FIRE SYSTEM FOR A GAS FIREPLACE

FIELD

This application generally relates to fireplace systems, and more specifically, to fireplace systems having burners and faux logs within fireplaces.

BACKGROUND

Fireplace systems utilizing gas or other fluid fuel to create flames and heat (e.g., natural gas, propane, or the like) may be desired to have the appearance of a fire burning real wooden logs or the like. However, such gas-fueled fireplace systems may create flames or have aspects that do not look like real wood fires. For example, the flames created may be shaped or colored differently than flames created by burning wood, and/or gas burners may be exposed or visible.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to fireplace systems including burners and faux logs. In various embodiments, a fireplace system may comprise a burner comprising an upper portion shape and a front sloping surface sloping downwardly; and/or a log comprising a recess disposed into a bottom surface of the log. The recess may comprise a recess shape complementary to the upper portion shape of the burner, wherein the log may be disposed over the burner such that at least a portion of the burner is disposed within the recess. The burner may be disposed in the recess of the log such that the log hides the burner from view from a position in front of the fireplace system. In various embodiments, the front sloping surface may be an upper front sloping surface sloping downwardly in an aft-to-forward direction. In various embodiments, the front sloping surface may be a lower front sloping surface sloping downwardly in a forward-to-aft direction, wherein at least a portion of the lower front sloping surface is outside the recess.

In various embodiments, from a second position in front of the fireplace system, a first axis spanning toward the fireplace system at least 45 degrees from a second axis spanning along the bottom surface of the log may not intersect with the burner, such that the log hides the burner from view from the second position in front of the fireplace system. A first angle formed between the first axis and the second axis may comprise a first vertex at a front lower point of the log. In various embodiments, the log may comprise a front lower point, wherein the front sloping surface of the burner may span away from the front lower point of the log in a downward direction. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the front sloping surface of the burner may form a second angle with a second axis spanning along the bottom surface of the log of at least 135 degrees.

In various embodiments, the burner may comprise a plurality of ports disposed on a burner front portion of the burner. In various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ports may be disposed on the front sloping surface of the burner. In various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ports may be disposed at least partially on an upper front sloping surface of the burner, wherein the upper front sloping surface may be coupled to the lower front sloping surface of the burner. In various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of ports may be disposed on a burner surface intersection at which the upper front sloping surface couples to the lower front sloping surface of the burner.

In various embodiments, the recess may further comprise a front declining surface, and wherein the log may be disposed on the burner such that at least one of the front declining surface of the recess or a log front surface of the log at least partially overlaps at least one of the plurality of ports along a first axis. In various embodiments, the recess may further comprise a front declining surface, and wherein the log may be disposed on the burner such that the front declining surface of the recess and a log front surface of the log are misaligned with at least one of the plurality of ports along a first axis, such that the front declining surface of the recess and the log front surface of the log do not overlap the at least one of the plurality of burners along the first axis.

In various embodiments, the recess may further comprise a front declining surface, forming a log front flange between the front declining surface of the recess and a log front surface of the log, wherein the thickness of the log front flange decreases from a top of the front declining surface to a bottom of the front declining surface.

In various embodiments, there may be at least a partial seal between the log and the burner within the recess in the log. In various embodiments, there may be a first space between the log and the burner within the recess, wherein the space may allow airflow therethrough to contribute to combustion of a flame fuel exiting the burner.

In various embodiments, the system may further comprise a second log comprising a second recess disposed into a top surface of the second log, wherein the second recess may comprise a second recess shape complementary to a lower portion shape of the burner. The second log may be disposed under the burner such that at least a second portion of the burner may be disposed within the second recess. In various embodiments, there may be at least a partial seal between the second log and the burner within the second recess in the second log. In various embodiments, there may be a second space between the second log and the burner within the second recess, wherein the second space allows airflow therethrough to contribute to combustion of a flame fuel exiting the burner.

In various embodiments, the burner may comprise at least one of a square, triangular, or diamond cross-sectional shape. In various embodiments, the burner may comprise at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a ceramic material, or a polymeric material, and/or the log may comprise at least one of a ceramic material, a ceramic fiber, concrete, a metal, a metal alloy, a polymeric material, or fiberglass

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the drawing figures. Elements with like element numbering throughout the figures are intended to be the same.

FIG. 1 illustrates a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates a portion of a fire system for a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of a burner system for a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2C illustrates a bottom view of a faux log for a fire system in a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of a burner and a faux log for a fire system in a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 4A-4F illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of a burner and faux log(s) for a fire system in a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of a burner and a faux log for a fire system in a fireplace system, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of burners with various shapes, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All ranges may include the upper and lower values, and all ranges and ratio limits disclosed herein may be combined. It is to be understood that unless specifically stated otherwise, references to “a,” “an,” and/or “the” may include one or more than one, that reference to an item in the singular may also include the item in the plural, and that reference to an item in the plural may also include the item in the singular.

The detailed description of various embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various embodiments by way of illustration. While these various embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical, chemical, and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any combination or order and are not necessarily limited to the order or combination presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular component or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected, or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full, and/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact.

With momentary reference to FIG. 4A, as used herein, “forward,” “front,” or like terms refers to the portion of a fireplace system, a fire system, a burner system, or any component thereof that is more toward (starting from inside a firebox) a viewing portion of a firebox (e.g., the portion of the subject system or component which would be closer to a viewer of a fireplace and the contents therein), for example, relative to direction 30. As used herein, “aft,” “rear,” “back,” or like terms refers to the portion of a fireplace system, a fire system, a burner system, or any component thereof that is further from a viewing portion of a firebox (e.g., the portion of the subject system or component which would be further or furthest from a viewer of a fireplace and the contents therein), for example, in direction 40. As used herein, “top,” “upper,” “upward,” or like terms refers to the portion of a fireplace system, a fire system, a burner system, or any component thereof that is more toward a top of a firebox (e.g., more in a direction that heat and flames rise (i.e., upwardly)), for example, relative to direction 10. As used herein, “bottom,” “lower,” “downward,” or like terms refers to the portion of a fireplace system, a fire system, a burner system, or any component thereof that is more toward a bottom of a firebox (e.g., more in a direction of gravitational pull), for example, relative to direction 20.

In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 1, a fireplace system 100A may comprise a firebox 110 in which combustion of fuel may occur (creating flames for heating, for example). Firebox 110 may comprise a viewing area, through which a viewer may view the fire and interior of firebox 110. The viewing area of firebox 110 may be open, or may comprise a shield comprising glass, metal, or any other suitable material to facilitate viewing of the flames, but providing a safety barrier from the flames, debris, and contents of firebox 110.

In various embodiments, fireplace system 100A may be a gas fireplace (e.g., flames 125 are produced from the combustion of gas fuels, such as natural gas, propane, and/or the like). Fireplace system 100A may comprise a fire system 150, which may comprise a grate 115, one or more burners, and/or faux logs (referred to herein simply as “logs”). In various embodiments, a fire system may comprise foundation logs (e.g., logs 156), which may be fixed in position and/or do not house, encapsulate, or couple to a burner. In various embodiments, a fire system may comprise logs that are disposed over, couple to, and/or at least partially house or encapsulate a burner (e.g., logs 158).

FIG. 2A depicts a portion of fire system 150 depicted in FIG. 1. Logs 158 have been removed from the fire system to expose a burner system. With additional reference to FIG. 2B, fire system 150 may comprise a burner system (e.g., burner system 180). A burner system may comprise an inlet which receives the fluid fuel for combustion (e.g., natural gas, propane, etc.), and a mainline (e.g., mainline 185) to deliver the fuel to one or more burners (e.g., burners 161, 163, 171, and 173). A burner system may comprise one or more burner ports at any suitable location to allow the fluid fuel to exit the burner system, ignite, and create flames within the firebox. For example, the mainline of a burner system may comprise a plurality of burner ports (e.g., burner ports 182 disposed along mainline 185).

In various embodiments, a burner(s) may comprise any suitable shape or configuration. For example, one or more burners (e.g., burner structure 160) may comprise an H-shape, e.g., burners 161 and 163 connected by connector 169 forming an H-shape. As another example, one or more burners (e.g., burner structure 170) may comprise a U-shape, e.g., burners 171 and 173 forming a U-shape connected at their respective ends by connector 179. The burners of a burner system may extend in any suitable direction (e.g., forward, aft, to the side, at an angle up or down, and/or the like).

In various embodiments, a burner may comprise a burner shape (e.g., a cross-sectional shape). The burner may comprise an upper portion (e.g., an upper half, third, quarter, etc. of a burner cross section) and/or a lower portion (e.g., a lower half, third, quarter, etc. of a burner cross section). The upper portion of the burner may comprise an upper portion shape, and the lower portion may comprise a lower portion shape.

A log in a fire system may comprise a recess in one or more surfaces. For example, with additional reference to FIG. 2C, a log may comprise a recess in a bottom surface of the log (e.g., log 210 may comprise a recess 260 in bottom surface 290, which comprises recess portions 261 and 263, which are fluidly coupled via connector recess 269). The bottom surface of a log may be the surface (or a main surface) upon which the log may rest when disposed on the ground or in a fire system, or a surface facing a foundation or floor when the log is positioned upright. A shape of a recess in a log surface may be complementary to a shape of a burner (e.g., to an upper portion shape of a burner). Therefore, at least a portion of such a burner may be disposed in the respective recess. For example, recess portion 261 may comprise a recess shape that is complementary to a shape of burner 161 (or an upper portion shape thereof), recess portion 263 may comprise a recess shape that is complementary to a shape of burner 163 (or an upper portion shape thereof), and/or connector recess 269 may comprise a recess shape that is complementary to a shape of connector 169 (or an upper portion shape thereof). Thus, at least a portion of burner 161 and/or 163 may be disposed in recess 260 (e.g., an upper portion, e.g., an upper half, of burner 161 and/or 163).

In various embodiments, with additional reference to FIGS. 3 and 4A-4F, a fire system (e.g., fire system 300) may comprise at least one burner (e.g., burner 360 or 460) at least partially disposed in a recess in a log (e.g., log 310 of FIG. 3). For example, burner 460 is at least partially disposed in a recess 419 in a bottom surface 490 of log 410. An upper portion of burner 460 is disposed within recess 419 of log 410 (the upper portion of a burner may be the portion disposed in, or configured to be disposed in, a complementary recess in a bottom surface of a log, and/or a lower portion of a burner may be the portion outside the recess in the bottom surface of the log).

In various embodiments, a burner may comprise at least one front sloping surface (e.g., an upper front sloping surface 464 and a lower front sloping surface 468 in FIGS. 4A-4F). The front sloping surface may be a surface of the burner (e.g., a forward-facing surface) that slopes downwardly in either a forward-to-aft direction or an aft-to-forward direction (e.g., upper front sloping surface 464 slopes downwardly in an aft-to-forward direction, and lower front sloping surface 468 slopes downwardly in a forward-to-aft direction). In various embodiments, at least a portion of a front sloping surface of a burner may be outside the recess of a log that houses a portion of the burner. That is, if a recess in a log is defined by recess surfaces (e.g., recess surfaces 424 and 426) and the surface(s) of the log into which the recess is recessed, at least a portion of a front sloping surface of the burner disposed in the recess may be outside those boundaries of the recess. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, all or nearly all of lower front sloping surface 468 is outside recess 419. In various embodiments, at least a portion of a front sloping surface may be disposed in the respective log recess. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, all or nearly all of upper front sloping surface 464 is within recess 419.

In various embodiments, a log may be disposed such that the burner is hidden from view from a position in front of the fire system and/or firebox (e.g., from a viewer looking into a firebox through a viewing area of the firebox). An angle of a front sloping surface of the burner may facilitate the covering of the burner from view. In various embodiments, from an axis that would separate the burner into upper and lower portions (or an axis along the surface in which the respective log recess is disposed), at least a portion of a front sloping surface of the burner may form an angle of about or at least 135 degrees (the term “about” as used in this context means plus or minus 20 degrees). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F, from axis 402 (which is along bottom surface 490 of log 410, into which recess 419 is disposed), lower front sloping surface 468 of burner 460 may form an angle 408 of about or at least 135 degrees (with lower front sloping surface 468 being parallel to axis 404 forming angle 408). Angle 414 is formed by upper front sloping surface 464 and the same axis (about or at least 135 degrees). In various embodiments, a portion of a front sloping surface of the burner closest to the log may form the angle discussed above, with a portion(s) of such front sloping surface(s) of the burner below the top portion (e.g., portion(s) further from the log) comprising an angle(s) greater or less than that formed by the top portion. These angles formed between a surface of the log and a front sloping surface of the burner allow the burner to remain at least partially hidden from view from a position in front of the fire system and/or firebox. In various embodiments, the axis with which a front sloping surface of the burner forms the angles discussed above (the about or at least 135-degree angle) may be a horizontal (i.e., a horizontal axis parallel to a floor or foundation).

A burner having any suitable shape may comprise a front sloping surface, in accordance with various embodiments. With additional reference to FIGS. 6A-6B, a cross-sectional shape of a burner may be any suitable shape (e.g., a geometric shape, an asymmetric, natural shapes (such as a shape to simulate a real wooden log), etc.). Burner 660A may comprise a lower front sloping surface 668A, which is the surface of burner 660A facing forward (or the front) and sloping downwardly in a forward-to-aft direction. The front surface of burner 660A begins to slope downwardly, consistent with a front sloping surface, below axis 602. Burner 660B may comprise a lower front sloping surface 668B, which is the surface of burner 660B facing forward (or the front) and sloping downwardly in a forward-to-aft direction. Burner 660C may comprise a lower front sloping surface 668C, which is the surface of burner 660C facing forward (or the front) and sloping downwardly in a forward-to-aft direction. Each of front sloping surfaces 668A-668C, or at least a portion thereof, may form an angle of about or at least 135 degrees with an axis (e.g., an axis that separates the respective burner into upper and lower portions (or an axis along the surface in which the respective log recess is disposed)). The portions of burners 600A-600C above at least a portion of the respective front sloping surface 668A-668C may be disposed in a recess in the bottom surface of the log. Accordingly, as discussed above, the front sloping surfaces of the burners may prevent or lessen the visibility of the burners within the fire system from a position in front of the fireplace or fire system. Burners 660A-660C may also comprise upper front sloping surfaces, similar to those discussed herein.

In various embodiments, from a position in front of the fire system and/or firebox, a first axis spanning toward the fire system at least or about 45 degrees (or at least or about 20 or 30 degrees) from an axis that would separate the burner into upper and lower portions (or an axis along the surface in which the respective recess is disposed) may not intersect with the burner (as used in this context, “about” means plus or minus 20 degrees). Thus, if the first axis represents a line of sight from a viewer in front of the fire system or firebox, the burner would not be visible to the viewer. For example, axis 404 (which may represent the line of sight of a viewer in front of the fire system) may form about a 45-degree angle (angle 406) with axis 402 (which is along bottom surface 490 of log 410, into which recess 419 is disposed). Axis 404 does not intersect any portion of burner 460, and therefore, burner 460 is not within the line of sight represented by axis 404. In various embodiments, the about or at least 45-degree angle (or 20 or 30-degree angle) formed between the discussed axes may comprise a vertex at a front lower point of the log. The front lower point on the log may be the lowest point of a front surface on the log that is aligned with the recess and/or burner. For example, the vertex of angle 406 may be located at front lower point 416 of log 410, which is the lowest point of front surface 450 of log 410. In various embodiments, a lower front sloping surface of the burner may span away from the front lower point of the log in a downward and aft direction. An upper front sloping surface of the burner may span away from the front lower point of the log in an upward and forward-to-aft direction.

The position, slope, and sloping angle of the burner and its front sloping surface(s) allow the burner to remain at least partially hidden from view, as discussed above. Therefore, a gas fireplace having a fire system, burner system, logs, and/or burners in accordance with this disclosure may achieve an aesthetic result more resembling an authentic wood fire than gas fireplaces comprising exposed or visible burners, or burners and logs having different shapes or configurations.

In various embodiments, a burner may comprise at least one port disposed therein. Fuel for creating a flame may travel through the burner and exit the burner through the port(s), the combustion of which creates the flame within a firebox. The port(s) may be disposed in the burner at any suitable location. For example, a burner may comprise a port(s) on a burner front portion of the burner. The burner front portion may comprise any surface (or portion thereof) facing a forward direction (e.g., relative to direction 30). For example, some ports 162A and 172A depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be disposed on front portions of burners 161 and 171, respectively. A front sloping surface of a burner may be comprised in the burner front portion. In various embodiments, a port may be disposed at least partially in a front sloping surface of a burner (e.g., a port 462 disposed in lower front sloping surface 468 of a burner 410, and another port 462 disposed partially in lower front sloping surface 468). In various embodiments, a burner front portion may comprise an upper front sloping surface (e.g., upper front sloping surface 464, or upper front sloping surfaces 164 and 174 in FIGS. 2A and 2B). An upper front sloping surface of a burner may slope downwardly in an aft-to-forward direction. In various embodiments, a port may be disposed in the upper front sloping surface of a burner (e.g., a port 462 disposed in upper front sloping surface 464 of a burner 410, and another port 462 disposed partially in upper front sloping surface 464). In various embodiments, a burner may comprise a burner surface intersection at which an upper front sloping surface couples with a lower front sloping surface of the burner. A port may be disposed on the burner at the burner surface intersection. For example, a port 462 may be disposed at burner surface intersection 471.

In various embodiments, a port(s) may be disposed on a burner in a rear portion. For example, some ports 162B and 172B depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be disposed on rear portions of burners 163 and 173, respectively. Ports disposed in rear portions of burners may be for burners that are disposed in a more rearward portion of a log in a fire system (thus, the resulting flame will appear behind the respective log).

A burner in a burner system may comprise any suitable cross-sectional shape. In various embodiments, a burner may comprise a square shape, a diamond shape, a triangular shape, and/or the like. For example, burner 460 comprises a square-like cross-sectional shape (and when rotated as shown in FIGS. 4A-4F, the cross-sectional shape may be diamond-like shaped). Such a diamond cross-sectional shape may comprise upper front sloping surface 464, lower front sloping surface 468, and rear surfaces 466 and 467. In various embodiments, a burner may comprise a triangular cross-sectional shape. For example, a burner may comprise an upper front sloping surface, a lower front sloping surface, and a surface connecting the two. As another example, a burner may comprise an upper front sloping surface, a rear surface, and a surface connecting the two. As another example, a burner may comprise a lower front sloping surface, a rear surface, and a surface connecting the two. In such embodiments, the connecting surface (e.g., a top surface) may be substantially flat. Thus, the log may not comprise a recess (e.g., in a bottom surface), and the burner may be disposed proximate or adjacent to a log bottom surface. In such embodiments, the lower front sloping surface may still achieve the angles and visibility (or lack of visibility) discussed herein. As discussed above, and shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, a burner may comprise an oval, asymmetric, natural, and/or non-geometric shape. The recess in the log configured to receive the burner may comprise a shape that is complementary to the shape of the burner.

In various embodiments, a log in a fire system may comprise a log front flange, which may be a portion of the log between a recess disposed in a bottom surface of the log and the log front surface. In various embodiments, a recess in the bottom surface of a log may comprise a front declining surface, which spans downwardly in an aft-to-forward direction (e.g., toward the front lower point of the log). The log front flange may be disposed between the front declining surface of the recess and the log front surface. For example, recess 419 in log 410 may comprise front declining surface 424. Log front flange 412 may comprise the material of log 410 between front declining surface 424 and log front surface 450 of log 410. Front declining surface 424 may span downwardly in an aft-to-forward direction toward front lower point 416 of log 410.

A thickness of log front flange 412 decreases between a top of front declining surface 424 and a bottom of front declining surface 424, wherein the thickness is the length of material between log front surface 450 and the respective portion of front declining surface 424 (e.g., along an axis parallel to axis 402). Therefore, the greater thickness near a top front declining surface 424 provides sufficient strength to mitigate the risk of the log breaking or cracking, for example, the risk of a portion of log front flange 412 breaking apart from log 410. In various embodiments, an angle 414 formed between an axis and front declining surface 424 may be about or at least 120 or 135 degrees (the term “about” in this context means plus or minus 20 degrees). The axis forming angle 414 may be at or along the surface into which the log recess is disposed (e.g., bottom surface 490), and/or may be a horizontal.

In various embodiments, there may be a lip surface 415 spanning between a bottom point of front declining surface 424 and front lower point 416 of log 410. The lip surface may be made as short or small as desired (e.g., by further converging the front declining surface and the log front surface). In various embodiments, the lip surface may comprise a point. With the tapering thickness of the log front flange, the lip surface may be made as small as desired without compromising the structural integrity of the log and creating undesired risk of a portion of the log front flange from breaking apart from log 410.

The systems disclosed herein may facilitate a desired mixture of fluid fuel and air for combustion and production of the flames in a firebox. In various embodiments, there may be at least a partial seal between the log and the burner within the recess of the log. In such embodiments, little or no air may flow between the burner and the log. For example, spaces 472A and 474A in FIGS. 4A, 4C, and 4F may be small, creating the discussed at least partial seal. Additionally, shown in FIG. 5A, spaces 572A and 574A may be small, such that there is at least a partial seal between log 510 and burner 560 (similar to log 410 and burner 460, respectively, discussed herein). Thus, little or no air may flow through spaces 572A and 574A to combine with the gas exiting burner 560 to combust and produce flame 525. In such embodiments, air 518 from outside fire system 500A may be sufficient to facilitate a desired combustion and flame.

In various embodiments, there may be a space between the log and the burner within the recess of the log, such that air may flow between the burner and the log. For example, spaces 472B and 474B in FIGS. 4B, 4D, and 4E may allow air to flow therethrough between log 410 and burner 460. Additionally, shown in FIG. 5B, spaces 572B and 574B may allow air 516 to flow between log 510 and burner 560. Thus, air 516, in addition to air 518, may contribute to the desired combustion reaction and resulting flame 525.

In various embodiments, the spaces between edges of a burner and a log may be equal and/or different. For example, the spaces (or lack thereof) between upper front sloping surface 464 and front declining surface 424, and between rear burner surface 466 and rear recess surface 426, may be equal or different.

A burner may be disposed in a log recess to achieve a desired flow and dispersion of the fluid fuel (e.g., natural gas, propane, etc.) from under the log to achieve a desired combustion and/or flame. In various embodiments, a log may be disposed on a burner such that at least one of the front declining surface of the recess, the front outer surface of the log, and/or the log front flange (or any portion of any of the foregoing) at least partially overlaps at least one port disposed in the burner. “Overlapping” in this context may mean that an axis may span through the log front flange and a portion of a respective port (e.g., “overlap” may mean variably restrict or otherwise block). In various embodiments, such an axis may be at, or parallel to, the log surface into which a recess is disposed. In various embodiments, such an axis may be a horizontal. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 4A-4F, front declining surface 424, log front surface 450, and log front flange 412 completely overlap the port 462 disposed in upper front sloping surface 464. As another example, also depicted in FIGS. 4A-4F, front declining surface 424, log front surface 450, and log front flange 412 overlap a portion of the port 462 disposed at burner surface intersection 471 (i.e., the port 462 disposed at burner surface intersection 471 is partially overlapped). In various embodiments, a log may be disposed on a burner such that the front declining surface of the recess, the front outer surface of the log, and/or the log front flange does not overlap at least one port disposed in the burner. For example, front declining surface 424, log front surface 450, and log front flange 412 are not aligned with (i.e., do not overlap with) the port 462 disposed through lower front sloping surface 468.

In various embodiments, one or more ports disposed on a burner may be in close proximity to the front outer surface of the log. That is, the distance (e.g., distance 413 shown in FIG. 4C) between a port (e.g., port 462 disposed at burner surface intersection 471) and the front outer surface (e.g., front outer surface 450) of the respective log may be less than 0.5 inch. The distance between a port and the front outer surface of the respective log may be measured by the shortest distance, or along an axis parallel to the log surface into which the respective recess is disposed. In various embodiments, the length between a port and the front outer surface of the respective log may be between 0.01 and 0.5 inch, 0.01 and 0.4 inch, 0.01 and 0.3 inch, 0.01 and 0.2 inch, or 0.01 and 0.1 inch, or about 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, or 0.1 inch (as used in this context, “about” means plus or minus 0.05 inch). Such close proximity of a port to the log front surface 450 may be facilitated by the tapering shape of log front flange 412. As discussed herein, the tip of log front flange 412 (e.g., lip surface 415) may be as small as desired, thus creating closer proximity of ports disposed in a log recess to log front surface 450. The close proximity of the burner and its ports to the front outer surface of the log may contribute the burner being hidden from view from a position in front of the fire system. Additionally, such close proximity may facilitate desired flow direction and burning of the fluid fuel exiting the burner through the ports, thus, facilitating the desired fuel and air mixture for the combustion reaction to produce a flame (e.g., a flame with a desired shape, color, and/or appearance).

The position of the ports in a burner relative to the log front flange of a log (or the surfaces thereof) may be set to facilitate a desired combustion reaction to create desired flames in the firebox. The systems discussed herein achieve sufficient dispersion of the gas fuel, and sufficient mixture of the gas fuel and air, to facilitate complete (or nearly complete) and clean combustion. Therefore, the systems discussed herein mitigate against the risk of soot accumulation in the firebox and on the fire system. For example, at least some of the, or a portion of some, ports being overlapped by a portion of the log may provide an obstacle for the gas fuel before or during combustion, thus increasing the flow path for the gas fuel, facilitating greater dispersion and mixing with air. Accordingly, the systems discussed herein achieve better mixing of gas fuel and air for the combustion reaction relative to a burner in a fire system having an exposed portion with ports that flow gas fuel directly in front of a log component without obstacle or obstruction. Additionally, portions of the log front flange of a log (or the surfaces thereof) may variably restrict or otherwise block different ports of the plurality of ports. This may cause more seemingly random (rather than organized) overlapping of ports, thus allowing better simulation of an organic flame shape achieved by burning wooden logs.

In various embodiments, a fire system may comprise a second log coupled to, or at least partially housing or encapsulating, a burner. A second log may comprise a second recess disposed in a top surface of the second log. The second recess may comprise a second recess shape that may be complementary to a shape of the lower portion of the burner. Accordingly, the lower portion of the burner may, or may be configured to, be disposed in the second recess of the second log, such that the burner may be enclosed by two logs. As shown in FIGS. 4C-4F, the fire systems may comprise a second log 480 comprising a second recess disposed into a log top surface. Burner 460 (or a lower portion thereof) may be disposed in the second recess. Thus, log 410 and second log 480 may (nearly) fully enclose burner 460. Thus, the presence of a second (lower) log may further serve to hide the burner from being visible by a viewer in front of the fire system.

In various embodiments, there may be at least a partial seal between the second log and the burner within the recess of the second log (e.g., second log 480). In such embodiments, little or no air may flow between the burner and the second log. For example, spaces 476B and 478B in FIGS. 4D and 4F may be small, creating the discussed at least partial seal.

In various embodiments, there may be a space between the second log and the burner within the second recess of the second log, such that air may flow between the burner and the second log. For example, spaces 476B and 478B in FIGS. 4C and 4E may allow air to flow therethrough between second log 480 and burner 460.

In various embodiments, the spaces between edges of a burner and a second (lower) log may be equal and/or different. In various embodiments, the spaces between a burner and a first (upper) log, and the spaces between the burner and a second (lower) log, may be the same or different.

The components of the systems disclosed herein may comprise any suitable material. For example, in various embodiments, the burner system or any components therein (e.g., burners) may comprise a metal or metal alloy (e.g., steel, stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, and/or the like), a ceramic material, a polymeric material, and/or the like. In various embodiments, a log may comprise a ceramic material, a ceramic fiber, concrete, a metal, a metal alloy, a polymeric material, fiberglass and/or the like.

As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	PCT/IB2022/055806	Jun 2022	US
Child	18545389		US

FIRE SYSTEM FOR A GAS FIREPLACE

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