COMBUSTION APPLIANCE FOR SOLID FUELS

Abstract

 A combustion appliance (1) for solid fuels, comprising a combustion chamber (4), means for conveying combustion air comprising an inlet mouth of the combustion air, a heat exchange group (8) comprising a duct of the fluid to be heated (81) and a combustion smoke duct (82), each having an outlet mouth (81b, 82b); at least one outlet group (10) comprising a flange (11) coupled to the outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or to the inlet mouth of the combustion air and a manifold element (12) having an inlet port (12a) adapted to be removably fixed to the flange (11) and an outlet port (12b) adapted to be associated with an external pipe. The manifold element (12) is shaped in such a way that it can be fixed to the flange (11) according to at least two mutual positions so that the outlet port (12b) is arranged according to at least two distinct orientations.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a combustion appliance for solid fuels, such as for example "pellets", comprising a group for the exit of smokes or fluids or for the suction of combustion air, of an improved type.

[0002] Combustion appliances are known in the art, in particular appliances for heating rooms, which use cylinders of pressed wood, generically called "pellets", as solid fuel.

[0003] Said combustion appliances can be freely installed in the rooms, installed flush with the wall or built-in in niches obtained inside walls configured to accommodate said appliances.

[0004] They are generally provided with a tank for the accumulation of fuel and a combustion chamber where the combustion reaction takes place.

[0005] Specifically, the combustion appliances of the known type usually comprise one or more auger feeders which withdraw defined quantities of fuel from the tank and carry it inside the combustion chamber where it will be burned.

[0006] In particular, the combustion chamber communicates with an intake conduit which allows the passage of air from the outside to the inside of the aforesaid chamber where, by means of ignition means, the flame burning the fuel is triggered.

[0007] The smokes generated in the combustion chamber are conveyed to a special external pipe for the discharge of the smokes, also called the flue, through a heat exchanger inside which two flows develop in countercurrent between them: one relative to the fluid to be heated and the other one consisting precisely of the outgoing combustion smokes.

[0008] From the operational point of view, the aforesaid outgoing hot smokes give off part of their heat to the heat exchanger which, in turn, transfers it to the fluid to be heated, air or water, which is then conveyed to the rooms to be heated. When the combustion appliance is of the built-in type, an opening connected to the external pipe for the discharge of the smokes must be present in the walls that delimit the niche where this appliance will be installed. In fact, said pipe is usually built-in in the walls of the building where the appliance is placed.

[0009] It is evident that said opening connected to the external pipe for the discharge of smokes is essential for the installation of the combustion appliance in the niche, because it allows the smoke outlet mouth of the appliance to be put in communication with the external environment.

[0010] However, this necessary connection between the aforesaid external pipe for the discharge of smokes and the smoke outlet mouth of the combustion appliance causes a series of drawbacks in the production and installation of the combustion appliances of the known type.

[0011] In fact, when the combustion appliance is made, it is provided with a fixed smoke discharge mouth.

[0012] Since in the niches the opening for access to the external smoke discharge pipe is arranged alternately at the rear, on the side or upwards, it is disadvantageously necessary to define, for each single type of combustion appliance, a series of manufacturing variants provided with a smoke discharge mouth oriented towards the rear, the side or upwards. This disadvantageously leads to the lengthening of the production and installation times of the appliance.

[0013] Disadvantageously, if the smoke discharge mouth of the appliance is still not suitable for being connected directly to the external pipes, during the appliance installation it will be the installer's task to make a fitting suitable for putting the smoke discharge mouth in communication with the external pipe, with a consequent lengthening of the installation times.

[0014] In some types of combustion appliances of the prior art, this drawback can also be found due to the arrangement of the outlet mouth of the heated fluid.

[0015] In fact, when the combustion appliance has to heat the rooms centrally, the heated fluid is conveyed by the fluid duct of the heat exchanger towards external pipes for the conveyance of the heated fluid. Said external conveying pipes develop in the walls of the rooms to be heated, allowing the circulation of the heated fluid in the rooms where it performs its heating function. Disadvantageously, for appliances of the built-in type, the connection between the aforesaid external pipe for conveying the heated fluid and the outlet mouth of the heated fluid features the drawbacks related to the lengthening of the production and installation times mentioned above.

[0016] Furthermore, said drawback can also be found with regards to the arrangement of the inlet mouth of the combustion air.

[0017] In fact, in order to progress, the combustion reaction requires combustion air which is sucked in from the outside.

[0018] The combustion air is transferred to the aforesaid combustion chamber through an external pipe and an air intake which also develop in the walls of the rooms to be heated.

[0019] Therefore, also the realization of the connection between the air intake of the combustion air in the walls and the inlet mouth of the combustion air of the combustion appliance features the disadvantages related to the lengthening of the production and installation times mentioned above.

[0020] To overcome these drawbacks, the manufacturers of the combustion appliances of the prior art provide for each type of appliances a plurality of variants, each provided with a smoke discharge mouth and/or an outlet mouth of the heated fluid and/or an inlet mouth of the combustion air oriented according to configurations that are different between them.

[0021] This, however, causes particular criticalities from the point of view of warehouse and stocks management for the realization of the finished product.

[0022] A further drawback of the known combustion appliances, in particular of the built-in appliances of the known type, consists in the operator's difficulty in accessing the rear areas of the appliance when it is installed in the niche or placed flush with the wall.

[0023] Access to the rear areas is essential in order to be able, for example, to carry out routine maintenance of the combustion appliance and, in particular, of the outlet mouth of the smokes or of the heated fluid.

[0024] A solution to said drawback consists in using sliding means suitable for moving the front part of the appliance framing away so as to be able to access the rear part of the latter.

[0025] This solution usually provides for an extensible bellows tube to be present in the appliance which connects the external smoke discharge pipe to the smoke outlet mouth. This extensible tube is configured to extend, without losing its tightness, when the aforesaid away-movement is accomplished. Disadvantageously, however, the repeated use of said bellows tube causes the wear and tear thereof in the long run up to breaking, causing the loss of tightness and the leakage of smokes into the environment and inside the appliance itself.

[0026] As an alternative to the presence of said bellows tube, it is known to guarantee the tightness between the smoke outlet mouth and the external smoke pipe by means of a mechanical interlock between the two.

[0027] Disadvantageously, said latter solution also has several drawbacks.

[0028] In particular, the aforesaid mechanical interlock is easily subject to an accumulation of dust and debris due to the presence of smokes which, in the long run, can cause that the away-movement is blocked.

[0029] The present invention aims to overcome all the limitations and drawbacks indicated.

[0030] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to realize a combustion appliance that can be adapted during the installation phase so as to be connected to the external smoke discharge pipe or to the external pipe for conveying the heated fluid or even to the air intake for the external pipe of the combustion air.

[0031] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to facilitate the production of such a combustion appliance so that it can be made without prior knowledge of the location of the external pipes of the rooms where this appliance will be installed.

[0032] Still another object of the present invention is that this combustion appliance is easy to install, maintain and clean.

[0033] Said purposes are achieved with the realization of a combustion appliance, in accordance with the main claim to which reference will be made.

[0034] Further characteristics of the combustion appliance are described in the dependent claims.

[0035] The aforesaid purposes, together with the advantages which will be mentioned below, will be better highlighted during the description of some preferred embodiments of the invention which are given, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, where:

• Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of the combustion appliance in the coupling position, according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 shows an axonometric view of the combustion appliance of Figure 1 in the decoupling position;
• Figure 3 represents an axonometric view of the flange of the outlet group according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 shows an axonometric view of the manifold element of the outlet group according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 5 and 6 show respectively an exploded axonometric view and an axonometric overall view of the outlet group according to a first orientation;
• Figure 7 shows a side view of the outlet group of Figure 6, in which the horizontal plane, the plane on which the flange lies, the cross section plane of the manifold element and the plane on which the outlet port of the manifold element lies are highlighted;
• Figure 8 shows a top view of the outlet group of Figure 7;
• Figures 9 and 10 show respectively an exploded axonometric view and an axonometric overall view of the outlet group according to a second orientation;
• Figures 11 and 12 show respectively an exploded axonometric view and an axonometric overall view of the outlet group according to a third orientation;
• Figure 13 shows an axonometric view of the combustion appliance in the coupling position according to a variant embodiment of the invention comprising a tubular sleeve;
• Figure 14 shows an axonometric view of the combustion appliance of Figure 13 in the decoupling position;
• Figure 15 shows an axonometric view of the tubular sleeve of Figure 13;
• Figure 16 shows a side view of the outlet group of Figure 6 associated with the tubular sleeve of Figure 13.

[0036] It should be noted that a first embodiment of the combustion appliance of the invention, shown in the figures, will now be described, which provides for the outlet group, which will be described later, to be associated with the outlet mouth of the combustion smokes.

[0037] It is not excluded, however, that according to alternative embodiments of the present invention the aforesaid outlet group is also associated with the outlet mouth of the heated fluid or with the inlet mouth of the combustion air, or only with the outlet mouth of the heated fluid or only to the inlet mouth of the combustion air.

[0038] The combustion appliance according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures from 1 to 12, where it is generally indicated with the number 1.

[0039] Preferably, it consists of a stove fired by solid fuel, for example pellets, which is particularly suitable for heating rooms of various types, such as for example domestic environments.

[0040] It is of the type suitable for being inserted in a built-in manner into a niche made in a wall, so that its front part is arranged flush with the wall.

[0041] However, the combustion appliance 1 may be of any type, even not built-in.

[0042] Furthermore, it is not excluded that according to different embodiments of the invention, not shown in the figures, the combustion appliance 1 is a pellet heater heating the environment by means of radiators with hot water circulation.

[0043] It is therefore specified that, in this document, the term "combustion appliance" is intended to include all those combustion appliances having physical and functional characteristics similar to those indicated below, in particular all those combustion appliances that include ducts that must be connected to external pipes for the discharge of the smokes or for the circulation of the fluids or, again, for the suction of air.

[0044] Returning to the first embodiment of the invention, the combustion appliance 1 comprises a support framing 2 which defines a shape provided with a front face 21, a rear face 22 opposite to the front face 21, a lower base 23 adapted to be arranged parallel to the horizontal plane and adapted to be arranged resting on a resting surface, and an upper part 24 opposite to said lower base 23.

[0045] The front face 21 is usually arranged on the opposite side with respect to a tank 3 configured to contain the solid fuel to be burned and is also provided with a door which allows access to a combustion chamber 4 where the combustion reaction takes place.

[0046] In order to better understand the structural characteristics relating to the combustion appliance 1 of the invention, it is appropriate to define, on the horizontal plane, parallel to the lower base 23, a first horizontal direction X parallel to the aforesaid front face 21 and a second horizontal direction Z orthogonal to the same front face 21, as shown in Figure 1.

[0047] The support framing 2 preferably has a straight parallelepiped shape in which the front face 21 and the rear face 22 are spaced by a pair of lateral faces 25 which delimit the combustion appliance 1 on the sides.

[0048] However, it is not excluded that, according to different embodiments of the invention, the framing 2 has a shape different from what is indicated, such as for example a cylindrical or prismatic shape.

[0049] As indicated above earlier, the tank 3 adapted to contain the solid fuel to be burned and the combustion chamber 4 where the combustion reaction takes place are preferably contained inside the aforesaid framing 2.

[0050] A brazier is usually arranged inside this combustion chamber 4 which brazier receives solid fuel from the tank 3 and combustion air from the outside which is necessary for the start and to continue the aforesaid combustion reaction. Operatively, the combustion air is conveyed to the aforesaid brazier by means of conveying means provided with an inlet mouth of the combustion air configured to suck said air from the outside up to the combustion chamber 4. The combustion air then reaches the brazier and enters the latter through one or more holes that are present in the bottom of the brazier itself.

[0051] Solid fuel also arrives at the brazier, which is conveyed from the tank 3 by means of feed means provided, preferably but not necessarily, by an auger arranged inside a conduit having an opening which communicates with the tank 3.

[0052] For transferring the solid fuel from the tank 3 to the combustion chamber 4, the auger is put in rotation by motorized means so as to convey the solid fuel from inside the tank 3 towards the combustion chamber 4.

[0053] The combustion appliance 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, comprises a heat exchange group 8 in which the heat is exchanged between the smokes produced by the combustion reaction and the fluid to be heated, in particular air or water, which is then introduced hot directly into the rooms and/or into external pipes for conveying the heated fluid.

[0054] In particular, the heat exchange group 8 is provided with a duct of the fluid to be heated 81 defined between an inlet mouth 81a of the fluid to be heated and an outlet mouth 81b of the heated fluid.

[0055] Furthermore, the heat exchange group 8 comprises a combustion smoke duct 82 defined between a smoke inlet mouth 82a communicating with the combustion chamber 4 and a smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0056] The duct 81 and the duct 82 are separated from each other and thermally cooperating, preferably in countercurrent.

[0057] According to the first embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures, the combustion appliance 1 comprises an outlet group 10 associated with the outlet mouth 82b of the combustion smokes and contained in the support framing 2.

[0058] Said outlet group 10 is configured to allow the combustion smokes to pass from the duct 82 towards the external environment, through one or more external pipes for the discharge of the combustion smokes.

[0059] In detail, the outlet group 10 is provided with a flange 11, shown in Figure 3, coupled to the smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0060] In particular, the flange 11 comprises a first surface 11a and a second surface 11b, defined on the opposite side with respect to the first surface 11a and facing the aforesaid smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0061] The outlet group 10 further comprises a manifold element 12 having a tubular through shape, adapted to be associated with the aforesaid flange 11, shown in Figure 4.

[0062] The manifold element 12 is preferably provided with an inlet port 12a and an outlet port 12b defined on the opposite side of the inlet port 12a. Said outlet port 12b is configured to be associated with an external pipe for the discharge of the combustion smokes.

[0063] The manifold element 12 further comprises a counter-flange 121 preferably arranged at the inlet port 12a and configured to be associated with the flange 11.

[0064] Still preferably, the first surface 11a of the flange 11 is adapted to be removably fixed to the counter-flange 121.

[0065] Advantageously, the manifold element 12 is shaped in such a way that it can be fixed to the flange 11 according to three mutual positions, so that its outlet port 12b is arranged according to three distinct orientations, shown respectively in Figures 6, 10 and 12.

[0066] Said three distinct orientations correspond respectively to one of the following orientations:

• a first orientation, shown in Figure 6, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially horizontal;
• a second orientation, shown in Figure 10, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially vertical and parallel to the first horizontal direction X;
• a third orientation, shown in Figure 12, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially vertical and parallel to the second horizontal direction Z.

[0067] In other words, when the support framing 2 has a parallelepiped shape, said three orientations allow to realize a combustion appliance in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b of the combustion smokes lies is respectively parallel to the upper part 24 or parallel to the rear face 22 or, again, parallel to a lateral face 25 of the framing 2.

[0068] The appliance 1 will therefore be advantageously suitable to be adapted during the installation phase to the position of the external pipes that are present in the environment where it is to be installed, thus achieving one of the objects of the present invention.

[0069] The particular configuration of the outlet group 10 of the invention, in fact, allows the installer to avoid having to make mechanical fittings for the connection between the appliance and the external pipes and, furthermore, to be able to choose directly during the installation phase according to which orientation to direct the smoke outlet port 12b.

[0070] This allows, therefore, to be able to realize a combustion appliance without having to know in advance the position of the external pipes in the environment where this appliance will be installed, thus allowing to produce a smaller number of appliances and significantly improving any problems of the warehouse and stocks management for the realization of the finished product. As can be seen in particular in Figures 7 and 8, these three distinct orientations can be obtained thanks to the particular configuration of the outlet group 10, which provides for the first surface 11a of the flange 11 to be partially turned towards the rear face 22 and towards the upper part 24 of the support framing 2.

[0071] In particular, according to the first embodiment of the invention, the plane π on which said flange 11 lies and the horizontal plane define a straight line of incidence I which is inclined with respect to the first horizontal direction X and with respect to the second horizontal direction Z by an angle γ comprised between 40 and 50 degrees, preferably by an angle γ of about 45 degrees, as shown in Figure 8.

[0072] Furthermore, the aforesaid plane π on which the flange 11 lies and the horizontal plane define a first dihedral angle α comprised between 50 and 60 degrees, preferably about 55 degrees, still more preferably 54 degrees and 74 primes, as shown in Figure 7.

[0073] The particular angular combination indicated, together with the conformation of the manifold element 12 described briefly, allows to define inside the framing 2 the optimal position of the flange 11 so as to accomplish the three distinct orientations of the outlet port 12b.

[0074] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the flange 11 is connected to the framing 2, in particular to the lower base 23, by interposing a first plate with vertical development 13, shown in Figure 3.

[0075] Said first plate 13 has a plane surface and, similarly to the plane π on which the flange 11 lies, also the plane on which this first plate 13 lies is inclined with respect to the first horizontal direction X and with respect to the second horizontal direction Z by an angle comprised between 40 and 50 degrees, preferably by an angle of about 45 degrees.

[0076] As regards the manifold element 12, shown in Figure 4, it is essentially a cylindrical tubular through duct sectioned by a cross section plane ε on which the inlet port 12a is defined.

[0077] This cross section plane ε and the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies define a second dihedral angle β comprised between 50 and 60 degrees, preferably about 55 degrees, even more preferably 54 degrees and 74 primes, as visible in Figure 7.

[0078] Preferably, the aforesaid first dihedral angle α and the second dihedral angle β have the same value.

[0079] Preferably, the manifold element 12 has a length according to its longitudinal axis such that, regardless of the orientation of the outlet port 12b, it will remain contained within the volume defined by the support framing 2, that is the volume delimited by the front face 21, by the rear face 22, by the lower base 23, by the upper part 24 and preferably by the lateral faces 25. Advantageously, this feature limits the space occupied by the outlet group and therefore by the combustion appliance of the invention, facilitating the installation operations of the latter.

[0080] Operatively, the manifold element 12 is orientable with respect to the flange 11 according to the aforesaid three positions by rotation of the counter-flange 121, and therefore of the entire manifold element 12, around an axis of rotation R substantially orthogonal to the plane π on which the flange 11 lies and preferably passing through the centre of symmetry of the smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0081] The counter-flange 121 is configured to be rotated around the rotation axis R by an angle of about 120 degrees so as to orient the outlet port 12b of the manifold element 12 from one of the three orientations to another one of said three orientations, or vice versa.

[0082] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the flange 11 and the counter-flange 121 comprise connection means to allow the fixing of the counter-flange 121, and therefore of the manifold element 12, to the flange 11. In particular, three holes 11c are defined on the flange 11, each of which is coaxial with a corresponding hole 121a defined on the counter-flange 121 when the latter is arranged according to one of the three mutual positions described above.

[0083] Such holes 11c and 121a are preferably threaded holes.

[0084] In particular, the presence of said holes allows to facilitate the operations for fixing the counter-flange 121 to the flange 11 to achieve the aforesaid mutual positions.

[0085] In fact, the holes 11c belonging to the aforesaid flange 11 are defined along a circumference with a centre corresponding to the axis R and spaced from each other by angles of 120 degrees.

[0086] Likewise, the holes 121a belonging to the counter-flange 121 are defined along a circumference with a centre corresponding to the axis R and spaced from each other by angles of 120 degrees.

[0087] The radius of the circumference defined by the holes 11c and the radius of the circumference defined by the holes 121a have the same value.

[0088] In this way, advantageously, the installer, in order to achieve each of the aforesaid mutual positions, will simply have to rotate the counter-flange 121 around the axis R until the holes 121a defined therein are coaxial with the holes 11c defined on the flange 11 and subsequently fix the counter-flange 121 to the flange 11 by means of fixing means, such as for example screws. The installation operations of the appliance 1 are thus advantageously speeded up and facilitated.

[0089] According to the first embodiment of the invention, the outlet group 10 is associated with the support framing 2 by means of sliding means 14 which allow the mutual displacement according to a displacement direction corresponding to the second horizontal direction Z, from a coupling position, in which the outlet group 10, in particular the flange 11, is coupled to the outlet mouth 82b, which can be observed in Figure 1, to a decoupling position in which the flange 11 is decoupled from the outlet mouth 82b, which can be observed in Figure 2.

[0090] This decoupling position is the position suitable for carrying out the maintenance on the combustion appliance 1 since it allows the user/ maintenance technician to access the rear of the latter.

[0091] In other words, this position allows to extract the combustion appliance 1 from the niche where it is installed.

[0092] Preferably, the sliding means 14 comprise a pair of guide shoes 141 which are usually parallel to each other and coplanar, associated on two opposed flanks of the framing 2, each of which is slidably coupled to a slit 142 in turn coupled to the rear face 22 and/or to the outlet group 10.

[0093] It should be noted that, in different embodiments of the invention, these sliding means can also be made according to configurations other than those described.

[0094] Furthermore, it is not excluded that in different embodiments of the invention such sliding means are not present and the combustion appliance is therefore fixed.

[0095] According to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 13 and 14, the combustion appliance 1 comprises a tubular sleeve 15, shown in Figure 15, coupled to the smoke outlet mouth 82b, configured to define the tight coupling between the outlet mouth 82b and the second surface 11b of the flange 11 at the aforesaid coupling position. This allows the passage of the smokes from the outlet mouth 82b to the inlet port 12a of the manifold element 12 and therefore to the external pipes.

[0096] According to said variant of the invention, the tubular sleeve 15 has a first open end 15a adapted to be coupled to the smoke outlet mouth 82b and a second open end 15b, opposite to the first open end 15a, adapted to be associated with the second surface 11b of the flange 11 so as to exert the tightness on said surface 11b.

[0097] Preferably, a laminar support element 16 arranged parallel to the plane defined by the flange 11 is interposed between the first open end 15a of the tubular sleeve 15 and the smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0098] It is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention, the tubular sleeve 15 is coupled to the second surface 11b of the flange 11 and exerts its tightness on the smoke outlet mouth 82b or on the laminar support element 16, if present.

[0099] Still, it is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the tubular sleeve 15 is coupled to the outlet mouth of the heated fluid 81b or to the inlet mouth of the combustion air and exerts its tightness on said fluid outlet mouth or on the inlet mouth of the combustion air.

[0100] Said configuration allows respectively to guarantee the tightness and the passage of the heated fluid to the external pipes or the combustion air to the combustion chamber 4.

[0101] Returning to the variant of the invention shown in Figures 13 and 14, the laminar support element 16 is connected to the framing 2, in particular to the lower base 23, by interposing a second plate with vertical development. Advantageously, the tubular sleeve 15 is adapted to create a depression area in its inside which allows to guarantee the tightness between the flange 11 and the outlet mouth 82b when they are in the coupling position.

[0102] In particular, the presence of this tubular sleeve 15 allows to overcome the drawbacks relating to the built-in combustion appliances of the known type.

[0103] In fact, the tubular sleeve 15 is preferably made of plastic material resistant to high temperatures and is not subject to wear and tear due to the repeated movements for moving away and approaching the framing 2.

[0104] Furthermore, the particular configuration of the tubular sleeve 15 allows to easily accomplish the mutual away-movement between the outlet group 10 and the smoke outlet mouth 82b.

[0105] In fact, operatively, it is sufficient to exert on the combustion appliance 1 a traction force higher than the force that the sleeve exerts on the second surface 11b of the flange 11 for the tightness between the two to be waived and the aforesaid away-movement to be accomplished.

[0106] It is not excluded that, according to different embodiments of the invention, such a tubular sleeve is not present.

[0107] Incidentally, it is important to highlight that the solution of the tubular sleeve 15 just proposed could be claimed per se without the need for this solution to be implemented in a combustion appliance 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention or according to the alternative embodiments that will be described later.

[0108] In fact, the tubular sleeve 15 for combustion appliances allows per se to obtain the advantages just described.

[0109] A second embodiment of the combustion appliance 1 also forms part of the present invention, which comprises all the characteristics indicated for the first embodiment of the invention, except for the fact that the manifold element 12 is shaped in such a way that it can be fixed to the flange 11 according to two mutual positions so that its outlet port 12b is arranged according to at least two distinct orientations.

[0110] According to the second embodiment of the invention, each of these two orientations that are distinct between them provides that the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies can assume two of the following three orientations:

• a first orientation, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially horizontal;
• a second orientation, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially vertical and parallel to the first horizontal direction X;
• a third orientation, in which the plane δ on which the outlet port 12b lies is substantially vertical and parallel to the second horizontal direction Z.

[0111] It is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the manifold element 12 is shaped in such a way that it can be fixed to the flange 11 according to more than three mutual positions so that its outlet port 12b is arranged according to more than three distinct orientations.

[0112] A third embodiment of the present invention also forms part of the present invention, which comprises all the characteristics indicated for the first embodiment of the invention, including the variants, except for the fact that the outlet group 10, contained in the support framing 2, is associated with the outlet mouth of the heated fluid 81b.

[0113] In this third embodiment of the invention, the outlet group 10 is configured to allow the passage of the heated fluid, preferably air or water, to the rooms to be heated, through one or more external pipes for conveying the heated fluid. In particular, the flange 11 of the outlet group 10 of said third embodiment of the invention is coupled to the outlet mouth of the heated fluid 81b.

[0114] Preferably, the second surface 11b of the flange 11 is coupled to the outlet mouth of the heated fluid 81b.

[0115] As regards the manifold element 12 of the outlet group 10 of the third embodiment of the invention, it is provided with an outlet port 12b configured to be associated with an external pipe for conveying the heated fluid.

[0116] It is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the appliance 1 of the invention may comprise two outlet groups 10, one of which associated with the smoke outlet mouth 82b and the other one associated with the outlet mouth of the fluid to be heated 81b.

[0117] A fourth embodiment of the present invention also forms part of the present invention, which comprises all the characteristics indicated for the first embodiment of the invention, including the variants, except for the fact that the outlet group 10, contained in the support framing 2, is associated with the inlet mouth of the combustion air.

[0118] According to the aforesaid fourth embodiment of the invention, the outlet group 10 is configured to allow the passage of the combustion air from the external pipes to the inlet mouth of the combustion air of the combustion appliance.

[0119] In particular, the flange 11 of the outlet group 10, preferably the second surface 11b of the flange 11, is coupled to the inlet mouth of the combustion air.

[0120] As regards the manifold element 12 of the outlet group 10 of the fourth embodiment of the invention, it is provided with an outlet port 12b configured to be associated with an air intake of an external pipe for the suction of the combustion air.

[0121] It is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the appliance 1 of the invention may comprise two outlet groups 10, one of which associated with the inlet mouth of the combustion air and the other one associated with the smoke outlet mouth 82b or with the outlet mouth of the fluid to be heated 81b.

[0122] Still, it is not excluded that, according to alternative embodiments of the invention, the combustion appliance 1 comprises a plurality of outlet groups 10 each of which being associated respectively with the inlet mouth of the combustion air or the smoke outlet mouth 82b or again to the outlet mouth of the fluid to be heated 81b.

[0123] On the basis of what has been said, therefore, the combustion appliance of the invention achieves all the intended purposes.

[0124] In particular, thanks to the particular angular combination of the outlet group of the invention and the shape of the manifold element, the combustion appliance can be adapted during the installation phase so as to be connected to the external smoke discharge pipe or to the external pipe for conveying the heated fluid or still to the external pipe for the suction of combustion air.

[0125] Furthermore, the production of the combustion appliance of the present invention is facilitated, which can be carried out without knowing in advance the location of the external pipes of the rooms where this appliance will be installed.

[0126] Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the tubular sleeve, the combustion appliance allows for easy installation, maintenance and cleaning.

Claims

1. A combustion appliance (1) for solid fuels, comprising a support framing (2) in which are contained:

- a combustion chamber (4);

- means for conveying combustion air from the outside to said combustion chamber (4), said conveying means comprising an inlet mouth of said combustion air;

- a heat exchange group (8) comprising a duct of the fluid to be heated (81) and a combustion smoke duct (82), said ducts (81, 82) being separate from each other and thermally cooperating; each of said ducts (81, 82) having an outlet mouth (81b, 82b);

said support framing (2) defining a shape provided with a front face (21), a rear face (22) opposite to said front face (21), a lower base (23) and an upper part (24) opposite to said lower base (23); said lower base (23) being adapted to be arranged parallel to the horizontal plane on which a first horizontal direction (X) parallel to said front face (21) and a second horizontal direction (Z) orthogonal to said front face (21) are defined;
characterized in that it comprises at least one outlet group (10) associated with at least one of said outlet mouths (81b, 82b) or with said inlet mouth of said combustion air, said outlet group (10) comprising:

- a flange (11) coupled to said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or to said inlet mouth of said combustion air;

- a manifold element (12) with a tubular through shape having an inlet port (12a) provided with a counter-flange (121) adapted to be removably fixed to a first surface (11a) of said flange (11) and an outlet port (12b), opposite to said inlet port (12a), adapted to be associated with an external pipe; said manifold element (12) being shaped in such a way that it can be fixed to said flange (11) according to at least two mutual positions so that said outlet port (12b) is arranged according to at least two distinct orientations.

2. The combustion appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of said two orientations that are distinct between them correspond to two of the following three distinct orientations:

- a first orientation, in which the plane (δ) on which said outlet port (12b) lies is substantially horizontal;

- a second orientation, in which the plane (δ) on which said outlet port (12b) lies is substantially vertical and parallel to said first horizontal direction (X);

- a third orientation, in which the plane (5) on which said outlet port (12b) lies is substantially vertical and parallel to said second horizontal direction (Z).

3. The combustion appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said manifold element (12) is shaped to assume at least three mutual positions with respect to said flange (11) so that said outlet port (12b) is arranged according to at least said three distinct orientations.

4. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first surface (11a) of said flange (11) is partially turned towards said rear face (22), the plane (π) on which said flange (11) lies and said horizontal plane defining a straight line of incidence (I) inclined with respect to said first horizontal direction (X) and with respect to said second horizontal direction (Z) by an angle (γ) comprised between 40 and 50 degrees, preferably by an angle (γ) of about 45 degrees.

5. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plane (π) on which said flange (11) lies and said horizontal plane define a first dihedral angle (α) comprised between 50 and 60 degrees, preferably about 55 degrees, even more preferably 54 degrees and 74 primes, said first surface (11a) of said flange (11) being turned towards said upper part (24) of said support framing (2).

6. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said manifold element (12) is a cylinder sectioned by a cross section plane (ε), said cross section plane (ε) and the plane (5) on which said outlet port (12b) lies, defining a second dihedral angle (β) comprised between 50 and 60 degrees, preferably about 55 degrees.

7. The combustion appliance (1) according to the combination of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said first dihedral angle (α) and said second dihedral angle (β) have the same value.

8. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said manifold element (12) is orientable with respect to said flange (11) according to said at least two positions by rotation of said counter-flange (121) around an axis of rotation (R) substantially orthogonal to the plane (π) on which said flange (11) lies, said axis of rotation (R) preferably passing through the centre of symmetry of said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or of said inlet mouth of said combustion air.

9. The combustion appliance (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said counter-flange (121) is configured to be rotated around said rotation axis (R) by an angle of about 120 degrees so as to orient said outlet port (12b) of said manifold element (12) from one of said at least two orientations to another of said at least two orientations, or vice versa.

10. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flange (11) and said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or said flange (11) and said inlet mouth of said combustion air are configured to pass mutually from a coupling position to a decoupling position according to a displacement direction corresponding to said second horizontal direction (Z); said combustion appliance (1) comprising a tubular sleeve (15) coupled to said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or to said inlet mouth of said combustion air, said tubular sleeve (15) being configured to define the tight coupling between said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or said inlet mouth of said combustion air and the second surface (11b) of said flange (11), opposite to said first surface (11 a) of said flange (11), at said coupling position.

11. The combustion appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said flange (11) and said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or said flange (11) and said inlet mouth of said combustion air are configured to pass mutually from a coupling position to a decoupling position according to a displacement direction corresponding to said second horizontal direction (Z), said combustion appliance (1) comprising a tubular sleeve (15) coupled to said second surface (11b) of said flange (11) and configured to define the tight coupling between said flange (11) and said outlet mouth (81b, 82b) or between said flange (11) and said inlet mouth of said combustion air in said coupling position.

Drawing