Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided comprising a fire bowl having an internal chamber, a grill located within the internal chamber and at least one shelf pivotally mounted to the fire bowl. The shelf is movable between a stowage position within the fire bowl to a usage position located externally of the fire bowl.

Abstract: A gas catalytic heater having an improved temperature distribution is disclosed which includes a body having an open end in which is disposed a porous catalytically active layer containing a catalyst such as platinum metal. A sealed plenum chamber is disposed below the catalytically active layer and has a gas-permeable wall portion facing toward the active layer and a gas inlet orifice for introducing a fuel gas into the chamber. The gas-permeable wall portion may comprise a perforated metal plate having a plurality of tiny apertures the total open area of which is significantly less than that provided by perforated plates used in catalytic heaters of the prior art.

Abstract: A pot burner, which in an undefined sloping position with rocking movements functions well, particularly in vehicles and vessels, because the vaporing surface of the fuel is defined and because the vapored fuel is well mixed with air in a first cage, which is enclosed by a second cage.

Abstract: Method for controlling the temperature of a thermally sensitive body (10) exposed to visible and near-visible radiant energy (14) through the use and control of an electric field imposed on a liquid-crystal based material (20) capable of having a cholesteric-nematic phase transition with pleochroic dyes (32) mixed within the liquid-crystal based material (20).

Abstract: A burner for the formation and combustion of an ignitable mixture of liquid uel and combustion air, which includes a closed combustion chamber for the infeed of the fuel with porous walls permeable to the fuel. The combustion chamber is arranged within a flow chamber which is streamed through by preheated combustion air flowing towards the combustion zone.

Abstract: The lighter has a cover which, in its closed position, moves an actuating lever for the gas valve to a retracted position in which the lever cannot be actuated to open the valve. When the cover is open, the lever is moved to an operating position in which the user can operate the lever to open the valve and ignite the gas then flowing through the valve.

Abstract: A ready-to-assemble kit for a solar air heater is provided including a heating chamber composed of a set of side-by-side elongated, hollow, straight ducts having openings at opposite ends thereof; wherein a manifold is placed at each end of the set, wherein each manifold is composed of an open-topped compartment and overlying lid, wherein the open-topped compartment includes a protruding lip adjacent the top, wherein the lip and overlying lid define an opening therebetween through which the set of ducts horizontally extend into the manifold. In the assembled kit, the heater and manifolds are disposed below a framed-in glazing which transmits solar energy to the heater.

Abstract: In a catalytic type propane gas or organic gas detector there is provided a heater for the catalyst of the heat pipe type. One end of the heat pipe is in the flame of the standing pilot and the other end is in contact with the catalyst so that the waste heat from the pilot flame is used to maintain the catalyst at an elevated temperature.