Device for transferring heat energy from a fireplace to a fluid heating system

Claim 1

In a circulating-air building temperature control system including means defining a pumped air circulation conduit for distributing controlled temperature air throughout the building and collecting return air, plus air heating means and cooling means for temperture control of the building positioned within said air circulation conduit, the improvement comprising: an auxiliary heating unit positioned within said air circulation conduit, comprising a fireplace for burning solid fuel, defined by fireplace chamber walls and grate means for holding the fuel, said air circulation conduit being positioned about the exterior of said fireplace chamber walls, said fluid circulation conduit being sealed from said fireplace chamber; chimney means communicating with said fireplace chamber, said chimney means being positioned in off-center relationship to said fireplace chamber; and a heat-conductive wall sealing the upper end of said fireplace chamber about the chimney, said conductive wall being positioned to slope upwardly from the end of the fireplace chamber remote from said chimney means to said chimney means, said sloped wall overlying a major portion of said fireplace chamber; solid, transparent, openable and closable door means to separate, in closed position, said fireplace chamber from the building interior, whereby a fire in said fireplace chamber may be viewed without the removal of large amounts of air from the building interior through the chimney means; and independent air supply means to provide air from the building exterior to the fireplace chamber, to facilitate combustion therein.