Abstract: An urban concentrated solar power for mounting on a roof top is provided. The urban concentrated solar power has a heat receiver has a non-circular duct that distinguishes an insulated area with an insulation layer on the outer surface of the non-circular duct and a non-insulated area. The non-circular duct contains a heat transferring fluid which can reach temperatures of at least 500 degrees Celsius. A parabolic trough with an aperture of below 2 meters concentrates sunlight onto the non-insulated area of the non-circular duct of the heat receiver. The heat receiver can be placed in a glass tube. Due to roof top mounting the electricity can be generated in proximity of the user and as a result decrease net congestion. The low-cost heat receiver design will make electricity generated by urban CSP competitive with electricity from fossil fuel plants and PV combined with lithium-ion battery storage.

Abstract: An improved chimney starter having a cylindrical housing having an outer wall and inner wall defining a chamber, the chamber configured to hold charcoal. A series of spiral heat exchange chambers contained within the cylindrical housing and an air intake port provided on a portion of the cylindrical housing, wherein the air intake port is connected to the series of spiral heat exchange chambers. A base configured to retain a fire starter configured to ignite and burn the charcoal. Advantageously, a fan blower is configured to be positioned in the air intake port such that blown air is configured to be directed through the series of spiral heat exchange chambers, wherein the directed air accelerates the burning of the charcoal.

Abstract: A carrier device for mounting a preferably fuel-operated heater (34) on a vehicle. The carrier device includes a mounting area (20) for mounting the carrier device (14) on a vehicle and a carrying area (152) for mounting a heater (34) on the carrier device (14). A combustion air line area (52) is provided for sending combustion air to a combustion air inlet (55) of a heater (34), or/and a heat transfer medium line area (60) is provided for sending heat transfer medium flowing in a heat transfer medium circuit (176) of a vehicle through the carrier device (14) or/and to or from a heat exchanger area (38) of the vehicle heater (34).

Abstract: A manifold (15) comprising a flow chamber (35) for receiving flow heat exchange water from respective heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first inlet ports (47, 48) and from which the flow heat exchange water is delivered to heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through flow ports (57, 58). A return chamber (36) in the manifold (15) for receiving return heat exchange water from the heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through return ports (57, 58), and from which the return heat exchange water is returned to some of the heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first outlet ports (53, 54). A bypass chamber (37) located in the manifold (15) between the flow chamber (35) and the return chamber (36) receives flow water from the flow chamber (35), which has not been drawn off by the heat exchange circuits (8, 9), through a communicating passageway (40). Heat exchange water from the bypass chamber (37) is returned through second outlet ports (55, 56) to others of the heat sources (3, 5, 7).

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a charcoal chimney with a conical shaped charcoal grate, a removable upper canister (e.g., a cylindrical upper canister) placed on the charcoal grate and a lower canister (e.g., a cylindrical lower canister) placed below the charcoal grate. In an illustrative example, the lower canister may be permanently mounted to the charcoal grate. In various embodiments, the lower canister may be permanently mounted to a grill, or a smoker body itself. In some embodiments, the charcoal chimney may have a detachable handle which may remove the upper canister as needed. Various embodiments may advantageously reduce handling, or eliminate picking up high temperature burning solid fuels, which may prevent the hot solid fuels from falling and creating a risk of injury, or fire damage to adjacent structures (e.g., wooden decks).

Abstract: A firebox assembly for generating smoke and conveying controlled amounts of smoke and air for a kamado oven. A firebox assembly has a door leading to a fire chamber, in turn, having an exit opening for smoke to flow into a smoke chamber. A chimney connected to the smoke chamber has slide gates to control the flow of smoke from the smoke chamber into the kamado oven. Further, the gates allow the smoke to be exhausted to the atmosphere and further allow atmospheric air to enter into the chimney eventually flowing to the kamado oven.

Abstract: A hydraulic manifold for a hydraulic heating and/or cooling system includes a feed conduit (212) and a return conduit (216). The feed conduit (212) includes at least one feed connection (258), and the return conduit (216) includes at least one return connection (260), for the connection of a load circuit (228). A load module (204), in which a section of the feed conduit (212) with the feed connection (258), and a section of the return conduit (216) with the return section (260) are formed, includes at least one mixing device with a pump (232) and with a regulating valve (230), to admix fluid from the return connection (260) to a fluid flow from the feed conduit (212) to the feed connection (258). The section of the feed conduit (212) and the return conduit (216) in each case include an additional contact for connection with a further load module.

Abstract: A stovetop cooking and grilling assembly for selective use with a stovetop includes a first housing that is configured as an oven. A second housing is coupled to and extends from an upper end of the first housing. A plurality of burners, which is gas-fired, is coupled to a top of the second housing. Each of a plurality of first grates is selectively couplable to a set of the burners. The set of the burners is configured to grill a food item that is positioned on the first grate. Each of a plurality of slots that is positioned through a front of the second housing is positioned for insertion of a respective tray. A plurality of orifices that is positioned through the top of the second housing is configured to permit drippings from the food item to flow into the second housing to be collected by the tray.

Abstract: A dual heating process is performed in the absence of an open flame. Heat is created by a rotating prime mover(s) driving a fluid shear heater. Heat is also collected from a cooling system of the prime mover, and from any exhaust heat generated by the prime mover. The heat energy collected from all of these sources is transmitted through heat exchangers to a fluid where heat energy is desired. The fluid being heated may be glycol or air, depending on the type of heat desired.

Abstract: A gas cooktop includes a gas burner and a grate for supporting cookware above the gas burner. The grate includes a removable insert having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of tines for supporting the removable insert. When the lower surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a first height above the gas burner. When the upper surface of the removable insert is contacting the plurality of tines, the grate supports flat-bottomed cookware on the removable insert at a second height above the gas burner, the second height being greater than the first height. When the removable insert is not contacting with the plurality of tines, the grate supports round-bottomed cookware on the plurality of tines.

Abstract: A heating and hot-water supply apparatus performs a heating operation by heating a heating medium with a heater and circulating the heating medium through a heating terminal, a hot-water supply operation by circulating the common heating medium through a hot-water supply heat exchanger, heating service water through heat exchange with the heating medium, and supplying hot water, and a simultaneous operation of the heating operation and the hot-water supply operation, and controls a distribution ratio of the heating medium between the heating terminal and the hot-water supply heat exchanger. The apparatus determines whether the heating terminal proceeding in the heating operation is a suspendible terminal to suspend the heating operation or an unsuspendible terminal not to suspend the heating operation in response to a request for the hot-water supply operation.

Abstract: An example light concentrator system for precision thermal processes includes a stabilizing base and a structure attached to the stabilizing base. The structure includes support arms. An azimuth control rotates the structure. A primary solar collector on the support arms is rotatable about two axes based on various positions of the sun throughout the day. Elevation actuators adjust an angle of the primary solar collector relative to position of the sun. Collector distancing actuators adjust distance of the primary solar collector toward and away from the sun. A variety of Thermal Processing Units (TPUs) are configured for a specific process or set of processes implementing concentrated solar energy from the primary solar collector at the receiver plane. Position of the spot can be moved on a fixed receiver plane through translation of the lens relative to the support arms or through rotation of a redirecting mirror.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop and a burner mounted on the cooktop. At least one coupling member is coupled to the cooktop. A grate, a griddle, or a reversible griddle is selectively coupled to the at least one coupling member and is operable between a raised position and a lowered position when the grate, the griddle, or the reversible griddle, is engaged with the coupling member.

Abstract: In a solar water taking and power generating device, a concentrating-cooling plate encloses the opening, and at least one freshwater collecting channel is formed between the seawater tank and the concentrating-cooling plate; a cation exchange membrane includes a semiconductor film body, nanoparticles, and a capillary water-transporting conduit, wherein the semiconductor film body is provided with cation-selective channels; sunlight illuminates the cation exchange membrane and the nanoparticles through the concentrating-cooling plate, so that the first temperature, the first seawater concentration and the first electric potential in the first side are higher than those in the second side, respectively. The evaporated seawater enters the freshwater tank after condensed, and the cations transfer from the first side to the second side to form an ionic current.

Abstract: A vapor extraction device includes a fan box, a fan having a fan motor accommodated in the fan box, and a first sensor arranged in or on the fan box and configured to determine a first odor status of a cooking environment of the vapor extraction device. The fan motor of the fan can be controlled by performing a cooking process detection, performing an odor pollution determination in response to the cooking process detection, and controlling the fan motor to a fan level in response to the odor pollution determination.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop, at least one cooking element mounted to the cooktop, and a grate including a surface portion for supporting a cooking vessel and at least one cup member. The grate is mounted to the cooktop with the at least one cup member being interengaged with locating structure on the cooktop such that the grate can be selectively lifted vertically from the cooktop or pivoted relative to the cooktop. Upon pivoting through a predetermined angle, the grate is prevented from being lifted vertically based on the at least one cup member becoming interlocked with the locating structure.

Abstract: A system for supplying hot water to a floor of a building having a plurality of floors is disclosed. The system includes a hot water vessel operable to supply hot water for use in the floor of the building, the hot water vessel having an inlet for receiving cold water and a heating coil for transferring heat to water within the hot water vessel. The system also includes a heat exchanger having an outlet in liquid communication with the inlet of the hot water vessel, the heat exchanger being operable to collect stagnant heat within the floor and to preheat cold water flowing through the heat exchanger for delivery to the inlet of the hot water vessel. A hot water supply system for a plurality of apartments in a multi-story building having at least one exterior solar-facing wall exposed to solar radiation and a fire sprinkler supply system for a building are also disclosed.

Abstract: A combustion device includes a first cover, a second cover, an infrared generating mesh, and a gas burner assembly, wherein the first cover has a plurality of through holes. A first half portion of the second cover has at least one hollow portion. A second half portion of the second cover is closed. The infrared generating mesh is disposed between the first cover and the second cover. A flame outlet of the gas burner assembly is located within a projection area of the second half portion. In this way, the intensity of the infrared rays generated by the combustion device could be increased and could be uniform.

Abstract: A movable burner of a gas cooktop includes a rotating shaft, a linear motion mechanism configured to perform a linear motion, a burner head, and a limit unit configured to limit a stroke range of the linear motion mechanism. The burner head includes a plurality of brackets having a plurality of gas outlets for gas to flow out and form a flame. Each bracket is separately hinged to the rotating shaft and separately connected to the linear motion mechanism such as to execute a rotation about the rotating shaft between at least two working positions, when driven by the linear motion mechanism, with the burner head having a flat upper surface in one of the two working positions, and with the burner head having a concave configuration in the other one of the two working positions.

Abstract: A device for covering a stove top. The device for covering a stove top includes a frame. The frame has an upper side and a lower side. The frame is sized to rest on a stove top, covering burners of that stove top. A cover is attached on the upper side of the frame and forms an interior cavity. The interior cavity is accessible via the lower side of the frame. A handle is disposed on a lateral edge of the frame.