Abstract: For a pipe check valve of a known construction involving a peripheral extending rubber seal and known to be installed by being manually urged through ascending movement in the pipe, the newly added recess below the peripheral seal to receive thereinto a fold-down of the seal during the ascending movement to obviate abrasion of the seal as might contribute to leakage of the check valve during use.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger fueled by a metal-corroding heating gas, the use of a replaceable aluminum plug component which, because of its chemical affinity, corrodes first to thereby obviate the corroding of other non-replaceable metal components, to thereby contribute to eliminating malfunctioning due to corrosion. The construction of the plug also contributes to the heat transferring efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The use of an incandescing burner or so-called reactor to preliminarily heat water which subsequently is passed in heat exchange with air that is used for spaced conditioning, and wherein the same reactor, which is efficiently operated on a gas-air mixture, is also used to supply hot water.

Abstract: The ceramic article, after molding and while in a porous condition, is surface hardened not by being placed in a kiln and exposed to high temperatures, but is operatively arranged to have a combustible gas-air mixture pumped under appropriate pressure through the porosity of its molded shape. The exiting gas-air mixture is, according to the present invention, ignited, and this causes the exterior surface of the molded shape to incandesce, with the result that the external surface hardens without causing internal stresses within the article, and also avoids causing differential thermal expansion between the exterior surface and the fiber substance of the article adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is formed of a pair of concentrically arranged cylindrical shells, closed at each end to define a chamber through which water can pass. A combustion element extends into the inner shell from one end along the axis thereof and is connected to a source of heat such as a gas/air mixture which ignites in the combustion element causing the radiation of heat outwardly from the combustion element. The inner shell is formed of a corrugated wall which may be formed as a single corrugation comprising a continuous helix along the length thereof or a plurality of undulations extending along the length of the cylinder.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is formed of a pair of concentrically arranged open-ended cylindrical shells, defining a chamber therebetween, in through which water can pass. Each end of the pair of shells is closed by a removable cap. A combustion element extends into the inner shell from one end along the axis thereof and is connected to a source of heat such as a gas/air mixture which ignites in the combustion element causing the radiation of heat outwardly from the combustion element. A continuous helical wire is located in the chamber, between the inlet and the outlet and in contact with the opposing walls of the chamber to convert the chamber into an elongated helical passage.

Abstract: To obtain optimum heat transfer from a heat source to an absorption refrigeration cycle refrigerant, use is made of a doughnut-shaped generator or refrigerant holding tank and a heat source in the specific form of a reactor, as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,217,701, wherein the reactor is located in the central opening of the generator so that the heat which it radiates, which is circumferential in nature, effectively transfers to the refrigerant which is in surrounding relation about the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a process for producing a reactor cylinder for use in a radiant heater and the reactor cylinder produced by that process. A liquid vehicle is initially prepared including an alumina dispersion, magnesium sulfate, colloidal silica and powdered talc. An antifoam agent may be added. The alumina dispersion includes dispersable alumina in an amount between about 1% and about 5% by weight, an acid in an amount up to about 0.2% by weight and water in an amount between about 10% and about 30% by weight, all calculated as weight percent based on the weight of the liquid vehicle. The alumina dispersion is then further diluted by the addition of water in an amount between about 40% and about 80% by weight. To the diluted alumina dispersion is added magnesium sulfate in an amount up to about 4% by weight, colloidal silica in an amount up to about 10% by weight and powdered talc in an amount between about 0.0001% and about 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: In a heat exchanger of the type in which hot exhaust gases transfer heat to water or the like flowing through a helical heat exchange coil, the use, as a significant improvement to the efficiency of the heat exchange occurring therebetween, of a conduit for the water having external helical fluting such that the hot gases circulate along two paths, rather than only one, and thus are more effectively able to transfer heat to the water.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump impeller with vanes extending radially from an elastomeric hub in the operation of which the unavoidable flexing, i.e. alternately changing angular orientation, of the vanes in the hub does not contribute to any rupture, because the hub is provided with a compartment cooperating with each vane so that the flexing movements occur in that compartment, rather than causing stretching and compression in the hub elastomeric construction material which ultimately produces rupture or other such breakdown.

Abstract: There is described a porous ceramic reactor which is used in a heating system. The combustion of fuel occurs on the outer surface of the reactor. The outer surface has a plurality of indentations that break up the surface continuity. As a consequence, the scaling and cracking that occurs due to differential expansion and contraction is minimized. Alternatively, the surface continuity can be broken up by means of a wide mesh metal screen that is in contact with the surface thereby creating thermal continuities that minimize scaling.

Abstract: A porous ceramic heating reactor is positioned within a tubular casing to contain the flame and the end products of combustion. A flattened portion of the casing extends substantially past the reactor to provide for further transfer of heat through the casing wall from the hot exhaust gases and to carry those exhaust gases to a safe point of exhaustion. The unit is essentially modular so that any number can be selected for an installation. The casing configuration enhances turbulent flow of the hot gaseous products of combustion. Turbulent flow increases heat transfer to and through the walls of the casing to the boiler or other area to be heated. The size and shape of the tubular casing provides an explosion proof, leak proof, efficient heat transfer device. Each reactor has a spark plug one of whose elements is a bi-metallic strip. In a multi-unit installation the spark plugs are connected in parallel across a spark generator.

Abstract: A porous ceramic heating reactor is positioned within a tubular casing to contain the flame and the end products of combustion. A flattened portion of the casing extends substantially past the reactor to provide for further transfer of heat through the casing wall from the hot exhaust gases and to carry those exhaust gases to a safe point of exhaustion. The unit is essentially modular so that any number can be selected for an installation. The casing configuration enhances turbulent flow of the hot gaseous products of combustion. Turbulent flow increases heat transfer to and through the walls of the casing to the boilder or other area to be heated. The size and shape of the tubular casing provides an explosion proof, leak proof, efficient heat transfer device. Each reactor has a spark plug one of whose elements is a bi-metallic strip. In a multi-unit installation the spark plugs are connected in parallel across a spark generator.

Abstract: A porous ceramic heating reactor is positioned within a tubular casing to contain the flame and the end products of combustion. A flattened portion of the casing extends substantially past the reactor to provide for further transfer of heat through the casing wall from the hot exhaust gases and to carry those exhaust gases to a safe point of exhaustion. The unit is essentially modular so that any number can be selected for an installation. The casing configuration enhances turbulent flow of the hot gaseous products of combustion. Turbulent flow increases heat transfer to and through the walls of the casing to the boiler or other area to be heated. The size and shape of the tubular casing provides an explosion proof, leak proof, efficient heat transfer device. Each reactor has a spark plug one of whose elements is a bi-metallic strip. In a multi-unit installation the spark plugs are connected in parallel across a spark generator.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a process for producing a reactor cylinder for use in a radiant heater and the reactor cylinder produced by that process. A liquid vehicle is initially prepared including an alumina dispersion, magnesium sulfate, colloidal silica and powdered talc. An antifoam agent may be added. The alumina dispersion includes dispersable alumina in an amount between about 1% and about 5% by weight, an acid in an amount up to about 0.2% by weight and water in an amount between about 10% and about 30% by weight, all calculated as weight precent based on the weight of the liquid vehicle. The alumina dispersion is then further diluted by the addition of water in an amount between about 40% and about 80% by weight. To the diluted alumina dispersion is added magnesium sulfate in an amount up to about 4% by weight, colloidal silica in an amount up to about 10% by weight and powdered talc in an amount between about 0.0001% and about 0.1% by weight.