Flue Heated Patents (Class 237/55)
  • Patent number: 4359187
    Abstract: By providing a heat exchanging vessel which employs no moving parts and is interposed in the exit flue between the furnace and the chimney, an efficient energy recovery system is achieved which prevents hot air from escaping without any benefit. In the preferred embodiment, the energy saving system of this invention optimizes normal convection currents and air flow paths to eliminate the necessity for any moving parts or electrically driven equipment, as well as incorporating fin members to increase surface areas for heat transfer and heat radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Inventor: Richard F. Moore
  • Patent number: 4358052
    Abstract: A hot water central heating system with a conduit system conducting a water flow and comprising intercommunicating pipes which intersect in decks and substantially fills the cross-section of the combustion chamber of a boiler and offers a large flow resistance to the firing gases in order to lower the exhaust gas temperature. A pressure limiting valve disposed upstream of the circulating pump protects the hot water conduit system against excessive pressure resulting from the formation of vapor. Corrosion-resistant lining of the exhaust gas chimney by means of an internally enamelled pipe is recommended owing to the low exhaust gas temperature which can be reached. Fuel is continuously supplied to the burner, the fuel flow rate being modulated by a controller responsive to heat sensor means placed in the hot-water outlet of the boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Dieter J. Leinenbach
  • Patent number: 4352454
    Abstract: A sheet metal inner fire box, has a grate, surrounded by refractory border in its bottom portion. Air, from an air intake port, in the front of the stove, passes upwardly through the grate and, thence, out of the discharge flue. An outer jacket houses the fire box and has walls which are spaced by baffles from the walls of the fire box to define an air plenum through which a blower directs the air to be heated. Water coils in the plenum are connected through a pump to the hot water heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: James P. Ewing
  • Patent number: 4351276
    Abstract: A heat recovery device for boilers with a blower-type burner. A heat exchanger is located in the stack gas stream and through which is passed a medium to be heated and comprises a pot-shaped vessel (2) which can be inserted into the stack gas duct and is closed on all sides. A stack gas inlet (4) leads into the upper zone of the vessel (2) and at least one stack gas outlet (6, or 30 or 31) leads out of the upper zone of the vessel (2) at a distance from the inlet. A substantially vertical partition wall (7; 21) is located in the vessel (2) and extends downwards from the cover (8) of the vessel (2) and ends at a distance from the bottom (9) of the vessel to interrupt the direct stack gas path from the inlet (4) to the outlet (6). Thus, a siphon-type stack gas path is formed with an inlet chamber (10; 26) and an outlet chamber (11; 27). A draft-interruption damper (15; 32) is fitted in the outer vessel wall in the zone of the outlet chamber (11; 27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Robert Kremer
  • Patent number: 4349009
    Abstract: Air circulation and supply means for a heat generator, primarily a fireplace. The fireplace has air supply and discharge passageways such that an envelope of moving air is provided around both the combustion gas flue and the firebox and a portion of said supply air is introduced as combustion air into said firebox. More specifically, an air siphon is provided whereby both the firebox and the flue of combustion gases are substantially surrounded (except for the firebox opening) by three walls wherein relatively cold external air flows downwardly from the atmosphere between the outer wall and the intermediate wall and flows upwardly to the atmosphere between the intermediate wall and the innermost wall. An air channel is provided across and along the top of the fireplace opening and connected so that air may flow therethrough from the space between two of said walls and can be discharged therefrom into the upper part of the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Eddy L. Patterson, George D. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4345897
    Abstract: Combustion gas recirculating system for a gas-fired furnace of the type which includes a plenum with a cold air inlet duct and a warm air exhaust duct, a combustion chamber where gas is burned to form hot combustion gases, a heat exchanger in the plenum for receiving the hot combustion gases and including an outer surface configuration past which air can flow and be heated, an outlet in the heat exchanger for the hot combustion gases, and a blower for moving air through the plenum and past the heat exchanger. A recirculation duct connects the combustion gas outlet with the cold air inlet duct and a thermostatically controlled valve regulates the flow of hot combustion gases from the combustion gas outlet to the cold air inlet duct by opening when the hot combustion gases reach a predetermined temperature and closing when the hot combustion gases are below said predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: C. Robert Stanton
  • Patent number: 4343290
    Abstract: A hot air furnace has an outer housing and a firebox positioned within the housing. A space between the outer housing and the firebox defines a pre-heating chamber which communicates through an air distribution blower to a lower chamber and an upper chamber within the housing. The walls of the firebox are hollow and open into the lower chamber and the upper chamber so that air extracted by the distribution blower from the pre-heating chamber and directed into the lower chamber is heated as it is channeled up through the hollow walls of the firebox prior to entering the upper chamber. A smoke chamber is located within the upper chamber and it serves to further heat the air entering the upper chamber. A combustion air blower is provided and it together with the distribution blower is automatically controlled by a thermostat located within the space to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Inventor: James W. Flatte
  • Patent number: 4342359
    Abstract: A heat exchanger that is universally usable in the flue stack of a heating appliance and yet is efficient and capable of properly matching the rate of heat exchange to the heat rating of the heating appliance. The basic elements of the heat exchanger which affect heat transfer, include the length and diameter of the flue gas tubes, the tube support structure defining the tube spacing, air flow baffles, air openings and the size of the blower are held constant. To match the amount of heat recovery from the flue gas to the heat rating of heating appliance, only the amount of heat exchange surface area (finning) is varied from heat exchanger to heat exchanger. Further, the heat exchanger includes a heat transfer section which is readily separable from the flue gas inlet and outlet assemblies for cleaning or repair without the need for complete removal of the entire heat exchanger from the flue stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Jack T. Baker
  • Patent number: 4333524
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and process having multiple fluidized beds for heat exchange between two gas streams of different temperatures. The apparatus and process provides a compact high efficiency warm air furnace especially adapted for energy conservation for the heating of modern highly insulated residential buildings by gas fired furnaces of relatively low rated gas input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Southern California Gas Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Elkins, Gary M. Durkin, Robert A. Macriss
  • Patent number: 4325430
    Abstract: A heat recapture device for attachment to a furnace or fireplace exhaust flue is disclosed. Duct work in the device allows ambient air to be warmed by combustion exhaust gases. Air thus heated may be used to heat the surrounding living space. Additional duct work causes circulation of fresh air into the room and serves as a heat insulating shield around the periphery of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Inventor: Marlin V. Husa
  • Patent number: 4325353
    Abstract: An apparatus for the heating of ambient air within enclosed chambers in the walls of a fireplace, providing a more efficient means of utilizing the heat radiation produced by a fireplace and also to provide fresh warm air for heating purposes throughout a home is disclosed.Cold ambient temperature air is forced into the system by a two-speed fan through a cold air conduit into the outer chamber of the fireplace apparatus. The air is forced up the outer chamber to the top of the chimney where it crosses over to the inner heating chamber and the diagonal duct located within the flue space of the chimney. As the air progresses down the inner warm air passageway and the diagonal flue duct, it is heated by conduction through a metal wall in contact with the hot gases produced by the fire. The air then is forced down through these passageways into the rear and sides of the firebox. The air is fed thorugh a manifold grating under the fire, and then collected in the hot air plenum located at the base of the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Inventor: Marlin V. Husa
  • Patent number: 4325509
    Abstract: A heating process and apparatus for a dwelling having a fireplace with a flue. A conduit communicates with the flue and includes an inlet terminating in the exterior of the dwelling and a discharge terminating within the dwelling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Inventor: Leonard C. Base
  • Patent number: 4320738
    Abstract: This stove invention relates to wood and coal burning stoves employed for heating. More effective draft control and heat transfer is achieved by a stove (11) employing straight and serpentine flues (46, 48), a control rod (43) to coordinate movement of a baffle (38) and damper (41) for defining passageways to the flues, and a channel (33) for apportioning air above and below the fuel and into first and second combustion chambers (26, 27).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Virgil Johnson
  • Patent number: 4319557
    Abstract: A heat exchanger furnace includes a firebox, a heat exchanger housing in communication with the firebox for receiving combustion gases therefrom, and a plenum housing surrounding the heat exchanger housing so as to define a plenum chamber therebetween. A plurality of baffles are supported in vertically spaced apart relation within the heat exchanger housing, which baffles include peripheral edges disposed in clearance relation from the housing sidewalls whereby hot combustion gases rising within the heat exchanger housing are directed outwardly adjacent the heat exchanger sidewall for increased heat transfer to the plenum chamber. Exhaust tubes at the top of the heat exchanger housing may be directed through the plenum chamber for providing additional heat transfer surfaces therein. The firebox may have a frusto conical shaped sidewall whereby the combustion surface area may be adjusted with the level of fuel in the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Inventors: Vernon H. Sietmann, Steven C. Stockdale, Elmer G. Stockdale
  • Patent number: 4313562
    Abstract: A heat ventilator for insertion in a flue pipe above stoves and the like, wherein a double walled connector spaces the ventilator from the stove and establishes an annulus heating air delivered into a housing by convection, there being a smooth-walled flue tube extending longitudinally through the housing establishing a passage occupied by a stack of spaced parallel plates transversely disposed and engaged over said flue tube to absorb and dissipate heat into useful air transported by a motor fan through a downwardly open plenum receiving useful air from around said stove and discharging the same over said plates and into a living area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Modern-Aire Ventilating, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph H. White
  • Patent number: 4312320
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing deposits from material such as drill pipe by subjecting such material to extremely high temperatures in a flame fired furnace. Heated air passing over the material carries with it the volatized deposits and is recirculated within the furnace. As the deposit laden air is recirculated to the burner, the deposits are burned in the flame, thus substantially eliminating the exhaust of contaminants into the surrounding atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: PA Incorporated
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 4309976
    Abstract: A wood heater having an elongated cylindrical firebox with a door access at one end. A secondary heat chamber is located on a top side of the firebox, interconnecting the firebox to a flue adapter ring. Hot combustion gases are directed from the firebox through the second heat chamber to the flue adapter ring. A heat exchanger is positioned above the firebox within the heat chamber to extract heat from the burning gases and to direct the heat outwardly of the firebox and into the adjacent room. A window case protrudes from one side of the firebox and includes a glass pane for viewing the fire. The window case includes a shutter plate assembly that selectively closes off the fire from view through the window. The shutter plate has the additional function of directing ventilation air from the window vent aperture to cool the glass within the window case, protecting the glass pane from excessive heat, and preventing build-up of soot along the inwardly exposed surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Inventor: Mark E. Starr
  • Patent number: 4308990
    Abstract: A flue gas heat recovery system includes a heat exchanger fluidly interposed between a furnace and a chimney to receive hot flue gas from the furnace. The heat exchanger is releasably mounted in the chimney and includes a partition which forces air being heated by the heat exchanger to traverse a path through the heat exchanger which maximizes the time of contact between that air and the heat exchanger heating elements. The partition further creates turbulence in the heat air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1982
    Inventors: Anton Borovina, Henry E. Grattan, Mark Borovina
  • Patent number: 4300527
    Abstract: A heating system for dwellings or other enclosures includes a furnace in which a burner is isolated from a hot air or water system, and receives substantially all of its combustion air from outside the enclosure and preheated. A heat exchanger is provided between exhaust gases from the burner of the furnace and the combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Inventor: Albert Montague
  • Patent number: 4295519
    Abstract: A heat reclaimer for the exhaust flue of a heating unit comprising, a housing having an air input space, an air output space, and an exhaust space, with a plurality of tubes connected between and communicating the air input space with the air output space and extending through the exhaust space. The exhaust flue of the heating unit is connected into the exhaust space of the housing and an exhaust output is connected to the housing extending from the exhaust space for venting exhaust coming from the heater into the exhaust space to a chimney, for example. A float or level switch is connected to the housing near the bottom of the exhaust space for switching, for example, an alarm if water accumulates in the exhaust space from condensed water vapor in the exhaust. At least one hole is also provided in the housing above the level of the float switch to permit condensed water to leave the exhaust space. The hole is provided in case the float switch clogs with soot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Inventor: Leslie Bellaff
  • Patent number: 4294223
    Abstract: A heating system for dwellings or other enclosures includes a furnace in which a burner is isolated from a hot air or water system, and receives substantially all of its combustion air from outside the enclosure and preheated. A heat exchanger is provided between exhaust gases from the burner of the furnace and the combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Inventor: Albert Montague
  • Patent number: 4293094
    Abstract: A supplemental heating system for incorporation into the flue of a conventional home furnace includes an inner pipe section and a sleeve concentric with that pipe section, which sleeve has a diameter appreciably larger than that of the pipe section so as to form an annular space between the pipe section and the sleeve. Plates are provided between the pipe section and the sleeve to close off the ends of that space and a blower is arranged to discharge air through an opening in the sleeve wall into that space. Additional openings through the sleeve at locations away from the blower opening are provided to make connections to ducts leading to one or more hot air registers. The blower is arranged to operate with the furnace so that it is only turned on when the pipe section is heated whereby air discharged by the blower into the annular space is heated and conveyed through the registers to living spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Hugh D. McGillis
    Inventor: Hugh D. McGillis
  • Patent number: 4280656
    Abstract: A lightweight, modular chimney heat economizer adapted to replace a portion of the chimney for a combustion heat source in a building. The economizer includes a plurality of flue tubes having their ends welded to a pair of spaced apart tube sheets. Connected between the tube sheets and surrounding the flue tubes are inner and outer casings between which are sandwiched a layer of nonflammable insulation. The upper and lower tube sheets include outwardly extending flanges adapted to enable the economizer to be removeably secured in place so it may be easily installed and easily removed for maintenance and repair. The casings are provided with expansion joints. The top ends of the flue tubes may be flush with or recessed from the top surface of the upper tube sheet, and an upwardly projecting flange may surround the upper ends of the flue tubes to encourage condensed products from the combustion gases to drain into the flue pipes where they may be disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventor: Mervin D. Swanson
  • Patent number: 4280555
    Abstract: The specification discloses a heat exchanger adapted to be coupled between the exhaust outlet of a room heating unit and a chimney for extracting heat from the exhaust gases flowing therethrough and returning the same to the room. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of vertically spaced rows of horizontally extending exhaust conveying tubes. End caps couple adjacent ends of the tubes to form an upwardly progressing serpentine path for the exhaust gases. A shroud structure separately houses individual vertically spaced clusters of the tubes so that air flows by convection generally horizontally past the tubes. Heat exchange efficiency is improved since a fan is not utilized and since the higher tubes do not come into contact with air already heated by the lower tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1981
    Inventor: Leo Cieslak
  • Patent number: 4278126
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprising an elongated tubular housing having an inlet at one end and an outlet at its other end is secured around and spaced from the furnace flue by a plurality of plates secured around the furnace flue. The plates are provided with apertures to permit air flow past the plates. The apertures in each plate are angularly displaced with respect to the apertures of an adjacent plate such that the air circulates around the furnace flue as the flow continues from the inlet to the outlet of the elongated housing. An air pump produces a flow of pressurized air into the inlet of the housing to create a flow of pressurized air through the housing from the inlet toward the outlet of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Inventor: Frank M. Skrzypek
  • Patent number: 4276926
    Abstract: Apparatus for saving heat which is otherwise wasted particularly in multi-story buildings. The apparatus in one form includes first, second, and third elongated hollow members which are disposed for at least an axial section in coaxial relationship. The first or central elongated member carries smoke and waste heat away from a heating apparatus such as a furnace. The second and third elongated members are in fluid communication with each other. The second elongated member in one form of the invention is also in fluid communication with an air inlet disposed on one floor of the associated house. The third elongated member is also in fluid communication with another floor of the associated house.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Inventor: James Evangelow
  • Patent number: 4276929
    Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises an outer chamber having an inlet and outlet for passing a flow of air through the outer chamber. An inner chamber is disposed within the outer chamber and has a second inlet and a second outlet for passing a flow of gas through the inner chamber. Heat exchange tubes are arranged in the inner chamber whereby the flow of gas contacts the outer surface of the tubes. A baffle device is disposed between the inner and outer chamber for directing the flow of air from the inlet, through a first section having heat exchange tubes, into the outer chamber and back into a second section having heat exchange tubes, so that air passes through the heat exchange tubes in the first and second sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1981
    Assignee: T.J.D. Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Thomas Howard
  • Patent number: 4275705
    Abstract: Improved furnaces are described in which secondary and tertiary heat exchanges are incorporated into new and existing hot-air furnace systems for controlled cooling of hot combustion products by co-current and countercurrent heat exchanges. Hot combustion products are cooled to a temperature at which latent heat of water vapor contained in combustion gases are substantially recovered.In one embodiment of our invention, a secondary heat exchanger comprises inter alia a closed hollow annular drum concentric with and spaced from a cylindrical combustion chamber, said annular drum having an upper annulus preferably filled with randomly packed refractory material.A second embodiment of our invention comprises a closed double-annuli drum heat exchanger concentric with and spaced from a cylindrical combustion chamber.Finned tube or thermosiphon heat exchangers can be arranged sequentially with the primary heat exchanger combustion chamber to function as a secondary heat exchanger or as a tertiary heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Canadian Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Orland O. Schaus, John C. K. Overall
  • Patent number: 4270513
    Abstract: An open sided firebox is provided including an upwardly tapering upper bonnet portion. The lower end of an upstanding flue pipe opens downwardly into the interior of the bonnet portion and the upper end portion of the flue pipe is open for exhausting flue gases above the roof line of a building in which the firebox is disposed. A multi-walled outer housing encloses the firebox and includes a front wall having an opening therein through which the open side of the firebox opens. The upper portion of the housing tapers upwardly in cross section and encloses the bonnet. An upstanding flue liner is loosely disposed about the flue pipe and includes a lower end opening downwardly into the upper portion of the housing and an upper end sealed about the upper end of the flue pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Inventor: Mark M. Mitchelson
  • Patent number: 4263887
    Abstract: A refractory lined firebox is encased in a low profile furnace shell of generally rectangular configuration. Mounted on top of the firebox within the furnace shell is a heat exchanger which provides alternating passageways at right angles to one another through which flue gas and air to be heated flow in heat exchange relationship. The heat exchanger and firebox are so related that the axes of the passageways are inclined from the horizontal and the flow through them is generally upward as well as lateral. The furnace includes special combustion air ducts for use in combustion of the solid fuel. The furnace is also equipped with a back-up liquid fuel burner and a control system which activates and operates the liquid fuel burner in response to total consumption or burn out of the solid fuel in the firebox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1981
    Inventor: Donald H. Dowdall
  • Patent number: 4254758
    Abstract: With this improved system the final gas discharge temperature can be one hundred degrees lower than the water it heated.Two high velocity, self pressurized vortexes are created by two high speed impeller wheels, one in each stage of the two-stage heat reclaiming system, these vortexes draw the heat carrying discharge gas from the furnace into the two-stage heat exchanger, compressing and compounding it, creating higher heat levels, which allows more wasted heat to be recovered and used. The heat exchanging surfaces of the system are scrubbed by the maximum heat and pressure of these vortexes which have a velocity of many thousands of feet per minute, this action increases the thermal conductivity of these surfaces over 3.5 times, heating the water hotter and cooling the gas faster than the conventional system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Inventor: George W. Banks
  • Patent number: 4249594
    Abstract: A heat exchanger and process having multiple fluidized beds for heat exchange between two gas streams of different temperatures. The apparatus and process provides a compact high efficiency warm air furnace especially adapted for energy conservation for the heating of modern highly insulated residential buildings by gas fired furnaces of relatively low rated gas input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Southern California Gas Company
    Inventors: Robert H. Elkins, Gary M. Durkin, Robert A. Macriss
  • Patent number: 4243177
    Abstract: A chimney heat capturing system comprises a chimney shell (10) having a relatively large chimney passage (20) and a flue liner (12) comprising a plurality of standardized individual liner units (28 b, c, d, and e) anchored in the chimney passage. The liner units are stacked on one another and are spaced from the chimney shell by anchor brackets (26). Each of the liner units (28 b, c, d, and e) includes outer and inner casings (30 and 32) separated by spacers for defining a heat capturing space between them. In one embodiment, each of the units is closed at its ends, and in another embodiment some of the adjacent units have open ends to communicate the heat capturing spaces of adjacent units and thereby form independent heat capturing spaces (54) defined by more than one unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Edgar W. Powers
  • Patent number: 4241874
    Abstract: An improved heat exchanger (74) for use with a heating furnace (72) is disclosed. The exchanger (74) includes a first plurality of tubes (84) which conduct hot exhaust gases from the furnace (72). Tubes (98) carrying outside air for combustion in the furnace (72) pass proximate the first group of tubes (84) within a heat exchange chamber (90) wherein heat is transferred to the combustion air via a heat transfer medium. Similarly, ambient air in the building passes through the heat exchange chamber (90) of the exchanger (74) through a third plurality of tubes (118). These tubes (118) also pass proximate the tubes (84) carrying hot exhaust gases. In a preferred embodiment, a conduit (80), through which the exhaust gases transit from the furnace (72) to the first plurality of tubes (84) in the heat exchanger (74), can be routed through plenums (110, 126) through which combustion air and ambient air circulate after exiting the second and third pluralities of tubes (98, 118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventor: George W. Schossow
  • Patent number: 4235286
    Abstract: A heat reclaiming flue pipe is comprised of a section of standard flue pipe of standard diameter and length. A plurality of metal pipes pass through the interior of the flue pipe section and are arranged in alignment with one another. Hot flue gases and smoke heat the plurality of metal pipes which in turn heat the air within the metal pipes. The heated air passes from the ends of the pipes into the room where the flue is located. Any number of heat reclaiming flue pipes may be utilized in the flue system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: Adolph Behlau
  • Patent number: 4231516
    Abstract: Apparatus for providing more efficient use of heating and/or cooling sources as used within a building structure, particularly residential type buildings. In essence, this system utilizes a wood-burning fireplace in coactive conjunction with a standard form of building heater system, gas, oil or the like, and it functions to provide an integrated system having greater efficiency, and therefore greater fuel conservation. The fireplace includes a plurality of heat exchange chambers through which ambient air is pulled by the central system blower for subsequent recirculation through the heat register or release vents and, as temperature controls will dictate, central system heat may or may not be additive therewith. More efficient cooling is effected in like manner by coaction of a cooling system with the fireplace plenum chambers to provide a continual source of cooled air for contributive use with the central cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Inventor: Charles E. Weingartner
  • Patent number: 4227647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cooling chimney-gases in such plants, where water, heated in a heating boiler, is supplied to heat consumers; e.g. radiators. According to the invention, a condensor-heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the heat consumers, a chimney gas cooler is situated in the chimney gas channel from the heating boiler, whereby said condensor-heat exchanger and said chimney gas cooler are parts of a closed cooling system, containing e.g. freon gas, together with a refrigerating compressor and a throttle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1980
    Inventor: Leif Eriksson
  • Patent number: 4226363
    Abstract: A stove bench comprised of a metal liner forming an interior duct which is covered with tiles or masonry to form the outer face of the stove bench, an inlet to the duct for receiving hot exhaust gases from a stove or furnace, and an outlet from the duct for the exhaust of the gases to a chimney or the like. The bench has a top that is also covered with tiles, masonry, or soapstone, permitting heat conduction thereto, and permitting the top to serve as a seating or sleeping surface. The stove bench is preferably supported on two legs and has a clean-out door, preferably disposed at one end of the stove bench. A damper is disposed at the outlet from the structure for controlling the gases passed through the stove bench.In an alternate embodiment of the stove bench there is further included an insulated bypass duct disposed beneath the first, heat-conducting duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Inventor: Dana M. Sheldon
  • Patent number: 4219073
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel heat exchanger which is adaptable for attachment to an exhaust stack of either an oil or natural gas furnace and includes a heat exchange chamber with a plurality of separate, closely packed tubular conduits arranged to transport hot exhaust gases therethrough, a fan assembly which is attached to a side wall of the heat exchanger and is selectively actuable to force ambient air around the plurality of tubular conduits to heat the ambient air and thereby provide an additional heat source, and a thermostat extending into the ambient air passageway for monitoring the ambient air temperature and selectively actuating the fan assembly when the ambient air reaches a pre-set temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignees: Arthur C. Salvatore, Jr., Michael Talmadge
    Inventors: Michael J. Talmadge, Arthur C. Salvatore, Jr., Anthony Garafalo
  • Patent number: 4217878
    Abstract: A furnace for burning biomass such as crop residues like cornstalks and other combustibles. The furnace includes a combustion chamber and many chimney stacks extending upwardly therefrom. Loading doors are provided into the combustion chamber to permit massive batches of combustibles to be deposited in the chamber. Centrifugal combustion air draft fans are positioned to deliver forced combustion air from the atmosphere into a lower part of the chamber when needed. A heat exchanger jacket encompasses major parts of the chamber and of the stacks and is provided with an upper opening adjacent the top of the stacks and a lower opening adjacent the bottom of the chamber. Drying air to be heated enters one of the openings and heated drying air discharges from the other. Fan means adjacent the lower opening moves the drying air through the heat exchange jacket and into a crop dryer or other location for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventor: Gregory J. Wieweck
  • Patent number: 4206875
    Abstract: A recuperator for recovering heat from hot exhaust gases flowing through a flue comprises inner and outer cylindrical walls coaxially surrounding a portion of the flue to which a plurality of fins are fixed, the fins extending longitudinally of the flue and being grouped such that fins spaced circumferentially around one section of the flue are angularly staggered with respect to fins spaced circumferentially around an adjacent section of the flue, the recuperator being arranged such that cold gas can be passed into, and is preheated as it flows along, an outer annular space between the said walls, the gas passing into an inner annular space containing the fins which cause turbulence and increase the heat-transfer by convection and radiation to the gas, and the heated gas being emitted through an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: FIAT Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Giacomo Grasso
  • Patent number: 4206742
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting heat from the waste gases of a stove to heat the air in the room. The apparatus is mounted on the stove and includes a central chamber in which an inner core, having a plurality of passageways, is positioned. Waste gases from the stove enter the central chamber, pass through the passageways of the inner core so as to heat the air surrounding the inner core, and then exit from the central chamber. A removably mounted closure is mounted on the top end of the central chamber to enable cleaning of the insides of the passageways. A heat shield which extends below the bottom end of the central chamber so as to surround the back and sides of the stove is provided to protect adjacent walls from the heat radiated by the stove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Inventor: Albert V. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4194688
    Abstract: The method disclosed includes positioning a furnace disposed within a shelter outside near the building, the shelter has an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for passing air heated by the furnace out of the shelter. An air duct is mounted between the shelter and an opening into the building. A solid fuel is burned within the furnace to heat the air within the shelter and the heated air is transported through the duct into the building to provide supplemental heat in the event the supply of fluid fuel is interrupted.The apparatus disclosed includes a shelter having walls with an inlet for receiving ambient air and an outlet for passing heated air out of the shelter. A furnace is disposed within the shelter for heating the air and includes a grate for supporting solid fuel to be burned and an exhaust stack extending through the walls of the shelter for carrying exhaust gases from the furnace without mixing with the air within the shelter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Inventor: Charles R. Cobos
  • Patent number: 4194488
    Abstract: In a home heating system having a furnace with a combustion chamber for burning fuel and creating heat, and a chimney with a draft therein, an improvement comprising, an exhaust flue connected between the combustion chamber and the chimney for venting heated exhaust products from the furnace, a heat reclaimer connected into the exhaust flue between the combustion chamber and the chimney for reclaiming heat from the heated exhaust product, and an outside air line for supplying air from the outside of the house to the combustion chamber. A first flue portion of the exhaust flue is connected between the combustion chamber and the heat reclaimer, and a second insulated flue portion of the exhaust flue is connected between the heat reclaimer and the chimney. An outside air by-pass or balancing line is connected between the outside air line and the chimney for satisfying the chimney suction at flame-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: William W. Weaver
    Inventor: Leslie Bellaff
  • Patent number: 4178907
    Abstract: A water heating and forced air heating system that provides potable hot water and that also provides heated air for heating enclosed spaces within buildings, including: a water heater including a water tank filled with water, a burner for heating the water in the tank, and an exhaust flue for removing hot gases generated by the burner; a gas-to-liquid heat exchange unit disposed within the flue; a forced air heater having a casing that defines a chamber, a liquid-to-gas heat exchange unit disposed within the chamber, a gas-to-gas heat exchange unit also disposed within the chamber, and a blower for pulling fresh air into the chamber and blowing it past the heat exchange units to absorb heat; a pump for pumping water through the gas-to-liquid heat exchange unit so that the water becomes heated by the hot gases within the flue; another pump for pumping heated water through the liquid-to-gas heat exchange unit to heat the air flowing within the chamber; and a conduit for connecting the terminal end of the flue t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Inventor: James R. Sweat, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4176709
    Abstract: A stack-type heat exchanger having a complementary fan section in attached communication with a heat exchanger tube section, the fan section forcing incoming air through heat exchanger tubes having a damper plate at or adjacent their output ends to generate a positive air pressure in the tubes at a value above and in excess of the pressure of vented stack gases passing through the heat exchanger tube section chamber from and to lower and upper portions of said stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Inventor: Willard L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4176787
    Abstract: An especially compact, highly efficient heat recovery device for use in the cool air return duct of a heating system may be easily installed in existing flue pipes and transfers the ordinarily wasted heat in the exhaust gases flowing through the flue pipe to the cool return air thereby preheating the latter and increasing the efficiency of the heating system. The device includes a three stage heat transfer structure housed within a heat conductive tubular member which cooperate to transfer heat away from the gases into the cool return air by means of conduction, convection and radiation processes. A first stage deflects a portion of the gases toward and into heat exchanging contact with the sidewalls of the tubular member and directs the remaining portion into a gas pervious heat storage trap which comprises the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1979
    Inventor: Fred J. Gary
  • Patent number: 4175699
    Abstract: A fuel-burning forced-air-circulating heating system having a thermostatically controlled heavy-duty blower, and a constantly operating or thermostatically controlled relatively low-powered supplemental air-circulating attachment for forcing air from the cold-air-return plenum to the hot-air-feed plenum of a conventional hot-air furnace. The supplemental attachment bypasses the furnace so that the air-flow resistance of the air filter of the furnace minimizes reverses air-flow through the furnace, resulting in a gentle temperature-equalizing (anti-stratification) circulation of air through the rooms being heated. Preferably, a thermostatic switch located close to a floor energizes the supplemental blower when needed to reduce temperature stratification in the heated space. Alternatively, or in addition, an outdoor thermostat can energize the supplemental blower in colder weather (when its operation is most needed).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1979
    Inventors: Charles F. Engeling, Ralph F. Staubly
  • Patent number: 4171773
    Abstract: The invention is comprised of a heat exchanger around the exhaust stack of any combustible fuel-burning system and also around the outside of any fuel-burning device; each heat exchanger filled with a porous heat-conducting material so that fresh outside air pulled by motor-powered means into any building operates to replace the cold air therein with fresh warm air pre-heated from the combustion device and stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Inventor: James N. Preston
  • Patent number: 4170982
    Abstract: An energy storage and distributing device having a heat storage chamber arranged for retaining heat which can be received from a solar collector arrangement or from a furnace or furnaces disposed within the chamber itself. Mounted on the chamber is a plenum arrangement disposed for directing warm fluid to a space to be heated, such as a room or rooms of a house, while a fluid distribution system is associated with the plenum and the chamber for alternately directing a fluid current directly into the plenum and directly into the chamber, and thereby supplying the plenum selectively with warm fluid from one of the chamber or from a source disposed outside the chamber. In this manner, solar energy, and the like, can be fed directly to the plenum, or stored in the chamber, or if solar energy is not available for whatever reason, and insufficiient heat energy is present in stored form within the chamber, a furnace or furnaces can be employed to supply the requisite heat energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1979
    Assignee: Joseph C. Soncarato
    Inventor: Paul Gottier