Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for resecting a valve in a patient, in which the system includes: a proximal frame and a distal frame opposite the proximal frame, each frame including a plurality of interconnectable frame segments, in which the proximal and distal frames are separated by an adjustable distance and positionable on opposite sides of the valve; an electrode, adjacent to the valve on at least one of the proximal and distal frames, that electrosurgically resects valve tissue; a proximal chamber and a distal chamber coupled to the proximal and distal frames, respectively, that allow passage of fluid and captures at least a portion of resected valve tissue, in which each chamber selectively operates in one of a radially collapsed mode and a radially expanded mode; and a drive system that adjusts the distance between the proximal and distal frames.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes at least one single piece tubular member that has a normal radius and a generally circular cross section and a restricting and turbulating structure. The structure includes at least one opposing pair of obstructions that are exposed to one another and have a generally parabolic dimple shape disposed within the tubular member. The tubular member extends along a longitudinal axis. The length of each obstruction extends parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the obstructions extend parallel to one another. At least one of the obstructions projects into the tubular member to form a dead flow area between the obstructions through which fluid flow is negligible. A pair of adjacent converging, diverging nozzles is separated by the dead flow area, each having an aperture through which a fluid may flow and maintain the normal radius of the tubular member.

Abstract: A gas burner for a gas fired heating appliance, such as a water heater. The gas burner is located within a combustion chamber and includes an inlet conduit through which combustible gas and primary air are received. An air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber and which extends from the inlet end of the inlet conduit to a primary air port that communicates with a source of primary air located outside the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber also includes at least one port through which secondary combustion air is admitted into the combustion chamber. A flow path transition member is located within the combustion chamber and is in fluid communication with the primary air port. The transition member also forms part of the isolated primary air flow path and sealingly engages the air scoop when the burner is installed into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for relieving an ignition pulse that may be created at burner ignition in a gas-fired appliance. The burner is located in a combustion chamber forming part of the appliance such as a water heater. A port for admitting air into the combustion chamber is provided and sufficiently sized to relieve an ignition pulse if created upon burner ignition. The air opening is overlaid with an element made from a material that contains a plurality of small openings and is formed into a cup-shaped configuration so that the total area of the material, including both open and non-open areas is substantially greater than the air opening. The port defines an opening for admitting secondary air into the combustion chamber for some applications. The element that overlies the opening may be constructed from one or more layers of a wire mesh material.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube and provide a pair of converging, diverging flow nozzles to promote turbulence of the flue gases. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the size of the aperture of the nozzles. In certain applications, the dimples are located along the sides of the heat exchanger tube, thereby providing unobstructed drainage for liquids even when the tube is bent into a serpentine shape.

Abstract: A burner having an elongate, generally tubular sheet metal body having an inlet end, a closed distal end and a tubular segment extending between the ends. The inlet end is formed to define a gas orifice holder which is adapted to mount a gas orifice element. The inlet end is further formed to define at least one primary air opening arranged to admit primary air from a source of primary air. Rows of flame ports are defined in the tubular segment and are arranged to create a desired predetermined flame pattern. When used as a fireplace burner the flame ports may be slot-like in construction and include tabs which determine the effective size of the ports. In a fireplace application, flame ports located below a crossover log, are eliminated and/or formed of reduced size, thus providing a flame of lower height and/or less intensity, thus substantially eliminating sooting.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube and provide a pair of converging, diverging flow nozzles to promote turbulence of the flue gases. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the size of the aperture of the nozzles. In certain applications, the dimples are located along the sides of the heat exchanger tube, thereby providing unobstructed drainage for liquids even when the tube is bent into a serpentine shape.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube and provide a pair of converging, diverging flow nozzles to promote turbulence of the flue gases. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the size of the aperture of the nozzles. In certain applications, the dimples are located along the sides of the heat exchanger tube, thereby providing unobstructed drainage for liquids even when the tube is bent into a serpentine shape.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing bends in tubes, including a bending die assembly having a fixed die section that is rigidly mounted to a support member and at least one a movable die section that is movable relative to the fixed section. When used to make “wrinkle” bends the die assembly includes a pair of moveable die section that are moveable relative to the fixed die section and relative to each other along a predetermined path. The movable die section or sections are supported for movement in a common plane and include camming pins engageable with slots formed in the support member, such that the engagement of the pins with the associated slots define paths of movement for the die sections. When used to make “wrinkle” bends, the fixed die section and movable die sections define wrinkle receiving recesses.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing bends in tubes, including a bending die assembly having a fixed die section that is rigidly mounted to a support member and at least one a movable die section that is movable relative to the fixed section. When used to make “wrinkle” bends the die assembly includes a pair of moveable die section that are moveable relative to the fixed die section and relative to each other along a predetermined path. The movable die section or sections are supported for movement in a common plane and include camming pins engageable with slots formed in the support member, such that the engagement of the pins with the associated slots define paths of movement for the die sections. When used to make “wrinkle” bends, the fixed die section and movable die sections define wrinkle receiving recesses.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube and provide a pair of converging, diverging flow nozzles to promote turbulence of the flue gases. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the size of the aperture of the nozzles. In certain applications, the dimples are located along the sides of the heat exchanger tube, thereby providing unobstructed drainage for liquids even when the tube is bent into a serpentine shape.

Abstract: A burner having an elongate, generally tubular sheet metal body having an inlet end, a closed distal end and a tubular segment extending between the ends. The inlet end is formed to define a gas orifice holder which is adapted to mount a gas orifice element. The inlet end is further formed to define at least one primary air opening arranged to admit primary air from a source of primary air. A bluff body is located downstream from the gas orifice element and is positioned such that gas emitted by the orifice impinges on the bluff body. Rows of flame ports are defined in the tubular segment and are arranged to create a desired predetermined flame pattern. When used as a fireplace burner the flame ports may be slot-like in construction and include tabs which determine the effective size of the ports.

Abstract: A gas burner that produces a yellow flame for use in a fireplace assembly, including front and rear non-combustible logs and a cross-over log supported atop the front and rear logs. The burner includes an elongate, generally tubular sheet metal body having an inlet end, a closed distal end and a tubular segment extending between the ends. The inlet end is formed to define a gas orifice holder which is adapted to mount a gas orifice element and to define at least one primary air opening arranged to admit combustion air into the tubular burner segment. A bluff body is located downstream from the gas orifice element and is positioned such that gas emitted by the orifice impinges on the bluff body. Rows of slot-like flame ports are defined in the tubular segment and are arranged to create a desired predetermined flame pattern and include tabs which determine the effective size of the ports.

Abstract: A gas burner is disclosed. The gas burner includes a burner body including a pair of adjoining metal stampings that form a serially connected gas supply passage, venturi region, and plenum chamber, the gas supply passage defining at least one air supply hole for introducing air into the gas supply passage. A burner port is defined by integrally formed recesses in each adjoining metal stamping, the burner port being in fluid communication with the plenum chamber and being oriented about 90 degrees with respect to the central axis of the burner. The gas burner is fabricated from a pair of adjoining sheet metal halves. An alternate gas burner includes a tapered burner port which provides a more uniform flame height because it compensates for velocity variations in the flowing air fuel mixture. A divider plate is also included in the port which improves flame stability.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube and provide a pair of converging, diverging flow nozzles to promote turbulence of the flue gases. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the size of the aperture of the nozzles. In certain applications, the dimples are located along the sides of the heat exchanger tube, thereby providing unobstructed drainage for liquids even when the tube is bent into a serpentine shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new compact disc (CD) storage and display rack for storing a collection of individually cased compact discs in a wall mountable rack which provides an attractive display of the CD case covers, protection of the CDs and CD cases from damage, easy organization of the collection, and convenient extraction/insertion of a CD from it's case without needing to remove the CD case from the rack. The compact disc storage and display rack comprises a rigid panel having a plurality of identical shallow cavities formed therein. Each cavity is adapted to releasably retain a conventional compact disc storage case. The plurality of cases lie in spaced coplanar relationship to each other. Each cavity has gripping pads whereby the CD case is gripped only by the bottom part, the top part of the case being freely pivotable about the hinge. Finger access slots provide clearance adjacent each CD case for insertion of a user's fingers to grasp the top part of the case for opening thereof.