Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6601579
-
Patent Number
6,601,579
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, November 13, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, August 5, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 126 512
- 126 509
- 126 510
- 126 289
- 126 290
- 126 515
- 126 523
- 126 529
- 126 531
- 126 307 R
- 126 312
- 431 125
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fireplace for concurrent use inside and outside of a structure includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening. The fireplace also includes a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a fireplace adapted for concurrent use both inside and outside of a structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fireplaces are an efficient method for providing warmth and creating the appeal of a fire. Fireplaces have become commonplace in today's building trades for both residential and commercial applications. Most new home construction designs include at least one, and often several fireplaces. Further, a significant number of remodeling projects are focused on fireplaces. Gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces are commonly installed to provide benefits such as heat and the aesthetic appeal of a fire.
A fireplace is typically installed either inside or outside of a structure in a wall of the structure or as a freestanding unit. In present installations, a fireplace is constructed and installed for use either inside or outside of the structure. Therefore, the benefits of a fireplace can be enjoyed indoors, if the fireplace is installed inside the structure, or outdoors, if the fireplace is installed outside. However, current fireplaces do not provide for both indoor and outdoor use. Because of this, individuals who desire the heating and aesthetic value of a fireplace must choose between indoor or outdoor use, or, alternatively, bear the added expense of installing multiple fireplace units.
Thus, there is a need for additional innovations in fireplace construction to provide the concurrent benefits of a fireplace to both the inside and the outside of a structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the present invention relates to fireplaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a fireplace adapted for concurrent use both inside and outside of a structure.
In one aspect, a fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure may include a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening; a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber; and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the fireplace including a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening directed toward the inside of the structure, and an outside opening directed toward the outside of the structure; insulation surrounding at least a portion of the combustion chamber enclosure to reduce an amount of outside air from the outside of the structure from entering the inside of the structure through the fireplace; a housing at least partially surrounding the combustion chamber enclosure, wherein the housing is sealed to reduce condensation entering the fireplace from the outside of the structure; a gas burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure; a combustion air plenum system including right and left air plenum panels defining right and left air plenum pathways in fluid communication with the outside of the structure, wherein the right and left air plenum pathways provide fresh air from the outside of the structure to the combustion chamber for combustion; and an exhaust opening defined by the housing at a position adjacent an upper portion of the combustion chamber, the exhaust opening exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the method including the steps of: providing a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable via the inside opening from the inside of the structure and via the outside opening from the outside of the structure; and providing a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure, wherein the combustion air plenum system provides fresh air to the combustion chamber for combustion.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a combustion chamber enclosure for use inside and outside of a structure, the combustion chamber enclosure including a combustion chamber defined by the combustion chamber enclosure, the combustion chamber including an inside opening directed toward the inside of the structure and an outside opening directed toward the outside of the structure; and a burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the fireplace including a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening; a burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure; a means for supplying fresh air from the outside of the structure; and a means for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describing embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective schematic view, taken from an inside of a structure, of one exemplary embodiment of a fireplace installed in a wall of the structure in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a front schematic view, taken from the inside of the structure, of the fireplace of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a perspective schematic view, taken from an outside of the structure, of the fireplace shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a front schematic view, taken from the outside of the structure, of the fireplace of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional schematic view of the fireplace taken along line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 2
;
FIG. 6
is an exploded perspective schematic view of the fireplace of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 7
is a perspective schematic view of the combustion chamber enclosure of
FIG. 6
with various external components shown in exploded form;
FIG. 8
is a schematic cross-sectional view in elevation of the fireplace of
FIG. 1
showing an exemplary embodiment of a combustion air plenum system;
FIG. 9
is a schematic cross-sectional view in elevation of a portion of the combustion air plenum system shown in
FIG. 8
;
FIG. 10
is a perspective schematic view in isolation of the outdoor surround of
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 11
is a perspective schematic view in isolation of the outside door of
FIG. 6
;
FIGS. 12 and 13
are perspective and cross-sectional schematic views, respectively, of the glass assembly of
FIG. 6
including a panel, frame, and gasket;
FIG. 14
is an exploded perspective schematic view of the burner assembly of
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 15
is an exploded perspective schematic view of the valve assembly of
FIG. 6
;
FIG. 16
is a front schematic view, taken from the outside of a structure, of a second embodiment of a fireplace installed in a wall of the structure in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 17
is a schematic cross-sectional view in elevation of the fireplace of
FIG. 16
showing a second exemplary embodiment of a combustion air plenum system.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternant forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention is applicable to fireplaces. In particular, the invention is directed to a fireplace adapted for concurrent use both inside and outside of a structure. While the present invention is not so limited, an appreciation of the various aspects of the invention will be gained through a discussion of the examples provided below.
A fireplace made in accordance with this invention generally includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber including an inside opening viewable from an inside of a structure and an outside opening viewable from an outside of the structure. It will be understood that, as used herein, the term “combustion chamber enclosure” can be any structure that at least partially surrounds the portion of the fireplace, or the combustion chamber, in which combustion occurs and may be created using one or more panels. Further, the phrase “inside of the structure” will be understood to mean the interior or inner portion of any structure, such as a house or office building or other structure providing at least partial protection from the elements. The phrase “outside of the structure” will be understood to mean the exterior or outer portion of any structure, which is typically exposed to various weather elements such as rain, snow, wind, etc. It should also be noted that, although the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are illustrated with burners connected to a combustible gas supply, the present invention may alternatively apply to other fireplaces, such as, for example, wood-burning fireplaces and electric fireplaces.
Referring now to
FIGS. 1-5
, a first exemplary embodiment of a fireplace
100
made in accordance with the present invention is shown installed within a wall
150
of a structure. In
FIGS. 1 and 2
, perspective and front views of the fireplace
100
are shown as installed along an inside panel
155
of the wall
150
. The inside panel
155
faces an inside of the structure
101
. In
FIGS. 3 and 4
, perspective and front views of the fireplace
100
are shown as installed along an outside panel
160
of the wall
150
. The outside panel
160
faces an outside of the structure
102
.
The fireplace
100
may be installed within the wall
150
in any conventional method, such as by framing an enclosure to hold the fireplace
100
to provide a close tolerance fit between the fireplace
100
and the wall
150
to protect against wind, water, and pest infiltration. Alternatively, the fireplace
100
may instead be disposed within the wall
150
in a freestanding formation.
The fireplace
100
includes a combustion chamber enclosure
201
. The combustion chamber enclosure
201
comprising panels
210
,
212
,
214
, and
216
, as well as an inside front panel
281
and an outside front panel
282
that together define a combustion chamber
130
. Although the combustion chamber enclosure
201
, as shown, includes six panels, it should be understood that more or less than six panels may be used to create the combustion chamber enclosure
201
. A housing
202
, the components of which are defined in greater detail below, surrounds portions of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
.
The combustion chamber enclosure
201
defines an opening
110
facing the inside of the structure
101
and an opening
120
facing the outside of the structure
102
. The openings
110
and
120
are defined on opposite sides of the combustion chamber
130
. In this manner, the combustion chamber
130
extends through the wall
150
and is visible from both the inside of the structure
101
and the outside of the structure
102
.
A side cross-sectional view of the fireplace
100
is shown in
FIG. 5
taken along line
2
—
2
of
FIG. 2. A
burner
200
is generally disposed within the fireplace
100
to provide combustion of gas within the combustion chamber
130
. Also included in the fireplace
100
are a series of openings
242
,
244
,
246
, and
248
defined generally in the housing
202
of the fireplace
100
. The openings
242
,
244
,
246
, and
248
provide fluid communication between the outside of the structure
102
and a combustion air plenum system of the fireplace
100
to supply fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
to the burner
200
for combustion (see
FIGS. 7-9
below for more detail on the combustion air plenum system). An exhaust opening
250
is defined generally by the combustion chamber enclosure
201
to provide fluid communication between the combustion chamber
130
and the outside of the structure
102
.
Referring now to
FIG. 6
, the various components comprising the fireplace
100
, including the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and the housing
202
, are shown in exploded perspective view. A portion
360
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
(illustrated in greater detail in
FIG. 7
) is surrounded by insulation. This insulation includes outside side insulation panels
309
and outside bottom and top insulation panels
308
and
310
. The insulation functions to reduce or eliminate cold air infiltration originating on the outside of the structure
102
from penetrating through the fireplace
100
into the inside of the structure
101
. The insulation also shields the structure adjacent the fireplace
100
from the heat generated by the combustion in the fireplace
100
. The insulation may be constructed using any typical insulation material, in this exemplary embodiment preferably fiberglass with binder insulation. In alternative embodiments, the fireplace
100
can be constructed without insulation panels. For example, if the combustion chamber enclosure
201
is formed using refractory ceramic fibers, using a method such as compression or vacuum molding, the refractory ceramic fiber material may insulate sufficiently without additional insulation being added to the fireplace
100
.
Partially surrounding the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and generally forming the housing
202
are left and right side outerwrap panels
316
and
317
and top and base outerwrap panels
318
and
319
. The panels
316
,
317
,
318
, and
319
are coupled to one another, such as by welding or other similar method, to reduce the formation of condensation within and/or on the fireplace
100
. Alternatively, the housing
202
may be formed as a single, continuous structure without separate panels. The housing
202
may further be formed with more or less than four panels, as desired.
Other components that may generally be considered to be part of the housing
202
include, an indoor surround
313
that is mounted to the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and an inside door
304
, including an assembly
330
, that is coupled to the surround
313
. An outdoor surround
312
(shown in greater detail in
FIG. 10
) is coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure
201
via openings
480
and
481
(shown in FIG.
7
), with a thermal break gasket
327
sandwiched between and in an engaging relationship with the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and the outdoor surround
312
. A hood
307
is coupled to an upper portion of the surround
312
. An outside door
325
(shown in greater detail in FIG.
11
), including an assembly
311
, is coupled to the surround
312
. Outdoor and indoor glass clips
314
and
315
maintain the assemblies
330
and
311
in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the inside and outside doors are not
304
and
325
are not operable to allow access to the combustion chamber. However, in other embodiments, one or both of the doors, preferably the outside door
325
, may be operable.
Drain pans
326
are positioned between the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and the outerwrap base panel
319
. A deflection plate
322
is coupled to the outdoor surround
312
adjacent the base of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
. In this configuration, the deflection plate
322
and the drain pans
326
deflect and channel any condensation that may enter the combustion chamber enclosure
201
away from the inside of the structure
101
.
Top standoffs
303
are coupled to the top outerwrap panel
318
to provide spacing between the top portion of the fireplace
100
and any adjacent combustible material. An insulation board
328
, made of non-combustible material, is coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and the top outerwrap panel
318
to allow combustible material to be mounted to the insulation board
328
. For example, the insulation board
328
allows sheet rock to be mounted to it so that the fireplace
100
and the structure surrounding it may have a finished look.
Generally disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure
201
are a grate
305
, rear and bottom refractory umbers
331
and
332
, and the burner
200
. The burner
200
, illustrated in more detail in
FIGS. 14 and 15
, generally comprises a valve assembly
320
and a burner assembly
321
. Other components, such as an artificial log set, an artificial ember bed, or an artificial flame system (none shown), may also be included within the combustion chamber enclosure
201
to be viewable from both the inside and the outside of the structure
101
and
102
.
A perspective view of the exemplary combustion chamber enclosure
201
with various adjacent components shown in exploded view are illustrated in FIG.
7
. The panels
212
and
216
of the combustion chamber enclosure are formed with outer flanges
470
and
472
bent at about 90-degree angles with respect to the center portion of each panel. The panels
210
,
212
,
214
, and
216
are coupled as shown to create the combustion chamber enclosure
201
surrounding the combustion chamber
130
. The panels
210
,
212
,
214
, and
216
may be coupled using a variety of methods, such as by welding the joints between adjacent panels or by bolts, screws, flanges, or other means. It should be understood that other configurations for the combustion chamber enclosure
201
are possible, such as a combustion chamber enclosure comprising more or fewer panels.
Additional insulation is coupled to the combustion chamber
201
in the form of right and left side firebox insulation panels
404
and
405
positioned adjacent to the panels
210
and
214
, respectively. Outdoor and indoor bottom firebox insulation panels
415
and
416
are attached to the panel
216
. These insulation panels, made preferably of fiberglass with binder insulation, limit the amount of cold air infiltration that penetrates from the outside of the structure
102
, through the fireplace
100
, and into the inside of the structure
101
. The insulation also shields the structure surrounding the fireplace
100
from the heat generated by the fireplace
100
. Alternatively, these insulation panels may not be necessary if, as described above, the combustion chamber enclosure
201
is formed using a material such as refractory ceramic fibers.
Right and left splines
414
and
413
are connected to the panels
210
and
214
, respectively, to fix the insulation panels
309
in place. A bottom barrier
409
is coupled to the panel
216
, to partially hold insulation panels
308
in place. A top heat shield
410
is coupled to the portion
361
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
facing the inside of the structure
101
to direct heat away from any wall or other structure positioned adjacent the top of the fireplace
100
. Bottom refractory brackets
403
and
411
are coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure
201
on the panel
216
to hold the bottom refractory umber
332
in place.
A baffle
402
is disposed within the combustion chamber
130
at an angle extending from a lowermost point
435
facing the inside of the structure
101
to a peak
436
facing the outside of the structure
102
near the exhaust opening
250
. Attached adjacent this peak
436
is a baffle ridge
412
. The baffle
402
and the baffle ridge
412
are positioned to direct combusted air from the burner system
200
up the baffle
402
and out the exhaust opening
250
.
The structural elements comprising the combustion air plenum system for the fireplace
100
are shown in
FIG. 7
, and the pathways of the plenum system are illustrated in the cross-sectional schematic view in elevation shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9
. The combustion air plenum system is generally defined as one or more panels defining a space through which air may flow. The combustion air plenum system is formed to direct air for the outside of the structure
102
into the combustion chamber
130
for combustion and also to direct combusted air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
An exemplary embodiment of the combustion air plenum system illustrated in
FIGS. 7-9
includes right and left air plenum panels
406
and
407
coupled to the panels
210
and
214
and the right and left splines
414
and
413
, thereby defining right and left air plenum pathways
450
and
452
, respectively. A top air plenum panel
408
is coupled to the outside of the panel
212
, thereby defining a top air plenum pathway
454
coupled to pathways
450
and
452
. Openings
420
and
422
, defined in panels
210
and
214
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
, provide fluid communication between the pathways
450
and
452
and the combustion chamber
130
.
In this structural arrangement, fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
may enter the exemplary combustion air plenum system via the openings
242
,
244
,
246
, and
248
defined in the outside door
325
and the outdoor surround
312
(see FIGS.
10
and
11
). The fresh air then enters the pathways
450
and
452
defined by the right and left air plenum panels
406
and
407
. The fresh air may generally flow through the pathways
450
,
452
, and
454
and may further be drawn into the combustion chamber
130
via the openings
420
and
422
in the combustion chamber enclosure
201
. The fresh air is then combusted by the burner
200
.
Once combustion has occurred, the combusted air may rise and travel upward along the baffle
402
, eventually being exhausted from the combustion chamber
130
via the exhaust opening
250
.
The exemplary combustion air plenum system of the fireplace
100
may exhibit one or more of the following beneficial characteristics. The combustion air plenum system may shield the combustion chamber from any wind current or other disruptions that may be generated by the fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
. This allows fresh air to be taken into the fireplace
100
without causing problems such as blowouts to the burner
200
. Further, the plenum system eliminates the need for any intake vent piping. In addition, the exemplary plenum system provides sufficient fresh air to the burner
200
to maintain combustion.
Apart from the combustion air plenum system carrying fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
to the combustion chamber
130
, additional opening
260
is defined by the combustion chamber enclosure facing the inside of the structure
101
, as shown in FIG.
5
. The opening
260
allows room air, or the air present in the inside of the structure
101
, to enter the combustion chamber enclosure
201
as a secondary source of combustible air.
An additional opening
261
, although not open to air flow in the preferred embodiment shown, may alternatively be opened to fluidly couple the inside of the structure
101
to a heat exchanger
252
formed by the panel
212
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
and the baffle
402
disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure
201
. If utilized in this configuration, the baffle
402
may be modified to perform as the top panel of the combustion chamber enclosure. Room air may enter the heat exchanger
252
via the opening
261
and be warmed as the baffle
402
is warmed by the combusted air rising from the burner
200
. The warmed room air may also exit the heat exchanger
252
via the opening
261
, thereby providing warmed air into the inside of the structure
101
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 10 and 11
, the outdoor surround
312
and the outside door
325
are shown in perspective isolation. The openings
242
,
244
,
246
, and
248
(also shown in
FIG. 5
above) are defined by a flange
501
formed by a first side
510
of the outdoor surround
312
. Similar openings are also formed on a flange coupled to a second side
515
of the outdoor surround
312
. As explained above, fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
may enter the combustion air plenum system of the fireplace
100
via these openings
242
,
244
,
246
, and
248
.
An assembly, such as assembly
311
(assembly
330
has a similar structure), is shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13
. The assembly
311
includes the outside front panel
282
, a frame
602
, and a gasket
603
. The outside front panel
282
may be formed of any translucent material, such as glass, including, for example, glass ceramics, regular glass, tempered glass, etc. The outside front panel
282
is fitted into brackets
604
formed on the periphery of the frame
602
. The gasket
603
is sandwiched between the outside front panel
282
and the frame
602
to seal the assembly
311
and reduce any air moving through the assembly
311
.
Referring now to
FIGS. 14 and 15
, exploded views of the burner assembly
321
and the valve assembly
320
are shown. The burner assembly
321
includes a burner pan
703
with a burner deflector
704
, a burner diffuser
706
, and a burner support
705
disposed within the burner pan
703
. A burner top
709
is coupled to the top of the burner pan
703
. The burner top
709
includes apertures
711
defined through the burner top
709
in a predetermined pattern. This predetermined pattern may be modified to alter the characteristics of the flame pattern resulting from combustion.
A burner tube
707
is positioned below the burner pan
703
. A first end
720
of the burner tube
707
is coupled to the burner pan
703
at an aperture
710
defined in the burner pan
703
. An air shutter
701
is coupled to the opposite end
730
of the burner tube
707
. A pair of burner legs
708
supports the burner pan
703
and related structures.
The valve assembly
320
, shown in
FIG. 15
, includes a valve plate
819
and a valve plate gasket
820
coupled to the valve plate
819
. A valve L-bracket
818
is coupled to the bottom of the valve plate
819
on a first side and to a valve bracket
816
on a second side. A control module
11
, which functions to control an electronic pilot
809
, includes a wire assembly
812
and a junction box assembly
805
coupled to a 3-volt adaptor plug
813
. The control module
11
is coupled to a bottom side of the valve bracket
816
via Velcro strips
806
and
807
.
A valve assembly bracket
817
is coupled to an opposite side of the valve bracket
816
. A variable valve
821
, which functions to adjust the amount of combustible gas provided to the burner assembly
321
, is coupled to the bracket
817
, with a flex piping
822
coupled via a brass fitting assembly
802
to a first end of the variable valve
821
. A flex ball valve assembly
808
is coupled to a second end of the variable valve
821
. The flex ball valve assembly
808
, in turn, can be connected to a source of combustible gas.
Disposed on the valve plate
819
is a pilot assembly bracket
814
coupled to the electronic pilot
809
. Also positioned on the valve plate
819
is a Z-bracket
815
. Coupled to the valve plate
819
adjacent to the Z-bracket
815
is a compression elbow fitting
803
coupled on a first end via a brass fitting
801
and a grommet
804
to an aperture
840
defined in the valve plate
819
. The grommet
804
is coupled through the aperture
804
to the flex piping
822
. A second end of the compression elbow fitting
803
is coupled to the burner pipe
707
via the air shutter
701
.
With the valve assembly
320
and the burner assembly
321
configured in this manner, combustible gas from a remote source is supplied via the flex ball valve assembly
808
to the variable valve
821
. The variable valve
821
supplies the combustible gas via the flex piping
822
to the compression elbow fitting
803
, which is, in turn, coupled to the burner tube
707
. The burner tube
707
directs the combustible gas to the burner pan
703
, where combustion occurs.
A variety of combustible gases may be used, such as LP or natural gas. In addition, other forms of combustible material may be used, such as wood or artificial logs. Alternatively, the burner assembly
321
and the valve assembly
320
may be supplemented or replaced with artificial means such as a glowing ember bed and/or artificial flame elements.
A second exemplary embodiment of a fireplace
900
made in accordance with the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17
. The fireplace
900
is similar to the fireplace
100
, except that an additional source of fresh air is provided via an opening
905
defined in the outside door
325
of the fireplace
900
. A decorative mesh
906
generally overlays the opening
905
. The mesh
906
functions to reduce or eliminate any pest infiltration and keeps the opening
905
free from obstruction.
The opening
905
is coupled to a pathway
910
that is defined between a bottom air plenum
915
and the panel
216
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
. A first end
917
of the bottom air plenum
915
is coupled to the right side air plenum
406
, and a second end
916
of the bottom air plenum
915
is coupled to the left side air plenum
407
. The pathway
910
is coupled to fresh air from the outside of the structure
102
via the opening
905
defined in the outside door
325
. In this configuration, fresh air from the outside of the structure may enter the pathway
910
via the opening
905
in the outside door
325
, and the fresh air may travel to either the first or second ends
917
and
916
and enter pathways
450
or
452
. From pathways
450
and
452
, the fresh air may enter the combustion chamber
130
via the openings
420
and
422
.
It should be understood that additional plenum systems may also be used without departing from the invention. For example, in the embodiment of the fireplace
900
shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17
, one or more additional openings may be formed in the panel
216
of the combustion chamber enclosure
201
in fluid communication with the pathway
910
to allow fresh air to flow upward from the pathway
910
into the burner
200
. Other configurations are also possible.
Various components described above are formed of materials that resist corrosion when exposed to condensation and other corrosive elements. In the example embodiment, the following components are preferably formed using stainless steel: the outside door
325
, the outdoor surround
312
, the outdoor glass clips
314
, the frame
602
, the base outerwrap panel
319
, the hood
307
, and the deflection plate
322
. Other corrosive-resistant material may also be used. In this manner, the fireplace
100
may be exposed to condensation from the outside of the structure
102
without corroding.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples or materials described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspect of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification.
Claims
- 1. A fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the fireplace comprising:a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening; a housing at least partially surrounding the combustion chamber enclosure, wherein the housing is sealed to reduce an amount of condensation entering the combustion chamber from the outside of the structure; a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber; and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
- 2. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises stainless steel.
- 3. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the fireplace is a gas fireplace.
- 4. The fireplace of claim 3, further comprising a burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 5. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the combustion chamber enclosure includes a top panel, a bottom panel, at least two side panels, an inside panel facing the inside of the structure, and an outside panel facing the outside of the structure.
- 6. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising insulation surrounding at least a portion of the combustion chamber enclosure to reduce an amount of outside air from the outside of the structure from entering the inside of the structure through the fireplace.
- 7. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the fireplace is installed within an opening defined by an outside wall of the structure.
- 8. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising:an inside front panel coupled to the fireplace to cover the inside opening of the combustion chamber enclosure; and an outside front panel coupled to the fireplace to cover the outside opening of the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 9. The fireplace of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the inside and outside front panels is translucent to allow viewing of items disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 10. The fireplace of claim 9, wherein the portion of the inside and outside front panels is glass.
- 11. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the combustion air plenum system comprises right and left air plenum panels and the combustion chamber enclosure defining right and left air plenum pathways, wherein the right and left air plenum pathways provide fresh air from the outside of the structure into the combustion chamber for combustion.
- 12. The fireplace of claim 1,wherein the combustion air plenum system comprises a bottom air plenum panel and the combustion chamber enclosure defining a bottom air plenum pathway to direct the fresh air from the outside of the structure into the combustion chamber for combustion.
- 13. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the exhaust opening is defined by an upper portion of the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 14. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising an outdoor surround coupled to the fireplace on the outside of the structure, wherein the outdoor surround defines at least one opening through which fresh air passes from the outside of the structure into the combustion air plenum system.
- 15. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising at least one baffle disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure adjacent to the exhaust opening.
- 16. A fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the fireplace comprising:a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening directed toward the inside of the structure, and an outside opening directed toward the outside of the structure; insulation surrounding at least a portion of the combustion chamber enclosure to reduce an amount of outside air from the outside of the structure from entering the inside of the structure through the fireplace; a housing at least partially surrounding the combustion chamber enclosure, wherein the housing is sealed to reduce condensation entering the fireplace from the outside of the structure; a gas burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure; a combustion air plenum system including right and left air plenum panels and the combustion chamber enclosure defining right and left air plenum pathways in fluid communication with the outside of the structure, wherein the right and left air plenum pathways provide fresh air from the outside of the structure to the combustion chamber for combustion; and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure at a position adjacent an upper portion of the combustion chamber, the exhaust opening exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside.
- 17. A method for operating a fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the method comprising steps of:providing a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable via the inside opening from the inside of the structure and via the outside opening from the outside of the structure; providing a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure, with right and left air plenum panels and the combustion chamber enclosure defining right and left air plenum pathways of the combustion air plenum system; and providing an outdoor surround coupled to the fireplace on the outside of the structure, wherein the outdoor surround defines at least one opening to provide fresh air to the combustion air plenum system.
- 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of defining an exhaust opening in an upper portion of the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising a step of exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber through the exhaust opening to the outside of the structure.
- 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of surrounding at least a portion of the combustion chamber enclosure with a housing.
- 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of sealing the housing to reduce condensation from entering the fireplace from the outside of the structure.
- 22. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of disposing a burner within the combustion chamber enclosure.
- 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of insulating at least a portion of the combustion chamber enclosure to restrict airflow through the fireplace from the outside of the structure.
- 24. The method of claim 17, further comprising a step of directing the fresh air from the combustion air plenum system to a burner.
- 25. A combustion chamber enclosure for use inside and outside of a structure, the combustion chamber enclosure comprising:a combustion chamber defined by the combustion chamber enclosure, the combustion chamber including an inside opening directed toward the inside of the structure and an outside opening directed toward the outside of the structure, and wherein the combustion chamber enclosure is sealed to prevent any exhaust air from entering the inside of the structure; a burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure; and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure, wherein the exhaust opening exhausts all of the exhaust air through the outside opening.
- 26. A fireplace for use inside and outside of a structure, the fireplace comprising:a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening; a burner disposed within the combustion chamber enclosure; a means for supplying fresh air from the outside of the structure; and a means for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.
US Referenced Citations (7)