U.S. patent application number 12/639702 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for gas fireplace burner with built-in pilot system.
This patent application is currently assigned to CANADIAN HEATING PRODUCTS INC.. Invention is credited to Dan Binzer.
Application Number | 20110056481 12/639702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43646708 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Binzer; Dan |
March 10, 2011 |
GAS FIREPLACE BURNER WITH BUILT-IN PILOT SYSTEM
Abstract
A burner and pilot assembly for a gas fireplace has a
substantially hollow burner enclosure with a plurality of burner
outlet apertures at the top of the enclosure. A pilot burner is
mounted within the enclosure to underlie a portion of the outlet
apertures such that flame from the pilot burner extends from a
portion of the outlet apertures to merge the appearance of the
pilot flame with the main burner flame when the main burner is lit.
The invention is well-suited to a linear-style gas fireplace
burner.
Inventors: |
Binzer; Dan; (Langley,
CA) |
Assignee: |
CANADIAN HEATING PRODUCTS
INC.
Langley
CA
|
Family ID: |
43646708 |
Appl. No.: |
12/639702 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/512 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23Q 9/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/512 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/18 20060101
F24B001/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2009 |
CA |
2678231 |
Claims
1. A burner and pilot assembly for a gas fireplace comprising a
substantially hollow burner enclosure, a plurality of burner outlet
apertures at the top of said enclosure, a pilot burner mounted
within a portion of said enclosure, said pilot burner underlying a
portion of said burner outlet apertures such that flame from the
pilot burner extends from a portion of said plurality of burner
outlet apertures.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said pilot burner is mounted in
a walled compartment within said enclosure.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said substantially hollow burner
enclosure comprises a bottom plate, said bottom plate also defines
a bottom portion of a walled compartment of said enclosure, and
said bottom portion of said compartment comprises at least one air
inlet aperture.
4. The assembly of claim 3 further comprising a venturi element for
controlling the inlet of combustion air to a portion of said
compartment that contains the outlet of said pilot burner.
5. The assembly of claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein said plurality of
burner outlet apertures comprises an elongated plurality of burner
outlet apertures.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent
Application No. 2,678,231, which was filed on Sep. 8, 2009, and is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to an improved ignition system for
gas fireplaces. In particular, the invention relates to the
arrangement of a pilot burner in relation to the main burner of a
gas fireplace and its surrounding structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The presence of a pilot to ignite the main burner of a gas
fireplace is recognized as a safe means to ignite the main flame,
as compared to a `direct spark` ignition system where a spark is
used to ignite accumulated gas flowing out of the main burner,
sometimes with an unexpectedly large explosion. However the look of
pilot burner assembly generally detracts from the aesthetic appeal
of the fireplace. For that reason, in traditional gas fireplaces
having artificial log sets, the pilot assembly is often
intentionally camouflaged by the log set.
[0004] It is presently in fashion for consumers to seek a clean,
modern look for home appliances and furnishings: to that desire, a
few years ago the market saw the introduction of a gas fireplace
style called a `linear burner`. This style of burner provides a
contemporary look using rocks or glass beads as a decorative medium
around the flame, as opposed to the artificial logs used in
traditional gas fireplaces. However, without the logs to act as
camouflage, the pilot burner becomes visible in a contemporary look
fireplace.
[0005] The effectiveness of a pilot burner is also subject to it
being properly installed. If the pilot burner is placed too far
away from the main burner, or too high or too low in relation to
it, it may fail to ignite the burner, again resulting in
potentially dangerous build up of gas.
[0006] It is an object of this invention to eliminate the unsightly
appearance of a pilot in a gas fireplace, particularly but not
exclusively in a linear burner style of gas fireplace, yet retain
the safety aspect of a pilot as compared to a direct spark ignition
system.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to avoid the
appearance of a separate pilot candle alongside a main burner when
the fireplace is in operation, which can occur when the pilot
burner assembly is not properly camouflaged.
[0008] These and other objects of the invention will be better
understood by reference to the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment which follows.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a pilot burner that is
directly adjacent and provides a flame that appears as a continuous
extension of the flame from the main linear burner. The pilot
burner is provided within the linear burner enclosure that
otherwise directs gas from the gas supply toward a linear series of
openings at the top of the enclosure. By being situated within the
main burner enclosure, the pilot burner is effectively invisible to
the user.
[0010] The invention retains the safety characteristics of the
pilot over the direct spark ignition system, while avoiding the
unsightliness of the pilot burner and eliminating the candle effect
of a pilot flame spaced from the main burner.
[0011] In one aspect, the invention comprises a burner and pilot
assembly for a gas fireplace comprising a substantially hollow
burner enclosure, a plurality of burner outlet apertures at the top
of the enclosure, a pilot burner mounted within a portion of the
enclosure. The pilot burner underlies a portion of the outlet
apertures such that flame from the pilot burner extends from some
of the outlet apertures.
[0012] In a more specific aspect of the invention, the pilot burner
is mounted in a walled compartment within the main burner
enclosure.
[0013] In a further aspect, the main burner enclosure comprises a
bottom plate that also acts as the bottom portion of the walled
compartment which also includes at least one air inlet
aperture.
[0014] In yet a further aspect, a venturi element is provided to
control the inlet of combustion air to a portion of the compartment
that contains the outlet of the pilot burner.
[0015] In another aspect, the invention comprises the foregoing
features as applied specifically to a linear style burner.
[0016] The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of
only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to
define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects
of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention will be described by reference to the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the drawings thereof
in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art linear style
burner for a gas fireplace;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the linear style burner
according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the burner of FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the burner of FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the burner of FIG. 4
taken along line 5-5; and,
[0023] FIG. 6 is a right end view of the burner of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a `linear burner` style gas fireplace
assembly. The assembly generally consists of a substantially hollow
burner 10 and a pilot assembly 12.
[0025] Hollow burner 10 comprises opposed inclined side plates 14
(only one of which is visible in FIG. 1), opposed end plates 16
(only one of which is visible in FIG. 1), a top burner plate 18
having a series of linear apertures 20, and a bottom burner plate
(not shown in FIG. 1). The bottom burner plate accommodates a gas
supply conduit 22 for supplying gas to the hollow interior of the
burner 10. The gas is collected within the hollow burner enclosure
and exhausted through the apertures 20 at the top of the
burner.
[0026] Pilot assembly 12 includes a bracket 24 for mounting the
assembly to the side of the burner 10. A pilot burner 26 and pilot
flame diverter 28, a pilot igniter 30 and a pilot flame sensor 32
are mounted in bracket 24.
[0027] In use, this style of burner would be partly covered with
rocks or glass beads to barely cover the top burner plate 18. It
will be appreciated that in such configuration, the pilot burner 26
and diverter 28 remain visible, as well as presenting a distinctly
separate candle-like flame besides the flame generated by the
burner 10.
[0028] FIGS. 2 to 6 illustrate the preferred embodiment of the
present invention. The hollow burner 34 consists of opposed
inclined side walls 36, 38, a top burner plate 40 having linear
apertures 42, opposed end walls 44, 46 and a bottom burner plate
48. Bottom burner plate 48 includes an aperture 50 for receiving
gas supply conduit 52.
[0029] The pilot burner 54 is mounted within an aperture 56 that is
provided in bottom burner plate 48 alongside air inlets 58. A
divider plate 60 isolates the pilot burner 54 and the pilot flame
from the main portion of the enclosure 62. A venturi bracket 64
regulates the mixing of combustion air supplied through air inlets
58 and of the gas emitted from the outlet of pilot burner 54. Pilot
burner 54 and its associated venturi bracket 64 are therefore
enclosed in a compartment between divider plate 60 and end wall 44
and are not visible from the exterior of the burner 34.
[0030] In the preferred embodiment, pilot flame sensor 66 and pilot
igniter 68 are mounted to end wall 44 by means of a bracket 70.
[0031] When the pilot burner is lit, the pilot flame extends upward
from the apertures in the portion of the top burner plate 40 that
directly overlies the pilot burner 54. When the burner 34 is lit,
the pilot flame therefore appears to be a continuous and integral
extension of the flame emitted from main burner 34. In addition, as
the pilot burner 54 is now supplied integrally with the housing of
burner 34, there is little possibility of incorrect positioning of
the pilot burner in relation to the main burner thereby ensuring
reliable ignition of the main burner.
[0032] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that
certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the
principles of the invention.
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