System and method to cool an exposed surface of an appliance

A method to cool an exposed surface of an appliance having a firebox with a top, bottom and a plurality of side surfaces, at least one side surface enclosed by a first viewing pane having a second viewing pane located a predetermined distance from the first viewing pane forming a first air flow passage between said viewing panes, the method comprising:

• during operation of the appliance, heating the top surface of the firebox to cause a resulting heating of air in a first air duct in fluid communication with the top surface of the fireplace;
• directing heated air rising under the influence of gravity within the first air duct to a room air chimney in fluid communication with the first air duct and extending along at least part of the length of the firebox;
• drawing room air through the first air flow passage into (i) the first air duct and then subsequently into the chimney, or (ii) directly into the chimney;
• and
• utilizing heat extracted from the viewing panes by passing air through the first air flow passage and utilizing heat extracted by air passing through said first air duct to accelerate the flow of air through the chimney thereby generating a chimney effect to enhance the draw of air through the first air flow passage
• wherein the chimney effect includes rising of the air within said chimney caused only by convection of the air, and
• wherein the appliance is positioned within an enclosure, the enclosure including one or more vents positioned above the appliance to permit heated air rising within the enclosure to escape the enclosure without reporting to an exhaust gas stream of the appliance.

A direct vent fireplace or stove comprising:

• a firebox having a top, a bottom and a plurality of side surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces comprising a transparent first viewing pane;
• a second viewing pane set off from said first viewing pane and defining a first air flow passage between said viewing panes;
• a first air duct in communication with at least a portion of said top surface of said firebox, said first air duct defined in part by said top surface of said firebox and in fluid communication with said first air flow passage;
• and
• a room air chimney in fluid communication with said first air duct and extending along at least part of the length of the firebox, the chimney having at least a partially open lower end and at least a partially open upper end with enclosed sides extending therebetween, at least a portion of said lower end in fluid communication with one or both of said first air duct and said first air flow passage such that heated air within said first air flow passage rises and is received within (i) the first air duct and then the chimney, or (ii) directly into the chimney,
• wherein, during operation of said appliance heated air from said first air flow passage is received in said first air duct and heated air from said first air duct is received within said chimney, said heated air within said chimney rising toward said open upper end and causing said chimney to draw additional air through said first air flow passage
• wherein the rising of the heated air within said chimney is caused only by convection of the heated air, and
• wherein the fireplace or stove is positioned within an enclosure, the enclosure including one or more vents positioned above the fireplace or stove to permit heated air rising within the enclosure to escape the enclosure without reporting to an exhaust gas stream of the fireplace or stove.

An appliance comprising:

• a firebox having a top, a bottom and a plurality of side surfaces, at least one of said side surfaces including at least one of a viewing pane, a screen, or a side panel;
• a first air duct in communication with at least a portion of said top surface of said firebox, said first air duct isolated from gases within said firebox and having a lower portion defined in part by said top surface of said firebox, said first air duct further having an upper surface defined by a plate with at least one opening therein to permit heated air within said first air duct to rise and escape at a defined location, said lower portion of said first air duct including at least one opening to permit heated air rising and flowing along said at least one viewing pane, screen or side panel into enter said first air duct,
• wherein, in operation said appliance is situated within a framed enclosure within in a room,
• wherein that portion of said framed enclosure positioned above said first air duct comprises a room air chimney such that heated air within said first air duct rises, passes through said opening in said plate and into said room air chimney,
• and wherein, during operation of said appliance heated air adjacent to said at least one viewing pane, screen, or side panel, and heated air from said first air duct, is received within the framed enclosure, said heated air within the framed enclosure rising upward within the enclosure creating a chimney effect resulting in a draw of additional air from adjacent to said at least one viewing pane, screen or side panel and into the framed enclosure
• wherein the rising of the heated air within said chimney is caused only by convection of the heated air, and
• wherein the appliance is positioned within an enclosure, the enclosure including one or more vents positioned above the appliance to permit heated air rising within the enclosure to escape the enclosure without reporting to an exhaust gas stream of the appliance.