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  Burner system incorporating flame and lightUSPTO Application #: 20060185664Title: Burner system incorporating flame and light Abstract: A heating appliance that includes an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an ember support member, a plurality of translucent artificial embers, a burner, and a light source. The embers are disposed upon the ember support member. The burner is coupled to a source of combustible fuel and is positioned vertically above the ember support member. The burner is also at least partially surrounded by and in contact with the embers to reduce viewability of the burner. The light source is positioned vertically below the ember support member and produces light that illuminates the embers. (end of abstract) Agent: Faegre & Benson, LLP Attn: Patent Docketing - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Gary Lee Butler, Thomas J. Bachinski, Christopher E. Rudh USPTO Applicaton #: 20060185664 - Class: 126512000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Stoves And Furnaces, Fireplaces Or Accessories, Fluid Fuel The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060185664. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention generally relates to heating appliances, and more specifically relates to burner assemblies for use in heating appliances such as fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Gas, electric, and wood burning heating appliances such as fireplaces, stoves and fireplace inserts are an efficient method for providing warmth and creating the appeal of a fire within a room. Fireplaces have become commonplace in today's building trades for both residential and commercial applications. Most new home construction designs include at least one, and often several fireplaces. Further, a significant number of remodeling projects are focused on fireplaces. [0005] The representation of glowing embers in such fireplaces is desirable to provide the realistic effect of a fire when a gas flame is present instead of a flame provided by combustion of wood or other fibrous products. Previous systems created to provide artificial glowing embers typically call for a glass panel with artificial embers fused to the panel and a light source positioned below the panel to illuminate the embers and thereby create the illusion of glowing embers. However, such systems have at least the following several drawbacks. [0006] First, previous systems do not perform well at high temperatures. The materials used to create the artificial embers break down at the higher temperatures found in fireplaces. Such systems also require that the illumination device be remotely positioned from the combustion chamber enclosure because of the intense heat created in the combustion chamber. Second, the individual simulated glowing embers provided in the systems are not movable or adaptable to different burning environments because the simulated embers in the previous systems are fused together and to the glass panel. Third, the previous systems fail to provide the most aesthetically appealing embers because the artificial embers are fused and therefore create only a two-dimensional look. Fourth, the composition of the materials selected to create the artificial embers do not create a naturally looking ember bed. [0007] The present invention addresses many of the above deficiencies of prior heating appliances and simulated glowing ember beds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention generally relates to gas, electric, or wood burning heating appliances. One aspect of the invention relates to a fireplace that includes an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an ember support member, a plurality of translucent artificial embers, a first tube burner, and a light source. The embers are disposed upon the ember support member. The first tube burner is coupled to a source of combustible fuel and is positioned vertically above the ember support member. The first tuber burner is also at least partially surrounded by the embers to reduce viewability of the tube burner. The light source is positioned vertically below the ember support member and produces light that illuminates the embers. [0009] Another aspect of the invention relates to a heating appliance that includes an enclosure defining a combustion chamber, an ember support surface, a plurality of translucent artificial embers, a first burner, a light source, and a reflective member. The embers are disposed upon the ember support surface. The first burner is coupled to a source of combustible fuel and configured to generate a flame. The burner is positioned adjacent to the ember support member and at least partially concealed from view by the embers. The light source is positioned vertically below the ember support surface and the tube burner. The light source produces light that passes through the ember support surface to illuminate the embers. The reflective member is positioned rearward of the embers in the combustion chamber to reflect light produced by the light source and the flame. The reflective member may be spaced frontward of a rear panel of the combustion chamber and has a height that extends within a lower vertical half of the combustion chamber. [0010] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of increasing viewable light in a heating appliance, the heating appliance includes an enclosure that defines a combustion chamber, and an ember support member, a plurality of transparent embers, a light source, and a burner member positioned in the enclosure. The method includes supporting the embers on a support surface defined by the ember support member with the embers being separable from the support surface and the support surface including a plurality of apertures sized smaller than the embers. The method further includes positioning the burner member adjacent to the support surface, wherein the burner is configured to generate a flame that produces light in the combustion chamber. The method may also include surrounding a portion of the burner member with the embers to at least partially conceal the burner member from view, and positioning the light source vertically beneath the support surface so that light that passes through the plurality of apertures to illuminate the embers and produce light in the combustion chamber. [0011] Another method according to the invention relates to a method of generating viewable light. The method includes providing a support member, a plurality of transparent embers, a light source, a tube burner, and a reflective panel, supporting the embers on the support member, positioning the burner member adjacent to the support member, surrounding a portion of the burner member with the embers to at least partially conceal the burner member from view, positioning the light source vertically beneath the support surface, and positioning the reflective panel adjacent to at least some of the embers, the reflective panel being configured to reflect light produced by the flame and the light source, the reflective member being substantially vertically oriented and having a height that extends no more than about 6 inches vertically above the embers. The method also includes providing the embers separable from the support surface, configuring the burner to generate a flame that produces light, and passing light from the light source through the support member to illuminate the embers. [0012] The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The Figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describe embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example fireplace according to principles of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembly shown in FIG. 1; [0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 taken along indicators 4-4; [0018] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly shown in FIG. 3 taken along indicators 5-5; [0019] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of some of the components positioned in the combustion chamber enclosure shown in FIG. 1; and [0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded front perspective view of the components shown in FIG. 6. [0021] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternate forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Burner system incorporating flame and light Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Burner system incorporating flame and light patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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