Abstract: A high reliability heating system that includes dual furnace control mechanisms wherein each furnace control mechanism includes blowers and control elements and each is independently operable to control the operation of a shared furnace burner unit and heat exchanger. The heating system preferably includes a controller mechanism selector mechanism that detects an abnormal operating condition, malfunction, in the controlling furnace controller mechanism and, in response, automatically switches control to the other furnace controller mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic device for controlling the supply of fuel to a heater which includes magnetic device units operatively associated with on/off switches, respectively, and a thermostat operatively connected to the switches, whereby one of the switches is actuated to the off position by the sensing of the thermostat for a period time of a higher room temperature than a predetermined thermostat temperature. Also, upon the off position of the source of electric power, the fuel supply automatically puts out the fire.

Abstract: A method for igniting a multiburner furnace safely and reliably without need for an additional furnace purge if not all burners ignite initially, comprising attempting reignition at defined low firing rates and supplying fuel and oxidant to unignited burners at a high firing rate when a specified furnace temperature is reached.

Abstract: A safety circuit which connects a condition responsive circuit to a cyclic signal detecting circuit. In order to provide the cyclic signal detecting circuit with a continuous cyclic input, the condition responsive circuit and a cyclic redundancy checker is provided. The cyclic redundancy checker identifies a specific series of logic bits from the condition responsive circuit and responds favorably only to that series of logic bits. If any other series of logic bits occurs, the cyclic redundancy checker of the system ceases to function, thereby causing the cyclic signal detecting circuit to cease to function and it in turn opens a series contact to deenergize a critical load in a control system.

Abstract: Both method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling the distribution of powdered solid fuel to one or more burners. The powdered solid fuel is caused to pass downwardly through an air current passing from an air inlet to one or more outlet ports. The total rate at which fuel is distributed is controlled by the rate at which air is supplied to the air inlet. In addition, each outlet port is provided with an individual adjustment for controlling the relative rates at which fuel is supplied through the various individual outlet ports. The construction of the distributor is such that the system may be controlled to distribute fuel continuously or in successive controlled impulses while at the same time controlling both the total amount of distributed fuel as well as the relative amounts of fuel distributed in the various outlet lines to the burners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety control shut-off device for the heating element of a cooking stove. In one embodiment of this safety device, a burner plate of the stove is provided with several declining U-shaped grooves for collecting any spillage or overflow of water from the cooking operations. Water drops collected in the declining grooves are led through a discharge outlet, at the lowest portion of the grooves, and into a water drop detector located beneath the outlet, to complete an electrical circuit, which in turn will actuate and sound an alarm and will also actuate means for disconnecting the fuel source of the plate burner.

Abstract: A nontracking solar concentrator with a high concentration ratio is provided. The concentrator includes a plurality of energy absorbers which communicate with a main header by which absorbed heat is removed. Undesired heat flow of those absorbers not being heated by radiant energy at a particular instant is impeded, improving the efficiency of the concentrator.

Abstract: A thermostat is arranged to be responsive to the temperature of flue gases from an oil burning heater and actuates switches when the temperature of the flue gases reaches either a predetermined high value or a predetermined low value. The switches are effective, when actuated by the thermostat, to cut off flow of oil to the burner, either by stopping operation of a pump or by effecting closing of a valve in the oil supply conduit. The thermostat is provided with a latch that holds it in the high temperature position, when that position has been reached so that cooling of the flue gases thereafter will not result in resumption of oil flow to the heater. In one form of the invention the same circuit arrangement can be adapted to control either a pump-fed heater or a gravity-fed heater.

Abstract: A servo valve control system exemplified by way of temperature controlled gas valves. Multiple slave pressure regulating valves are utilized supplying multiple burner manifolds. The first valve of the group of valves is modulated in response to temperature. The outlet pressure of each valve is utilized to bias and thereby modulate the next pressure regulating valve. The first valve, preferably is also controlled in response to an outdoor temperature sensor.

Abstract: A gas fuel supply control system for a plurality of poultry brooders arranged in a series and each having a gas fired main burner. The control system includes an electrically activated main gas regulating valve device electrically controlled by electrical signals from a thermostatic switch to open and close it at predetermined temperature levels, and regulate the gas fuel supply through a main burner manifold to all of the brooder main burners. A non-electrical self-operating hydraulic snap valve device having a temperature sensing fluid which directly effects valve opening and closing forms a bypass around the electrically activated regulating valve device and is set to operate at a slightly lower temperature to take over automatic control of the gas supply to the manifold during electrical power failure disabling the electrically activated valve.