Baffle system for burn chamber of stove and method of installing and using same

Abstract

There is provided a solid fuel stove having a burn chamber including at least one side wall and a firebox. The firebox is located a distance from the side wall. The firebox generates ash while burning solid fuel. At least one baffle contacts the firebox and the side wall. An amount of ash which escapes from the firebox is directed back to the firebox and the heat generated by the firebox will be readily concentrated because of the baffle.

1 . A solid fuel stove comprising:
 a burn chamber; said burn chamber including at least a first side wall;   a firebox; said firebox received in said burn chamber and located a distance from said first side wall; said firebox generating ash while burning solid fuel; and   at least a first baffle; said first baffle contacting said firebox and said first side wall.   
   
   
       2 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 1  wherein (a) an amount of ash which escapes from said firebox will be directed back to said firebox, and (b) heat generated by said firebox will be concentrated. 
   
   
       3 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said first baffle has a wall engaging portion, a major portion and a minor portion; a first bend forming a transition between said wall engaging portion and said major portion; a second bend forming a transition between said major portion and said minor portion; said minor portion juxtaposed to said firebox. 
   
   
       4 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said first baffle has a firebox engaging portion and a third bend; said third bend forming a transition between said minor potion and said firebox engaging portion. 
   
   
       5 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said first baffle is removably received in said burn chamber. 
   
   
       6 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 1  further including a second baffle; said burn chamber having a second wall; said second baffle contacting said second wall and said firebox. 
   
   
       7 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 6  further including a third baffle; said third baffle contacting said firebox. 
   
   
       8 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said third baffle contacts said first and second baffles. 
   
   
       9 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 1  further including a heat exchange apparatus located above said firebox; said first baffle directing heat towards said heat exchange apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said first and second baffles are formed from sheet metal. 
   
   
       11 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said first and second baffles are substantially symmetrical to one another. 
   
   
       12 . A solid fuel stove as set forth in  claim 11  wherein said first baffle is located across from said second baffle. 
   
   
       13 . A baffle for use in a burn chamber of a solid fuel stove which has a firebox in a burn chamber comprising:
 an element formed from sheet metal; said element including a major portion and a wall engaging portion;   a first bend forming a transition between said major portion and said wall engaging portion; said wall engaging portion adapted to contact a wall in the burn chamber; and   said element further including a firebox engaging portion; said firebox engaging portion adapted to contact said firebox.   
   
   
       14 . A baffle as set forth in  claim 13  further including a minor portion; a second bend; said second bend forming a transition between said major portion and said minor portion. 
   
   
       15 . A baffle as set forth in  claim 14  further including a third bend; said third bend forming a transition between said minor portion and said firebox engaging portion. 
   
   
       16 . A baffle for use in a burn chamber of a solid fuel stove which has a firebox in the burn chamber comprising:
 an element formed from sheet metal; said element having a major portion; one end of said major portion adapted to be juxtaposed to a wall in the burn chamber;   said element including a firebox engaging portion; said firebox engaging portion adapted to contact the firebox; and   a bend in said sheet metal located between said major portion and said firebox engaging portion.   
   
   
       17 . A baffle as set forth in  claim 16  further including a minor portion; said bend forming a transition between said major portion and said minor portion. 
   
   
       18 . A baffle as set forth in  claim 17  further including an additional bend; said additional bend forming a transition between said minor portion and said firebox engaging portion. 
   
   
       19 . A baffle as set forth in  claim 18  further including a wall engaging portion; a further additional bend; said further additional bend forming a transition between said wall engaging portion and said major portion. 
   
   
       20 . A method for burning solid fuel in a stove comprising:
 providing a solid fuel stove having a burn chamber and a firebox with the firebox located a distance from one of the walls of the burn chamber;   providing at least one baffle;   locating the baffle between the one wall of the burn chamber and the firebox;   burning solid fuel in the firebox, thereby generating ash; and   directing an amount of the ash back to the firebox and concentrating heat generated by the firebox.   
   
   
       21 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said stove has a heat exchange apparatus located above the firebox; directing heat from the firebox toward the heat exchange apparatus. 
   
   
       22 . A method as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said firebox is located a distance from a second side wall of the burn chamber; providing a second baffle; locating the second baffle between the second side wall and the firebox. 
   
   
       23 . A method as set forth in  claim 22  wherein the firebox is located a distance from a third side wall of the burn chamber; providing a third baffle; locating the third baffle between the firebox and the third wall. 
   
   
       24 . A method as set forth in  claim 23  wherein each of said first and second baffles have a notch; fitting portions of the third baffle within each notch of the first and second baffles.