Van Outersterp, Christian (Adelphi House Hunton Bedale North Yorkshire DL8 1LY, GB)
| 1. | A fire support for supporting the fuel of a fire comprising: an outer vessel having a solid wall and at least one air hole extending through the wall; an ash support surface located toward an upper edge of the outer vessel; and an opening between an internal wall of the outer vessel and the ash support surface in communication via an airway with the at least one air hole, and from which air drawn though the air hole can be supplied to fuel located on or above the ash support surface. |
| 2. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface is a part of the outer vessel. |
| 3. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface is a part of an ash support body separate to the outer vessel. |
| 4. | A fire support as claimed in claim 3, and including a support which holds the ash support body and outer vessel apart to provide the airway. |
| 5. | A fire support as claimed in claim 4, in which the support is a part of the outer vessel. |
| 6. | A fire support as claimed in claim 4, in which the support is a part of the ash support body. |
| 7. | A fire support as claimed in claim 4 in which the support includes a plurality of support formations around at least one of the outer vessel and the ash support body. |
| 8. | A fire support as claimed in claim 7, in which the plurality of support formations are in the form of castellations. |
| 9. | A fire support as claimed in claim 3, in which the ash support body and outer vessel have matching shapes. |
| 10. | A fire support as claimed in claim 3, in which the airway is defined by the inner surface of the outer vessel and an outer surface of the ash support body. |
| 11. | A fire support as claimed in claim 10, in which the airway extends over substantially the whole of the inner surface of the outer vessel and the outer surface of the ash support body. |
| 12. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface includes a discharge enabling removal of solid combustion material from the ash support surface. |
| 13. | A fire support as claimed in claim 12, and the outer vessel including an outlet adjacent the discharge enabling the removal of solid combustion material from the fire support. |
| 14. | A fire support as claimed in claim 12, in which the discharge provides a flow path for air to the fire on or above the ash support surface. |
| 15. | A fire support as claimed in claim 12, and the ash support surface including a plurality of discharges. |
| 16. | A fire support as claimed in claim 15, and the outer vessel including a plurality of outlets, each adjacent a respective discharge of the ash support surface. |
| 17. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface and outer vessel have a curved shape. |
| 18. | A fire support as claimed in claim 17, in which the ash support surface and outer vessel have a circular shape when viewed from above. |
| 19. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface and fire support are made of different materials. |
| 20. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, in which the ash support surface is made of a highly heat resistant material and the outer vessel is made of a less heat resistant material. |
| 21. | A fire support as claimed in claim 1, and including a fire supporting member extending over the outer vessel and supporting the fire over the ash support surface. |
| 22. | A fire support as claimed in claim 21, in which the fire supporting member is in the form of a grate. |
| 23. | A fire support as claimed in claim 22, in which the grate is of metal. |
An adequate supply of air for a fuel is required for complete, efficient and uniform burning of the fuel.
Efficient and complete burning of the fuel helps to generate heat as well as to reduce any noxious or toxic aaseous combustion products. Uniform burning of the fuel also ensures that all the fuel is combusted and again improves the heat generated. Uniform combustion can also gives an improved aesthetic appearance to the fire.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fire support for supporting the fuel of a fire comprising an outer vessel having a solid wall and at least one air hole extending through the wall, an ash support surface located toward an upper edge of the outer vessel, and an opening between an internal wall of the outer vessel and the ash support surface in communication via an airway with the at least one air hole, and from which air drawn though the air hole can be supplied to fuel located on or above the ash support surface.
The fuel of a fire is supported on or above an ash support surface which is located in an outer vessel having a solid wa and at least one air hole through the wall. As the fire burns, air is draw through the air hole and passes through the airway to be presented to the fuel of the fire at an opening in the ash support surface between an internal edge of the wall of the outer vessel and the ash support surface to aid even and complete combustion of the fuel around the edge of the fire.
The ash support surface can be a part of the outer vessel.
The ash support surface can be an integral part of the outer vessel and an airway can be provide by conduits leading from the at least one air hole to the opening. The conduits can be narrow tunnels or extended cavities.
The ash support surface can be a part of an ash support body separate to the outer vessel. The ash support surface can be a surface of an ash support body which is a separate part to the outer vessel. The fire support then has a substantially two part construction.
The fire support can include a support which holds the ash support body and outer vessel apart to provide the airway.
The support, ash support body and outer vessel can co- operate to define the airway which guides the air flow via the air hole to provide air at the opening to aid complete and even burning of the fuel around the fire, thereby providing even burning and improving heating and reducing the generation of noxious or toxic combustion products.
The support can be a part of the outer vessel. The support can be a part of the ash support body. The support can be a part of both the ash support body and the outer vessel. In this way the support can be provided as an integral member of the outer vessel, the ash support body vessel or both.
This can simplify the construction of the fire support and its assembly in use.
The support can include a plurality of support formations.
Each support formation can act between an inner surface of the outer vessel and an outer surface of the ash support body to hold the fire and outer vessels apart. The support formations can be provided around at least one of the outer vessel and the ash support body. Preferably, a number of support formations are provided around the periphery of the ash support body, the outer vessel, or both. More preferably, the plurality of support formations are in the -orm of castellations.
Preferably, the airway is defined by an inner surface of the cuter vessel and an outer surface of the ash support body.
When the ash support body is located in the outer vessel, the outer surface of the ash support body and the inner surface of the outer vessel co-operate to define the airway which guides air passing into the airway from the air hole si as to deliver the air to the fire.
The ash support body and outer vessel can have matching shapes. The matching shapes allows the ash support body to be located in the outer vessel like a Russian Doll, but with an airway between them. The shape of the airway is defined 2'the the shape of the outer surface of the ash support body and the inner surface of the outer vessel. The matching shape ensures that air is provided around the entire periphery of the ash support body as there is no preferred airway flow path.
The airway can extend over substantially the whole of the inner surface of the outer vessel and the outer surface of the ash support body. This allows a significant cooling effet of the air passing through the airway on the outer vessel. It also allows pre-heating of the air delivered to the fire which helps to improve combustion.
The ash support surface can include a discharge enabling removal of solid combustion material from the ash support surface. The solid combustion material can include ash, cinders and other solid combustion products, and can include non-combusted material small enough to pass through the discharge. The discharge allows the combustion material to leave the ash support surface while the fire is burning, which can improve the burning of the fire, by allowing the free flow of air around the burning fuel. The material is dynamically removed from the ash support surface, i. e. continuously and in real time during combustion, rather than having to wait until the fire is out to remove ash and other combustion material. The discharge can also provide a further flow path for air from the airway to be supplied to the fire.
The outer vessel can include an outlet adjacent the discharge enabling the removal of solid combustion material form the fire support. When an outlet is provided in the outer vessel which is relatively positioned to match the position of the discharge in the ash support surface, then the combustion material can be removed from the fire support itself. Hence, the combustion material is prevented from blockinq the airway. The outlet and discharge can also provide a further air flow path allowing air from outside the fire support to be supplied to the fire on or above the ash support surface.
The ash support surface can include a plurality of discharges. This enhances the performance as described previously for a single discharge. The outer vessel can include a plurality of outlets, each adjacent a respective discharge of the ash support surface. This enhances the performance as described previously for a single outlet.
The ash support body and outer vessel can have a curved shape. The ash support body and outer vessel can have a circular shape. The ash support body and outer vessel can have a oval, elliptical or any other curved shape.
Preferably the ash support body and outer vessel are in the shape of a bowl. A bowl shape helps to retain the fire towards the centre of the bowl and gravity tends to direct ash and other combustion material toward the bottom of the bowl shape. A bowl shape also helps to contain the fire and helps prevent burning material from escaping from the fire.
The ash support surface and fire support can be made of different materials. The ash support body can be made of a highly heat resistant material and the outer vessel can be made of a less heat resistant material. Owing to the insulatinq and cooling effect of the airway, the outer vessel can be of a less heat resistant material. Hence, a more decorative material can be used for the outer vessel improving the aesthetic appearance of the fire support. The ash support surface or body can be made of a ceramic material, a concrete material, a glass reinforced concrete material or a cast bronze material.
The fire support can include a fire supporting member extending over the outer vessel and supporting the fire over the ash support surface. The fire supporting member can be in the form of a grate. The grate can be of metal.
The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fire support according to the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b show views of the upper side of an outer vessel part and an ash support body part respectively of the fire support shown in Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b show respective views of the lower side of the outer vessel part and the ash support body part shown in Figures 2a and 2b; Figures 4a and 4b show views of the upper side of an outer vessel part and an ash support body part of a further fire support according to the invention; and Figures 5a and 5b show respective views of a lower side of the ash support body part and outer vessel part shown in Figures 4a and 4b.
The same parts in different Figures share common reference numerals.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fire support, designated generally by reference numeral 10, according to the current invention. Figures 2a, 2b, 3a'and 3b show outer vessel and ash support body parts, respectively designated generally by reference numerals 20 and 30, of the fire support 10.
The fire support has an ash support body 30 which is located in an outer vessel 20. The ash support body and outer vessel have generally matching shapes, such that the ash support body can be sat in the outer vessel. The outer vessel and ash support body both have a substantially circular bowl shape. The ash support body 30 is made of a highly fire resistant material, such as a concrete, glass reinforced concrete or a heat resistant ceramic. The outer vessel can be made from a less fire resistant material. The outer vessel is made from a material with a high quality aesthetic appearance. Ash filed concrete with a specially prepared surface is a suitable material for the outer vessel.
The ash support body has a number of regularly spaced protuberances 31 around it on an outer side 32 and, positioned towards the peripheral lip 37 of the ash support body. The protuberances provide castellations extending around the ash support body which are supporting formations providing a support between the ash support body and outer vessel as will be described further later.
An inner ash support surface 33 of the ash support body is concave and includes a further concave region 34 in which a discharge 35 is located. The discharge 35 includes an annular discharge formation 36 extending from the outer side 32 of the fire vessel.
The outer vessel has an inner, concave surface 21 and an outer surface 22. The outer surface has a flat region 23 acting as a seat for the fire support. The outer vessel has air holes 24 passing through it. The air holes are substantially equi-angularly spaced. Three of the air holes are air holes only. The fourth can act as an air hole, but also acts as an outlet 25 which co-operates with the discharge 35 of the ash support body.
When assembled, the ash support body 30 is sat in the outer vessel 20, with the discharge formation 36 engaging the outlet 25. The castellations abut against the inner surface 21 of the outer vessel so that the ash support body is supported away from the outer vessel. The cavity defined by the inner surface 21 of the outer vessel and the outer surface 32 of the ash support body provides an air way. The airway extends substantially over the whole of the outer surface of the ash support body and the inner surface of the outer vessel. The air way is in communication with the atmosphere via the air holes 24. The air way is also in communication with the atmosphere via the gaps 39 in the castellations leading to the annular opening 38 between the lips of the outer vessel 40 and ash support body vessel 37.
The opening 38 extends all the way around the ash support surface. The discharge formation fits snugly into the outlet but is not necessarily air tight and so air can enter around the discharge formation into the void or through the discharge itself and into the ash support surface.
In use fuel is arranged either directly on the ash support surface, or on a metal grate extending over the outer vessel and resting on the top edge of the outer vessel. The metal grate provides a fire supporting member. The fire supporting member supports the fuel and fire above the ash support surface. The fire supporting member can be the same shape as the outer vessel when viewed from above so that it just overlaps the outer vessel. The fire supporting member can be smaller than the outer vessel so that it can sit in use in the ash supporting body and support fuel over the ash supporting surface.
A fire is ignited. Air is either combusted or heated in the region of the lip of the ash supporting body. Air is drawn through the air holes, by processes including convection, and into the air way. The air then flows in the cavity between the ash support body and outer vessel and through the gaps in the castellations to supply air to the fire at the opening around the entire periphery of the ash support body. The air supplied ensures an even burn around the entire edge of the ash support bowl.
The air can be pre-heated as it passes through the air way by contact with the hot ash support body. Pre-heated air supplied to the fire improves the combustion process. The air passing through the airway can also cool the outer vessel and so the outer vessel does not have to be as heat resistant as the ash support body. Hence the outer vessel can be made of material chosen for its aesthetic rather than its heat resistance properties. As ash is generated during the combustion process it can escape from the ash support body via the discharge and pass entirely out of the fire support through the outlet. The automatic removal of ash and other combustion material helps prevent the fire from becoming choked and allows the free movement of air through out the fuel, further improving combustion.
Figures 4a, 4b, 5a and 5b show a further outer vessel 50 and ash support body 60 which, when assembled, provide a further fire support according to the present invention. The outer vessel 50 and ash support body 60 are similar to those shown in Figures 1,2a, 2b, 3a and 3b, but have a different shape and different number of air holes 51, discharges 61 and outlets 52.
The outer vessel and ash support body are of a generally ovaloid, bowl shape. The ash support body includes castellations 62 toward its periphery on an outer surface 63. The castellations provide support formations resulting in a support which holds the ash support body and outer vessel apart when assembled. The ash support body has an inner ash support surface 70. The ash support body includes four discharges 61 with discharge formations 64 extending from the outer surface. The outer vessel includes four air holes 51 and four outlets 52 which mate and co-operate with the discharge formations.
When assembled with the ash support body in the outer vessel, the castellations abut against the inner surface of the outer vessel to hold the ash bowl and outer vessel apart. The outer surface of the ash support body and the inner surface of the outer vessel between them define a cavity which provides an airway through which air can pass from the air holes, and over substantially the whole of the surfaces, and out at an opening around the lips of the vessel and body to provide an air supply to the fire. The behaviour of the fire support in use is similar to that of the fire support as described previously but with the attendant advantages of a greater number of air holes and discharges, and retention of the fire by the different bowl shape.
It will be appreciated that different numbers and positions of air holes, discharges and outlets can be provided. It will also be appreciated that different bowl shapes can be used for the outer vessel and ash support body. It will also be appreciated that other forms of support can be provided to keep the ash bowl and outer vessel apart. The support needs to be sufficient to maintain at least some separation of the outer surface of the ash support body and the inner surface of the inner vessel so that air can be drawn into the cavity so provided and pass out at the opening at lip of the ash support body. The cavity need not extend over the whole of the surfaces of the fire and outer vessel and a single or numerous conduits could be provided instead. The opening at the lip need not extend around the entire periphery of the ash support body vessel but may only extend around parts of the lip, providing regions of improved air supply to the fire at its edges. The ash support surface can be an integral part of the outer vessel or a part of a separate ash support body.