GB2455598A

GB2455598A - Flame effect with fan blown flexible material

Info

Publication number: GB2455598A
Application number: GB0814212A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darrell Lee Williams
Original assignee: WIDNEY LEISURE Ltd
Current assignee: WIDNEY LEISURE Ltd
Priority date: 2007-11-22
Filing date: 2008-08-04
Publication date: 2009-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 2028-08-04
Also published as: GB0814212D0; GB2455598B; GB0722915D0

Abstract

A flame effect has a light source (e.g. single lamp or bulb 2) at the bottom of the fire body, positioned below a horizontally orientated electric fan or blower 4 on an inclined panel 5 which is at an angle to a vertical orientated back panel 6, in front of which is a single piece or sheet of flexible reflective material 7 suspended like a sail that ripples or billows in the blown air. The material can be reflective on one side - the front. The flexible material 7 is loosely suspended at the top from three spaced locations (X,Y,Z fig 3) so that it sags. The illuminated material is viewed through a semi-transparent, diffracting or translucent screen (8, fig 2). A coloured filter; varying light intensities and blower speed; weighting of the flexible material or securing points along its lower edge; a simulated fire bed; a movement generator other than a fan; a low wattage bulb; a second piece of flexible material; or a wire or rib focal point may enhance the effect. The effect may be part of an electric fire or hot water radiator.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FIRES, HEATING APPARATUS AND

THE LIKE

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to fires, heating apparatus and the like and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with an electric fire simulating a living flame effect' or having a decorative moving light effect'.

Many proposals have been made to create as realistic a living flame effect as possible using e.g. various optical effects including coloured filters and spinners to project moving or fluctuating light patterns onto a rear screen, usually positioned above a coal or log (or other solid fuel) effect. Reference is made to patent specification No. GB 2395550 of the Applicant. One proposal includes the use of a sheet of fabric material (cut in the shape of a flame) which is agitated using a motor that rotates a shaped rotor in contact with the material, to create a series of distortions in the fabric whilst the fabric is illuminated by a lamp, in order to create a flame effect. This proposal is described in patent specification No.GB2372806. A similar proposal is described in patent specification No. GB 2385413 in which the motor imparts a back and forth movement to an extension arm connected to the fabric. It is believed that these proposals tend to be disadvantageous in that the living flame effect is not as realistic as it might be, the effect tends to be repetitive and the nature of the artificial flames may be determined through a viewing screen placed in front of the fabric material.

Many flame effect generators use individual pieces of material sometimes in the shape of a flame or use material which has been slit to allow light to pass there-through and once again, it tends to be disadvantageous that, this effect may appear repetitive with the nature of the artificial flames being determined through the viewing screen.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a living flame effect or decorative moving light effect which is improved at least some respect e.g. to give a more realistic simulation of the effects of combustion of burning fossil fuel and/or which at least alleviates one or more of the aforementioned, or other, disadvantages connected with creating simulated living flame effects or other decorative moving light effects.

According to the present invention there is provided a fire or heating apparatus having: a light source; a fan or blower, and a (reflective 1) piece or sheet of flexible material or the like movable by the fan/blower to create, when illuminated by the light source, a decorative moving light effect, for example, a living flame effect.

The moving light effect may be generated by means of suspending the piece or sheet of flexible material or the like from suspension locations in the form of (rigid or flexible) mounting means or pegs preferably at the top and preferably at the bottom of the said material allowing the fan/blower to direct the air to the rear, and front of said material.

In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to provide a realistic living flame effect, the piece/sheet of flexible material is suspended loosely, preferably, in the manner of a (horizontally rigged) sail and the sail preferably is inverted (to enhance the effect pattern) and preferably from at least three locations (preferably at or near an upper -and preferably lower -edge of the material). Advantageously, the flame pattern can be modified by the number and/or positioning of the suspension locations. Usually it is preferable in some embodiments for the flexible material to be secured at locations on the lower edge of the material. Also, it is preferred that there is an excess of material to allow billowing between the suspension locations.

To further enhance randomness and to create realism of the flame effect a second piece or sheet of (similar) reflective flexible material may be provided, preferably, positioned behind and to the rear of the (rigged) sail. The position and dimensions of the second piece or sheet of reflective flexible material behind the reflective flexible sail may be varied according to the type of effect desired.

In another embodiment of the present invention a lower edge of the (rigged) sail is positioned above the fan/blower outlet and to further enhance the realism of the effect wire form clips may be provided positioned to the rear of the (rigged) sail.

Preferably, the fan or blower is positioned at or towards the bottom of the flexible material (preferably below a bottom edge thereof) in such manner that an airstream from the fan/blower is directed at an angle generally upwardly, preferably, both in front of, and substantially behind, the piece/sheet of flexible material. In this manner, advantageously, it is possible to produce a billowing effect on the flexible material, which when illuminated creates a more realistic dancing flame effect. In order to provide the most realistic flame effect that mimics combustion of hot gases, the fan/blower airstream is preferably at an angle of about 125°� 5° to a plane ( which is normally oriented vertically in use) at right angles to the base of the fire.. Usually, the flexible material will be positioned in use in front of a generally vertically disposed panel of the fire/heating apparatus.

Preferably, the speed of the fan/blower may be adjustable (conveniently by remote control) in order to vary the speed or oscillation of the flexible material, for example, to simulate a living flame to the satisfaction of the user ( perhaps to more closely simulate a wood fuel fire or fossil fuel as the case may be).

By the present invention, embodiments may provide a more realistic simulated flame or combustion effect using e.g. a single piece/sheet of flexible material, therefore being cost effective and generally easy to install. Embodiments may provide a dramatically improved effect although more contemporary decorative moving light effects can be provided for e.g. by using different coloured light and materials.

Advantageously, the light source required may comprise a single low wattage source such as a Bulb, Lamp or LED arrangement. . Additionally, the single low wattage light source provides for a more compact assembly that generates less heat and is, preferably, positioned in front of the piece / sheet of flexible material.

In some embodiments, since it is not necessary to illuminate behind the flame, advantageously all light from the forward positioned light source can be directed onto the single piece/sheet of flexible material.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a fire or heating apparatus having a simulated living flame effect or decorative moving light effect, said fore/apparatus comprising one or more of the following features;- 1) a piece/sheet of flexible material suspended (loosely), preferably, in the manner of a sail, preferably from at least three locations 2) a piece/sheet of flexible material having a bottom edge (that may be shaped -e.g. concave or convex) positioned above a fan/blower 3) a piece/sheet of flexible material having a top edge (that may be shaped -e.g. concave or convex) positioned above a fan/blower 4) a piece/sheet of flexible material having at least one side edge (that may be shaped -e.g. concave or convex) positioned above a fan/blower 5) a single light source (lamp, bulb or LED) giving direct and reflective illumination. By using reflective light as well as direct light the image effect is substantially enhanced 6) A inclined fan/blower preferably angled upwardly at about 125° 125° � 5° to a plane (which is normally orientated vertically in use) at right angles to the base of the fire, preferably directing an airstreain around the front and back of a piece of flexible material.

7) A fan blower shorter than the breadth of the simulated flames.

8) An arrangement in which a billowing effect or forwards/backwards oscillation is produced in a sheet of flexible material illuminated with light to produce a living flame effect or decorative moving light effect 9) Any feature or combination of features derivable from this specification.

10) A fan/blower angled upwardly, preferably directing an airstream that exits at the sides and the top of the (reflective) piece or sheet of flexible material.

Many advantageous features of the present invention will be apparent from the

following description and drawings.

An embodiment of an electric fire in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying, simplified drawings, in which:-FIGURE 1 shows in diagrammatic form a perspective view of the flame effect unit of the electric fire; FIGURE 2 shows a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the unit positioned within a fire body; FIGURE 3 shows a view similar to FIGURE 2 with front viewing screen and lower panel removed; FIGURE 4 shows a partial view similar to FIGURE 3 with lower panel positioned adjacent the bottom of the fire body ready for attachment thereto; FIGURE 5 shows a detail view of the bottom of the fire body with lower panel removed drawn to larger scale, and FIGURE 6 shows a partial plan view of looking downwardly onto a fan or blower of the fire.

Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, an electric fire 1 has a light source 2 (see FIGURES 1 and 5) in the form of a single lamp or bulb provided at the bottom of the fire body 3 (not shown in FIGURE 1). It is an advantage of at least this embodiment of the present invention that a single low wattage bulb (say 25 watts) can be provided for illumination in order to yield a very satisfactory or considerably improved, living flame effect.

The light source 2 is positioned below a generally horizontally orientated electric fan or blower 4 positioned on an inclined panel 5 which is arranged at an angle of 126° 5° to a vertical orientated back panel 6 (in front of which is supported a single piece or sheet of flexible reflective material 7 e.g. Lurex, said material being reflective on one side -the front -and generally known per Se).

The flexible, reflective material 7 is loosely suspended at the top from three spaced locations X, Y, Z (see FIGURE 3). X, Z are top end locations and Y is a central location. It is important for the production of a quality realistic flame effect that the flexible material hangs or sags loosely between X-Y and Y-Z (in the manner of a sail) The flexible, reflective material 7 is generally an inverted sail shape but could be any convenient shape and in particular the fan/blower 4 is arranged just below the bottom edge 7a of the flexible material to allow air to be blown in front of, and behind, the material 7 in order to generate a substantially billowing effect in the material which may be a standing wave or in order to generate a wave disturbance or ripple effect in the material travelling in a multi directional pattern away from the lower disturbed edge. Advantageously the weight of the material 7 is chosen so that it will produce a realistic desired effect.

The effect is to cause the material 7 to oscillate in a forwards/ backwards movement relative to the fire body 3. The excess or hanging material in the flexible sheet 7 causes the light projected there onto from below to move in a more realistic flame-like or combustion like manner when viewed through a front viewing screen 8 which is semi-transparent or translucent. The screen 8 preferably, has a grain effect that diffracts the light transmitted through the screen. FIGURE 2 shows the flame effect 9 that can be produced.

FIGURE 5 shows the coloured (in this case orange') light filter positioned between the light source 2 and the rigged sail flexible material 7 and this may be of any convenient shape (e.g. of known sawtooth' form). Additionally, a second filter colour (such as white) may be provided either in place of or together with the orange filter to mix coloured light prior to falling on the sheet of flexible material 7.

The fan/blower may be substantially shorter or longer than the flexible, reflective material 7, the efficiency of air movement generates a billowing effect that can extend beyond the boundaries of the fan/blower.

Advantageously, a relatively wide flame effect can be produced but using a much shorter fan/blower 4 as should be evident from the FIGURES of the drawings ( see, in particular FIGURES 1 and 6).

Conventional flame effects utilising a fan blowing air up and onto individual flame simulators tend to be disadvantageous in that they often require a fan longer than the breadth of the simulated flames, as the blown air reduces in pressure at the extremities of the fan.

Advantageously, the fan/blower 4 can be varied in intensity (e.g. by a remote control unit or switch -not shown) to vary the speed or flickering of the simulated flame effect according to the personal choice of the user. Advantageously, the intensity of the bulb/lamp may also be varied by the same control to further enhance andlor control the simulated combustion effect. A motor M (see FIGURE 1) is provided for driving the fan/blower 4.

It is important that adequate ventilation be provided for the air that is blown from the fan/blower 4 onto the flexible material 7 to exit the fire from in front of and behind the flexible material 7 and accordingly air vents 11 are provided at the upper part of the fire 1 on the fire body 3 just above the flame effect unit U (shown in FIGURE 1 in diagrammatic form) that communicate with upper vents v shown in FIGURE 1.

Additionally upper side vents (not shown) are provided for air to exit at the sides of the fire 1.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide any of the following features as listed in correspondence with the numbers in squares as shown in FIGURE 1. A sheet of flame material 7 suspended from its top edge by at least 3 points and forward of a panel 6 behind.

2. An excess of material between the suspension points to allow material 7 to billow in a sail shape 3. A panel 6 behind the material 7 4. A blower fan 4 inclined upward at an angle toward the panel 6 and below the bottom edge 7a of the flame material 7.

5. A light reflective face to the front of the flame material 7.

6. Sufficient weight to the piece of flame material 7 and or attachment means so that when the fan 4 blows, the material 7 does not blow upwards but oscillates producing a billowing effect.

7. Material preferably has excess between lower and upper suspension points, if lower suspension points are used.

8. A light source 2 which illuminates the front reflective face of the material 7.

9. A light diffusing screen 8 in front of the flame material 7 such that the light from the lamp 2 can pass beneath the screen and onto the front face of the material 7.

10. The effect will work with one or more light sources 2 although one is sufficient if placed centrally in front of the flame material 7.

11. A colored light filter can be placed between the light source 2 and flame material 7 such that coloured light falls on the flame. Alternatively a coloured light source 2 can be used.

12. A 25 watt clear or coloured bulb 2 is sufficient and the low wattage causes less heat and enables a more compact assembly.

13. Airstream directed in front of and behind material at about 125° 5o.

14. The speed of the fan 4 can be reduced from 100% to 70% at least, with the flame simulation operating very realistically. This means speed control of the flame effect can be incorporated or fans with a broader speed tolerance.

15. The light from the light source could be reflected onto the material via a reflector.

16. There could be a plurality of light sources 2.

17. The flame material 7 can be secured at points on the lower edge provided there is an excess of material to allow billowing.

18. The viewing screen 6 can be positioned above and to the rear of a simulated fire bed (not shown) such that the flames appear to emanate from the fire bed.

19. A secondary simulated fuel (not shown) can be placed behind the viewing screen 6 and ahead of the direction of the light rays onto the flame material 7.

20. The flame pattern can be modified by number and positioning of the suspension points.

21. Focal points at the base of the flame can be created by fixed ribs against which the flame is pushed. The flame is highlighted where it presses against the rib.

Although not shown, the sheet of flexible material and! or the front viewing screen may be provided with an arch or dome or other ornamentation to more closely simulate a flickering flame effect or to provide a contemporary decorative moving light effect.

The suspended or sail-like flexible material could be utilised with a movement generator other than a fan/blower in some embodiments.

The flame effect or decorative moving light effect could be utilised, in any heating apparatus or fire, for example, in an electric fan coil heating system or hot water radiator system.

The size, shaping and suspension of the flexible material in relation to the rear panel and positioning relative to the fan/blower are all important features in producing a more realistic flame effect. Right-angled lower panel 12 (see FIGURE 4) is provided with an interior reflective surface I 2a to increase the light effect.

The Applicant has made various modifications to the aforedescribed embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a second embodiment of an electric fire in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying simplified drawings in which:-FIGURE IV shows in diagrammatic form a perspective view of the flame effect unit of the electric fire.

FIGURE 2V shows a view similar to FIGURE 1 V with front viewing screen and lower panel removed; FIGURE 3V shows a partial view similar to FIGURE 2V with lower panel positioned adjacent the bottom of the fire body ready for attachment thereto; FIGURE 4Vshows a detail view of the bottom of the fire body with lower panel removed drawn to larger scale, and FIGURE SV shows a partial plan view of looking downwardly onto a fan or blower of the fire.

Referring to the FIGURES of the drawings, an electric fire 101 has a light source 202 (see FIGURES 2V, 3V and 5V) in the form of a single lamp or bulb provided at the bottom of the fire body 303 (not shown in FIGURE IV). It is an advantage of at least this embodiment of the present invention that a low wattage light source, bulb (say 25 watts) can be provided for illumination in order to yield a very satisfactory or considerably improved, living flame effect..

The light source 202 is positioned below a generally horizontally orientated electric fan or blower 404 positioned on an inclined panel 505 which is arranged at an advantageous angle of 125° +1-5° to a vertical orientated back panel 606 (in front of which is supported a piece or sheet of flexible reflective material 707 e.g. Lurex said material being reflective on one side -the front (and generally known per Se).

The flexible, reflective material 707 is loosely suspended at the top from three spaced locations Xl, Yl, Zi (see FIGURE IV, 2V, 3V). Xl, Zi are top end locations and Yl is a central location. It is important for the production of a quality realistic flame effect that the flexible material hangs or sags loosely between Xl-YI and Yl-ZI (in the manner of a sail).

The flexible, reflective material 707 is generally an inverted sail of any convenient shape and in particular the fan/blower 404 is arranged just below the bottom edge 707a of the flexible material ( rigged sail) to allow air to be blown in front of, and behind, the material 707 in order to generate a substantially billowing effect in the material which may be a standing wave or in order to generate a wave disturbance or ripple effect in the material travelling in a multi directional pattern away from the lower disturbed edge. Advantageously the weight of material 707 is chosen so that it will produce a realistic desired effect.

Advantageously, a second piece of reflective material sheet or similar (not shown) is secured to the metal case 303 directly behind the inverted sail (707) to further enhance the realism of the flame effect by randomising the billowing effect.

The effect is to cause the material 707 to oscillate in a forwards/ backwards movement relative to the fire body 303. The excess or hanging material in the flexible sheet 707 causes the light projected there onto from below to move in a more realistic flame-like or combustion like manner when viewed through a front viewing screen 8 which is a semi-transparent or translucent. The screen 8 preferably, has a grain effect that diffracts the light transmitted through the screen.

FIGURE 5V shows the coloured (in this case orange') light filter 110 positioned between the light source 202 and the rigged sail flexible material 707 and this may be of any convenient shape (e.g. of known sawtooth' form). Additionally, a second filter colour may (such as white) be provided either in place of or together with the orange filter to mix coloured light prior to falling on the sheet of flexible material 707 rigged sail.

The fan/blower may be substantially shorter or longer than the flexible Reflective material 707, the efficiency of air movement generates a billowing effect that can extend beyond the boundaries of the fan/blower,.

Advantageously, a relatively wide flame effect can be produced but using a much shorter fan/blower 404 as should be evident from the FIGURES of the drawings (see, in particular FIGURES 3V and 5V).

Advantageously, the intensity of the low wattage light effect may also be varied to further enhance and/or control the simulated combustion effect. A motor M (see FIGURE 1V) is provided for driving the fan/blower 404.

It is important that a limited/ controlled amount of free air is provided for the air that is blown from the fan/blower 404 onto the flexible material 707 (rigged sail) and that the said air is then recycled with the fire body 303.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide any of the following features as listed in correspondence with the numbers as shown in FIGURE lVto 5V:- 1. A sheet of flame material 707 suspended from its top edge by at least 303 points and forward of a panel 606 behind.

2. An excess of material between the suspension points to allow material 707 to billow in a sail shape 3. A panel 606 behind the material 707 4. A blower fan 404 inclined upward at an angle toward the panel 606 and below the bottom edge 707a of the flame material 707.

5. A light reflective face to the front of the flame material 707.

6. Sufficient weight to the piece of flame material 707 and or attachment means so that when the fan 4 blows, the material 707 does not blow upwards but oscillates producing a billowing effect.

8. A light source 202 which illuminates the front reflective face of the material 707.

9. A light diffusing screen 8 in front of the flame material 707 such that the light from the lamp 202 can pass beneath the screen and onto the front face of the material 707.

10. The effect will work with one or more light sources 202 although one is sufficient if placed centrally in front of the flame material 707.

11. A coloured light filter 110 can be placed between the light source 202 and flame material 707 such that coloured light falls on the flame. Alternatively a coloured light source 202 can be used.

12. A 25 watt clear or coloured bulb 202 is sufficient as the low wattage causes less heat and enables a more compact assembly.

13. Airstream directed in front of and behind material at an advantageous angle about 125 + 50 14.The light from the light source could be reflected onto the material via a reflector 111 15. There could be a plurality of light sources 202.

16. The flame material 707 can be secured at points on the lower edge provided there is an excess of material to allow billowing.

17. The viewing screen 808 can be positioned above and to the rear of a simulated fire bed (not shown) such that the flames appear to emanate from the fire bed.

18. A secondary simulated fuel (not shown) can be placed behind the viewing screen 808 and ahead of the direction of the light rays onto the flame material 707.

19. The flame pattern can be modified by number and positioning of the suspension points.

20. Focal points at the base of the flame can be created by fixed ribs or wire forms located to the rear of the flame material 707 against which the flame is pushed. The flame is highlighted where it presses against the rib or wire form.

21 A sheet of flexible reflective material 112 fixed to 606 directly behind the inverted rigged sail Although not shown, the front viewing screen 808 may be provided with an arch or dome or other ornamentation to advantageously increase the viewable area The suspended or sail-like flexible material could be utilised with a movement generator other than a fan/blower in some embodiments.

In this second embodiment the scope of the first embodiment is extended to further improve the realism of the effect by creating further randomization of the billowing effect The size, shaping and suspension of the flexible material in relation to the rear panel and positioning relative to the fan/blower and the positioning of the second reflective material panel 112 are all important features in producing a more realistic flame effect. Right-angled lower panel ill (see FIGURE iVand 3V) is provided with an interior reflective surface lila to increase the light effect.

Advantageously, it is possible in either of the afore-described, or other embodiments of the present invention for the fire/heating apparatus to be operated without illumination by the light source (or with very low illumination) whilst the flexible material sheet/s is/are moved by the fan/blower in order to create a different light effect. e.g. akin to a smoking rather than burning fire.

It is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be unduly limited by the particular choice of terminology and that a specific term may be replaced or supplemented by an equivalent or generic term. For example, piece or sheet of flexible material' may be replaced by curtain' or flap' or sail'; fan' may be replaced by fan blower' or (fan) heater'; airstream' may be replaced by air flow'. Any term as used herein may be qualified by the term means'. Further it is to be understood that individual features, method or functions relating to the fire/heating apparatus or living flame effect or decorative moving light effect might be individually patentable inventive. The singular may include the plural and vice versa.

Additionally, any range mentioned herein for any parameter or variable shall be taken to include a disclosure of any derivable sub- range within that range or of any particular value of the variable or parameter arranged within, or at an end of, the range or sub-range. IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FIRES, HEATING APPARATUS AND