Patent Application
20190212034
The present application relates generally to systems for open flame heating and/or ambiance such as outdoors, spacious area, vented areas and the like. More particularly, the present application relates to a fire table, fire pit, other outdoor appliance, or other outdoor heating system having a combined top level heating and lower level heating. Still more particularly, the present application relates to a system including an outdoor heating system providing a waist-level or table-height flame in conjunction with heat provided at the ground level or foot level for an overall warming effect.
The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Outdoor heating has been provided in a variety of forms. Fire pits arranged on the ground and for burning wood or other fuels are common place. This approach to outdoor heating functions quite well by providing heat near the ground and allowing it to rise up and provide heat at higher elevations. However, being arranged on the ground, these fire pits are not very accessible and often require squatting or kneeling for purposes of fire preparation.
Other types of fire pits include bowls that are elevated off the ground. These fire pits are more accessible and provide heat at knee level or above, for example, but fail to provide heat near the ground for a user's feet.
Still other types of outdoor heating include fire tables. These systems are typically natural gas or propane powered and, as such, are easier to start and may be cleaner and/or more readily useable. However, these system also fail to provide heat at or near the ground.
Still other types of outdoor heating involves gas or electrically resistive heaters where the heat is provided overhead with a reflector for purposes of holding the heat around the heating element and for providing radiant heat from above. These types of heaters suffer from losses of heat due to breezes or wind and also fail to provide heat at or near the user's feet.
having elevated can be a difficult for several reasons.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.
In one or more embodiments, an outdoor heating appliance may be configured for support by a surface and may include a top portion configured for arrangement at a distance offset from the surface. The outdoor heating appliance may also include a burner arranged in the top portion and may be configured for supplying a substantially open flame. The appliance may also include a reclaiming portion configured for absorbing energy from the flame, transferring the location of the energy, and emitting the energy in the form of heat at or near the surface.
While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the various embodiments of the present disclosure are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:
The present application, in some embodiments, relates to an outdoor heating appliance such as a fire table having an open flame on an upper surface or area. The fire table may include a heat reclaiming device such as a heat exchanger arranged in the open flame to collect a portion of the energy being produced by the open flame and that would otherwise escape to the environment. The energy collected may heat a fluid in the heat exchanger and the fluid may be flowed, pumped, carried, or otherwise conveyed to another useful location. For example, in one or more embodiments, the heated fluid may be conveyed to a lower portion of the table and may be forced into the atmosphere or surrounding area at or around the bottom of the table so as to supply or provide heat to the foot area or lower area of the table and allow for a more full heat experience for the user. In one or more embodiments, the heated fluid may forcibly exit the table at or near the floor or supporting surface so as to more fully leverage the heat in the fluid and more fully engage the user for a warmer experience.
As shown in
Referring now to
The frame portion 110 is shown in
The housing portion 112 is shown in
The top portion 104 of the system 100 is shown in
In one or more embodiments, the top portion 104 may be have a picture frame shape (see
In some embodiments, the top portion 104 may include a frame and a covering similar to that of the base portion. In other embodiments, the top portion may be a cast piece and may be a singular substantially unitary element arranged to rest on the base portion.
While the base portion with its frame and housing and the top portion have each been described separately, the entirety of the base portion and the top portion may be a single uninterrupted piece such as a cast unitary and/or monolithic element, for example. Still other approaches to creating a base portion and top portion may be provided.
Referring now to
The burner portion may be in fluid communication with a gas source. The gas source may include a natural gas source, a propane gas source such as a liquefied petroleum gas tank, for example. While not shown, the frame and housing may be sized to allow for placement of a propane tank within the housing as best shown in
Turning now to
In the case of an open system, the fluid intake system 120 may be configured to draw surrounding air into the reclaiming system. The fluid intake system 120 may include a fan, pump, or other device for drawing surrounding and/or ambient air from around the device into the reclaiming portion. The fluid intake system 120 may include a centrifugal blower or other ducted fan, for example. The fluid intake system or blower may be sized for the particular arrangement being created. The size of the blower may be selected taking into consideration, the size of the reclaiming portion, the distance the fluid flows from the intake system to the output system, the losses associated with the fluid routing system including manifolds, bends, length, and the like, and the volume and velocity of fluid desired at the output system. Still further consideration may be given to residence time in the fluid routing system and, in particular, in the heat exchanging portion of the fluid routing system.
While the fluid intake 120 system has been described as drawing air in from the surrounding space, alternatively, a closed system may be used, where the fluid intake system functions as a circulation source. In this embodiment, the routing system 122 may route fluid passed the fire area, to the output system and back to the routing system 122 in a loop fashion, where the fluid in the system gathers energy at the fire area and delivers that energy to the output system. The fluid may then return to the fire area via the routing system to collect additional energy.
The fluid routing system 122 may be configured to receive the reclaiming fluid from the intake system, or circulation system as the case may be, route the fluid through the fire area of the system so as to absorb energy, and route the fluid down to the fluid output system. The fluid routing system 122 may include a manifold 126, a heat exchanging portion 128, and a relocation portion 130.
The manifold 126 may receive fluid from the fluid intake system 120 and may separate or otherwise route the fluid to one or more aspects of the heat exchanging portion. In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanging portion 128 may include a series of conduits such as, for example, three conduits. The manifold 126 may, thus, separate the fluid from the intake system into three corresponding flows to supply the respective aspects of the heat exchanging portion 128. While three conduits have been described, any number or arrangement of conduits may be provided by the heat exchanging portion 128 and, as such, the manifold may include corresponding separation of the fluid from the intake system. The manifold may, thus, include an incoming conduit, a divergent or diffusion space, and a series of outgoing conduits. The divergent or diffusion space may include a broadening of the incoming conduit as it leads downstream allowing the fluid to spread out and fill a broader volume than the incoming conduit and, in turn, enter the outgoing conduits leading away from the diffusion space.
The heat exchanging portion 128 may be configured to route the fluid through the fire area of the system and allow the fluid to absorb energy from the fire area. In one or more embodiments, as mentioned, the heat exchanging portion 128 may include a series of conduits passing through the fire area. The conduits may include pipe-like elements, tubes, fins, or other shaped conduits. The conduits may function to position the fluid in the flame of the fire area allowing the fluid to absorb energy from the flame in the form of heat. The conduits may allow for an increased residence time by including turns, curves, or other features in the conduits as the conduits pass across the fire area of the system. That is, the length of conduit present in the fire area may be increased by including bends, turns, coils, or other features thereby allowing the fluid to be present in the fire area for a longer period of time than if the conduit merely extended directly across the fire area. In other embodiments, baffles such as internal fins, or other flow resisting elements may be included within the conduits to slow the flow of the fluid across the fire area thereby increasing the amount of time the fluid is available for absorbing energy. The heat exchanging portion 128 may be designed to capture large amounts of energy by, for example, creating a large surface area for exposure of the fluid. In one or more embodiments, a large number of pipe conduits with a relatively small diameter may be used. In still other embodiments, relatively flat conduits may be used such as fins or blades. In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanging portion 128 may be configured to absorb radiant energy in addition to direct heat transfer. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the heat exchanging portion may have a black or other relatively high radiance absorbing color to allow energy absorbance through radiation in addition to direct heat contact.
In one or more embodiments, the heat exchanging portion 128 may include a series of pipe conduits having round cross-sections and forming a wave pattern as the conduits pass across the fire area. The pipe conduits may be spaced from one another to allow for flame and heat to pass between the conduits. The conduits or other heat exchanging elements mentioned may be spaced above the fire area a distance selected to position the conduits in the flame. The heat exchanging portion may 128 be arranged in a the heart of the flame above the fire area. The heat exchanging portion 128 may be arranged above the fire area in an area exposed to the flame, exposed to view, and/or otherwise exposed to the environment above and around the fire table. The conduits may be in fluid communication with the manifold at an inlet end and may be in fluid communication with the relocation portion. As the fluid flows through the heat exchanging portion 128, the heat exchanging portion 128 may absorb heat from the fire area and may conduct that heat inwardly to the fluid flowing within the conduits. In one or more embodiments, mixers or other elements may be included within the conduits to increase the interaction between the fluid and the inner surface of the heat exchanging conduits. Still other approaches to increasing the rate of energy exchange may be provided. The heat exchanging portion may, thus, capture otherwise escaping heat from a space outside the fire table and/or above the fire area, and return the heat back within the appliance for further use.
The relocation portion 130 may receive the fluid from the heat exchanging portion 128 and may route the fluid to the fluid output system 124. The relocation portion 130 may include a manifold for collecting the heated fluid from the heat exchanging portion and for directing some or all of it to particular aspects of the fluid output system. In one or more embodiments, the fluid output system 124 may be configured to provide output on each side of the system and, as such, the manifold may collect the heated fluid and divide it into two conduits for delivery to the output system. Like the incoming manifold, but operating in the opposite manner, the manifold receiving the heated air from the heat exchanging element may include a series of receiving conduits such as three conduits, for example, a collection or combination area, and a series of exiting conduits such as two conduits, for example.
The relocation portion 130 may also include relocating conduits for conveying the heated fluid from the manifold to the fluid output system. As shown in
The fluid output system 124 may be configured to deliver heat to the user from the heated fluid. In one or more embodiments, (i.e., in open systems) the fluid output system may be configured to direct the fluid from the relocation portion to a heat delivery area and through a delivery component. In one or more embodiments, the delivery component may include a heat curtain/blade component, a diffusing component, a register, or other component 132 for releasing and/or directing the fluid from the relocation portion 130 toward the surrounding area and/or users.
In one embodiment, the fluid output system 124 may include a delivery component 132 in the form of a horizontally extending conduit carrying the heated fluid along the length of the system to one or more openings along the length and near the bottom of the base of the system. The openings may be equally spaced along the length of the system and may be provided along a substantial length of the system. In other embodiments, as shown in
In one or more embodiments, larger openings may be provided in the conduit and reducers may be provided to create the knife-blade delivery of the fluid. In some embodiments, a tubular reducer may extend from the end of the horizontally extending conduit and a tapered reducer may extend laterally therefrom to a slit-shaped opening for delivering the fluid laterally out the side of the device. In still additional embodiments, a booster fan may be provided to improve the jet of exiting fluid.
In any one or more of the above-described fluid output systems, the location of the fluid exiting openings may be just at and/or below the frame and housing of the base portion of the system. That is, as shown in
It is to be appreciated that while horizontal slits in the horizontally extending conduit have been described, still other approaches to managing the exiting fluid may be provided. For example, diffusers, registers, or other duct terminations may be provided. In one or more embodiments, holes or more particularly, laser cut holes, may be provided in the horizontally extending conduit. Still other options may include nozzles or extruded openings similar to those of the burner nozzles discussed in the related burner application referenced above. In still other embodiments, a booster pump or compressor may be provided for pressurizing the fluid allowing the fluid to be ejected with a higher energy or velocity and causing the heated fluid to have a more noticeable effect.
Alternatively, and as mentioned, the reclaiming portion 108 may be a closed system that uses a recirculating fluid to absorb heat from the fire area and carry it to the output area of the system. In this embodiment, the output system 124 may include a coil, a series of fins, a radiator, or other heat exchanging element allowing for heat transfer from the fluid in the reclaiming portion to the surrounding environment. Accordingly, the output system 124 may also include a blower or fan for blowing or otherwise moving air passed the heat exchanging element and into the surrounding environment. In this embodiment, the blower may be a centrifugal fan, for example, and the air may flow through a housing encapsulating or passing by the heat exchanging element and leading to an exit port similar to the knife-blade ports described above. That is, the fan may blow air directly passed the heat exchanging element, which may lead to a reducer or other exit port, which may direct the air to the surrounding area and/or toward the users.
As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an element may still actually contain such element as long as there is generally no significant effect thereof.
To aid the Patent Office and any readers of any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claims appended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any of the appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim.
In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/616,054 entitled Outdoor Heating Appliance with Ground Level Heat, filed on Jan. 11, 2018, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62616054 | Jan 2018 | US |
