Abstract: A control system for regulating a flow rate of a heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer system, the heat transfer system having a heat transfer fluid flow path, flow control device for creating flow along the path, a fuel source for providing a combustible fuel to the path, an air source for providing combustion air to the path, and an assembly for combusting the fuel and air, the control system comprising a sensor for sensing a measured flow value at the air source, a controller for storing an optimum flow value at the air source and for storing a range of operating control values for the flow control device, the operating control values corresponding to the optimum flow value, a system for calculating a deviation between the measured flow value and the optimum flow value, and a system for varying the operation of the flow control means in accordance with the deviation.

Abstract: A fuel burning system comprises a burner in communication with a burner supply pipe having an automatic two-stage regulator valve for controlling the pressure of fuel gas delivered to the burner. The burner supply pipe is normally fed by a primary supply pipe delivering collected digester or landfill gas through an automatic three-way valve, however a secondary supply pipe carrying natural gas may be selected by the three-way valve for communication with the burner supply pipe. The regulator valve and three-way valve are electrically connected to a standard ignition module by a pressure-sensitive switch to detect the presence of digester or landfill gas in the primary supply pipe. When sufficient gas pressure exists in the primary supply pipe, the three-way valve is operated to permit delivery of the digester or landfill gas to the burner supply pipe and the regulator valve is held in its high stage setting for burning this primary fuel.

Abstract: A viscous fluid type heat generator including a housing assembly defining a heat generating chamber and an additional chamber communicated through fluid passageway means with the heat generating chamber, these chambers forming a fluid-tight chamber for accommodating a viscous fluid, and a heat receiving chamber for permitting a heat exchanging fluid to circulate therethrough to receive heat from the heat generating chamber. A rotor element is mounted on a drive shaft for rotation together therewith in the heat generating chamber with a gap defined between the inner wall surfaces of the heat generating chamber and the outer faces of the rotor element. The fluid passageway means includes a fluid withdrawing passageway for withdrawing the viscous fluid from the gap into the additional chamber and a fluid supply passageway for supplying the viscous fluid from the additional chamber into the gap.

Abstract: A positionably supportable flashlight includes a flashlight body pivotably attached to a support leg having a first end and a second end which is free, and further including a cross-brace pivotably attached to the support leg so that the cross-brace is movable between a storage position wherein the cross-brace overlies a portion of the support leg to a support position wherein the cross-brace and support leg form an angle therebetween having its vertex at the attachment point. Alternate embodiments include providing an attachment member disposed between the flashlight body and support leg, the flashlight body being removably attached to the attachment member.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling gas supply includes a battery supply, a pilot seat on which are mounted a thermopile, a pilot burner, a spark generator and a detector, a pilot valve, a main burner valve, an auxiliary burner valve, and a control board including a pilot timer control for controlling electric power to the control board from the battery supply, a pilot control circuit controlled by the pilot timer control for controlling electric current supplied to the pilot valve, a main valve control circuit for controlling the main burner valve, an ignitor control circuit connected to the main valve control circuit for controlling the spark generator, a pilot and main valve transfer control connected to the battery supply for switching the battery supply to the thermopile, an auxiliary valve transfer control for controlling the auxiliary burner valve, an auxiliary valve control circuit for controlling the auxiliary valve transfer control, an auxiliary timer connected to the battery supply for controlling electri

Abstract: An oven having a heating element cavity including a heating element, an oven cavity including a plurality of inner walls, at least one of which includes a plurality of vertically and horizontally-spaced wall apertures that are in communication with the heating element cavity such that heated air may be received therefrom, and an air circulation mechanism associated with the oven cavity adapted to force air over the inner surface of the at least one inner wall. Each of the wall apertures may be covered by a louver.

Abstract: An infrared gas burner for a gas cooker including a mixing tube arranged between a gas valve and a burner unit and adapted to mix gas supplied from the gas valve with air, a support member for supporting a ceramic plate within the burner unit in such a manner that the gas mixture emerging from the mixing tube passes through flame holes of the ceramic plate, a temperature control unit adapted to measure a temperature of flames generated by the burner unit, thereby controlling the amount of gas supplied to the burner unit based on the measured temperature, and a cover unit disposed over the burner unit and adapted to transfer infrared radiant heat and exhaust heat generated at the burner unit to a cooking pot laid thereon. The mixing tube is configured to mix gas with air in an optimum state for the combustion of the gas while uniformly distributing the gas mixture through flame holes of a ceramic plate, the transfer of heat to the body of a burner unit is reduced, thereby minimizing loss of heat.

Abstract: A range guard apparatus for preventing hot food splashes from injuring persons, particularly young children, in the vicinity thereof. The apparatus comprises a transverse front wall member and first and second side wall members attached on opposite ends of the front member respectively. In use, the apparatus is attached proximal to the front edge of a range or stove top with each sidewall member extending rearwardly and providing gripping surfaces engageable with confronting side surfaces of the range or stove top to which the apparatus is thusly attached. The front wall extends above the flat stove or range top surface a sufficient distance to deflect hot foods particles emitted during cooking from being projected outwardly beyond the front plane of the stove or range where if undeflected such splattering could cause burns or other injuries to persons in the vicinity of the cooking appliance.

Abstract: A flat flame burner is disclosed having flow passages for admitting fuel and air to a burner tile. A structure for producing a rotational flow cooperates with a divergent burner tile in order to produce a radially-divergent flame with a very small axial component and a high degree of entrainment of inert combustion products in a furnace. A portion of the fuel is injected into the entrained furnace products, in order to suppress the rate of combustion, so as to produce an ultra low NOx flat flame burner. The present invention also permits greater versatility and improved operability over previous flat flame burners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a convection oven for processing food products, preferably, an oven (1) for baking. This is provided with heat-generating devices (4).According to the invention, the heat-generating device is a catalytic burner (4) that creates at least the main part of the heat, whereby higher efficiency is achieved, less space is needed, controllability is greater, and the process is more environmentally friendly.The invention also relates to a method for generating oven heat by means of catalytic combustion.

Abstract: This invention is an improvement of an internal lighting system for rural mailboxes. The improvement provides a maintenance-free mailbox internal lighting system by providing a solar cell charging system and rechargeable batteries to the circuitry. The internal light is automatically actuated by the opening of the door. All the components of the internal lighting system are undetectable to the casual observer to provide a degree of protection from vandalism or theft.

Abstract: A device for an oil burner has a ceramic tube (1) inside which a shorter tube (61) is arranged, so that there is a slot between the tubes. The device stands freely in the combustion room of the boiler, and it is coaxial with an oil burner (66) that is mounted in the boiler room wall. Combustion fumes mixed with fresh air from the fan of the oil burner is sucked into the slot that ends inside the ceramic tube. The oil burner flame in the inner tube (61) heats this inner tube that in turn heats the air that is sucked through the slot and is secondary combustion air. The slot has screw-formed ridges that impart a heavy rotation to the secondary air; a rotation that is counter to the rotation of the primary air of the burner. Since the secondary air is hot and rotates heavily, the final combustion will be very efficient.

Abstract: A device for burning gas from a production plant for oil/gas comprising a burner at the top of a flare pipe (8). The production plant is connected to the flare pipe (8) through a low pressure collection line (1) for process gas. The device reduces combustion of valuable production gas to a minimum. To this end, the collection line (1) is connected to an expansion tank (2) having a return line (4) to the production plant and, downstream relative to the expansion tank (2), a liquid trap (6) has been disposed.

Abstract: A deep-frying apparatus includes an oil tank for holding cooking oil in which food is fried. The oil tank includes sloping walls. Burners positioned outside of the oil tank heat the sloping walls. Shield plates are positioned inside the oil tank, substantially parallel to and spaced from the sloping walls, to shield the sloping walls from food debris. The shield plates are detachably mounted in the tank and have vents formed in the shield plates. The shield plates are coated with fluorine compounds and may be automatically vibrated by a vibration device. The apparatus prevents accumulation of food debris on the heated sloping walls of the oil tank.

Abstract: The method consists of providing a portion of greater cross-section in the gas feed conduit between the electromagnetic valve and the diffuser in a gas appliance, preferably for cooking or heating food.

Abstract: Improved flare apparatus having long service lives for burning flammable gas and air and methods are provided. The flare apparatus is basically comprised of an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member whereby an annular flammable gas discharge space is provided immediately adjacent to an annular air discharge space. The flammable gas is discharged into the atmosphere in an annular straight out pattern. At least a portion of the air is discharged into the atmosphere for mixing with the flammable gas in a swirling pattern immediately adjacent to the flammable gas which prevents internal burning and premature failure of the flare apparatus.

Abstract: A palm top hot air gas spray pistol including a base case for accommodating gas and an upper cover containing a gas guide and ignition mechanism. The upper cover includes a nozzle formed by a spray tube and an outer cover. Ignition is controlled by pressing a push-button. A hot air tube is fitted onto the outer cover. The hot air tube has a front end portion of a smaller diameter, which is provided with a ceramic block resembling a honey-comb. The ceramic block is mounted between a front end of the hot air tube and the spray tube. The intense heat of the flame of the pistol is used to generate hot air which is ejected through the hot air tube. The spray pistol has good portability and may also be used as a hot air pistol.

Abstract: A viscous fluid type heater including a heating chamber and a heat exchange chamber, which is adjacent to the heating chamber. The heating chamber contains viscous fluid and a rotor. The heat exchange chamber is connected to a coolant circuit. The rotor is rotated by a drive shaft to shear the viscous fluid and produce heat in the heating chamber. The heat is transferred to the heat exchange chamber from the heating chamber to heat coolant passing through the heat exchange chamber and circulating in the fluid circuit. The heating chamber has a rear wall. The rotor has a rear surface facing the rear wall. Viscous fluid located between the wall and the rotor is sheared when the rotor rotates. A support shaft is supported by the rotor. The support shaft is eccentrically coupled to the drive shaft, which forces the viscous fluid located between the wall and the rotor to be periodically displaced. This prevents prolonged heating of any part of the fluid, which extends the life of the fluid.

Abstract: A miniature flashlight comprising a barrel, tailcap, head, bulb holder, bulb and an electrical circuit. The bulb holder is positioned at one end of the barrel such that the bulb extends into the head. The head includes a parabolic reflector surrounding the bulb such that the rotation of the head relative to the barrel changes the focus of the flashlight beam. A rotary switch associates the bulb holder with the barrel to control opening and closing of the electrical circuit. Rotation of the head away from the barrel closes the electrical circuit. The head is not a part of the electrical circuit and its removal exposes the bulb for substantially spherical illumination. The head assembly is removable from the barrel for use as a base into which the tailcap and barrel is inserted to stand the miniature flashlight in its "on" condition, as a lamp.

Abstract: An air premixed natural gas burner having reduced thermal and prompt NO.sub.x emissions employs a central, cylindrical core chamber and an outer annular chamber separated by a hollow barrel having a plurality of gas spuds at a front end of the burner adjacent to a burner throat. The plurality of gas spuds introduces natural gas into a core chamber air flow passing through a fixed swirler and controlled by a sliding air flow damper associated with the central, cylindrical core chamber. A reduced air/fuel stoichiometric ratio (of approximately 0.6) is preferably maintained at an outlet of the central, cylindrical core chamber. The balance of the combustion air is provided through the outer annular chamber to maintain an overall or cumulative burner stoichiometric ratio of approximately 1.05.