WO2025095918A1

WO2025095918A1 - A liquid fuel fireplace and a method for automatic fueling of the fireplace with a liquid fuel

Info

Publication number: WO2025095918A1
Application number: PCT/UA2023/000061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yaroslav LYSAK; Vitalii SHARAPOV
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-10-31
Filing date: 2023-12-08
Publication date: 2025-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-30

Abstract

The group of inventions relates to a field of heating devices, namely, to a liquid fuel fireplace. The liquid fuel fireplace is provided, the fireplace comprises a housing with components arranged therein: a liquid fuel combustion device, a fuel tank, a fuel supply tool for supplying a fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion device, a fan, a control unit having a power supply unit, a control panel. According to the invention, the fireplace comprises a fueling device that comprises a refueling pump that is coupled to the fuel tank via a pipeline, a refueling hose having one end which comprises a fuel intake device in a form of a tip and another end which is configured to connect to the pipeline of the refueling pump that is coupled to the fuel tank, the fuel tank is equipped with a fuel level detector, and the control unit is configured to form a fueling initiation command, a fueling termination command, a refueling hose draining command. Also, a method for automatic fueling of a fireplace with a liquid fuel is provided. This structure allows to increase user convenience during fueling process and fueling speed of the fireplace, as well as provides a high safety level when using the liquid fuel.

Description

A LIQUID FUEL FIREPLACE AND A METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC FUELING OF THE FIREPLACE WITH A LIQUID FUEL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The claimed group of inventions relates to a field of heating devices, namely, it relates to an environmentally friendly liquid fuel fireplace that is equipped with a device for fueling a liquid fuel and to a method for its automatic fueling, thereby providing a high level of protection against leakages, spillover and contact between the fuel and a user in order to enhance operation convenience and safety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most of cases, bio fireplaces are fueled by means of fuel tanks from which a user has to pour the fuel to a fireplace tank. This is an inconvenient and dangerous process, since there is a risk of spilling of the fuel that may cause a fire or allergic reactions upon a skin contact or unpleasant odors in a room. Also, this fueling often causes situations such as spillover of the tank and a mandatory control of a fuel level, thereby making the fueling process inconvenient.

While commercially available technologies continue to develop, it becomes possible to automate many of processes, including fueling of bio fireplaces. The automatic fueling reduces a risk of errors as well as increases a level of safety and usage convenience, while reducing fuel consumption and shortening a maintenance time.

PRIOR ART Fireplaces represent a rather popular piece of domestic interior, since they provide a warm and cozy atmosphere. Nowadays, there are numerous types of fireplaces, and the most traditional one is a woodfired fireplace. The woodfired fireplaces are characterized by their authenticity and ability to provide warmth and atmosphere in a house. However, their main drawbacks include a continuous maintaining of burning, a regular cleaning to remove soot and ash, and inability to extinguish the fire. The woodfired fireplaces are restricted due to a mandatory need in a smoke exhaustion system. Usually, they are mounted in private houses which are already equipped with a smoke nozzle or it is possible to mount the smoke nozzle there.

Also, gas fireplaces are quite common, and, of course, they provide coziness and warmth, but require a strict compliance with safety regulations. Main drawbacks include a limitation in selection of a mounting location therefor due to a mandatory presence of a coaxial smoke nozzle, a mandatory gas supply via a pipeline laid during construction, or a replaceable pressurized cylinder which may cause an explosion hazard. Also, gas emission during burning is another drawback which may result in serious consequences, if they enter the room, thereby causing poisoning or fire.

On another hand, bio fireplaces become increasingly popular, the bio fireplaces operate using biofuel, e.g., ethanol, and provide warmth and comfort by creating effective and safe burning without any soot and without any harmful emission.

However, users of the bio fireplaces encounter a problem of their fueling during usage. Most frequently, special canisters (containers) or fuel tanks are used to refuel the bio fireplaces, and the user either pours the fuel from them into a fireplace tank or replaces a used tank with a new one as a replaceable tank. This requires a constant control and attention, particularly if the fueling is performed during the operation of the fireplace, and there is a risk of spilling of the fuel which eventually may result in a fire. Prior art teaches a wide range of devices for fueling fireplaces, and the applicant has selected several technical solutions among them, which are the closest to the proposed invention in terms of a set of essential features.

An invention application DE102012108532A1 dated May 15, 2014 teaches a fueling device and a method for filling a tank, where a combustible liquid may be disposed, and an intake device is used, wherein the combustible liquid may be discharged from the tank into a combustion container via the intake device, the intake device comprises a blocking member, wherein the intake device may be switched to a blocked state and a pass-through state by means of the blocking member, wherein the discharge of the combustible liquid is blocked in the blocked state, while the liquid is discharged in the pass-through state, characterized by a button device, wherein the button device is for pushing against a wall of the combustion tank, and the button device controls the blocking member. A drawback of this technical solution is that the fueling is performed by means of a gravity force, and it is necessary to tilt down the filled device such that the intake device has a lower center of balance than the tank so as the combustible liquid, under action of the gravity force, could be supplied from the tank via the intake device to a discharge opening. This technical solution requires constant control and it is dangerous, since leakages or spillover of the fuel are possible, which may cause a fire.

Also, the prior art teaches a patent US9267681B2 dated February 23, 2016 that teaches a device for fueling liquid fuel burners, the device comprises a burner tray that is optionally located within a hollow space within a non-flammable structure, a porous element on or in the non-flammable structure has extensions from a lower surface thereof extending into fuel in the burner tray, the assembly can include a fuel tray connected to the burner tray by conduits which provide flow channels for liquid fuel between the trays, when a container of liquid fuel is placed in the fuel tray the fuel is dispensed and flows into the burner tray. A drawback of this technical solution is a constant control of the fuel level in the container and a regular replacement of the used fuel container with a new one. This may result in spillover of the fuel outside the fireplace that may cause a fire or allergic reactions upon a skin contact or unpleasant odors in a room.

Also, a patent EP2549182B1 dated November 13, 2013 is close, this patent teaches a device for burning a liquid fuel in a fireplace, the device consists of a housing, a fuel tank, a furnace, a vaporizing fence and a distributing fence, a heating system, a stop valve and an electronic system having controllers which are coupled to sensors and switch-on/switch-off elements of the fireplace, the fuel tank is coupled to a vapors outlet, has heating elements and an embedded temperature sensor, the housing of the fireplace is provided with ventilation openings with cooling fans, and the fuel tank is equipped with a temperature sensor that is connected to the electronic system and to a set of contact sensors of a fuel level. This technical solution implies that the fueling is performed by means of an air pump that pushes the fuel out of the fuel container and supplies it to the tank via the pipeline. A drawback of this solution is such structure of the device, where the immersion to the fuel container is performed by means of two pipelines, where one pipeline supplies the fuel to the fuel tank, and another pipeline extends from the air pump to the fuel container and, by means of pushing out, the fuel is supplied to the fuel tank which results in that after the fueling process is completed, the two pipelines must be taken out from the fuel container, while spilling the fuel outside the container and posing a risk of a user contact.

A patent PL232059B1 dated May 31, 2019 has been taken as the closest prior art which teaches a fireplace structure with a device for automatic fueling with a fuel and a method for fueling the fireplace by means of it. In this solution, the device consists of an electrical pump, two fuel pipes and a controller that turns off a power of the electrical pump when a required filling level of a fuel tank is achieved. The method comprises the following steps: activating the electrical pump for pumping the fuel from a supplementary fuel container; powering the electrical pump via an electrical socket from the controller; controlling the fuel level in the fuel tank by means of a sensor; turning off the power when a required filling level of the fuel tank is achieved.

A drawback of this technical solution lies in an outside arrangement of the pump of the device that requires a mechanical connection, thereby making the fueling process less convenient and affecting a compactness of the device. Besides, it is important to emphasize that the controller does not control the operation of the pump which results in risks of spillover/o verfilling of the tank, as well as it is impossible to analyze a reserve for pumping out the fuel. During disconnection of the device it is difficult to avoid a discharge of fuel residues from the fuel pipe which may result in undesired consequences such as a safety hazard, namely, a fire or allergic reactions upon a skin contact or unpleasant odors in a room.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed invention is aimed to provide a fueling device and a method for automatic fueling of a fireplace with a liquid fuel which could allow to automate the fueling process to a maximum extent and increase a safety level significantly.

An achieved technical effect is increasing of a user convenience during the fueling process and fueling speed of the fireplace, as well as providing a high safety level when using the liquid fuel. An additional effect is automatic stoppage of the fueling when a maximum fuel level in a tank is achieved, thereby avoiding a fuel spillover and increasing the fireplace safety level. Another additional effect is an automatic stoppage of a refueling pump when there is no fuel in the fuel container, thereby avoiding failure of a refueling pump and increasing reliability and fault tolerance of the fireplace significantly.

Said aim is achieved by providing a fireplace comprising a housing with components arranged therein: a liquid fuel combustion device, a fuel tank, a fuel supply tool for supplying a fuel from the fuel tank to the combustion device, a fan, a control unit having a power supply unit, a control panel. The fireplace comprises a fueling device that comprises a refueling pump that is coupled to the fuel tank via a pipeline, a refueling hose having one end which comprises a fuel intake device in a form of a tip and another end which is configured to connect to the pipeline of the refueling pump that is coupled to the fuel tank. The fuel tank is equipped with a fuel level detector. The control unit is configured to form a fueling initiation command that activates the refueling pump, while performing a continuous measurement of a fuel level and a reserve of the fuel tank for receiving a residual fuel from the refueling hose after the fueling completed, a fueling termination command that stops the refueling pump, and a refueling hose draining command that activates the refueling pump for a time period required for pumping out the residual fuel from the refueling hose. Therewith, the refueling pump, after the residual fuel from the refueling hose is received, pumps an air during 1-5 seconds through both the fuel intake device and the refueling hose.

The fuel supply tool adjusts the fuel supply from the fuel tank to the combustion device, thereby providing a constant fuel supply.

The fuel supply tool for supplying the fuel to the combustion device may be made either as a pipeline that supplies the fuel under action of a gravity force from the tank that is arranged above the combustion device or as a pump having corresponding pipelines.

In order to maintain optimal combustion conditions, the fireplace comprises the fan that provides a required amount of air to maintain a burning and to cool external structural elements of the fireplace.

The control unit controls the fireplace operation and provides a user with an information.

The control unit may be made either as prior art semiconductor-based electronic devices or as a digital device using a controller. All commands and other functional features of these digital devices may be formed by recording corresponding software programs in a memory of the control unit (software).

The control panel is electrically connected to the control unit and enables the user to form the commands and to control various parameters such as, e.g., an operation mode, a flame height and controlling of the fueling device. The control panel may be made as a touch panel or it may be made using mechanical control buttons and light indicators for providing information.

The fueling device comprises the refueling pump, the pipeline and the refueling hose. This device enables convenient and safe fueling of the fireplace with the liquid fuel.

The refueling hose is made such that one end of the refueling hose is equipped with the fuel intake device in a form of the tip that enables accurate and smooth intake of the liquid fuel from a fuel container, e.g., a canister, a container, a bottle etc. Therewith, another end of the refueling hose is configured to be quickly and reliably coupled to the pipeline of the refueling pump that is coupled to the fuel tank. This structure provides sealing and safety during the fueling process.

The fuel tank is equipped with the fuel level detector that constantly provides an information regarding an amount of the fuel during the fireplace fueling, as well as analyzes and ensures a reserve in the fuel tank in order to receive the residual fuel and a mixture of air and fuel vapors from the refueling hose after the fueling is completed.

The fuel detector may be made using prior art devices. These may be float devices or devices which are made using other embodiments of liquid level detectors.

In an embodiment, a peristaltic pump is used as the fuel supply tool for supplying the fuel to the combustion device. It performs an accurate dosing and reliable adjustment of the fuel supply in the fireplace.

In another embodiment, a cutoff electromagnetic valve is mounted on the pipeline of the refueling pump. It enables an emergency interruption of the fuel supply and avoiding an uncontrolled movement of the liquid after fueling, if the fuel container is located above the fuel tank.

In another embodiment, the fuel tank is further equipped with a spillover detector. It provides safety and it is triggered when the fuel level in the tank approaches to a critical value, as well as helps to avoid a potential dangerous fuel spillover that may result in discharging in case of a failure of the fuel level detector.

In an embodiment, the refueling pump is a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump provides safe and effective transportation of the fuel from the fuel container to the fuel tank and pumping the mixture of air and fuel vapors out from the refueling hose. Main function of the vacuum pump is to create a negative pressure or a vacuum that allows the fuel to be withdrawn from the fuel container and transported to the fuel tank or the mixture of air and fuel vapors to be removed from the refueling hose to a free space of the fuel tank.

In a further embodiment, the refueling hose is removable and it comprises a connector for quick connection to the pipeline of the refueling pump. The connector makes the process of connection of the hose to the pump quick and simple, thereby reducing user time and efforts during the fueling. Also, this structure ensures a reliable connection, thereby helping to avoid undesired fuel discharge during the fueling. This connector may be made using prior art solutions for providing a sealed connection of pipelines.

Also, the posed aim is achieved by connecting the refueling hose to the pipeline of the refueling pump, while immersing another end with the fuel intake device of the refueling hose into the fuel. One end of the refueling hose is connected to the pipeline of the refueling pump by means of the connector.

In the control unit, the command for activating the refueling pump and for pumping the fuel to the fuel tank is formed by pressing a virtual or a mechanical button on the control panel.

According to a signal received from the fuel level detector, the fuel level in the fuel tank is measured, while continuously determining a reserve for pumping out the residual fuel from the refueling hose.

After a maximum allowed filling level of the fuel tank is achieved, a command for fuel supply termination and stoppage of the refueling pump is formed. This command is formed after a signal about achievement of a predetermined or a maximum fuel level is the tank is received at the control unit.

A command for initiation of draining of the refueling hose is formed in the control unit and displayed on the control panel. Therewith, the fuel intake device is translated to a condition above the fuel level and a command for pumping the fuel out from the refueling hose is formed that activates the refueling pump that pumps the residual fuel from the refueling hose. After the fuel is removed from the refueling hose, the refueling pump pumps the air through the refueling hose during 1-5 seconds.

Upon conduction of numerous tests, it has been established that the given time period is sufficient for effective drainage of the refueling hose when using the invention in the fireplaces, while using refueling hoses having different length and diameter, thereby avoiding any discharge of the fuel out from the refueling hose as well as any direct contact of the fuel with the user after the fueling is completed. In this way, the safety level is increased significantly after the fueling is completed during the process of pumping the fuel out from the refueling hose and draining thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to provide more complete understanding of the claimed invention and advantages thereof, the following description provides an explanation of possible exemplary embodiments thereof with a reference to figures of the appended drawings, wherein identical designations denote identical parts, and which illustrate the following:

Fig. 1 illustrates the fireplace with the fueling device,

Fig. 2 illustrates the fueling device,

Fig. 3 illustrates the fueling device with the cutoff electromagnetic valve,

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of the method for automatic fueling of the fireplace with the liquid fuel, Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of the method for automatic fueling of the fireplace with the liquid fuel, while the cutoff electromagnetic valve is added.

Main designations:

1. housing,

2. liquid fuel combustion device,

3. fuel tank,

4. fuel supply tool,

5. fan,

6. control unit,

7. power supply unit,

8. control panel,

9. fueling device,

10. refueling pump,

11. pipeline,

12. refueling hose,

13. fuel intake device,

14. fuel level detector,

15. cutoff electromagnetic valve,

16. spillover detector,

17. connector.

Figures that illustrate the claimed invention and the disclosed specific exemplary embodiments do not limit the scope of claims in any way, rather they only explain the essence of the invention.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is described hereinafter in detail using said figures. Implementations, which are disclosed in the following description of the embodiment, do not encompass all implementations of the invention, rather they serve solely to provide an additional explanation of the essence thereof.

Fig. 1 illustrates a fireplace with a fueling device (9) arranged therein.

The fireplace has a housing (1) that may have different geometrical shapes, in particular, Fig. 1 illustrates it as having a rectangular shape, but it may be adapted to random shapes such as circular, oval or non-standard shape, depending on requirements and design.

The following components are arranged in the housing (1): a liquid fuel combustion device (2), a fuel tank (3) for storing the fuel and a fuel supply tool (4) for supplying the fuel from the fuel tank (3) to the combustion device (2), the fuel supply tool is a peristaltic pump.

The fuel tank (3) is equipped with a fuel level detector (14).

A fan (5) is mounted in the housing (1) of the fireplace in order to maintain burning and to cool its interior.

A control unit (6) with a power supply unit (7) and a control panel (8) are arranged in the housing (1) and control various functions of the fireplace.

Also, the housing (1) of the fireplace comprises a fueling device (9) that is illustrated in Fig. 2 and comprises a refueling pump (10), a pipeline (11) and a refueling hose (12).

The refueling pump (10) is a vacuum pump and is coupled to the fuel tank (3) via the pipeline (11).

The refueling hose (12) has one end which comprises a fuel intake device (13) in a form of a tip and another end which is configured to connect to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10) that is coupled to the fuel tank (3). Therewith, the refueling hose (12) is removable and it comprises a connector (17) for quick connection to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10).

The control unit (6) is configured to form the following commands: a fueling initiation command, a fueling termination command, a refueling hose (12) draining command. The fueling initiation command activates the refueling pump (10), while performing a continuous measurement of a fuel level and a reserve of the fuel tank (3) for receiving a residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) after the fueling is completed.

The fueling termination command stops the refueling pump (10).

The refueling hose (12) draining command activates the refueling pump (10), while after the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) is received, the refueling pump (10) pumps an air during 1-5 seconds through both the fuel intake device (13) and the refueling hose (12).

Fig. 3 illustrates the fueling device (9), where a cutoff electromagnetic valve (15) is mounted on the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10).

In order to implement the method, the refueling hose (12) is coupled to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10), while another end with the fuel intake device (13) of the refueling hose (12) is immersed into the fuel. The refueling hose (12) is removable and it comprises the connector (17) for performing a quick connection to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10).

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method for automatic fueling of the fireplace with the liquid fuel, the method comprises forming, in the control unit (6), the command for activating the refueling pump (10), while measuring the fuel level in the fuel tank (3) by means of the fuel level detector (14) and determining the reserve continuously. If during the fuel level measurement the fuel level detector (14) informs that the fuel tank (3) is full or the user has pressed a fueling termination button, the refueling pump (10) will stop.

If the fuel level measurement shows that the fuel level in the fuel tank (3) is low, then the fueling with the continuous measurement of the fuel level in the fuel tank (3) and determination of the reserve for pumping out the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) and its draining will.be performed. After a maximum allowed filling level of the fuel tank (3) is achieved, a command for stopping the refueling pump (10) and fuel supply termination will be formed.

In the next step, a command for initiation of draining of the refueling hose (12) is formed in the control unit (6) and displayed on the control panel (8). At the same time, the fuel intake device (13) is transmitted into a state above the fuel level and a command for pumping out the fuel from the refueling hose (12) is formed. This command activates the refueling pump (10) that pumps the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12). After the fuel is removed from the refueling hose (12), the refueling pump (10) pumps the air through the refueling hose (12) during 1-5 seconds. After execution of all of the commands, the refueling hose (12) remains fully dry.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow chart of a method for automatic fueling of the fireplace with the liquid fuel, while adding a cutoff electromagnetic valve, wherein the method comprises turning in the cutoff electromagnetic valve (15) before formation of the command for activating the refueling pump (10) in the control unit (6).

If any failures occur during the fueling, the cutoff electromagnetic valve (15) will perform an emergency termination of the fuel supply to the fuel tank (3).

Therewith, the fuel level in the fuel tank (3), while continuously determining the reserve, is performed by means of the fuel level detector (14). If during the fuel level measurement the fuel level detector (14) informs that the fuel tank (3) is full or the user has pressed a fueling termination button, the refueling pump (10) will stop.

If the fuel level measurement . shows that the fuel level in the fuel tank (3) is low, then the fueling with the continuous measurement of the fuel level in the fuel tank (3) and determination of the reserve for pumping out the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) and its draining will be performed. After a maximum allowed filling level of the fuel tank (3) is achieved, a command for stopping the refueling pump (10) and fuel supply termination will be formed.

In the next step, a command for initiation of draining of the refueling hose (12) is formed in the control unit (6) and displayed on the control panel (8). At the same time, the fuel intake device (13) is transmitted into a state above the fuel level and a command for pumping out the fuel from the refueling hose (12) is formed. This command activates the refueling pump (10) that pumps the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12). After the fuel is removed from the refueling hose (12), the refueling pump (10) pumps the air through the refueling hose (12) during 1-5 seconds.

After execution of all of the commands, the refueling hose (12) remains fully dry.

The claimed group of inventions allows to increase user convenience during the fueling process and fueling speed of the fireplace, as well as provides the high safety level when using the liquid fuel.

Claims

1. A liquid fuel fireplace a housing (1) with components arranged therein: a liquid fuel combustion device (2), a fuel tank (3), a fuel supply tool (4) for supplying a fuel from the fuel tank (3) to the combustion device (2), a fan (5), a control unit (6) having a power supply unit (7), a control panel (8), wherein it comprises a fueling device (9) that comprises a refueling pump (10) that is coupled to the fuel tank (3) via a pipeline (11), a refueling hose (12) having one end which comprises a fuel intake device (13) in a form of a tip and another end which is configured to connect to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10) that is coupled to the fuel tank (3), the fuel tank (3) is equipped with a fuel level detector (14), and the control unit (6) is configured to form a fueling initiation command that activates the refueling pump (10), while performing a continuous measurement of a fuel level and a reserve of the fuel tank (3) for receiving a residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) after the fueling completed, a fueling termination command that stops the refueling pump (10), and a refueling hose (12) draining command that activates the refueling pump (10), while the refueling pump (10), after the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) is received, pumps an air during 1-5 seconds through both the fuel intake device (13) and the refueling hose (12).

2. The fireplace according to claim 1, wherein a peristaltic pump is used as the fuel supply tool (4) to supplying the fuel to the combustion device (2).

3. The fireplace according to claim 1, wherein a cutoff electromagnetic valve (15) is mounted on the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10).

4. The fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the fuel tank (3) is further equipped with a spillover detector (16).

5. The fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the refueling pump (10) is a vacuum pump.

6. The fireplace according to claim 1, wherein the refueling hose (12) is removable and it comprises a connector (17) for quick connection to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10).

7. A method for automatic fueling of the fireplace according to claim 1 with a liquid fuel, the method comprising steps of:

- connecting the refueling hose (12) to the pipeline (11) of the refueling pump (10), while immersing another end with the fuel intake device (13) of the refueling hose (12) into the fuel,

- forming, in the control unit (6), the command for activating the refueling pump (10) and for pumping the fuel to the fuel tank (3),

- according to a signal received from the fuel level detector (14), measuring the fuel level in the fuel tank (3), while continuously determining a reserve for draining the refueling hose (12),

- after a maximum allowed filling level of the fuel tank (3) is achieved, forming a command for fuel supply termination and stoppage of the refueling pump (10),

- forming, in the control unit (6), and displaying, on the control panel (8), a command for initiation of draining of the refueling hose (12), while translating the fuel intake device (13) to a condition above the fuel level and forming a command for pumping the fuel out from the refueling hose (12) that activates the refueling pump (10) that pumps the residual fuel from the refueling hose (12) and, after the fuel is removed from the refueling hose (12), pumps an air through the refueling hose (12) during 1-5 seconds.