Abstract: A fireplace including a combustion chamber enclosure with an opening and an inner pane positioned to at least partially cover the opening of the combustion chamber. An outer pane is spaced apart from the inner pane, the outer pane and the inner pane creating a space through which air moves, the air cooling the outer pane. A blower may be provided to move the air through the space. The outer pane may be angled with respect to the inner pane to enhance air movement.

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 fireplace for concurrent use inside and outside of a structure includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening. The fireplace also includes a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.

Abstract: A fireplace for concurrent use inside and outside of a structure includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening. The fireplace also includes a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.

Abstract: The need to maintain the quality of air in a home has become more of a problem in new high efficiency tight houses so that governmental regulations are being proposed for a minimum change of fresh air. If too much cold outside fresh air is introduced into such homes at a single source, the room with the fresh air is usually too cold and/or unbalanced.

Abstract: A heat exchange system and method for heating outside air provided to a structure are disclosed. The system uses and recovers heat from waste products that are being exhausted from the structure. A heated products source generates heated waste products as a result of combustion. An exhaust duct passes the heated waste products through a heat exchanger before exhaustion from the structure. An intake duct that supplies fresh outside air to the structure also passes through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger couples the exhaust duct and the intake duct and transfers otherwise unused heat from the waste products to the outside air to increase the overall efficiency of the heated product source.

Abstract: A fireplace for concurrent use inside and outside of a structure includes a combustion chamber enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an inside opening, and an outside opening, wherein the combustion chamber is viewable from the inside of the structure through the inside opening and from the outside of the structure through the outside opening. The fireplace also includes a combustion air plenum system coupled to the combustion chamber enclosure to supply fresh air from the outside to the combustion chamber and an exhaust opening defined by the combustion chamber enclosure for exhausting exhaust air from the combustion chamber to the outside of the structure.

Abstract: A heat exchange system and method for heating outside air provided to a structure are disclosed. The system uses and recovers heat from waste products that are being exhausted from the structure. A heated products source generates heated waste products as a result of combustion. An exhaust duct passes the heated waste products through a heat exchanger before exhaustion from the structure. An intake duct that supplies fresh outside air to the structure also passes through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger couples the exhaust duct and the intake duct and transfers otherwise unused heat from the waste products to the outside air to increase the overall efficiency of the heated product source.

Abstract: The need to maintain the quality of air in a home has become more of a problem in new high efficiency tight houses so that governmental regulations are being proposed for a minimum change of fresh air. If too much cold outside fresh air is introduced into such homes at a single source, the room with the fresh air is usually too cold and/or unbalanced. The present invention avoids cooling any one room while maintaining heat efficiency. When the home has a gas fireplace, the exhaust gases are preferably directed through an air-to-air cross flow heat exchanger which preheats the quality air passing into a forced air furnace system. In modified embodiments of the present invention, make-up quality air is mixed with the room air and heated in the heat exchanger of the fireplace. The preheated room air from the fireplace is preferably connected to the supply/return of a forced air furnace system and distributed to all rooms to provide uniform heating.

Abstract: A method of forming articles made of an inorganic fiber material using compression molding. In one respect, a method of forming an article, wherein the method includes providing a molding composition comprising inorganic fiber and an inorganic binder, and compression molding the molding composition into the article. In another respect, the method including providing a molding composition comprising inorganic fibers and a binder, and compression molding the molding composition into the article, wherein at least 75% by weight of the molded article is inorganic material. In some embodiments the cured binder is capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 600° F. without significant degradation or deterioration due to heat. Articles made by the use of such methods and a molding composition for use in compression molding an article are also included.

Abstract: Method of forming artificial logs made of an inorganic fiber material using compression molding are described. One method includes providing a molding composition comprising inorganic fiber and an inorganic binder, compression molding the molding composition into an artificial log, and providing a passageway that is defined by the artificial log and at least one burner aperture that is also defined by the artificial log to pass combustible gas to an outer surface of the artificial log. Artificial log elements and burner structures made by the use of such methods and a molding composition for use in compression molding are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a vent assembly having a vent structure defining at least one vent aperture. The vent assembly includes a vent cap covering the vent aperture or apertures and a vent cover assembly extending around the vent cap and the vent. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a vent cover assembly for use with a vent including a vent cap that covers the vent. The vent cover assembly includes a protective structural member extending around the vent cap. The protective structural member allows for proper air flow into and out of the vent cap. In another embodiment, the invention is directed toward a vent cover assembly that has an attachment base and a plurality of semi-cylindrical members connected to the attachment base.

Abstract: A lenticular fireplace and methods for simulating a fire within a fireplace are disclosed. In one respect, a fire is simulated with a lenticular screen. The lenticular screen includes a lenticular lens layer and an image layer, wherein the image layer comprises one or more images of a fire. A device is coupled to the lenticular screen that moves the lenticular screen to alter a viewed image of the fire. In another respect, the lenticular screen is disposed within a fireplace enclosure. In another respect, a fireplace includes a convertible heated glass apparatus. The apparatus is used in a front wall of an enclosure. The front wall includes an electrically conductive panel coupled to a phase change material. Electrical terminals are operatively connected to the electrically conductive panel for applying a voltage across the electrically conductive panel to heat the front wall and convert the phase change material from an opaque solid to a less opaque liquid to allow viewing through the front wall.

Abstract: A gas burner includes a monolithic burner panel coupled to a bottom burner member for use as a bottom panel of a combustion chamber enclosure. The burner panel includes at least one aperture for providing a gas/air mixture to a top surface of the burner panel for combustion. The burner panel includes at least one elevated area. The burner panel is a composite material formed from a compression molding process. The burner panel includes elevations that can be shaped into log structures to provide a realistic fire within a fireplace unit, stove, or insert.

Abstract: Gas fireplaces are provided with commercially available gas valves that are similar to gas valves in furnaces and boilers. Such gas valves may be controlled manually, by thermostat or by solenoid valves which turn the fireplace burner ON and OFF and HIGH and LOW using a closed loop radio frequency transceiver system. The present invention provides an improved voice or sound actuated gas valve for fireplace burners. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a microphone is coupled to a voice actuated electronic control module which converts analog sound signals to digital control signals. The sound may be music or other non-voice sounds employed to modulate the flames from the fireplace burner. Preferably the sounds are voice commands that are predetermined and preferably comprise a recognition command followed by an actuation command.

Abstract: A log-burner apparatus is for simulating a burning log or piece of wood wherein at least a portion of the burner aperture of the burner is not defined by and does not extend through the artificial log material. As such, any adverse effect of the artificial log material on the efficiency of the burner is reduced. Additionally, the burner apparatus provides for durability of the burner while still providing a realistic simulation of flame coming from a log.

Abstract: A heat exchange system and method for heating outside air provided to a structure are disclosed. The system uses and recovers heat from waste products that are being exhausted from the structure. A heated products source generates heated waste products as a result of combustion. An exhaust duct passes the heated waste products through a heat exchanger before exhaustion from the structure. An intake duct that supplies fresh outside air to the structure also passes through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger couples the exhaust duct and the intake duct and transfers otherwise unused heat from the waste products to the outside air to increase the overall efficiency of the heated product source.

Abstract: A log-burner apparatus is for simulating a burning log or piece of wood wherein at least a portion of the burner aperture of the burner is not defined by and does not extend through the artificial log material. As such, any adverse effect of the artificial log material on the efficiency of the burner is reduced. Additionally, the burner apparatus provides for durability of the burner while still providing a realistic simulation of flame coming from a log. In one embodiment, a gas burner apparatus including a gas burner structure with an outer surface including a portion with at least one burner aperture therein. The apparatus further includes an artificial log having an outer surface, and the artificial log is disposed at least partially around the gas burner structure. At least a portion of the outer surface of the burner structure including the burner aperture is exposed adjacent the outer surface of the artificial log. In another aspect, a method of making a gas burner apparatus.

Abstract: A prefabricated open-ended fireplace box for use in fireplace assemblies is molded from a slurry of refractory ceramic fibers and a non-organic binder. The prefabricated fireplace box is preferably formed in or over a mold which provides an accurate shape to the green or semi-rigid open end box which must be dried or partially fired while on the mold to avoid warping or distortion while being removed from the mold. A rigid surround trim in the form of a C-shape is placed in or on the mold at the open ends of the fireplace box. At least one attachment flange of the surround trim is integrally molded into walls of the fireplace box so that at least the open end of the semi-rigid fireplace box is made rigid when removed from the mold.