Patent Grant
8658944
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for preventing the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like from obstructing the flow of primary air, air or the exhaust into or out of a furnace. Specifically, a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace. The apparatus is also suitable to prevent leaves, animals or other debris from becoming trapped within the air flow pipes of the furnace and/or other appliances of the building. The apparatus has a screen which may be electrically connected to a heating device. The apparatus may further be attached to a thermostat to automatically turn the heating device on or off at preset temperatures. The apparatus may be incorporated into new pipes of the furnace or may be attached onto existing pipes of the furnace.
Many homes, commercial buildings and industrial buildings have furnace pipes which have an exposed opening. Typically, these pipes are used to allow the flow of air into or out of the furnace. The problem with many of these pipes is that objects often become trapped within the pipe and prevent the flow of air into or out of the furnace. Some of these objects include, leaves, animals and garbage. Further, a major problem with objects obstructing the flow of air through the pipe is the accumulation of ice, snow, frost, hail or the like within the pipe during cold weather. Some attempts to solve similar problems have been made.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,127,867 to Smeja et al. discloses a method of making a metal snow guard. The snow guard has a solid layer of soldering material on its base to be heated and melted with application of heat to the upper side of the snow guard to solder the base to an underlying metal roof. The soldering material may be applied as spaced spots or projections providing a rough surface on the underside of the snow guard. The amount of solder and/or flux in the solid layer is limited so that the solder and/or flux does not flow outwardly from the snow guard and run down the metal roof thereby damaging or marring the metal roof surface. The snow guards may be formed of a few pieces of sheet metal. The projections of soldering material may be formed by forcing a paste of solder and flux through spaced holes in a plate or screen onto the base.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,507 to Smeja et al. discloses a snow guard for restraining ice and snow along the roofs of buildings. The snow guard is of plastic material having a flat base plate with an upstanding snow retention plate upwardly therefrom and laterally across the base. A reinforcing plate extends upwardly from the base plate, as well, serving to reinforce the retention plate. With the reinforcing plate intersecting and abutting the retention plate at a central axis portion of the base plate.
However, these snow guards fail to prevent the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like in the mariner described by the present invention. A need, therefore, exists for an improved apparatus which provides an easy and effective manner for preventing snow, ice, frost, hail, or the like from obstructing the flow of air into or out of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace or other appliance. Further, a need exists for an improved apparatus which prevents the accumulation of leaves, animals, debris or the like from decreasing the air flow of a pipe into a furnace or other appliance. In addition, a need exists for an improved apparatus which also may prevent carbon monoxide and/or other dangerous gases from accumulating within a furnace or other appliance as a result of restricted airflow out of the furnace.
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for preventing the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like from obstructing the flow of primary air, air or the exhaust into or out of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace or other appliance. The apparatus is also suitable to prevent leaves, animals or other debris from becoming trapped within the air flow pipes of the furnace. The apparatus has a screen which may be electrically connected to a heating device. The apparatus may further be attached to a thermostat to automatically turn the heating device on or off at preset temperatures. The apparatus may be incorporated into new pipes or may be attached onto existing pipes.
High efficiency furnaces are often direct-vent appliances. In these direct vent appliances both the exhaust and intake air (combustion air) are piped directly to or from the outside. No indoor air is utilized. The combustion chambers are sealed for greater control of the combustion process. Often, a second heat exchanger is used in these sealed combustion condensing furnaces. Hot flue gasses may be cooled down to the point where water vapor condenses. At times, the water may drain down a vent and freeze at the end of the pipe. The present device stops helps eliminate the freezing of the water on the pipe and therefore, increases the air flow to and from the furnace.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to prevent the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like from obstructing the flow of air into or out of a furnace.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which prevents leaves, animals or other debris from becoming trapped within an air flow pipe of a furnace.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which increases the air flow into or out of a furnace which may be easily attached to an existing pipe of the furnace.
And an advantage of the present invention is to provide a device which increases safety of furnaces or other electrical appliances in a home or business.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to allow the combustion process of an appliance, especially a furnace, to operate in an efficiently and safe manner.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to allow a furnace to operate and perform years after traditional furnaces have failed or have been replaced.
And another advantage of the present invention is to allow a furnace to operate in a clean manner.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a device which uses air pressure to remove snow or ice from a screen of a pipe.
A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which increases the air flow into or out of a furnace which may be easily cleaned.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which has holes for allowing melted snow, ice, frost or the like to exit the air flow pipe of a furnace.
In an embodiment, the apparatus for maintaining air flow through a pipe into a furnace has: a generally cylindrical tube having a first end and a second end and a generally hollow interior; a screen located within the generally hollow interior wherein air passing from the first end to the second end passes through the screen and thereafter mixes with a combustible gas and wherein the mixture of the combustible gas and air are heated in a furnace; a heating device located in the generally hollow interior of the cylindrical tube wherein the heating device is electrically connected to the screen wherein the heating device heats the screen and wherein the screen obtains a temperature hot enough to melt ice and snow located on the screen thereby maintaining air flow into the furnace for combustion; an opening along a circumference of the generally cylindrical tube wherein water accumulated within the generally hollow interior may exit the generally cylindrical tube through the plurality of openings; and an electrical cable connecting the heating device to a power source.
In an embodiment, the apparatus has a thermostat electrically connected to the heating device wherein the thermostat regulates the heating device.
And in an embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of ridges within the generally hollow interior wherein the screen rests within a groove created by the plurality of ridges.
In another embodiment, the apparatus has a plurality of openings along a circumference of the generally cylindrical tube wherein water accumulated within the generally hollow interior may exit the generally cylindrical tube through the plurality of openings.
In another embodiment, the apparatus has a series of louvers near the screen wherein the louvers direct the flow of air within the generally hollow interior.
For a more complete understanding of the above listed features and advantages of the heated screen for melting ice, snow, frost hail or the like, reference should be made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. Further, additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and from the drawings.
The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for preventing the accumulation of snow, ice, frost, hail or the like from obstructing the flow of primary air, air or the exhaust into or out of a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace. The apparatus is also suitable to prevent leaves, animals or other debris from becoming trapped within the air flow pipes of the furnace. The apparatus has a screen which may be electrically connected to a heating device. The apparatus may further be attached to a thermostat to automatically turn the heating device on or off at preset temperatures. The apparatus may be incorporated into new pipes or may be attached onto existing pipes.
As stated above, most existing homes have a pipe 2 which connects, for example, a furnace 10 or stove, directly to an exterior 15 of the home. Some of these pipes 2 may be concentric pipes 2 allowing the flow of air in two different directions. It should be noted that the present invention may be used on these concentric pipes as well as single flow pipes 2. The pipes 2 are typically made from PVC, metal or other similar suitable material. The purpose of the pipe 2 is to allow the flow of air 3 directly into or out of the home. It should be noted that the term “furnace” as used in the application generally refers to a high-efficiency 90% sealed combustion condensing furnace.
In the present method, air 3 is not brought directly into the furnace 10 from the outside, but passes through the apparatus 1. Air 3 first passes over the apparatus 1 and is brought into a combustion chamber 47 of the furnace 10 where it is mixed in the combustion chamber with a combustible gas 793 (for example, natural gas, propane or an alternative fuel) and heated and then moved throughout the home. Without the present apparatus 1, the air 3 cannot pass through the pipe 2 and reach the, for example, furnace 10 to interact with the natural gas, propane or other fuel. The present device solves this problem in existing homes or other buildings.
Many of the pipes currently used in homes have screens to prevent debris and/or animals from entering the home. However, there exists no known screen which heats up so as to melt any ice or snow which may build up and block or restrict the flow of air through the pipe of a furnace in the manner described herein. As a result, it is common for the pipes to be largely or completely blocked and, therefore, for the furnace not to work or to work at a lower output. Further, if the pipes become blocked, it is possible for carbon monoxide and/or other dangerous gasses to accumulate, requiring the user to have a service technician clear the pipes.
High efficiency furnaces are often direct-vent appliances. In these direct vent appliances both the exhaust and intake air (combustion air) are piped directly to and from the outside of the building. No indoor air is utilized. The combustion chambers are sealed for greater control of the combustion process. Often, a second heat exchanger is used in these sealed combustion condensing furnaces. Hot flue gasses may be cooled down to the point where water vapor condenses. At times, the water would drain down a vent and freeze at the end of the pipe. The present apparatus 1 helps eliminate the freezing of the water on the pipe and therefore, increases the air 3 flow. If water or snow 4 reduces the air 3 flow, air 3 cannot get to the combustion chamber 47 and the furnace 10 will not operate because the firing in the furnace 10 requires the presence of air 3, in addition to the combustible gas 793, as fuel in the combustion.
The screen 20 may be generally circular and may have a diameter 70 which is slightly smaller than a diameter 71 of the apparatus 1. More specifically, the screen 20 may extend to cover an entire planar surface within the hollow interior 102 of the apparatus 1 so that any air 3 which passes from the first end 100 of the apparatus 1 to the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 must pass through one of the plurality of openings in the screen 20. In an embodiment, the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 may be secured to an existing end 7 of the pipe 2 of, for example, the home. More specifically, the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 may be secured to the existing pipe 2 by, for example, glue, screws, magnets or the like.
Referring now to
The apparatus 1 may be designed to fit on an existing pipe 2. Alternatively, the apparatus 1 may be inserted into the pipe 2 during the production process of the pipe 2. If the apparatus 1 is designed to fit an existing pipe 2 the apparatus 1, the apparatus 1 may, for example, be attached to an end 7 of the pipe 2. In such a case, the apparatus 1 may be inserted within or around the end 7 of a pipe 2. Further, if the apparatus 1 is inserted over the end of an existing pipe 2 of a furnace 10, the apparatus 1 may be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance of the screen 20. If the apparatus 1 is designed to be fitted on an existing pipe 2, the diameter 71 of the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 may be slightly larger than a diameter 153 of the pipe 2. While the apparatus 1 is secured onto the pipe 2, an air and/or water tight sealed may be formed. Further, glue or another substance may be used to create a water-tight seal between the pipe 2 and the apparatus 1.
The apparatus 1 may have, for example, a screen 20, a heating element 21, and a thermostat 22. The heating element 21 may be, for example, embedded into the pipe 2 or may be otherwise attached to the screen 20 so as to allow the individual wires of the screen 20 to heat up. A heat conducting wire 30 may connect the heating element 21 to the screen 20. When the thermostat 22 registers a temperature below a specific preset limit, the heating element 21 may be activated, thereby heating the screen 20. The thermostat 22 may be set to be activated for a predetermined amount of time before being automatically turned off. In an embodiment, the heating element 21 may be manually activated. When the screen 20 is heated by the heating element 21 ice, snow, frost 4 or the like may be melted and the flow of air 3 through the pipe 2 may be restored.
The thermostat 22 works by regulating the temperature of a system so that the system's temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. There are numerous of different types of thermostats 22, including bi-metal, wax pellet and mechanical, any of which may be used in connection with the present apparatus 1.
In an embodiment, a plurality of holes 40 may be located adjacent to the screen 20 so as to allow water 60, which may be created from the melting snow or ice 4, to exit the pipe 2 without draining into the home. As a result, water 60 created from the melting of the ice 4, snow or the like is less likely to flow into the home and cause any damage to the furnace 10 or other object. Further, the plurality of holes 40 may allow water 60 to exit the apparatus thereby reducing the possibility of corrosion of the screen 20 and or other elements of the apparatus.
In addition to melting ice, snow, frost 4 or the like, the screen 20 may prevent leaves, animals or other obstructions from passing through the pipe 2 and obstructing the air 3 flow through the pipe 2 to the furnace 10. As a result, a person may easily remove the debris from the screen 20 thereby restoring air 3 flow.
The heating element 21 may be attached to a transformer 41 that is connected to, for example, a home, industrial or commercial voltage supply. The amount of voltage supplied by the transformer 41 may be stepped down from the total voltage of the building so as to increase the safe operation of the apparatus 1. A power chord 50 may attach the heating element 21 to an outlet 51. Preferably, the power chord 50 should be weather proof and resistant to extreme temperatures.
Referring now to
In an embodiment, the screen 20 of the apparatus is not connected to a heating device, but actually acts as the actual heating device. More specifically, the cross-wires which form the screen 20 are heated up directly from a power source, as opposed to the screen 20 being in contact with a separate heating device. Further, in an embodiment, the metal wires 121 of the device 1 may be interwoven into the screen 20 to allow for maximum exchange of heat to the screen 20.
Referring now to
As stated above, the pipe 2 may have a plurality of openings 120 which may allow a metal wire 121 to enter the hollow interior 121 of the pipe 2. In an embodiment, an O-ring 246 may be present between the plurality of openings 120 and the metal wire 121 such that a seal is created between the metal wire 121 and the pipe 2. The O-ring 246 may have an extended tab 247 which may extend outward from the center of the O-ring 246 and onto the exterior 133 surface of the pipe 2. The extended tab 247 may provide a greater surface area to secure the O-ring 246 within the plurality of openings 120 of the pipe 2 and may allow for easy placement and removal of the O-rings 246. Further, an inner surface of the extended tab 247 may have an adhesive 248 which may secure the O-ring 246 extended tab 247 to the pipe 2.
In an embodiment, a vibrating device 729 may be attached to the exterior 133 of the pipe 2. The vibrating device 729 may be powered by a battery or may be plugged into a wall outlet. The vibrating device 729 may be located near the screen 20 located within the interior 102 of the pipe 2. The vibrating device 729 may causes the pipe 2 and/or the screen 20 to vibrate. More specifically, the vibrating device 729 may slightly vibrate the pipe 2 and for screen 20, along with the entire device 1. When the screen 20 vibrates, the ice, snow, sleet and/or frost 4 may fall off the screen 20 thereby maintaining the air flow 3 through the device 1 for use in a combustion chamber 793 of the furnace 10.
In an embodiment, an alternating air pressure device 818 may be associated with, for example, the plurality of holes 40 of the pipe 2. The alternating air pressure device 818 may force pressurized air into the pipe 2 to dislodge ice, snow, sleet and/or frost 4 or other debris from the screen 20; the alternating air pressure device 818 may then suck or pull air away from the screen 20 causing a rocking effect with respect to the air pressure. More specifically, the alternating air pressure device 818 may force air toward the screen 20 for approximately a half second to two seconds and then may reverse and pull air from the alternating air pressure device 818 for approximately a half second to two seconds. The alternating air pressure may force the ice, snow, sleet, frost 4 or other debris from the screen 20. Further, at predetermined times, the alternating between the forced air and sucked air may be stopped and the air 3 may be only vacuumed into the plurality of holes 40 to remove water or other debris from the hollow interior 102 of the pipe 2.
The apparatus 1 may further have an internal limit overload device 500. The internal limit overload device 500 may automatically shut off the apparatus 1 upon reaching a predetermined temperature. More specifically, the internal limit overload device 500 may impose an upper limit on the current that may be delivered to a load with the purpose of protecting the circuit and the apparatus 1.
As stated above, the apparatus 1 may be connected electrically and physically to the furnace 10. More specifically, a tube 2 may directly connect the apparatus 1 to the furnace 10. The area 81 between the screen 20 and the furnace 10 may be sealed such that nothing may enter the area 81 between the screen 20 and the furnace 10 other than the air 3 flowing through the screen 20. As a result, the furnace 10 is more efficient due to the increased air 3 flow.
The first end 100 of the apparatus 1 may be an intake side and the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 may be the outlet side of the apparatus 1. The first end 100 of the apparatus 1 may be open or exposed to a pipe which takes in air 3 and the second end 101 of the apparatus 1 may be directly connected to the furnace 10 (specifically, to the combustion chamber 793 of the furnace 10). Atmospheric air 3 taken in from the first end (inlet side) 100 may pass through the apparatus 1 to the second end (outlet side) 101 of the apparatus 1 and then may pass through the sealed compartment area 81 and into the furnace 10. In the furnace 10, the atmospheric air 3 may mix with a combustible gas 793 (such as natural gas or propane).
Unlike other screens which are used in ventilation systems, an area 81 located between the device 1 and the furnace 10 may be completely sealed and may not be accessible by debris, animals, ice, snow, frost 4 or the like. Further, unlike other devices having screens used in ventilation systems, the present apparatus 1 does not control the pressure of the air 3 in a surrounding building; the present apparatus 1 only controls the movement of air 3 between the screen 20 and the furnace 10.
The apparatus 1 may also be used after the air 3 has passed through the furnace 10. More specifically, the apparatus 1 may be used before and/or after passing through the furnace 10. When used after air 3 passes through the furnace 10, the apparatus 1 may heat up snow, ice, frost 4 or the like which may be formed when the water or water vapor collects at the end of the process just prior to exiting the building. Further, when the apparatus 1 is located and used before and after the air 3 passes through the furnace 10, an entire system may be created wherein air flow 3 of the furnace 10 is protected the entire time the air 3 is associated with the furnace 10.
Referring now to
Although embodiments of the present invention are shown and described therein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/827,437, filed Jul. 12, 2007 now abandoned currently pending and claims the benefit with respect to the same. The entire contents of the previous application are incorporated by reference and the Applicants remain the same.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3869529 | Follette | Mar 1975 | A |
| 3906925 | Dyer | Sep 1975 | A |
| 6584280 | Wang | Jun 2003 | B1 |
| 6956493 | Youngblood | Oct 2005 | B1 |
| 20050051540 | Ekinge et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110031229 A1 | Feb 2011 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11827437 | Jul 2007 | US |
| Child | 12860412 | US |
