NL2003102C2

NL2003102C2 - Fireplace and method therefore.

Info

Publication number: NL2003102C2
Application number: NL2003102A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Bartholomeus Bonifatius Schaafsma
Original assignee: Faber Internat B V
Priority date: 2009-06-29
Filing date: 2009-06-29
Publication date: 2010-12-30
Also published as: BE1025600B1; GB201010877D0; GB2471561B; GB2471561A

Description

FIREPLACE AND METHOD THEREFORE

The present invention relates to a fireplace comprising a housing and a burner located in the housing. Such 5 fireplace has in addition to a decorative or visual function, the function of heating the space in which the fireplace is disposed.

Known fireplaces comprise a housing wherein a burner is located for providing flames. The burner comprises an 10 ignition to start the flames as soon as gas supply to the fireplace is stared. To decrease the amount of heath provided by the fireplace, the gas supply is decreased. This affects the visual appearance of the flames in the fireplace, relating to the dimensions like colour and height 15 of the flames. This reduces the visual appearance and decorative function of the fireplace.

The present invention has for its object to provide a fireplace that enables control of heath production by the burner without compromising the decorative function of the 20 flames.

This object is achieved with the fireplace according to the present invention, the fireplace comprising: - a housing; - a burner located in the housing for providing flames 25 in the housing, wherein the burner comprises two or more burner segments; and - control means for operating the burner segments.

Normally a fireplace is provided with at least a sight or view, like a glass front with a window, to obtain the 30 decorative function of the fireplace. In case of a glass front, such front can be planar, bent or have another shape, for example. Further, the fireplace has a certain width, height and depth. Preferably, the fireplace is provided with 2 a gas burner consuming gas, and more specifically, often natural gas. The gas is ignited by an ignition. By providing two or more burner segments, together with control means for operating these burner segments, an independent control of 5 the dimensions of the flames in the fireplace and the amount of heath production is realized. In case all burner segments operate with maximum gas supply a maximum heath production is achieved. In case it is desired, or required, to reduce heath production, at least one of the segments is shut down, 10 or the gas supply to these segments is reduced. This reduces the overall heath production of the fireplace. The remaining segments maintain their operation at maximum, or relatively high gas supply. Therefore, the flames produced by these segments substantially maintain their dimensions. Therefore, 15 the visual appearance and decorative function of the flames is maintained irrespective the reduction in heath production .

In a preferred embodiment according to the present invention the burner segments are located substantially in a 20 width direction of the fireplace.

By providing the burner parts in a width direction of the fireplace, or in other words in a side-by-side configuration, the control means control the overall width of the flames in the fireplace. Depending on the desired 25 heath production, the control means activate all or only some of the individual burner segments. Alternatively, or in combination therewith, the control means operate some of the segments at a different level. This enables the control of the heath production by the fireplace while at the same time 30 substantially maintaining the visual appearance of the flames as a decorative function. The width of the flames may be reduced in order to reduce the heath production, however, 3 the visual appearance in colour, height etc. of the flames is maintained.

Preferably, the control means control the gas supply to the separate burner segments. For reasons of efficiency, a 5 number of segments can be grouped together and coupled to the same gas supply. By providing more than one gas supply, preferably controlled by the control means, it is possible to independently control the operation of the burner segments, or groups of segments, to realize the desired 10 level of heath production while maintaining the desired visual appearance of the flames.

In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the burner comprises a central burner segment and at least one burner side-segment on each of the 15 burner sides.

By providing a central burner segment and at least one burner side-segment on each side of the burner, a symmetrical flame is obtained. Preferably, the central burner segment is maintained at its optimal combustion point 20 where it realizes a desired visual appearance and decorative function with the flames. The burner side-segments are preferably controlled and operated to adjust the heath production.

Alternatively, the central segment is controlled and 25 some or all of the burner side-segments operate at the optimum combustion point resulting in two or more decorative hotspots within the fireplace that provide the optimal visual appearance of the flames. At present, controlling and adjusting the side-segments, while operating the central 30 segments at optimal visual appearance of the flames, is preferred. Controlling some of the segments manipulates the width of the flames, however, the visual appearance relating to colour and height is maintained. In a sense, this 4 decouples the heath production function from the decorative function. Preferably, control means operate the burner side-segments simultaneously, resulting in a symmetrical visual appearance of the flame.

5 In a further preferred embodiment according to the present invention the ratio between the width of the central burner segments and the total width of the burner side segments is between 0.25 and 2, and preferably between 0.6 and 1.6 .

10 In a room provided with a fireplace dimensioned according to the size of the room, often heath production needs to be reduced by 50%, i.e. the burner needs to operate at 50% of its overall full capacity. With known fireplaces the visual appearance and the decorative function of the 15 flames is reduced with even far more than 50% as the combustion process behaves differently at this operating point.

In a fireplace according to the present invention the ratio of the width of the central burner segment and the 20 total width of the burner side-segments, i.e. the sum of widths of these side segments, is between 0.25 and 2. In case of the ratio being 0.25 the side segments have a total of four times the width of the central segment. This is a relevant ratio for relatively large fireplaces with a 25 relatively large width. For fireplaces with a relatively small width, comparable with a torch-like fireplace, the side-segments are relatively small. In that case the width of the central segments is twice the width of the side-segments. For most fireplaces used in practice experiments 30 have shown that a ratio between 0,6 and 1,6 is preferred.

With this ratio the controllability of the heath production of the fireplace and the width of the flame produced by the burner, while maintaining the flame at the desired visual 5 appearance or level of decorative function is optimized over substantially the entire range of the operation of the burner .

In a further preferred embodiment according to the 5 present invention at least the gas supply to the central burner segment is adjustable in the range of 10-100%, and preferably in the range of 20-100%.

By controlling the gas supply to the central burner segments in the range of 10-100% it is possible to even 10 further reduce heath production by the fireplace. The actual lower limit for this range depends, amongst other things on the design of the burner. As one of the advantageous possibilities achieved with the fireplace according to the present invention it is possible to reduce, in a first step, 15 gas supply to the side-segments and/or even shut of this gas supply. This reduces heath production by the fireplace enormously. In a second step it is possible to reduce the heath production even further by controlling the gas supply to the central burner segment. A 10%, often preferably 20%, 20 gas supply is reguired to maintain a continuous (small) flame in the fireplace. In case of gas supply below 10%, often preferably 20%, the gas supply should be shut off for safety reasons. Preferably, the gas supply to the central burner segment is continuously controllable in the entire 25 range. This provides a controllable heath production by the fireplace, while maintaining as long as possible an optimal flame in the fireplace.

The present invention also relates to a method providing a segmented flame comprising the step of providing 30 a fireplace as described above.

Such method provides the same effects and advantages as those stated with reference to the fireplace.

6

Further advantages, features and details are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: - figure 1 shows a fireplace according to the 5 invention; and - figure 2 shows the segmented burner with the segments according to the invention.

A room 2 (figure 1) with a ceiling 4, sidewall 6 and 10 floor 8 is provided with a fireplace 10. Fireplace 10 provides flames 12 inside a housing. Flames 12 are visible through a front panel 14 of glass, and a side panel 16 of glass. Furthermore, fireplace 10 comprises a rear wall 18 and side wall 20. Fireplace 12 is connected to a flue-15 system, in the illustrated embodiment chimney 22, for removal of combustion gasses and supply of gas and primary air. In the illustrated embodiments fireplace 10 is placed on a support 24.

Fireplace 10 is provided with a burner 26 (figure 2).

20 Burner 26 is in an illustrated embodiment provided with a central segment 28 with a width A, and a first side-segment 30 with width B and a second side-segment 32 with width C.

In the illustrated embodiment segments 28,30,32 of fireplace 10 are provided with burner openings 34 that are 25 symmetrically provided. Other configurations of burner openings 34 are also possible depending on the desired dimensions of the flames 12. Gas is supplied via gas pipe 36 with valve 38. Pipe 36 is connected to the central gas pipe 40. Gas pipe 36 supplies gas to the central segment 28.

30 Side-segment 32 is provided with gas by gas pipe 42 and side-segment 30 is provided with gas by gas pipe 44. Both gas pipes 42, 44 are controlled by valve 46. Burner 26 is 7 provided with a control unit 48 that controls valves 38,46 with control signals 50,52, respectively.

In case heath production needs to be reduced, for example in case room 2 has already obtained its desired 5 temperature, controller 48 manipulates valves 38 and 46. By manipulating valve 46 side-segments 30 and 32 are provided with less gas, while central segment 28 still receives the same amount of gas. Therefore, central segment 28 continuous with the desired decorative flames, while the flames of the 10 side-segments 30, 32 are reduced or even shut off.

Therefore, the visual appearance of flames 12 is maintained in the centre of fireplace 10, while heath production is reduced.

The present invention is by no means limited to the 15 above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims, within the scope of which modifications are envisaged.

For example, it is possible to provide burner 26 with additional side-segments 30, 32. Also, it is possible to 20 provide more than one central segments 28 and/or locate this central segment 28 somewhat out of the centre of burner 26 depending on the pipe of fireplace. Furthermore, it is possible to provide more than one central segment 28 distributed over the entire width of fireplace 10 in case of 25 a fireplace 10 with a relatively large width. This would result in several "hot-spots" with flames even in case of a reduced production.

8

CLAUSES

1. Fireplace, comprising: - a housing; 5 - a burner located in the housing for providing flames in the housing, wherein the burner comprises two or more burner segments; and - control means for operating the burner segments.

10 2. Fireplace according to clause 1, wherein the burner segments are located relative to each other in substantially in a width direction of the fireplace.

3. Fireplace according to clause 1 or 2, further 15 comprising separate gas supplies to the burner segments .

4. Fireplace according to clause 1, 2 or 3, wherein in use the gas supply to at least one of the central burner 20 segments is adjustable.

5. Fireplace according to any of clauses 1-4, wherein the burner comprises a central burner segment and at least one burner side-segment on each side of the burner.

25 6. Fireplace according to clause 5, wherein the control means operate the burner side-segments simultaneously.

7. Fireplace according to clause 5 or 6, wherein the ratio 30 between the width of the central burner segment and the total width of the burner side-segments is between 0.25 and 2, and preferably between 0.6 and 1.6.

9 8. Fireplace according to clauses 5, 6 or 7, wherein at least the gas supply to the central burner segment is adjustable in the range of 10-100%, preferably in the range of 20-100%.

5 9. Method for providing a segmented flame, comprising the step of providing a fireplace according to any of clauses 1-8.

Claims

A fireplace, comprising; a housing; 5. a burner placed in the housing for providing flames in the housing, the burner comprising two or more burner segments; control means for controlling the burner segments.

Fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the burner segments are substantially provided in a width direction of the fireplace.

Fireplace according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising separate gas supplies for the burner segments.

4. Fireplace as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein during use the gas supply of at least one of the burner segments is adjustable.

5. Hearth according to Hearth according to one or more of the claims 1-4, wherein the burner comprises a central burner segment and at least one burner side segment on each side of the burner.

Fireplace as claimed in claim 5, wherein the control means control the burner side segments simultaneously.

7. Fireplace as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the ratio between the width of the central burner segment and the total width of the burner side segments is between 0.25 and 2 and preferably between 0.6 and 1.6 .

8. Fireplace as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein at least the gas supply to the central burner segment is adjustable in the range of 10-100%, preferably 10 in the range of 20-100%.

A method for providing a segmented flame comprising the step of providing a hearth according to one or more of claims 1-8.