Abstract: A flueless, portable low nitrogen oxides emissions, low carbon monoxide emissions space heater having a fuel chamber with a fuel inlet and a fuel distributor. The fuel inlet generates a swirling fuel flow within the fuel chamber. A primary air inlet generates a counter-swirling primary airflow with respect to the swirling fuel flow in a primary air chamber. The fuel distributor discharges the swirling fuel flow into the counter-swirling primary airflow thus forming a fuel/air mixture. An ignitor ignites the fuel/air mixture. A combustion chamber is sealably secured to and in communication with the primary air chamber. The combustion chamber wall has a plurality of secondary air supply holes. An intermediate shell surrounds the combustion chamber wall and forms a space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. A secondary air inlet is in communication with the space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. An outer protective shell surrounds the intermediate shell.

Abstract: A flueless, low nitrogen oxides emissions, low carbon monoxide emissions space heater having a fuel chamber with a fuel inlet and a fuel distributor. The fuel inlet generates a swirling fuel flow within the fuel chamber. A primary air inlet generates a counter-swirling primary airflow with respect to the swirling fuel flow in a primary air chamber. The fuel distributor discharges the swirling fuel flow into the counter-swirling primary airflow thus forming a fuel/air mixture. An ignitor ignites the fuel/air mixture. A combustion chamber is sealably secured to and in communication with the primary air chamber. The combustion chamber wall has a plurality of secondary air supply holes. An intermediate shell surrounds the combustion chamber wall and forms a space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. A secondary air inlet is in communication with the space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. An outer protective shell surrounds the intermediate shell.

Abstract: Continuous thermal energy delivery from a cyclically active thermal energy source having an ON period substantially exceeding an OFF period by passing working fluid through a central working fluid conduit passing through a containment means forming an annular chamber therewith, the annular chamber substantially filled with a liquid-solid phase change thermal energy storage material having a high specific heat in the liquid phase. During insolation, thermal energy superheats the thermal energy storage material and is conducted therethrough to heat the working fluid. During eclipse the superheated thermal energy storage material transmits heat to the working fluid and formation of solid phase of the thermal energy storage material releases heat of fusion adjacent the working fluid conduit for additional supply of heat to the working fluid. A thermal gradient is maintained across the thickness of the thermal energy storage material.

Abstract: A reactive impeller for pressurizing hot flue gases. The impeller has a hub and blades exposed to the gases. The hub and blades are cooled by an internal cooling fluid, which is expelled from nozzles on the blades to drive the impeller so as to propel and pressurize the gases.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-pulsed recuperation of energy includes a vessel defining a pulse chamber and a recuperator chamber. Gates selectively open an inlet to the pulse chamber for the introduction of the gas to the pulse chamber, open a passage for partial release of the gas from the pulse chamber to the recuperator chamber, and close the pulse chamber for confinement during compression and after release. A pulse-heat source in the pulse chamber pulse-heats the confined gas to cause the compression. Heat transfer apparatus in the chambers transfers heat from the remainder and the released portion to a heat transfer medium. A method of recuperation of heat energy, which is the method by which the apparatus operates, includes heat-pulsed compression of a confined gas. The gas is partially, adiabatically released after compression. Heat energy is recuperated by heat transfer from the released portion and the remainder.