Patent · US Expired

Fireplace burning simulator unit

US4890600A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
5References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 1988
Grant dateJan 2, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S362/806
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A unit to produce simulated burning and heat includes a lower enclosure that may be conveniently placed on a hearth of a fireplace, for example. Within this enclosure is a light source and a reflection wheel located over a reflective plate. The reflection wheel comprises a series of reflective strips which are positioned along a length of the wheel and radially spaced thereabout. Above the wheel in a top panel of the enclosure is an opening covered by an amber-red colored lens piece. The unit further includes a grate carried by the enclosure and positioned to a rear of the enclosure top panel opening. On the grate is a fuel cell for cans of gel alcohol. In front of the fuel cell is a set of decorative logs which hide the fuel cell from view. During use alcohol in the cans may be ignited to produce heat. Since the products of combustion from burning alcohol are nontoxic, the fireplace may be vented or nonvented. Additionally, a geared motor connected to the reflection wheel and the light source are energized. Light from this source strikes the reflective plate and the rotating reflective strips of the wheel to produce a series of reflections. These many reflections then combine to f…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.