Abstract: The disclosure relates to a flambeau wherein a plurality of support arms are detachably connected to a pair of upper and lower connecting members, a connecting portion of each support arm being snugly received or frictionally engaged in the cavities and slots of the upper and lower connecting members so that the support arms can be firmly connected to the connecting members by friction without using an elongated screw. The lower end of the upper connecting member and the upper end of the lower connecting member are mated with each other, the connecting portion of the support arms being completely covered by the upper and lower connecting members and concealed from external view. The upper connecting member is threadedly connected at its upper end to a central decorative member and the lower connecting member is threadedly connected at its lower end to a base.

Abstract: A fireplace insert comprises an inner housing and an outer housing spaced from each other. Thermostatically controlled fans circulate air between the inner and outer housing to cause the air to be efficiently heated before it is distributed into the area or room to be heated. Adjustable vents control the flow of combustion air, and a baffle minimizes the loss of heat through the flue.

Abstract: There is described a device formed by a number of hollow elements mounted next to one another and fastened to one another, which have such a profile that they form at the bottom in the horizontal portion thereof, a grate the fuel bears on, merge backwards into a wall and form at the top, horizontal or substantially horizontal vertically or lateral evacuation pipe(s).

Abstract: A non-tracking elongated evacuated tube solar energy collector employing compound parabolic reflectors. An energy absorber is positioned at the focal points of the parabolas and is supported by one or more support members along its length. Each support member is a length of resilient wire in the form of a coil encircling the energy absorber with arms extending from each side of the coil. Each arm bears against the inner walls of the evacuated tube at two spaced-apart contact regions.

Abstract: A furnace stack damper control apparatus has a motor for connection to a stack damper to open the damper upon a call for heat by a space thermostat. The motor is driven in a closed direction by electrical energization and in an open direction by a spring return. A relay having two normally open switches and a normally closed switch is energized when a space thermostat calls for heat. The normally closed switch then opens to allow the damper motor to open the damper by the spring return. The motor has an end switch having a normally open and a normally closed circuit. The normally open circuit is used with one of the normally open switches of the relay to energize a gas valve when the damper is open. The normally closed end switch is used to provide the energization circuit for the relay by the space thermostat and the relay is maintained energized when the damper is open by the other normally open switch of the relay connected in parallel to the normally closed end switch.

Abstract: A mechanical draft controller integrated in the draft hood of a furnace and coupled to a flue damper is responsive to the draft in the flue for controlling exhaust stack heat loss and eliminating heated room air loss via the draft hood under normal operating conditions. The pressure-sensitive controller is variably positioned as a face damper on a surface of the draft hood and is coupled to the flue damper by means of mechanical linkage. Increasing pressure in the draft hood caused by a reduction in the draft value due to partial flue blockage, large down draft, etc., displaces the pivoted controller resulting in a corresponding opening of the flue damper to re-establish the desired draft value. Similarly, excessive draft causes the displacement of the controller in an opposite direction resulting in flue damper displacement so as to reduce the draft value and exhaust stack heat loss.

Abstract: A heat collector and method suitable for efficiently and cheaply collecting solar and other thermal energy are provided. The collector employs a heat pipe in a gravity-assist mode and is not evacuated. The collector has many advantages, some of which include ease of assembly, reduced structural stresses on the heat pipe enclosure, and a low total materials cost requirement. Natural convective forces drive the collector, which after startup operates entirely passively due in part to differences in molecular weights of gaseous components within the collector.

Abstract: Exhaust gases produced by combustion of fuel are monitored by a sensing probe. An indicating device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a readout of a condition sensed by the probe. At least one signaling device responsive to signals from the sensing probe provides a warning signal when the sensed condition is a predetermined value. An interrupting device responsive to signals from the sensing probe interrupts the combustion of fuel when the sensed condition is above the predetermined value.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which a grate is disposed in a housing for receiving a single bed of particulate material. The interior of the housing below the grate is divided into a plurality of zones and air is selectively passed through portions of the grate to fluidize corresponding portions of the bed above the zones. A plurality of air distributors are provided in the bed for reducing the height of the particulate material accumulating in various portions of the bed.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence or absence of flame in a combustor and an oxygen density of room air used to operate the combustor. An ion current detecting sensor increases a flame ion current value in the combustor to an ion current value at which erroneous detection of the presence or absence of flame is prevented. A timer outputs a high level signal when combustion starts and starts a timer operation for holding the high level signal until the ion current is stabilized. Thereafter, the time outputs a low level signal which grounds a circuit to lower the flame presence or absence detecting ion current value detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight solar panel for mounting against window panes which incorporates an array of absorbers, diffusers and flow directors, reflectors, heat storage elements and an automatic flow directing valve. The heat concentrators are corrugated elements located to reflect heat and light from contact with the reflective surface to collectors located in the unit. The collectors or heat storage elements are positioned in the troughs of the corrugated elements and the tubular elements are in stand off relation to receive the parabolic focusing projection of the sun's rays. These units act as heat supplement means for interior space.

Abstract: In a control system for a gas heated water or air heater, the use of the supplied fuel gas is to be improved by automatically determining and supplying the amount of air which is required for obtaining complete combustion. A gas control valve feeds a burner with the required amount of gas dependent on the demand of heat. A sensor responding to the content of oxygen or carbon dioxide within the flue gases is located in the stack and the output signal of this sensor is compared with a set point within an electric controller. In case of a control deviation, the output signal of the controller controls an adjustable source of air under pressure formed by a fan with subsequent air control valve in such a manner that the required amount of air for reaching optimum combustion is supplied.

Abstract: An improved fireplace for heating indoor spaces and sanitary water comprises a hearth whereon wood can be burned such as to define a heat source, and, adjacent the hearth, an air circulating space and a sanitary hot water generating heat exchanger.

Abstract: A charcoal cooker comprising a vessel having a lid providing for access to the interior of the vessel, a removable rack for supporting food during a cooking operation, a fire box adjustably disposed within the vessel and spaced below the rack for supplying heat during the cooking operation, and thermostatically actuated valves provided for the vessel and responsive to the internal temperatures in the cooker for alternately opening and closing to automatically maintain a preselected temperature within the vessel during an entire cooking operation.

Abstract: A burner for introducing a suspension of solid fuel particles into a combustion chamber which includes a tubular conduit arranged to receive the suspension therethrough, and flow diverting means positioned at the discharge end of the conduit, and subdividing the cross section of the discharge end into a plurality of discharge openings. The burner may include a centrally disposed conduit which is coaxial with and surrounded by the tubular conduit, and an outer conduit surrounding the tubular conduit and coaxial therewith. The flow diverting means can be positioned at various positions between the respective conduits, to create a turbulent suspension of particles in the primary air stream, creating an aspirating effect for drawing secondary air into the burner along with the turbulent suspension of solid fuel particles.

Abstract: A heat absorbing element formed from a single metal strip of substantially uniform thickness, comprising a tube having a wall comprising at least a double thickness of strip seamed along a line extending longitudinally of the tube to seal the tube for flow therethrough of a heat transfer fluid, and a fin along the tube stretching out from the seam line, the fin comprising at least one less thickness of strip than the tube wall. A method of manufacturing such an element is also disclosed.

Abstract: A miniaturized multilamp photoflash array includes an envelope with a printed circuit of spaced electrical conductors on an inner surface, a plurality of flashlamps each having a pair of electrically conductive leads and a reflector unit affixed to the envelope and having a formed member forcing the conductive leads against the printed circuit and a sonic projection sealed to the envelope intermediate the spaced electrical conductors of the printed circuit.

Abstract: A solar heating panel utilizing an improved panel member construction to increase the strength and heat transfer capacity of the panel. The panel has upper and lower layers of individual interconnected panel members, with the panel members in the upper layer including a pair of spaced outwardly extending leg portions and a bight portion therebetween having a plurality of spaced longitudinal fins formed therein extending downwardly into the panel members of the lower layer. A sheet of transparent material overlies the upper layer of panel members. Air flowing in the channels of the lower layer of panel members absorbs heat collected from the sun in the upper layer of panel members, with the fins aiding in transferring heat from the panel members in the upper layer to the panel members in the lower layer, while rigidifying the entire panel structure.

Abstract: The floor of the furnace space [fire chamber] of the heating fireplace is constituted by a horizontal, flat part (7) and the rear wall of the furnace space is constituted in part by a vertical, flat part (8) of a heat exchanger serving for heating water for a hot water heater. Heat is transferred to the water on the sides (38, 39) of the heat exchanger (7, 8) facing the furnace space, and to two fresh air currents on the sides (9, 41) of the heat exchanger (7, 8) facing away from the furnace space. One of these air currents (42) extends under the horizontal heat exchanger part (7) and is fed through an opening (15) therein to the fire as combustion air; the other air current extends in a downdraft duct (22) along the rear wall (8) of the furnace space and further through an updraft duct (25) exposed to the heat of the fire and is fed to the room to be heated as heated, fresh air.

Abstract: A fluidizable bed combustion chamber comprises an intermediate partition (2,7) which divides the chamber into an upper combustion space (1a) and a lower plenum (1b) and which is provided with means (4,4a,8) for injecting fuel into the upper combustion space in which, during use of the combustion chamber, a bed of fluidized material (6) is created. The intermediate partition is composed of a plurality of nested modules (7), each of polygonal shape and having a substantially centrally positioned fuel supply member (8). Each corner surface (9) of each module is upwardly inclined in the direction away from the center of the module, and these corner surfaces are provided with openings (10) enabling air to be injected into the upper combustion space from the plenum chamber. Preferably, the modules are of regular polygonal shape, for example triangular, quadratic or hexagonal.