Gas Hearth Improvements
OwnerMatthew Leonard, Jonathan Barnesinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved gas fireplace hearth provides a controller and can perform new features. A pressure sensor may be provided to communicate to the controller to warn of a drop of inlet gas pressure to indicate a problem with gas service rather than the hearth. An ambient temperature sensor can provide an input to the controller for various features including a safety feature to shut off gas flow if the hearth becomes too hot. The hearth can be made more efficient by having the controller implement a zero voltage alternating current system to adjust the speed of the fan, flame height, lighting, BTU output or other feature.
Claims20
A gas hearth comprising:
- at least a main burner;
- a controller;
- and
- a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the at least a main burner sensing gas pressure and providing a signal to the controller;
- wherein when the controller detects a pressure at the pressure sensor is below a predetermined value, providing a signal directing an output to be displayed related to the low pressure situation.
A gas hearth comprising:
- at least a main burner;
- a controller;
- and
- an ambient sensor sensing gas pressure and providing a signal to the controller;
- wherein the ambient temperature sensor provides a signal to the controller, said controller shutting off gas flow through the at least a main burner if ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.
A gas hearth comprising:
- at least a main burner;
- and
- a controller;
- wherein controller employs zero voltage switching to assist in controlling at least one of BTU output, flame height, fan speed and lighting at the hearth, by adjusting an alternating voltage output as the voltage passes through the zero voltage node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.