Thin chamber burner

Abstract

Burner assemblies including panels (e.g., transparent panels) supported in a substantially parallel, closely-spaced relationship and gaskets and spacers sealing the space between the panels to form a perimeter seal and to define a plenum between the first and second panels with an inlet into the plenum and an outlet out of the plenum.

1 . A gas burner assembly comprising:
 a first sheet having an inner face, an outer face, and extending between a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;   a second sheet having an inner face, an outer face, and extending between a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, the first and second sheets being secured relative to one another such that the first and second sheets are separated by a gap that defines a substantially thin manifold between the inner faces of the first and second sheets, where an outlet from the substantially thin manifold is formed along the second edge of the first sheet; and   a conduit in communication with the manifold, the conduit being adapted for connection to a source of gas.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of substantially transparent material. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sheets are formed of glass material. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gap is from about 0.01 inches thick to about 0.25 inches thick. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the gap is less than about 0.5 inches thick. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet has a length greater than about 1 inch. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the conduit is further adapted for connection to a source of air and to mix gas from the gas source with air from the air source at a selected ratio. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first frame including a first member, a second member, and a lateral member extending between the first and second members, the first member, the second member, and the lateral member defining a central viewing area; and   a second frame including a first member, a second member, and a lateral member extending between the first and second members, the first member, the second member, and the lateral member of the second frame defining a central viewing area,   wherein the first frame is secured adjacent the outer face of the first sheet such that the first sheet is exposed through the central viewing area in the first frame and the second frame is secured adjacent the outer face of the second sheet such that second sheet is exposed through the central viewing area in the second frame.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the conduit is a tubular member and the first frame includes an opening in communication with the substantially thin manifold and the tubular member. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an inner seal comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a lateral portion, the first and second side portions abutting the inner faces of the first and second sheets and the lateral portion and the first edge of the second sheet together defining a first opening into the substantially thin manifold; and   a first intermediate seal comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a lateral portion, the lateral portion defining a second opening in communication with the first opening, the first intermediate seal being abutted against the outer face of the first sheet.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a first spacer receiving the first sheet and being abutted against the first intermediate seal, the first intermediate seal and the first spacer combining to form the second opening. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the substantially thin manifold defines a width and a depth, and further wherein the first opening formed by the inner seal and the second opening formed by the first intermediate seal combine to define a lower manifold positioned below, and in fluid communication with the substantially thin manifold formed by the gap between the first and second sheets, the lower manifold extending along a substantial portion of the width of the substantially thin manifold. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the lower manifold extends across substantially all of the width of the substantially thin manifold. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an ignition device positioned at one end of the substantially elongate opening defined at the second edge of the first sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an ignition device positioned to result in combustion within the substantially thin manifold. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially thin manifold is substantially vertically oriented. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is formed along the second edges of both the first and second sheets. 
     
     
         18 . A method of forming a burner assembly, the method comprising:
 disposing two substantially transparent panels in a substantially parallel relationship with a space between the two panels;   using a sealing material in the space between the panels to form a perimeter seal, the sealing material defining a plenum between the first and second panels having an inlet into the plenum and an outlet out of the plenum;   securing a framework about the panels, the framework defining an open, central portion through which the panels are exposed; and   positioning an igniter to ignite a combustible gas exiting the plenum from the outlet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the space between the two panels is from about 0.03 to about 0.125 inches. 
     
     
         20 . A method of generating flames, the method comprising:
 supplying gas to an inlet of a substantially thin plenum of a burner assembly, the burner assembly including a first panel and a second panel secured together in a substantially parallel relationship with a substantially thin gap between the panels, the panels being sealed together with a perimeter seal to form the inlet into the plenum and an elongate outlet out of the plenum at an edge of the first panel; and   igniting gas exiting the outlet of the plenum.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the substantially thin plenum is less than about 0.5 inches thick. 
     
     
         22 . A burner assembly adapted for combustion of gases associated with a heating unit, the burner assembly comprising:
 means for supporting two substantially transparent panels in a substantially parallel, spaced relationship such that a viewer is able to see through the panels; and   means for sealing a space between the panels to form a perimeter seal and to define a plenum between the first and second panels with an inlet into the plenum and an outlet out of the plenum; and   means for connecting a supply of gas to the plenum.   
     
     
         23 . A heating system comprising:
 a gas source;   a burner assembly connected to the gas source and adapted to generate flames;   a combustion chamber defining a combustion enclosure adapted to receive heat and combustion products from the flames produced by the burner assembly, the combustion chamber including a front panel and a rear panel the front panel having an outer surface that allows viewing into the combustion enclosure through the front panel and an inner surface that is reflective and the rear panel having an inner surface that is reflective.