Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the depth of plasma flame cutting of metal via a transferred arc from a transferred-arc plasma cutting torch as created between the cathode electrode coaxial with the plasma torch primary nozzle and the metal workpiece forming the anode electrode and positioned some distance from the exit end of the plasma torch. One or more plasma torch nozzle pieces form additional nozzle lengths and are fixedly mounted to the plasma torch, are formed of metal and are electrically insulated from themselves and the metal plasma torch primary nozzle. The additional nozzles are axially aligned with the primary torch nozzle formed by the metal plasma torch body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reliable flame spraying utilizes a transferred arc from a plasma torch as created between the cathode electrode coaxial with the plasma torch nozzle and the end of at least one wire or rod fed into the transferred arc axially beyond the exit of said plasma torch nozzle. A high velocity annular gaseous sheath is formed concentrically about the extended arc column to form an arc column guide to restrict the arc column to within a region closely spaced radially from the axial extension of the nozzle. A thin walled tube close to but radially outside of the arc column is affixed to but may be electrically insulated from the plasma torch body forming the torch nozzle. Gas flow is effected along at least the outer surface of the tube in the direction of the extended arc column such that the arc column cannot penetrate the sheath high velocity gas to cause the arc to extinguish itself when the wire or rod is withdrawn from the arc column region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of, and apparatus for, flame spraying particulate material utilizing the thermal energy of a very hot gaseous primary stream produced in an oxy-fuel combustion chamber combined with kinetic energy from a surrounding annular sheath of warm high velocity secondary air.

Abstract: A hybrid transferred-arc plasma torch system utilizes a transferred-arc plasma torch whose hollow body carries internally a cathode aligned with a relatively small diameter nozzle which functions under a created arc to issue an arc flame through the nozzle with a plasma gas applied to the chamber. An external anode electrically isolated from the cathode and the transferred-arc plasma torch body coaxial with the nozzle and spaced downstream thereof has an active anode surface of relatively large area radially remote from the axis of the arc flame issuing from the transferred-arc torch with the torch anode position such that the arc flame extends freely beyond the active anode surface with a reverse flow of electrons completing the circuit from the arc flame beyond the anode surface back to that anode surface.

Abstract: A high velocity gaseous jet stream which may be a cold jet stream of compressed air or a jet flame discharging from an internal burner discharges through an open slot V-shaped, U-shaped or C-shaped, or alternatively through separate circumferentially spaced parallel passages to form a volumetric zone of quiescent gas well into the main jet prior to downstream folding of the quiescent zone to form a single symmetrical jet stream, thereby permitting abrasive particles for sandblasting, a solid material particles which are subsequently melted or at least heat-softened prior to impact on a substrate for spray coating. As such the gaseous accelerating medium does not interference with the introduction of the particle or the solid rod from which the particles separate after melting to the center of the accelerating stream, thereby maintaining concentricity of the gas stream about the particles facilitating the focusing of the particle stream and maximizing acceleration effect to the particles so introduced.

Abstract: An internal burner or equivalent device for discharging the hot products of combustion as an axial flame from the discharge end of a venturi type nozzle has a flexible or relatively inflexible wire rod presented to the combustion product stream in the vicinity of the flame jet immediately beyond the exit of the nozzle at an angle less than a critical angle such that the wire is melted and atomized as though the wire has been fed axially into and along the flame jet axis. With a flexible wire rod, the impingement by the flame spray causes the wire rod to curve so that the tip of the wire is axially aligned with the flame jet axis. Where the wire rod is rigid, the intersection of the wire rod and the flame jet at an angle less than the critical angle causes melting and uniform breaking away of the melted particles of the wire rod as very fine droplets uniformly distributed within the flame jet gas flow.

Abstract: The products of combustion of compressed air and fuel fed to an internal burner issue through one or more orifices into a single large diameter expansion or nozzle bore open to the atmosphere. Solid rod or solid particle material to be sprayed is passed concurrent with the products of combustion through the large diameter chamber with the material being heat softened or melted to form a spray which is impacted against a workpiece after acceleration to high velocity. The pressure within the large diameter chamber is maintained sub-atmospheric. By aspirating atmospheric air flow bearing particulate material or by leaking air about a solid rod to the sub-atmospheric chamber pressure, pre-melting of the wire or particulate material within the material feed passage upstream of the chamber and prevented via hot combustion product gas back flow.

Abstract: Particulate material, which may be heat softened or liquified, or which may remain solid, is fed outside of an electrical heating zone for electric arc heating under pressure a continuous flow of heated gas, or outside of a combustion chamber producing high pressure, high temperature products of combustion, axially into the converging flow of the heated gas or products of combustion while entering a converging portion of a flow expansion nozzle having a nozzle bore of a length that is at least five times the diameter of the nozzle bore. This restricts the diameter of the column of particles passing through the nozzle bore to prevent build up of particle material on the nozzle bore, if molten or heat softened, while insuring sufficient dwell time within the bore to effect particle heat softening or melting, or if the particles are solid, to prevent abrasion of the nozzle bore wall by the particles while accelerating the particles to supersonic velocity.

Abstract: Within ultra high velocity flame spray apparatus, the oxy-fuel products of combustion under pressure exit from an internal burner and pass through a spray nozzle of extended length. Metal or ceramic material in thin diameter rod form or as particles are fed to the nozzle inlet at a point at or just ahead of the throat of the nozzle bore. The exceptionally long nozzle flow path and the mode of introduction of the material into the flame spray insures a concentrated and highly focussed core of spray material for material spray coating downstream of the nozzle at supersonic speed.

Abstract: In one form, a cylindrical shell extends from an annular burner body to form an elongated combustion chamber, which chamber bears a cylindrical heat radiator element concentric with and spaced radially inward of the shell. A tube coupled to the opposite end of the annular burner body delivers compressed air born abrasive particles to a reduced diameter inlet passage within the burner body. The burner body bears a tubular, slotted sand separator which permits air free of sand to pass along the rear side of the heat radiator for re-entry through radial holes within the heat raditor downstream of the burner body for combustion stabilization. In another form, the combustion chamber is at right angles to the flow passage including the tubular, slotted sand separator and the discharge nozzle. The products of combustion from the combustion chamber at high temperature and velocity, aspirate the abrasive flow through the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the maximum power of a hydraulic windmill which is achieved by utilizing the overpressure created in a closed loop hydraulic energy conversion system to rotate the tail of the windmill away from its operating plane to reduce the power transmitted from the wind to the blades of the windmill. A mechanical braking mechanism may be applied to the windmill blade driven rotatable shaft upon a sensed overpressure in the hydraulic fluid which acts through a differential between the hydraulic overpressure and a preset pressure to effect closure of the brake.

Abstract: A high velocity gaseous accelerating secondary jet stream in the form of the products of combustion of an internal burner is directed as a converging annular flow about and into a primary jet stream of high temperature bearing melted particles to accelerate the particles for improved impingement coating of a substrate with the internal burner operated under parameters such that the secondary jet stream is at sufficiently high temperature to prevent solidification of the particles during transport by the higher molten secondary stream prior to impact on the substrate surface.

Abstract: A portion of an earth well bore is sealed off, and a combustible mixture of gaseous oxidizer and fuel is introduced into a sealed length of the well bore and ignited with substantial momentary pressure rise, fracturing the earth formation adjacent the well bore to increase the flow of fluid from the surrounding earth into the well. A check valve intermediate of the sealed well bore length functions to segregate the well bore into upper and lower sealed portions. By igniting a fuel gas mixture within the first sealed length, there is created a momentary high pressure wave within the sealed volume that is transmitted as a standing pressure into the second sealed volume. Successive firings of combustible mixtures in the first sealed volume create a steady pressure in the second sealed volume nearly equivalent to the peak transitory pressures realized in the first sealed volume during the individual firings.

Abstract: An elongated casing forming a combustion chamber and bearing a venturi type jet nozzle at one end and a fuel and compressed air supply at its opposite end, bears one or more radial passages opening to the venturi to permit a secondary fuel to feed into the flame exiting from the burner for reaction with free oxygen which is unburned from the primary fuel and air mixture entering the combustion chamber at said opposite end of the apparatus. The secondary fuel may be acetylene, methyl-acetylene and its compounds with hydrogen.

Abstract: An elongated casing forming an air cooled combustion chamber includes a venturi type jet nozzle at one end and an ignition system spark plug at its opposite end in axial alignment with the nozzle bore. The spark plug includes a first electrode separated from a second electrode by an annular space. A gas having an oxygen content in excess of that of natural air is introduced to the annular space to improve ignition and internal burner start up. Liquid fuel flow is introduced into the region of extended spark within the combustion chamber and downstream of the ends of the first and second electrodes. Compressed air, after initial cooling of the combustion chamber wall and nozzle, enters the end of the combustion chamber housing the spark plug to create with the fuel a combustible mixture. Some of the compressed air is fed to the annular space between first and second electrodes to maintain the extended spark and improved ignition of the fuel/air mixture.

Abstract: Chanelling in rock quarries with reduced noise level is effected by flame drilling side by side holes separated by a web with the web sufficiently thin to allow easy subsequent breakage, preferably where the web is badly heat damaged and cracked through. Water injection acts together with the muffler effect with drilling restricted to individual holes separated by the web to significantly reduce noise levels. The flame drill is preferably additionally provided with a muffler of "folded" design to increase the gas flow path over a short vertical dimension. The muffler may comprise multiple concentric tubes with the inner of the tubes bearing holes for transmitting flow radially of longitudinal flow paths defined by opposed concentric tube walls. A refractory cloth annulus secured to the top of the muffler may be spring held to the stem of the flame drill assembly.

Abstract: A system for deriving useful energy from a windmill in which a liquid pump is driven by the windmill. Useful energy is obtained by either a fluid driven generator or a friction heater. The output of the pump and the speed of the windmill are controlled by a constant volume valve in the fluid circuit.