US 4,542,736 A · Fireplace cap with preheated secondary air supply

Abstract

A fireplace cap is positioned outside the firebox of the fireplace. The cap has a framework comprised of first and second side members, an upper cross member and a lower damper section. A pair of hinged doors are mounted to this framework. Dampers selectively control the passage of primary combustion air directly to the firebox. A mantel overlies the upper cross member and a secondary air deflector baffle extends downwardly from the underside of the mantel. This baffle, together with the upper cross member, defines a transversely extending secondary air preheating chamber. Preheated air from the chamber is directed by the baffle across the doors prior to passing into the firebox. In one embodiment, secondary air enters the chamber through a space between the mantel and upper cross member. A valve controls the flow of secondary air to this space. In another embodiment, the damper section and side members define passageways which direct outside combustion air upwardly along the sides of the cap and into the chamber. Valves in the side passageways control the flow of air to the chamber.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A fireplace cap for a fireplace with a firebox and a fireplace opening leading to the firebox comprising:

an upright frame means having first and second side members, a lower damper cross member and an upper header cross member, said frame means defining a fireplace cap opening and being adapted for mounting to the front of a fireplace so as to permit insertion of fuel through the cap and fireplace opening and into the firebox of the fireplace;
at least one door mounted to the frame means and movable from a first position closing the cap opening to second positions opening the cap opening;
latching means for selectively holding the door in a closed position;
secondary air preheat chamber means extending transversely across an upper region of the cap and above the door, the secondary air preheat chamber means having secondary air inlet means for receiving secondary air and secondary air outlet means communicating with the firebox of the fireplace for delivery of preheated secondary air from the secondary air preheat chamber means to the firebox;
secondary air valve means for controlling the flow of secondary air through the secondary air chamber means;
and
primary combustion air supply means for selectively delivering primary combustion air therethrough to a lower region of the firebox.

4 more elements

A fireplace cap for a fireplace with a firebox and a fireplace opening leading to the firebox comprising:

an upright frame means having first and second hollow enclosed side members, each defining respective first and second secondary air side passageway therethrough;
a hollow enclosed lower damper cross member defining a damper passageway therethrough, the damper passageway communicating at a first end with a lower region of the first secondary air side passageway and at a second end with a lower region of the second secondary air side passageway, the lower damper passageway being coupled to a source of air when the cap is mounted to the fireplace, and an upper header cross member interconnected the side members;
said frame means defining a fireplace cap opening and being adapted for mounting to the front of a fireplace so as to permit insertion of fuel through the cap and fireplace openings and into the firebox of the fireplace;
at least one door mounted to the frame means and movable from a first position closing the cap opening to second positions opening the cap opening;
latching means for selectively holding a door in a closed position;
secondary air preheat chamber means extending transversely across an upper region of the cap and above the door, the secondary air preheat chamber means having secondary air inlet means communicating with upper regions of the first and second side air passageways for receiving secondary air from the source, through the damper passageway, and through the first and second side air passageways to the secondary air preheat chamber means, the secondary air preheat chamber means having a secondary air outlet means communicating with the firebox in the fireplace for delivery of preheated secondary air from the secondary air preheat chamber means to the firebox;
and
secondary air valve means for controlling the flow of secondary air to the secondary air preheat chamber means.

5 more elements

A fireplace cap for a fireplace with a firebox and a fireplace opening leading to the firebox comprising:

an upright frame means having first and second side members, a lower damper cross member and an upper header cross member, said frame means defining a fireplace cap opening and being adapted for mounting to the front of a fireplace so as to permit insertion of fuel through the cap and fireplace opening and into the firebox of the fireplace;
at least one door mounted to the frame means and movable from a first position closing the cap opening to second positions opening the cap opening;
latching means for selectively holding the door in a closed position;
secondary air preheat chamber means extending transversely across an upper region of the cap and above the door, the secondary air preheat chamber means having secondary air inlet means for receiving secondary air and secondary air outlet means communicating with the firebox of the fireplace for delivery of preheated secondary air from the secondary air preheat chamber means to the firebox;
secondary air valve means for controlling the flow of secondary air through the secondary air chamber means;
the cap including mantel means extending from the upper header cross member toward the front of the fireplace when the cap is installed;
secondary air baffle means projecting downwardly from the mantel means and extending transversely across the interior of the cap adjacent to and spaced from the upper header cross member, the secondary air baffle means and upper header cross members together defining the secondary air preheat chamber means, the secondary air outlet means comprising a lowermost transverse portion of the upper header cross member and the adjacent portion of the secondary air baffle means which define a secondary air flow outlet opening therebetween through which preheated secondary air is delivered from the secondary air preheat chamber means to the firebox;
the mantel means overlying and being spaced above the upper header cross member so as to provide an elongated secondary air inlet between the mantel means and upper header cross member;
and
the secondary air valve means comprising an elongated sliding valve positioned to selectively open and close the secondary air inlet.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fireplace cap with preheated secondary air supply

Life of this patent

Fireplace cap with preheated secondary air supply

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21