WO2010092410A2 - Electronic control system for energy efficient fireplace - Google Patents

Electronic control system for energy efficient fireplace Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010092410A2
WO2010092410A2 PCT/GR2010/000007 GR2010000007W WO2010092410A2 WO 2010092410 A2 WO2010092410 A2 WO 2010092410A2 GR 2010000007 W GR2010000007 W GR 2010000007W WO 2010092410 A2 WO2010092410 A2 WO 2010092410A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
damper
air inlet
control unit
air
door
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GR2010/000007
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2010092410A3 (en
Inventor
Stavros Notas
Irene Nota
Original Assignee
Notas, George
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GR20090100084A external-priority patent/GR1006641B/en
Application filed by Notas, George filed Critical Notas, George
Publication of WO2010092410A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010092410A2/en
Publication of WO2010092410A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010092410A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24B—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES FOR SOLID FUELS; IMPLEMENTS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH STOVES OR RANGES
    • F24B1/00—Stoves or ranges
    • F24B1/18—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces
    • F24B1/185—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces with air-handling means, heat exchange means, or additional provisions for convection heating ; Controlling combustion
    • F24B1/187—Condition responsive controls for regulating combustion 
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24B—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES FOR SOLID FUELS; IMPLEMENTS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH STOVES OR RANGES
    • F24B1/00—Stoves or ranges
    • F24B1/18—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces
    • F24B1/185—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces with air-handling means, heat exchange means, or additional provisions for convection heating ; Controlling combustion
    • F24B1/189—Stoves with open fires, e.g. fireplaces with air-handling means, heat exchange means, or additional provisions for convection heating ; Controlling combustion characterised by air-handling means, i.e. of combustion-air, heated-air, or flue-gases, e.g. draught control dampers 
    • F24B1/19—Supplying combustion-air
    • F24B1/1907—Supplying combustion-air in combination with provisions for heating both air and water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24B—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES FOR SOLID FUELS; IMPLEMENTS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH STOVES OR RANGES
    • F24B7/00—Stoves, ranges or flue-gas ducts, with additional provisions for convection heating 

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to an energy efficient fireplace which, on the upper part of the firebox has a cavity with water (or air) pipes (Fig. 1-13) running through it that slow down the flue gases and increase the effective heating area.
  • the flue gases after passing through this cavity are forced to pass through the front of the firebox and thus more heat is reflected through the glass door to the surrounding space. Then the flue gases pass through the throat (Fig. 1-14), which contains a number of fins (Fig.1-15) that increase the effective heating area.
  • the glass door is supported with four hinges, one on each corner, which utilize tapered roller bearings in tapered raceways to facilitate effortless door operation.
  • the energy efficient fireplace is a complete heating system and it was designed to save on heating costs, save on energy, be environmentally friendly and of course to provide safety.
  • the primary fuel is raw wood or other bio wood byproducts or other solid fuels, which cost less than fivi oil.
  • Save on Energy The energy efficient fireplace produces heat in its surrounding vicinity just like a common fireplace.
  • the working fluid (water or air) in the pipes absorbs the otherwise wasted energy contained in the flue gases produced by the wood burning and then it is piped through the central heating system to heat up the rest of the house areas and the water heater.
  • Environmentally Friendly Because it does not waste energy and thus it does not pollute the environment with excessive quantities of carbon dioxide. Its primary fuel pollutes the environment much less than the liquid fuels do (heating oil).
  • the door switch sensing sensor (Fig.1 -7) informs the control unit (Fig.1-8) which in turn commands the air inlet actuator to open the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) fully and turns on the fan (Fig.1-11) to prevent smoke from entering the house. This operation takes place any time that the fireplace door is opened while there is fire burning.
  • the wood burning produces high heat, which is transferred to the water or air circulating above the firebox (Fig.1-13).
  • the warm water or air then circulates through the house central heating system providing space heating.
  • the control unit (Fig.1-8) reduces the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to about 30 deg. 7. If the room temperature is less than the desired setting, e.g. 22 0 C, the control unit (Fig.1-8) commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to open in order to revive the fire. 8.
  • the sensor (Fig.1-5) signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) which commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to 5 deg and therefore without oxygen the fire winds down and thus water overheating is prevented.
  • the central heating system is an open system to the ambient atmosphere and therefore there is no danger of an explosion. 1 1.
  • the system incorporates a battery, which becomes necessary in the event of a power failure in order to close the damper (Fig. 1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-11) to 5 deg. Therefore water overheating is prevented.
  • the control unit (Fig.1-8) has two operational routines in its software:

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)
  • Ventilation (AREA)

Abstract

The current invention is a pioneer energy efficient fireplace, which by utilizing water or air as working fluids extracts a substantial portion of the energy produced by the burning of wood or other solid fuels in order to meet the heating needs of a house. It incorporates an electronic control system to regulate its operation and to manage the fire. The control system receives signals from a variety of sensors and commands actuators to adjust the positions of the damper and the fresh air inlet gate and it regulates the operation of a fan blower, which prevents smoke from entering the house while it keeps the house air refreshed.

Description

ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ENERGY EFFICIENT
FIREPLACE
DESCRIPTION
The present invention refers to an energy efficient fireplace which, on the upper part of the firebox has a cavity with water (or air) pipes (Fig. 1-13) running through it that slow down the flue gases and increase the effective heating area. The flue gases after passing through this cavity are forced to pass through the front of the firebox and thus more heat is reflected through the glass door to the surrounding space. Then the flue gases pass through the throat (Fig. 1-14), which contains a number of fins (Fig.1-15) that increase the effective heating area.
The glass doors of conventional energy efficient fireplaces get smoked up, they turn black. To prevent this there are small openings at the lower part of the glass door frame (Fig. 2-16) that allow fresh air to enter the firebox area creating an upward flow to the chimney and thus, preventing smoke from entering the room. There are times that the damper opening is reduced so the system can control the fire and therefore there is reduced amount of oxygen in the fireplace. This lack of sufficient oxygen creates an incomplete combustion which results in high levels of carbon monoxide. To remedy this there are small openings on the outside perimeter of the chimney positioned just before the smoke exit that allow fresh air to enter the chimney and thus provide excess oxygen to convert some of the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.
The glass door is supported with four hinges, one on each corner, which utilize tapered roller bearings in tapered raceways to facilitate effortless door operation. The energy efficient fireplace is a complete heating system and it was designed to save on heating costs, save on energy, be environmentally friendly and of course to provide safety.
Save on Heating Costs: The primary fuel is raw wood or other bio wood byproducts or other solid fuels, which cost less than fivi oil. Save on Energy: The energy efficient fireplace produces heat in its surrounding vicinity just like a common fireplace. In addition the working fluid (water or air) in the pipes absorbs the otherwise wasted energy contained in the flue gases produced by the wood burning and then it is piped through the central heating system to heat up the rest of the house areas and the water heater. Environmentally Friendly: Because it does not waste energy and thus it does not pollute the environment with excessive quantities of carbon dioxide. Its primary fuel pollutes the environment much less than the liquid fuels do (heating oil).
Safety: It provides safety against the risk of an accidental fire. It is designed to reduce the flame intensity as needed and thus the fire danger is eliminated. Although this control system might seem complex, operating it is quite simple.
1. We open the fireplace door. The door switch sensing sensor (Fig.1 -7) informs the control unit (Fig.1-8) which in turn commands the air inlet actuator to open the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) fully and turns on the fan (Fig.1-11) to prevent smoke from entering the house. This operation takes place any time that the fireplace door is opened while there is fire burning.
2. We place the wood in the firebox and set it afire.
3. We set the room thermostat (Fig.1-6) at the desired room temperature, e.g. 22 0C.
4. Upon closing the door the switch sensor (Fig.1-7) signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) and it commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to about 60 deg (T4 position). This is done to slow down the flue gases and the heat absorption.
5. The wood burning produces high heat, which is transferred to the water or air circulating above the firebox (Fig.1-13). The warm water or air then circulates through the house central heating system providing space heating. 6. When the room temperature reaches the desired setting, e.g. 22 0C, the control unit (Fig.1-8) reduces the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to about 30 deg. 7. If the room temperature is less than the desired setting, e.g. 22 0C, the control unit (Fig.1-8) commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to open in order to revive the fire. 8. Excessive wood in the firebox or fatty wood (pine, fir or bio wood products) result in large flames and therefore more energy. As soon as the temperature at sensor (Fig.1-4) exceeds about 120 0C, it signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) which in turn commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to 50 deg. If the temperature exceeds 150 0C the damper and air inlet gate are closed to 40 deg and if the temperature exceeds 180 0C the opening is set to 5 deg. Thus the fire winds down due to lack of oxygen resulting in savings on the unused energy and wood.
10. In the event of a malfunction of the water or air circulation system and the water or air temperature rises to 85 0C, the sensor (Fig.1-5) signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) which commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to 5 deg and therefore without oxygen the fire winds down and thus water overheating is prevented. In the event that the water overheats, for any reason, the central heating system is an open system to the ambient atmosphere and therefore there is no danger of an explosion. 1 1.The system incorporates a battery, which becomes necessary in the event of a power failure in order to close the damper (Fig. 1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-11) to 5 deg. Therefore water overheating is prevented.
12. The control unit (Fig.1-8) has two operational routines in its software:
One for wet wood where the openings of the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) are set to 60, 50 and 40 deg. The second routine is for dry wood that produce large flames and the openings are set to 50, 40 and 30 deg. 13. When the fireplace is operated as a space heater there is a fan blower whose speed varies according to the readings of the sensor (Fig.1-5). 14.The energy efficient fireplace is consisted of: 1. Damper 2. Air inlet gate
3. Damper control mechanism
4. Flue gases temperature sensor
5. Circulating water or air temperature sensor 6. Room thermostat (air temperature sensor)
7. Door sensing switch
8. Control unit
9. Water or air inlet
10. Water or air outlet 11. Fan blower
12. Fan for air circulation in the pipes
13. Cavity with pipes
14. Throat
15. Throat fins 16. Door openings
17. Tapered roller bearings
18. Firebox separations
19. Chimney cover
20. Chimney openings

Claims

1. The fireplace is consisted of: a complete electronic control system which regulates its operation and manages the fire, a metal plate forcing the smoke through the front area of the firebox, a cavity with pipes on the upper part of the firebox, a number of heating fins on the inside surface of the throat, numerous air openings just below the door, tapered roller bearings to support the door, a number of air openings on the chimney, a device on top of the chimney to aid for smoke flow, the water or air circulate through the pipes for a sufficient length of route.
2. According to claim 1 it is defined that encompasses an electronic control unit (Fig.1-8) which, by its incorporated mechanism regulates the fireplace operation.
When the door is open the sensing switch (Fig.1-7) signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) which commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to open at 90 deg and turns on the fan blower (Fig.1-11) which is situated on the wall behind the firebox and next to the air inlet gate. As soon as the door closes, the fan blower (Fig.1-1 1) turns off and the room thermostat sensor (Fig.1 -6) signals the control unit which closes the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) and damper (Fig.1-1) to about 60 deg if the room temperature is lower than the thermostat setting. When the room temperature reaches the thermostat setting the control unit (Fig.1-8) closes the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1 -2) to about 40 deg resulting in fire slow down. As soon as the chimney temperature exceeds 120 0C due to excessive wood the temperature sensor (Fig.1-4) signals the control unit (Fig.1-8) which commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to about 50 deg resulting in fire slow down. When the temperature at sensor (Fig.1-4) exceeds 150 0C the control unit (Fig.1-8) closes the damper (Fig.1-1) and the air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to about 40 deg. When the temperature at sensor (Fig.1-4) exceeds 180 0C the control unit closes the damper and the air inlet gate to about 5 deg. For dry wood that produce large flames the positions of the damper and the air inlet gate are reduced by 10 deg, i.e. 60-50-40 to 50-40-30 deg. When the temperature at temperature sensor (Fig.1-5) exceeds 85 0C the control unit commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to 5 deg resulting in fire reduction to prevent the water from overheating. In the event of a power failure, the control unit (Fig.1-8) operated by a back up battery commands the damper (Fig.1-1) and air inlet gate (Fig.1-2) to close to 5 deg to prevent water overheating. In addition the control unit turns on the fan blower (Fig.1-11) at regular intervals in order to refresh the house air. 3. According to claim 1 the flue gases are forced to pass through the front of the firebox and thus more heat is reflected through the glass door to the surrounding space. 4. According to claim 1 on the upper part of the firebox there is a cavity with water pipes running through it (Fig.1-13) that slow down the flue gases and increase the effective heating area resulting in greater heat yield. 5. According to claim 1 on the inside area of the throat before the damper there are fins (Fig.1-15) that increase the effective heating area. 6. According to claim 1 the door hinges utilize tapered roller bearings (Fig.2-17) resulting in smooth and effortless door operation.
7. According to claim 1 at the lower part of the door towards the firebox there are small openings (Fig.2-16) through which fresh air enters and escapes through the chimney thus preventing smoke from entering the room area. 8. According to claim 1 around the outside perimeter of the chimney at the point just before the smoke exit there are openings (Fig.3-20) through which fresh air enters and thus supplying excess oxygen to convert the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
9. According to claim 1 the top of chimney (Fig.5-19) is shaped in such a way as to prevent the smoke from entering back to the fireplace due to swirling or gust wind drafts.
The energy efficient fireplace is consisted of: 1. Damper
2. Air inlet gate
3. Damper control mechanism
4. Flue gases temperature sensor
5. Water or air temperature sensor
6. Room thermostat sensor
7. Door sensing switch
8. Control unit
9. Water or air inlet
10. Water or air outlet
11. Fan blower
12. Fan for air circulation in the pipes
13. Cavity with pipes
14. Throat
15. Throat fins
16. Door openings
17. Tapered roller bearings
18. Firebox separations
19. Chimney cover
20. Chimney openings
PCT/GR2010/000007 2009-02-10 2010-02-08 Electronic control system for energy efficient fireplace WO2010092410A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GR20090100084A GR1006641B (en) 2009-02-10 2009-02-10 Electronic system for the control of fire and related operations in energetic or not energetic chimneys
GR20090100084 2009-02-10
GR20100100067 2010-02-02
GR20100100067 2010-02-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010092410A2 true WO2010092410A2 (en) 2010-08-19
WO2010092410A3 WO2010092410A3 (en) 2011-03-24

Family

ID=42562123

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GR2010/000007 WO2010092410A2 (en) 2009-02-10 2010-02-08 Electronic control system for energy efficient fireplace

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010092410A2 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013029138A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2013-03-07 Whirpool S.A. Burner assembly for cooking equipments
EP2902709A1 (en) 2014-01-31 2015-08-05 Plum Sp. z o.o. Multiphase method for controlling an air flow into the hearth of a fireplace for solid fuels, especially wood

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH416998A (en) * 1962-02-26 1966-07-15 Ygnis Ag Boiler with at least one pivotable part through which a medium flows
US5329915A (en) * 1992-10-23 1994-07-19 Broadbent Lynn C Gas fireplace capable of being installed without masonry work
US20020072021A1 (en) * 2000-12-08 2002-06-13 Steve Falvy Space heater
DE202004020320U1 (en) * 2004-01-22 2005-04-21 Bbt Thermotechnik Gmbh Boiler for solid fuel comprises a differential pressure measuring device for controlling an induced draft ventilator and arranged in a primary air channel downstream of a constantly regulated primary air regulating device
ITTV20050086A1 (en) * 2005-06-17 2006-12-18 Famar Itl Innovation Technolog PELLET BOILER STRUCTURE WITH HIGH ENERGY RECOVERY.
WO2007036720A1 (en) * 2005-09-27 2007-04-05 Bp P.L.C. Biomass stove
US20080160894A1 (en) * 2006-12-30 2008-07-03 H. Alfred Eberhardt Partitioned chimney cap and fireplace venting system

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2013029138A1 (en) * 2011-09-02 2013-03-07 Whirpool S.A. Burner assembly for cooking equipments
EP2902709A1 (en) 2014-01-31 2015-08-05 Plum Sp. z o.o. Multiphase method for controlling an air flow into the hearth of a fireplace for solid fuels, especially wood

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