A heating and cooling appliance includes a heat pump unit, an electric fireplace having an electric heating element and a display panel included on a front surface of the electric fireplace, a room temperature sensor, and a processor operatively connected to the heat pump unit, the electric heating element, and the room temperature sensor. The processor is configured to operate the heat pump unit in a cooling mode, operate the heat pump unit in a heating mode, or operate the electric heating element, in response to a signal received from the room temperature sensor. The processor is further configured to cause an image to be displayed on a display panel of the electric fireplace when either the heat pump unit or the electric heating element is operated.

A 3D flame projection system is provided, comprising a light source and a light-transmittable hood. The light source is disposed inside the light-transmittable hood. The 3D flame projection system further comprises a lens which has different refractive indexes for refracting light generated by the light source and splitting the light into a plurality of light beams at different angles and/or has different light transmittances for allowing light generated by the light source to partially transmit through the lens. The 3D flame projection system has the following advantages: simple structure, low cost, small space occupation, realistic flame dancing effect, and it is advantageous for realization of ultrathin production of fireplaces.

A heating apparatus includes a housing, and a virtual heating module and a heating module installed inside the housing. The heating module includes at least two heating elements respectively installed on different sides of the housing, and each heating element is provided with a warm air vent facing a front side of the housing, and each heating element is in strip shape and configured at a corresponding side of the housing. The heating module is divided into several heating elements distributed at different positions of the virtual heating module to disperse the heat sources so as to increase the heating area, thereby making the user feel comfortable and warm.

Provided is a flame simulating device including a light source, at least one light-transmitting rotator and an imaging plate, and the light source emits a first light group; the light-transmitting rotators are arranged in a light path of the first light group in a rotatable manner, each of the light-transmitting rotators is provided with multiple light concentrating blocks, these multiple light concentrating blocks convert the first light group into a second light group; and the imaging plate is fixedly arranged in a light path of the second light group.

Provided is a flame simulating device including a light source, at least one light-transmitting rotator and an imaging plate, and the light source emits a first light group; the light-transmitting rotators are arranged in a light path of the first light group in a rotatable manner, each of the light-transmitting rotators is provided with multiple light concentrating blocks, these multiple light concentrating blocks convert the first light group into a second light group; and the imaging plate is fixedly arranged in a light path of the second light group.

The present invention relates to a method of simulating flames/smoke using a flames/smoke simulating device or system.

An electric fireplace (10) includes a fireplace housing (12) and an electrical insert (40). The fireplace housing (12) includes a base panel (30) having a base opening (230A), a back panel (32), and at least one side panel (34). The electrical insert (40) is sized and shaped to fit and be supported and retained within the base opening (230A). Additionally, the electrical insert (40) can include a heater (26), and a controller (28) including a processor that is configured to control operation of the electric fireplace (10). Further, each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be manufactured and installed independently of one another. The fireplace housing (12) can further include a front frame (236) that is manufactured and installed independently of each of the base panel (30), the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34). Still further, at least one of the back panel (32) and the at least one side panel (34) can be foldable.

A flame simulating device has a light source which is reflected by a rotating device which has mirrors which are spaced apart. The spaced apart mirrors rotate, and thus provide a selective reflection, at some points reflecting during time and at other points not reflecting during time. This produces a flickering effect. The flickering effect is shown through a cut out in the shape of the flame, to display a simulated flame devi effect. The display screen for the simulated effect can be a part mirror, and can display, for example, an artificial log mixed in with the flame effect.

A steam-based faux fireplace comprising a boiler configured to receive a fluid and generate steam, and a manifold configured to receive the steam from the boiler and emit the steam to generate a steam plume at an output. The manifold has a conduit configured to route the fluid about the manifold to heat the fluid before being routed to the boiler. The manifold is already heated due to the emitted steam. This configuration pre-heats the fluid before being presented to the boiler, allowing a smaller low power boiler to be used because the manifold acts as a fluid pre-heater. A very realistic faux flame with a significant length is generated from the low power boiler. In addition, the manifold includes a deflector configured to receive the impinging steam from the output, causing the steam to lose some energy and billow about the deflector and then illuminated to create a realistically looking flame.

A lighting system for an electric fireplace, and a fireplace assembly including such system, may include a plurality of logs arranged in different orientations and in different rows. Some of the logs may include a substantially planar surface facing forwards. A front projector may project a lighting effect onto the logs, including the substantially planar surfaces, and a rear projector may project a lighting effect onto a non-transparent screen positioned behind the plurality of logs. The lighting system desirably provides a realistic three-dimensional flame effect in conjunction with a log set having a natural, split-log appearance. Other features may be included to enhance the lighting system, including internal lights in the logs and in an ember bed, as well as coloration of the logs to enhance the lighting effects and the natural appearance of the logs.