Multi-functional fireplace

Abstract

A multi-functional fireplace includes a housing for a removable firebox, a multiple burner assembly, a heat exchanger, a ventilator, an air conditioner, and an air exchanger/heat recovery unit. The firebox is removable by various ways from the housing allowing easy access to the internal contents of the fireplace. The multiple burner assembly can be a double burner assembly. One burner is an ambience burner for providing a decorative flame within the firebox and the other burner is the principal heating burner and can be positioned within or outside of the fireplace. A controller may also be linked to the various components of the fireplace to receive data therefrom and for control thereof. A sensor linked to the control can be placed at a heat outlet in order for the controller to detect temperature and accelerate the ventilator if need be. A bypass is also used to avoid cool air from the air conditioner from heating up when the decorative flame is lit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a multi-functional fireplace apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multifunctional fireplaces are known in the art. Such multifunctional fireplaces include both heating and air conditioning apparatuses.

It is difficult to repair complex multifunctional fireplaces since it is not simple for the common owner to gain access to the internal contents of these fireplaces.

Gas fireplaces are also well known in the art.

While a variety of conventional gas fireplaces can be used for heating, gas fired fireplaces having a rated input of more than 8.5 kW (30,000 BTU/h), have a decorative flame that produces radiant heat which renders the room in which they are installed uncomfortable. As such, it is preferable to limit these fireplaces to less than 7.0 kW (25,000 BTU/h).

Moreover, since the decorative flame of the fireplace is visible, when operated as a heat source, the fireplace's flame appears without warning following a request for heat by a thermostat. This may be cause for alarm by the dwelling occupant. Therefore, it is inconvenient to use the decorative flame as a source of heat.

There thus remains a need for an improved fireplace.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved fireplace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically in accordance with the present invention there is provided a fireplace comprising:

• • a housing being mountable within a wall-structure, the housing comprising an exhaust conduit;
  • a moveable firebox being removably mounted within the housing, the firebox comprising a fluid conduit,
  • wherein when the firebox is mounted within the housing, the fluid conduit is contiguous with the exhaust conduit.

In an embodiment, the fluid conduit is mounted to a top portion of the firebox.

In an embodiment, the fluid conduit comprises a combustion-air conduit and a flue gas conduit.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises a combustion-air-conduit portion, the conduit portion being contiguous with the combustion-air conduit of the firebox when the firebox is mounted within the housing.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises a conduit-connector for connecting the flue gas conduit together with the exhaust conduit when the firebox is mounted within the housing.

In an embodiment, the flue-gas and exhaust conduits comprise respective collars, the conduit-connector comprising flange portions being mountable to the respective collars.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises a combustion-air conduit portion, an auxiliary conduit-connector connecting the housing combustion-air conduit portion together with the firebox combustion-air conduit when the firebox is mounted within the housing

In an embodiment, the firebox combustion-air conduit surrounds the flue gas conduit, the housing combustion-air conduit portion surrounding the exhaust conduit.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises a door providing access to the exhaust conduit and the fluid conduit.

In an embodiment, the door is positioned above the firebox.

In an embodiment, the door is a grid for allowing heat to exude therefrom.

In an embodiment, the firebox comprises rollers to be rolled in and out of the housing.

In an embodiment, the rollers are mounded to a bottom portion of the firebox.

In an embodiment, the firebox comprises guide members to be guided in and out of the housing.

In an embodiment, the guide members are mounded to a bottom portion of the firebox.

In an embodiment, the firebox is mounted to a sliding assembly for being slid in and out of the housing.

In an embodiment, the sliding assembly comprises a base member, a median member configured to be guided along the length of the base member, the firebox member comprising a stand being configured to be guided along the length of the median member.

In an embodiment, the firebox further comprises a burner.

In an embodiment, the burner is a gas burner.

In an alternative embodiment, the burner is an electric heating element.

In an embodiment, the burner is an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner exudes only minimal heat for producing the decorative flame.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises a secondary burner.

In an embodiment, the secondary burner is a gas burner.

In an alternative embodiment, the secondary burner is an electric heating element.

In an embodiment, the secondary burner is a heater burner for producing heat.

In an embodiment, the heater burner is independently modulated from the ambience burner.

In an embodiment, the firebox comprises a combustion chamber, the combustion chamber comprising the secondary burner, the secondary burner being a heater burner.

In an embodiment, the firebox defines a flame chamber, the flame chamber and the combustion chamber being separate, the flame chamber comprising the burner, the burner being an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fireplace comprising:

• • a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;
  • a firebox comprising an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame; and
  • a heater burner,
  • wherein the heater burner produces heat to be exuded by the fireplace.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner is a gas burner.

In an alternative embodiment, the ambience burner is an electric heating element.

In an embodiment, the heater burner is a gas burner.

In an alternative embodiment, the heater burner is an electric heating element.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner exudes only minimal heat in order to produce the ambience flame.

In an embodiment, the heater burner is independent of the ambience burner.

In an embodiment, both the ambience and heater burners are positioned within a chamber defined by the firebox.

In an embodiment, the firebox defines a flame-chamber including the ambience burner and comprises a separate combustion chamber including the heater burner.

In an embodiment, the ambience and heater burners are placed in tandem.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further compriese a combustion chamber including the heater-burner.

In an embodiment, the housing comprises a combustion chamber, the heater burner being positioned within the combustion chamber.

In an embodiment the fireplace further comprises a plurality of heater burners.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner and each of the heater burners are independently modulated from one another.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises heat-conduits for the passage of heat produced by the heater burner.

In an embodiment, the heat-conduits are branched to a various rooms of a dwelling.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises a ventilator for accelerating the flow of exuded heat.

In an embodiment, the ventilator is linked to a controller, a senor being positioned at a heat output and being linked to the controller, the controller receiving temperature data from the sensor and controlling the ventilator to accelerate the flow of heat accordingly so as to reach a temperature determined by the controller.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises an air conditioner.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises:

• • a heat exchanger for passing therethrough flue gases emanating from the decorative flame;
  • an air-passage ending in an air-output for provide air from the air-conditioner to flow therethrough, the air-passage being near the heat exchanger; and
  • an air bypass assembly, for providing air produced by the air conditioner and flowing through the air-passage to bypass the heat exchanger.

In an embodiment, the air bypass assembly comprises a shield moveable between open and closed positions, the shield providing for air produced by the air conditioner to flow through the air-output when in the open position thus bypassing the heat exchanger.

In an embodiment, the fireplace further comprises a ventilator for accelerating the flow of air produced by the air conditioner.

In an embodiment, the ambience and heater burners are independently modulated, the ambience burner exuding only minimal heat for producing an ambience flame thus providing for the conditioner to exude cool air when the ambience burner produces a flame.

In an embodiment, the air conditioner and the heater burner are linked to a controller.

In an embodiment, the controller comprises a thermostat for modulating the air-conditioner and the heater burner.

In an embodiment, the firebox is removable from the housing, the ambience burner being positioned within a chamber defined by the firebox, the heater burner being positioned within the housing.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fireplace comprising:

• • a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;
  • a firebox positioned within the housing; and
  • a multiple burner assembly.

In an embodiment, the multiple burner assembly comprises:

• • at least one ambience burner for producing a visible flame within the firebox; and
  • at least one heater burner for producing heat to be exuded by the fireplace.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner further produces sufficient heat to be exuded by the fireplace so as to heat a dwelling.

In an embodiment, the ambience burner exudes only minimal heat to produce a visible flame within the firebox.

In an embodiment, the ambience and heater burners are independently modulated.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a fireplace comprising:

• • a firebox;
  • at least one burner for producing heat;
  • a heat-conduit for providing heat to flow from the burner to an output;
  • a ventilator for accelerating the flow of heat through the heat-conduit;
  • a controller linked to the ventilator for receiving ventilation data therefrom and for control thereof; and a
  • heat sensor positioned at the output and being linked to the controller so as to transmit heat data thereto;
  • wherein the controller receives heat data from the heat sensor, the controller processing the heat data and controlling the ventilator to accordingly accelerate heat flow so as to reach a predetermined temperature.

In an embodiment, there controller is linked to the ventilator and the heat-sensor via a link selected from the group consisting of: a wire linkage, remote linkage.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a fireplace comprising:

• • a firebox comprising a burner for producing a flame;
  • a flue gas conduit in fluid communication with the firebox and a heat-output;
  • a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the flue gas conduit and the heat-output;
  • an air conditioner
  • an air-passage in fluid communication with the air-conditioner and an air-output, the air-passage being near the heat exchanger; and
  • a bypass assembly comprising at least one shield at the air-output, the shield being moveable between open and closed positions,
  • wherein when air produced by the air-conditioner flows through the air-passage the shield is moved to the open position to let air though the air-output and to bypass the heat exchanger.

In accordance with a still yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multifunctional fireplace compring:

• • a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;
  • a moveable firebox removably mounted within the housing;
  • a multiple burner assembly comprising:
  • at least one ambience burner for producing a visible flame within the firebox; and
  • at least one heater burner for producing heat to be exuded by the fireplace;
  • a heat-conduit for providing heat to flow from the heater burner to a heat-output;
  • a ventilator for accelerating the flow of heat through the heat-conduit;
  • a controller linked to the ventilator for receiving ventilation data therefrom and for control thereof; and a
  • heat sensor positioned at the heat-output and being linked to the controller so as to transmit heat data thereto
  • a flue gas conduit in fluid communication with the firebox and a flue gas-output;
  • a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the flue gas conduit and the flue gas-output;
  • an air conditioner;
  • an air-passage in fluid communication with the air-conditioner and an air-output, the air-passage being near the heat exchanger; and
  • a bypass assembly comprising at least one shield at the air-output, the shield being moveable between open and closed positions.

In accordance with still yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for modulating the temperature in a dwelling comprising:

• • a controller comprising a temperature selecting switch;
  • a burner assembly linked to the controller for transmitting data thereto and for receiving a signal therefrom;
  • a heat conduit being in fluid communication with the burner assembly and the dwelling;
  • an air conditioner linked to the controller for transmitting data-thereto and for receiving a signal therefrom; and
  • a cool air conduit in fluid communication with the air conditioner and the dwelling;
  • wherein operation of the burner assembly and the air controller is selectively controlled via a signal from the controller when the temperature selecting switch is operated.

In an embodiment, the temperature selecting switch is a thermostat.

In an embodiment, the burner assembly comprises a plurality of burners.

In an embodiment, the present invention uses a common housing to install the firebox, the furnace, the heat exchanger, the air conditioner, and the air exchanger.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides the capacity to modulate the burner of the hot air furnace and hence, offer comfort for the user.

In an embodiment, the present invention uses multiple burners in the same fireplace.

In an embodiment, the invention uses two gas burners. One burner is an ambience burner and is visible through the fireplace glass door. The other burner is a heating burner and is the principal burner of the hot air gas furnace. The two gas burners are placed within the apparatus; this configuration allows the two gas burners to use the same inlet conduit for fresh air needed for combustion, the same outlet or evacuation conduit of flue gases and the same gas supply conduit.

In an embodiment, the two gas burners are placed in tandem, one behind the other, within the fireplace apparatus. The foregoing simplifies the manufacturing of the present fireplace.

In an alternative embodiment, the burners are so positioned relative to each other in order to achieve the heating burner's effect of minimising the negative effects of the ambiance burner when used as a heating burner.

In an embodiment, two or more burners can be used to in and as well as outside the housing of the present fireplace.

In an embodiment, the present invention is capable of providing heating, air conditioning, assisted fresh air ventilation and a fireplace function to a dwelling.

In an embodiment, the present invention is convenient for certain types of dwellings for which integrated heating, ventilation and air conditioning are suitable; the foregoing functions are distributed throughout these types of dwellings by a network of conduits.

In an embodiment, the present invention uses fresh air ventilation with heat or energy recovery capacity, which provides for energy efficient stale air replacement.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a heated air distribution system for all rooms in a dwelling.

In an embodiment, the present invention distributes cooled air from an air conditioning system.

In an embodiment of the present invention, heated air distribution can also be used to distribute fresh air in order to replace stale air, which is exhausted from the building. Hence, heat recovery or energy recovery ventilation system, improves the operative performance of the fireplace.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings where like elements are referenced by like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fireplace in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the firebox in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a an enlarged view of section 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of a firebox in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention within a wall structure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the firebox of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a firebox according to a further embodiment of the present invention within a wall structure;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a firebox according to yet another embodiment of the present invention within a wall structure; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a heat control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The present invention will be herein described with reference to the appended drawings so as to exemplify the invention and not limit its scope.

FIG. 1 shows a fireplace 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As will be discussed herein fireplace 10 may comprise a multifunctional fireplace including heating and air conditioning capabilities.

The fireplace 10 includes a housing 12, which is mountable within a wall structure 13, see FIGS. 2 and 5-8 of a dwelling such as an apartment, condominium or the like. In this way, the front or facade of the fireplace 10 is exposed and the rest of the apparatus is concealed.

The housing 12 includes compartments for various components, which will be discussed herein.

As such and with reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the fireplace 10 includes a firebox 14, a furnace 16, a heat exchanger 18, a ventilator 20, an air conditioner 22, and an air exchanger/heat recovery unit 24.

Turning back to FIG. 1, the housing 12 includes panels 26, which serve to compartmentalize the housing 12 for the various components, which will be described herein. Furthermore, the housing 12 also includes a cover 28.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the firebox 14 defines a chamber 30, in which a flame (not shown) may burn about decorative wood 31, and a door element 32 such as a glass or any other type of see through door, for example. As will be better explained below the firebox 14 is moveable and hence, removeably mounted within the fireplace 10.

The firebox 14 includes a first burner 34 within chamber 30. This first burner element 34 is an ambience burner and hence, is responsible for the burning a decorative flame within chamber 30 that is visible through the transparent door 32. As mentioned before this burner may emulate the appearance of wood fire. The firebox 16 also includes a separate combustion chamber 36 on its rear side. Chamber 36 includes a second burner 38, which is heating burner 38. In this non-limiting embodiment the heating burner 38 is the principle burner of fireplace 10.

As such the furnace 16 is a multiple burner assembly including an ambience burner and a heating burner. In this particular embodiment, the multiple burner furnace 16 is a double burner assembly 16.

Of course in another embodiment, instead of a furnace burner 39 a heat pump (not illustrated) may be utilised.

As will be discussed herein, those having skill in the art can contemplate a greater number of burners within the context of the present invention.

As will also be discussed the burners maybe positioned at other suitable locations within fireplace 10.

A warm air outlet conduit 40 is positioned above the firebox 14 and includes an outlet grid 41 at the front of the fireplace 10. A fireplace cooling air inlet conduit 42 is positioned beneath the firebox 14. A return air inlet conduit 44 is positioned beneath the fireplace cooling air inlet 42.

The air exchanger/heat recovery assembly 24 is positioned in a suitable position, in this non-limiting example it is positioned behind the firebox 14. The air exchanger/heat recovery unit 24 includes conduit 46, which is an outdoor fresh air inlet, and conduit 48, which is a dwelling stale air inlet

It should be noted that the respective functions of conduits 46 and 48 are interchangeable.

The air conditioner assembly 22 is positioned in a suitable location within fireplace 10. In this non-limiting example, the air conditioner assembly is shown to be placed above the air exchanger and heat recovery assembly 24.

Again the ventilator 20 is positioned in any suitable location within fireplace 10. In this non-limiting example, the ventilator 20 is shown to be positioned above the air conditioner 22.

In this non-limiting example, the heat exchanger 18 for furnace 16 is positioned above the ventilator 20. This heat exchanger includes six side-by-side U-shaped tubes 19 (five tubes are clearly shown in FIG. 1), each mounted to a panel 21. Of course, other heat exchanger known in the art may also be contemplated within the context of the present invention.

A flue gases connector 50 is positioned above the firebox 14 and leads to an exhaust conduit 52 that ends in a first manifold structure 54. The first manifold structure 54 leads to six short longitudinal extending hollow members 56 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, only one hollow member 56 shown here). Each hollow member 56 is in is in fluid communication with one end 57 (see FIG. 2) of respective U-shaped tube 19 of the heat exchanger assembly 18. A second manifold structure 58 is positioned above the first manifold structure 54. Six hollow extensions 60 (see FIG. 1, only 5 are clearly shown) extend from a respective an opposite end 61 of a respective U-shaped tube 19 of the heat exchanger 18 to the second manifold structure 58 for fluid communication therewith. Furthermore, the second manifold structure 58 is in fluid communication with a flue gas conduit 62 upwardly extending therefrom and ending in a flue gas outlet 64.

A combustion air inlet aperture 65 is formed in cover 28 and surrounds the flue gas conduit 62 to reach both the firebox chamber 30 and the combustion chamber 36.

One or several bypass shutters 66 are so positioned as to force return air 78 through or around the heat exchanger 18 or the ventilator 20. In this non-limiting example, a bypass shutter 66 is shown to be placed above the heat exchanger assembly 18 and the ventilator 20. These bypass shutters serve to prevent air that will be made cold by the air conditioner to be heated by the fireplace when the decorative flame is lit only. Even though, when the heating burner 38 is not used and the ambience burner 34 is solely operated, the heat and flue gases exuded therefrom, even in minimal amounts and passing through the heat exchanger 18 may cause air surrounding this heat exchanger 18 to warm up. This would be counterproductive when operating the air conditioner 22. The bypass shutters when open (as shown in FIG. 1) allow for the conditioned air to pass through outlets 67 (see FIG. 1) while bypassing the heat exchanger 18. Hence, the user can enjoy the sight of a lit fire in the firebox chamber 30 while receiving cold air from the air conditioner 22 that has not been warmed up by the flue gasses and the heat exuded from the lit fire.

A plenum 68 for cooled or heated air is positioned at the top portion of the apparatus 10 and terminates in an outlet 70.

As mentioned above the firebox 14 is a moveable firebox and hence, may be moved in or removed from the fireplace 10 as shown in FIG. 5 and 8.

Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4 (and FIG. 8), the moveable firebox 14 includes a fluid conduit 72, which comprises a flue gas conduit 74 and a combustion air inlet conduit 76. As in FIGS. 5-8, the flue gas conduit 74 is contiguous with the exhaust conduit 52 and the combustion air inlet 76 is contiguous with the combustion air inlet 65. The flue gas conduits 74 and the exhaust conduit 52 include respective collars 78 and 80, which are connected together via a removable circular connector 82 by way of its flange portions 84 and 86. The combustion air inlet 76 and the lower portion 88 of the combustion air inlet 65 include respective collars 90 and 92 which are connected together via a cylindrical auxiliary connector 94 by way of its flange portions 96 and 98.

In the present non-limiting example illustrated herein, the removable connectors 82 and 94 are in the form of corresponding bands. For example, connector 94 comprises a large band 95 (shown in FIG. 4) and a smaller corresponding band 97 (shown in FIG. 5). In another example, bands 95 and 97 may be semi-circles than can be taken apart when removing connector 94 or assembled together when connector 94 is mounted to collars 90 and 92. Similarly, connector 82 includes two bands such as a larger band 83 (shown in FIG. 3), which is assembled with a corresponding band (not shown) when mounted to collars 78 and 80. Again the corresponding bands of connector 82 may be semi-circles as well. In other embodiments contemplated by one having skill in the art the connectors 82 and 94 may include a plurality of attachable band members.

As will be easily understood by the skilled artisan, the bands of connectors 82 and 94 may be locked together by a variety of mechanical means such as and without limitation fasteners, levers and the like.

In the example shown herein, the contiguous combustion air inlets 65 and 76 surround the contiguous flue gas conduits 52 and 74. In this regard, the corresponding pair of bands of connectors 82 and 94 are respectively sealed together as well as being sealed via a variety of sealing and locking means known in the art to the contiguous flue gas conduits 52 and 74 and the contiguous combustion air inlets 65 and 76 in order to create two sealed and separate channels so that combustion air and flue gasses do not mix.

Of course other suitable configurations for providing flue gasses to exit the firebox chamber 30 and combustion air to enter the firebox chamber 30 as well as the combustion chamber 36 may be contemplated by the skilled artisan.

Turning now to FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 the moveable firebox 14 is removably mounted within the housing 12 of the fireplace 10. Various embodiments can be contemplated within the scope of the present invention for moving the firebox 14 in and out of housing 12. In this regard the housing provides a cabin space 13 (see FIGS. 6 to 8) for the firebox 14.

With respect to FIG. 3, the firebox 14 has a flat bottom surface 100 and can be removed by being slid out of the housing 12.

With respect to FIGS. 5 and 6, the firebox 14 includes rollers 102 at its bottom surface so as to be rolled in and out of housing 12.

With respect to FIG. 7, the firebox 14 includes a guide member 104 at its bottom portion 100 so as to be slid in and out of the housing.

With reference to FIG. 8, the firebox 14 is mounted to a sliding assembly 106 at its bottom surface 100. The sliding assembly includes a base member 108, a median member 110 which is guided along the base member without being disassociated therefrom via guides (not shown). A stand 112 is mounted to the firebox bottom surface 100. Stand 112 is guided along the median member 110 without being disassociated therefrom via guides (not shown). In this way the firebox is moved in and out of the housing 12 via the telescoping movement the sliding assembly 106. Of course, this telescoping movement may be manually or otherwise operable.

With particular reference to FIG. 8, the fireplace 10 also includes a door 107 than can be opened to allow access to the flue gas connector 50 so that the conduits 65 and 76; and 52 and 74 may be either connected or disconnected as described above.

It should be noted that the door 107 in the illustrated example included grid 41 (see FIG. 2). Of course, a variety of door elements may be contemplated by the skilled artisan, such as electrically powered doors or slidable doors, or fully removable doors to provide access to the connector 50 and its sub-parts as described above.

It should also be noted that when removing the firebox 14 from housing 12 as explained above any gas joints and/or electrical wiring may also be disconnected or kept in place if flexible and/or extendable and/or long enough conduits' are used.

As shown in FIG. 9, the various components such as the multiple burner furnace 16, the air conditioner 22, the ventilator 22, the bypass assembly and a heat sensor 114 which is mounted at any heat output can be linked to a controller 116 for receiving data therefrom and for control thereof. Hence, the present invention also provides a fireplace and air conditioner modulating system 200. This controller 116 may be data processor such as computer or the like and is linked to a thermostat 118 for manually modulating the multiple burner assembly 16 and the air conditioner 22. As can be contemplated by the skilled artisan, this linkage may be via a wire or a wireless linkage.

Turning back to FIG. 2, air and heat circulation within the fireplace 10 will be now be described.

Fresh combustion air, represented by arrow A, enters the fireplace 10 through the combustion air inlet 65 and flows towards the furnace 16. Since furnace 16 includes two burners 34 and 38 combustion air enters the firebox chamber 30 and the combustion chamber 36.

Cold air, represented by arrow B, enters the fireplace 10 through the fireplace cooling air inlet 42. This air B flows around firebox 30 and combustion chamber 36 and is returned to the dwelling, through the warm air outlet conduit 40 and out of the outlet grid 41 as heated air as represented by arrow C.

Return air, represented by arrows D, is recovered through the return air inlet 44 and flows towards the air conditioner assembly 22.

Cooled or heated air, represented by arrows E), exits the fireplace 10 from the air conditioner 22 through plenum 68, which terminates at outlet 70.

The skilled artisan will immediately appreciate from the present disclosure that the heat outlet/warm air outlet conduit 40 may be in fluid communication with a network of heat outlets (not illustrated) discharging heated fluid in various rooms or areas of a given dwelling for heating/warming thereof. Likewise, the cold air plenum 68 may also be in fluid communication with cool air outlets in various rooms or areas of a given dwelling in order to discharge cool air therein.

Returning to the multiple burner 16 which can include a furnace having two or more burners such as gas and/or electrical burners or a heat pump, the heating burner may be positioned elsewhere in or outside of the present fireplace. For example, the heating burner 38 can be positioned within a combustion chamber above the firebox 14. The combustion chamber 36 may be positioned outside the fireplace housing 12. In another embodiment, the heating burner 38 can be positioned next to the manifold 54 or even on the heat exchanger tubes 19. In one example three of the tubes 19 function to reactive heat from the firebox chamber 30 while the other three tubes 19 function to receive and exude heat from respective heating burners 38. A variety of ways of setting up the two or more burners can be contemplated within the scope of the invention.

In operation, the user adjusts the thermostat 118 to a desired temperature this data is then transmitted to the controller 116.

In the case where the user calls for heat, the controller 116 verifies if the ambience burner 34 is in operation or if it is producing the desired temperature. If not, the heating burner 38 will be turned on and the ventilator 20 will be put into operation. The sensor 114 at any heat outlet will detect the temperature. In the case where the ambience burner is not on and the desired temperature is not reached after a predetermined period, the controller 116 turns the ambience burner 34 on. In the case where the ambience burner is on the controller 116 will detect this and the ventilator 20 is put into operation in the same way, and after a predetermined period, if the desired temperature of the dwelling is not attained, the controller will turn the heating burner 38 on. Alternatively, the controller 116 after having received data from the heat sensor 114 that the desired temperature has not been reached after a predetermined period can augment the speed of the ventilator 20 so as to reach this desired temperature. Hence, there are various ways of raising the heat in a dwelling via the present invention.

When either burner is 34 or 38 is inactive and the other burner 34 and 38 is active it is preferable to prevent the circulation of combustion air A through the inactive burner 34 order to prevent the cooling thereof, which will entail a reduction of the efficiency multiple burner assembly 16. To this end, motorized shield shutters (not shown) are used on either the combustion air conduit branch of each burner 34 and 38 leading to the firebox chamber 30 and to the combustion chamber 26 respectively. These shield shutters may also be used on the smoke/flue gas conduit branch of each burner 34 and 38 before they meet. In accordance with one embodiment, in order to permit the use of a gas pilot for the ambience burner 34, a standard open shield shutter is used which needs to be electrically fed in order to close. In effect, since the use of a gas pilot permits the ambience gas burner 34 to work even if there is an electrical blackout, it is necessary to ensure that neither the inlet of combustion air nor the outlet of flue gases are hampered by the shield shutter.

Of course, the above only occurs when both burners are mounted to the firebox 14 (in chambers 30 and 66) and not when the heating burner 38 is mounted elsewhere as exemplified above.

In an embodiment, when the burners 34 and 36 are gas pilot burners in this way the multiple burner assembly 16 may function even when the electrical current is cut-off.

The configuration of the burners 34 and 38 in accordance with the present invention permits compact installation. Use of multiple burners such as burners 34 and 38 provides for a hot air furnace assembly 16 with a modulating capability. Using a heating burner 38 eliminates discomfort associated with high power ambience burners 34 as well as with unexpected flames in conventional decorative gas fireplaces.

The flue gas conduit (including members 52, 54 and 56) permits smoke to flow from the fireplace assembly 14 towards the heat exchanger 18 where the flue gases will serve to heat the air in the dwelling before being exhausted through members 60, 58 et 62.

In an embodiment, the gas firebox 14 and the hot air gas furnace 16 use a direct-vent evacuation system. A direct-vent system refers to a system where the intake of combustion air A and the discharge of flue gases are both gravity-dependent and both join the exterior of the dwelling or building by way of a common terminal or other like outlet.

It should be noted that it is within the scope of the present invention to evacuate air and gas by a variety of means known to one having skill in the art.

In an embodiment, the intake of fresh air for the ventilation system 20 with energy recovery 24 occurs at a predetermined distance from the common terminal of the aforementioned direct-vent.

The evacuation terminal aperture of vitiated air can be positioned with the terminal of the direct-vent but two different conduits should be used to direct the vitiated air from the fireplace 10 to the common outlet in order to prevent the vitiated air flow from disturbing the combustion process.

Cooled or heated air E is distributed by the apparatus 10 through the air plenum 68 and into the dwelling by a network of conduits (not shown) and is returned, as shown by arrow D, to the apparatus 10 through the return air conduit 44 at the front or facade of the fireplace 14 so as to flow to the air conditioner 22.

Two types of conduit networks can be used: a low pressure/low speed type; and a high pressure/high speed type as well.

The fireplace 10 utilizes one or many ventilators 20 capable of variable speeds, which can be under the control, or not of the temperature of the heated air or any other measurement. Variable speed ventilation having a sufficient capacity provides for the fireplace 10 to easily adapt to the two-conduit system for distributing air in the building and/or dwelling.

In the case where the user will manually control the thermostat in order to cool a room or the dwelling, this signal will be transmitted to the controller 116 which will shut off the heating burner 38 and turn the air conditioner 22 on to the desired cooling temperature. A switch (not shown) may be provided to keep the ambience burner 34 on for decorative purposes while the air condition 22 is in operation.

Air conditioning is assured by an air conditioner system 22 having separate components, where the air exchanger assembly 24 permits cooling of the air and is mounted within the housing 12 and the rest of the machinery (not shown) is mounted on the exterior of the building.

It is possible to use a heat pump instead of air conditioning. A heat pump provides the possibility of air conditioning or cooling of the air as well as heating of air to a certain minimal external temperature where after heating by gas combustion will be used.

In a non-limiting example the heating capacity required for the present apparatus is 14.5 kW and more (50,000 BTU/h).

In a non-limiting example the ambience burner 34 is of about 7 kW.

In a non-limiting the heating burner 38 is about 8 kW and is the principal burner of the hot air furnace 16.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practised in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation. Hence, although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit, scope and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fireplace comprising:

a housing being mountable within a wall-structure, said housing comprising an exhaust conduit;

a moveable firebox being removably mounted within said housing, said firebox comprising a fluid conduit,

wherein when said firebox is mounted within said housing, said fluid conduit is contiguous with said exhaust conduit.

2. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said fluid conduit is mounted to a top portion of said firebox.

3. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said fluid conduit comprises a combustion-air conduit and a flue gas conduit.

4. A fireplace according to claim 3, wherein said housing comprises a combustion-air-conduit portion, said conduit portion being contiguous with said combustion-air conduit of said firebox when said firebox is mounted within said housing.

5. A fireplace according to claim 3, further comprising a conduit-connector for connecting said flue gas conduit together with said exhaust conduit when said firebox is mounted within said housing.

6. A fireplace according to claim 5, wherein said flue-gas and exhaust conduits comprise respective collars, said conduit-connector comprising flange portions being mountable to said respective collars.

7. A fireplace according to claim 5, wherein said housing comprises a combustion-air conduit portion, an auxiliary conduit-connector connecting said housing combustion-air conduit portion together with said firebox combustion-air conduit when said firebox is mounted within said housing

8. A fireplace according to claim 7, wherein said firebox combustion-air conduit surrounds said flue gas conduit, said housing combustion-air conduit portion surrounding said exhaust conduit.

9. A fireplace according to claim 1 further comprising a door providing access to said exhaust conduit and said fluid conduit.

10. A fireplace according to claim 9, wherein said door is positioned above said firebox.

11. A fireplace according to claim 8, wherein said door is a grid for allowing heat to exude therefrom.

12. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said firebox comprises rollers to be rolled in and out of said housing.

13. A fireplace according to claim 12, wherein said rollers are mounded to a bottom portion of said firebox.

14. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said firebox comprises guide members to be guided in and out of said housing.

15. A fireplace according to claim 14, wherein said guide members are mounded to a bottom portion of said firebox.

16. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said firebox is mounted to a sliding assembly for being slid in and out of said housing.

17. A fireplace according to claim 16, wherein said sliding assembly comprises a base member, a median member configured to be guided along the length of said base member, said firebox member comprising a stand being configured to be guided along the length of said median member.

18. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said firebox further comprises a burner.

19. A fireplace according to claim 18, wherein said burner is a gas burner.

20. A fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said burner is an electric heating element.

21. A fireplace according to claim 18, wherein said burner is an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame.

22. A fireplace according to claim 21, wherein said ambience burner exudes only minimal heat for producing said decorative flame.

23. A fireplace according to claim 18 further comprising a secondary burner.

24. A fireplace according to claim 23, wherein said secondary burner is a gas burner.

25. A fireplace according to claim 23, wherein said secondary burner is an electric heating element.

26. A fireplace according to claim 24, wherein said secondary burner is a heater burner for producing heat.

27. A fireplace according to claim 26, wherein said heater burner is independently modulated from said ambience burner.

28. A fireplace according to claim 23, wherein said firebox comprises a combustion chamber, said combustion chamber comprising said secondary burner, said secondary burner being a heater burner.

29. A fireplace according to claim 28, wherein said firebox defines a flame chamber, said flame chamber and said combustion chamber being separate, said flame chamber comprising said burner, said burner being an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame.

30. A fireplace comprising:

a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;

a firebox comprising an ambience burner for producing a decorative flame; and

a heater burner,

wherein said heater burner produces heat to be exuded by said fireplace.

31. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said ambience burner is a gas burner.

32. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said ambience burner is an electric heating element.

33. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said heater burner is a gas burner.

34. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said heater burner is an electric heating element.

35. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said ambience burner-exudes only minimal heat in order to produce said ambience flame.

36. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said heater burner is independent of said ambience burner.

37. A fireplace according to claim 36, wherein said both said ambience and heater burners are positioned within a chamber defined by said firebox.

38. A fireplace according to claim 37, wherein said firebox defines a flame-chamber including said ambience burner and comprises a separate combustion chamber including said heater burner.

39. A fireplace according to claim 37, wherein said ambience and heater burners are placed in tandem.

40. A fireplace according to claim 36 further comprising a combustion chamber including said heater-burner.

41. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said housing comprises a combustion chamber, said heater burner being positioned within said combustion chamber.

42. A fireplace according to claim 30 further comprising a plurality of heater burners.

43. A fireplace according to claim 42, wherein said ambience burner and each of said heater burners are independently modulated from one another.

44. A fireplace according to claim 30 further comprising heat-conduits for the passage of heat produced by said heater burner.

45. A fireplace according to claim 44, wherein said heat-conduits are branched to a various rooms of a dwelling.

46. A fireplace according to claim 30 further comprising a ventilator for accelerating the flow of exuded heat.

47. A fireplace according to claim 46, wherein said ventilator is linked to a controller, a senor being positioned at a heat output and being linked to said controller, said controller receiving temperature data from said sensor and controlling said ventilator to accelerate the flow of heat accordingly so as to reach a temperature determined by said controller.

48. A fireplace according to claim 30 further comprising an air conditioner.

49. A fireplace according to claim 48, wherein said fireplace further comprises:

a heat exchanger for passing therethrough flue gases emanating from said decorative flame;

an air-passage ending in an air-output for provide air from said air-conditioner to flow therethrough, said air-passage being near said heat exchanger; and

an air bypass assembly, for providing air produced by said air conditioner and flowing through said air-passage to bypass said heat exchanger.

50. A fireplace according to claim 49, wherein said air bypass assembly comprises a shield moveable between open and closed positions, said shield providing for air produced by said air conditioner to flow through said air-output when in said open position thus bypassing said heat exchanger.

51. A fireplace according to claim 49 further comprising a ventilator for accelerating the flow of air produced by said air conditioner.

52. A fireplace according to claim 48, wherein said ambience and heater burners are independently modulated, said ambience burner exuding only minimal heat for producing an ambience flame thus providing for said conditioner to exude cool air when the ambience burner produces a flame.

53. A fireplace according to claim 48, wherein said air conditioner and said heater burner are linked to a controller.

54. A fireplace according to claim 53, wherein said controller is linked to a thermostat for modulating said air-conditioner and said heater burner.

55. A fireplace according to claim 30, wherein said firebox is removable from said housing, said ambience burner being positioned within a chamber defined by said firebox, said heater burner being positioned within said housing.

56. A fireplace comprising:

a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;

a firebox positioned within said housing; and

a multiple burner assembly.

57. A fireplace according to claim 56, wherein said multiple burner assembly comprises:

at least one ambience burner for producing a visible flame within said firebox; and

at least one heater burner for producing heat to be exuded by said fireplace.

58. A fireplace according to claim 57, wherein said ambience burner further produces sufficient heat to be exuded by said fireplace so as to heat a dwelling.

59. A fireplace according to claim 57, wherein said ambience burner exudes only minimal heat to produce a visible flame within said firebox.

60. A fireplace according to claim 57, wherein said ambience and heater burners are independently modulated.

61. A fireplace comprising:

a firebox;

at least one burner for producing heat;

a heat-conduit for providing heat to flow from said burner to an output;

a ventilator for accelerating the flow of heat through said heat-conduit;

a controller linked to said ventilator for receiving ventilation data therefrom and for control thereof; and a

heat sensor positioned at said output and being linked to said controller so as to transmit heat data thereto;

wherein said controller receives heat data from said heat sensor, said controller processing said heat data and controlling said ventilator to accordingly accelerate heat flow so as to reach a predetermined temperature.

62. A fireplace according to claim 61, wherein said controller is linked to said ventilator and said heat-sensor via a link selected from the group consisting of: a wire linkage, remote linkage.

63. A fireplace comprising:

a firebox comprising a burner for producing a flame;

a flue gas conduit in fluid communication with said firebox and a heat-output;

a heat exchanger in fluid communication with said flue gas conduit and said heat-output;

an air conditioner an air-passage in fluid communication with said air-conditioner and an air-output, said air-passage being near said heat exchanger; and

a bypass assembly comprising at least one shield at said air-output, said shield being moveable between open and closed positions,

wherein when air produced by said air-conditioner flows through said air-passage said shield is moved to said open position to let air though said air-output and to bypass said heat exchanger.

64. A multifunctional fireplace compring:

a housing being mountable within a wall-structure;

a moveable firebox removably mounted within said housing;

a multiple burner assembly comprising:

at least one ambience burner for producing a visible flame within said firebox; and

at least one heater burner for producing heat to be exuded by said fireplace;

a heat-conduit for providing heat to flow from said heater burner to a heat-output;

a ventilator for accelerating the flow of heat through said heat-conduit;

a controller linked to said ventilator for receiving ventilation data therefrom and for control thereof; and a

heat sensor positioned at said heat-output and being linked to said controller so as to transmit heat data thereto

a flue gas conduit in fluid communication with said firebox and a flue gas-output;

a heat exchanger in fluid communication with said flue gas conduit and said flue gas-output;

an air conditioner;

an air-passage in fluid communication with said air-conditioner and an air-output, said air-passage being near said heat exchanger; and

a bypass assembly comprising at least one shield at said air-output, said shield being moveable between open and closed positions.

65. A system for modulating the temperature in a dwelling comprising:

a controller comprising a temperature selecting switch;

a burner assembly linked to said controller for transmitting data thereto and for receiving a signal therefrom;

a heat conduit being in fluid communication with said burner assembly and the dwelling;

an air conditioner linked to said controller for transmitting data thereto and for receiving a signal therefrom; and

a cool air conduit in fluid communication with said air conditioner and said dwelling;

wherein operation of said burner assembly and said air controller is selectively controlled via a signal from said controller when said temperature selecting switch is operated.

66. A system according to claim 65, wherein said temperature selecting switch is a thermostat.

67. A system according to claim 65, wherein said burner assembly comprises a plurality of burners.