[0001] The present invention concerns the sector of room heating and in particular it concerns
a new flue equipped with heat exchanger for heating rooms.
[0002] In many houses the heating of rooms is achieved by means of stoves, which are used
exclusively for heating purposes or also for cooking food.
[0003] These stoves essentially comprise a furnace and are provided with a flue for the
outflow of flue gases.
[0004] The heat generated by the combustion process is partly radiated by the stove and
partly transported by the flue gases, so that even the flue heats up and radiates
a certain quantity of heat.
[0005] In case of very large rooms, several stoves are necessary to ensure uniform temperature
in the various areas of the room.
[0006] Almost all the heat transported by the flue gases is dispersed in the atmosphere
together with the flue gases themselves.
[0007] As a consequence of this, the heat actually used to heat the room is much less than
the heat generated by the combustion process.
[0008] The subject of the present patent is a new flue that uses the heat transported by
the flue gases to heat the room better.
[0009] The new flue comprises, in its main parts, two concentric tubes, one of which is
internal and through, while the other is external and closed at the ends and is provided
with two connection openings (unions).
[0010] Each one of the two openings of the external tube is positioned on the lateral surface
of said tube, near one of its ends.
[0011] A fan, or another forced ventilation means is provided to draw the air from the zone
around the stove and blow it into the lower opening.
[0012] Between the external and the internal tube a helical foil is provided to create a
forced path for the blown air, between the two tubes and from one opening of the external
tube to the other.
[0013] The new flue constituted as described above replaces completely or partially the
flue positioned directly on the stove; the upper outlet of the internal tube of the
new flue is connected with the remaining part of the flue that conveys the flue gases
towards the outside.
[0014] The flue gases emitted by the stove pass through the internal tube of the new flue,
transferring a considerable part of their heat to the internal tube itself.
[0015] The air blown in between the internal and the external tube follows the entire spiral-shaped
path defined by the foil positioned between the two tubes and flows out through the
upper opening. Along the spiral-shaped path, the air that has been blown in receives
heat from the internal tube, so that it will heat the room when it flows out of the
upper opening of the new flue.
[0016] It is possible to connect said upper opening of the flue with a tube or duct that
conveys the air heated by the new flue into another room.
[0017] The new flue, constructed as described above, makes it possible to recover part of
the heat that otherwise would be dispersed towards the outside and heat the room in
which the stove is positioned or even another room.
[0018] The flue gases are not negatively affected by the temperature decrease, since the
quantity of heat still transported by said gas does not prevent the stack effect.
[0019] The air heated by means of the new flue can easily heat another room not directly
exposed to the presence of the stove.
[0020] The following is just an example among many of a practical embodiment of the invention
in question, illustrated in the enclosed drawing.
[0021] The figure shows the new flue, in partial section, comprising an internal tube (1)
into which the flue gases flow, an external tube (2) concentric with the internal
tube (1), a helical foil (3) included between the external tube (2) and the internal
tube (1).
[0022] The ends of the external tube are closed, except for two openings (2.1, 2.2) - the
lower opening (2.1) and the upper opening (2.2) provided on the lateral surface of
the external tube (2) itself.
[0023] The air, if necessary blown by a fan, flows into the lower opening (2.1), follows
the spiral-shaped path touching the internal tube (1) and heating up, then flows out
of the upper opening (2.2) at increased temperature.
[0024] Therefore, with reference to the above description and to the enclosed drawing, the
following claims are put forth.
1. Flue, characterized in that it comprises two concentric tubes, one of which is internal and through, while the
other is closed at the ends and provided with two openings on its lateral surface,
and wherein a helical foil, positioned between the two tubes, creates a forced spiral-shaped
path to be followed by the air between the lower and the upper opening of the external
tube.
2. Flue according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with a fan or another forced ventilation means that draws the air
and blows it in through the lower or upper opening.