Artificial Embers for Use in a Gas Fired Log Set

Abstract

The artificial embers can generally be used in any gas appliance with a gas fired log set that has a burner and are formed of silicon carbide or alumina. A plurality of the embers are placed loosely on a burner in registry with the flames of the burner in order to produce a simulation of actual glowing embers. The plurality of glowing embers simulates an actual ash bed or coals within the gas fired log set. The glowing artificial embers release a minimal amount of NO 2 and CO emissions while creating a more realistic and brighter glow.

1 . An artificial ember for use in a gas fireplace comprising:
 at least one burner having a plurality of gas ports disposed within a gas fireplace;   a valve assembly in fluid communication with said at least one burner;   a pilot in fluid communication with said valve assembly;   at least one artificial log positioned above said at least one burner;   a mat member formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina and combinations thereof, wherein a plurality of said mat members disposed over said plurality of gas ports;   each said mat member having a density of about 0.12 g/cm 3 ; and   each said mat member having a thickness of about 0.007 inches.   
   
   
       2 . The artificial ember as in  claim 1  wherein each said mat member comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein each said fiber has a diameter of about 10 to about 30 microns. 
   
   
       3 . The artificial ember as in  claim 2  wherein said plurality of fibers welded together. 
   
   
       4 . The artificial ember as in  claim 1  wherein each said mat member being square in shape of about 1 inch to about 1.125 inches on a side. 
   
   
       5 . The artificial ember as in  claim 1  wherein each said mat member weigh about 0.0214 kg/m 2 . 
   
   
       6 . The artificial ember as in  claim 1  wherein said gas fireplace is vent free. 
   
   
       7 . A synthetic ember bed for use on a burner comprising:
 a burner having a plurality of gas ports disposed within a gas fireplace;   at least one artificial log positioned above said burner;   a valve assembly in fluid communication with said burner;   a pilot in fluid communication with said valve assembly;   a mat member formed of a plurality of fibers, wherein a plurality of said mat members disposed over said plurality of gas ports;   each said fiber having a diameter of about 10 to about 30 microns;   said mat member having a density of about 0.12 g/cm 3 ; and wherein   said plurality of fibers are of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina and mixtures thereof.   
   
   
       8 . The synthetic ember bed as in  claim 7  wherein said mat member having a square shape of about 1 inch to about 1.125 inches on a side. 
   
   
       9 . The synthetic ember bed as in  claim 7  wherein said mat member having a thickness of about 0.007 inches. 
   
   
       10 . The synthetic ember bed as in  claim 7  wherein said mat member has a weight of about 0.0214 kg/m 2 . 
   
   
       11 . The synthetic ember bed as in  claim 7  wherein said gas fireplace is vent free. 
   
   
       12 . A synthetic ash bed for use in a gas fireplace comprising:
 a burner having a plurality of gas ports disposed within a gas fireplace;   at least one artificial log positioned above said burner;   a valve assembly in fluid communication with said burner;   a pilot in fluid communication with said valve assembly;   a plurality of artificial embers;   each said ember being formed of a plurality of fibers, each said ember formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina and combinations thereof, wherein said plurality of artificial embers scattered loosely over said plurality of gas ports; and   each said ember having a density of about 0.12 g/cm 3 .   
   
   
       13 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein each said fiber having a diameter of about 10 to about 30 microns. 
   
   
       14 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein said plurality of fibers welded together forming said ember. 
   
   
       15 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein each said ember comprises a square of about 1 inch to about 1.125 inches on a side. 
   
   
       16 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein each said ember having a thickness of about 0.007 inches. 
   
   
       17 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein each said ember has a weight of about 0.0214 kg/m 2 . 
   
   
       18 . The synthetic ash bed as in  claim 12  wherein said gas fireplace is vent free. 
   
   
       19 . A method of creating an artificial ember for a gas fireplace comprising the steps of:
 cutting a mat structure into a square shape to create at least one first artificial ember having a first thickness, said square shape is about 1 inch to about 1.125 inches on a side; and   manually separating each said first artificial ember of said first thickness into at least one second artificial ember of a second thickness, wherein said second thickness is about 0.007 inches.   
   
   
       20 . The method of creating an artificial ember as in  claim 19  wherein manually separating each said first artificial ember into said at least one second artificial ember is conducted by a knife. 
   
   
       21 . The method of creating an artificial ember as in  claim 19  wherein said mat structure formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       22 . The method of creating an artificial ember as in  claim 19  wherein each said second artificial ember having a density of about 0.12 g/cm 3 . 
   
   
       23 . The method of creating an artificial ember as in  claim 19  wherein said mat member comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein each fiber has a diameter from about 10 to about 30 microns. 
   
   
       24 . A method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed for a gas fireplace comprising the steps of:
 having a gas fireplace comprising of at least one burner and a pilot in fluid communication with a valve assembly;   positioning at least one artificial ember loosely over said at least one gas port of said at least one burner, each said artificial ember has a thickness of about 0.007 inches and a density of 0.12 g/cm 3 , each said artificial ember is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, alumina and combinations thereof,   generating a flame from at least one gas port of said at least one burner; and   simulating a portion of a glowing ash bed when said flame engages said at least one artificial ember.   
   
   
       25 . The method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed as in  claim 24  wherein said gas fireplace is vent free. 
   
   
       26 . The method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed as in  claim 24  further comprising the step of maintaining the aesthetics of each said flame when engaging each said ember. 
   
   
       27 . The method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed as in  claim 24  wherein each said artificial ember having a square shape of about 1 inch to about 1.125 inches on a side. 
   
   
       28 . The method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed as in  claim 24  wherein each said artificial ember comprises a plurality of fibers, wherein each fiber has a diameter from about 10 to about 30 microns. 
   
   
       29 . The method of simulating a natural glowing ash bed as in  claim 24  further comprising the step of placing a plurality of said at least one ember intermittently over a plurality of said gas ports to simulate said glowing ash bed.