Ventless Fireplace

Abstract

A ventless fireplace is provided, including a protective fireplace door, a wall positioned behind the protective fireplace door, a hearth surface positioned adjacent the wall, the protective fireplace door, wall and hearth surface defining a cavity the hearth surface further defining an opening therein, and a mechanical structure for housing one or more fuel cells positioned below the hearth surface, so that when operational, one or more flames emanating from the one or more fuel cells supported by the mechanical structure pass through the opening in the hearth surface. The protective door further includes a door frame, a door bezel hingedly attached to the door frame by one or more hinges, a door screen fixed within the door bezel, and a latch assembly fixed to the door frame to selectively engage the door bezel from the door frame.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A ventless fireplace, comprising:
 a protective fireplace door, further comprising:
 a door frame; 
 a door bezel hingedly attached to the door frame by one or more hinges; 
 a door screen fixed within the door bezel; and 
 a latch assembly fixed to the door frame to selectively engage the door bezel from the door frame; 
   a wall positioned behind the protective fireplace door;   a hearth surface positioned adjacent the wall, the protective fireplace door, wall and hearth surface defining a cavity the hearth surface further defining an opening therein; and   an automated mechanical structure for housing one or more fuel cells positioned below the hearth surface, the mechanical structure is adapted to automatically position the one or more fuel cells in a first position when igniting, and a second position when burning, so that when placed in the second position, one or more flames emanating from the one or more fuel cells supported by the automated mechanical structure pass through the opening in the hearth surface.   
     
     
         2 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more igniters for igniting fuel in the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         3 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more igniters operate for a predetermined period of time great enough to burn through one or more protective layers of the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         4 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 2 , wherein motion between the first position and the second position is controlled by a remote electronic control system. 
     
     
         5 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 4 , further comprising a processor for interfacing with the remote electronic control system. 
     
     
         6 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 5 , wherein the processor and remote electronic control system allow for operation of the ventless fireplace. 
     
     
         7 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical structure further comprises a snuffing plate for snuffing out the flame emanating from the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         8 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 7 , wherein the mechanical structure is further adapted to place the one or more fuel cells in a third position when snuffing the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         9 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical structure is further adapted to place the one or more fuel cells in a fourth position when ejecting the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         10 . The ventless fireplace of  claim 9 , wherein the fourth position places the one or more fuel cells within the opening defined by the hearth surface. 
     
     
         11 . A mechanical structure for use with a ventless fireplace, comprising:
 a carrier box for accepting one or more fuel cells;   a motor for moving the carrier box between two or more positions;   a remote electronic control system for controlling the motor; and   one or more igniters for igniting the one or more fuel cells.   
     
     
         12 . The mechanical structure of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier box is adapted to be automatically positioned by the motor to maintain the one or more fuel cells in a first position when igniting, and a second position when burning. 
     
     
         13 . The mechanical structure of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more igniters operate for a predetermined period of time great enough to burn through one or more protective layers of the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         14 . The mechanical structure of  claim 11 , wherein the mechanical structure further comprises a snuffing plate for snuffing out the flame emanating from the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         15 . The mechanical structure of  claim 14 , wherein the carrier box is further adapted to be automatically positioned by the motor in accordance with operation of the remote electronic control system to place the one or more fuel cells in a third position when snuffing the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         16 . The mechanical structure of  claim 11 , wherein the carrier box is adapted to be automatically positioned by the motor in accordance with operation of the remote electronic control system to place the one or more fuel cells in a fourth position when ejecting the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         17 . The mechanical structure of  claim 11 , wherein the motor drives the carrier box via an elevator lift arm. 
     
     
         18 . A method for igniting a fuel cell for use with a ventless fireplace, comprising the steps of:
 positioning one or more fuel cells in a carrier box of a mechanical assembly;   receiving a control signal from a remote electronic control system;   moving, by the carrier box, the fuel cells into an ignite position in accordance with one or more signals received via the remote electronic control system;   positioning one or more igniters adjacent the one or more fuel cells; and   actuating the one or more igniters for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more igniters operate for a predetermined period of time great enough to burn through one or more protective layers of the one or more fuel cells. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of moving, by the carrier box, the fuel cells into a burn position.