Melting Furnaces Patents (Class 126/343.5R)
  • Patent number: 8640687
    Abstract: An upright induction chamber (100) is positioned within a melting tank (24) of a snow melting apparatus (20). The melting tank is filled with melting water. Shredded snow from a hopper assembly (22) is introduced into the upper end of the induction chamber along with heated melting water, to be mixed by an impeller fan pump (110) that is operated to force the melting water at sufficient speed through the induction chamber to overcome the buoyancy of the snow, thereby facilitating uniform distribution of the snow across the induction chamber and good mixing of the snow with the melting water. A portion of the liquid composed of the melted snow and melting water from the induction chamber is expelled from the melting tank, and a portion of the liquid from the induction chamber passes through a heat exchanger (34) positioned within the heating tank to be heated thereby and then re-introduced into the upper portion of the induction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: William R. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8291897
    Abstract: A material feed system for melter kettles which provides an area for a tender to load material to be charged into a melter kettle at a location which is safely remote from a flame conductor assembly that allows any flames or gasses that build up in melter kettle to be released. The material feed system also includes an air intake duct through which free air is allowed to enter into the melter kettle so as to equalize pressure with the atmosphere and/or burn off any superheated material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Inventor: James P. Shea
  • Publication number: 20110259316
    Abstract: The melting and solidification furnace for crystalline material includes a crucible having a bottom and side walls, and means for heating the crystalline material by magnetic induction. The furnace includes at least one lateral thermal insulation system arranged at the periphery of the crucible around the side walls. At least one lateral element of the lateral thermal insulation system moves with respect to the side walls between an insulating position and a position fostering thermal leakage. The lateral thermal insulation system has an electric conductivity of less than 1 S/m and a thermal conductivity of less than 15 W/m/K.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: David Pelletier, Jean-Paul Garandet
  • Patent number: 7934495
    Abstract: A non-thermostatic heating device is provided with temperature range control whereby materials may be heated and melted to a safe or desired temperature and maintained, particularly soy based non-candle formulated waxes for skin therapy as well as aromatherapy waxes generally. The device is vented and comprises a non flammable insulative container such as treated paper tubing and semi insulative elements, particularly one or more enclosed air pockets which are predetermined in dimension or movable for change in volume to provide a desired equilibrium temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Goldenberg
  • Patent number: 7814898
    Abstract: A high capacity snow melting apparatus has a hopper with one or a plurality of dedicated heater/blower units coupled to a plurality of commingled heat radiant conduits for contact with snow, ice and water, and manifolds connected to the conduits for additional heat exchange and to direct heated air onto snow in the hopper. Terminal sections of the conduits are elevated to an upper region of the hopper and have downwardly directed exhaust ports for substantial and efficient preheating of new snow loads. Heat exchanger passages through the heated air conduits allow water to flow in the path of heated air in the conduits to substantially increase snow and ice melting efficiency of the conduits. A water bath in the bottom of the hopper is level controlled to cover the conduits and drain water from the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Snow Dragon LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth F. Rumbaugh
  • Patent number: 7455060
    Abstract: A startup burner assembly for use in snow melting applications, and which permits initiation of snow melting without first supplying water as a coolant. The startup burner assembly comprises a fuel burner having adjustable combustion output and a nozzle to facilitate the emergence of products of combustion, and a combustion chamber having a first portion in substantially air-tight communication with the fuel burner and enclosing the nozzle and a second portion shaped and dimensioned for disposition into a snow melting receptacle or pit. The combustion chamber has a plurality of discharge holes formed at least on the second portion thereof to permit the egress of products of combustion from the fuel burner into the tank or pit, and thereby permit agitation and melting of snow loaded therein, The startup burner assembly also includes an air cooling assembly for supplying air to cool at least the first portion of the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Trecan Combustion Limited
    Inventors: David Burnett, Steven Meredith, Glen Burnett
  • Publication number: 20080178866
    Abstract: A snow melting system and a method is comprised of a snow melting housing defining a snow melting chamber therein. The housing has an opening to load snow in the snow melting chamber. A support is provided across the snow melting chamber to support snow therein elevated from a bottom wall of the snow melting chamber and to permit the passage of water therethrough to be collected in a water holding portion of the housing. A plurality of water spray nozzles are mounted in the housing about the snow melting chamber. A direct-contact water heater is provided for heating water to produce a supply of hot water to be fed at a constant pressure to the water spray nozzles for injection into the snow placed in the snow melting chamber for melting the snow. The direct-contact water heater is supplied water to be heated from the water holding portion of the housing. Excess water in the water holding portion is discharged and disposed of in the city drainage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Trevor Davies
  • Patent number: 6736129
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a snow melting apparatus including a container for holding a snow melting medium and receiving the snow; and a burner having a combustion chamber, wherein at least a portion of the combustion chamber is submerged in the snow melting medium and the submerged portion of the combustion chamber includes a sparger tube through which combustion gases emerge into the snow melting medium. The present invention further relates to a mechanism for continuously removing debris from the snow melting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Inventor: David G. Smith
  • Patent number: 6360738
    Abstract: A snow disposal apparatus for melting snow having a receiving tank with an interior, a top portion in which snow is disposed through a top opening and a lower portion having a downward tapering shape terminating in a bottom opening, and a load plate positioned in the top portion of the receiving tank in proximity to where the top portion joins the lower portion. A means for heating is positioned within the top portion of the receiving tank below the load plate, which in the preferred embodiment is a fuel distribution manifold and a plurality of burner tubes and flame guards. In operation, the apparatus is positioned above a drain or sewer opening and the means for heating is ignited. Snow is deposited within the top portion of the receiving tank wherein the snow is melted and flows into the lower portion of the receiving tank and out of the apparatus through the bottom opening in the lower portion of the receiving tank and into the drain below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest E. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6223742
    Abstract: Suitable for melting snow, the apparatus has a flame heater for melting snow directly by flame contact directed from above, a conveyor for transporting snow to the flame heater for melting, and a drainage for allowing water to drain while the snow is being melted. A container is included for receiving snow removed from a road surface. A vibrated netting inside the container receives snow through an opening in the container. The snow passes through the netting while catching larger solid masses of ice contained within the snow. A reservoir holds the drainage water which can be pumped into a storm drain through a wind-up hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: Jullen Macameau