Fire pit incorporating safety features

Abstract

A fire pit comprises a fuel source connector and at least one fuel outlet. A fuel conduit conveys fuel from the fuel source connector to the fuel outlet, and there is at least one sensor for detecting the presence of unburned fuel outside the fuel conduit. Further, the fire pit includes a fuel control mechanism for stopping or modulating the conveyance of fuel when the sensor detects the presence of unburned fuel.

1 . A fire pit comprising:
 a fuel source connector;   at least one fuel outlet;   a fuel conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel source connector to the fuel outlet;   at least one sensor for detecting the presence of unburned fuel outside the fuel conduit; and   a fuel control mechanism for stopping or modulating the conveyance of fuel when the sensor detects the presence of unburned fuel.   
     
     
         2 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fuel source connector comprises a coupling valve connectable to a propane gas tank. 
     
     
         3 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fuel outlet comprises a plurality of apertures formed in a recessed receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the recessed receptacle accommodates lava rocks positioned therein to be heated by burning fuel discharging at the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         5 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the recessed receptacle comprises a generally circular shaped tray with the plurality of apertures located at or near a periphery thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor positioned at or near the fuel source connector and at least one second sensor positioned at or near the fuel outlet. 
     
     
         7 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fuel control mechanism comprises a controller for receiving information from the at least one sensor, the controller being connected to the fuel source connector for effecting a stopping or modulating of the fuel flow from the fuel connector in programmed conditions. 
     
     
         8 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising audio or visual alerts which are activated by the controller when one of the programmed conditions is detected. 
     
     
         9 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the controller is connected to an external device for receiving or transmitting information from or to the fire pit and allowing control of the fire pit. 
     
     
         10 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sensor comprises at least one thermocouple for sensing temperature and transmitting temperature information to the fuel control mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an ignition switch located at or near a fuel outlet for igniting the fuel. 
     
     
         12 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the fuel source connector is connected to a propane gas tank and propane gas is the fuel for the fire pit. 
     
     
         13 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the thermocouple is spaced from the fuel outlet by between about 10 mm and about 12 mm. 
     
     
         14 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the sensors comprises a MQ9 sensor for detecting the presence of gases including one or more of carbon monoxide, benzene, alcohol, NOx, NH3, smoke or a combination of two or more of such gases. 
     
     
         15 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a housing having a space for accommodating a fuel supply tank, sensors, electronics and other components, and a wherein the fuel outlet comprises a recessed tray at an upper portion of the housing, the recessed tray accommodating the fuel outlet and heatable material therein. 
     
     
         16 . A fire pit as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the heatable material is comprised of lava rocks. 
     
     
         17 . A heating device comprising:
 a fuel source connector;   at least one fuel outlet;   a fuel conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel source connector to the fuel outlet;   at least one sensor for detecting the presence of unburned fuel outside the fuel conduit; and   a fuel control mechanism for modulating the conveyance of fuel when the at least one sensor detects the presence of selected materials.   
     
     
         18 . A heating device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the selected materials comprise one or more of carbon monoxide, benzene, alcohol, NOx, NH3, smoke or a combination of two or more of such gases. 
     
     
         19 . A heating device as claimed in  claim 17  wherein:
 the at least one sensor comprises a first sensor at or near the fuel source connector, a second sensor at or near the fuel outlet; and 
 the fuel control mechanism comprises a controller receiving input from the first and second sensors, the controller being functionally connected to the fuel source connector so as to selectively modulate or cut off fuel supply to the fuel outlet in response to specified information received continuously in real time from the first and/or second sensors. 
 
     
     
         20 . A heating device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the sensors are comprised of MQ9 sensors. 
     
     
         21 . A heating device as claimed in  claim 19  wherein the sensors are comprised of a thermocouple. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making a fire pit comprising:
 providing a fuel source connector;   providing at least one fuel outlet;   connecting a fuel conduit for conveying fuel from the fuel source connector to the fuel outlet;   locating at least one sensor for detecting the presence of unburned fuel outside the fuel conduit; and   providing a fuel control mechanism for stopping or modulating the conveyance of fuel when the sensor detects the presence of selected materials.