in some of the seating elements 13 / backrests 44 sequentially.

? It is clear that modifications and / or additions of parts can be made to the heating apparatus 10 described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

? It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art can? undoubtedly, to realize many other equivalent forms of heating apparatus 10, having the characteristics expressed in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined by them.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS 1. Heating apparatus comprising: - a heat generation unit (11) provided with a hearth (14), or combustion chamber, and with a heat exchanger (23) installed in association with said hearth (14), or combustion chamber, said heat exchanger heat (23) being connected to at least one inlet channel (24) of an air flow (A) from the outside and being configured to heat said air flow (A) by means of heat generated in said hearth (14), o combustion chamber; - a plurality? seating elements (13) connected to said heat generation unit (11); - an air conveying and distribution circuit (12), connected to said heat exchanger (23) to receive said heated air flow (A), said conveying circuit (12) developing at least in part through said seating elements (13) to convey and distribute said flow of heated air (A) towards said seating elements (13). 2. Heating apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said seating elements (13) comprise an interspace (I) delimited between a base structure (17) and a seating surface (18), in which at least in part said conveying circuit (12). 3. Heating apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said interspace (I)? a dividing partition (34) is arranged which extends longitudinally along the longitudinal development of said seating elements (13) and said conveying circuit (12) in said interspace (I) follows a return path on opposite sides of said partition room divider (34). 4. Heating apparatus as in any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that a plurality of cavities are provided in said interspace (I). of flow deviators (20), or turbulators, designed to modify the path of the air flow (A) causing turbulence to improve the efficiency of heat exchange between the air flow (A) and the seating elements (13) . 5. Heating apparatus as in claim 1, characterized in that said conveying circuit (12)? provided with at least one ventilation device (22) configured to force the circulation of said air flow (A) towards said seating elements (13). 6. Heating apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said conveying circuit (12) comprises at least one conveying duct (21) provided with a thermally insulating layer, arranged between said heat generation unit (11) ) and said seating elements (13). 7. Heating apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seating elements (13) are arranged in series, in continuity. one with the other, along a first and a second row on opposite sides with respect to said heat generation unit (11), and said conveying circuit (12) comprises a first and a second branch which develop respectively through said first and said second row of seating elements (13). 8. Heating apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said heat exchanger (23) comprises a containment structure, or case (26), made of metallic material, which delimits a volume of heat exchange ( V), which has an upper portion (25a) connected to said inlet channel (24), and a lower portion (25b), provided with outlet openings (36) for said heated air flow (A), communicating with said conveying circuit (12), in which said inlet channel (24) and said upper portion (25a) extend at least in part above a combustion zone of said hearth (14), or combustion chamber, to intercept and be hit by the heat generated in it. 9. Heating apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a regulating device (41) suitable for detecting the temperature of at least one seating element (13) and a unit? control and management (42), configured to communicate with said regulator device (41) and control said ventilation means (22) on the basis of the temperature detected by said regulator device (41). 10. Heating apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said seating elements (13) are provided with backrests (44) and said conveying circuit (12) develops at least in part through said backrests (44) . 11. Method for heating seating elements (13) of a heating apparatus (10) characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - generating heat in a heat generation group (11) by burning wood and / or charcoal and / or woody biomass in a hearth (14), combustion chamber; - heating a flow of air (A) entering from the outside by means of the heat generated in said hearth (14), or combustion chamber; - conveying and distributing the heated air flow (A) at least in part through said seating elements (13) to heat the latter.