OUTDOOR HEATER
A heater may include a combustion chamber configured to burn pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier; a pellet hopper configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier; a ventilated chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the ventilated chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the ventilated chamber; a flue for carrying heat from the combustion chamber; and a heat deflector disposed on the flue to deflect heat in a radial direction.
This application is related to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 12, 2022, entitled HEATER, and bearing Attorney Docket No. 57982.237US01, and to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 12, 2002, entitled COMBUSTOR, and bearing Attorney Docket No. 57982.237US02, and to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 12, 2002, entitled HEAT REFLECTOR, and bearing Attorney Docket No. 57982.237US03, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates generally to the field of outdoor heaters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a patio-type outdoor heater that includes a combustion chamber for burning pellets and a pellet hopper for containing pellets.
BACKGROUNDVarious devices regulate air temperature to increase comfort and safety both indoors and outdoors. Outdoor heaters provide heat in an outdoor setting when temperatures are cool. Various different kinds of outdoor heaters are of different sizes, use different types of fuel, and provide different functions. One common type of outdoor heater generates heat by flames created from combustible gas, like propane. While propane is a commonly used fuel for outdoor heaters, it presents several disadvantages. Propane can be expensive and difficult to supply. Sourcing propane typically involves refilling a propane tank by a professional service. In addition, propane emits a distinct and strong odor that is often considered unpleasant. Propane is also not a renewable source, leading to potentially adverse effects to the environment. In addition, most floor standing outdoor heaters that use propane as the fuel position the heat source at the top of the heater, making directing the heat downward difficult.
Wood pellet heaters address many of these issues by using a less expensive, renewable fuel, eliminating the odor of propane, and more uniformly directing heat. However, a unique challenge of pellet heaters is ensuring that a pellet hopper storing pellets prior to combustion are kept sufficiently cool to prevent unwanted hopper fires. To overcome this challenge, many wood pellet patio heaters house wood pellets in isolated, separate housings from the combustion chamber and have inconvenient access to the burn chamber. However, housing wood pellets in an isolated chamber prior to combustion may increase manufacturing complexity and cost, negatively affect the structural integrity and strength of the outdoor heater, and decrease aesthetic value for some customers.
SUMMARYIn some example aspects, the present disclosure is directed to a heater. The heater may include a combustion chamber configured to burn pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier; a pellet hopper configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier; a ventilated chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the ventilated chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the ventilated chamber; a flue for carrying heat from the combustion chamber; and a heat deflector disposed on the flue to deflect heat in a radial direction.
In some aspects, the pellet hopper is positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber along a horizontal axis. In some aspects, the ventilated chamber is fully enclosed. In some aspects, the first barrier and the second barrier are parallel to one another. In some aspects, the first barrier extends parallel to a vertical axis of the heater. In some aspects, the second barrier extends parallel to a vertical axis of the heater. In some aspects, the heater further comprises a chute extending between the pellet hopper and the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the chute extends through the ventilated chamber. In some aspects, the chute is angled relative to a horizontal axis of the heater. In some aspects, the heater further comprises a movable barrier within the pellet hopper configured to selectively allow one or more of the pellets within the pellet hopper to move along the chute from the pellet hopper to the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the first barrier comprises one or more additional orifices configured to allow air to move from the ventilated chamber to the combustion chamber.
In some example aspects, the present disclosure is directed to a pellet heater. The pellet heater may include a combustion chamber for burning pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier; a pellet hopper configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier; a chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the chamber; a fire pot disposed at a lower portion within the combustion chamber, the fire pot comprising a fuel grate configured to: receive the pellets from the pellet hopper; and support the pellets during combustion; a chute extending from a lower portion of second barrier of the pellet hopper to the fire pot by which the pellets within the pellet hopper move to the fire pot; a slidable ash grate disposed beneath the fire pot, the slidable ash grate configured to receive ashes from the fire pot and comprising a first handle configured to facilitate movement along a horizontal axis of the combustion chamber; and a removeable ash pan disposed beneath the slidable ash grate, the grate configured to catch and store ashes from the slidable ash grate and comprising a second handle.
In some aspects, the fuel grate includes a first region and a second region, the first region being angled at a first angle with respect to a horizontal axis of the pellet heater and the second region being angled at a second angle with respect to the horizontal axis.
In some example aspects, the present disclosure is directed to a heater. The heater may include a combustion chamber for burning pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier and defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis; a pellet hopper positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber along a horizontal axis and configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier; and a ventilated chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the chamber.
In some aspects, the pellet hopper is positioned such that a top surface of the pellet hopper is parallel to a top surface of the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the first barrier and the second barrier are parallel to one another. In some aspects, the heater further comprises a chute extending between the pellet hopper and the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the chute is an enclosed chute including a first opening at the pellet hopper and a second opening at the combustion chamber. In some aspects, the chute is angled relative to a horizontal axis of the heater. In some aspects, the first barrier comprises one or more additional orifices configured to allow air to move from the ventilated chamber to the combustion chamber.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following drawings and detailed description are exemplary and explanatory in nature and are intended to provide an understanding of the present disclosure without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In that regard, additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following. One or more features of any implementation or aspect may be combinable with one or more features of other implementation or aspect.
The accompanying drawings illustrate implementations of the systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
These Figures will be better understood by reference to the following Detailed Description.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONFor the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the implementations illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is intended. Any alterations and further modifications to the described devices, instruments, methods, and any further application of the principles of the present disclosure are fully contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates. In addition, this disclosure describes some elements or features in detail with respect to one or more implementations or Figures, when those same elements or features appear in subsequent Figures, without such a high level of detail. It is fully contemplated that the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to one or more implementations or Figures may be combined with the features, components, and/or steps described with respect to other implementations or Figures of the present disclosure. For simplicity, in some instances the same or similar reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
Some aspects of the disclosure teach a pellet burning outdoor heater, such as a patio heater. The patio heater may include a base having a pellet hopper and a combustion chamber separated by an enclosed, yet ventilated chamber. The pellet hopper, combustion chamber, and ventilated chamber may be positioned within the same housing and interior walls within the housing may separate these chambers, creating a uniform appearance and providing stability to the patio heater. The ventilated chamber may include multiple holes in the exterior walls of the ventilated chamber as well as multiple holes in the interior walls of the ventilated chamber allowing air to flow in and out of the ventilated chamber. In this way, pellets in the pellet hopper are insulated from the heat of the combustion chamber and kept below a combustible temperature. A flue is positioned above the combustion chamber of the heater base allowing heat to emanate into the surrounding environment. The flue also has a directed exit for exhaust. A heat deflector affixed to the top of flue also directs heat to a desired surrounding space.
In one aspect, the base 110 of the patio heater 100 may house wood pellets. The wood pellets may be both stored prior to combustion and burned within the base 110. The base 110 may include a housing. Chambers withing the housing of the base 110 may serve various purposes. For example, a chamber for pellet storage and a chamber for pellet combustion may be disposed within the same housing of the base 110.
The flue 180 shown in
The heat deflector 190 radiates heat outward and downward from the patio heater 100. In some aspects, the heat deflector 190 may include a circular deflector 194 and a rectangular cap 192. As will be described in more detail with reference to
As shown in
During a combustion process, pellets housed in the pellet hopper 140 may be moved at various times to the combustion chamber 120. In the combustion chamber 120, the pellets may burn, generating heat. This heat may move to the inner column 185 of the flue 180 and emanate into the surrounding environment.
In some aspects, the enclosed ventilated chamber 130 may separate the pellet hopper 140 from the combustion chamber 120. A chute may deliver wood pellets from the pellet hopper 140 to the combustion chamber 120 as will be described in more detail with reference to
As shown in
The inner column 185 may include a column shaped wall that in this implementation has a substantially circular cross-section. Other implementations have cross sections of other shapes, including any of a variety of polygonal and oval shapes. In some aspects, the inner column 185 may be open at a lower end of the inner column. The lower opening of the inner column 185 may be in communication with an upper opening of the combustion chamber 120. In some aspects, heated air and/or exhaust may pass from the combustion chamber 120 into the inner column 185 by this lower opening.
In some aspects, the inner column 185 may have an open top, while in other aspects, the inner column 185 may include a cap at an upper end of the inner column 185.
As shown in
The location and dimensions of the vents 182, as well as dimensions of the combustion chamber 120 and inner column 185 may be selected to create a draft moving upward from the combustion chamber 120 through the inner column 185. For example, as hot air rises from the fire pot 160, it escapes through the vents 182 in the top of the chimney and creates an upwards pull through the combustion area below. As heated air is pulled upward and out the vents 182, it forms a vacuum within the combustion chamber 120. This vacuum in turn pulls air from the outside environment through holes in the combustion chamber 120, most notably through the slotted holes or slotted holes 630 (shown in
As noted with reference to
In some aspects, the outer shield 187 may allow heat to pass from the inner column 185, through the outer shield 187, and to the surrounding environment. The path of heat from the inner column 185 to the surrounding environment may be illustrated by the arrows 290 shown in
A cross-section of the heat deflector 190 is also shown in
As shown in
In some aspects, the pellet hopper 140 may include a liftable lid 144. Lid 144 may rotate about a joint securing the lid 144 to an edge of the pellet hopper 140, such as the barrier 142. In some regards, the lid 144 may include a handle 146. The handle 146 may be spaced from the heater 100 by a gap 147. This gap 147 may be created by one or more flanges extending from an outer surface of the lid 144. In this way the handle 146 may be insulated from other components of the heater 100. For example, as the combustion chamber 120 increases in temperature, some heat may be transferred to the hopper 140 or the lid 144 of the hopper 140. In such case, the handle 146 may maintain a lower temperature for a longer period of time decreasing the chances of a user of the heater 100 burning themselves when touching the handle 146. The gap 147 may interrupt or slow the transfer of conductive heat from the lid 144 to the handle 146.
In some aspects, a slidable gate 510 may be affixed to a hopper-facing surface of the barrier 142. As will be described in more detail with reference to
The chute 150 may include the upper opening 152 previously mentioned as well as a lower opening 154. The chute 150 may be affixed to the pellet hopper 140 at a lower region of the pellet hopper 140. In some aspects, the heater 100 is a gravity-fed heater, and the angled nature of angled barriers 141 of the pellet hopper 140 directs pellets into the upper opening 152 of the chute 150 as the pellets move downward within the pellet hopper 140 by gravity. Similarly, the chute 150 may be angled as shown in
Various components may be included in relation to the chute 150 to control the movement of wood pellets from the hopper 140 to the fire pot 160 or to insulate the hopper 140 from heat generated within the combustion chamber 120. For example, the slidable gate 510 (described in more detail with reference to
The combustion chamber 120 may be defined at least by a lower barrier 121, a front barrier 124, an upper barrier 123, and a rear barrier 122. In some aspects, the combustion chamber 120 may be additionally defined by a left barrier 482 (
The combustion chamber 120 may house a fire pot 160 at a lower region of the combustion chamber 120. The fire pot 160 may include a fuel grate 162. In some aspects, pellets which pass from the pellet hopper 140, down the chute 150, and into the combustion chamber 120 may be received on the fuel grate 162. The fuel grate 162 may include multiple angled rails as will be described in more detail with reference to
The fire pot 160 may include four vertically positioned walls defining a box with an open top. In some aspects, the fire pot 160 may be any suitable shape including any number of walls. The walls of the fire pot 160 may enclose the fuel grate 162 such that pellets which pass from the chute 150 are retained within the fire pot 160. The walls of the fire pot 160 may additionally ensure that burning material or ash is kept substantially within the fire pot 160 and does not pass to other areas within the combustion chamber 120.
As shown in
A slidable ash grate 164 may be positioned beneath the angled fuel grate 162, as shown in
The removable ash pan 166 may receive contents caught by the slidable ash grate 164 and/or or any other material from the fire pot 160. The removable ash pan 166 may also include a handle 167. The handle 167 may be positioned forwardly of the removable ash pan 166. Like the handle 165, the handle 167 may be grasped by a user at the front of the patio heater 100 (
A functional requirement of any pellet burning device may be to ensure that the pellets stored prior to combustion are kept sufficiently cool so as not to reach a combustion temperature. For many pellet burning devices, if stored pellets reach a combustible temperature, they may ignite starting a hopper fire. Hopper fires may be potentially dangerous to the pellet burning device itself as well as users of the device. In the event of a hopper fire, care must be taken to extinguish the hopper fire and use of the device must typically be stopped. In some cases, hopper fires may permanently disable the pellet burning device or require extensive repair to return to a functioning state.
With reference to
As shown in
Additional aspects of the base 110, including the pellet hopper 140, ventilated chamber 130, and combustion chamber 120 being formed within an integrated housing will be described in greater detail with reference to
In some aspects, the base 110 may include six exterior walls, including an upper and lower wall, a front and rear wall, and a left and right wall. The pellet hopper 140, ventilated chamber 130, and combustion chamber 120 may be formed within this housing by the two interior walls 142 and 122 separating the respective chambers, as shown in
Including the pellet hopper 140, ventilated chamber 130 and combustion chamber 120 within the same housing as shown and described may increase aesthetic value of the patio heater 100 (
In some aspects, the patio heater 100 may additionally include one or more legs 205 and casters 210. The legs 205 may separate the base 110 of the patio heater from a floor on which the patio heater 100 is placed. This separation may additionally aid in increasing air flow beneath the base 110 of the patio heater 100 further controlling component temperatures as well as increasing airflow within the patio heater 100. The casters 210 may promote ease of transportation of the patio heater. For example, a user of the patio heater 100 may tilt the patio heater 100 toward the casters 210 such that the weight of the patio heater 100 is supported by the casters 210. In this position, the patio heater 100 may be easily rolled to different locations.
A left side of the ventilated chamber 130 is shown in
The ventilated chamber 130 may be illustrated in
A right side of the ventilated chamber 130 is shown in
The door 492 may include multiple holes 433. The holes 433 may provide oxygen to the combustion chamber 120. In some aspects, the holes 433 may allow air to pass into or out of the combustion chamber 120. In that regard, the holes 433 may provide ventilation to the combustion chamber 120 and may be referred to as ventilation holes and/or may provide oxygen for combustion to the combustion chamber 120 to facilitate burning of the pellets and may be referred to as combustion holes or combustion air inlets. In some aspects, the door 492 may include a handle 496. The handle 496 may be grasped by a user of the patio heater 100 (
In some aspects, Rear barrier 486 may include multiple holes 434. The holes 434 may allow air flow into and out of the chamber 145. In some ways, as previously described, air flow within the chamber 145 may help to keep temperatures of pellets within the pellet hopper 140 below a combustion temperature. The holes 434 may be referred to as ventilation holes.
The bottom barrier 488 may also include holes 437. The holes 437 may correspond to the chamber 145. For example, the holes 437 may be positioned within a bottom region of the chamber 145. The holes 437 may allow air to flow into and out of the chamber 145.
As previously described the angled barriers 141 may direct pellets within the hopper through the opening 152. As some pellets within the pellet hopper 140 move through the opening 152, other pellets within the pellet hopper 140 may move downward toward the opening 152.
With the slidable gate 510 in an open position, pellets within the pellet hopper 140 may be gravity-fed through opening 152, down the chute 150 and into the combustion chamber 120 (
In some aspects, the slidable gate 510 may be coupled to a motor. The motor may be any suitable type of motor. The motor may move the slidable gate 510 along the vertical direction 590. In some aspects, the motor may selectively allow pellets to move from the pellet hopper 140 to the combustion chamber 120. In some aspects, the slidable gate 510 may be moved according to a temperature measured within the combustion chamber 120 or any other metric associated with a fire within the combustion chamber or the pellets within the pellet hopper 140. In some aspects, the slidable gate 510 may be moved between upper and lower positions according to a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller.
As shown, the barrier 122 may include an opening 610 and multiple slotted holes 630. The chute 150 (
In some aspects, the slotted holes 630 may be positioned below the opening 610 and the chute 150 (
As shown in
As previously described, the fire pot 160 may include the angled fuel grate 162. As shown in
As previously described, the slidable ash grate 164 may include a handle 165 and may be moved in the direction 790 in and/or out of the base 110 of the patio heater 100 (
In the example shown, the patio heater 800 may include a base 810, a flue 880, and a heat deflector 890. The patio heater 800 may also be referred to as a patio heater, a standing heater, a pellet heater, a combustion heater, or any other term. In some aspects, the patio heater 800 may be used to heat an outdoor space. The patio heater 800 may create heat by combustion of various fuels.
In one aspect, the base 810 of the patio heater 800 may house wood pellets. The wood pellets may be both stored prior to combustion and burned within the base 810. The base 810 may include a housing. Chambers withing the housing of the base 810 may serve various purposes. For example, a chamber for pellet storage and a chamber for pellet combustion may be disposed within the same housing of the base 810.
The flue 880 shown in
In some aspects, the column 885 may have an open top, while in other aspects, the column 885 may include a cap at an upper end of the column 885.
As shown in
The heat deflector 890 radiates heat outward and downward from the patio heater 800. In some aspects, the heat deflector 890 may include a circular deflector and a rectangular cap. This cap may radially direct heat emanating from the patio heater 800 in outward and downward directions. For example, the path of heat redirected by the heat deflector 890 may be shown by the arrows 892 of
Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the implementations encompassed by the present disclosure are not limited to the particular exemplary implementations described above. In that regard, although illustrative implementations have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change, combination, and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure. It is understood that such variations may be made to the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.
Claims
1. A heater, comprising:
- a combustion chamber configured to burn pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier;
- a pellet hopper configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier;
- a ventilated chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the ventilated chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the ventilated chamber;
- a flue for carrying heat from the combustion chamber; and
- a heat deflector disposed on the flue to deflect heat in a radial direction.
2. The heater of claim 1, wherein the pellet hopper is positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber along a horizontal axis.
3. The heater of claim 1, wherein the ventilated chamber is fully enclosed.
4. The heater of claim 1, wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are parallel to one another.
5. The heater of claim 1, wherein the first barrier extends parallel to a vertical axis of the heater.
6. The heater of claim 1, wherein the second barrier extends parallel to a vertical axis of the heater.
7. The heater of claim 1, further comprising a chute extending between the pellet hopper and the combustion chamber.
8. The heater of claim 7, wherein the chute extends through the ventilated chamber.
9. The heater of claim 7, wherein the chute is angled relative to a horizontal axis of the heater.
10. The heater of claim 7, further comprising a movable barrier within the pellet hopper configured to selectively allow one or more of the pellets within the pellet hopper to move along the chute from the pellet hopper to the combustion chamber.
11. The heater of claim 1, wherein the first barrier comprises one or more additional orifices configured to allow air to move from the ventilated chamber to the combustion chamber.
12. A pellet heater, comprising:
- a combustion chamber for burning pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier;
- a pellet hopper configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier;
- a chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the chamber;
- a fire pot disposed at a lower portion within the combustion chamber, the fire pot comprising a fuel grate configured to: receive the pellets from the pellet hopper; and support the pellets during combustion;
- a chute extending from a lower portion of second barrier of the pellet hopper to the fire pot by which the pellets within the pellet hopper move to the fire pot;
- a slidable ash grate disposed beneath the fire pot, the slidable ash grate configured to receive ashes from the fire pot and comprising a first handle configured to facilitate movement along a horizontal axis of the combustion chamber; and
- a removeable ash pan disposed beneath the slidable ash grate, the grate configured to catch and store ashes from the slidable ash grate and comprising a second handle.
13. The pellet heater of claim 12, wherein the fuel grate includes a first region and a second region, the first region being angled at a first angle with respect to a horizontal axis of the pellet heater and the second region being angled at a second angle with respect to the horizontal axis.
14. A heater, comprising:
- a combustion chamber for burning pellets, the combustion chamber comprising a first barrier and defining a vertical axis and a horizontal axis;
- a pellet hopper positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber along a horizontal axis and configured to contain the pellets, the pellet hopper comprising a second barrier; and
- a ventilated chamber between the combustion chamber and the pellet hopper, the chamber being enclosed by: the first barrier; the second barrier; and one or more surfaces comprising one or more orifices allowing air to pass through the chamber.
15. The heater of claim 14, wherein the pellet hopper is positioned such that a top surface of the pellet hopper is parallel to a top surface of the combustion chamber.
16. The heater of claim 14, wherein the first barrier and the second barrier are parallel to one another.
17. The heater of claim 14, further comprising a chute extending between the pellet hopper and the combustion chamber.
18. The heater of claim 17, wherein the chute is an enclosed chute including a first opening at the pellet hopper and a second opening at the combustion chamber.
19. The heater of claim 17, wherein the chute is angled relative to a horizontal axis of the heater.
20. The heater of claim 14, wherein the first barrier comprises one or more additional orifices configured to allow air to move from the ventilated chamber to the combustion chamber.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 12, 2022
Publication Date: Feb 15, 2024
Inventors: Jeffrey R. Weilert (Southlake, TX), Alexander K. Maghsadi (Lewisville, TX)
Application Number: 17/887,190