Dome-Shaped Fire Grate Structure for Airflow and Load Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fire grates for large portable firepits face issues such as bowing, sagging, oxidation, deformation, inadequate airflow, and structural failure due to repeated temperature cycles, leading to poor combustion, excessive smoke, and safety risks, while being heavy, costly, and less portable.
Innovation Solution
A dome-shaped fire grate with radial stiffening ribs, circumferential stiffening rings, and ventilation holes, designed to be stamped from metallic material, providing structural support and airflow for heavy fuel loads across a wide temperature range, while being lightweight and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional fire grates are made heavily built to support heavy logs, then structural strength is improved, but weight increases and portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fire grate employs a dome-shaped configuration where the curved surface inherently resists deformation under load. The dome geometry distributes mechanical stresses more effectively than flat surfaces, providing high structural strength while using minimal material, thus achieving strength without excessive weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire grate is divided into multiple functional elements including radial stiffening ribs, circumferential stiffening rings, and ventilation holes. This segmentation allows each component to perform specific functions (structural support, stiffness enhancement, airflow) efficiently, reducing overall material requirements while maintaining strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional fire grates are made heavily built to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped fire grate can be manufactured as a single stamped piece from sheet metal. The curved dome configuration is achieved through a single stamping operation, which is simpler and more cost-effective than assembling multiple flat components or performing complex welding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple structural functions are merged into a single integrated component. The radial ribs, circumferential rings, and ventilation holes are all formed as part of the same stamped piece, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations for each element.
3Device complexity
If conventional fire grates have insufficient airflow, then structural simplicity is maintained, but combustion performance deteriorates and smoke generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire grate incorporates numerous ventilation holes distributed across its surface, creating a porous structure that allows air to pass through. This porous design ensures adequate oxygen supply for complete combustion of fuel, reducing smoke generation while maintaining structural simplicity through the stamped construction method.
4Ease of operation
If conventional fire grates are exposed to repeated temperature cycles, then service life is limited due to oxidation and deformation, but operational utility is maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped configuration with its curved surface is inherently more resistant to thermal deformation and stress concentration during temperature cycling. The smooth curvature distributes thermal stresses uniformly, reducing the risk of cracking and deformation that would otherwise limit service life under repeated heating and cooling cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The fire grate effectively resists deformation, ensures thorough combustion with reduced smoke, and maintains structural integrity under heavy loads and temperature fluctuations, offering improved performance and safety with enhanced portability and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a dome-shaped fire grate (100) including: a center; a perimeter surrounding and spaced from the center, the center being higher than the perimeter; a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending away from the perimeter and toward the center; at least one circumferential stiffening ring extending at least partially about the center
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of ventilation holes between the center and the perimeter
Implementation Method 3
Large fire grates are also subject to oxidation, and to other deformation that may limit their service life and may, in some circumstances, cause dangerous structural failure
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a stove that includes a dome-shaped fire grate comprising a center, a perimeter surrounding and spaced from the center, the center being higher than the perimeter; a plurality of radial stiffening ribs extending away from the perimeter and toward the center; at least one circumferential stiffening ring extending at least partially about the center; and a plurality of ventilation holes between the center and the perimeter.