Direct vent fireplace assembly

Abstract

A fireplace assembly including a direct-vent combustion system which includes an air inlet, an air outlet each sealed from the other. It includes a pre-combustion chamber for entry of a primary fuel and air mixture, a burner unit, the burner unit comprising a burner, a base plate with metered holes or slots configured to allow control of the placement, volume and flow of air flowing from the air inlet into a mixing combustion chamber from the burner unit, and an ember bed located around the burner configured to create the mixing combustion chamber in the burner unit to enhance desired flame presentation by controlling mixing of incoming air with the primary fuel and air mixture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fireplace assembly comprising:
 A fireplace unit comprising:   A direct-vent combustion system comprising an air inlet and an air outlet or exhaust for waste combustion gases, wherein the inlet and outlet are sealed off from each other,   A pre-combustion chamber for entry of a primary fuel and air mixture;   A burner unit, the burner unit comprising a burner, a base plate with metered holes or slots configured to allow control of the place, volume and flow of air flowing from the air inlet into a mixing combustion chamber from the burner unit, and   An ember bed located around the burner configured to create the mixing combustion chamber in the burner unit to enhance desired flame presentation by controlling mixing of incoming air with the primary fuel and air mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the base plate is configured to meter secondary air into the chamber around the burner by which a desired flame presentation, sculpted flame shape, a lively, high, quickly yellowing flame, and/or reduced tendency to stretch over time. 
     
     
         3 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a controller for customization of the look, height, flame color and other characteristics by the user of the fireplace assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the base plate is angled for log and ember bed presentation. 
     
     
         5 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the base plate with metered holes or slots allows for targeting air flow in precise volumes, velocity and locations both in height and horizontally along the burner. 
     
     
         6 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the ember bed is selected from a group comprising one or more of artificial burnt logs, charcoal beds and fiber constructed bricks. 
     
     
         7 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the ember bed comprises a material made from one or more of metal, porcelainized metal, glass and cast ceramic fiber. 
     
     
         8 . The fireplace assembly of  claim 1  wherein the fireplace unit further comprises a catalyst for passage through of the exhaust air prior to its leaving the fireplace unit. 
     
     
         9 . A method of heating or providing a decorative flame comprising:
 Igniting a fireplace assembly comprising:   A fireplace unit comprising:
 A direct-vent combustion system comprising an air inlet and an air outlet or exhaust for waste combustion gases, wherein the inlet and outlet are sealed off from each other, 
 A pre-combustion chamber for entry of a primary fuel and air mixture; 
 A burner unit, the burner unit comprising a burner, a base plate with metered holes or slots configured to allow control of the place, volume and flow of air flowing from the air inlet into a mixing combustion chamber from the burner unit, and 
 An ember bed located around the burner configured to create the mixing combustion chamber in the burner unit wherein a desired flame presentation is enhanced by controlling mixing of incoming air with the primary fuel and air mixture. 
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a user of the fireplace assembly by use of a controller, customizes the look, height, flame color and placement of flame's appearing in the fireplace assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the method further comprises the step of installing the fireplace assembly of  claim 9 .