Abstract: An air-intake assembly adapted for use with a fire container assembly includes a first plate and a plurality of vanes. The plurality of vanes is engaged to the first plate. Each of the vanes includes a first longitudinal side engaged to the first plate and an oppositely disposed second longitudinal side. The plurality of vanes defines a plurality of pathways. A chamber is cooperatively defined by the first plate and the plurality of vanes. The chamber extends through the first plate. The plurality of pathways swirl air about a longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: An air-intake assembly adapted for use with a fire container assembly includes a first plate and a plurality of vanes. The plurality of vanes is engaged to the first plate. Each of the vanes includes a first longitudinal side engaged to the first plate and an oppositely disposed second longitudinal side. The plurality of vanes defines a plurality of pathways. A chamber is cooperatively defined by the first plate and the plurality of vanes. The chamber extends through the first plate. The plurality of pathways swirl air about a longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A fireplace generally including a display driven by a controller. The display may be configured to show images associated with a fireplace. The images may be in two dimensions or three dimensions. The display may be driven by the controller, and a user interface may be provided to configure the fireplace. The display may also be driven by other peripheral components as well. The display may optionally be a flat-panel display. The display may be placed against a wall of a structure and surrounded by a decorative facade, or may be placed in an enclosure of a wall. Various optional components, such as a simulated electric glowing ember system and a retractable grate and artificial log set, may also be included.

Abstract: A low profile gas burner fireplace is provided for mounting under a low table top or counter. The fireplace system comprises a decorative insulated table top mounted on the top wall of a low profile fireplace. The fireplace is provided with a hot exhaust gas system that connects below the burner system and passes through the bottom wall of the fireplace structure to conduct hot gasses through the bottom wall and outside of the room area in which the fireplace is located by means of an induced draft fan so that no pipes or exhaust system are visible in the room in which the fireplace is located.

Abstract: Method and means for enhancing the visible length and color of high efficiency gas flames in an artificial gas log fireplace/gas burner system is characterized by selecting from a plurality of metallic salt compounds, compounds having a low melting point and the ability to exhibit light in the visible spectrum when the metallic salt compounds absorb energy from a gas flame. The metallic salt compounds are placed in a high temperature area of the burner system adjacent the gas flames so that at the melting point of the metallic salt an ionized vapor is generated which is directed into the path of the combustion air being supplied to the gas burner. The energy level of the ionized metallic salt compounds are elevated and when subsequently cooled, they emit light in the visible spectrum which combines with the gas flames and colors the invisible flame spectrum so that the invisible gas flames become visible and appear longer and exhibit natural colors.

Abstract: A high efficiency clean burning fireplace for burning solid fuels at pyrolytic temperatures is provided with refractory walls maintained about 1100.degree. Fahrenheit at different burning rates. A top wall of the combustion chamber includes an exhaust stack and a primary air heat exchanger having an exhaust manifold for discharging primary preheated combustion air down and across the inside surface of glass panels in the doors of the fireplace. A secondary air heat exchanger is mounted below the primary air heat exchanger and separated therefrom by a top refractory panel in the combustion chamber. The secondary air heat exchanger exhaust manifold is in the combustion chamber and discharges secondary combustion air across the top of the combustion chamber and into the primary combustion air creating a high turbulence and complete burning of the secondary production of combustion while heating the refractory walls above a pyrolytic temperature at different burning rates.

Abstract: A standard prefabricated direct vented fireplace is designed for mass production on an assembly line where it is fitted with a plurality of different side walls or doors and optional heat exchangers for effecting different thermal efficiencies. The fireplace is factory adjusted for optimum burner efficiency under standard installation conditions. An induced draft fan/blower is installed in the path of the exhaust gasses and is provided with an in field adjustable variable speed control to overcome exceptionally high draft loss or long intake or exhaust passageways and to again optimize the burner efficiency after field installation.

Abstract: An insertable gas conversion unit for insertion into existing wood burning fireplaces comprises an insertable gas fireplace conversion unit having a fire box combustion chamber and a gas burner mounted therein. The combustion chamber is covered with a decorative glass door. The conversion unit comprises a first coupling unit which is connected to the chimney of the exhaust outlet of the existing fireplace and further comprises a second coupling unit which is connected to the exhaust gas outlet of said fire box of said conversion unit. Said first and second coupling units telescopically fit one into the other during the assembly and insertion of the gas fireplace unit in the existing wood burning fireplace so as to provide a gas fireplace conversion of a wood burning fireplace without requiring any custom fitting or parts.

Abstract: A zero clearance fireplace of the type adapted to be installed against an outside wall of an interior space or room to be heated is provided with six walls which comprise four substantially vertical walls, a top wall and a bottom wall at least two of said vertical walls having airtight glass side walls connected to the frame structure of the fireplace. The bottom wall, the vertical side wall and the top wall are provided with plenum structures which are inner connected to form a heat exchanger. The rear wall is provided with a vertical inner plenum in which outside fresh air is introduced and conducted into a bottom inner plenum below the combustion chamber of the fireplace to provide fresh outside air to the gas burner system in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A zero clearance fireplace of the type adapted to be installed against an outside wall of an interior space or room to be heated is provided with six walls which comprise four substantially vertical walls, a top wall and a bottom wall at least two of said vertical walls having airtight glass side walls connected to the frame structure of the fireplace. The bottom wall, the vertical side wall and the top wall are provided with plenum structures which are inner connected to form a heat exchanger. The rear wall is provided with a vertical inner plenum in which outside fresh air is introduced and conducted into a bottom inner plenum below the combustion chamber of the fireplace to provide fresh outside air to the gas burner system in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An efficient low carbon monoxide burner system for decorative gas logs is further provided with one or more pipe branches which provide glowing embers in front of and/or on the bottom of decorative gas logs placed over the gas log burner system. The pipe branch which provides the glowing embers is provided with decorative ember flame holes which are arranged directly juxtaposed expanded fire resistant material which is heated so as to form a glow material for producing glowing decorative ember flames in front of or at the bottom of the decorative logs in a manner which produces low carbon monoxide. The pipe branch for providing decorative flames between logs is provided with nozzles for directing the flames away from the logs.

Abstract: A decorative gas burner system is provided with decorative gas logs which have openings or passageways to permit gas flames to be emitted therefrom which simulate the size and color of flames from wood burning logs. Gas burner means are mounted below the openings in said decorative gas log means and are provided with large hole arrays for producing long yellow or orange flames. Inverted U-shaped shield means are mounted over said gas burner means and provided with horizontal openings in the U-shape shield means and are further provided with deflector means opposite said openings in said shield means for producing long yellow gas flames with carbon monoxide emissions.

Abstract: A universal fireplace is provided as standard prefabricated substantially hollow rectangular prism shaped frame adapted to support all six walls of the universal fireplaces supported on the hollow rectangular prism shaped frame. The top wall is adapted to support the exhaust stack and the bottom wall is adapted to support the fire brick for the fire chamber. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a pair of glass doors supported by edge frame means pivoted on upper and lower side support panels which are mounted on said hollow rectangular prism shaped frame.

Abstract: A zero clearance fireplace of the type to be installed inside of a building against or near an outside wall is provided. The box shaped fireplace is provided with four substantially vertical walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall comprises an inner plenum and an outer plenum below the combustion chamber. The rear wall comprises an outer plenum connected to the bottom plenum of the bottom wall, a middle plenum connected to a source of fresh air and connected to the inner plenum of the bottom wall and an inner plenum which is connected to a horizontal exhaust pipe which is inserted through the outside wall and is connected to the combustion chamber through a baffle arrangement.

Abstract: A heater without a chimney is installed inside of a residence. An induced draft system is installed outside of the residence. The heater exhaust gases are connected to the induced draft system with an insulated through the wall exhaust pipe which is cooled by mixing cool outside air with the exhaust gases as they are exhausted to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A hollow heated grate for a fireplace is provided with an electric motor and a blower inside of the heated fireplace enclosure for circulating cool air from the area to be heated through the hollow grate and returning the heated air to the area to be heated. The electric motor and blower are physically enclosed in a metal plenum box. To avoid overheating the electric motor windings, cool air is circulated over the motor windings when the electric motor is running and cool air is also circulated over the electric motor windings when the electric motor is not running by novel diversionary air vent means including sensing means for opening a movable closure adjacent the diversionary air vent when the electric motor and blower are not circulating cool air.

Abstract: A free standing heating unit is provided with a central forge draft intake and a circumferential edge draft intake in a firebox chamber. The central forge draft intake is provided in the center of the firebox chamber floor means and the circumferential edge draft intake is provided between the bottom of the radiant panels which form the sides of the firebox chamber and the top surface of firebox chamber floor means.