Grate assembly

Abstract

A grate assembly for guiding air into a pile of combustible wood pellets for combustion thereof. The grate assembly includes a structural subassembly having at least two sets of elongate members, a first one of the two sets forming a lower layer for at least partially supporting a second one of the two sets forming an upper layer. The grate assembly also includes a support element attached to the structural subassembly. Each member includes a body at least partially defining one or more channels and a number of holes in fluid communication with the channel(s) to guide air into the pile of the wood pellets. The support element includes a base portion with a plurality of apertures, for ignition of the pellets therethrough

1 . A grate assembly for guiding air into a pile of combustible wood pellets for combustion thereof, the grate assembly comprising:
 a structural subassembly comprising at least two sets of elongate members, a first one of said at least two sets forming a lower layer for at least partially supporting a second one of said at least two sets forming an upper layer;   each said member comprising a body at least partially defining at least one channel and comprising a plurality of holes in fluid communication with said at least one channel to guide said air from said at least one channel into the pile of the wood pellets;   the members being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined arrangement to distribute said air into the pile of the wood pellets;   at least one support element attached to the structural subassembly; and   said at least one support element comprising a base portion with a plurality of apertures, for ignition of the pellets therethrough.   
     
     
         2 . A grate assembly according to  claim 1  in which said at least one channel of each said elongate member extends along the body thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A grate assembly according to  claim 1  in which the elongate members in each said set are positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . A grate assembly according to  claim 1  in which the body of each said member comprises at least two planar segments connected to define an apex thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A grate assembly according to  claim 4  in which each said member is positioned with the apex thereof oriented substantially upwardly. 
     
     
         6 . A grate assembly according to  claim 4  in which each said set is affixed to at least one other said set at least one contact point. 
     
     
         7 . A grate assembly according to  claim 6  in which each said set is affixed to the other said adjacent set by welding. 
     
     
         8 . A grate assembly according to  claim 1  in which the grate assembly is integrally formed. 
     
     
         9 . A grate assembly for guiding air into a pile of combustible wood pellets for combustion thereof, the grate assembly comprising:
 a structural subassembly comprising at least two sets of elongate members, a first one of said at least two sets forming a lower layer for at least partially supporting a second one of said at least two sets forming an upper layer;   each said member comprising a body at least partially defining at least one channel and a plurality of holes in fluid communication with said at least one channel to guide said air from said at least one channel into the pile of the wood pellets;   the members being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined arrangement to distribute said air into the pile of the wood pellets; and   at least one support element attached to the structural subassembly, for at least partially retaining at least a portion of the pile of combustible wood pellets on the structural subassembly.   
     
     
         10 . A grate assembly according to  claim 9  in which said at least one support element comprises a base with a plurality of apertures, for ignition of the pellets therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . A grate assembly according to  claim 9  in which said at least one channel of each said member extends along the body thereof. 
     
     
         12 . A grate assembly according to  claim 9  in which the elongate members in each said set are positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         13 . A grate assembly according to  claim 9  in which the body of each said member comprises at least two planar segments connected to define an apex thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A grate assembly according to  claim 13  in which each said member is positioned with the apex thereof oriented substantially upwardly. 
     
     
         15 . A grate assembly according to  claim 13  in which each said set is affixed to the other adjacent set by welding. 
     
     
         16 . A grate assembly adapted to be positioned in a firebox at least partially defined by a rear wall and a front wall having an opening, for guiding air into a pile of combustible wood pellets for combustion thereof, the grate assembly comprising:
 a structural subassembly comprising at least two sets of elongate members, a first one of said at least two sets forming a lower layer for at least partially supporting a second one of said at least two sets forming an upper layer;   each said member comprising a body at least partially defining at least one channel and a plurality of holes in fluid communication with said at least one channel to guide said air from said at least one channel into the pile of the wood pellets;   the members being spaced apart from each other in a predetermined arrangement to distribute said air into the pile of the wood pellets;   at least one support element attached to the structural subassembly, said at least one support element comprising a base with a plurality of apertures, for ignition of the pellets therethrough; and   the structural subassembly being positionable in the firebox such that said at least one support element is accessible via the opening in the front wall.   
     
     
         17 . A grate assembly according to  claim 16  in which said at least one support element at least partially retains at least a portion of the pile of combustible wood pellets on the structural subassembly. 
     
     
         18 . A stove with a firebox for combustion of combustible fuel therein comprising the grate assembly according to  claim 1  positioned in the firebox.