Burner access hatch

Abstract

A cover plate assembly for use with a furnace system is provided. The cover plate assembly includes a plate, a central opening formed within the plate, a hatch lid positioned at least partially within the central opening and the hatch lid having a body with a baffle area. The cover plate assembly further includes an inlet structure designed to direct a fluid fuel source towards the central opening. The baffle area is positioned towards the inlet structure forming a fluid pathway between the inlet structure and the baffle area. In some instances, the hatch lid is removable such that internal components of the furnace system can be accessed without having to remove the entire cover plate assembly. Also, the cover plate assembly provided herein is designed to distribute a fuel source evenly into a combustion chamber and reduce noise-producing harmonic effects in the furnace system.

1 . A hatch lid for use with a furnace system, the hatch lid comprising:
 a body including:
 an upper portion; and 
 a lower portion extending outwardly from the upper portion, wherein the body forms a baffle area designed to direct a fluid fuel source into the furnace system. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hatch lid of  claim 1 , wherein the hatch lid is provided in the form of at least one of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The hatch lid of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is provided in the form of an approximately circular shape, and further wherein the upper portion has a first diameter, and the lower portion has a second diameter that is less than the first diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The hatch lid of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes one or more indentations designed to reduce a volume of the lower portion. 
     
     
         5 . The hatch lid of  claim 4 , wherein the body includes one or more support structures separating the one or more indentations to provide structural support for the body. 
     
     
         6 . The hatch lid of  claim 1 , wherein the baffle area includes at least one curved surface. 
     
     
         7 . The hatch lid of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the upper portion extends over the baffle area. 
     
     
         8 . A cover plate assembly for use with a furnace system, comprising:
 a plate;   a central opening formed within the plate;   a hatch lid positioned at least partially within the central opening, including a body with a baffle area; and   an inlet structure designed to direct a fluid fuel source towards the central opening,   wherein the baffle area is positioned towards the inlet structure forming a fluid pathway between the inlet structure and the baffle area.   
     
     
         9 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the plate has an approximately circular shape and the central opening is formed in approximately a center of the plate. 
     
     
         10 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the central opening has an approximately circular shape. 
     
     
         11 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet structure includes an inlet opening having an approximately rectangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet structure includes an inlet opening having an approximately circular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the inlet structure has an approximately rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The cover plate assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the body of the hatch lid includes an upper portion including a plurality of connection points designed to connect the upper portion to the plate. 
     
     
         15 . A furnace system for generating heat, the furnace system comprising:
 a housing including a combustion chamber positioned within an internal chamber designed to combust a fuel source; and   a cover plate assembly coupled to the housing, the cover plate assembly including:
 a central opening positioned in approximately a center of the cover plate assembly; 
 a hatch lid positioned within the central opening, including a body with a baffle area; and 
 an inlet structure designed to direct a fluid fuel source towards the central opening and into the combustion chamber. 
   
     
     
         16 . The furnace system of  claim 15 , wherein at least a portion of the hatch lid is designed to extend into the internal chamber and wherein the hatch lid is designed to reduce an air volume between the hatch lid and the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The furnace system of  claim 15 , wherein the hatch lid is removable. 
     
     
         18 . The furnace system of  claim 15 , wherein the hatch lid includes a lower portion including a plurality of connection points designed to connect the hatch lid to the combustion chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The furnace system of  claim 15 , wherein the fuel source is a mixture of gas and air. 
     
     
         20 . The furnace system of  claim 19 , further including a heat exchanger designed to utilize heat generated from the fuel source.