Burner system incorporating flame and light

Abstract

A heating appliance that includes an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an ember support member, a plurality of translucent artificial embers, a burner, and a light source. The embers are disposed upon the ember support member. The burner is coupled to a source of combustible fuel and is positioned vertically above the ember support member. The burner is also at least partially surrounded by and in contact with the embers to reduce viewability of the burner. The light source is positioned vertically below the ember support member and produces light that illuminates the embers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to heating appliances, and more specifically relates to burner assemblies for use in heating appliances such as fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Gas, electric, and wood burning heating appliances such as fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts are an efficient method for providing warmth and creating the appeal of a fire within a room. Fireplaces have become commonplace in today's building trades for both residential and commercial applications. Most new home construction designs include at least one, and often several fireplaces. Further, a significant number of remodeling projects are focused on fireplaces. [0005] The representation of glowing embers in such fireplaces is desirable to provide the realistic effect of a fire when a gas flame is present instead of a flame provided by combustion of wood or other fibrous products. Previous ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention generally relates to gas, electric, or wood burning heating appliances. One aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an ember support member, a plurality of translucent artificial embers, a first tube burner, and a light source. The embers are disposed upon the ember support member. The first tube burner is coupled to a source of combustible fuel and is positioned vertically above the ember support member. The first tuber burner is also at least partially surrounded by the embers to reduce viewability of the tube burner. The light source is positioned vertically below the ember support member and produces light that illuminates the embers.

Problems solved by technology

However, such systems have at least the following several drawbacks.

First, previous systems do not perform well at high temperatures.

Second, the individual simulated glowing embers provided in the systems are not movable or adaptable to different burning environments because the simulated embers in the previous systems are fused together and to the glass panel.

Third, the previous systems fail to provide the most aesthetically appealing embers because the artificial embers are fused and therefore create only a two-dimensional look.

Fourth, the composition of the materials selected to create the artificial embers do not create a naturally looking ember bed.

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