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 heating generating appliance including an opening device configured to automatically open doors of the appliance. The opening device functions based on user input or can be controlled automatically via the appliance controls to open and/or close the doors of the appliance as desired.

Abstract: A glowing ember fireplace article which comprises an artificial fireplace article body within the combustion chamber of a fireplace system. The artificial fireplace body defines a cavity. Embedded within the artificial fireplace article body is a translucent artificial ember and a light source. When in the use the light source shines light towards the translucent artificial ember thereby illuminating the translucent artificial ember creating the visual impression of an ember glowing in a natural wood fire. In another example embodiment glass beads are coupled with the translucent artificial ember wherein light travels from the light source through the glass beads onto the translucent artificial ember. The artificial fireplace article body can be configured to be an artificial log, an ember bed, or any other element typically found in a wood fireplace.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands, and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing, and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: A mixture fitting for use in a combustible gas system, for example, a fireplace. The mixture fitting may include a first portion configured to be coupled to a combustible gas source and a second portion configured to be coupled to a burner assembly. The first and second portions together form a gas passage. The mixture fitting also includes an air orifice extending from an exposed surface of the mixture fitting to the gas passage. The air orifice is configured to allow primary air to travel through the air orifice and into the gas passage to facilitate mixing of air with the combustible gas. Alternatively, the air orifice may be angled, and multiple air orifices may also be provided.

Abstract: A fireplace including a backlighting system. The backlighting system can be positioned in a back portion of the bottom panel of the fireplace. The backlighting system includes at least one light source to shine light upon the components of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be positioned to shine light on a back panel of the fireplace. The light source of the backlighting system can be modulated depending on a state of the fireplace. For example, the light source can be turned on or off depending on whether the flame of the fireplace is on or off.

Abstract: Described is a system for detecting toxic levels of a contaminate in a monitored area. The system controls an air evacuation device that operates in response to the detection of a predetermined level of contamination. The system also acts to deactivate appliances that may be contributing to the level of contamination. In addition, the system alerts local emergency units with a pre-recorded message of the emergency situation.

Abstract: Described is a system for detecting toxic levels of a contaminate in a monitored area. The system controls an air evacuation device that operates in response to the detection of a predetermined level of contamination. The system also acts to deactivate appliances that may be contributing to the level of contamination. In addition, the system alerts local emergency units with a pre-recorded message of the emergency situation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.

Abstract: A fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber. An exposed panel defining an exposed surface. A touch portion of the exposed surface isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion. A control circuit coupled to the touch portion. The control circuit monitoring the touch portion and driving a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion.

Abstract: An air filtration and sterilization system for removing airborne contaminants from air circulated through an air plenum system of a fireplace. Air filtration systems may include particulate, chemical, and ion filtration systems to filter the air. Air sterilization may include ultraviolet, ozone, germicidal coating, and channeled system of ducts systems to sterilize the air. Systems may be used individually or in combination. In addition, optional components, including a warning sensor for indicating when to replace a filter, an automatic initiation sensor for activating and stopping filtration and sterilization, and an air enhancement system for introducing desirable materials into the air, may be provided.

Abstract: A proximity warning system for a fireplace including a monitor module and an alarm module. The monitor module is configured to sense when an object, such as a person, enters a defined zone proximate to the fireplace. The monitor module may use a variety of techniques to sense when an object enters the defined zone. For example, the monitor module may use capacitance or pulse infrared light to detect when an object enters the defined zone. The alarm module is coupled to the monitor module to generate an alarm when the monitor module senses that the object has entered the defined zone. The alarm may be audible or visual.

Abstract: A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.

Abstract: A fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber. An exposed panel defining an exposed surface. A touch portion of the exposed surface isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion. A control circuit coupled to the touch portion. The control circuit monitoring the touch portion and driving a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion.

Abstract: A fireplace including a burner disposed to combust a combustible gas and air mixture within a combustion chamber. An exposed panel defining an exposed surface. A touch portion of the exposed surface isolated from heat generated within the combustion chamber to reduce a temperature of the touch portion. A control circuit coupled to the touch portion. The control circuit monitoring the touch portion and driving a component of the fireplace in response to a change at the touch portion.

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 proximity warning system for a fireplace including a monitor module and an alarm module. The monitor module is configured to sense when an object, such as a person, enters a defined zone proximate to the fireplace. The monitor module may use a variety of techniques to sense when an object enters the defined zone. For example, the monitor module may use capacitance or pulse infrared light to detect when an object enters the defined zone. The alarm module is coupled to the monitor module to generate an alarm when the monitor module senses that the object has entered the defined zone. The alarm may be audible or visual.

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: Described is a system for detecting toxic levels of a contaminate in a monitored area. The system controls an air evacuation device that operates in response to the detection of a predetermined level of contamination. The system also acts to deactivate appliances that may be contributing to the level of contamination. In addition, the system alerts local emergency units with a pre-recorded message of the emergency situation.

Abstract: A temperature warning system for a fireplace includes, for example, an arrangement to sense a temperature of at least one area of the fireplace and a signaling device controlled by the arrangement to provide a signal responsive to the temperature of the area. The arrangement may include an electrical circuit including a thermistor positioned outside the viewing area to measure the temperature of an area of the fireplace. The signaling device may include visual or audible signaling devices for signaling to a user when an area of the fireplace is above a threshold temperature.