Fireplace heat exchanger

Claim 1

In combination, a fireplace grate including an elevated grate member defining front and rear marginal portions as well as opposite side marginal portions, an elongated tubular heat exchanger element including a roughened exterior simulating a log and supported, in overlying relation, on said grate member with said elements spaced generally equally intermediate the front and rear marginal portions of said grate member and its opposite ends projecting endwise outwardly beyond said opposite side marginal portions of said grate member, means for closing the opposite terminal ends of said heat exchanger element and the end portions of said heat exchanger element projecting outwardly from said opposite side marginal portions of said grate member including integral downwardly inclined tubular inlet and outlet neck portions opening inwardly into the interior of said heat exchanger element, intake and discharge ducts each including inlet and outlet ends, the outlet and inlet ends of said intake and discharge ducts being coupled to the outer ends of said inlet and outlet neck portions, respectively, and means operatively associated with one of said ducts for effecting a forced flow of air inwardly through said inlet duct, through said heat exchanger element and outward through said discharge duct.