Abstract: Combustion apparatus (10) includes a combustion chamber (12, 212), a cover (24, 208) covering an end wall (14, 210) of the combustion chamber and defining a buffer space (26, 206) therebetween, and a blower (32, 202) external to the cover and supplying air to the buffer space and pressurizing the buffer space to a higher pressure than the combustion chamber such that leakage at penetrations (46) and/or interface (334, 336) flows from the buffer space into the combustion chamber, rather than the reverse, eliminating the need for leak-tight seals, and instead permitting leakage in a desired direction. In one embodiment, a first conduit (58) supplies air along a path (34) from the blower to the mixer and burner assembly without passing through the buffer space, and a second conduit (60) independently supplies air from the blower to the buffer space. A pressure dropping orifice (36) is provided between the blower and the mixer and burner assembly.

Abstract: Diesel fuel is vaporized and then burned on a cylindrical screen flame holder. The fuel is vaporized in a finned, vertical tube vapor generator and directed through a superheater tube past the flame to a flow control valve and nozzle. A flow restriction is provided between a liquid fuel supply and the vapor generator. The flame holder is vertically supported over a mixer and the nozzle. A flame deflector about the flame holder and a reservoir about the nozzle collect fuel condensate during start-up.

Abstract: Space heating and cooling and potable water heating are provided by a single appliance. The housing appliance is divided into four sections: a lower water storage section, a middle hardware section, an upper internal air handling section and a side external air handling section which may protrude through a building wall. A heating medium from a single burner heat exchanger may be directed to either a liquid to air heat exchanger for space heating or to a hot water storage tank for heating potable water. The storage tank contains a heat exchanger for heat transfer from the heating medium to the potable water. A single thermostatic flow control maintains a constant temperature of heating medium directed to either the liquid to air heat exchanger or the storage tank to provide condensation of products of combustion during the space heating mode of operation and part of the water heating mode of operation and yet preclude overheating of the heating medium.

Abstract: In a water heating system, vapor in the products of combustion gases is condensed in a secondary heat exchanger positioned in a housing with the primary heat exchanger and combustion chamber. The two heat exchangers are coaxial coils with the secondary coil surrounding the primary. Gases flow radially through the primary coil, axially along a baffle and then axially through the secondary coil at an increased velocity. The gas/air mixture is burned in a burner within the primary heat exchanger and the gas product are drawn through the exchangers by a blower. A water storage tank is designed to enhance stratification of hot water over cooler water. The cooler water is used to condense vapor in the secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for a vehicle including an on-board compressor for recharging an associated pressure storage tank. The compressor and tank are mounted on the vehicle as a structural unit whereby the tank shields the compressor and high pressure gas flow circuits therebetween and provides a heat exchanger surface for the compressor. A regulator in series with a supply line of low pressure gas prevents gas flow when the compressor does not operate to maintain a vacuum in an intervening dispensing line. An O.sub.2 sensor disconnects the compressor motor when the percentage of O.sub.2 exceeds a predetermined safe limit. A bypass circuit allows the tank to be filled from a high pressure supply without operation of the compressor.

Abstract: A closed-loop, incompressible-liquid circulating, hydronic heating system, for instance, a hot water heating system, which utilizes a Venturi-type control device to effect communication between the circulating hydronic heating system and a storage tank. The storage tank, which is maintained at ambient atmospheric pressure, is connected to the throat of the Venturi. The inlet and outlet of the Venturi are connected to the pump outlet and inlet, respectively, in parallel with the main circulating loop. The Venturi control device automatically controls the pressure in the circulating system by means of controlling the flow of incompressible-liquid between the storage tank and the incompressible-liquid circulating system. The Venturi control device responds automatically to changes of pressure in the circulating system. The pressure differential between the Venturi throat and the Venturi inlet remains constant.

Abstract: A high efficiency gas fired residential water heater includes an insulated, plastic-lined storage tank. The water in the tank is heated by an external heat exchanger which defines a water-walled combustion chamber. The fuel gas and combustion air burned in the chamber are premixed to a near stoichiometric mixture without the use of a blower. Under the force of line pressure or less, the fuel gas is accelerated into an aspirator/mixer which premixes an amount of air sufficient for complete combustion of the fuel gas. The water-walled combustion chamber is particularly suited for substantial recovery of the heat of a pilot flame. The pilot products of combustion heat water at the upper end of the combustion chamber without causing significant convective flow throughout the heat exchanger.

Abstract: In a water heating system, vapor in the products of combustion gases is condensed in a secondary heat exchanger positioned in a housing with the primary heat exchanger and combustion chamber. The two heat exchangers are coaxial coils with the secondary coil positioned below the primary. Gases flow radially through the primary coil and then axially through the secondary coil at an increased velocity. The gases are then used to pre-heat a gas/air mixture in a third heat exchanger within the secondary heat exchanger. The pre-heated gas/air mixture is burned in a burner within the primary heat exchanger and the gas products are drawn through the exchangers by a blower. A water storage tank is designed to enhance stratification of hot water over cooler water. The cooler water is used to condense vapor in the secondary heat exchanger.

Abstract: A high efficiency gas fired residential water heater includes an insulated, plastic-lined storage tank. The water in the tank is heated by an external heat exchanger which defines a water-walled combustion chamber. The fuel gas and combustion air burned in the chamber are premixed to a near stoichiometric mixture without the use of a blower. Under the force of line pressure or less, the fuel gas is accelerated into an aspirator/mixer which premixes an amount of air sufficient for complete combustion of the fuel gas. The water-walled combustion chamber is particularly suited for substantial recovery of the heat of a pilot flame. The pilot products of combustion heat water at the upper end of the combustion chamber without causing significant convective flow throughout the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An efficient, compact boiler system providing both heating water for heating an enclosed space, such as a home, and domestic hot water for washing and similar purposes, has a limited fluid capacity primary heating coil within a combustion chamber. The coil supplies heated water to a larger capacity storage boiler located directly below the primary boiler and connected to it by header pipes which themselves form a manifold into which the primary coil is connected. The storage boiler distributes the heated water through the heating system. An elongated secondary heating coil within the boiler heats the domestic hot water supply by heat transfer from the boiler water. The return header pipe discharges heated water directly into the interior loop of the secondary coil to quickly heat the domestic hot water when the burner is "on".

Abstract: A spray nozzle has a nozzle body defining therein a tubular chamber with an outer wall of generally circular cross-section. A generally coaxial discharge orifice at an end of this chamber has a bounding surface externally of the chamber which forms an included angle toward the chamber of less than 110.degree. with the axis of the chamber. Passage means are provided in the nozzle body to receive a flow of liquid to be sprayed and having an outlet arranged to discharge the liquid into the chamber as an annulus about the axis of the chamber. Means is provided for directing gas under pressure into the chamber in a flow path past the outlet and out the orifice, with any chamber wall portions defining the flow path between the outlet and the orifice being convergent toward the orifice in the direction of flow.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus has a body defining therein a tubular chamber with an outer wall of generally circular cross-section. A generally coaxial discharge orifice at an end of this chamber is closed by a first valve that includes a member of generally circular cross-section. That member also forms an inner chamber wall and defines with the outer chamber wall an annular discharge passage that is convergent towards the discharge orifice. An annular outlet is in one of the chamber walls and first passage is arranged to supply liquid to be dispensed to the annular outlet for discharge into the discharge passage. Second passage is provided for directing gas under pressure into the chamber for flow through the discharge passage, past the annular outlet and out the orifice.

Abstract: A heat-actuated heat pump is disclosed having liquid pistons which displace the working gas and transmit power between expanding gas and compressing gas. Power output from expanding sections is transmitted to compressing sections without intervening mechanical shafts or levers, and the phasing of the various pistons is self-regulated, thereby eliminating the need for phase control mechanisms, such as crankshafts. The engine and heat pump operate in a thermally regenerated cycle without valves, closely approximating a Stirling cycle.

Abstract: In a water heating system, vapor in the products of combustion gases is condensed in a secondary heat exchanger positioned in a housing with the primary heat exchanger and combustion chamber. The two heat exchangers are coaxial coils with the secondary coil positioned below the primary. Gases flow radially through the primary coil and then axially through the secondary coil at an increased velocity. The gases are then used to pre-heat a gas/air mixture in a third heat exchanger within the secondary heat exchanger. The pre-heated gas/air mixture is burned in a burner within the primary heat exchanger and the gas products are drawn through the exchangers by a blower. A water storage tank is designed to enhance stratification of hot water over cooler water. The cooler water is used to condense vapor in the secondary heat exchanger.