Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
335:zP08CA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
8 Fireplaces and stoves havellong been a tradition in homes. This tradition
continues today,
9 However, the market for these products has evolved over time due to
convenience and
1 0 technological advances. The main shift in the market is away from wood
burning products to
1 1 products using more convenient fuels such as gas, oil, and electricity.
These alternative fueled
1 2 products try to replicate the aesthetics of real wood fires by the use of
artificial logs and burners, or
1 3 in the case of electric units, a light or display system designed to
simulate the appearance and
1 4 movement of flames.
1 5 Another shift in the market has been towards vent-free products. These
products add to the
~ 6 convenience of gas burning products by not requizxng a vent. They do that
by using relatively clean
1 7 burning flames where products of corrlbustion are exhausted into the room.
There are two main
1 8 concerns with vent free products: first, usually the aesthetics of the
flames are compromised
1 9 because of the requirements for clean combustion (less than 200 ppm and 20
ppm air free for CO
2 0 arid NOz emissions respectively). Second, even at these relatively low
erni.ssions there are many
21 health concerns and restrictions on use. Other emissions that are not toxic
in themselves in
~ 2 moderate concentrations like water vapor and COZ {Cazbon Dioxide) cause
concerns due to
2 3 secondary issues (anold growth and reduced Oxygen content). These
emissions cannot be reduced
2 4 with better combustion technologies and they are emitted purely based on
the amount of gas being
2 5 burned.
2
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
Part of the challenge of making a true "wood-burning" fire with other fuels is
to create the
2 glow of the logs and embers that happen with real wood fires. With gas and
oil fires, glowing
3 surfaces can be created by applying heat from the flames, this increases the
fuel requirement and
4 can cause higher production of carbon monoxide and "sooting" due to the
quenching effect of the
materials in close proximity to the flame. In addition, the higher temperature
needed to create the
6 glow could produce higher concentrations of nitrogen oxides.
7 Irlectric fireplaces (logsets) simulate glowing logs and embers by generally
using a molded
8 plastic base wish a light source beneath it. The molded base often does not
allow good definition of
9 ember structure or bark texture, thus looking unrealistic. Any heat output
from an electric
1 0 appliance is normally a remote secondary heater and is not part of the
logset.
SUMMARY OF TH.E INVENTION
1 2 The present invention is for a fireplace lagset which can be used with a
vent-free or vented
1 3 gas burning fireplace. The logset includes a gas burner, an electxic
heating element or a lamp
1 4 array, noncombustible logs and twigs, a grate or support structure on
which the logs and twigs are
1 5 held, an optional reflecting plate, and ember media made of crushed amber
glass, ceramic fiber
1 6 materials, mineral wool, volcanic stone, yr other noneombustibles which
simulate cinders or
1 7 burning embers. The logs and twigs are arranged in a fixed orientation on
the grate and the gas
1 8 burner is fixed in place above or upon the grate such that flames from
ignited gas exiting the
1 9 burner's openings does not impinge to any large extent on the logs and
twigs. The electric heating
2 0 element or lamp array may be placed under the grate near its front and
below some of the logs and
2 1 twigs. The simulated erzxber material is placed below the front of the
grate such that it is
2 2 illuminated by the flames of the burner and by the radiated light of the
electric heater or the lamp
2 3 array. The light emitted by flames from the burning hydrocarbons and from
the electric element or
2 4 lamp array is reflected toward the front of the Iogset by the reflecting
plate.
2 5 A screen is located below the grate overlying the electric element to
provide support for
2 6 additional simulated ember material. The screen may extend from the floor
surface in front of the
3
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 grate upward through an opening between the bars of the grate. The slope of
the screen may
2 change at the plane of the top of the grate and extend back toward a rear
simulated log. The ember
3 material is piled upon this screen and frictionally held to it.
4 In an alternative embodiment, the screen and the heater element are situated
upon the grate
with the screen overlying the electric element and with simulated ember
material disposed an the
6 screen. In either embodiment, a thin flexible blanket of electrically
nonconductive, noncombustible
7 fiber material such as ceramic fiber or silica fiber is placed over the
electric heating element to
a insulate it from the screen. The blanket may transmit light from the
electric element. The material
9 of the blanket may alternatively be opaque, transparent or translucent or
combinations thereof and it
1 o may be created of fiber material which will glow when heated.
1 1 A polygon constnlcted from ceramic fiber refractory material sized to lit
below the grate
t 2 may be used to support the ember media and to provide a substrate to
support the electric heating
1 3 element. Serpentine channels may be formed in the outer surfaces of the
ceramic polygon to
1 4 provide a trails for the wire-like resistive electric heating element.
1 5 One of the objectives of this invention is to produce a more realistic
ember effect than what
1 6 is available today with existing vent-free or vented fireplace appliances.
By using a heating element
1 7 or lamp array that emits a red/orange/yellow glow and combining it with
zzzedia that optically
1 8 enhances the glow, a true "wood-burning" ember bed can be simulated. The
effect can be further
1 9 enhanced by using reflective particles on the surface of logs and embers
to reflect the
2 o red/orange/yellow glow arid give the illusion of a burning piece of wood.
21 This invention is a combination of an electric heating element or Iamp
array and various
2 2 media that can be used to create the glow of the embers and/or logs in a
gas, oil, or electric
2 3 appliance. The media used can be ceramic fiber materials (either loose or
molded), mineral wool,
2 4 volcanic stone, glass beads and pieces (including molded glass shapes),
and other materials that
2 5 possess proper thermal or aesthetic values. placennent of the media on or
around the glowing
2 s electric heater or over the lamp array achieves a realistic "wood-burning"
glow.
4
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 In an embodiment utilizing an electric heater with a combustion element, the
electric heater
2 produces a functional amount of heat that originates from the embers and
logs much like a real
3 wood fire. The heat produced does not contribute to increased carbon
monoxide production or
4 other harmful emissions. The invention can be used as a stand-alone electric
heating appliance or
as an electric heating appliance in conjunction with other electric flame
simulating technologies. It
6 can also be used in conjunction with gas and oil appliances to produce a
portion of the total heat
7 output and to enhance the ember and log glow. The electric heating element
is a resistive heater
8 which may be located below the log elements of the Iogset, below the ember
zanedia, and in some
9 applications the electric heater may be embedded inside the log or embers.
When used with gas
1 0 and oil fuels, the reduction of enussions per total $tu/hr output can be a
significant factor. This is
1 1 especially true in the vent-free applialace market where the reduced
emissions could give a distinct
1 2 marketing advantage to products that incorporate this invention.
Furthermore, because the very
1 3 desirable ember and log glow is produced by an electric heater, the
required hydrocarbon fuel can
1 4 be greatly reduced. This allows an appliance with this invention to be
sold for applications (such as
1 5 bedrooms) that require low Btulhr output appliances.
In the case of the embodiment of the invention in which a light source is
utilized with the
1 7 combustion clement, the light source used may be of several types, sizes,
shapes, and quantities,
1 8 depending on the particular application or ember effect desired. The
following may be used:
1 9 incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent light bulbs, fiber optic systez~ns,
light emitting diodes, neon or
2 0 other gas-filled light sources, halogen, tungsten,or quartz light bulbs,
high-intensity bulbs, and
2 1 others. The input power to the light source can range from low voltage (ac
or dc) to high voltage
2 2 systems, including conventional I 15 volt systems. The operation of the
light source would be
2 3 controlled, and this control may include electronic systems that would
vary the timing and intensity
2 4 of the light source to simulate a flickering of the ember bed. The light
source may also utilize
2 5 various colored lenses and filters to achieve the desirable color.
2 6 The invention can be used as a stand-alone electric light source appliance
(ember bed) or as
S
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
y an electric light source appliance in conjunction with other electric flame
simulating technologies.
2 It can also be used in conjunction with gas and oil appliances to enhance
the ember and/or log
3 glow. This invention will work with both decorative and heater-rated
appliances, and with venting
configurations including vent .free, vented, direct vent, and power vented.
The logset employing the light source allows usage of the logset in fireplace
appliances in
6 other areas of the home where an aesthetically pleasing fire is desired but
heat output is not needed
7 (and often not wanted) because of the home's existing heating system. $y
using the electric light
8 source to produce a glowing ember bed, all of the hydrocarbon consumed by
the logset is utilized
9 for visible flame production, thus ensuring an aesthetically pleasing
product with both visible flame
1 0 and glowing embers at low fossil fuel input.
An objective of the invention is to provide a fireplace logset with reduced
overall emissions
1 2 of gas products by reducing or eliminating surfaces in close proximity to
yellow or blue flames of
i 3 these gas products. In a typical gas burning logset the embers and lags
are made to glow by
1 4 having gas flames very near the surfaces of the etztbers and logs, thus
heating their surfaces and
1 5 causing them to glow. This often requires a significant percentage of the
total gas input to heat
1 6 these surfaces. It is the close proximity of the flames to these surfaces
that causes most of the
1 7 emissions of a gas product even if the burner is properly designed to
minimize these emissions.
1 8 This close proximity can also create a sooting condition. In this
invention the glow an the embers
1 9 and logs is produced or enhanced by utilising an electric element. Since
gas usage is eliminated or
2 0 reduced, total emissions are reduced. No emissions are produced from the
electric portion of the
21 product.
Another objective is to reduce the total emissions per unit of heat output of
these products.
2 3 In this invention the electric portion of the product does not produce any
emissions (CO, C02,
2 4 NOz, water vapor). The electric heater does however produce usable heat
(up to 5400 Btu/hr).
2 S Therefore the total emissions of this product are reduced by the
percentage that the electrically
6
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 produced heat (in Btu/hr) is to the total of the gas (or oil) heat plus the
electric heat. For example if
2 a product uses 5,000 Btu/hr of electric heat and 10,004 Btulhr of gas heat,
the total heat output is
3 15,000 Btulhr but gaseous emissions are only two-thirds of those from a
15,040 Btu/hr, gas only
4 logset with a similar gas burner design.
Yet another objective is to allow Larger total heat outputs for a hybrid
(electric/gas) vent-free
6 product that could be used where traditional (gas only) logsets are
restricted. Current building
7 codes place limits on the heat output of gas heaters that are installed in
certain areas of the home,
8 such as bedrooms. Lnstallation guidelines also restrict the heat output of
gas products used in
9 smaller and tighter homes. Because of these low Btu/hr limits, conventional
gas-only products can
1 0 not achieve good aesthetics, and often this amount of heat is not
sufficient to warm the area. This
1 1 invention overcomes these objections by using the electric heating portion
to supply an aesthetically
1 2 pleasing product while increasing the total heat output significantly.
Still another objective is to,produce a low heat output, aesthetically
pleasing gas product.
1 4 By using the electric ember bed technology or lamp array of this
invention, it is possible to produce
1 5 a very aesthetic and realistic glowing etxtber bed using 5,000 Btu/hr, or
less. It is estimated that to
i 6 produce a similar glowing ember bed with gas fuel would take a minimum of
15,000 to 20,000
1 7 Btultu or more. Therefore, this invention makes it possible to achieve a
very aesthetically pleasing
1 8 logset having a reduced Btu/hr input compared to a gas only appliance.
1 s Yet another objective is to reduce the overall emissions of gas products
by eliminating
2 0 surfaces in close proximity to yellow or blue flames of these gas
products. In a typical gas product
21 the embers and logs are made to glow by having gas flames very near their
surfaces, thus heating
2 2 the surface and causing it to glow. This often requires a significant
percentage of the total gas
2 3 input to heat these surfaces. It is the close proximity of the flames to
these surfaces that causes
2 4 mast of the emissions of a gas product. This close proximity can also
create a Booting condition.
2 5 In addition, the higher temperature needed to create the glow could
produce higher concentrations
2 6 of nitrogen oxides. In this invention the glow on the embers and logs is
produced by utilizing an
7.
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 electric light source, thus no gas flames are needed. Since this gas usage
and flames (in close
2 proximity to surfaces) are eliminated, total emissions are reduced. No
emissions are produced
3 from the electric portion of the product.
4 Stilt another objective is to allow a more aesthetically pleasing vent free
product that could
be used where traditional (gas only) logsets are restricted. Current building
codes place limits on
6 the heating capacity and hence the fuel consumption of gas heaters that are
installed in certain areas
7 of the home, such as bedrooms. Installation guidelines also restrict the
heat output of gas products
8 used in smaller and tighter hortzes. Because of these low heat output
limits, conventional gas only
9 products can not achieve good aesthetics because there is not enough gas
supplied to produce both
1 0 visible flame and glowing logs, so the glow is sacrificed.
1 1 DESCRIh'TION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
1 2 Figure I is a front right perspective of a fireplace logset embodying the
invention, with
1 3 parts of the screen and ember material cut away.
Figure 2 is a cross section view of the fireplace logset of Figure 1 taken
along line 2-2 of
1 5 Figure 1.
1 6 Figure 3 is a front right perspective with parts cut away of an
alternative embodiment of the
1 7 invention in which embers are simulated by glass pieces distributed below
the grate on which the
1 8 simulated logs are placed and including a reflective element disposed
behind the below-grate ember
19 simulations.
2 0 Figure 4 is a cross section of the embodiment of fireplace logset taken
along line 4-4 of
2 t Figure 3.
2 2 Figure 5 is a front right perspective with parts cut away of another
alternate embodiment
2 3 logset which includes a target element which emits a glow when heated, the
target element
2 4 disposed below a screen on which glass pieces simulating embers and
cinders are placed.
2 5 Figure 6 is a cross section of the embodiment of fireplace logset taken
along line 6-6 of
2 6 Figure 5.
8
-- CA 02300710 2000-03-10
Figure 7 is a front right perspective of an alternate embodiment fireplace
logset with parts
2 of the screen and ember media cut away to reveal a ceramic polygon disposed
below the grate, the
3 polygon being covered by a screen grid on which glass pieces or other
glowable media are placed.
Figure 8 is a cross section taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a perspective of a gas burner element with target coil mounted
directly over the
6 gas burner.
7 Figure 10 is a partly cut away perspective view of a screen grid with glass
pieces mounted
8 thereon.
9 Figure 11 is a perspective view of a simulated log of (reproof construction
on which are
1 0 mounted glass reflective media to simulate a combusting log.
1 1 Figure I2 is a perspective of a ceramic base with serpentine maze of
channels formed on its
~ 2 upper surfaces to receive a resistive electrical heating element.
7 3 Figure 13 is a front right perspective with parts cut away of an
alternative embodiment
1 4 fireplace logset equipped with a lamp array.
1 5 Figure 14 is a cross section view of the fireplace logset of Figure I3
taken along line 14-14
1 6 of Figure 13.
1 7 Figure 15 is a front perspective closeup of the ember material and its
supported structure of
1 8 the logset of Figs. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE iNYENTION
2 0 Throughout the specification, like elements are numbered consistently to
promote clarity in
2 1 understanding the disclosure. In this specification, including in the
claims, the logset of the
2 2 present invention is intended for use as a standalone Iogset and in all
manner of fireplace, stove,
2 3 firebox, and fire pit, including without limitation, a gas burning
fireplace, a vented fireplace
2 4 (including a direct vent fireplace), a vent-free fireplace, a vented stove
(including a direct vent
2 5 stove), a vent-free stave, a vented insert (including a direct vent
insert), and a vent-free insert. The
2 fi term "fireplace" shall mean all manner of fireplace, stove, firebox, fire
pit, or other place in which
9
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 a logset may be used.
2 Figures l and 2 illustrate a preferred embodiment hybrid gas and electric
logset 2. Figure
3 15 shows a cioseup of the screen 12 and ember material 52 of the logset of
Figs. l, 2. An electric
4 element 4 is located at the front of the logset 2, extending in serpentine
fashion both above and
below a supporting structure which in the preferred embodiment is an open
grate 6. Above the
6 grate 6 the electric element 4 is positioned between the simulated partially
burned front logs 8, 10.
7 Below the grate 6 the electric element 4 stretches from left to right across
the width of the grate 6.
8 Located slightly above the electric element 4 is a screen 12. The screen 12
is also positioned
9 between the front logs 8, LO and extends down to the floor 14 on which the
grate 6 is supported.
1 0 The screen 12 may extend from the floor surface 14 in front of the grate 6
upward through an
1 1 opening between the bars of the grate 6. The slope of the screen 12 may
change at the plane of the
1 2 top of the grate 6 azld extend back toward a rear simulated log 18. The
ember nctaterial 52 is piled
1 3 upon this screen 12 and frictionally held to it. The screen and the heater
element are situated upon
1 4 the grate with the screen overlying the electric element and with
simulated ember material disposed
1 5 on the screen. Deposited over the top of the screen 12 is the ember media
52 used to simulate
1 6 embers. This ember media 52 allows the glow from the electric element 4 to
shine through it. The
1 7 ember media 52 may he a variety of materials, and depending on the ember
media 52 used, the
1 8 glow of the electric element 4 is enhanced and made to replicate a burning
ember bed. The ember
1 9 media 52 is preferably pieces or beads of glass, or mineral wool, volcanic
stone, or ceramic fiber
2 0 material which may be either loose or molded into a formed unit. A
satisfactory material for ember
2 1 media 52 is crushed recycled amber glass that has been tumbled to remove
sharp edges.
2 2 As best seen in Fig. 15, a relatively thin layer of electrically
nonconductive, noncombustible
2 3 fiber material such as flexible blanket 29 constructed of ceramic fiber or
silica fiber may be placed
2 4 over electric element 4 to insulate it from screen 12. Blanket 29 may be
generally conformed to
2 5 loosely overlie electric element 4 while transmitting light from electric
element 4. The material of
2 6 blanket 29 may be opaque, transparent or translucent or it may be a
combination of materials with
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 those light transmitting characteristics. Blanket 29 may be created of fiber
material which will
2 glow when heated. An alternative insulating layer member may be a pane or
sheet of heat
3 resistant glass, or an insulative coating on the underside of screen 12.
4 A gas burner 16 is located between the front logs 8, 10 and the rear log 18
and is positioned
so that it is visually hidden by the screen 12 and front logs 8, 10. The
flames from the gas burner
6 16 rise up between the logs 8, 10, 18.
7 The front surface 20 of the rear log 18 may be partially covered with
reflective ember
8 elements 22. These ember elements 22 may be small glass particles that are
affixed to the front
9 surface 20 of rear log 18. They reflect the light and glow from the gas
flames above burner 16 and
1 0 the electric element 4. The logset 2 includes a top simulated twig 24 to
add to the aesthetics.
1 1 Portions of this twig 24 tray also be covered with the reflective ember
elements 22.
1 2 The invention of Figure 1 may take numerous other configurations of the
invention
1 3 components. The electric element 4 may be one of several different types,
sizes, or styles. The
t 4 electric element 4 may also be located differently or be used as an
integral part of the embers or
1 5 logs, i.e. - either located inside of them or contoured and affixed to the
surface of the embez media
1 6 52 or within or on log 18. Control box 2d by which electric element 4 and
gas burner 16 are
1 7 controlled may be disposed below grate 6 toward the rear 28 thereof.
1 8 Figures 3 and A. represent a hybrid gas and electric logset much like chat
shown in Figure 1.
1 9 The primary difference is that in the logset 32 of the alternate
ernbodiment of Figures 3 and 4, a
2 0 screen 42 and ember media 52 mounted thereupon do not extend to the floor
14. Instead, screen
21 42 with ember media 52 thereon is placed upon grate 6 between front logs 8,
10 and there are
2 2 ember elements 22 placed beneath the grate 6 to simulate coals 53 that
have fallen through the grate
2 3 b. Screen 42 overlies electric element 34 and may be insulated therefrom
by an insulation layered
2 4 between the screen 42 and electric element 34. The close proximity of
ember media 52 to the
2 5 electric element 34 causes the ember media 52 to reflect the glow and
appear to be burning. This
2 6 appearance is further enhanced with the addition of a reflective mirror 30
(polished metal or high
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 temperature glass mirror) positioned to reflect glow to the ember media 52
and to visually hide the
2 appliance controls 56.
3 The gas burner l6 is disposed above grate 6 and between rear log 18 and
front logs 8, 10
4 such that flames created by natural gas or propane ar other gaseous
hydrocarbons emanating from
gas burner 16 will be visible among the logs 8, 10, and 18 and yet not impinge
excessively on the
8 surfaces of logs 8, 10 and I8. Soot and undesirable gaseous emissions are
reduced by limiting
7 impingement of flames on the simulated logs 8, 10, 18 and 24.
8 The electric element 34 of logset 32 comprises an elongate, serpentine,
ceranuc clad
9 resistive wire which heats when electric current is passed through electric
element 34. Electric
1 0 element 34 is disposed by conventional support means above grate 6 and
below front logs 8, 10.
1 1 A nonflammable screen 42 of generally planar form is disposed above
electric element 34 and is
1 2 inclined slightly from front to back, with its lower edge 36 diseased near
the front of grate 6.
1 3 Disposed on screen 42 is a multiplicity of ember media 52 which, may be
glass pieces of various
1 4 colors or other small ceramic fiber forms of irregular shape which are
formed to resemble cinders
1 5 or wood ash.
1 6 As an alternative, electric element 34 may be imbedded within the outer
surface af, for
1 7 instance, rear log I0, such that an additional insulative element for
electrically insulating the
-1 8 resistive wine thereof is not otherwise necessary, the rear log 10 being
constructed of electrically
1 9 insulative material. By imbedding the electric element 34 within the outer
surface of the rear log
2 0 10, the heat from the energi2ed electric element may cause the region of
rear log 10 adjacent the
21 electric element 34 to glow, and that glow may be enhanced if rear log 10
is coated with ember
2 2 media 52 or ember elements 22.
2 3 Below grate 6 are disposed additional ember elements 22 which rest on
floor 14 to
2 4 resemble coals 53. Behind ember elements 22 may be located a mirror 30
with at least a front
2 5 reflective surface 31 disposed toward the front of grate 6.
2 6 Concealed behind mirror 30 and below grate 6 is a control box 26 which is
used to enclose
12
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 a gas valve and electric switch which may be activated manually or by remote
means such as RF or
2 infrared signaling to release gaseous hydrocarbons from the gas burner and
to energize electric
3 element 34. As with ember media 52, ember elements 22 comprise glass or
ceramic pieces, or
4 mineral wool, or a molding of glass or ceramic formed to simulate cinders
and ash in a pile.
Figure S and 6 represent a gas-only logset 62, which employs ember media 52
similar to
6 the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. The difference is that the electric
element has been replaced
7 with a second gas burner 76. Above this second gas burner 76 is a target 64
that is heated by the
8 gas flame from second gas burner 76 to produce a redlorange glow similar to
the glow from
9 electric element 4 of the device of Figures 1 and 2. The glow is then
transmitted through ember
1 0 media 52 to replicate a burning ember bed. This configuration also employs
the reflective mirror
1 1 30 to further enhance the glow.
1 2 In the alternate embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, a standard grate 6 having
a front support
1 3 66 and a rear support 28 is shown resting on a floor 14 of a fireplace.
Resting on grate 6 is rear
1 4 log 18 disposed at the rear of grate 6. Axially spaced apart from rear log
18 are front logs 8, 10
1 5 which rest on grate 6 at the front thereof, over front support 66. A gas
burner 16 is disposed in the
1 6 space between rear log 18 and front logs 8, 10 and is supported above
grate 16 by conventional
1 7 means. A top twig 24 rests upon front log 10 and rear log 18 bridging the
space between them. It
1 8 is placed there for aesthetic reasons to assist in conveying the
appearance of a wood fireplace fire.
1 9 Rear log 18, top twig 24 and front logs 8, 10 are ail formed of
noncombustible materials, e.g.
2 0 concrete ar ceramic.
21 Front logs 8 and 10 are laterally spaced and an ember supporting screen 72
is disposed
2 2 between front logs 8 and 10. Screen 72 comprises a Fast generally planar
segment 74 joined tn a
2 3 second generally planar segment 78. First planar segment ?4 is inclined
upwardly slightly' from
2 4 front uprights 40 of grate 6, at an angle in the range of 10 degrees to 40
degrees from horizontal.
2 5 Second planar segment 78 is inclined more steeply and its lower edge 80
rests on floor 14. Second
2 6 planar segment 78 is inclined to resemble the embankment of a pile of wood
ash and cinders.
13
CA 02300710 2000-03-10 ...__ --
i Disposed behind and below screen 72 is second gas burner 76 which comprises
an
2 elongate duct having small outlet openings along the top thereof to permit
gaseous hydrocarbon to
3 be emitted for combustion. Disposed above second gas burner 76 is a target
64 which may
4 comprise a coil of wire or other metal structure which will emit an orange
or red glow when heated
by the flames created by combustion of gas escaping from second gas burner 76.
The light emitted
6 by target 64 is transmitted through screen 72 and ember elements 22 which
are fixed upon screen
7 72. Ember elements 22 are pieces of colored or clear glass or ceramics or
mixtures thereof in
8 amorphous and assorted shapes. The light emitted by flames from second gas
burner 76 and
9 heated target 64 causes ember elements 22 to appear to glow and flicker,
thereby creating the
1 0 appearance of burning wood embers. A control enclosure 86 is disposed
below the rear of grate 6
1 t to provide valve means to control hydrocarbon flow to gas burner I6 and
second burner 76. A
~ 2 rrurz~or 30 is disposed vertically behind second burner 76 and target 64
to reflect light toward screen
1 3 72 and ember elements 22.
1 4 Figures ? and 8 disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein
logset 92
1 5 comprises rear log 18, front logs 8 and IO and top twig 24 along with gas
burner I6, grate 6,
1 6 ceramic base 94, screen 96 and ember media 52. A control box 26 is
provided to permit selective
1 7 control of flow of gas to gas burner 16 and electricity to resistive
wiring 98. Resistive wiring 98 is
1 s disposed upon the upper suxfaces 100 of ceramic base 94. Ceramic base 94
of polygonal shape is
1 9 disposed below grate 6 on which rear log 18 and front logs 8 and 10 rest.
Ceramic base 94 is
2 0 shaped to resemble a pile of ashes ar ember. Resistive wiring 98 is
connected to a switched
2 1 electric source, the switch being housed in control box 26. Resistive
wiring 98 follows a
2 2 reversing, serpentine path along upper surfaces 100 and is situated within
shallow channels formed
2 3 on the upper surfaces 100 of ceramic base 94. Electricity applied to
resistive wiring 98 causes it to
2 4 heat and to glow red/orange. The light and heat from resistive wiring 98
is radiated through
2 5 overlying screen 96 and ember media 52 supported on screen 96 as
illustrated in Figure 8.
2 6 The shape of ceramic base 94 is chosen tv approximate a pile of ashes and
embers which
14
CA 02300710 2000-03-10 _ ..:
t would naturally form below a grate holding burning logs. Screen 96 is formed
to rest upon the
2 upper surfaces 100 of ceramic base 94 and to have ember media 52 fixed
thereto.
3 Figure 9 illustrates the second gas burner ?6 and target 64 used in the
alternate embodiment
4 of Figures 5, 6. Target 64 comprises an elongate coil of metal wire
supported at ends 68, ?0
thereof by supports 84 and 88 upon second gas burner 76. It may be seen that
target 64 is
6 disposed longitudinally above second gas burner ?6 so that flames burning
above second gas
7 burner ?6 will strike target 64 and thereby heat it to a glowing condition.
8 Figure 10 provides a close up view of an exemplary screen 96 of the logset
92 of Figure 8.
9 Ember elements 22 (partly omitted to show the gridwork 108 of screen 96) are
mounted or layered
i 0 upon screen 96. Ember media 52 may be glass pieces or ceramic units, being
preferably of
1 1 amorphous and varying shapes and of small size, in order to transmit light
therethrough.
1 2 Figure 11 discloses a rear log I8 having a central region 44 on which are
fixed reflective
t 3 elements 46 in a pattern simulating a burn pattern of a wood Log which is
burning from the midpart
1 4 thereof. Central region 44 is disposed on a front surface 20 of rear log
18 and may continue onto
i 5 lower surface 21 of rear log I8 to better convey the appearance of a
partly burned wood log.
1 6 Reflective elements 46 may comprise ember elements 22 which are glass yr
ceramic particles or
1 7 pieces of random shapes and sizes or it may further comprise reflective
paint of a suitable color
1 8 which contains glass beads yr pieces to increase the reflectivity thereof
and which will simulate
1 9 burning wood. When light from burning natural gas or propane or other
hydrocarbon sources
2 0 strikes central region 44, it is reflected and creates the appearance of a
burning Iog_ Similarly a red
2 1 glow from a heated ceramic or metal element or electric wire will be
reflected by central region 44.
2 2 A ceramic body 94 as included in the Iogset of Figs, ? and 8 is
illustrated in Fig. 12.
2 3 Ceramic body 94 is constructed of a solid piece of ceramic fiber
refractory material in a polygon
2 4 shape having a wide base lOb and a narrow top 102 joined by sloping sides
104. Serpentine
2 5 channels 90 wind non-intersectingly upon the outer surfaces 100 of the top
102 and sides 104 of
2 6 ceramic body 94 to provide routes in which the resistive wiring 98 of an
electric heating element
IS
___.. CA 02300710 2000-03-10
t can be laid.
2 Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative embodiment hybrid gas and
electric lamp logset
3 3. Situated on a metal grate 6 are an assortment of replica logs including
front logs 8. 10, rear log
4 I8, and top twig 24. Each of the replica logs is constructed of non-
combustible material which is
wel! known in the art. Front logs 8 and LO are disposed behind uprights 4 of
grate 6 which extend
6 from the front of grate 6. $elow uprights 4 of grate 6 and extending in
front of as well as below
7 grate 4 is tamp frame 33 to which are mounted an array of lamps 35 such that
lamps 35 are directed
8 upwardly from lamp frame 33. Lamp frame 33 is curved to follow a contour
imitative of a bank of
9 embers. A screen 12 overlies lamp frame 33 and is provided with ember media
52 which
1 0 comprises mineral wool, volcanic stone, mica, ceramic fiber material,
pieces of glass or glass
t 1 beads, or combinations thereof. The ember media 52 may either be discrete
elements of the
t 2 exemplary media or a molded unit thereof. .
1 3 Loose pieces of glass used for ember media 52 may be in a variety of
shapes - irregular
1 4 broken glass, spheres, flakes, beads, balls, or granules. The glass may be
of several colors,
1 5 shades, coatings (mirror), transparent, translucent, opaque, reflective,
or refractive. The glass
t 6 beads or pieces may have a variety of finishes such as frosted, tumbled,
ground, etc.
1 7 Ember media 52 may also be loose pieces or a single molded element of
plastic. Loose
1 8 pieces of plastic may be found in a variety of shapes including irregular
broken pieces, spheres,
1 9 flakes, beads, balls, ox granules. The plastic can be in several colors,
shades, coatings (mirror),
2 0 transparent, translucent, opaque, reflective, or refractive. It can have a
variety of finishes such as
21 frosted, tumbled, ground, etc. The plastic media would be used with the
array of lamps 35 to
2 2 produce the visual effects of wood burning, without producing significant
heat.
2 3 The ember media 52 disposed on screen 12 is also contoured to resemble a
bank of wood
2 4 embers. Ember media 52 may be translucent to transmit light from lamps 35
therethrough. In
2 5 addition, light from lamps 35 may be reflected or refracted by ember media
52. Lamps 35 may be
2 6 provided with colored lenses, or colorizing filters 37 may be mounted on
or below screen 12 such
16
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 that the spectrum of visible light striking the underside of ember media 52
resembles that of wood
2 embers. Lenses for the electric lamps 35 or colorizing filters 37 may be
selected to produce a
3 red/orangelyellow glow. The lamps 35 used may be of several types, sizes,
shapes, and
4 quantities, depending on the particular application or ember effect desired.
Lamps 35 could include
conventional incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent Light bulbs, fiber optic
systems, light emitting
6 diodes, neon or other gas-filled light sources, halogen lamps, tungsten
lamps, quartz lamps,
7 high-intensity bulbs, and others. The input power to the lamps 35 can range
from low voltage ac
8 or do to conventional 115 volt systems. The operation of the lamps 35 would
be controlled, and
9 this control may include electronic systems that would vary the timing and
intensity of the lighting
1 0 of lamps 35 to simulate a flickering of the ember media 52.
1 1 A gas burner 16 is disposed longitudinally above and upon grate 6 such
that it is disposed
1 2 between front logs 8, 10 and rear tog 18. By so positioning gas burner 16,
flames from
1 3 combusting gas will not strike front logs 8, 14, rear log 18, or top twig
24. The flames may be
1 4 seen emanating from the space behind front logs 8, 10 and the flames may
be further reflected by
1 5 reflecting ember elements 22 which is placed on front surface 20 of rear
log 18.
j g Reflective ember elements 22 may be particles of small size and may be
attached to the
1 7 surface of rear log 18, or to the surfaces of top twig 24 or front logs 8,
10 by means of adhesives.
1 8 Particles could also be mixed into the parent material of the rear log 18
or mixed with any coatings
1 9 that are applied to rear log 18 as a secondary operation.
2 o t1 control enclosure 26 may be disposed in front of rear supports 28 of
grate 6. Control
21 enclosure 26 provides a housing fox wiring and controls used to electrify
lamps 35 or to vary their
2 2 light output and timing and for gas valves to supply gas burner 16. Remote
control receiver means
2 3 may be disposed in connection with control enclosure 26 if remote
operation of lamps 35 and gas
2 4 supply to gas burner 16 is desired.
2 5 The control system of control enclosure 26 may vary the electrical input
to the lamps 35,
2 6 thereby changing the intensity and duration of the light output to give
the appearance of a dynamic
17
CA 02300710 2000-03-10
1 ember bed and glow area.
A mirror 30 or reflecting plate may be pieced behind lamp frame 33 to reflect
the light from
3 lamps 35 toward ember media 52 and may extend the width of grate 6. Mirror
30 may be of high
4 temperature glass, or have a polished metal surface. Mirror 30 could be of
tempered glass, ceramic
glass, pyrex glass, or other high temperature glass known to the industry. The
back surface of the
6 glass Would be coated or silvered with a conventional mirroring process.
Using high temperature
7 glass for the mirror 30 allows it to be used in applications that would
cause standard grades of
S mirrors to cz~ack due to high temperatures.
18
