Thermal flue apparatus

A thermal shield device is provided for association with a flue extending from a combustion chamber and which shield device comprises a substantially U-shaped member comprising radially spaced inner and outer walls and with the shield being positioned parallel to the vertically extending flue and covering approximately 180.degree. of the periphery thereof, normally between the flue and an adjacent wall, the flue being open ended and having a deflector collar or neck positioned at its upper end connecting to the open or hollow interior thereof for deflection of hot air rising through the shield out into the room, and with other deflector members being positioned intermediate the inner wall of the shield and the adjacent flue to deflect hot air rising along the flue periphery out into the room.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
At the present time, more and more stoves are being positioned in rooms for 
heating the room and/or the room plus adjacent areas. These stoves have 
proven to be desirable, practical means for heating small homes, mobile 
homes and other structures. However, in providing a small furnace or stove 
in a room, naturally, there are problems in exhausting the hot combustion 
gases from the room and many fires have been started in the past because 
of these stoves and the flues therefor becoming overheated. 
Furthermore, with the energy situation of current times, it is very 
desirable that efficient, effective heating systems be provided for all 
homes and buildings. 
Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a 
new and improved heat deflector apparatus or thermal flue apparatus for 
association with combustion chamber flues for withdrawing more heat 
efficiently from the hot flue gases and deflecting or circulating such 
heat into the adjacent atmosphere. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a heat shield in association 
with a vertically extending flue for aiding in preventing radiation or 
flow of heat from the flue into any adjacent wall structures and aiding in 
preventing overheating of walls or ceilings connecting to or adjacent the 
flues. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive but 
durable metal heat shield for association with vertically extending flues 
to withdraw heat therefrom and to aid in heating and circulating heated 
aid in the atmosphere adjacent to the combustion chamber and stove in 
which it is positioned. 
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as 
the specification proceeds.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION 
This invention, as one embodiment thereof, relates to a heat deflector 
and/or safety device for use in combination with a vertically positioned 
flue having hot combustion gases passing therethrough and where the safety 
device comprises a double walled shield of substantially U-shape in 
section, the shield having open upper and lower ends and encompassing over 
180.degree. of the periphery of the flue when associated therewith, which 
shield has spaced inner and outer walls. Means secure the shield to the 
flue in spaced relation thereto and an open front of the shield faces 
toward the center of the room, a conically shaped collar member extends 
from the inner wall of the shield upwardly to the flue to divert air 
flowing upwardly between the shield and flue out into the room, and a 
conical neck section connects to the interior of the shield at an open 
upper end thereof and it extends to the flue, such neck section having an 
open front portion for discharging heated air passing upwardly within the 
shield out into the room. 
Reference now is made to the details of the structure shown in the 
drawings, and FIG. 1 indicates a heat deflector and safety device 10 of 
the invention positioned in association with a vertically extending flue 
12. This flue 12 connects to any conventional or known furnace or 
combustion chamber or stove indicated at 14. The stove may be positioned 
on a support or floor 16 within a room having an enclosure wall 18 
indicated for the room 17. The flue 12 extends up to a ceiling or roof for 
the room 17 and engages a suitable connector means or fire resistant 
structure 20 at such ceiling. 
FIG. 2 of the drawings shows that the flue 12 usually is positioned closely 
adjacent to the wall 18 and it is well known that these flues 12, having 
hot combustion gases passing therethrough, present a fire hazard. But many 
of these stoves are used for heating one or more rooms and the hot gases 
must be safely vented. 
The heat deflector and safety device 10 can be secured in position adjacent 
to or supported on the stove 14, or from the building wall by any 
conventional means. Brackets or flange plates 22 are shown at the lower 
end of the device 10 to be used for securing the safety device to the 
stove in operative association with the flue. Such safety device extends 
vertically and it is normally positioned in parallel but spaced relation 
to the flue 12. 
This heat deflector and safety device 10 includes a heat shield indicated 
at 24 and which heat shield has open lower and upper ends and is formed 
from substantially parallel or concentric inner and outer walls 26 and 28, 
respectively, and with such heat shield being of substantially U-shape in 
horizontal section. Any suitable members, such as channels 30, can be 
engaged with the front ends of this heat shield at the inner and outer 
walls thereof to form an enclosed passageway extending the length of the 
shield. The heat shield is of such an arcuate length that it does 
encompass over 180.degree. of the periphery of the flue 12, as indicated 
best in FIG. 2. Usually the heat shield 24 has an open front facing into 
the room 17 in which the stove is positioned, and this heat shield may 
terminate in diametrically opposed parallel side portions 32 and 24 as 
indicated in the drawings. Hence, the heat shield is adapted to provide a 
vertical passageway for air moving from a point adjacent the stove 
upwardly in the room and such air flow path through the shield is 
indicated by arrows 36 in FIG. 3. To deflect such rising heated air away 
from the heat shield, preferably at the upper end thereof, there is a 
conical connector member 38 that engages the outer wall of the open upper 
end of the shield. The connector 38 preferably has a generally inwardly 
sloping upper inner wall portion 39 that extends to and engages the flue 
12 and may also engage the ceiling connector plate or bracket 20. The 
arrows 36 show how air is deflected out into the room by the connector 38 
that is of approximately 180.degree. in arcuate extent. This connector 38 
is omitted for clarity in FIG. 2. 
It also should be realized that an appreciable amount of heat is being 
radiated from the flue 12 for the length thereof and it is heating the air 
adjacent thereto. To benefit from such heating action and to aid in air 
circulation in the room, one or more vertically spaced, conically shaped 
collar members 40 are provided. Two of these members are shown in the 
drawings and are positioned in vertically spaced relationship to each 
other. The conical shaped collar members 40 are of a size so as to extend 
from the inner wall 26 of the heat shield up to and engage the flue 12 but 
with the collars being provided with open fronts. Thus, the collars force 
or deflect air flowing upwardly along the flue out into the room through 
the open front of the heat shield. These collars 40 preferably have end 
flanges 42 thereon that are secured, as by welding or other equivalent 
means, to the front edge channels 30 of the heat shield 24 to retain them 
in desired positions. Arrows 44 indicate air flow path provided by these 
deflector collars. Again, means are provided for aiding in the circulation 
of air heated by the flue 12. Thus, such circulation of air around the 
flue and deflecting it out into the room materially increases the 
efficiency of the heating action of the stove 14. Furthermore, the heat 
shield 24 as a whole does provide a very effective safety device for use 
in association with the stove 14 and flue 12. 
The components of the heat deflector and safety device are all made from 
suitable metal and they can be assembled together in any conventional 
manner and provided with any desired finish or have a natural metallic 
finish provided thereon, as desired. The neck or conical connector 38 can 
be welded or just physically engaged with the upper end of the heat 
shield, as desired. 
The components of the invention are relatively durable and can be made from 
conventional gage metal sheets or plates. The unit will function 
effectively and provide a good service life. Thus, it is believed that the 
objects of the invention have been achieved. 
While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, 
it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of 
the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the 
invention.