Systems and methods relating to fireplaces comprising modular feed and combustion systems for biomass solid particulate fuels

Abstract

Fireplaces suitable for outdoor patio and built-in fireplaces, fire pits and the like that burn biomass solid particulate fuels wherein such fireplaces comprise at least one feed system that is modular which can feed from at least one feed bin onto one or more burn grates. This allows for greater control over aspects such as heat output, energy generation, mixing different varieties of fuels such as flavored pellets or chips when used in a barbecue grill or smoker or other food preparation device, and if desired a wider, more full flame for example where aesthetic considerations are important.

1 . A fireplace fuel feed system comprising: at least one fuel hopper configured to hold and dispense a supply of at least one bio-mass solid particulate fuel, the hopper communicating via at least one discharge opening with a fireplace combustion chamber comprising at least one burn pot and at least one combustion grate, the system further comprising at least one fuel feed mechanism that conveys the fuel from the hopper to the combustion grate of the burn pot in the fireplace, the hopper, fuel feed mechanism and burn pot configured to cooperatively evenly feed and evenly combust the bio-mass solid particulate fuel in the burn pot, and at least one control operatively connected to the fuel feed mechanism and configured to control at least the amount and timing of transfer of the bio-mass solid particulate from the hopper to the burn pot. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel feed mechanism is a multi-directional fuel feed mechanism and the multi-directional fuel feed mechanism and the hopper are cooperatively configured to move the fuel in multiple directions to the at least one discharge opening. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the control, the hopper or the fuel feed mechanism is configured to automatically intermittently, periodically convey a uniform amount of the fuel to the burn pot. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the control, the hopper or the fuel feed mechanism is configured to automatically continuously convey a uniform amount of the fuel to the burn pot. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel feed mechanism is an auger comprising flightings along a shaft. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel feed mechanism is at least one of a continuous loop device or a non-turning agitating device. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the hopper is a multi-chamber fuel hopper. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises at least one discharge chute configured to carry the fuel between the hopper and the combustion chamber. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel feed mechanism has a single fuel entry point and at least two discharge openings. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fuel feed mechanism has at least two fuel entry points and a single discharge opening communicating with the combustion chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the combustion chamber is sized and configured for a residential or commercial heat or energy generation fireplace. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the system further comprises a regulatable, variable source of increased combustion air. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the regulatable, variable source of increased combustion air is an air fan. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the regulatable, variable source of increased combustion air is a compressed air source. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the effective direction of the fuel feed mechanism can be reversed. 
   
   
       16 . A fireplace comprising a fireplace fuel feed system according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       17 . A method of burning a bio-mass solid particulate fuel in a fireplace, the method comprising:
 providing a fireplace comprising at least one fuel hopper configured to hold and dispense a supply of at the least one bio-mass solid particulate fuel, the hopper communicating via at least one discharge opening with a fireplace combustion chamber comprising at least one burn pot and at least one combustion grate, the system further comprising at least one fuel feed mechanism that conveys the fuel from the hopper to the combustion grate of the burn pot in the fireplace;   controllably engaging the fuel feed mechanism to evenly feed the bio-mass solid particulate fuel to the combustion chamber; and   evenly combusting the bio-mass solid particulate fuel in the fireplace combustion chamber.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fuel feed mechanism is a multi-directional fuel feed mechanism and the method further comprises moving the fuel in multiple directions to the at least one discharge opening. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the method further comprises automatically intermittently, periodically conveying a uniform amount of the fuel to the burn pot. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the method further comprises automatically continuously conveying a uniform amount of the fuel to the burn pot. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fuel feed mechanism is an auger and the method further comprises moving the fuel to the discharge opening using flightings along a shaft of the auger. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fuel feed mechanism has a single fuel entry point and at least two discharge openings and the method further comprises moving the fuel in multiple directions from the single entry point toward the at least two discharge openings. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the fuel feed mechanism has at least two fuel entry points and a single discharge opening communicating with the combustion chamber and the method further comprises moving the fuel in multiple directions from the at least two fuel entry points toward the single discharge opening. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the burning takes place in a residential or commercial heat or energy generation fireplace. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the method further comprises regulatably, variably providing increased combustion air to the combustion chamber during the burning. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the method further comprises reversing the effective direction of the fuel feed mechanism during the burning.