Hybrid Domestic Fireplace

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hybrid domestic fireplace, configured to burn a fuel mixture of a first combustible fuel and a second combustible fuel, comprising a combustible long chain hydrocarbon fuel, the fireplace comprising: a mixing device, configured to mix the first fuel and the second fuel to form the fuel mixture and, a first fuel supply, configured to supply the first fuel to the mixing device, a second fuel supply, configured to supply the second fuel to the mixing device, and a burner, configured to combust the fuel mixture, wherein the mixing device is further configured to heat the second fuel to a mixing temperature, and wherein the mixing device is configured to mix the first fuel with the heated second fuel to form the fuel mixture.

Claims

1. A hybrid domestic fireplace comprising: a mixing device, configured to: heat a second fuel comprising a combustible long chain hydrocarbon fuel to a mixing temperature; and mix a first fuel and the heated second fuel to form a fuel mixture; a first fuel supply, configured to supply the first fuel to the mixing device; a second fuel supply, configured to supply the second fuel to the mixing device; and a burner, configured to combust the fuel mixture.

2. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel supply is further configured to supply the first fuel to the mixing device in a liquid state; and wherein the mixing device is further configured to heat the first fuel to a vaporizing temperature to vaporize the first fuel in the mixing device.

3. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 2, wherein the first fuel is in a liquid state at room temperature.

4. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 2, wherein the vaporizing temperature is in the range between 50? C. and 130? C.

5. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to a claim 1, wherein the mixing temperature is in the range between 250? C. and 350? C.

6. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises a first heating element for heating the first fuel.

7. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising a control unit, configured to control the mixing device to set the vaporizing temperature or the mixing temperature.

8. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 7 further comprising a temperature sensor located in the mixing device, configured to emit a temperature sensor signal representative for the temperature in the mixing device; wherein the control unit is configured to control the mixing device on the basis of the temperature signal to set the vaporizing temperature or the mixing temperature.

9. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel supply is further configured to supply the first fuel to the mixing device in a gaseous state.

10. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel supply comprises: a first fuel storage, configured to store the first fuel; a first fuel line, extending between the first fuel storage and the mixing device; and a first fuel pump, configured to pump the first fuel through the first fuel line, i.e. from the first fuel storage to the mixing device.

11. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 10, wherein the first fuel storage is further configured to store the first fuel in a liquid state.

12. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 10, wherein the first fuel pump is a peristaltic pump.

13. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to any of the preceding claim 1, wherein the second fuel supply comprises: a second fuel storage, configured to store the second fuel; a second fuel line, extending between the second fuel storage and the mixing device; and a second fuel pump, configured to pump the second fuel through the second fuel line, i.e. from the second fuel storage to the mixing device.

14. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 13, wherein the second fuel storage is, at least during use of the fireplace, configured to store the second fuel in a liquid state at an elevated storage temperature compared to the temperature of the surroundings of the fireplace.

15. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 14, wherein the second fuel storage comprises a storage heating device, configured to heat the second fuel in the second fuel storage to the elevated storage temperature, and to keep the second fuel in the second fuel storage in the liquid state; and wherein the elevated storage temperature is in the range between 60? C. and 100? C.

16. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 15, wherein the storage heating device is an inductive heating device.

17. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 14, wherein the second fuel storage and the second fuel line are substantially closed-off.

18. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 14, wherein the second fuel line comprises a line heating device, configured to heat the second fuel in the second fuel line to the elevated fuel line temperature and to keep the second fuel in the second fuel line in the liquid state; and wherein the elevated fuel line temperature is for example in the range between 50? C. and 90? ? C.

19. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 18, wherein the fuel line heating device is a resistive fuel line heating device, extending over substantially the entire length of the second fuel line.

20. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 18, further comprising a second fuel state sensor, configured to emit a second fuel state sensor signal representative for the state of aggregation of the second fuel in the second fuel line; wherein the second fuel pump is further configured to be selectively activated in dependence of the second fuel state sensor signal.

21. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 13, wherein the second fuel pump is a pulse pump.

22. The hybrid domestic fireplace according claim 13, wherein the second fuel storage comprises a second fuel level sensor, configured to emit a second fuel level sensor signal representative for the amount of second fuel remaining in the second fuel storage.

23. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 22 further comprising a control unit, configured to control the mixing device to set the vaporizing temperature or the mixing temperature; wherein the control unit is further configured to emit a fuel level warning signal when the amount of second fuel remaining in the second fuel storage is below a desired threshold amount.

24. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 13, wherein the second fuel storage comprises a fuel capsule holder, which is configured to receive a fuel capsule containing the second fuel.

25. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 2 further comprising a control unit, configured to emit a fuel level warning signal when the amount of second fuel remaining in the second fuel storage is below a desired threshold amount; wherein the threshold fluid level represents that the fuel capsule in the fuel capsule holder is empty; and wherein the fluid level warning signal comprises a user notification that the empty fuel capsule needs to be replaced with a new fuel capsule.

26. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim claim 24, wherein the storage heating device is an inductive heating device; and wherein the fuel capsule comprises an inductively heatable element configured to be heated by the inductive storage heating device.

27. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising an air supply, projecting into the mixing device and configured to provide a flow of air through the mixing device; wherein the mixing device is further configured to mix the fuel mixture with the air supplied by the air supply.

28. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 27, wherein the air supply comprises an air pump and an air hose, extending between the air pump and the mixing device; and wherein the air pump is configured to pump the air through the air hose.

29. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 27, wherein the first fuel supply is configured to supply the first fuel to the mixing device in a gaseous state; and wherein the air supply forms part of the first fuel supply, configured to supply a gas mixture to the mixing device, which gas mixture comprises the flow of air and the gaseous first fuel.

30. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 10 further comprising a control unit, configured to control the mixing device to set the vaporizing temperature or the mixing temperature; wherein the control unit is further configured to control the first fuel pump, the second fuel pump and the air pump.

31. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 30, wherein the control unit is further configured to control the storage heating device and the fuel line heating device.

32. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel comprises an alcohol and is in a liquid state at room temperature.

33. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the second fuel comprises wax and is in a solid state at room temperature.

34. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the second fuel comprises an oil and is in a liquid state at room temperature.

35. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising: a combustion chamber, in which the burner is accommodated; and a flue gas discharge configured to discharge flue gasses out of the combustion chamber.

36. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 35, wherein the flue gas discharge further comprises a filter device configured to purify the flue gasses.

37. A method of creating a fire in a hybrid domestic fireplace comprising: supplying a first combustible fuel to a mixing device of the fireplace; supplying a second combustible fuel, comprising a combustible long chain hydrocarbon fuel, to the mixing device; heating, in the mixing device, the second fuel to a mixing temperature; mixing, in the mixing device, the first fuel with the heated second fuel to form a fuel mixture; and combusting the fuel mixture with a burner of the fireplace to create the fire.

38. The method according to claim 37 further comprising: heating, in the mixing device, the first fuel to a vaporizing temperature to vaporize the first fuel.

39. The method according to claim 37, further comprising: measuring, with a temperature sensor, the temperature of the mixing device; and controlling, with a control unit, the heating of the first fuel and the second fuel on the basis of the measured temperature to set the vaporizing temperature and the mixing temperature.

40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the first fuel is in a liquid state at room temperature.

41. The method according to claim 37, wherein the second fuel is in a solid state at room temperature.

42. The method according to claim 37, wherein the second fuel is in a liquid state at room temperature.

43. The method according to claim 37 further comprising; a preheating the burner according to a preheating cycle to a predetermined preheating temperature, the preheating cycle comprising the steps of: supplying the first combustible fuel to the burner, via the mixing device; combusting the first fuel with the burner of the fireplace to create the fire; and heating the burner by means of the fire, wherein; whereupon, when a temperature of the burner exceeds the predetermined preheating temperature, the preheating cycle is terminated and the second combustible fuel is supplied to the mixing device and mixed with the first fuel.

44. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the mixing device comprises a second heating element for heating the second fuel.

45. The hybrid domestic fireplace according to claim 2, wherein the second fuel is in a solid state at room temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0192] Further characteristics of the invention will be explained below, with reference to embodiments, which are displayed in the appended drawings, in which:

[0193] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the hybrid domestic fireplace according to the present invention,

[0194] FIG. 2 schematically depicts a close-up on the mixing device and burner of the fireplace of FIG. 1, and

[0195] FIG. 3 shows a diagram with the components of the fireplace of FIG. 1.

[0196] Throughout the figures, the same reference numerals are used to refer to corresponding components or to components that have a corresponding function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0197] FIG. 1 schematically depicts an embodiment of the hybrid domestic fireplace according to the present invention, to which is referred with reference numeral 1. The fireplace 1 comprises a mixing device 10, which is configured to mix a first fuel F1 and a second fuel F2 to form a fuel mixture 101.

[0198] The first fuel F1 is in a liquid state at room temperature, comprising an alcohol. In particular, the first fuel F1 is a mixture comprising a spirit, which contains ethanol with about 15 wt % water in it.

[0199] The second fuel F2 is in a solid state at room temperature, comprising a wax. In particular, the second fuel F2 contains paraffin or stearin.

[0200] The fireplace 1 further comprises a first fuel supply 20, which projects into the mixing device 10 and which is configured to supply the first fuel F1 to the mixing device 10, and a second fuel supply 30, which projects into the mixing device 10 as well, being configured to supply the second fuel F2 to the mixing device 10. The mixing device 10 comprises an enclosed volume in which the fuels F1, F2 are discharged. The mixing device 10 is configured to mix the first fuel F1 and the second fuel F2 to obtain the fuel mixture 101.

[0201] Furthermore, the fireplace 1 comprises a burner 40, which is fluidly connected to the mixing device 10 by means of a burner channel 41 to guide a flow of the fuel mixture 101 from the mixing device 10 towards the burner 40. The burner 40 is, in turn, configured to combust the fuel mixture 101, so that flames 102 are visible in the fireplace 1. The burner 40 comprises dedicated ignition means to ignite the fuel mixture 101 supplied to it from the mixing device 10.

[0202] The mixing device 10 is further configured to heat the first fuel F1 by means of a first heating element 11, which is embodied as an infrared heating element. The mixing device 10 is configured to heat the first fuel F1 to a vaporizing temperature to vaporize the first fuel F1 in the mixing device 10. In the present embodiment, the vaporizing temperature is set at 90? C. To obtain this temperature, the first heating element 11 itself is controlled to reach a temperature of 250? C.

[0203] The mixing device 10 is further configured to heat the second fuel F2 by means of a second heating element 12, which is embodied as a resistive heating element. The mixing device 10 is configured to heat the second fuel F2 to a mixing temperature to heat the second fuel F2 in the mixing device 10, to vaporize and/or to nebulize the second fuel F2. In the present embodiment, the mixing temperature is set at 300? C. To obtain this temperature, the second heating element 12 itself is controlled to reach a temperature of 600? C.

[0204] After heating the fuels, the mixing is configured to take place in the enclosed chamber of the mixing device 10, in order to obtain the fuel mixture 101 in the burner channel 41.

[0205] The mixing device 10 comprises a first temperature sensor 13, which is arranged adjacent the first heating element 11. The first temperature sensor 13 is configured to emit a first temperature sensor signal representing the temperature at which the first fuel F1 is heated.

[0206] The mixing device 10 further comprises a second temperature sensor 14, which is arranged adjacent the second heating element 12. The second temperature sensor 14 is configured to emit a second temperature sensor signal representing the temperature at which the second fuel F2 is heated.

[0207] The fireplace 1 further comprises a control unit 50, which is embodied as a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller and which is configured to control the mixing device 10 and to operate in a feedback manner. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the first heating element 11 and to the second heating element 12, for providing electricity towards the respective heating elements 11, 12, and is electrically connected to the first temperature sensor 13 and to the second temperature sensor 14, for transmitting the sensor signals from the respective temperature sensors 13, 14 to the control unit 50.

[0208] The control unit 50 is configured to control the first heating element 11 on the basis of the first temperature sensor signal, in order to set the vaporizing temperature, and is configured to control the second heating element 12 on the basis of the second temperature sensor signal, in order to set the mixing temperature.

[0209] The fireplace 1 further comprises an air supply 60, projecting into the mixing device 10 and configured to provide a flow of air through the mixing device 10, to act as a carrier for the vaporized first fuel F1 and the heated second fuel F2. The mixing device 10 is further configured to mix the fuel mixture 101 with the air supplied by the air supply 60. Inside the mixing device 10, the flow of air is guided along the first heating element 11, to pick up vaporized first fuel F1, and along the second heating element 12, to pick up heated second fuel F2.

[0210] The air supply 60 comprises an air pump 61 and an air hose 62, extending between the ambient air at an air inlet 63, i.e. outside the fireplace 1, and the mixing device 10. The air pump 61 is located remotely from the mixing device 10 and is configured to pump the air through the air hose 62 and towards the mixing device 10.

[0211] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the air pump 61 for providing electricity towards the air pump 61. The control unit 50 is further configured to control the air pump 61, in particular to control an air flow rate for the air pump 61.

[0212] The first fuel supply 20 comprises a first fuel storage 21, configured to store the first fuel F1, a first fuel line 22, extending between the first fuel storage 21 and the mixing device 10, and a first fuel pump 23, configured to pump the first fuel F1 through the first fuel line 22, i.e. from the first fuel storage 21 to the mixing device 10.

[0213] The first fuel storage 21 and the first fuel pump 23 are located remotely from the mixing device 10, being connected to each other via the first fuel line 22. The first fuel pump 23 is a peristaltic pump that is provided in the first fuel line 22, i.e. in between the first fuel storage 21 and the mixing device 20.

[0214] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the first fuel pump 23 for providing electricity towards the first fuel pump 23. The control unit 50 is further configured to control the first fuel pump 23, in particular to control a flow rate for the first fuel pump 23.

[0215] The control unit 50 is configured to control the first fuel pump 23 in a pulsed manner, e.g. by means of consecutive pulses for a certain first pulse duration. The pulsed pumping may effect that the flow of first fuel F1 to the mixing device 10, and therefore also the flow of fuel mixture 101 towards the burner 40, varies over time.

[0216] The first fuel storage 21 comprises a first fuel level sensor 24, which is configured to emit a first fluid level sensor signal representative for the fluid level in the first fuel storage 21. The first fuel level sensor 24 is a floating sensor, configured to float on the surface level of the first fuel F1 in the first fuel storage 21. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the first fluid level sensor 24, for transmitting the first fluid level sensor signal from the first fluid level sensor 24 to the control unit 50.

[0217] The control unit 50 is further configured to control the first fuel pump 23 on the basis of the first fluid level sensor signal, in order to stop pumping of the first fuel pump 23 when the fluid level in the first fuel storage 21 is below a threshold level and to emit a visible and audible warning signal from the fireplace 1.

[0218] The second fuel supply 30 comprises a second fuel storage 31, configured to store the second fuel F2, a second fuel line 32, extending between the second fuel storage 31 and the mixing device 10, and a second fuel pump 33, configured to pump the second fuel F2 through the second fuel line 32, i.e. from the second fuel storage 31 to the mixing device 10. The second fuel storage 31 and the second fuel pump 33 are located remotely from the mixing device 10, being connected to each other via the second fuel line 32. The second fuel pump 33 is a pulse pump that is submerged in the second fuel F2 in the second fuel storage 31.

[0219] The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the second fuel pump 33 for providing electricity towards the second fuel pump 33. The control unit 50 is further configured to control the second fuel pump 33, in particular to control a flow rate for the second fuel pump 33.

[0220] The control unit 50 is configured to control the second fuel pump 33 in a pulsed manner, e.g. by means of consecutive pulses for a certain second pulse duration. The pulsed pumping may effect that the flow of second fuel F2 to the mixing device 10, and therefore also the flow of fuel mixture 101 towards the burner 40, varies over time.

[0221] The second fuel storage 31 comprises a second fuel level sensor 34, which is configured to emit a second fluid level sensor signal representative for the fluid level in the second fuel storage 31. The second fuel level sensor 34 is an elongate temperature sensor, which is aligned in a substantial vertical direction and which is configured to measure temperatures at various measuring points over its height. The control unit 50 is electrically connected to the second fluid level sensor 34, for transmitting the second fluid level sensor signal from the second fluid level sensor 34 to the control unit 50.

[0222] The control unit 50 is configured to determine the fluid level in the second fuel storage 31 by determining the number of measuring points of the temperature sensor 34 being in contact with the second fuel F2 at an elevated storage temperature and the number of measuring points of the temperature sensor 34 being in contact with the ambient air in the second fuel storage 31 at an ambient temperature.

[0223] The control unit 50 is further configured to control the second fuel pump 33 on the basis of the second fluid level sensor signal, in order to stop pumping of the second fuel pump 33 when the fluid level in the second fuel storage 31 is below a threshold level and to emit a visible and audible warning signal from the fireplace 1.

[0224] The second fuel storage 31 is configured to store the second fuel F2 in a liquid state, i.e. at an elevated storage temperature, compared to the temperature of the surroundings of the fireplace 1. To this effect, the second fuel storage 31 comprises a storage heating device 35, configured to heat the second fuel F2 in the second fuel storage 31 to an elevated storage temperature, and to keep the second fuel F2 in the second fuel storage 31 in the liquid state.

[0225] The storage heating device 35 is a resistive storage heating device, which is electrically connected to the control unit 50 and which is arranged inside the second fuel storage 31 and submerged in the second fuel F2. The storage heating device 35 is configured to heat the second fuel F2 in the second fuel storage 31 to the elevated storage temperature, which is set at 80? C. in the present embodiment. The control unit 50 is thereby further configured to control the storage heating device 35, i.e. to set the elevated storage temperature.

[0226] The control unit 50 is, upon activation of the fireplace 1, further configured to detect, on the basis of the second fluid level sensor signal, whether the second fuel F2 in the second fuel storage 31 is in the liquid state already or whether it may be needed to further heat the second fuel F2 towards the elevated storage temperature.

[0227] The second fuel line 32 comprises a line heating device 36, configured to heat the second fuel F2 in the second fuel line 32, to keep the second fuel F2 in the second fuel line 32 in the liquid state.

[0228] The line heating device 36 is a resistive line heating device, which is arranged in a wall of the second fuel line 32, extending spirally in the wall over substantially the entire length of the second fuel line 32, to prevent solidifying of the second fuel F2 inside the second fuel line 32. The line heating device 36 is configured to heat the second fuel F2 in the second fuel line 32 to an elevated temperature, compared to an ambient temperature of the fireplace 1, which elevated temperature is set at 70? C. in the present embodiment. The line heating device 36 is electrically connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is thereby further configured to control the line heating device 36, i.e. to set the elevated temperature.