Abstract: Systems and methods fabricate precast concrete substructures or cores for creating outdoor living structures, such as fireplaces. A mold assembly may include a base section, an outer form section, and an inner form section. The outer and base sections may include pockets for receiving the forks of a fork lift. The outer section may be placed onto the base section, and the inner form section may be suspended within the outer form section. The base section may include three-dimensional (3D) shapes for creating voids in the core to reduce weight. The outer form section may include channels for forming slots in the core, and the base section may include slots for receiving the channels. The channels and slots may be positioned to align the outer form section to the base section as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device approximately defining an L shape and comprising at least two first nested pipes in the foot of the L (32), and at least one second pipe (36) provided with at least one opening (38), in the leg of the L, the first pipes being arranged in such a way as to define a duct between one end (34) of a first central pipe and said at least one opening (38) by means of passages defined at the ends of the first pipes.

Abstract: A variable air intake control for rapid fire starting in solid fuel burning appliances has an air intake chamber member adapted to be positioned on the top side of the solid fuel burning appliance and adapted to allow air to pass therethrough. The air intake chamber member has an air intake opening located adjacent to one end of a top side thereof and an air outflow opening adjacent an opposite end to the one end and located on a bottom side thereof. A pipe member attached to the air outflow opening at a first end and adapted to channel the air to pass therethrough and exit at a second end thereof underneath the solid fuel burning appliance to be used for rapid fire starting. A gate member pivotally attached at one end to the top side of the air intake chamber member and adapted to uncover the air intake opening in an initial position and progressively pivot and cover the air intake.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides woodstoves that, optionally, produce low emissions. In certain embodiments, the woodstove includes a housing, a firebox disposed in the housing, an air regulator and a secondary air pipe. The air regulator includes a primary air aperture configured to supply primary air to a fire located in the firebox, a plurality of secondary air apertures configured to supply secondary air to a combustible gas emitted by the fire, and a secondary air damper. The present disclosure also provides methods of operating such a woodstove. As measured according to Method 28 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the weighted average emission rate of the woodstove of certain embodiments of the invention is no greater than about 4.5 grams of particulate emissions per hour.

Abstract: A burner for consuming a fuel includes a base with a lower end, an upper end, and at least one side wall. A fuel inlet port of the upper end of the base includes at least an inner wall and a bottom wall. At least one helical conduit is fixed outside of the inner wall of the fuel inlet port and conveys air from an open lower end thereof to an opposing open top end thereof at the upper end of the base. A bottom end of an annular glass burning chamber is fixed with the upper end of the base, such that the second end of the at least one conduit terminates therebetween. As such, the fuel in the fuel inlet port mixes with the air entering the burning chamber from the at least one helical conduit and burns in a helical pattern within the burning chamber.

Abstract: An improved fire grate may provide fresh oxygen rich air to a secondary combustion zone, created by the improved fire grate, of a combustion chamber where a combustion gas stream is typically oxygen starved assisting in the burning process of incompletely burned particulates and reducing other harmful emissions. A baffle plate may be introduced in the secondary combustion zone to increase a combustion chamber temperature, encourage mixing of oxygen starved air with oxygen rich air and increase a residence time of the combustion gas within the combustion chamber. These aspects of the baffle plate promote more efficient burning of the biomass/fuel. Additionally, log lighter(s) may be disposed in the secondary combustion zone to increase a temperature of the combustion chamber for the purposes of reducing harmful emissions. The improved fire grate may be horizontally and vertically adjusted to fit within different sized fireplace combustion chambers.

Abstract: An improved fire grate may provide fresh oxygen rich air to a secondary combustion zone, created by the improved fire grate, of a combustion chamber where a combustion gas stream is typically oxygen starved assisting in the burning process of incompletely burned particulates and reducing other harmful emissions. A baffle plate may be introduced in the secondary combustion zone to increase a combustion chamber temperature, encourage mixing of oxygen starved air with oxygen rich air and increase a residence time of the combustion gas within the combustion chamber. These aspects of the baffle plate promote more efficient burning of the biomass/fuel. Additionally, log lighter(s) may be disposed in the secondary combustion zone to increase a temperature of the combustion chamber for the purposes of reducing harmful emissions. The improved fire grate may be horizontally and vertically adjusted to fit within different sized fireplace combustion chambers.

Abstract: An air-intake assembly adapted for use with a fire container assembly includes a first plate and a plurality of vanes. The plurality of vanes is engaged to the first plate. Each of the vanes includes a first longitudinal side engaged to the first plate and an oppositely disposed second longitudinal side. The plurality of vanes defines a plurality of pathways. A chamber is cooperatively defined by the first plate and the plurality of vanes. The chamber extends through the first plate. The plurality of pathways swirl air about a longitudinal axis of the chamber.

Abstract: A combustion air and exhaust gas balancing system for use with a direct-vent heater appliance. The balancing system includes a combustion air valve in fluid communication with a combustion air duct and an exhaust gas valve in fluid communication with an exhaust gas duct. The combustion air valve is operatively coupled to the exhaust gas valve with an actuator. The combustion air and exhaust gas valves are shaped and sized so that a single operation of the actuator simultaneously adjusts the flow of combustion air into the firebox and the flow of exhaust gas out of the firebox and provide selected flame characteristics in the firebox. In one aspect of this embodiment, a movement of the actuator in a first direction simultaneously increases the flow of combustion air and exhaust gas, and a movement of the actuator shaft in a second direction simultaneously restricts the flow of combustion air and exhaust gas.

Abstract: Air control apparatus for a fireplace prevents or inhibits the buildup of soot and dirt on the inside surface of the glass doors of the fireplace.

Abstract: A combustion air kit for providing a source of external air to feed a fire in a firebox is installed during new construction or as a retrofit unit into existing fireplaces. A masonry air vent brick having a hole therein air flow is included in the combustion air kit. The flow of air through the brick and to the firebox is regulated by a spinner cap mounted for rotation on a threaded post seated within a plug contained in the air vent brick. The air vent brick is connected to a flexible duct which is attached at an opposite end to a vent inlet brick located on the external of the house, chimney or other structure. The vent inlet also includes a vent inlet cover to provide an attractive inlet for the air to the firebox.

Abstract: A fireplace combustion system in which a sealed firebox contains: a base having apertures connected to a source of combustion air and wherein a hollow grate is connected to one of the apertures to conduct combustion air to a quantity of fuel disposed on the grate; a plurality of baffles and deflectors are utilized to direct the products of combustion above the grate for flow through a quantity of porous refractory material so that the refractory material is heated by the products of combustion to a temperature sufficient to ignite the unburned gases present; and a flue for exhausting the products of combustion. The grate is provided with a plurality of apertures at various levels above the bottom to supply combustion air at varying temperatures at different locations in the burning fuel. Suitable valve means are used to control the amount and direction of the air flow through the apertures in the base to different primary and secondary burning zones in the firebox.

Abstract: An aircooled smokestack. The smokestack has passages within it for air or her cooling fluid. The fluid circulates through the smokestack, cooling off the internal and external surfaces. The cooling fluid is then aspirated into the stack gases near the top of the stack, thereby film cooling the upper portion of the interior of the stack. Cooling air is also aspirated into the flowing gases at the top of the stack, thereby cooling the gases as they leave the stack.

Abstract: The unit restores existing, masonry fireplaces without entailing dismantling of the latter. A heating jacket base, heating jacket, smoke chamber and flue lining are set into the existing firebox, smoke chamber and flue. Ducting is provided to move heating air through the heating jacket, and ducting is provided to pass combustion gases into the smoke chamber and flue. Internal air, or outside air, is accommodated in the unit for heating and combustion. Blowers are provided to move the heating air into the fireplace site (room) and/or to draw in outside air simply to exchange interior, stale air.

Abstract: A universal fireplace is provided as standard prefabricated substantially hollow rectangular prism shaped frame adapted to support all six walls of the universal fireplaces supported on the hollow rectangular prism shaped frame. The top wall is adapted to support the exhaust stack and the bottom wall is adapted to support the fire brick for the fire chamber. At least one of the sidewalls comprises a pair of glass doors supported by edge frame means pivoted on upper and lower side support panels which are mounted on said hollow rectangular prism shaped frame.

Abstract: An outside air supply control apparatus for a fireplace comprising a first cylindrical pipe for connection to an outside air supply, the pipe containing at least one aperture in its wall. A second cylindrical pipe having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of the first pipe, and having a closed end, is disposed coaxially over the end of the first pipe. The second pipe has an aperture in its wall which can overlap the aperture in the wall of the first pipe when rotated to a first position, and has an unapertured portion which can completely block the aperture in the wall of the first pipe when rotated to a second position.

Abstract: A draft operated fireplace insert may be used to circulate heated air from one room to another or from the exterior of a building into the interior. The fireplace insert is fitted so that a set of louvers are located over a ventilated ash pit of the fireplace, permitting air to be selectively introduced into the combustion zone of the fireplace. Air is circulated through a channel extending beneath a floor plate and behind a rear plate of the fireplace insert. Alternately, air is drawn through fuel-supporting hollow andirons extending beween the floor plate and the rear plate. A vertically shiftable damper plate controls the flow of air through the channel and the andirons.

Abstract: A zero clearance fireplace of the type to be installed inside of a building against or near an outside wall is provided. The box shaped fireplace is provided with four substantially vertical walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall comprises an inner plenum and an outer plenum below the combustion chamber. The rear wall comprises an outer plenum connected to the bottom plenum of the bottom wall, a middle plenum connected to a source of fresh air and connected to the inner plenum of the bottom wall and an inner plenum which is connected to a horizontal exhaust pipe which is inserted through the outside wall and is connected to the combustion chamber through a baffle arrangement.