Abstract: A steam turbine casing includes a lower half part having a plurality of lower support portions projecting horizontally around a lower half part body; an upper half part connected onto the lower half part; a support member fixed to an upper surface part of a respective one of the lower support portions; and a plurality of support columns each having a lower end part on a frame and an upper end part to which a lower surface part of the support member fixed to a corresponding one of the lower support portions. Thus, thermal deformation of the casing is suppressed, and a suitable clearance can be maintained between the casing and a turbine.

Abstract: A system for controlled recovery of thermal energy and conversion to mechanical energy. The system collects thermal energy from a reciprocating engine, specifically from engine jacket fluid and/or engine exhaust and uses this thermal energy to generate a secondary power source by evaporating an organic propellant and using the gaseous propellant to drive an expander in production of mechanical energy. A monitoring module senses ambient and system conditions such as temperature, pressure, and flow of organic propellant at one or more locations. A control module regulates system parameters based on monitored information to optimize secondary power output. A thermal fluid heater may be used to heat propellant. The system may be used to meet on-site power demands using primary, secondary, and tertiary power.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods in interoperating with multiple clean energy sources, such as pneumatic energy, electrical energy, hydrogen energy and steam energy, with engine configurations employing theses clean energy sources dynamically and synchronously. Further embodiments including fossil fuel energies.

Abstract: A combustion system such as a furnace or boiler includes a perforated reaction holder configured to hold a combustion reaction that produces very low oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a combustion system is provided, which includes a nozzle configured to emit a diverging fuel flow, a flame holder positioned in the path of the fuel flow and that includes a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, and a preheat mechanism configured to heat the flame to a temperature exceeding a startup temperature threshold.

Abstract: When a detection temperature by a hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a re-heating determination temperature over at least a re-heating determination time, a tank controller (50) performs a sterilization process by heating hot water within a hot-water tank (30) by means of a heat pump unit (60); and when the detection temperature by the hot-water tank thermister (42) has been equal to or lower than a determination temperature for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank over at least a determination time for prohibiting the use of hot water in the hot-water tank, the tank controller (50) performs only a temperature regulation control via heating while keeping a hot-water flow regulation valve (34) in a closed state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion in which a pressurized preheated liquid fuel is atomized and a portion thereof flash vaporized, creating a mixture of fuel vapor and liquid droplets. The mixture is mixed with primary combustion oxidant, producing a fuel/primary oxidant mixture which is then injected into a primary combustion chamber in which the fuel/primary oxidant mixture is partially combusted, producing a secondary gaseous fuel containing hydrogen and carbon oxides. The secondary gaseous fuel is mixed with a secondary combustion oxidant and injected into the second combustion chamber wherein complete combustion of the secondary gaseous fuel is carried out. The resulting second stage flue gas containing very low amounts of NOx is then vented from the second combustion chamber.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a housing that defines a substantially enclosed interior region. A control panel is attached to the housing and includes a display that displays a particular condition of the water heating system. An access panel is attached to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the access panel, a passageway to the interior region of the housing is provided, and, in the second position of the access panel, the passageway to the interior region of the housing is closed. The display is visible in both positions of the access panel such that movement of the access panel from the second position to the first position facilitates simultaneous access to the display and to the interior region of the housing though the passageway.

Abstract: A steam generating device has a handle and a nozzle or pad attached to the handle for treating a surface. The handle includes a heat exchanger, a water reservoir, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the water reservoir and heat exchanger, and a fluid delivery system for moving water from the water reservoir, through the fluid conduit, and into the heat exchanger. A fuel powered heater is positioned on a side of the wall of the heat exchanger opposite the interior space of the heat exchanger. A first section of the wall of the heat exchanger transfers heat from the heater to water located in the heat exchanger for generating steam from the water located in the heat exchanger. A second section of the wall of the heat exchanger includes an opening that allows steam to exit the heat exchanger and handle and flow through the nozzle or pad.

Abstract: A liquid vaporizer includes a stack of coaxially aligned, thermally conductive, thin, flat disks having different diameters. The larger diameter disks each include at least one aperture and preferably a plurality of closely spaced apertures radially located a predetermined distance from the center of the disk. The vaporizer further includes means for establishing a liquid film on at least a portion of the surfaces of the larger diameter disks and for accelerating the vaporization of the liquid thereon by passing a gas through the apertures of the larger diameter disks over the liquid film on the portion of the surfaces of the larger diameter disks.

Abstract: An improved vaporization system includes an automated valve and positive displacement pumping system using a pair of pumps operating in opposition to one another to provide continuous and constant volumetric flow at a constant predetermined pressure to an improved vaporizer using a stack of heated disks to flash vaporize the liquid. The valves are improved by providing one way flow.

Abstract: In a method for preserving umbilical cord blood, a severed umbilical cord is provided which has at least one tubular blood vessel closed at opposite ends to maintain fluid in the vessel. An anticoagulant is added to blood fluids in the vessel, and the blood fluid is moved in the vessel to distribute the anticoagulant throughout the blood. An associated apparatus comprises a container, a support within the container for supporting an umbilical cord, an injector or other fluid adding device engageable with the umbilical cord in the container for introducing an anticoagulant into at least one tubular vessel in the umbilical cord, and a fluid moving device at least partially inside the container for moving blood fluid contained in the tubular vessel.

Abstract: Steam is produced by introducing compressed air into one end of a vessel, heating the air, and inducing a continuous swirling motion of the air as it travels from an inlet toward an outlet. A heated deflector plate is disposed in the vessel upstream of the outlet and is opened at its outer periphery to conduct the swirling air. Water is sprayed against a backside of the heated deflector plate such that the water becomes vaporized and entrained in the air flow to exit as steam through the outlet. Additionally or alternatively, a pair of outlets can be provided, one situated at a radially outer portion of the vessel and another situated centrally of the vessel. Hotter steam is exited through the outer outlet and cooler steam is exited through the center outlet.

Abstract: An electric steam generator for generating superheated steam for domestic use includes a cylindrical body provided with a plurality of sector-shaped vaporization chambers closed at their top by a removable plate defining at its central region a first superheating chamber. An inverted cup-shaped body closed at its top by a plate and having a lateral wall defines, together with the removable plate, a second superheating chamber surrounding the first superheating chamber. The body is provided with an electric resistance heater for heating the vaporization and superheating chambers to operating temperature. Water is pumped into the vaporization chambers where it is instantaneously vaporized to steam which flows therefrom in series through the first and second superheating chambers to a steam delivery duct.

Abstract: A variable stage direct fired boiler having at least three output-pressure sensitive combustion stages. A separate pressure switch controls each stage such that none, one or more stages may be engaged in combustion depending upon the desired output pressure and the actual output pressure.

Abstract: A steam boiler for producing superheated steam directly in the boiler from saturated steam being generated therein includes a plurality of vertical sealed high pressure boiler water heating tubes, each provided with an electrical heating element and containing a limited quantity of water, mounted in a boiler water filled well in the bottom wall of the boiler. Energization of the heating element of each sealed tube produces high pressure saturated steam in the tube causing the tube to rise in temperature to generate saturated steam in the boiler from the water in the well. The tubes each have a vertical extent substantially greater than the controlled depth of water in the boiler. The saturated boiler steam is superheated by an elongated, sealed, vertical vessel mounted on the bottom wall of the boiler and extending upwardly into the boiler steam space above the upper ends of the heating tubes.

Abstract: A non-toxic smoke generator for simulating the smoke of a fire includes an nner cylindrical shell surrounded in spaced relation by a thermally insulated outer casing to form an air flow passage therebetween through which compressed air heated by electric air heaters is caused to flow in a helical pattern to heat the shell to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of a vaporizable smoke substance. The smoke substance, such as propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 200 or mineral oil, is pumped from a reservoir through a supply pipe having a coiled preheating portion disposed in the space between the shell and housing and is sprayed through a wide spray atomizing nozzle into heated vaporization chamber where it is vaporized and discharged as non-toxic smoke.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for high efficiency transfer of heat from a combustion process to a working fluid wherein the combustion flame directly impinges upon a special material in contact with conduit means for directing the flow of the working fluid. The hottest part of the flame may be adjusted to directly contact such material. The apparatus in which such process takes place is subjected to a pressure gradient, directed from the top to the bottom of said apparatus such that the combustion gases are downwardly directed through the device for secondary heating of said working fluid prior to exhaust therefrom.