Abstract: A catalytic combustion and heat transfer device for use in a deep fat fryer is disclosed, characterized by increased efficiency and heat transfer. The device includes a hollow elongated heat exchanger having a generally oval interior cross-sectional configuration. A catalytic burner is mounted within a combustion end of the heat exchanger and a unique core buster and heat exchange fin arrangement is mounted within the flue end of the exchanger. The fin arrangement comprises a plurality of generally U-shaped tapered fins arranged in opposed pairs and connected with the inner side wall surface of the exchanger, with the leg portion of each opposed pair extending toward each other in spaced relation. The core buster is arranged between the opposed pairs of fins in contiguous relation with the free end edges thereof to define a plurality of channels within the fins, respectively. A spark ignition device is mounted adjacent the catalytic burner to ignite a combustion mixture supplied to the burner.

Abstract: An oil stove comprises a combustion wick for burning oil, a device for extinguishing the fire at the combustion wick, and a deodorizing device for absorbing or removing gases causing smells produced when the burning portion at the combustion wick is extinguished. The deodorizing device comprises gas sensing means for detecting the generation of the gas, and suction means responsive to the gas sensing means for absorbing or removing the gas.

Abstract: A light-shielding screen device comprising a first light transmissible substrate, a second light transmissible substrate and an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween, the intermediate layer comprising at least one light-shielding screen portion located in the middle area of the intermediate layer and a light non-transmissible retaining portion located at least in a portion of the remaining area of the intermediate layer, the portion of the remaining area including the entire outermost peripheral area of the intermediate layer. The light non-transmissible retaining portion of the intermediate layer of the present light-shielding screen device securely retains on its both sides the first and second light transmissible substrates, respectively.

Abstract: A gas-fired barbecue grill is provided with a pair of generally rectangular metal plates disposed in the grill above the burner unit and below the cooking grate at an inclined position to prevent the pooling of food drippings and grease which tends to result in grease fires.

Abstract: A breath transfer device which uses the heat of exhaled air to warm the body of the wearer of the device in cold environments, and which facilitates condensation of moisture in the device to eliminate the formation of vapor clouds. The device uses a mouthpiece into which exhaled air is blown, and a length of insulated tubing to direct the warm air to a vest-like radiating chamber garment. The moisture in the expelled air condenses on the inner surfaces of the chamber and is retained in special condensing pockets formed at the ends of internal partitions which provide a sinuous path for air flow through the chamber. Cooled dry air is finally exhausted at the lowermost point of the radiating chamber.

Abstract: A charcoal cooker has a cooker bowl and a lid dimensioned to cover the bowl during cooking. Food is supported within the cooker on a support structure such as a rotisserie rod or a grid. A primary grate is disposed within the bowl below the food support structure and is configured to support a charcoal fire and an upper grate is disposed at an elevation within the bowl above the primary grate but below the food support structure. The upper grate is configured to support a charcoal fire and is spaced from the primary grate at a sufficiently small distance so that a charcoal fire on the primary grate will ignite charcoal disposed on the upper grate. In this manner a long lasting charcoal fire may be achieved by starting a fire on the primary grate and placing fresh charcoal on the upper grate for subsequent ignition and burning.

Abstract: An adjustable gas intake assembly between the burner element and the gas inlet nozzle for a barbecue grill which can be utilized with various types of gas barbecue grill burners. A venturi tube portion and a supply tube portion are connected by threaded, flexible portions which will provide horizontal or vertical ajustment of the supply tube. The gas intake assembly can be utilized in conjunction with either a front control type barbecue grill unit or a post type. In one embodiment, a slidable tube member provides an additional telescoping section with the threaded, flexible portions.

Abstract: A combustion device for combustion of a gaseous fuel with air is provided with means for supplying gas automatically at a mass flow rate corresponding to a mass flow of air governed by the demand of heat. The gas is supplied at a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure to an ejector using preheated primary air as a carrying medium. The ejector is mounted in a flow path in series with and after a blower, a recuperative preheater and a swirl device but prior to a system of heater tubes and the exhaust passages of the preheater.

Abstract: An hydraulic apparatus for the storage of energy is provided having pump means driven by a source of energy, a pressure line receiving pressure fluid from said pump means, means in said line for maintaining a constant pressure therein from said pump means, at least one pressure reservoir connected to said pressure line receiving fluid pressure therefrom and returning fluid pressure thereto and a restrictor means in said pressure line between the pump means and reservoir restricting flow in said line to maintain a predetermined constant pressure therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wireline cutting actuator and valve assembly. The valve includes a valve body having a gate reciprocatingly mounted therein. The gate has a stepped bore. The actuator includes a bonnet adapted for connection to the valve body and an actuator shaft having an inner end adapted for connection to the valve member. The actuator shaft extends outwardly of the bonnet. An actuator housing is releasibly connected to the bonnet and positioned about the actuator shaft. A spring is provided for urging the actuator shaft outwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston housing assembly is releasibly connected to the actuator housing. A piston is slidingly mounted in the piston and is abuttable with the outer end of the actuator shaft to urge the actuator shaft inwardly with respect to the bonnet. A piston shaft is inwardly and outwardly movable with the piston and extends outwardly of the piston housing.

Abstract: A pulverized fuel firing apparatus comprises a first pulverized fuel injection compartment so constructed that the combined amount of primary air and secondary air to be consumed is less than the theoretical amount of air required for the combustion of the pulverized fuel to be fed as mixed with the primary air to a furnace, a second pulverized fuel injection compartment so constructed that the combined primary and secondary air amount is substantially equal to the theoretical air for the pulverized fuel to be fed together with the primary air, and a supplementary air compartment for injecting supplementary air into the furnace. The three compartments are arranged close to one another and control the NOx production upon combustion of the pulverized fuel.

Abstract: A heater head for a multi-cylinder double-acting hot gas engine of the type having an annular regenerator surrounding each cylinder is provided with tubes connecting each cylinder with its surrounding regenerator. All tubes have three tube parts of identical shape. A first tube part is of involute shape and a second and a third tube part are of different involute shape. Half of all tubes have their first tube part connected to the cylinders, while the other half of the tubes have their first tube part connected to the regenerator.

Abstract: Wood burning stove having several features for reducing emissions output and for improving energy efficiency by increasing the supply of oxygen to combustible materials, by increasing the mixing of oxygen with combustible materials, and by lengthening the residence time of combustible materials within the stove. The features include a turbulence-creating means positioned at an upper, front region of the combustion chamber, and a baffle located near the outlet for increasing both turbulence and the pathway of combustible materials exiting the stove.

Abstract: A cooking stove such as an induction heating cooking stove which is fitted into an aperture on top of a kitchen unit has one or more independent heater units mounted within an outer case, below a top plate which cooking pans, etc can be heated. Each heater unit consists of an open-ended box-shaped internal chassis having one or more heater elements mounted on a top face thereof and an aperture formed in a bottom face thereof. Each internal chassis is provided with a motor-driven cooling fan which acts to produce a flow of cooling air through the interior of the chassis and out through the lower aperture into a ventilation duct, and hence to the atmosphere via a cooling air inlet/outlet section which can be conveniently provided at the upper rear part of the top of the stove. No additional ventilation apertures need be provided in the kitchen unit, and the number of heater elements can be readily varied as required, while the overall design is extremely simple and readily manufactured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas-heated or kerosene-heated boiler for warm water, hot water or for steam generation having a substantially horizontal cylindrical combustion chamber defined and surrounded by a flue tube (1) consisting of a plurality of annular ring tubes (b 2) that are arranged in succession for conveying a suitable heat carrier and are held together by means of annular distance strips (3). At least some of the annular ring tubes have different inner cross sections and/or are arranged in a manner of having different, unequal spacing distances one to the next. Thus, a substantially uniform main diameter of the flue tube (1) is maintained, and despite of this, the flow of heat carrier circulated is harmonized with the thermal load which is non-equally distributed along the axis of the combustion chamber, resulting in improved utilization of the heat energy radiation at substantially constant wall temperature along the flue tube (1).

Abstract: An all-direction-changing mechanism and a driving power transmission mechanism combined together comprising a plurality of connecting rods radially extending from a connecting center, direction-changing cranks on the outer ends of the connecting rod controlling the direction of wheels mounted on the cranks, the ends of the connecting rods being connected with said direction-changing cranks by direction-changing crank pins, the connecting center being a center crank fastened to a steering mechanism mounted on a revolving vehicle body so that when the steering wheel is turned around for changing the vehicle's running direction, the connecting rods are also moved in parallel to one another, and as a result the vehicle body and all the wheels also change direction in the same angle.

Abstract: In a clutch cover assembly there is associated with the clutch release device a coupling member adapted to permit a clutch release bearing to be coupled to the clutch release device by means of a coupling ring. Means are further provided for axially coupling the coupling member to the clutch release device. These coupling means are integral with the coupling ring and are formed by appropriately shaped parts of the latter.

Abstract: A sleeve valve comprising an elastomer sleeve folded onto itself, the two peripheral ends being fixedly held so that an integral control chamber is created, an opening being provided in said chamber for connecting it to a control pressure source, no housing being required.

Abstract: A multilamp photoflash array responsive to either a relatively high or relatively low pulse potential includes normally open (N/O) switches formed from an admixture including silver carbonate and/or silver oxide, titanium dioxide, a blended binder and a sulfur compound in the range of about 0.001 to 5.0 percent by weight and selected from the group consisting of elemental sulfur and low solubility sulfides.

Abstract: A device is disclosed into which a test solution can be added and at least the first step of a specific binding assay can be carried out. The device comprises a two compartment tube containing a removable rod having at one end a plurality of filaments coated with a specific binding partner for the analyte to be determined.