Flexible anti-backflow damper for a fireplace system

Abstract

A vent damper for a fireplace system includes a support framework couplable with a flue pipe, and a flexible damper layer disposed on the support framework. The flexible damper layer assumes an open configuration in a presence of fluid flow from the flue pipe and a closed configuration in an absence of the airflow from the flue pipe. The damper layer is high temperature resistant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vent damper comprising:
 a support framework couplable with a flue pipe; and   a flexible damper layer disposed on the support framework and configured to assume an open configuration in a presence of fluid flow from the flue pipe and a closed configuration in an absence of the airflow from the flue pipe, wherein the damper layer is resistant to temperature of at least 100 degrees Celsius (° C.).   
     
     
         2 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the damper layer is attached to the support framework at one or more edge portions of the damper layer. 
     
     
         3 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the damper layer is attached to the support framework at or near a center portion of the damper layer. 
     
     
         4 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed configuration, the damper layer is configured to prevent backflow of air or gas into the flue pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the damper layer is made of one or more of: high temperature resistant rubber, fiberglass fabric, aluminized fabric, aramid fiber fabric, ceramic fiber fabric, silica-based fabric, silicone-based fabric, and/or vermiculite-coated fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the support framework includes a gridwork with a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         7 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the damper layer is configured to assume the open configuration in response to a pressure increase in the flue pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The damper of  claim 1 , wherein the support framework is couplable with a power vent, and the damper layer is configured to assume the open configuration in response to a pressure decrease at the power vent when the power vent is activated. 
     
     
         9 . The damper of  claim 8 , wherein the pressure decrease causes a suction pressure at the power vent to draw out air from the flue pipe to release the air into an external environment. 
     
     
         10 . A fireplace system comprising:
 a fireplace;   a flue pipe coupled with the fireplace;   a power vent fluidly coupled with the flue pipe; and   a vent damper disposed between the flue pipe and the power vent, the vent damper comprising:
 a support framework couplable with the flue pipe; and 
 a flexible damper layer disposed on the support framework and configured to assume an open configuration in a presence of airflow from the flue pipe and a closed configuration in an absence of the airflow from the flue pipe, wherein the damper layer is resistant to temperature of at least 100 degrees Celsius (° C.), 
 wherein the support framework is couplable with the power vent, and the damper layer is configured to assume the open configuration in response to a pressure decrease at the power vent when the power vent is activated. 
   
     
     
         11 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the damper layer is attached to the support framework at one or more edge portions of the damper layer. 
     
     
         12 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the damper layer is attached to the support framework at or near a center portion of the damper layer. 
     
     
         13 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein in the closed configuration, the damper layer is configured to prevent backflow of air or gas into the flue pipe. 
     
     
         14 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the damper layer is made of one or more of: high temperature resistant rubber, fiberglass fabric, aluminized fabric, aramid fiber fabric, ceramic fiber fabric, silica-based fabric, silicone-based fabric, and/or vermiculite-coated fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the support framework includes a gridwork with a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         16 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the damper layer is configured to assume the open configuration in response to a pressure increase in the flue pipe. 
     
     
         17 . The fireplace system of  claim 10 , wherein the pressure decrease causes a suction pressure at the power vent to draw out air from the flue pipe to release the air into an external environment.