Coupling for direct venting system
A pipe coupling for components of a venting system comprising a male pipe member on an end of a first component and a female pipe member on a corresponding end of a second component. The male pipe member comprises an inner flue pipe having a compressible gasket surrounding the inner flue pipe proximate an external end of the inner flue pipe, an external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue pipe and brackets linking the inner flue pipe to the external venting pipe. The female pipe member receives the male pipe member and comprises an inner flue sleeve being sized larger than the outer diameter of the flue pipe at an outer end of the sleeve. The inner flue sleeve remains in circumferential contact with the compressible gasket when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.
The present invention is directed to a venting system. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a coupling for a direct venting system for fireplaces and stoves. The present patent application claims priority of U.S. 60/780,062 filed Mar. 8, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONDirect-vent gas fireplaces or stoves solve many of the problems associated with wood-burning forebears. Unlike traditional masonry fireplaces with foundations and chimneys, direct-vent units take advantage of technologies that allow small clearances. These systems are typically prefabricated from metal and designed to be installed in wood-frame constructions without a foundation or a chimney. As the direct-vent systems burn efficiently, combustion gases can be vented directly out a wall. These systems are much easier and less expensive to install than masonry units and allow much greater flexibility in their placement.
Direct-vent fireplaces use natural gas or propane, not wood, as a combustible material. Air required to feed the flame enters from outside and the relatively cool combustion gases are exhausted through the wall-mounted vent or the roof.
These venting systems consist of a number of parts assembled together in a manner to vent flue gases to the outside of the building and to supply outside air to the appliance.
A number of venting systems have been proposed, but none has been entirely satisfactory due to different problems described below.
Because many installations are side vented, many of the field problems associated with direct venting are wind-related. This is especially true on coastal installations where high winds are common. Wind direction is also responsible for the poor performance of appliances.
Another common problem in the field for horizontal installation systems is cold air infiltration (especially in northern areas). The cold air infiltration decreases the overall efficiency of the system
Prior art venting systems also have another problem related to pipe assembly. Several pipe assemblies require sealant application in the field to make the assemblies leak proof which complicates their installation and causes difficulties when cleaning up after installation. Very often, the installer has to return to an installation site to verify that the sealant is still successfully applied.
Yet another problem with prior art systems is related to maintenance of pipe assemblies. Not only parts of the prior art systems are difficult to assemble, but also they are equally difficult to disassemble when routine maintenance is required.
Thus there is presently a need for a direct venting system that addresses several of the above-mentioned problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide a coupling for a direct venting system that addresses the above-mentioned needs.
More particularly, the invention provides a pipe coupling for components of a venting system comprising:
-
- a male pipe member on an end of a first one of the components, the male pipe member comprising:
- an inner flue pipe having a compressible gasket surrounding the inner flue pipe proximate an external end of the inner flue pipe;
- a first external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue pipe; and
- brackets linking the inner flue pipe to the first external venting pipe; and
- a female pipe member on a corresponding end of a second one of the components, the female pipe member receiving the male pipe member and comprising:
- an inner flue sleeve being sized larger than the outer diameter of the inner flue pipe at an outer end of the sleeve; and
- a second external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue sleeve;
wherein the inner flue sleeve remains in circumferential contact with the compressible gasket, and the first and second external venting pipes remain in contact with each other, when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.
- a male pipe member on an end of a first one of the components, the male pipe member comprising:
According to the present invention, there is also provided a direct vent system with the following parts that comprise either the above-described male or female pipe members at one end of the part, or both male and female pipe members, and which can be grouped in the following categories:
-
- Lengths
- Elbows
- Termination Caps
- Adapters
Parts associated to this system also include wall, floor and ceiling supports as well as shields.
The key features of the system are:
-
- A double wall pipe construction with the space between the two walls acting as a conduit for supplying outside air to the appliance.
- A gasketed seal inner flue joint preventing contamination of outside air with flue gases.
- A tapered metal to metal seal outer casing joint preventing negative building pressure from affecting the operation of the appliance.
- A gradual compression of the inner flue gasket and precise fabrication tolerances minimizing the force required for the assembly of parts.
- A stable joint assembly using sheet metal screws allowing for safer long horizontal installation.
- An esthetically pleasant looking pipe.
- A horizontal termination design that maintains a small pressure difference between the inner flue gases conduit and the outside air conduit under varying wind direction and velocity.
- A joint allowing varying offset angles.
- A flexible double wall pipe section allowing more freedom in small offset installations.
The horizontal termination ensures better efficiency of the gas appliance under different wind conditions and directions. There is no poor flame and/or combustion effects under low and high wind conditions from any direction.
The invention also provides an insulated wall thimble with a rigid insulation pad inside the sleeves which eliminates cold air infiltration. This design also brings at the same time the following improvements: a decrease in the size of the hole to be cut in the wall and a reduction to zero of the clearance to the combustible framing. Also by designing a telescopic section part of the horizontal caps, the system can be adapted to different wall thicknesses.
The male-female joint attachment makes an installation very easy and versatile. The alignment can be done on 360 degrees. When the alignment of lengths, elbows or adapters satisfies the client, the sections are simply pushed together with a minimum force, sealing inner liner and outer casing at the same time. Each joint is also secured with 3 screws which provide a solid joint.
The joint design eliminates the need to apply sealant at the inner flue and/or outer casing joint in order to seal the joint. This reduces installation labor and increases the durability of the seal. It also allows dismantling of the joints for maintenance.
The present system offers several advantages including a leak proof coupling and pipe construction, a strong and durable design, an esthetically pleasant looking pipe, a faster and easier installation, an increased efficiency of the system and safer installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe present invention and its advantages will be more easily understood after reading the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the following drawings in which:
In accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in
As shown in
Preferably, the pipe coupling 10 further comprises a plurality of fasteners 30 fastening the male pipe member 11 to the female pipe member 12.
Preferably, the fasteners are screws and three of them of used around the coupling.
Preferably, the compressible gasket 16 is made of woven fibreglass.
Preferably, as illustrated in
According to the present invention, there is also provided a direct vent system with components that utilize the above-described coupling for a variety of components including lengths, elbows, termination caps and adapters. Parts associated to this direct vent system also include wall, floor and ceiling supports as well as shields.
In
In
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The venting system according to the present invention offers several other advantages over prior art systems.
Certain prior art systems include external lock tabs for coupling purposes. This type of system allows leaks through the tabs. The couplings in the present invention preferably comprise as mentioned above three metal screws that offer a greater stiffness of the joint. Moreover, the male and female parts of the coupling are tapered and constructed precisely, to offer a metal on metal junction which only presents a little amount of leakage, while avoiding the use of a sealant.
Prior art systems often also offer a 360 degree rotation capability through the coupling elements once assembled. This rotational capability decreases the gas-tightness of the coupling. The coupling according to the present invention also allows 360 degree rotation for installation purposes, but the use of the three metal screws to affix the coupling in its final configuration ensures that the mating elements do not move with respect to each other and consequently improve the tightness of the seal.
Furthermore, prior art systems also have components with the inner flue pipe centered within the component with triangular supports, both on male and female sides of the component. In the components of the present invention, the inner flue pipe is centered within the outer pipe through four brackets on the male side of the component only (except for the 48 inch section). The inner pipe is ¼ inch longer than the outer pipe which ensures easier assembly and coupling of the sections even if the sections were made oval before final assembly. The position and size of the sealing gasket, and the dimensions of the female parts of inner pipes in the components ensure that the sealing gasket is never dislodged from its position during installation and also ensures a gradual compression of the gasket. This feature eliminates the need of silicone sealants which may dry before completion of an installation.
Prior art gaskets or seals are often made of silicone woven fiberglass and measure around ⅜″ large. The gasket or seal according to the present invention is ½″ large, twice as thick and made of woven fiberglass without the need of adding a silicone coating.
Prior art external conduits are also often made of galvanized steel and then painted. The external conduits of the present invention are preferably made of galvalume (for regular conduits) or brushed steel (for painted conduits).
Moreover, prior art wall thimbles are typically round and not isolated. The wall thimbles in the present invention are square and insulated against cold air infiltrations.
Prior art systems do not offer flexible lengths. In the present invention, the availability of a flexible length allows the design of deviated trajectories in the conduits over short distances for vertical installations while allowing also easier alignments between the output of the heating element and the opening in the wall for horizontal installations.
Furthermore, prior art termination components are typically generally square or rectangular in shape. The termination components of the present invention have a generally trapezoidal shape with uniquely shaped openings which ensure a good balance between inlet and outlet pressures. The shape of the termination yields exceptional performance for the venting system for a large variety of external wind speeds and directions.
Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A pipe coupling for components of a venting system comprising:
- a male pipe member on an end of a first one of said components, said male pipe member comprising: an inner flue pipe having a compressible gasket surrounding the inner flue pipe proximate an external end of the inner flue pipe; a first external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue pipe; and brackets linking the inner flue pipe to the first external venting pipe; and
- a female pipe member on a corresponding end of a second one of said components, said female pipe member receiving the male pipe member and comprising: an inner flue sleeve being sized larger than the outer diameter of the inner flue pipe at an outer end of the sleeve; and a second external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue sleeve; wherein the inner flue sleeve remains in circumferential contact with the compressible gasket, and the first and second external venting pipes remain in contact with each other, when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.
2. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners fastening the male pipe member to the female pipe member.
3. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein the compressible gasket is made of woven fibreglass.
4. The pipe coupling according to claim 1, wherein first and second external venting pipes are respectively female and male external venting pipes and are tapered such that the female external venting pipe is sized to receive the male external venting pipe when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.
5. The pipe coupling according to claim 2, wherein the fasteners are screws.
6. The pipe coupling according to claim 2, wherein the compressible gasket is made of woven fibreglass.
7. The pipe coupling according to claim 6, wherein first and second external venting pipes are respectively female and male external venting pipes and are tapered such that the female external venting pipe is sized to receive the male external venting pipe when the male pipe member is inserted into the female pipe member.
8. The pipe coupling according to claim 7, wherein the fasteners are screws.
9. A venting system comprising components that are coupled with the pipe coupling defined in claim 1.
10. The venting system according to claim 9, further comprising a square wall thimble insulated against cold air infiltrations.
11. The venting system according to claim 9, wherein one of said components is selected from the group consisting of a standard length, an adjustable length, a flexible length, an adapter, and an elbow.
12. The venting system according to claim 9, wherein one of said components is a termination cap comprising a deflector plate centered on the flue pipe and deflecting gases from the flue pipe, and a generally trapezoidally-shaped cover plate covering the termination cap.
13. A component of a venting system, said venting system having a flue sleeve of a defined diameter, said component comprising:
- a male pipe member on a first end of the component, said male pipe member comprising: an inner flue pipe having a compressible gasket surrounding the inner flue pipe proximate an external end of the inner flue pipe; a first external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue pipe; and brackets linking the inner flue pipe to the first external venting pipe.
14. The component according to claim 13, further comprising:
- a female pipe member on a second end of the component, said female pipe member comprising: an inner flue sleeve being sized larger than the outer diameter of the inner flue pipe at an outer end of the sleeve; and a second external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue sleeve, wherein the inner flue sleeve remains in circumferential contact with a further compressible gasket of a further component, and the second external venting pipe remains in circumferential contact with a further first external venting pipe of the further component, when a female pipe member of the further component receives the male pipe member.
15. The component according to claim 13, further comprising:
- a female pipe member on a second end of the component, said female pipe member comprising: an inner flue sleeve being sized larger than the outer diameter of the inner flue pipe at an outer end of the sleeve; and a second external venting pipe surrounding the inner flue sleeve, wherein the compressible gasket remains in circumferential contact with a further inner flue sleeve of a further component, and the first external venting pipe remains in circumferential contact with a further second external venting pipe of the further component, when the male pipe member is inserted into a female pipe member of the further component.
16. The component according to claim 13, wherein the compressible gasket is made of woven fibreglass.
17. The component according to claim 13, wherein the male pipe member comprises a plurality of holes in the first external venting pipe, each of said plurality of holes being sized to receive a fastener therethrough.
18. The component according to claim 13, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a standard length, an adjustable length, a flexible length, an adapter, an elbow and a termination cap.
19. The component according to claim 16, wherein the male pipe member comprises a plurality of holes in the first external venting pipe, each of said plurality of holes being sized to receive a fastener therethrough.
20. The component according to claim 19, wherein the component is selected from the group consisting of a standard length, an adjustable length, a flexible length, an adapter, an elbow and a termination cap.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 8, 2007
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2007
Inventors: Andre Bibaud (St-Hippolyte), Luc Gilbert (St-Jerome)
Application Number: 11/715,492
International Classification: F24C 1/14 (20060101);