Fireplace with a suspended hearth

Abstract

The fireplace includes a hearth suspended on a support. The hearth is defined laterally by a peripheral wall that is equipped with at least one combustion air inlet. There is a discharge pipe for discharging the combustion gases, that includes a bottom portion secured to a top part of the hearth, and a top portion opposite the bottom portion. The fireplace also includes at least one combustible fluid burner that is arranged in the hearth opposite at least one air inlet and a combustible fluid supply column that extends between a first end connected to a combustible fluid source and a second end connected to at least one burner. The supply column passed down through the discharge pipe from its top portion to its bottom portion and opens in the hearth in order to convey the combustible fluid from the combustible fluid source to at least one burner.

Claims

1. A fireplace, comprising: a support; a hearth being suspended on said support, and being delimited laterally by a peripheral wall equipped with at least one combustion air inlet; a discharge pipe being secured to said support and having a bottom portion secured to a top part of said hearth, and a top portion opposite said bottom portion; at least one combustible fluid burner being arranged in said hearth opposite the combustion air inlet; and a combustible fluid supply column having a first end and a second end opposite said first end and connected to at least one burner, wherein said combustible fluid supply column passes down through said top portion to said bottom portion of said discharge pipe and an opening in said hearth so as to convey a combustible fluid from a combustible fluid source through said first end of said combustible fluid supply column connected to the combustible fluid source to the combustible fluid burner-connected to said second end of said combustible fluid supply column.

2. The fireplace, according to claim 1, wherein said combustible fluid supply column comprises a supply pipe and insulation means, wherein the insulation means encircles said supply pipe between said first end and said second end of said combustible fluid supply column.

3. The fireplace, according to claim 2, wherein the insulation means comprises a heat exchanger extending between said first end and said second end of said combustible fluid supply column.

4. The fireplace, according to claim 2, wherein the insulation means comprises: a first heat exchanger encircling said supply pipe; and a second heat exchanger encircling said first heat exchanger, wherein said first heat exchanger extends between said first end and said second end of said combustible fluid supply column, and wherein said second heat exchanger extends between said first end and said second end of said combustible fluid supply column.

5. The fireplace, according to claim 4, wherein said first heat exchanger and said second heat exchanger are arranged concentrically.

6. The fireplace, according to claim 3, wherein the insulation means further comprises at least one air intake arranged in said hearth and connected to said heat exchanger so as to generate a rising flow of air within heat exchanger from air outside said hearth.

7. The fireplace, according to claim 2, wherein said support is comprised of: an attachment plate being secured to said supply pipe, and a sleeve secured to said attachment plate, said sleeve encircling said discharge pipe over a given distance so as to diffuse warmed air.

8. The fireplace, according to claim 1, wherein said hearth is further comprised of a base so as to define a bottom of said hearth, said hearth being rotatably mounted to said discharge pipe.

9. The fireplace, according to claim 8, further comprising: a pivot plate secured to said combustible fluid supply column and arranged in said hearth so as to rotate relative to said base.

10. The fireplace, according to claim 8, wherein said pivot plate and said base are perforated so as to allow an intake of air towards said combustible fluid supply column.

11. The fireplace, according to claim 1, wherein said top portion of said discharge pipe is secured to said support so as to suspend said hearth by said support.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other special features and advantages will appear in the detailed description that follows of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention illustrated by the accompanying FIGS. 1 to 3.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustration of a longitudinal cross section of a fireplace with a suspended hearth according to an embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an illustration of a transverse cross section A-A of the discharge pipe of the fireplace with a suspended hearth of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an illustration in longitudinal cross section of a top portion of the discharge pipe of a fireplace as in FIG. 1 with the various flows of gas illustrated.

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an illustration of a fireplace with a suspended hearth according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an illustration of an attachment plate for the fireplace of FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustration of the hearth of the fireplace of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, the present invention relates to a fireplace 1 which comprises a hearth 2 suspended from a support 3. In general, the support 3 may be formed by a wall, a partition, a ceiling, a floor, a ceiling fixture, etc. In the case of a ceiling, a floor or a ceiling fixture, such a fireplace 1 may be positioned close to a wall or in front of a glass wall, or alternatively in the middle of a room. Thus, this type of fireplace 1 has a decorative esthetic appearance and also allows heating to be provided to the room in which it is installed.

(9) To fulfil a decorative function, the hearth 2 may have a particular shape. In the example in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, the hearth 2 is oblate in shape. However, the hearth 2 may take all sorts of three-dimensional geometric forms such as a quadrangular, spherical, pyramidal or cylindrical form, etc.

(10) In the example shown in FIG. 1, the hearth 2 is formed by an enclosure 20. The enclosure 20 comprises a peripheral wall 21 which laterally delimits the hearth 2. The enclosure 20 also comprises a base 22 which delimits the bottom of the hearth 2. As the fireplace 1 is suspended, the base 22 of the hearth 2 is at a given distance from the floor. Preferably, the base 22 never touches the floor of the room. Finally, the enclosure 20 comprises a top wall 23 which delimits the top of the hearth 2. The top wall 23 belongs to a top portion of the hearth 2. Meanwhile, the base 22 belongs to a bottom portion of the hearth 2.

(11) The peripheral wall 21 is equipped with at least one air inlet 24. The air A coming from the air inlet serves as an oxidizer for the combustion process. In this example, the air inlet is formed by an opening 24 arranged in the peripheral wall 21. This opening 24 defines the front face of the hearth 2. In this case, the opening 24 is wide open. However, according to a variant of the invention that has not been illustrated, it is possible to provide means for complete or partial closure in the region of this opening 24 in order to restrict access to the hearth 2. The closure means can preferably be opened and re-closed. As an indication, the closure means may for example be formed by a window or a grating.

(12) The fireplace 1 also comprises a discharge pipe 4. In this example, the discharge pipe 4 is cylindrical. Preferably, the discharge pipe 4 is made of a non-ductile material that has heat conduction properties. As an indication, it is possible to produce the discharge pipe 4 in a metal or metal alloy such as steel, cast iron, etc.

(13) The discharge pipe 4 ensures in particular the discharge of the combustion gases B to the outside of the room. Accordingly, the discharge pipe 4 comprises a bottom portion 40 secured to the top portion of the hearth 2. Of course, the discharge pipe 4 comprises an opening 41 which communicates with the enclosure 20 in the region of the junction between the discharge pipe 4 and the hearth 2. The combustion gases B escape from the hearth in a rising flow (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3).

(14) Moreover, the discharge pipe 4 comprises a top portion 42. The top portion 42 is opposite the bottom portion 40. The top portion 42 is secured to the support 3. In this example, the top portion 42 is secured to the support through an attachment plate 43. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the attachment plate 43 is annular in shape. In practice, the attachment plate 43 may be secured mechanically or by welding to the discharge pipe 4.

(15) As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the fireplace 1 also comprises a sleeve 44 secured to the attachment plate 43. The sleeve 44 encircles the discharge pipe 4. In this case, the sleeve 44 extends over a given distance from the plate 43 in the direction of the bottom portion 40 of the discharge pipe 4. Preferably, the sleeve 44 comprises a hollow body which extends annularly between the peripheral wall of the discharge pipe 4 and the outer wall of the sleeve 44.

(16) In the example described in FIGS. 1 to 6, the discharge pipe 4 acts as a suspension element for the hearth 2 relative to the support 3. The discharge pipe 4 therefore extends down from the support 3 to the hearth 2. Preferably, the discharge pipe 4 extends longitudinally between the support 3 and the hearth 2. However, depending on the model of fireplace 1 and/or the type of installation, it is possible for the discharge pipe 4 not to extend in a rectilinear fashion.

(17) Moreover in order to discharge the combustion gases B outside the room and/or the building, the discharge pipe 4 is extended by an exhaust pipe to the outside of the room and/or building.

(18) The fireplace 1 comprises at least one combustible fluid burner 5. Preferably, the burner 5 is configured to burn combustible fluid C such as town gas, propane, butane, etc. However, it is also possible to use a burner configured to burn ethanol or bioethanol. In this example, the burner 5 is arranged in the hearth 2. In particular, the burner 5 is arranged opposite the opening 24. Thus, the burner 5 uses the air A coming from the opening 24 as an oxidizer. Moreover, this configuration allows the blazing of the flames produced by the burner 5 to be diffused through the opening 24 within the room where the fireplace 1 is installed.

(19) In the example in FIG. 6, the fireplace 1 comprises a curved burner 5. In this case, the curvature of the burner 5 follows the curvature of the enclosure 20 and of the opening 24.

(20) The use of a burner 5 for a combustible fluid C allows the fine particle emissions that are linked to the incomplete combustion of wood to be reduced. In this respect, the burner 5 for combustible fluid C helps overcome the drawbacks of the wood-burning fireplace described in the introduction to this document.

(21) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the fireplace 1 comprises a supply column 6. The supply column 6 is in particular configured to supply the burner 5 with combustible fluid. Accordingly, the supply column 6 extends between a first end 60 connected to a combustible fluid source and a second end 61 connected to at least one burner 5. In this case, the source of combustible fluid C is situated upstream of the support 3. The combustible source may consist of a local storage tank such as a gas cylinder. However, preferably, the source of combustible fluid C is a public supply network, for example a network supplying town gas.

(22) In this example, the supply column 6 is arranged passing down through the discharge pipe 4. More precisely, the supply column 6 extends at least in part within the opening 41 of the discharge pipe 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the supply column 6 extends along an axis that is radially offset relative to the central axis of the discharge pipe 4. In this case, the supply column 6 extends initially within the sleeve 44. The supply column 6 then extends longitudinally from the top portion 42 to the bottom portion 40 of the discharge pipe 4. Preferably, the supply column 6 extends beyond the bottom portion 40 and opens in the hearth 2. Finally, the supply column 6 extends to a plate 25 arranged in the region of the base 22 of the hearth 2. In the region of this plate, 25, the supply column 6 is connected to at least one burner 5.

(23) Advantageously, the fact that the supply column 6 extends within the discharge pipe 4 helps provide a compact and esthetic technical solution for supplying the burner 5 with combustible fluid.

(24) In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the supply column 6 comprises a supply pipe 62 which extends from the combustible fluid source to at least one burner 5. In particular, the supply pipe 62 passes successively through the attachment plate 43, the sleeve 44 and the supply column 6 to the plate 25. In the region of the plate 25, the supply pipe 62 is extended by a flexible supply coupling 63 which is connected to at least one burner 5. Thus, the combustible fluid passes through the supply column 6 in a downward flow C to the burner 5. Moreover, the flexible supply coupling 63 is connected, on the one hand, to the supply pipe 62 and, on the other hand, to at least one burner 5 through a sealed mechanical connection. For example, this sealed mechanical connection may be produced by gland nuts which maintain the fittings in position during the rotation of the hearth 2.

(25) The supply pipe 62 may be formed by a cylindrical pipe made of a non-ductile material covered with an insulating polymer material. For example, the supply pipe 62 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel or aluminum. The supply pipe 62 may convey combustible gas such as town gas, propane, butane, etc.

(26) Advantageously, the supply column 6 comprises insulation means 7. In this case, the insulation means 7 encircle the supply pipe 62 between each end 60, 61 of the supply column 6. In this respect, the insulation means 7 allow the supply pipe 62 to be insulated from the combustion gases B which circulate in the discharge pipe 4 in an upward flow. This is because the combustion gases B can generally reach temperatures of between 150 C. and 300 C.

(27) However, at such a temperature, the combustible fluid is likely to catch fire through a simple transfer of the thermal energy of the rising combustion gases B. However, the insulation means 7 allow the transfer of thermal energy to be reduced. This is because the insulation means 7 maintain the supply pipe 62 at a temperature below a given threshold temperature. More precisely, the insulation means 7 maintain the supply pipe 62 at a temperature of less than 60 C. Preferably, the insulation means 7 allow the supply pipe 62 to be kept at a temperature of less than 50 C.

(28) With this in mind, the insulation means 7 comprise at least one heat exchanger 70. The heat exchanger 70 encircles the supply pipe 62. Thus, the heat exchanger 70 insulates the supply pipe 62 from the combustion gases B. In this example, the heat exchanger 70 extends at least between each end 60, 61 of the supply column 6. In practice, the heat exchanger 70 extends from the plate 25 positioned in the hearth 2 to the sleeve 44. In fact, the heat exchanger 70 passes successively through the hearth 2 and the discharge pipe 4.

(29) Preferably, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the insulation means 7 comprise at least two heat exchangers 70, 70a, 70b. In this advantageous configuration, a first heat exchanger 70a encircles the supply pipe 62. At the same time, a second heat exchanger 70b encircles the first heat exchanger 70a. It should be noted that the peripheral wall of the second heat exchanger 70b laterally delimits the supply column 6 within the hearth 2 but also within the discharge pipe 4.

(30) The heat exchangers 70, 70a, 70b are fitted inside each other. Moreover, the supply pipe 62 is fitted in the first heat exchanger 70a. This configuration allows the insulation of the supply pipe 62 to be optimized.

(31) In addition, in the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the two heat exchangers 70, 70a, 70b are arranged concentrically. Advantageously, the second heat exchanger 70b allows the first heat exchanger 70a to be cooled. The supply pipe 62 can therefore come in contact with the walls of the first heat exchanger 70a without danger. In this example, the supply pipe 62 consists of a flexible, semi-rigid pipe. The concentric arrangement of the heat exchangers ensures homogeneous insulation of the peripheral wall which radially delimits the first heat exchanger 70a.

(32) In this example, each heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b is formed by a pipe. This pipe is made preferably of a non-ductile material such as a metal material. For example, the pipe may be made of stainless steel, aluminum, etc. Moreover, each pipe may be covered with a high-temperature resistant insulating coating. For example, it is possible to use a material such as ceramic cloth, glass fiber, microtherm, elastomer, etc.

(33) As an example, the first heat exchanger 70a may have a cross section measuring at least 1.5 times more than the cross section of the supply pipe 62. At the same time, the second heat exchanger 70b may have a cross section measuring at least 1.3 times more than the cross section of the first heat exchanger 70a.

(34) In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, each heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b is an air heat exchanger. In this context, the insulation means 7 comprise at least one air intake. In this example, the air intake is arranged in the region of the hearth 2. More precisely, this air intake is arranged in the region of the plate 25. Accordingly, the platform 25 is perforated.

(35) Similarly, the base 22 also comprises at least one air intake 26 which is advantageously arranged on the same axis as the air intake(s) of the insulation means 7. These air intakes 26 supply at least one heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b from outside the hearth 2. These characteristics help generate a rising flow of air D, E within at least one heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b. This rising flow of air is referred to as cool air as it comes directly from outside the hearth 2. In practice, each heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b has an air intake in the region of the plate 25. This configuration generates a dual flow of cool air D, E within the supply column 6. The dual flow of cool air D, E helps ensure optimal insulation of the supply pipe 62.

(36) Table 1 below compares the temperature of the supply pipe 62 measured at a plurality of heights for, on the one hand, a first embodiment of the invention known as a single-flow configuration in which the supply column 6 is equipped with a single heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b and, on the other hand, a second embodiment known as a dual-flow configuration, in which the supply column 6 comprises two heat exchangers 70, 70a, 70b.

(37) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Height of the Single-flow configuration Dual-flow configuration supply column Supply pipe temperature Supply pipe temperature (mm) ( C.) ( C.) 5 41 21 55 41 21 105 43 20 155 55 21 205 56 255 21 305 67 355 21 405 72 455 22 505 73 555 22 605 73 705 73 755 23 805 72 905 72 955 24 1005 72 1115 25 1355 24

(38) According to these results, in a single-flow configuration, the temperature of the supply pipe 62 may vary between 41 C. and 72 C. whereas the dual-flow configuration allows the variation in temperature of the supply pipe 62 to be limited to between 21 C. and 24 C.

(39) Thus, the dual-flow configuration allows the temperature of the supply pipe 62 to be maintained at more than 30 C. below the threshold of 60 C. Because of this, the dual-flow configuration allows the risk of the combustible fluid C catching fire through a thermal energy transfer from the combustion gases B to be reduced, or even eliminated.

(40) As illustrated in FIG. 3, at least one heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b comprises an exhaust outlet 71. This exhaust outlet 71 is open in the discharge pipe 4. In particular, the exhaust outlet 71 is arranged close to the first end 60 of the discharge column 4. In this example, it is the second heat exchanger 70b that comprises an exhaust outlet 71 open in the top portion of the opening 41 of the discharge pipe 4. Thus, the cool air E enters into the second heat exchanger 70b via the air intake, passes up through the supply column 6 to the exhaust outlet 71. In the region of the exhaust outlet 71, the rising air E is mixed with the combustion gases B and is then discharged to the outside by the discharge pipe.

(41) According to the invention, each heat exchanger 70, 70a, 70b extends at least between each end 60, 61 of the supply column 6. More precisely, the first heat exchanger 70a extends from the plate 25 to the sleeve 44. The second heat exchanger 70b on the other hand extends from the plate 25 to the junction between the supply column 6 and the sleeve 44.

(42) As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first heat exchanger 70a opens in the sleeve 44. The sleeve 44 which comprises openings arranged in its peripheral wall. Thus, the sleeve 44 diffuses the warmed air which has previously passed through the first heat exchanger 70a from the platform 25. Advantageously, this creates a natural air circulation within the first heat exchanger 70a. The cool air D which enters into the first heat exchanger 70a in the region of the air intake. When entering in the region of the air intake, the cool air D is at ambient temperature. While passing through the first heat exchanger 70a, the cool air D is warmed to be discharged from the sleeve 44 to the room at a temperature of between 35 C. and 40 C. By diffusing warmed air in the region of the ceiling of the room, this helps diffuse the temperature produced by the combustion homogeneously. This characteristic improves the thermal comfort of the room in which the fireplace 1 is installed.

(43) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the hearth 2 is mounted rotating relative to the discharge pipe 4. To this end, the hearth 2 is connected to the discharge pipe by a rotating mechanical connection such as a cylinder/cylinder pivot linkage. Moreover, the hearth 2 may also be mounted rotating relative to the supply column 6. Accordingly, the plate 25 is mounted pivoting relative to the base 22 of the hearth 2. To do this, the plate 25 may be engaged in a rotating mechanical linkage. For example, the rotating mechanical linkage may be formed by a revolving plate with ball bearings, or a disc cooperating in a friction bearing, etc.