Abstract: Disclosed is a furnace adapted for burning solid materials, including biomass fuels. The furnace comprises an igniter having a heating element carried by a ceramic core and disposed within a ceramic cover tube for directing air at fuel disposed within the furnace for the purpose of igniting the fuel. Also disclosed is an igniter having a heating element carried by a ceramic core and disposed within a ceramic cover tube for directing air at fuel disposed within the furnace for the purpose of igniting the fuel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a furnace adapted for burning solid materials, including biomass fuels. The furnace comprises an igniter having a heating element carried by a ceramic core and disposed within a ceramic cover tube for directing air at fuel disposed within the furnace for the purpose of igniting the fuel. Also disclosed is an igniter having a heating element carried by a ceramic core and disposed within a ceramic cover tube for directing air at fuel disposed within the furnace for the purpose of igniting the fuel.

Abstract: A tubular heater that is manually bendable to fit into a channel comprises a heating element positioned in an insulative material such as magnesium oxide and encased in a continuous inner nickel tubular sheathing. An outer sheathing, in a preferred embodiment, comprises a coil of copper with a nickel coating swaged such that the cross-section of a strand of the coil is generally rectangular. The invention also includes the method of manufacturing and method of use of the tubular heater. Alternate embodiments include an outer tubular sheath that has a multiplicity of slits extending in a circumferential direction through the outer sheathing and the outer sheathing swaged directly on the inner sheathing. A further embodiment includes the outer tubular sheathing formed from a multiplicity of individual rings, the outer sheath could be swaged directly on the inner sheath.

Abstract: An injection molding system with an electric heater has a reusable high temperature electrical connection assembly that provides a very secure small diameter high current inline coupling. The system is comprised of a mold, a heater, connecting wire to a power source and a connector assembly. The heaters and the mold are conventional and well known in the art. The connector assembly, in a preferred embodiment, has a male portion and a female portion. Each is permanently connectable to two wire ends to be removably connected. The male connector portion has a metallic tubular portion with a first end open for insertion and attachment by crimping or brazing of one wire end, and a second end having exterior threads for joining to the female portion. The second end also has a conductive pin integral with the metallic tubing and extending axially outward therefrom.

Abstract: A low profile heater for plastic injection molding equipment nozzles utilizes forces provided to the axially ends of a tube portion to radially compress the tube portion onto a coiled heater element thereby compressing the heater element radially inward for optimal heat conduction between said heater element and the nozzle onto which the heater is attached. Further embodiments uses a base sleeve onto which the coiled heater element is placed to engage the nozzle. The base sleeve may utilize a tapered threaded portion with slits in the sleeve to allow tightening of a ring portion to radially compress the sleeve base onto the nozzle.