FLAME SCREEN FOR AN OPEN AREA FIREPLACE

Abstract

A fireplace is disclosed having a flame screen that is fitted over a gas burner. The gas burner may be an elongated tube having orifices that are configured to produce a row of flames. The row of flames passes through openings in the flame screen to increase the height of the row of flames, change the color of the row of flames, and/or alter a shape or distribution of the row of flames. The flame screen may also facilitate ignition of a gas emitted from the gas burner after the flame screen has been heated by the row of flames.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/686,609, filed Jun. 18, 2018 and titled “Flame Screen for an Open Area Fireplace,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to fireplaces. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to systems and structures for implementing a flame screen in a fireplace or flame-producing appliance.

BACKGROUND

In general, fireplaces produce flames that can be used to heat an area as well as produce a particular visual effect. Gas-operated fireplaces may produce flames that have a particular height range and/or shape. In many cases, characteristics of a flame produced by a traditional gas-operated fireplace may be constrained by limits on gas pressure and/or gas-flow rate. The embodiments described herein may be used to alter the height, distribution, color, or other aspects of a fireplace flame while maintaining a particular gas-flow rate and/or line pressure.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a flame screen that is fitted over a burner of an open area fireplace. Some example embodiments are directed to a fireplace having a base defining an opening and a burner assembly positioned within the opening. The burner assembly may include a pan, a tube within the pan and defining an array of orifices, and a flame screen formed from a bent metal mesh positioned at least partially over the array of orifices of the tube. In the embodiments described here, the tube is configured to form a flame that passes through the bent metal mesh. In some implementations, the mesh is spaced apart from the tube by a height that ranges between 10 mm and 60 mm. The mesh may be spaced apart from the tube by a height that ranges between 45 and 55 mm. In some cases, the mesh may be spaced apart from the tube by a height that is approximately 50 mm. In some implementations, the bent metal mesh is formed from a mesh of woven metal wires. In some implementations, the bent metal mesh is formed from a perforated sheet of metal defining a two-dimensional array of openings.

In some embodiments, the fireplace includes a gas control system comprising a processing unit configured to receive an audio signal, and a valve control system configured to modulate a flow of gas to the tube. The processing unit may be operatively coupled to the gas-control system and configured to cause the valve control system to modulate the flow of gas in accordance with the audio signal

As described herein, the tube may be an elongated tube and the flame screen extends along a length of the elongated tube. The flame screen may overlap the entire array of orifices of the tube. In some implementations, the flame screen is attached to one or both of the pan or the tube by one or more fastening features. The fastening features may be configured to allow the flame screen to expand along the length of the tube as the flame screen is heated by the flame.

The pan may define an elongated channel that is configured to receive an aggregate material within the elongated channel. The flame screen separates the tube from the aggregate material and defines an exposed surface of the fireplace.

Some example embodiments are directed to a burner assembly for a fireplace. The burner assembly may include a tube having an array of orifices configured to emit gas and produce a series of flames. The burner assembly may also include a flame screen positioned over the tube and covering the array of orifices. The flame screen may have a top surface through which the series of flames passes through and that is fully exposed to an external environment. In some embodiments, after being heated by the series of flames, the flame screen is configured to ignite the gas emitted from the orifices.

The flame screen may be positioned above the tube by a gap that ranges between 10 mm and 60 mm. The flame screen may be configured to increase a height of the series of flames as compared to a flame that does not pass through the flame screen. In some embodiments, the flame screen is configured to alter a color of the series of flames.

In some implementations, the flame screen is coupled to the tube and allowed to expand along a length of the tube as the flame screen is being heated by the series of flames.

Some example embodiments are directed to a flame screen for an open-area fireplace. The flame screen may include a top surface defining an array of openings that are configured to increase a height of a flame that passes through the top surface. The flame screen may also include a pair of side surfaces that extend from the top surface to define a channel that is configured to receive a burner tube that emits a gas to produce the flame. The flame screen may also include a fastening feature that is configured to attach the flame screen to the open-area fireplace and allow the flame screen to expand as the flame screen is heated by the flame.

In addition to the example aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements.

FIG. 1A depicts a sample fireplace in a first configuration;

FIG. 1B depicts the sample fireplace of FIG. 1A in a second configuration;

FIG. 2 depicts a burner assembly;

FIG. 3A depicts a cross section view of a burner assembly;

FIG. 3B depicts detail 1-1 of the burner assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A depicts another embodiment of a burner assembly;

FIG. 4B depicts the burner assembly of FIG. 4A having a burner guard;

FIG. 5A depicts a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 5B depicts another embodiment of a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 5C depicts another embodiment of a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 5D depicts another embodiment of a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 5E depicts another embodiment of a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 5F depicts another embodiment of a guard for a burner assembly;

FIG. 6A depicts a top view of a tube for a burner assembly; and

FIG. 6B depicts a side view of the tube of FIG. 6A.

The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures.

Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description that follows includes sample systems, methods, and apparatuses that embody various elements of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the described disclosure may be practiced in a variety of forms in addition to those described herein.

The present disclosure describes systems, devices, and techniques related to a metal flame screen (also referred to herein as a “flame screen”) that is fitted over a flame of a fireplace. The metal flame screen may be formed from a bent metal mesh that may include a woven metal material and/or a perforated metal sheet. In general, the examples provided herein are directed to an open-area fireplace in which the flame is exposed to an external environment. The flame may provide heat and a visual effect for outdoor or open-area environments. The flame screen may enhance the appearance of the flame, enhance functional aspects of the fireplace, and/or provide a pleasing visual appearance by covering the burner tube and other functional elements of the fireplace.

The flame screen is adapted to be placed over the burner of the fireplace and may alter one or more characteristics of a flame produced by the burner. As described herein, the flame screen may alter a characteristic of the flame, including a flame height, a flame shape, a flame distribution, and/or flame color. The size, shape, and/or arrangement of openings in the flame screen may be configured to redirect or modify airflow in a region around the flame, which may increase the height of the flame, alter the shape of the flame, or alter some other visual appearance of the flame. In some cases, the flame screen is formed from a material that is configured to alter a color of the flame as it passes through the flame screen.

The metal flame screen may be a component of a burner assembly for a fireplace. For example, a burner assembly may be fitted into a base or other support structure of a fireplace. The burner assembly may include a pan that defines an elongated channel along a top exterior surface of the base. The burner of the fireplace may include an elongated tube that is positioned at least partially within the elongated channel defined by the pan. The elongated tube may have a group or array of orifices that are configured to emit gas and produce a row of flames. The flame screen may be positioned at least partially within the elongated channel defined by the pan and over the tube. The flame screen may partially surround the burner tube overlapping the entire array of orifices. In some cases, the flame screen extends along substantially the entire length of the burner tube.

In certain embodiments, the flame screen may be used to ignite or re-ignite gas emitted from the tube. For example, the flame screen may be formed from certain metals, composites, or other materials that are configured to retain heat. Once heated, the flame screen may retain sufficient thermal energy that the flame screen may ignite gas that is emitted from the burner tube. This feature may be particularly useful when installed in a fireplace having a dynamic or modulated flame. As described in more detail herein, the flame screen may be installed on a fireplace having a gas control system that is configured to modulate a gas flow in accordance with an audio signal or sound. The gas control system may momentarily throttle a gas flow, which may cause the flame to be extinguished. The flame screen may facilitate re-ignition of the flame when the gas control system returns the flow of gas to resume the flame.

While the flame screen may be used in substantially any fireplace that outputs a flame, described herein is an application of the flame screen, and burner assembly more generally, for a dynamic fireplace. As used herein, a “dynamic fireplace” may be used to refer to a fireplace in which the flame height is modulated in accordance with an audio or visual input. This may involve dynamically modulating the supply of gas based on various inputs, including a user input, audio input (digital or acoustic signal input), sensor input, and/or different types of environmental input. In some cases, the flame of the dynamic fireplace may be modulated in accordance with a set of preprogrammed instructions or a choreographed arrangement. When installed in a dynamic fireplace, the flame screen may be used to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the flame, for example, by increasing a size, shape, and/or other characteristic of the flame. Further, as mentioned previously, the modulation of gas may temporarily restrict or stop flow of the gas, which may extinguish the flame. As mentioned above, the flame screen, when already heated by the fireplace flame, may reignite the flame when the flow is reestablished.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which assist in illustrating various features of the present disclosure. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventive aspects to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the present inventive aspects.

FIG. 1A depicts an example fireplace 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The fireplace 100 depicted in FIG. 1A is an open-area fireplace in which the flames are exposed and not contained within a shroud or structure. In some cases, the open-area fireplace may include a glass guard or other type of structure that surrounds the flames. The fireplace may be a static fireplace or may be a dynamic fireplace in accordance with the embodiments described herein.

As mentioned previously, a dynamic fireplace may modulate the flame height or flame distribution in accordance with some dynamic input. For example, the fireplace 100 may be configured to produce flames of varying heights and intensities by controlling or modulating a flow of gas to a tube or other burner component. In some implementations, the fireplace 100 is configured to modulate the flame height, flame distribution, and/or flame intensity in accordance with an audio input signal. The audio input signal may be provided via an audio connection, Bluetooth connection, microphone, or some other device that is configured to receive a signal.

In some implementations, a flow of gas to the burner may be modulated in accordance with the audio input to vary the flame height, flame distribution, and/or flame intensity. As one example, the flame height may be varied in accordance with an amplitude of a particular frequency range of the audio input. As the amplitude of the frequency range increases, the flow of gas may be modulated to produce an increased flame height. In some cases, the flame height, flame distribution, and/or flame intensity is varied in accordance with a drum beat or rhythm of the audio input. In some cases, the fireplace 100 may include one or more speakers that are configured to produce an audio output that corresponds to the audio input. The flame height, flame distribution, and/or flame intensity may be modulated to correspond to the audio output of the speakers to produce what appears to be a flame that is synchronized with the audio being played by the fireplace 100.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the fireplace 100 may generally have a base 104 and a burner assembly 108 at least partially positioned within the base 104. The base 104 may be a structural member of the fireplace 100 that houses various internal components of the fireplace 100, such as a gas-control system, including various processing units and valve systems, as described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 2. It will be appreciated, however, that the base 104 is shown in FIG. 1A for purposes of illustration, and that other constructions of the base 104 are possible and contemplated herein, including structures having cantilevered members, and/or other structural or aesthetic members. Accordingly, while the burner assembly 108 is shown positioned within an opening defined in a top surface of the base 104, other configurations are possible.

Broadly, the burner assembly 108 is configured to emit gas and form a flame along an exterior surface of the fireplace 100. The burner assembly 108 includes a flame screen 112, such as the flame screen generally discussed above and described in greater detail below. The flame screen 112 may be fitted within the burner assembly 108 and used to alter a characteristic of a flame. For example, the flame screen 112 may be positioned above a tube or other burner component that emits gas. The flame screen 112 may define openings of various patterns and a flame formed along the tube may pass through the flame screen 112 at the openings. As the flame screen 112 may be positioned around the flame, the flame screen may modify or redirect airflow around the flame. This may alter a characteristic of the flame, such as increasing a flame height, altering the flame distribution, and/or changing the color of the flame. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, a flame 102 is shown passing through the flame screen 112. The height of the flame 102 in FIG. 1A may be at least partially based on the configuration of the flame screen 112, such as the height of the flame screen 112 above a burner and/or the pattern of the openings in the flame screen 112.

As mentioned previously, the fireplace 100 may be a dynamic fireplace. Accordingly, the height, distribution, and/or intensity of the flame 102 may change based on a variety of inputs, including audio inputs. With reference to FIG. 1B, the fireplace 100 is shown in a second configuration, in which the fireplace 100 produces a flame 102 having a second characteristic. For example, the flame 102 may have a height and/or intensity corresponding to the audio output, which is indicated in FIG. 1B by a collection of musical notes. As an illustration, the flame 102 shown in FIG. 1B may be larger and/or more intense than the flame shown in FIG. 1A, for example, which may correspond to an increased volume of an audio output, a different audio track, and/or other user-customizable criteria.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the burner assembly 108. The burner assembly 108 may generally include any appropriate components, systems, subsystems, and so on that operate to produce a flame for a fireplace (e.g., fireplace 100 of FIG. 1A). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the burner assembly 108 may include the flame screen 112, a tube 128, a pan 132, and a gas-control system 116, among other components and assemblies.

The gas-control system 116 may generally be configured to provide and regulate a flow of gas that is used by the burner assembly 108 to produce a flame. In this regard, the gas-control system 116 may be coupled with a gas source, such as a tank, flow line, and/or other appropriate source. The gas-control system 116 may include a valve system 120. The valve system 120 may include one or regulators, controls, valves, and/or other components that may be used to control a flow of gas within the burner assembly. The valve system 120 may be configured to control the flow of the gas based on one or more input signals. To illustrate, the valve system 120 may increase a flow of gas based on a receipt of a first portion of an input signal, and, subsequently, the valve system 120 may decrease (or cease) a flow of gas based on a receipt of a second portion of an input signal. The input signals may be received from a variety of components and systems, including user input received at a hardwired or remote touchpad, such as that from an external mobile device.

In certain embodiments, the valve system 120 may receive input signals from a processing unit, such as the processing unit 124 shown in FIG. 2. The processing unit 124 may generally be any device or system that is configured to produce a signals or signals that can be used to control the valve system 120. In some cases, the processing unit 124 may also produce an audio output that may be used to control one or more speakers. The processing unit 124 may include a processor, control electronics, sensor electronics, instruments, and/or other hardware that is configured to facilitate the functions described herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the processing unit 124 may be operatively coupled with the valve system 120. The valve system 120 may receive input signals from the processing unit 124 that are associated with the audio output. For example, the valve system 120 may receive signals associated with a volume, tempo, beat, track, and/or other characteristic of the audio output. The valve system 120 may, in turn, modulate a flow of gas based on the received signal. As an illustration, where the signal corresponds to an increase in volume of the audio output, the flow of gas may be increased, whereas the flow of gas may be decreased when the signal corresponds to a decrease in the volume of the audio output.

The gas-control system 116 may be configured to direct gas to the tube 128. The tube 128 may be an elongated member at which gas is emitted in order to form a flame. For example and as explained in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 3, the tube 128 may include an array of orifices that are arranged along a length of the tube. The orifices may be configured to emit gas and maintain a flame when the emitted gas is ignited. As such, the gas-control system 116, as shown in FIG. 2, may be operatively coupled with the tube 128. In particular, the valve system 120 may be operatively coupled with the tube 128 in a manner that allows the flow of gas to be regulated at the valve system 120 to flow into the tube 128 and toward the orifices.

The tube 128 may be at least partially positioned within the pan 132. The pan 132 may define an elongated channel 134 and the tube 128 may extend along the elongated channel 134. The pan 132 may include one or more holes that allow the tube 128 to be operatively coupled with the gas-control system 116. For example, one or more conduits, intakes, and/or other components may pass through holes defined in the pan 132 and be fluidically coupled with the gas-control system 116. This may allow the elongated channel 134 of the pan 132 to be positioned facing an exterior surface of a fireplace, and the gas-control system 116 may be positioned below the pan 132 and substantially concealed from view.

The flame screen 112 may be positioned substantially over the tube 128 and within the pan 132. In one embodiment, the flame screen 112 may be formed from a bent metal mesh that includes a series of woven metal wires and/or a perforated metal sheet. The metal wires of the mesh or the perforations of the sheet may cooperate to define openings that extend through a thickness of the flame screen 112 and are configured to alter a property of flame that passes through the flame screen 112. In other embodiments, other constructions are possible, including forming the flame screen 112 from a stamped sheet metal and/or other construction in which the flame screen 112 is configured to allow a flame to propagate through openings defined in the material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the flame screen 112 may be a C-shaped or semi-circular member that is configured to sit over the tube 128. This may allow the openings defined by the flame screen 112 to be positioned over the tube 128, including being positioned over orifices of the tube 128 that are configured to emit gas. Gas emitted from the tube 128 may thus be directed toward the flame screen 112, and when the emitted gas is ignited, a flame may be formed that propagates through the openings. In some embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 2, the openings defined by the flame screen may extend over the entire array of orifices of the tube 128.

FIG. 3A depicts a cross-sectional view of a burner assembly 308. The burner assembly 308 may be substantially analogous to the burner assemblies described herein. The burner assembly 308 may therefore include similar components and/or perform similar functions of other burner assemblies described herein, including a flame screen 312, a tube 328, a pan 332, and an elongated channel 334, redundant explanation of which is omitted here for clarity.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the flame screen 312 is shown positioned over the tube 328. The tube 328 may be an orifice 330 that is configured to emit gas (e.g., such as gas provided by the gas-control system 116 of FIG. 2). As described in greater detail below, the orifice 330 may be one of a group of orifices that are positioned along a length of the tube 328. The flame screen 312 may be positioned over the orifice 330 and separated from the tube 328 by an offset height that may vary between 10 mm and 60 mm. In this regard, the orifice 330 may emit gas toward the flame screen 312. The emitted gas may be ignited and form a flame that passes through the openings 314. A height of the flame and/or other characteristic or property of the flame may be based on the offset height and/or the configuration (e.g., shape, pattern, and so on) of the openings 314. In some cases, the offset height may be approximately 50 mm. In other cases, the offset height may be less than or greater than 50 mm in order to modify a particular characteristic of the flame.

In certain embodiments, the burner assembly 308 may include an aggregate 336. The aggregate 336 may be a thermally radiating material, such as crushed rock or stone. In some cases, the aggregate 336 is formed from a thermally insulating material, such as a glass, ceramic, or composite. The flame screen 312 may optionally separate the aggregate 336 from the tube 328, as shown in FIG. 3A. At least a portion of the flame screen 312, such as a top portion positioned above the tube 328, may remain exposed and define an exterior surface of the fireplace.

FIG. 3B depicts detail 1-1 of the burner assembly 308 described above with respect to FIG. 3A. In particular, FIG. 3B shows the flame screen 312 coupled to the pan 332. The flame screen 312 may be positioned within the pan 332 (e.g., such as within the elongated channel 334 of FIG. 3A) and secured to one or more surfaces. This may secure or couple the flame screen 312 to the fireplace while also providing some movement of the flame screen 312 due to thermal expansion and contraction. In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, the flame screen 312 is shown secured to the pan 332 using a fastener 331. The fastener 331 may extend through a fastening feature that may include a slotted or elongated opening in the flame screen 312. The fastening feature may constrain the flame screen 312 in directions that are transverse to the length of the tube 328 but allows some movement in a direction that is parallel to the length of the tube 328. It will be appreciated, however, that the fastener 331 and the fastening feature are presented for purposes of illustration, and other coupling components and structures are possible including screws, clips, securing wires, and so on.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show cross-sectional views of the burner assembly 308. In particular, FIGS. 4A shows an operation of the burner assembly 308 without a flame screen, grate, grill, or other structure having openings positioned over a flame. FIG. 4B shows an operation of the burner assembly 308 having the flame screen 312. As shown and described below, the flame screen 312 may increase a size of a flame, a distribution of the flame, and/or a color of the flame produced by the burner assembly 308.

With reference to FIG. 4A, the burner assembly 308 may produce a flame 402a. The flame 402a may have a first height and a first color. The flame 402a may be produced and maintained by gas emitted at the orifice 330. With reference to FIG. 4B, the burner assembly 308 may produce a flame 402b. In the embodiment of FIG. 4B, the burner assembly 308 may have the flame screen 312 positioned over the tube 328. The flame 402b may pass through openings 314 in the flame screen 312 toward an external surface of the burner assembly 308. The flame 402b may have a second height that is distinct from the first height of the flame 402a. Specifically, the flame 402b may have a second height that is greater than the first height of flame 402a. Additionally or alternatively, the flame 402b may have a second color that is distinct from the second color of the flame 402a. The second height and/or the second color may be at least partially based on the flame screen 312. For example, the flame screen 312 may modify and/or otherwise redirect airflow in a region around the orifice 330, which may increase the height, alter the distribution, and/or change the color of the flame.

The flame screen 312 may be formed from a material or have a composition that facilitates a change in color of the flame. For example, the flame screen 312 may include certain metals, coatings, additives, or other constituent components that may be burned, oxidized, or otherwise altered when flames pass through the flame screen. Such a flame screen 312 may alter the color of the flame as the flame passes through the flame screen 312. In one example, the flame screen 312 may have a copper coating or may be formed from a copper alloy resulting in a flame 402b having a blue or green hue as it passes through the openings 314 in the flame screen 312.

FIGS. 5A-5F depicts various embodiments of sample flame screens. The flame screens described with respect to FIGS. 5A-5F may be substantially analogous to the flame screens described with respect to the other embodiments and examples provided herein. The flame screens may therefore include similar components and/or perform similar functions of other flame screens described herein, such as including openings that allow a flame to propagate through the flame screen. Redundant explanation of these functions and components is omitted here for clarity.

With reference to FIG. 5A, a flame screen 512a is shown. The flame screen 512a may be formed from a sheet metal material. The flame screen 512a may have a series of openings 514a. The series of openings 514a may be substantially circular shaped; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514a may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512a. The flame screen 512a may be a C-shaped member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

With reference to FIG. 5B, a flame screen 512b is shown. The flame screen 512b may be formed from a sheet metal material. The flame screen 512b may have a series of openings 514b. The series of openings 514b may be substantially angularly shaped; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514b may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512b. The flame screen 512b may be a C-shaped member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

With reference to FIG. 5C, a flame screen 512c is shown. The flame screen 512c may be formed from a sheet metal material. The flame screen 512e may have a series of openings 514c. The series of openings 514a may be substantially circular shaped; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514c may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512c. The flame screen 512c may be a semi-circular member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

With reference to FIG. 5D, a flame screen 512d is shown. The flame screen 512d may be formed from a bent metal mesh. The bent metal mesh may include a series of woven metal wires. The series of woven metal wires may cooperate to define a series of openings 514d. The series of openings 514d may have a geometry that is defined by a weave pattern of the woven metal wires; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514d may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512d. The flame screen 512d may be a C-shaped member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

With reference to FIG. 5E, a flame screen 512e is shown. The flame screen 512e may be formed from a bent metal mesh. The bent metal mesh may include a series of woven metal wires. The series of woven metal wires may cooperate to define a series of openings 514e. The series of openings 514e may have a geometry that is defined by a weave pattern of the woven metal wires; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514e may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512e. The flame screen 512e may be a C-shaped member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

With reference to FIG. 5F, a flame screen 512f is shown. The flame screen 512f may be formed from a bent metal mesh. The bent metal mesh may include a series of woven metal wires. The series of woven metal wires may cooperate to define a series of openings 514f. The series of openings 514f may have a geometry that is defined by a weave pattern of the woven metal wires; however, other geometries are possible. The series of openings 514f may allow a flame to pass through a thickness of the flame screen 512f. The flame screen 512f may be a C-shaped member that is configured to be fitted over a burner, including the various tubes and burner components described herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B depict an embodiment of a tube 628 for use in a burner assembly. The tube 628 described with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B may be substantially analogous to the tubes described herein. The tube 628 may therefore include similar components and/or perform similar functions of other tubes described herein, such as including orifices configured to emit gas and maintain a flame at an exterior surface of a fireplace. Redundant explanation of these functions and components is omitted here for clarity.

With reference to FIG. 6A, a top view of the tube 628 is shown. The tube 628 may be an elongated member that is configured to emit gas and form a flame. The tube 628 may be constructed to a variety of dimensions, including having a length of between 24 inches to 36 inches. In some cases, the tube 628 may have a length that is less than 24 inches or greater than 36 inches.

Along a portion of the tube 628, such as the top portion shown in FIG. 6A, the tube 628 may include orifices 630. The orifices 630 may be through portions that extend into an interior of the tube 628. The orifices 630 may have a size, shape, pattern, and so on that is configured to emit gas that produces a desired flame. For example, in one embodiment, the orifices 630 may have a diameter of 0.08 inches; however, other diameters are possible. As another example, the orifices 630 may be separated from one another along the top surface by 0.39 inches. The spacing of the orifices 630, too, may be greater or less than 0.39 inches, as may be appropriate for a given application.

With reference to FIG. 6B, a side view of the tube 628 is shown. The tube 628 may include an intake 629. The intake 629 may be positioned below the orifices 630 and used to receive gas or other fuel that is used to maintain the flame.

Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Further, the term “exemplary” does not mean that the described example is preferred or better than other examples.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings

Claims

1. A fireplace comprising:

a base defining an opening; and

a burner assembly positioned within the opening and comprising: a pan; a tube within the pan and defining an array of orifices; and a flame screen formed from a bent metal mesh positioned at least partially over the array of orifices of the tube, wherein

the tube is configured to form a flame that passes through the bent metal mesh.

2. The fireplace of claim 1, further comprising:

a gas-control system comprising: a processing unit configured to receive an audio signal; and a valve control system configured to modulate a flow of gas to the tube, wherein the processing unit is operatively coupled to the gas-control system and configured to cause the valve control system to modulate the flow of gas in accordance with the audio signal.

3. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the bent metal mesh is spaced apart from the tube by a height that ranges between 10 mm and 60 mm.

4. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the bent metal mesh is formed from a mesh of woven metal wires.

5. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein the bent metal mesh is formed from a perforated sheet of metal defining a two-dimensional array of openings.

6. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein:

the tube is an elongated tube;

the flame screen extends along a length of the elongated tube; and

the flame screen overlaps an entire array of orifices of the tube.

7. The fireplace of claim 6, wherein:

the flame screen is attached to one or both of the pan or the tube by one or more fastening features; and

the fastening features are configured to allow the flame screen to expand along the length of the elongated tube as the flame screen is heated by the flame.

8. The fireplace of claim 1, wherein:

the pan defines an elongated channel;

the pan is configured to receive an aggregate material within the elongated channel; and

the flame screen separates the tube from the aggregate material and defines an exposed surface of the fireplace.

9. A burner assembly for a fireplace, comprising:

a tube having an array of orifices configured to emit gas and produce a series of flames; and

a flame screen positioned over the tube and covering the array of orifices, the flame screen having a top surface through which the series of flames passes through and that is fully exposed to an external environment, wherein,

after being heated by the series of flames, the flame screen is configured to ignite the gas emitted from the array of orifices.

10. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein the flame screen is positioned above the tube by a gap that ranges between 10 mm and 60 mm.

11. The burner assembly of claim 10, wherein the flame screen is configured to increase a height of the series of flames as compared to a flame that does not pass through the flame screen.

12. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein the flame screen is formed from a perforated metal sheet having an array of rectangular openings.

13. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein the flame screen is formed from a woven metal mesh.

14. The burner assembly of claim 13, wherein the woven metal mesh is configured to alter a color of the series of flames.

15. The burner assembly of claim 9, wherein the flame screen is coupled to the tube and allowed to expand along a length of the tube as the flame screen is being heated by the series of flames.

16. A flame screen for an open-area fireplace, the flame screen comprising:

a top surface defining an array of openings that are configured to increase a height of a flame that passes through the top surface;

a pair of side surfaces that extends from the top surface to define a channel that is configured to receive a burner tube that emits a gas to produce the flame; and

a fastening feature that is configured to attach the flame screen to the open-area fireplace and allow the flame screen to expand as the flame screen is heated by the flame.

17. The flame screen of claim 16, wherein:

the flame is a first flame; and

when heated by the first flame, the flame screen is configured to reignite the gas to produce a second flame.

18. The flame screen of claim 16, wherein the flame screen is formed from a continuous metal mesh that is bent to form the top surface and the pair of side surfaces.

19. The flame screen of claim 18, wherein the continuous metal mesh is a woven metal mesh.

20. The flame screen of claim 16, wherein the flame screen is formed from a perforated metal sheet that is bent to form the top surface and the pair of side surfaces.