Refractory panel for a fireplace
View Patent ↗A refractory panel for a fireplace comprising interconnected sub-panels forming a textured surface. Adjacent ones of the sub-panels are partially separated from each other by gaps located between edges of the adjacent subpanels.
1. A refractory panel for a fireplace, comprising:
interconnected sub-panels forming a textured surface, wherein adjacent ones of each of the sub-panels are partially separated from each other by gaps located between edges of each of the adjacent subpanels and located within an outer perimeter of the planar or arched-shaped refractory panel, wherein the gaps allow the passage of visible light through the planar or arched-shaped refractory panel.
2. The panel of claim 1 wherein the textured surface is a three-dimensional textured surface.
3. The panel of claim 1 , wherein portions of the subpanels are bowed out in a direction perpendicular to an average plane of the refractory panel such that the bowed-out portions of adjacent ones of the subpanels are bowed out in opposite directions.
4. The panel of claim 3 , wherein the bowed-out portions of adjacent ones of the subpanels form alternating concave and convex shaped surfaces with respect to a viewing location outside of the fireplace.
5. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the textured surface is arched with respect to a viewing location outside of the fireplace.
6. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the subpanels are interconnected through a base structure.
7. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the subpanels are part of a single continuous sheet of refractory material.
8. The panel of claim 1 , wherein opposing edges of adjacent ones of the subpanels are subpanels hingedly connected.
9. The panel of claim 1 , wherein the refractory panel is part of a refractory assembly that further includes one or both of a light reflecting panel located behind the refractory panel and illumination source located behind the refractory panel and in some cases between the refractory panel and light reflecting panel.
10. A fireplace, comprising:
walls defining an enclosed space and at least one opening; and
a refractory assembly located inside of the enclosed space and including a refractory panel, the refractory panel positioned such that a textured surface of the refractory panel can be viewed through the opening from outside of the fireplace, the refractory panel including:
interconnected sub-panels forming the textured surface, wherein adjacent ones of each of the sub-panels are partially separated from each other by gaps located between edges of each of the adjacent subpanels and located within an outer perimeter of the planar or arched-shaped refractory panel, wherein the gaps allow the passage of visible light through the planar or arched-shaped refractory panel.
11. The fireplace of claim 10 , wherein the refractory panel is adjacent to one of the walls that is a rear wall.
12. The fireplace of claim 10 , wherein the refractory assembly further includes an illumination source located behind the refractory panel.
13. The fireplace of claim 12 , wherein the illumination source includes a low-BTU illumination burner.
14. The fireplace of claim 10 , wherein the refractory assembly further includes a light reflecting panel positioned behind the refractory panel.
15. The fireplace of claim 14 , wherein a surface of the refractory panel that opposes the light reflecting panel includes a diffuse reflective finish or a translucent finish.
16. The fireplace of claim 10 , further includes an illumination source located in front of the refractory panel.