Draught-resistant fireplace pilot

Abstract

A pilot ignition system for an outdoor gas appliance provides a pilot igniter that is isolated from the ambient wind around the burner by physically distancing the pilot igniter from the burners. The distance is overcome by providing a jet of gas to a nozzle slightly upstream of the pilot, the jet of gas being directed toward the burner. The jet of gas is ignited by the pilot resulting in a torch or jet of flame extending from the pilot igniter through the downstream length of an enclosure to the burner. The jet of flame bridges the distance between the pilot igniter and the burner, while the distance itself isolates the pilot light from wind in the vicinity of the burner.

1 . An ignition assembly for an outdoor gas appliance in which a gas burner is substantially exposed to ambient wind, comprising:
 an enclosure one end of which has an opening that is adjacent said burner;   a pilot igniter at least partially located within said enclosure at a position that is distal from said opening whereby to substantially isolate said pilot igniter from said ambient wind;   a nozzle for supplying a jet of gas past said pilot igniter and toward said burner, said nozzle being located upstream of said pilot igniter;   whereby when said jet of gas is ignited, there results a jet of flame extending the downstream length of said enclosure to said opening and said burner.   
     
     
         2 . An ignition assembly for an outdoor gas appliance in which a gas burner is exposed to ambient wind, comprising:
 a pilot igniter that is located a distance away from said burner that effectively isolates said pilot igniter from said wind, and   a nozzle for generating a stream of gas past the pilot igniter whereby to create a jet of flame that bridges the distance between said pilot igniter and said burner.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  wherein said pilot igniter and said nozzle are located in an elongated enclosure a distal end of which has an opening adjacent said burner, said enclosure acting to contain and direct said jet of flame from said pilot igniter to said burner. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a first conduit for supplying gas to said pilot igniter and a second conduit distinct from said first conduit for supplying gas to said nozzle. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a sensor for detecting when said pilot igniter has been lit and a controlled valve for enabling gas supply to said nozzle upon detecting that said pilot igniter has been lit. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5  wherein:
 said elongated enclosure is housed within a second enclosure; 
 said second enclosure has at least one aperture providing air communication with a source of combustion air; and, 
 the interior of said elongated enclosure is in air communication with the interior of said second enclosure. 
 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6  wherein air communication with the interior of said second enclosure is provided by an aperture in the side of said elongated enclosure and said pilot igniter extends through said aperture. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a venturi element interposed between said nozzle and said pilot igniter. 
     
     
         9 . An outdoor gas burning appliance comprising:
 a support structure for supporting at least a gas burner; and,   the assembly of  claim 6  contained within said support structure.   
     
     
         10 . The appliance of  claim 9  wherein said support structure defines a substantially enclosed air cavity and said assembly of  claim 6  is in air communication with said air cavity. 
     
     
         11 . A method of igniting the burner of an outdoor gas appliance in which said burner is exposed to ambient wind, comprising:
 locating a pilot igniter a distance away from said burner that effectively isolates said pilot igniter from said wind, and   generating a pressurized stream of gas past the pilot igniter and creating a jet of flame that bridges the distance between said pilot igniter and said burner.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising a first gas supply to said pilot igniter and a second gas supply for generating said pressurized stream of gas, and wherein said step of generating is undertaken upon a sensor detecting successful lighting of said pilot igniter.