Patent Application
20070125361
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to components of a vent system for a heating appliance, and more particularly relates to a vent system having an exhaust vent opening and intake vent opening.
2. Related Art
Exterior intake and/or exhaust venting systems are generally known for use in buildings and other such structures. Such vents can be used for a variety of venting purposes, for example, to vent fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, boilers, dryers, exhaust fans, and a many other such appliances and devices. Some such vents are primarily exhaust vents while others are primarily intake vents, and still others include structure that allows them to function as both intake and exhaust vents.
In one example, chimneyless gas fireplaces often include intake/exhaust venting units that are mounted on the outside of an exterior wall that provide a through-the-wall connection to a double walled collinear ducting of the gas fireplace. The double walled collinear ducting includes an inner duct that serves as an outtake port for exhaust fumes, and an outer duct that serves as an intake port for ambient combustion air. The venting units generally include an inner and an outer duct. Further, the double-walled ducting is connected to a series of bases that have deflectors and heat shields. The venting unit has a series of venting apertures with a vent cap attached thereto. The vent cap is utilized to cover both the air intake and the combustion product exhaust.
Regardless of the specific structure or use of the vent, most venting systems generally include a functional vent cap that covers the intake and exhaust portions of the vent. However, many of the existing vent caps are not aesthetically pleasing, may get hot due to high temperature exhaust gases, and are exposed to weather conditions and therefore may be damaged. An example venting unit that includes a functional vent cap and vent covers is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,712.
One disadvantage of many venting units is that they do not adequately compensate for weather conditions. Some common weather conditions that can affect performance of the related heating appliance that is coupled to the venting unit include wind, rain and snow. Wind can create backdraft of exhaust gases into the heating appliance through the exhaust vent, which may result in extinguishing of a combustion flame in the heating appliance. Rain and snow can enter the heating appliance and related ducting through the exhaust and intake vent portions of the venting unit, and potentially cause water damage. A venting unit that compensates for weather conditions while providing desired venting functions would be an advance in the art.
The present invention relates to vent assemblies that includes intake and exhaust apertures and a vent cap or vent cover. The example vent assemblies are configured to reduce the flow of unwanted liquids into the intake and exhaust apertures. The example vent assemblies can also provide improved fluid flow into and out of the respective intake and exhaust apertures, minimize the reverse flow of fluids exhausted from the exhaust aperture into the intake aperture, improve the flow of intake air into the intake aperture, and prevent weather conditions from generating adverse effects on the vent assembly performance.
One aspect of the invention relates to a vent assembly that includes an intake member having an open end, an exhaust member, and a first deflector. The exhaust member has an open end and extends coaxially with the intake member. The first deflector is positioned along an interior surface of the intake member. The first deflector defines a surface that slopes towards the open end of the intake member. The first deflector is configured to direct liquid in the intake member towards the open end of the intake duct.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a vent assembly that includes an intake member, an exhaust member, a divider, a cover member, a first deflector, and a second deflector. The intake member defines an intake aperture. The exhaust member defines an exhaust aperture and extends coaxially with the intake member. The exhaust member is arranged to position the exhaust aperture distally of the intake aperture, and the intake and exhaust member are arranged in a generally horizontal plane. The divider is positioned between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture and extends in a direction generally perpendicular to the vent member. The cover member is configured to cover at least a portion of the exhaust aperture. The first deflector is positioned along a bottom interior surface of the intake member and slopes towards the open end. The second deflector is positioned adjacent to a top interior surface of the intake member. The first and second deflectors direct liquid away from an interior of the intake member.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a vent assembly for use with a vent, the vent including an intake member defining an intake aperture and an exhaust member defining an exhaust aperture. The assembly includes a first deflector, a divider, and a first fluid shield. The first deflector is positioned at least partially within the intake member along an interior surface of the intake member. The first deflector is sloped relative to the interior surface in a direction toward the intake aperture. The divider is positioned between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture and is configured to minimize fluid flow between the exhaust aperture and the intake aperture. The first fluid shield extends at least partially between the intake aperture and the divider and is arranged vertically above the intake and exhaust members.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. In particular, the example embodiments described below in relation to the Figures are the application of the present invention to a horizontal vent for a decorative heating appliance such as a fireplace, whereas many other fields may be applicable to fulfill the purposes and intents of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describe embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments.
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:
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternate 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.
The present invention generally relates to vents, vent covers, vent caps, and vent assemblies. Example embodiments described herein are directed to vent systems and structures that provide improved performance in various weather conditions. The example systems include an exhaust member configured to deliver exhaust fluids from a heating appliance, and an intake member configured to deliver intake air to the heating appliance. The exhaust and intake members are preferably coaxially oriented with the exhaust member extending within the intake member. This coaxial arrangement (sometimes referred to as a B-vent arrangement) may provide cooling of the exhaust gases in the exhaust member by cooling the exhaust member with the intake fluids flowing through the intake member. Other embodiments may include other arrangements of the exhaust and intake members relative to each other.
One aspect of the invention relates to a vent assembly that includes an intake duct having an open end, an exhaust duct oriented coaxially within the intake duct, and at least one liquid deflector positioned within the intake duct adjacent to the open end of the intake duct. The intake duct is oriented generally horizontally and the liquid deflector is positioned along the bottom interior surface of the intake duct to define a fluid surface that slopes vertically downward towards the open end of the intake duct. The liquid deflector is configured to direct fluids entering into the intake duct through the open end in a direction toward the open end of the intake duct so that the liquids move out of the intake duct. The vent assembly may include a second liquid deflector that is positioned along a top interior surface of the intake duct adjacent to the open end of the intake duct. The second liquid deflector can also slope vertically downward from within the intake duct toward the open end of the intake duct. Preferably, at least a portion of the second liquid deflector extends axially beyond the open end of the intake duct so as to provide shielding of liquids that would otherwise enter the intake duct and direct those liquids away from the open end of the intake duct.
Referring to
The exhaust and intake members 12, 14 each include an open end 30, 32, respectively. The base 16 includes a drip plate 34 and an intake member opening 36. The intake member 14 is mounted to the base 16 within the intake member opening 36. The exhaust member 12 extends coaxially within the intake member and extends through the open end 32 of the intake member distally beyond the base 16.
The first fluid shield 18 includes front and rear edges 38, 40. As shown in
The second fluid shield 20 includes front and rear edges 42, 44, and connecting arms 46 (see
The first divider 22 includes a base 50, side openings 52, an extension 54, and an intake member opening 56. The first divider 22 is mounted to the base (see
A second divider 28 includes first and second top deflectors 58, 59, first and second bottom deflectors 60, 62, a first set of mounting members 64, a second set of mounting members 66, mounting flanges 68, and an exhaust member opening 69 (see
The use of a single piece divider 28 that is formed with a variety of features can have advantages over using multiple different divider pieces. The divider 28 is bent or stamped to include deflectors extending in several different directions. The same divider member 28 is also formed with a plurality of mounting members and flanges. The use of a single piece of material to provide all of these features can provide advantages such as, for example, a reduction in cost, improved parts handling, and easier assembly.
The first and second side shields each include airflow openings 70, and mounting flanges 72. The side shields 30, 32 extend vertically above and below the open ends 30, 32 of the exhaust member 12, 14, and also extend axially in a direction from the first divider 22 towards the cover 36. The side shields 30, 32 provide shielding along sides of the vent assembly 10 in a space defined between the first and second dividers 22, 28 and distally beyond the second divider 28 towards the cover 36. The airflow openings 70 are provided along a vertically oriented edge adjacent to the first divider 22. In other embodiments, the additional airflow openings may be provided at different locations on the side shields to provide desired amounts of fluid flow into the intake member 14. In still further embodiments, no airflow openings may be provided, thus restricting airflow into the intake member to come from either the top or bottom open ends of the vent assembly 10.
The top shield 34 extends from the open end 30 of the exhaust member 12 into a space defined between the second divider 28 and the cover 36. As noted above, the top shield 34 helps to direct exhaust gases exiting the open end 30 in a direction away from the open end 32 of the intake member 14. The top shield 34 also shields the open end 30 from liquids that come into the vent assembly 10 through the open top (through the top screen 24) that would otherwise enter into the open end 30. The top shield 34 also serves as a wind shield to reduce the effects of wind entering in through the top or bottom screens 24, 26 that would cause pressure changes in the exhaust member 12.
The cover 36 has a semi-cylindrical shape that extends at least partially around the open ends 30, 32 of the exhaust and intake members 12, 14. While the cover 34 is shown as a single piece, other embodiments may include multiple semi-cylindrical shaped members that extend laterally across the open ends 30, 32. An example cover configuration that includes multiple semi-cylindrical members is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,712, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The cover 36 is mounted directly to the second divider 28 and does not extend to the first divider 22 or to the base 16. In other embodiments, the cover 36 may integrate the side shields 30, 32 into a single piece that is supported solely by the second divider 28, solely by the first divider 22, solely by the base 16, or mounted to a combination of any of the first and second dividers 22, 28 and the base 16. The use of multiple members (i.e., the fluid shields 18, 20 and cover 36) to laterally extend around the open ends 30, 32 of the members 12, 14 can have certain advantages over using a single piece member. For example, the use of a separate cover and side shields can provide easier replacement of parts that require maintenance (e.g., the cover may have a shorter useful life because it is in a direct line of heated exhaust gases), and the ability to interchange parts to provide customization (e.g., replacing the side shields with other shield members having more or fewer airflow openings).
The use of fluid shields within the intake member 14 to help control the flow of unwanted fluids into the intake member can have certain advantages as compared to the use of shield, deflectors or the like which are positioned completely outside of the intake member. For example, rain, condensation, or other liquid can collect on an exterior of the exhaust member 12. The liquid would typically collect on a bottom surface of the exhaust member 12 and then drip downward. If the dripping occurs at some point within the open end of the intake member 14, those liquids can pool and run inward into the take member where the liquid could cause damage. In another example, rain, snow, or other types of liquids may be blown into the intake member despite the many shields and deflectors positioned exterior of the intake member 14 (e.g., extension 54, side shields 30, 32, and deflectors 58, 59, 60, 62) and the liquids collect near the open end of the intake member.
The use of the bottom oriented fluid shield 18 that is oriented with a sloped configuration relative to a bottom floor of the intake member provides for directing of fluid collected near the open end 32 in a direction out of the intake member 14. The fluid shield 18 has a width between front and rear edges 38, 34 such that the shield 18 extends axially into the intake member a distance sufficient to collect a majority of undesired liquids that may have entered into the open end 32. The fluid shield 18 is provided at an angle β sufficient to provide a natural flow for liquid while also imposing a minimum restriction to desired intake airflow into the intake member 14.
The top oriented second fluid shield 20 is positioned adjacent to an outer surface of the exhaust member 12 and further extends axially beyond the open end 32 of the intake member. The fluid shield 20 can influence the amount of liquid that impinges upon an outer surface of the exhaust member 12, which can collect at a bottom outer surface of the exhaust member as described above and possibly drip inside of the intake member. The second fluid shield 20 is also structured and positioned such that it shields the open end 32 from liquids and other undesired fluids and/or substances that may be passing in through the open top of the vent assembly 10.
The vent assembly 10 may include additional fluid shields positioned at, for example, side edges of the intake member 14 between the top and bottom oriented first and second fluid shields 18, 20. In still further embodiments, the fluid shields may be mounted to an exterior surface of the intake member 14. In other embodiments, the fluid shields or portions of the fluid shields may be integrally formed with the intake member rather than mounted as a separate piece. In yet further embodiments, fluid shields may be provided on an interior surface of the exhaust member 12 with the same or similar purpose of deflecting fluids from entering the open end of the exhaust member and directing any fluids that have entered the open end of the exhaust member in a direction out of the exhaust.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of assembling a vent assembly that includes fluid shields. The method may include positioning an exhaust member within an intake member, mounting the intake member to a base, mounting a divider to an end of the exhaust member that extends distally beyond an open end of the intake member, and mounting a cover to the base or the divider. The method also includes positioning at least one fluid shield within the intake member, wherein the fluid shield is arranged and configured to direct fluids out the intake member. The method may also include mounting first and second fluid shields within the intake member wherein one fluid shield is positioned along a top interior surface of a horizontally oriented intake member, and mounting a second fluid shield along a bottom interior surface of the intake member. The method may further include orienting a fluid shield within the intake member at an angle relative to an interior surface of the intake member, wherein the angled orientation defines a sloped surface that slopes from within the intake member towards an open end of the intake member.
While one particular embodiment has been described, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular structure described. It is contemplated that vent assembly 10 described is typically used with a horizontal direct vent gas heating appliance such as a fireplace. However, the vent system 10 can be used to cover other types of horizontally or vertically arranged vents for other heating appliances such as stoves, fireplace inserts, furnaces, water heaters, boilers, dryers, exhaust fans, and a broad variety of other such heating appliances and devices.
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples or materials described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects 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.
