Abstract: Periodic self-cleaning apparatus of use in combination with a process tube which receives a process fluid therethrough such as a tubular reactor to form a looped system having a launching and receiving chamber for a cleaning device or pig which is propelled periodically through the tube by the motive force of the fluid to clean the tube without disrupting the continuous unidirectional flow of the fluid. The pig need not be spherical and extraneous fluid pumps are not needed.

Abstract: A scraping heat exchanger for continuously heating or cooling viscous or highly viscous substances, particularly shortenings, includes a product cylinder which is surrounded by the heat carrier medium and a rotatably driven shaft mounted in the product cylinder. Together with the product cylinder, the shaft forms an annular gap for receiving the substance to be treated. Elongated scraping blades are attached to the shaft, wherein each blade has a cutting edge at the leading side in the direction of rotation and fastening webs at the trailing side. The scraping blades have comb-like teeth in the space behind the edge and between the fastening webs.

Abstract: A furnace heat exchanger tube cleaning apparatus is described. The furnace comprises a combustion chamber for generating heated gases including combustion products, a water jacket containing a liquid to be heated and including heat exchanger tubes passing therethrough and a flue for discharge of the combustion products. In operation, the heated gases including combustion products flow from the combustion chamber along the heat exchanger tubes to the flue. As the heated gases pass along the heat exchanger tubes, heat from the heated gases is transferred to the liquid in the container, thereby heating the liquid. The efficiency of heat transfer is increased by helical flights arranged to depend downward into the respective heat exchanger tubes from a support structure. Specifically, the flights create turbulence in the flow of the heated gases, thereby improving heat transfer.

Abstract: The thermal stability testing apparatus includes a closed test chamber for containing a sample of material that is to be heated by an electrical heater; weight lost by the sample during the heating operation is a measure of the thermal stability of the material. A motor-operated exhaust fan is provided for removing gaseous products of combustion generated during the sample heating operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylindrical, refractory, hollow brick having tapered wall surfaces in the corner region.

Abstract: A cooling disk member (12) for an evaporative refrigerant cooled flake ice machine (10) includes an axial aperture (44), a circumferential outer perimeter (25), and first and second side cooling surfaces (24). The disk member (12) includes two internal refrigerant now passages (20), each of which extends from an inlet port (40) which opens onto the axial aperture, then into the interior of the disk member to cool 180.degree. sector of the disk member, and then returns to the axial aperture through an outlet port (42). Each refrigerant flow passage (20) winds radially through a series of radial outflow passage segments (50) and radial return segments (54). A plurality of reinforcing spoke walls (58, 60) are defined between the radial passage segments to reinforce the disk in the radial direction, preventing bending and warpage of the disk cooling member.

Abstract: An orbital rod drive arrangement for an orbital tube whip rod heat exchanger includes a single drive plate driving a plurality of countercranks, each countercrank supporting a whip rod from its upper end within a tube and from a radially extending slot therein as it is driven in an orbital manner. The countercrank provides for balancing the whip rods within the tubes by mounting them in an offset manner. Furthermore, the whip rod is suspended as well as driven at its upper end to thereby leave the lower ends of the tubes unobstructed for the free flow of process fluid out the bottom of the tube. The countercrank includes an upper peripheral lip for supporting a single drive plate and the countercrank may be supported by the tube sheet which mounts the uniformly spaced tubes in the heat exchanger vessel. The radially extending slot accommodates migration of the whip rod in a radial direction in response to any buildup of material along the sidewall of its associated tube.

Abstract: A method is provided for heating a gas in a regenerator with a heat accumulation mass consisting of a loose bulk material arranged in a ring between two coaxial cylindrical grids, a hot collection chamber, surrounded by the inner hot grid, for the hot gases and a cold collection chamber, enclosed between the outer cold grid, on the one hand, and the wall of the regenerator, on the other hand, for the cold gases, wherein the increase in the head loss during the heating phase is at least 5 times as great as the product .rho..g.H, in which H is the height of the regenerator, .rho. is the density of the gas at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and g is the acceleration due to gravity, and the gas flow rate is at least equal to 300 m.sup.3 N/h.m.sup.2 of surface area of the hot grid at standard pressure.

Abstract: A freeze crystallization concentration system is disclosed for separating a liquid feed stream into a more purified liquid and a concentrate in which only a single pass through a freeze-crystallizer and ice separator is required. The crystallizer, which converts the initial feed stream into a slurry of ice and concentrate, includes a scraped surface heat exchanger that produces, pumps and removes an ice slurry and uses a secondary cooling system to ensure that the crystallizer will operate in any required position and is not sensitive to motion. The separator includes a rotating drum which separates the ice crystals from the surrounding concentrate by the use of centrifugal force and without the use of screens or filters. An auger, rotating at a different speed than the drum, may be located at the center of the drum for removing the ice crystals.

Abstract: Rotatable refrigeration disc is of laminated construction comprising at least two layers bonded together, and has a plurality of relatively narrow internal channels therein arranged in a winding, labyrinth-like, sinuous, zigzag pattern. The channels are sized to accommodate the passage of an evaporative refrigerant, and extend substantially throughout all of the operative portion of the disc so that the liquid freezing surfaces are close to and are chilled by the refrigerant passing through the channels. Each channel has an inlet and outlet located at a central portion of the disc. The channels extend from the center towards the perimeter of the disc and then zigzag back towards the central portion. The layers of one form are complimentary mirror images and in another form are two planar outer layers encasing a layer with channels formed on each side. The channels are formed by etching, or computer controlled machining.

Abstract: A scraped surface heat exchanger comprises a pair of concentric heat exchange tubes. A heat exchange medium passes through the annular chamber between the tubes and a fluid, in particular one whose viscosity increases as it passes through the heat exchanger and whose temperature is to be modified by heat exchange with the heat exchange medium in the annular chamber, passes through the inner of the tubes. A helical scraper blade arrangement extends along the length of the shaft within the inner chamber. The scraper blade arrangement comprises one or more thin plastics or metal blades set within a helical slot which is angled against the direction of flow of the fluid medium and makes with the internal surface of the inner tube a contact sufficient to allow the blade arrangement to rotate within the inner tube when conveying through it the fluid whose temperature is to be modified.

Abstract: An orbital rod drive arrangement for an orbital tube whip rod heat exchanger includes a single drive plate driving a plurality of countercranks, each countercrank supporting a whip rod from its upper end within a tube as it is driven in an orbital manner. The countercrank provides for balancing the whip rods within the tubes by mounting them in an offset manner. Furthermore, the whip rod is suspended as well as driven at its upper end to thereby leave the lower ends of the tubes unobstructed for the free flow of process fluid out the bottom of the tube. The countercrank includes an upper peripheral lip for supporting a single drive plate and the countercrank may be supported by the tube sheet which mounts the uniformly spaced tubes in the heat exchanger vessel. Variations are disclosed for the countercrank including providing different numbers of holes in the countercrank for balancing the whip rod mass about the circumference of the countercrank.

Abstract: A blade system for a scraped surface heat exchanger includes a number of blade rows which each consists of a number of successively arranged blade scrapers (1) mounted in cut-outs (15) in the surface of a rotor (4) which is mounted in a heating/refrigerating chamber (20) in the heat exchanger. The individual blades, at the edge closest to the inner wall (21) of the chamber (20) are provided with a knife edge (2) and at the edge facing the rotor (4) with a basis (3). The blades are being provided with flaps (8) which are bent in the direction towards the rotational axis of the rotor (4), while elements (9) on the rotor (4) form abutments for the flaps (8) and engagement members (10) for receiving the basis (3) of the blades so as to permit removal of the blades from the heat exchanger without simultaneously dismounting the rotor (4).

Abstract: A mechanical wiper mounted within an incinerator for waste gases, such as silane, and said wiper adapted to move adjacent selected internal surface areas to remove combustion products buildup on such selected areas.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for an auger-type ice maker comprising a generally cylindrically-shaped freezing chamber, a rotatable ice auger within the freezing chamber, and an annular compacting head at an end of the freezing cheer whereby ice formed in the freezing chamber is transferred by means of rotation of the ice auger into a region above the auger where it is compacted. The inner surface of the cylindrical freezing chamber is provided with a plurality of axial grooves to guide the column of ice created by the auger and to oppose rotation of the column of ice induced by the rotation of the ice auger, and the top surface of the auger, adjacent to the compacting head, has a knurled surface to aid in the discharge of ice. The combination of the axial grooves and the knurled auger surface creates a denser, higher quality product of ice than prior inventions.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for processing a liquid continuously has a positive mechanical drive for a set of vertical whip rods each disposed in a vertical heat transfer tube. Each whip rod is free-standing on its lower end and is sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the inner surface of the tube as it orbits. The orbital drive propels the whip rod directly through a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced plates that engage the rods in loose openings that serve as fluid inlets from the drive plate. A motor rotates a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the drive plates through at least one eccentric crank. Each plate can be an opposed pair of plates with a separate eccentric drives 180.degree. out of phase with one another for a self balancing. Another form of drive plate uses a rigid circular ring that mounts rod-engaging sleeves via a network of wires supported by the ring.

Abstract: An interlocking checker brick used to form a checkerwork for use in recovering heat in thermal regenerators and recuperators. The checker brick is made of a refractory material and comprises a rectangular top, a rectangular base, two side walls and two end walls. The end walls each have a generally trapezoidal shape and therefore each side wall has at least a section forming an acute angle with respect to the base. The preferred brick has spaced side walls each of which includes top and bottom sections adjacent to and perpendicular to top and bottom surfaces respectively. Each side wall also includes a central section flaring outwardly and downwardly from its top to its bottom section. Checkerworks utilizing these bricks are arranged to improve the amount of exposed brick surface that acts as a thermal surface and to increase turbulence while reducing laminar flow during alternating cycles of flowing gases and air. A method and apparatus for making the preferred brick is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for mixtures of air and solid particles, particularly for woodworking shops, poultry farms and industrial environments of the like. The heat exchanger comprises a bank of staggered tubes through which warm air is exhausted, a casing with baffles enclosing the bank of tubes such that fresh air is forced between tubes in two or more successive passes, a series of cone-scrapper assemblies equally spaced on a rod inside each tube, and a pull frame connecting all rods, for reciprocating all scrapers in harmony.

Abstract: An interlocking checker brick used to form a checkerwork for use in recovering heat in thermal regenerators and recuperators. The checker brick is made of a refractory material and comprises a rectangular top, a rectangular base, two side walls and two end walls. The end walls have a trapezoidal shape and therefore each side wall forms an acute angle with respect to the base. This provides a brick that tapers in thickness from the base to the top and is trapezoidal in cross section. Checkerworks utilizing these bricks are arranged to improve the amount of exposed brick surface that acts as a thermal surface and to increase turbulence while reducing laminar flow during alternating cycles of flowing gases and air.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for efficient transfer of sensible heat between a highly viscous fluid and a secondary fluid. This exchanger has an annular passage formed between an inner cylinder and outer cylinder. The highly viscous fluid passes through the annular passage while the secondary fluid passes both inside the inner cylinder and outside of the outer cylinder making both cylinders heat transfer surfaces. A scraper mechanism rotates within the annular passage which scrapes both heat transfer surfaces. The scraper mechanism driven by the pressure exerted by the fluid to be cooled. This scraping action serves to both continually clean the surfaces and to enhance the heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: The cleaning of the condensor of a refrigerating or conditioning unit or plant including a condensor of the refrigerant fluid, with a coil, a finning, and an exhaust fan are performed by a brush horizontal mounted on a support that slides vertically in front of the condensor, in its entire height, from the opposed side respect the aspirator, in two corresponding guides and in the way that the bristles can pass in the interstices of the finning skimming this and the coil; and a driving lever or motor for the movement of the above mentioned support with an alternative motion in the above mentioned vertical guides.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for efficient transfer of sensible heat between a highly viscous fluid and a secondary fluid. This exchanger has an annular passage formed between an inner cylinder and outer cylinder. The highly viscous fluid passes through the annular passage while the secondary fluid passes both inside the inner cylinder and outside of the outer cylinder making both cylinders heat transfer surfaces. A scraper mechanism rotates within the annular passage which scrapes both heat transfer surfaces. This scraping action serves to both continually clean the surfaces and to enhance the heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: Scraped surface heat exchanger, the shape of the chamber thereof and the positioning and direction of feed and discharge conduits opening into said chamber being such that, on feeding a liquid through these conduits and the chamber, the flow of said liquid will cover the entire chamber.

Abstract: A positive displacement apparatus for efficiently exchanging heat between a fluid and a heat exchanger. A moving comb-shaped blade is used to stir the fluid through a heat exchanger having fins located internally thereto adapted to receive the blade and to intermesh with the tines which are part of the blade in such a manner that the blade can pass through the heat exchanger while the amount of fluid backflow behind the blade in the direction opposite to the direction of movement thereof is kept low when compared to that driven by the blade. The blade simultaneously pulls the fluid behind it through the heat exchanger. The efficiency of the apparatus is related to the amount of fluid leaking past the blade while it is traversing the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the continuous cleaning of the inside of a tube in which a fluid circulates, in which method there is continuously driven in rotation within the tube by the fluid a movable element, one end of which is fastened to one end of the tube through a mechanical linkage permitting it to rotate freely on itself about the axis of the tube. In accordance with the invention, the movable element comprises at least one sharp edge designed to scrape the inner surface of the tube, this edge being disposed so that during the rotation of the movable element it is, along every cross section of the tube, the portion of the movable element farthest removed from the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A dynamic heat sink having a stator incorporating a plurality of concentric annular cooling fins and a rotor having a plurality of downwardly extending wipers extending between the stator fins is disclosed. The wipers are constructed to fit closely into grooves formed between the adjacent stator cooling fins so that as the rotor spins, the wipers remove air close to the walls of the cooling fins and deter the development of boundary layer air to thereby enhance heat transfer to the cooling fluid. The wipers serve to move the heated air out of the grooves between the stator fins and upwardly into the free stream of cooling air for removal.

Abstract: A heat exchange device that can be used for continuously cooling or heating a slurry of food consisting of lumps in a non-viscous liquid. The device comprises several vertically spaced heat transfer trays in alignment with each other and each having an opening extending therethrough, that is not in alignment with like openings of adjacent trays, and having raised portions next to the openings to restrict the rapid flow of liquid through the openings, so the food slurry has to be pushed or scraped by slowly moving scraper members to each opening, where it can fall by force of gravity to an adjacent lower tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for the removal of residues from the inner wall of a tube carrying hot gases and/or vapors includes a passage extending into a first end of the tube in an axial direction; an axially extending shaft supported within the passage in an axially displaceable manner so that one end of the shaft is within the tube; a discharge opening in the tube through which the residues may be removed; a helically wound metal scraper connected to the one end of the shaft; and a device for driving the shaft such that the scraper is rotated in a manner of a corkscrew into the tube.

Abstract: In a refractory brick assembly for a heat regenerator, a plurality of brick units are assembled so as to form many long vertical gas flow passages. Each outer wall of the brick units has four corner portions each of which has a plurality of convex and concave strips. That can engage with each other so as to hold the brick units due to the friction between them. A high projection is formed on at least one of the inner and outer walls for producing a turbulent flow.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is provided in the form of cylindrical, hollow panels in upstanding, spaced, concentric relationship for a first medium flow, and a casing surrounding the panels for a second medium flow. The upper edges of the panels are mutually level. The heat exchanger also includes a carrying arm rotatable in the horizontal plane above the upper edges of the panels and carrying vertical cleaning arms extending between the panels. The second medium flow is downwardly taken into the casing under the inmost panel, and is taken out downwards from the casing outside the outmost panel the liquid surface of the second medium flow is allowed to rise to a level between the upper edges of the panels and the lower part of the carrying arm. A substantially constant gas volume is maintained in the casing above the liquid surface of the second medium flow, by arranging a control for sensing the liquid level (25) of the second medium flow.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for viscous materials comprises a vertically disposed annular space. The materials to be processed are fed in at the bottom of the annular space and the processed materials are removed at the top. A vertically disposed rotating shaft and a multiplicity of essentially radial arms which are attached to the shaft and to the ends of which vertical components are attached. The vertical components travel around in the annular space as the shaft rotates, so that the inlet of the materials to be processed debouches tangentially into an annular chamber beneath the annular space. The width of the annular chamber is greater than the width of the inlet and is greater that the width of the annular space.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuously processing substances containing cocoa butter or similar fats, especially chocolate masses, in a tempering machine with several stages of cooling on cooling surfaces followed by stages of heating on heating surfaces. The mass is supplied through mass chambers, in which it is stirred by powered impellers, to the cooling stages and to the heating stages. A cooling medium flows through cooling chambers adjacent to the cooling surfaces and a heating medium flows through heating chambers adjacent to the heating surfaces. Enough cooling medium flows through the cooling chambers to generate turbulence. The mass in the mass chambers is stirred powerfully enough to thoroughly blend it. The mass is removed from the cooling and heating surfaces without being touched by the mixing impellers in an operation that involves a shearing gradient in the cap between the cooling and heating surfaces and the mixing impellers of from 500 to 4000 sec.sup.-1.

Abstract: In a heat regenerator, a unit body of a refractory unit has an upper end surface (1a), a lower end surface (1b), an outer wall (1c), an inner wall (1d) and a flow passage (7) which is formed by the inner wall (1c) and extends between both end surfaces (1a, 1b). The outer wall (1c) includes a series of concave and convex strips (4). The inner wall (1d) includes a series of concave and convex strips (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cylinder tube for scraped surface heat exchangers the interior surface (18) of which is even and the exterior surface of which is enlarged by providing a number of spaced grooves (16) with a smoothly rounded bottom portion, the profile depth (A) of which being substantially larger than the radius (R) at the bottom of said groove (16). The cylinder tube (10) shall be manufactured by a duplex stainless steel alloy consisting of the following constituents in weight-%; max 0.03% C, 18-30% Cr, 4-8% Ni, 0-6% Mo, 0.5-2% Mn, 0.5-2% Si, 0.05-0.30% N, the remainder Fe and normal impurities, whereby the amounts of the constituents are interrelated such that the amount of ferrite in the microstructure amounts to 35-65%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maintaining in position one end of an element driven in rotation by a fluid circulating in a tube (12), the other end of said element being free, said device being of the type which comprises a part forming a bearing (1) and adapted to be rigidly attached to one end of the tube, and an element (4), mounted for rotation relative to the part forming a bearing (1) and adapted to be attached to one end of the movable element (13). In accordance with the invention, the part forming a bearing (1) is a one-piece part made of a rigid material that is capable of being elastically deformed, said one-piece part comprising at least two flanges (2) spaced apart by such a distance that they can be force-fitted into an open end of said tube (12) to bear elastically on its inner wall so as to rigidly join the part forming a bearing (1) to the tube.

Abstract: A device to be inserted in heat exchanger tubes to produce high heat transfer in said heat exchanger tubes and, hence, high heat exchanger efficiency. Said device consists of a shaft mounted with a strip and an impeller. The flow of fluid in the heat exchanger tube causes the impeller to rotate, the impeller in turn causes the strip to rotate. The strip has slots and vanes. As the strip rotates, said vanes guide the fluid on and near the inner tube wall to flow through said slots to the central (axial) region of the tube, which promotes the convective heat transfer inside the tube tremendously.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a plurality of heat exchangers disposed inside a housing and each having an inlet and an outlet to permit circulation of coolant therethrough. Each of the heat exchangers includes a pair of oppositely directed, corrugated heat exchange surfaces to transfer heat from the fluid within the housing to the coolant. Ice-making regions are disposed between the heat exchangers. These regions each have an inlet and an outlet to enable fluid to circulate therethrough. Blade assemblies are provided in each of the ice-making regions to co-operate with the heat exchangers to inhibit deposition of ice on the heat exchangers. These blade assemblies each include at least one blade of complementary shape to the corrugated heat exchange surfaces to contact respective ones of the surfaces. The blade assemblies are rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane containing the surfaces.

Abstract: An ice making machine comprises a housing having a cooled wall. A eutectic mixture is passed across the wall to be cooled below its freezing point and form ice. A blade continuously wipes the wall to move the fluid away from the wall and into the body of the fluid. The blades are moved by a drive means at a rate such that the surface is wiped prior to crystalization of the ice on the wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a positioning device for a tube cleaning element rotatably driven by fluid passing through the tube. This is particularly useful for heat exchanger tubes. This device includes an open-frame support member (1) having one or more parts (8a, 8b) (preferably of generally cylindrical shape) for mounting on the outside on one end of said tube, and further includes a spindle (2) mounted for rotation with respect to said frame (1) along the axis of the end of said tube and adapted to be fastened to said rotatable element.

Abstract: A prismatic tubular brick of refractory material for constructing the checkerwork structure of regenerative furnaces, the brick having mirror image top and bottom surfaces and a central passage extending therebetween. Two pairs of opposed parallel side walls of uniform thickness having aligned recesses in the top and bottom surfaces thereof, are connected together by angle portions at their adjacent corner edges. The top and bottom surfaces of the angle portions are elevated with respect to the recessed top and bottom surfaces of the side walls and are of similar size and shape. Accordingly, the elevated and recessed surfaces of one brick cooperate with the elevated and recessed surfaces of another brick to interlock the bricks together in an offset stacked arrangement.

Abstract: A high throughput continuous cryopump is provided. The cryopump (10) incorporates an improved method for regenerating the cryopumping surface (22) while the pump is in continuous operation. The regeneration of the cryopumping surface (22) does not thermally cycle the pump, and to this end a small chamber (91) connected to a secondary pumping source (60) serves to contain and exhaust frost removed from the cryopumping surface (22) during such regeneration. The frost is exhausted at a rate substantially independent of the speed of the cryopump which enhances the capability of the pump to achieve a high compression ratio and allow the pump to operate continuously while the cryopumping surface is being regenerated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for scraping the interior of a fluid handling device such as the tubes of a heat exchanger, wherein a scraper in the form of a ribbon, a turbulence promoter, a cylindrical wire mesh or the like is disposed in each tube and scrapingly moved back and forth within the tubes by a spring made of a temperature-responsive shape memory alloy. A fluid handling device provided with the scraping means does not need to be disassembled or even taken off-line. The scraper acts while the fluid handling device is in use, because the temperature-reactive spring can respond to the temperature of fluid flowing through the device or to thermal energy applied at will, as by electric resistance heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a screw for apparatuses for ice-cream production with a vertical whipping vessel. The screw comprises at least one supporting metal blade, fixed to a rotating hub and carrying clutches for removably and substitutably fixing thereon a scraping vane. The screw may further comprise at least a mixture spreading vane acting in cooperation with said scraping vane.

Abstract: A regenerative heating system comprises two heat regenerators 1 and 2 of the type which are operable so that while one is being heated by waste gas the other is heating air for the combustion of fuel. The regenerators 1 and 2 communicate with each other adjacent one end to form a chamber 11 into which fuel gas is injected by means of a fuel pipe 3. The waste gas enters its respective regenerator by way of end 8 and passes through the bed 5 of the regenerator which stores the heat. Air travelling in the opposite direction is heated in the bed 5 and entrains the fuel gas. The steps 12 provide a venturi or choke effect on the air causing the pressure in the regenerator heating air to be lower than that in the regenerator being heated by waste gas. Fuel gas is thereby drawn into the air stream for admixture therewith and ignition for combustion by means of a pilot light 14.

Abstract: A regenerative heating system includes at least a pair of regenerators of the type which are operable so that while one is being heated by waste gas the other is heating air for the combustion of fuel. The system includes a pair of regenerators 1 and 2 which are interconnected adjacent one end to form a chamber 4 having an outlet 8 to discharge waste gas flow into the chamber from one or other of the regenerators. Air nozzles 7 extend into the chamber 4 to inject air into the regenerators 1 and 2 during the air heating cycle of regenerator. The waste gas may be removed by the suction force of a fan or eductor.

Abstract: A gas fired hot water heater includes a housing enclosing an internal chamber divided by a vertical partition into two compartments, the partition having a top edge spaced below the top of the chamber. One of the compartments has a gas burner in the lower portion with an adjacent combustion air intake vent. A first heat exchanger is located in the same compartment above the gas burner but below the top edge of the partition, and a second heat exchanger is located in the other compartment at substantially the same horizontal level as the first. The two heat exchangers are connected in series. Condensate collection means is provided in the other compartment below the second heat exchanger to collect condensate forming on the second heat exchanger and to duct the condensate out of the housing. A flue pipe ducts flue gases from the housing, and a blower is provided to blow the flue gases through the flue pipe.

Abstract: An ice-making machine includes a plurality of heat exchangers disposed inside a housing and each having an inlet and an outlet to permit circulation of coolant therethrough. Each of the heat exchangers includes a pair of oppositely directed, corrugated heat exchange surfaces to transfer heat from the fluid within the housing to the coolant. Ice-making regions are disposed between the heat exchangers. These regions each have an inlet and an outlet to enable fluid to circulate therethrough. Blade assemblies are provided in each of the ice-making regions to co-operate with the heat exchangers to inhibit deposition of ice on the heat exchangers. These blade assemblies each include at least one blade of complementary shape to the corrugated heat exchange surfaces to contact respective ones of the surfaces. The blade assemblies are rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane containing the surfaces.

Abstract: A casing has a plurality of upright panel-type compartments disposed in spaced relation for allowing flue gases and smoke to circulate therebetween. A blower circulates room air through the compartments and back into the room. A cross shaft is mounted in the casing adjacent the top thereof and extends across the spaces between the compartments. Levers are integrated with the cross shaft and support chains in suspended relation between the compartments. The shaft has a projecting handle which when operated is used to oscillate the chains to knock off soot and creosote from the exterior surfaces of walls of the compartments.

Abstract: A pressurized downdraft gasifier for extracting high quality burning gases from fuels with low rates of gasification. The downdraft air with the gas products is made to take a tranverse path through a cylindrical bar grate depending into the ash collecting chamber from a throated bottom structure of the gasifying chamber and into annular space surrounding the grate at the top of the ash chamber from which space the gas products are delivered to gas burners and turbines to be utilized. Grate clearing assemblies are supported by their three blades respectively overlying respective grate bars and have a loose splined drive connection with a vertical drive shaft to allow the assemblies to tilt or rock while adjusting to clinkers plugging the grate bars. In the bottom of the ash chamber is a hearth plate with a central opening and a rejection plate also similarly loosely connected to the same vertical drive shaft to adjust to clinkers when sweeping the ash into the central opening of the hearth plate.

Abstract: Separate intake air and exhaust gas manifolds along each long checker-brick regenerator, each of which manifolds have separate adjustable sideports, valves, or gates in each branch duct that do not have to be readjusted each regeneration cycle, and which gates may be preadjusted and/or at-will adjusted from a common and even remote location.