Abstract: A rectangular stove structure has a stepped top with a sloped intermediate top portion having heated air outlets. Room air is passed through U-shaped ducts arranged along the inside surfaces of the stove side walls, and firebrick is provided on the floor of the stove structure between these ducts. Air is drawn into the ducts through a side opening which may have a blower and conduit assoicated therewith. The door of the stove has rotary combustion air inlets, and a baffle plate is provided inside the door to provide primary air for the fire, and secondary air for improving air circulation and ventilation inside the stove. Domestic hot water can be heated at the rear of the stove structure in an annular chamber defined for this purpose at the connection for the exhaust gas flue. Domestic hot air can be supplemented by a plenum provided on the lower front top, and the plenum receives heated air from the outlets in the sloped intermediate top portion.

Abstract: A forced-draft gaseous pre-mix power gas burner having a shaped and perforated burner plate wherein the hole sizes are related to the plate thickness and the holes are formed in a unique pattern, all of which prevent flashback and noise or screech while at the same time flame stability is greatly improved. The burner plate is easily installed and removed, is essentially free from stresses which would distort it, and readily fits positively and accurately within the burner assembly without resorting to welding or other special fasteners. A novel ignition-improving device for effecting a stagnant flow at the ignition arc location provides for quick and reliable ignition of the gas at all times.

Abstract: A burner system adapted to vaporize liquid fuel, generally kerosene, and burn gaseous fuel in blue flames includes an evaporator heated by a heater to about 250.degree.-300.degree. C. to vaporize the kerosene. The evaporator is thermally insulated from a premix passage and a burner, to reduce the time required for preheating the evaporator. At the time of ignition, the volume of a portion of primary air supplied to the evaporator is reduced below the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition and the volume of the kerosene supplied to the evaporator is substantially equal to the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition. This enables a premix of liquid and air within a combustible limit to be supplied to flame ports even if part of the premixture forms dew in the premix passage, and allows an enriched premixture to flow out of the flame ports at low velocity to facilitate ignition.

Abstract: A combustion safety apparatus wherein combustion exhaust gas of a burner is arranged to be introduced into a detecting tube having a tubular oxygen concentration cell element, and a safety valve is arranged to be controlled in operation by the output of the cell element. The detecting tube is in communication at its outlet opening with a mixing tube of the foregoing burner or another burner.

Abstract: In a combustion appliance with a safety device therein, an inner flame cylinder, a red-heat cylinder and an outer cylinder disposed concentrically on the outer side of the red-heat cylinder are provided to constitute a combustor and an oxygen sensor is disposed in the rear flow of the combustion flames of the combustor and in a position where the air excess ratio of the flames can be detected. During the incomplete combustion through air feed shortage or the like caused due to dust clogging or the like as well as during the oxygen depression, the oxygen sensor can detect changes in the flames or changes in the red-heat condition of the red-heat cylinder to stop the burning operation thereby to secure the safety.

Abstract: A system for supplying fuel to an atomization fuel oil burner nozzle from a fuel pump at a rate less than that rated for the nozzle for burning of less fuel while achieving good combustion. The fuel is delivered to the nozzle at a pulsing frequency which is dynamically matched to intermittent pressure pulses within the fuel pump to create resonant pressure peaks at the nozzle. The fuel pump creates a pressure pulse each time a tooth of one gear of the pump makes full penetration into the space between a pair of teeth of a coacting rotatable ring gear. Rotatable valving structure, including gear ports in the rotatable ring gear pulses fluid flow to the nozzle by alternately connecting a fluid outlet of the pump to either a pressure port within the pump at the time of a pressure pulse or to the fuel pump inlet with the pressure peak of the pulsed flow being phased together with said pressure pulse.

Abstract: A water heater or system which includes a hot water tank having disposed therein a movable baffle to function as a barrier between the incoming volume of cold water entering the tank and the volume of heated water entering the tank which is heated by the circulation of the cold water through a solar collector and/or a desuperheater of a heat pump so as to optimize the manner in which heat is imparted to the water in accordance to the demand on the water heater or system. A supplemental heater is also provided and it is connected so as to supplement the heating of the water in the event that the solar collector and/or desuperheater cannot impart all of the desired heat input into the water.

Abstract: High voltage-ignited combustion flash bulbs according to the invention have a first current conductor which extends into a mass of metal strips. The first current conductor is connected inside the envelope to a second current conductor 4 by means of an ignition mass. A porous mass of an electrically insulating material is provided between the second current conductor and the mass of metal strips. The material 8 at least reduces the possibility of failing ignition caused by the ignition current flowing from the first current conductor, via the mass of metal strips, through the ignition mass, to the second current conductor, instead of from the first current conductor, via a longer path through the ignition mass to the second current conductor.The flash bulb may be incorporated in a flash unit having several such flash bulbs.

Abstract: A prefabricated fireplace comprises a firebox and flue enclosed by concrete cast as a unit. The firebox has inner walls defining a fuel box in which combustion occurs and outer walls which define a circulation space around the fuel box for room air to be heated. The fuel box is sealed from the room by glass doors which open to supply fuel and, when closed, allow light and heat to pass, and oxygen reaches the fire through an outdoor duct. The prefabricated fireplace has around its base edges a plurality of weldplates which allow quick installation by welding to metal base plates cast in the foundation. The prefabricated fireplace may also include means to interface with home forced-air and water heating systems for heating of air and water.

Abstract: A miniature photoflash lamp which includes a plastic, light-transmitting envelope and a quantity of a flash-producing composition therein. The composition includes a powdered metal (e.g., zirconium) and a powdered oxidizer (e.g., potassium chlorate) with the powdered metal having a particle size within the range of about 10 to 150 microns. Activation of the lamp may be accomplished electrically using, for example, a pair of conductive lead-in wires sealed within one end of the envelope. A method for making this lamp is also described.

Abstract: A miniature photoflash unit which is electrically activated when the unit is electrically connected to a power source (piezoelectric crystal) associated with many of today's pocket type cameras. The unit is capable of being positioned atop the camera and comprises a small planar housing, lamp-firing circuitry positioned externally of the housing, several (e.g., ten) subminiature flash lamps secured to the base and having lead-in wires passing through the base to effect electrical contact with the lamp-firing circuitry, a tabular mounting device is inserted within the camera to provide electrical connection between the circuitry and power source, and means for covering the externally located lamp-firing circuitry. The circuitry may be positioned either on an external surface of the housing or on a planar surface of the cover means which is attached to the housing.

Abstract: A method of making a solar heat energy collecting system which comprises: forming a potentially foamable, resinous base layer containing a blowing agent; applying a printing composition to the surface of the potentially foamable, resinous base layer in the form of at least one continuous path extending from one edge point to another edge point of the potentially foamable, resinous base layer, the printing composition comprising a blowing inhibitor and a release agent; applying a top surface layer to the surface of the printed potentially foamable, resinous base layer which adheres thereto except in those areas containing the blowing inhibitor and release agent; heating the potentially foamable, resinous base layer to decompose or to activate the blowing agent in those portions of the potentially foamable, resinous base layer not lying under the blowing inhibitor and release agent, whereby such portions are blown and expand to extend and stretch upwardly so as to form upright walls of foamed, relatively lower

Abstract: A burner having a burner body in which combustion air is injected in an air flow pattern which establishes a relatively stagnant air region positioned within the flow of combustion air. A pilot flame injector is positioned to generate a pilot flame extending into the stagnant air region. The pilot flame can, thus, be maintained during the operation of the burner because the stable air conditions within the stagnant air region minimize disruption of the pilot flame by the flow of combustion air.A method for maintaining a uniform pilot flame within a burner operating over a range of combustion air flow rates by introducing combustion air into the burner and providing the combustion air with a flow configuration that establishes a stagnant air zone within the burner that is relatively independent of the flow rate of the combustion air. The pilot flame is then positioned within the stagnant air zone.An injector for feeding finely divided fuel to a burner.

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical energy accumulator having a helically encircling fluid circulating conduit is exposed to direct solar radiation and to radiation redirected by an arcuate reflector.

Abstract: A burner having a burner body in which combustion air is injected in an air flow pattern which establishes a relatively stagnant air region positioned within the flow of combustion air. A pilot flame injector is positioned to generate a pilot flame extending into the stagnant air region. The pilot flame can, thus, be maintained during the operation of the burner because the stable air conditions within the stagnant air region minimize disruption of the pilot flame by the flow of combustion air.A method for maintaining a uniform pilot flame within a burner operating over a range of combustion air flow rates by introducing combustion air into the burner and providing the combustion air with a flow configuration that establishes a stagnant air zone within the burner that is relatively independent of the flow rate of the combustion air. The pilot flame is then positioned within the stagnant air zone.An injector for feeding finely divided fuel to a burner.

Abstract: A wood burning stove having a catalytic converter for achieving greatly increased combustion efficiency, said stove having damper means for insuring that all combustion gases from the primary combustion chamber pass through said converter before reaching the stove's exhaust duct when the damper is in one position, and manual control means for moving the damper to a second position wherein the combustion gases bypass said converter and pass directly to said exhaust duct, it being necessary to move said damper to its second position before the door of said stove can be opened. Said damper has a controlled leakage factor whereby if the converter becomes clogged when the damper is in its first position, combustion gases will be permitted to pass to said exhaust duct. In one operational mode, the stove may be used to burn coal.

Abstract: Oil heater for burning of waste oil or other like petroleum liquids through vaporization of the fuel resulting in total fuel burn and maximum BTU. Combustion air enters the center of a combustion chamber enclosure through a combustion air wand resulting in air flow in all directions. The wand includes a plurality of spaced holes in a closed annular air channel allowing for escape of air to the combustion chamber and a diffuser plate circumferentially affixed to the wand including a plurality of spaced holes in the diffuser plate for spreading and mixing resultant vapors and gases for burning at the level of the wand. A submerged pump in a fuel storage tank provides for even fuel flow to a center point above the air wand in addition to even air flow by a blower. A vaporizer pan in the bottom of the chamber provides for boiling of the fuel with its resulting vaporization and total burn of residue and ash.

Abstract: An elongated air manifold is provided to be positioned with the manifold extending across the opening of a fireplace closed by conventional glass doors. The manifold is disposed inward of the glass doors and includes outlet openings spaced longitudinally therealong and a shiftable damper plate for variably opening and closing the outlet openings. The opposite ends of the manifold include air inlet openings with which air ducts opening to the exterior of an associated building are communicated and the air inlet openings of the manifold have valve structures operatively associated therewith for variably opening and closing the air inlet openings. The valve structures and the damper plate may be operated from within the fireplace.

Abstract: A solar energy collector in the shape of an inverted geometric cusp of the second kind which permits the collection of direct and diffuse solar radiation, and which attenuates losses by thermal convection, conduction, and reverse radiation or re-radiation of energy to the cold or night sky. The solar collector when utilized in a composite unit is compact, has an aesthetically pleasing low profile, and alleviates the need for elaborate sensing and tracking mechanisms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control circuit which controls combustion in a burner acting as a heat source of a hot-water boiler or a hot-air heater. More particularly, the present invention relates to a control circuit having a sequence which includes post-discharge such that electric discharge for ignition is still continued for a predetermined period of time, even after attainment of ignition. In a combustion control apparatus, when ignition is not attained within a predetermined safty period, the igniting operation is stopped by a safty timer for timing this safety period, thereby ensuring the safety. It is necessary to reliably discontinue the igniting operatin even when this safety timer is disabled. The present invention attains this object and ensures the safety with a reduced number of timers.