Abstract: A linear fireplace system, assemblies, modular units, and related methods that can be installed in a modular fashion at a selected installation location so as to avoid drawbacks experienced in the prior art. The system can include modular linear units, corner units, and/or end units interconnectable to form a modular linear fireplace assembly. The system can include an alignment track system with a track member that receives alignment rails on the bottom of the modular units to axially align the interconnected units. The system can include a combustion air flow passage within the fireplace that maintains a relatively low exterior temperature of the assembly and that allows combustible and non-combustible building materials to be installed against or immediately adjacent to the top and base portions of the modular units of the assembly.

Abstract: An exhaust and air intake system for a direct vent fireplace. A low-profile manifold assembly is coupled to a direct vent fireplace and is configured to receive exhaust gases from the fireplace and expel the exhaust gases outside of the building in which the fireplace is located. The manifold assembly also takes in fresh air from outside of the building and provides the fresh air to the fireplace to use during combustion. The manifold assembly includes separate chambers for the exhaust gases and the fresh air so that the exhaust gases and the fresh air do not mix together within the manifold assembly. Several pressure reduction and equalization structures are incorporated into the manifold assembly to regulate the amount and pressure of fresh air provided to the fireplace.

Abstract: A linear fireplace system, assemblies, modular units, and related methods that can be installed in a modular fashion at a selected installation location so as to avoid drawbacks experienced in the prior art. The system can include modular linear units, corner units, and/or end units interconnectable to form a modular linear fireplace assembly. The system can include an alignment track system with a track member that receives alignment rails on the bottom of the modular units to axially align the interconnected units. The system can include a combustion air flow passage within the fireplace that maintains a relatively low exterior temperature of the assembly and that allows combustible and non-combustible building materials to be installed against or immediately adjacent to the top and base portions of the modular units of the assembly.

Abstract: A linear fireplace system, assemblies, modular units, and related methods that can be installed in a modular fashion at a selected installation location so as to avoid drawbacks experienced in the prior art. The system can include modular linear units, corner units, and/or end units interconnectable to form a modular linear fireplace assembly. The system can include an alignment track system with a track member that receives alignment rails on the bottom of the modular units to axially align the interconnected units. The system can include a combustion air flow passage within the fireplace that maintains a relatively low exterior temperature of the assembly and that allows combustible and non-combustible building materials to be installed against or immediately adjacent to the top and base portions of the modular units of the assembly.

Abstract: A fireplace assembly having a firebox, an igniter assembly coupled to the firebox and containing a heating element, a first portion of the igniter assembly extending through an aperture in a firebox wall, the igniter assembly having a first connector coupled to the heating element and coupleable to power source, and having a second connector coupleable to an air source and positioned to provide air flow through the igniter assembly over the heating element and into the firebox. A controller is operatively coupled to the igniter assembly and a temperature sensor. The controller controls operation of the heating element, the temperature sensor, and the air flow through the igniter assembly, and can activate and deactivate the igniter assembly based upon the temperature within the firebox.

Abstract: A biomass-burning fireplace assembly with a hopper and an outlet adjacent to the hopper outlet. A fuel metering assembly is adjacent to the hopper outlet and the barrier member. The fuel metering assembly has a fuel metering receptacle that receives the biomass fuel from the hopper. The fuel metering receptacle is moveable relative to the hopper between first and second positions on opposite sides of the barrier member. The barrier member is a physical barrier between the fuel metering receptacle and the hopper outlet when in the second position. A fuel feed assembly receives fuel from the fuel metering receptacle when is in the second position. The fuel feed assembly moves the fuel onto a burn platform assembly coupled to the firebox adjacent to the fuel inlet opening.

Abstract: A hybrid wood-burning fireplace assembly configured for burning wood-based fuel, wherein the burning generates combustion exhaust. The assembly comprising a fire box having an interior area, a baffle in the interior area defining lower and upper combustion chambers relative to the baffle. The upper combustion chamber has an upper exhaust passageway between baffle and the top portion of the firebox. A secondary combustion airway has air outlets in the firebox that direct the secondary combustion air adjacent to the baffle to mix with the exhaust for non-catalytic secondary combustion of the exhaust before the exhaust flows through the upper exhaust passageway. A catalytic combustion unit is positioned above the baffle and across the upper exhaust passageway, whereby the exhaust will pass through the catalytic combustion unit after the non-catalytic secondary combustion of the exhaust and before the exhaust exits the upper combustion chamber through the upper exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A hybrid wood-burning fireplace assembly configured for burning wood-based fuel, wherein the burning generates combustion exhaust. The assembly comprising a fire box having an interior area, a baffle in the interior area defining lower and upper combustion chambers relative to the baffle. The upper combustion chamber has an upper exhaust passageway between baffle and the top portion of the firebox. A secondary combustion airway has air outlets in the firebox that direct the secondary combustion air adjacent to the baffle to mix with the exhaust for non-catalytic secondary combustion of the exhaust before the exhaust flows through the upper exhaust passageway. A catalytic combustion unit is positioned above the baffle and across the upper exhaust passageway, whereby the exhaust will pass through the catalytic combustion unit after the non-catalytic secondary combustion of the exhaust and before the exhaust exits the upper combustion chamber through the upper exhaust passageway.

Abstract: A biomass-burning fireplace assembly with a hopper and an outlet adjacent to the hopper outlet. A fuel metering assembly is adjacent to the hopper outlet and the barrier member. The fuel metering assembly has a fuel metering receptacle that receives the biomass fuel from the hopper. The fuel metering receptacle is moveable relative to the hopper between first and second positions on opposite sides of the barrier member. The barrier member is a physical barrier between the fuel metering receptacle and the hopper outlet when in the second position. A fuel feed assembly receives fuel from the fuel metering receptacle when is in the second position. The fuel feed assembly moves the fuel onto a burn platform assembly coupled to the firebox adjacent to the fuel inlet opening.

Abstract: A fireplace assembly with an integrated burn control system includes a variety of features that provide an elegant, revolutionary, and highly-efficient way to heat a residence or other environment. The fireplace assembly may be used in combination with gas-burning fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. The fireplace assembly includes, but is not limited to: a control panel; a concealment door that conceals the control panel when the concealment door is closed; automatic control panel lighting that is activated when the concealment door is open; a split flow or dual burner assembly that simulates a natural wood burning fire; and an intermittent pilot ignition system that allows a pilot flame to run continuously or intermittently. The fireplace assembly can be manually controlled via the control panel or automatically and/or remotely controlled via a remote control device.

Abstract: Torch lamp systems and flame lamp assemblies for producing swirling flames are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a flame lamp assembly for providing a flame having a continuous spiral movement can include a plurality of spaced apart panels and a frame for supporting the panels to form a chamber for housing the flame. The frame can support the panels such that adjacent panels are spaced apart at panel junctions to create a plurality of air intake slots. The plurality of air intake slots can be in communication with the chamber to allow air to flow from an external environment into the chamber at an angle to provide vortical air flow within the chamber. The assembly can also include a burner assembly configured to receive fuel from a fuel source and to provide a fuel flow from a fuel release point to the chamber for ignition to provide the flame.

Abstract: A direct vent fireplace installation assembly is provided that includes a furniture unit having an enlarged receptacle well above the ground, and a direct vent fireplace unit positioned in the receptacle of the furniture unit. The fireplace unit has a firebox contained in an outer housing, a burner assembly in the firebox, and a contoured surround positioned in and spaced apart from walls of the firebox. A chimney is coupled to the firebox. In one embodiment, the fireplace unit is mounted in a receptacle in a wall structure positioned above the floor, at approximately eye level. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims [37C.F.R. 1.72(b)].

Abstract: A fireplace installation is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a fireplace installation includes a fireplace installation accessory having a recess and a fireplace unit positioned in the recess. The fireplace installation also includes a sound system positioned within the fireplace installation. The sound system includes an amplifier, one or more speakers, and a connector for connecting to a music player.

Abstract: A fireplace installation assembly is provided that includes a furniture unit having an enlarged receptacle well above the ground, and a fireplace unit positioned in the receptacle of the furniture unit. The fireplace unit has a firebox contained in an outer housing and configured to contain a fire or simulated fire therein. A viewing portion is adjacent to the firebox to provide visibility of the fire or simulated fire from exterior of the fireplace unit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A combustion air and exhaust gas balancing system for use with a direct-vent heater appliance. The balancing system includes a combustion air valve in fluid communication with a combustion air duct and an exhaust gas valve in fluid communication with an exhaust gas duct. The combustion air valve is operatively coupled to the exhaust gas valve with an actuator. The combustion air and exhaust gas valves are shaped and sized so that a single operation of the actuator simultaneously adjusts the flow of combustion air into the firebox and the flow of exhaust gas out of the firebox and provide selected flame characteristics in the firebox. In one aspect of this embodiment, a movement of the actuator in a first direction simultaneously increases the flow of combustion air and exhaust gas, and a movement of the actuator shaft in a second direction simultaneously restricts the flow of combustion air and exhaust gas.