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US 4,299,178 AGranted
Furnace and heat storage assembly
OwnerJohn W. Wilsoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A furnace and associated heat storage assembly includes a firebox arranged within a rock storage area that incorporates a recirculating flue arrangement for returning unburned gases to below a fuel grate for mixing with fresh inlet air. The rock in the heat storage area is heated by conduction of heat from the firebox, circulating flue gases and a smoke exhaust flue. Inlet air is preheated. An open grate arrangement provides for efficient burning of solid as-producing fuel. A system for circulating air and/or liquid through the rock can be provided, as can a water storage tank.
Claims12
A furnace and heat storage assembly comprising:
- a firebox with a bottom to support burning of a combustible material therein, and having a top plate to collect unburned combustible gases found in a lighter gas fraction zone above a heavier burned gas fraction zone;
- an unburned gas recirculating flue with an open inlet end in communication with the lighter gas fraction zone, and an open exhaust end in communication with the firebox bottom;
- fresh air supply means for injecting a supply of fresh air into said firebox to support combustion therein;
- means for preheating an air flow through said fresh air supply means prior to its passage into said firebox;
- and
- an exhaust flue for removing the heavier gas fraction from the interior of the firebox having:
- an open inlet end in communication with the interior of the firebox mounted above the combustible material proximate the heavier burned gas fraction zone, and an exhaust end in communication with the ambient environment.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.