Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a plurality of solar receiver panels. The panels are fluidly connected to one another by way of a steam circuit. At least one spray station is in fluid communication with the steam circuit and is configured and adapted to provide temperature cooling spray into the steam circuit to control the temperatures of the panels.

Abstract: The invention is a self-cleaning outdoor gas grill that employs a second set of gas nozzles within the grill cavity. An operator switches gas flow from the cooking nozzles to the cleaning nozzles, which elevates the grill cavity temperature to burn food residue as the cleaning nozzles allow for much greater gas flow than the cleaning nozzles.

Abstract: An air/gas premix burner, comprising: a fan for sending the air/gas mixture to a combustion head; a gas valve for regulating admission of the combustible gas; an air/gas mixer, which comprises a device for localized loss of pressure; and a combustion head. The premix burner is characterized in that the air/gas mixer comprises at least two channels for mixing the air with the gas; in addition, a channel is provided with an open/close element designed to regulate the flow rate of the mixture.

Abstract: In a rich-lean burner, a gap formed between a lean-flame port and a rich-flame port is in fluid communication with a supply passage through which a lean gas is to be supplied to the lean-flame port. One or more projections are provided on at least one of partition plates disposed between the gap and the lean-flame port and between the gap and the rich-flame port. A recessed portion is formed at a region adjacent to the lean-flame ports at an interface between the distal end of at least one of the projections protruding from one of the partition plates and the other of the partition plates, the distal end of the at least one of the projections being partially not in contact with the other of the partition plates to provide a clearance through which the lean gas is allowed to be supplied to the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a heating appliance that includes a manually-opened pilot valve that is held in an open position when a sufficient voltage is applied to a valve operator, and a thermocouple that converts heat from a pilot flame into a voltage that is applied to the valve operator. The apparatus includes a voltage measuring circuit that provides an output indicative of a magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, and a light emitting device. A controller is coupled to the voltage measuring circuit and the light emitting device. The controller is configured to establish, based on the output indicative of the magnitude of the voltage generated by the thermocouple, a switch sequence for switching the light emitting device on and off in a flashing manner, to provide an indication of when the magnitude of the voltage is sufficient to cause the valve operator to hold the gas valve open.

Abstract: A control system for a cooking appliance can operate in first or second modes of operation. In the first mode, a consumer is required to input both a temperature parameter and a time parameter before initiating a cooking operation. Once the cooking operation has completed, the control system operates the cooking appliance in a low temperature mode for a predetermined period. In this manner, a cooked food item is maintained at a reduced temperature so that the food item does not burn. In the second mode, the consumer can choose to bypass the required time input parameter so as to operate the cooking appliance based solely on the temperature parameter.

Abstract: A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.

Abstract: A method is provided for the automated setup of a metered combustion control system for controlling operation of a boiler combustion system. The automated setup process includes both commissioning and controller tuning, rather than tuning the carbon monoxide and/or oxygen trim controller after the commissioning process has been completed. The oxygen trim controller or the carbon monoxide trim controller is used to identify the air/fuel ratio.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods of 110 (one hundred ten) CFM (cubic feet per minute) generating ventilation fans for bathrooms with grill covers and with or without lights in the grill covers. Spring clip type washers can attach the grill covers to the housings. Suspension brackets directly attached to outer side walls of the housing can support the housings. One suspension bracket can be mounted on a bottom wall of the housing and another suspension bracket of equal length can be mounted on a side wall of the housing that is oriented perpendicular to the bottom wall. Bent flanges on the suspension brackets can be on opposite ends of the respective brackets. A lens cover can cover a light box that holds light sources centrally located in the grill cover. The grill cover can include vent openings that allow incoming air to bypass the light sources that can be located inside of the light box.

Abstract: A top burner and a cooker having the top burner are provided. The top burner includes a first burner provided with a plurality of flame holes that form flame by combusting mixed gas and a second burner provided with a plurality of flame holes that form flame separated from the flame formed by the flame holes of the first burner by combusting the mixed gas. An arrangement of the flame holes of the first burner is realized in a different shape from an arrangement of the flame holes of the second burner.

Abstract: Described is a cell phone cover having an integrated cigarette lighter. The cell phone cover includes a housing that is divided into an interior volume in which a cell phone can be inserted, and an enclosed volume in which a control circuit having a supplemental battery is positioned. A lighting port having a heating element suited for lighting a cigarette and at least one lighting port control are positioned on the housing. The lighting port control allows a user to turn the lighting port on or off and is connected to a control circuit and powered by means of the supplemental battery. The cell phone cover is composed of a heat-resistant material that will not burn or melt as result of the heat created by the lighting port and that protects the cell phone from exposure to the heat created from the lighting port.

Abstract: A gas burner for a cooking appliance includes at least one combustion chamber with a first gas inlet forming a substantially annular outer flame ring and a substantially annular inner flame ring. At least one flame channel is configured to trigger ignition of at least one of the inner flame ring and outer flame ring. In one example, at least one transfer burner port is in gas-flow communication with the combustible gas in the at least one combustion chamber.

Abstract: A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.

Abstract: A gas appliance has a security device and a combustor. The security device has a gas valve, a thermocouple, and a controller. The thermocouple receives a heat of the combustor and generates thermoelectric potential accordingly. The controller controls the gas valve according to the thermoelectric potential. While the thermoelectric potential is lower than a high level, the controller controls the gas valve to reduce the gas supplied to the combustor, and while the thermoelectric potential is lower than a low level the controller controls the gas valve to stop the gas supplied to the combustor to avoid the incomplete burning because of insufficient oxygen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radiant energy powered water heating methods and apparatus, particularly, to the open-loop solar radiation collection systems. At least one nozzle is directed against a reflection surface facing an evaporation surface to spray at least one jet with reflection to diffuse the fluid within the inner cavity in an atomized plume having the evaporation surface been moisturized by a part of the sprayed fluid and said moisturizing part of the sprayed fluid been sufficiently vaporized or evaporated (see FIG. 3).

Abstract: A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first receiver panel having a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. A second receiver panel has a plurality of substantially parallel boiler tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the panel to an outlet header of the panel. The boiler tubes of the second receiver panel are substantially parallel to the boiler tubes of the first receiver panel. The first and second receiver panels are separated by a gap. A panel expansion joint is connected to the first and second receiver panels across the gap, wherein the panel expansion joint is configured and adapted to allow for lengthwise thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels along the boiler tubes, and to allow for lateral thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver panels toward and away from one another, while blocking solar radiation through the gap.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly product packaging assembly having a secondary use after a product has been removed therefrom. The packaging assembly comprises a candle having a wall made of a vaporizable material and defining a cavity therein for retaining the product. The candle includes a wick embedded in the wall in a spiral, coiled or helical fashion and positioned to substantially encircle the cavity. The assembly may include a containment mechanism that at least partially restricts access to the cavity and thereby aids in retaining the product therein. The assembly may further include a base positioned under a bottom end of the candle. The containment mechanism and base may themselves be made out of recyclable or combustible materials. Once the product has been removed from the cavity, the assembly may be used as a conventional candle. The candle wall is vaporized leaving little to no waste for disposal.

Abstract: A method for low NOx combustion, without premixing of fuel and air prior to passage to a combustor, is provided wherein a fuel is injected into a reaction zone via an eductor thereby inducing an air flow and producing a fuel-rich mixture. The fuel-rich mixture is reacted and produces partial reaction products plus heat. A portion of the heat is to transferred to a cooling air stream and the cooled partial reaction products are brought into contact with the heated cooling air stream for combustion. Increased injection of the fuel results in an increased induction of the air flow.

Abstract: A device for removing cooking vapors in a direction vertically below a hob plane includes a cooking vapor entry device that can be reversibly opened and closed and an exhaust air duct that is connected thereto. A connecting section is provided downstream on the cooking vapor entry device. The downstream exit opening of the connecting section has the cross-section of a horizontally extending rectangle, an oblong hole or a slot, with the width of the exit opening being larger than the height thereof and the width corresponding approximately to the width of the entry opening. One or more flat duct elements having respective horizontally extending, rectangular cross-sections are connected to the cooking vapor entry device and/or to the preliminary section and/or to the connecting section either indirectly or directly, downstream of the exit opening from the side and horizontally and/or from the side and from below at an angle.

Abstract: A heat recovery installation using solar energy includes a three-channel plate, in which the first channel layer, viewed from the outside, alternately discharges used air and supplies fresh air. The third channel layer, viewed from the outside, ensures the supply of used air and the discharge of fresh air, while in the second channel layer, viewed from the outside, the heat exchange between the used and fresh air takes place according to the counterflow principle. In order to produce this flow, small apertures are provided in the second and third plates, viewed from the outside, of the three-channel plate, as a result of which the flow in the channel layer, viewed from the outside, is at right angles to the channel plate.