Fireplace with air management system

Abstract

A fireplace configured for reducing the heating, and hence the temperature, of the surface above the front face of the fireplace. The fireplace includes an air management system for separating one or more relatively warm air stream from one or more relatively cool air stream. The relatively cooler air stream exiting the fireplace may be drawn by the relatively warmer air exiting the fireplace into flowing upwards along a surface above the front face of the fireplace. An insulating layer of relatively cooler air may form between said surface and the relatively warmer air exiting the fireplace.

1 . A fireplace, comprising: 
 an outer enclosure;    a combustion chamber enclosure positioned within and spaced apart from said outer enclosure; and    a flow divider within the space between a top wall of said combustion chamber enclosure and a top wall of said outer enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein said flow divider extends from a back of said fireplace to a front of said fireplace.  
   
   
       3 . The fireplace of  claim 2 , wherein said flow divider angles upward as said flow divider extends from the back to the front of said fireplace.  
   
   
       4 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first flow path defined by the space between the top wall of said outer enclosure and said flow divider; and    a second flow path defined by the space between said flow divider and the top wall of said combustion chamber enclosure.    
   
   
       5 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , wherein said first flow path is in fluid communication with a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       6 . The fireplace of  claim 5 , wherein said first flow path is in fluid communication with said conditioned space above a portion of a front face of said fireplace.  
   
   
       7 . The fireplace of  claim 5 , wherein said first flow path is in fluid communication with said conditioned space above a center portion of a front face of said fireplace.  
   
   
       8 . The fireplace of  claim 5 , including said first flow path in fluid communication with a source of air from outside said conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       9 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , wherein said source of air is outdoor air.  
   
   
       10 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , wherein said source of air is a fireplace chase.  
   
   
       11 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , wherein said source of air is a conditioned space different from said conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       12 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , wherein said source of air is an unconditioned space.  
   
   
       13 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , wherein said source of air is a basement of a structure wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       14 . The fireplace of  claim 8 , further comprising a flow damper, said flow damper configured to regulate flow from said source of air.  
   
   
       15 . The fireplace of  claim 14 , wherein said flow damper is motorized.  
   
   
       16 . The fireplace of  claim 14 , wherein said flow damper is gravity operated.  
   
   
       17 . The fireplace of  claim 5 , including said first flow path in fluid communication with a source of air from within a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       18 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , wherein said second flow path is in fluid communication with a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       19 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , wherein air in said first flow path is relatively cooler than air in said second flow path.  
   
   
       20 . The fireplace of  claim 19 , wherein air exiting said first flow path mixes with air exiting said second flow path.  
   
   
       21 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , wherein a front edge of said flow divider is configured as a flow diverter.  
   
   
       22 . The fireplace of  claim 21 , wherein said front edge is angled in a generally upward direction.  
   
   
       23 . The fireplace of  claim 21 , wherein said front edge is angled in a generally downward direction.  
   
   
       24 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , wherein air exiting said first flow path forms an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.  
   
   
       25 . The fireplace of  claim 24 , wherein said air exiting said first flow path separates air exiting said second flow path from said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       26 . The fireplace of  claim 4 , further comprising a third flow path defined by the space between bottom walls, side walls and back walls of said combustion chamber enclosure and said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       27 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein said third flow path is in fluid communication with a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       28 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein said first flow path is in fluid communication with said third flow path.  
   
   
       29 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein said second flow path is in fluid communication with said third flow path.  
   
   
       30 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein said flow divider divides said third flow path into said first flow path and said second flow path.  
   
   
       31 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein air in said third flow path is heated by said fireplace.  
   
   
       32 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 air from a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located enters said third flow path;    said flow divider divides the air in said third flow path into a first air stream entering said first flow path and a second air stream entering said second flow path;    said second air stream in said second flow path exits into said conditioned space; and    said first air stream in said first flow path exits into said conditioned space as an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.    
   
   
       33 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said first air stream exits between said second air stream exiting said second flow path and said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       34 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said first air stream exits as an air curtain.  
   
   
       35 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said first air stream exits as an air film along said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       36 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said first air stream is relatively cooler than said second air stream.  
   
   
       37 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said surface above said front face of said fireplace is relatively cooler than in absence of said first air stream.  
   
   
       38 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein a temperature of said surface above said front face of said fireplace is relatively lower than in absence of said first air stream.  
   
   
       39 . The fireplace of  claim 32 , wherein said first air stream and said second air stream mix upon exiting said fireplace.  
   
   
       40 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 air from a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located enters said third flow path;    the air in said third flow path flows through said second flow path and exits into said conditioned space; and    air from a source of air outside said conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located enters said first flow path and exits into said conditioned space as an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.    
   
   
       41 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said first air stream exits between said second air stream exiting said second flow path and said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       42 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said source of air is outdoor air.  
   
   
       43 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said source of air is a fireplace chase.  
   
   
       44 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said source of air is a conditioned space different from said conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       45 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said source of air is an unconditioned space.  
   
   
       46 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein said source of air is a basement of a structure wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       47 . The fireplace of  claim 40 , wherein air in said first flow path and air in said second flow path mix upon exiting said fireplace.  
   
   
       48 . The fireplace of  claim 26 , wherein: 
 air from a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located enters said third flow path;    the air in said third flow path flows through said second flow path and exits into said conditioned space; and    air from said conditioned space enters said first flow path and exits into said conditioned space as an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.    
   
   
       49 . The fireplace of  claim 48 , wherein said first air stream exits between said second air stream exiting said second flow path and said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       50 . The fireplace of  claim 48 , wherein air in said first flow path and air in said second flow path mix upon exiting said fireplace.  
   
   
       51 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one or more air blower.  
   
   
       52 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein one or more sides of said flow divider are fixedly attached to one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       53 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more flow paths along said one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       54 . The fireplace of  claim 53 , wherein said one or more flow paths is defined by one or more openings between said one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure and an adjacent side of said flow divider.  
   
   
       55 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein one or more sides of said flow divider are snugly attached to one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       56 . The fireplace of  claim 55 , further comprising one or more flow paths along said one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       57 . The fireplace of  claim 56 , wherein said one or more flow paths is defined by one or more openings between said one or more surfaces of said outer enclosure and an adjacent side of said flow divider.  
   
   
       58 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein said flow divider comprises a heat insulator material.  
   
   
       59 . The fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein said flow divider is a heat insulating material.  
   
   
       60 . A method for reducing a temperature of a surface above a front face of a fireplace, the method comprising the step of distinguishing air exiting said fireplace into a first air stream and a second air stream, wherein said first air stream forms an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said first air stream exits said fireplace above said second air stream.  
   
   
       62 . The method according to  claim 60 , wherein said first air stream is relatively cooler than said second air stream.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said first air stream entering said fireplace comprises air from a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein said first air stream entering said fireplace comprises a source of air other than a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein said source of air is outside air.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising the step of drawing a third air stream into said fireplace.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 66 , wherein said third air stream is drawn from a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       68 . A method for reducing the heating of a surface above a front face of a fireplace, the method comprising the step of dividing air exiting said fireplace into a first air stream and a second air stream, wherein said first air stream forms an air layer along and adjacent a surface above a front face of said fireplace.  
   
   
       69 . A fireplace, comprising means for reducing a temperature of a surface above a front face of a fireplace.  
   
   
       70 . The fireplace of  claim 69 , further comprising means for enabling a layer of relatively cooler air along and adjacent said surface above said fireplace.  
   
   
       71 . A fireplace, comprising: 
 an outer enclosure;    a combustion chamber enclosure positioned within and spaced apart from said outer enclosure; and    at least one flow channel along at least one surface of said outer enclosure, said flow channel spaced apart from said combustion chamber enclosure.    
   
   
       72 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel traverses a depth of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       73 . The fireplace of  claim 72 , wherein said flow channel extends along a top surface between a front and a back of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       74 . The fireplace of  claim 72 , wherein said flow channel extends along a bottom surface between a front and a back of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       75 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel traverses a height of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       76 . The fireplace of  claim 75 , wherein said flow channel extends along a back surface between a bottom and a top of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       77 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel traverses a height of said outer enclosure, and wherein said flow channel further traverses at least one depth of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       78 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel comprises a continuous channel traversing: 
 the depth of said outer enclosure along a bottom surface of said outer enclosure;    the height of said outer enclosure along a back surface of said outer enclosure; and    the depth of said outer enclosure along a top surface of said outer enclosure.    
   
   
       79 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel is in fluid communication with a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located.  
   
   
       80 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel is in fluid communication with a conditioned space wherein said fireplace is located and said flow channel is in further fluid communication with a source of air other than said conditioned space.  
   
   
       81 . The fireplace of  claim 80 , wherein said source of air is outdoor air.  
   
   
       82 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , wherein said flow channel is along a top surface of said outer enclosure.  
   
   
       83 . The fireplace of  claim 71 , further comprising an air blower.  
   
   
       84 . A fireplace, comprising: 
 an outer enclosure;    a combustion chamber enclosure positioned within and spaced apart from said outer enclosure;    one or more flow divider in the space between a surface of said outer enclosure and a corresponding surface of said combustion chamber enclosure.    
   
   
       85 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , wherein said one or more flow divider is on a left side of said fireplace.  
   
   
       86 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , wherein said one or more flow divider is on a right side of said fireplace.  
   
   
       87 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , wherein said one or more flow divider extends from a back of said fireplace to a front of said fireplace.  
   
   
       88 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , wherein air exiting from a space between said one or more flow divider and said surface of said outer enclosure is relatively cooler than air exiting from a space between said one or more flow divider and said corresponding surface of said combustion chamber enclosure.  
   
   
       89 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , wherein said one or more flow divider extends from said surface of said outer enclosure to said corresponding surface of said combustion chamber enclosure.  
   
   
       90 . The fireplace of  claim 89 , wherein air exiting from a space above said one or more flow divider is relatively cooler than air exiting from a space below said one or more flow divider.  
   
   
       91 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , further comprising: 
 said one or more flow divider on a left side of said fireplace; and    said one or more flow divider on a right side of said fireplace.    
   
   
       92 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , further comprising: 
 said one or more flow divider between a side surface of said outer enclosure and a corresponding side surface of said combustion chamber enclosure; and    said one or more flow divider between a top surface of said outer enclosure and a top surface of said combustion chamber enclosure.    
   
   
       93 . The fireplace of  claim 84 , further comprising: 
 said one or more flow divider between a left side surface of said outer enclosure and a corresponding left side surface of said combustion chamber enclosure;    said one or more flow divider between a right side surface of said outer enclosure and a corresponding right side surface of said combustion chamber enclosure; and    said one or more flow divider between a top surface of said outer enclosure and a top surface of said combustion chamber enclosure.