Abstract: A fuel oil supply system for a portable fuel oil consuming device, representatively a portable oil fired construction heater includes supply and return fuel lines in communication with a remote fuel container in an anti-siphon configuration. One or more electrical heaters heat the fuel lines adjacent an integral pump of the consuming device. The fuel lines communicate with a partitioned volume of fuel within the container which is heated relative to a remaining volume as the fuel circulates. The pump and a combustion air blower of the device are located together with the heaters within an enclosure on the device such that air is drawn into the enclosure over the heaters and heat conducting surfaces of the pump by the blower for directing heated air through a combustion air duct of the blower which surrounds the burner and a main fuel line from the pump to the burner.

Abstract: Oil in a storage tank is heated by providing one or more elongate conduits within the storage tank in the form of a loop extending from an inlet manifold across the tank and returning to an outlet manifold. The inlet manifold is connected to an evaporator section at a heat source and the outlet manifold acts as a return of the condensate. The conduit forms a loop and back flow in the loop is prevented by providing a head in the liquid in the conduit at a position adjacent to or at the evaporation section caused by a standing column of the liquid with optionally a pump. The flow around the loop at high speed sufficient to carry all condensate forwardly is caused solely by application of energy to the system by the heat source. Inert gases are collected immediately upstream of the trap and can be purged therefrom.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid medium (25) within the closed system is arranged to boil to form a vapor in the evaporation section (12) and such that release of heat from the condensation section (11) to the fluid to be heated (4A) causes the vapor to condense to liquid in the condensation section (11). The conduit forms a loop (10) and back flow in the loop (10) is prevented by providing a trap (27) of liquid in the conduit at a position adjacent to or at the evaporation section (12). The flow around the loop (10) at high speed sufficient to carry all condensate forwardly is caused solely by application of energy to the system by the heat source (21) without mechanical pumping. Inert gases are collected immediately upstream of the trap (27) and can be purged therefrom.

Abstract: A heat transfer fluid medium (25) within the closed system is arranged to boil to form a vapor in the evaporation section (12) and such that release of heat from the condensation section (11) to the fluid to be heated (4A) causes the vapor to condense to liquid in the condensation section (11). The conduit forms a loop (10) and back flow in the loop (10) is prevented by providing a trap (27) of liquid in the conduit at a position adjacent to or at the evaporation section (12). The flow around the loop (10) at high speed sufficient to carry all condensate forwardly is caused solely by application of energy to the system by the heat source (21) without mechanical pumping. Inert gases are collected immediately upstream of the trap (27) and can be purged therefrom.

Abstract: A fuel conduction system is provided for conducting fuel between a fuel source and a fuel consuming device which are either integrated as a single unit or apart as separate units. The system generally comprises concentric supply and return tubes for connection between the fuel source and the pump of a consuming device. A valve is positioned in series with the supply line which prevents siphoning of the contents of the supply line if it is damaged. Anti-siphoning and flashback arrest measures are also provided on the return line. In one embodiment, the fuel conduction system may be used on a portable fuel storage devices for refueling various consuming devices. In another embodiment, the fuel conduction system may be used on a fuel consuming device, between the pump and fuel storage container thereon, so that the fuel storage container may be selectively separated from the device in a safe manner.

Abstract: A fuel conduction system is provided for conducting fuel between a fuel source and a fuel consuming device which are either integrated as a single unit or apart as separate units. The system generally comprises concentric supply and return tubes for connection between the fuel source and the pump of a consuming device. A valve is positioned in series with the supply line which prevents siphoning of the contents of the supply line if it is damaged. Anti-siphoning and flashback arrest measures are also provided on the return line. In one embodiment, the fuel conduction system may be used on a portable fuel storage devices for refueling various consuming devices. In another embodiment, the fuel conduction system may be used on a fuel consuming device, between the pump and fuel storage container thereon, so that the fuel storage container may be selectively separated from the device in a safe manner.

Abstract: A heater for a grain bin is attached to the inlet flange of a centrifugal inline blower and comprises a housing having a vertical front wall attached to the inlet flange of the blower and a parallel vertical rear wall. The front wall has an opening aligned with the opening into the blower. The rear wall has an opening aligned with the opening in the front wall so that the majority of the air entering the blower passes straight through the housing from the rear wall to the front wall. A sleeve surrounds the opening in the rear wall and induces some flow from the housing to mix with the flow into the blower. The combustion chamber is attached to the rear wall through an opening in the rear wall above the sleeve. The housing has two side walls converging to an open top through which air can escape. When heated air is required an air flow is induced from the combustion chamber to mix with the air flow through the housing to heat the total air flow.

Abstract: A combustion heating device for use for example with oil processing equipment defines a combustion chamber within which combustion wholly takes place. The combustion chamber consists solely of a sleeve and end plate defining a vertical cylinder and a layer of ceramic fiber insulating material inside the sleeve defining the inner surface of the combustion chamber. A burner is mounted in a bottom plate of the device which can be pivoted to an open position exposing the burner for service. Air channels are defined on the outside of the sleeve so that incoming combustion air passes over the sleeve and acts as a heat recovery for any heat escaping from the insulating material. An outlet duct at an upper end of the combustion chamber at right angles to the combustion chamber extracts the combustion gases so that all heat exchange takes place outside of the combustion chamber. The device improves heating efficiency and reduces corrosion of heat transfer surfaces.

Abstract: A vehicle used for camping or the like includes a roof structure having an opening upon which is mounted a seperable cover panel. The cover panel can be moved from a closed position covering the opening to an open position in which it is suspended in cantilever arrangement outwardly from one side of the opening with a tent enclosure between the opening and the underside of the panel to cover an access area therebetween. A lever arrangement includes first and second levers which are connected for pivotal movement respectively at the side edge of the opening and the adjacent side edge of the panel. Third and fourth levers are connected each coupled to one of the first and second levers for pivotal movement with the third and fourth levers connected together between the first and second levers and exending outwardly therefrom to engage a cable.

Abstract: The top of the van includes a perimetrical wall defining an opening with a hinged cover panel which opens to a horizontal position on one side of the van. A tent or enclosure is secured by the edges, around the perimetrical wall of the opening and around the free edges of the cover panel. A plurality of hoop braces are hinged to the wall and to the cover panel and the flexible enclosure is secured to these hoops so that the hoops are erected when the cover panel is opened. The cover panel is supported horizontally in the opened position by means of tension cables extending from the other edge of the opening, to the hoop braces to which it is secured, and is then secured to the distal edge of the cover panel by the other end thereof thus eliminating any need for vertical supports. If desired, a flexible porch can be detachably secured around the three edges of the cover panel when open, and can depend therefrom to the ground.