By Vibration Patents (Class 366/108)
  • Patent number: 4862756
    Abstract: An eccentric pulley arrangement either driven or driving by which rotary motion can be transferred to reciprocal motion. A pulley has an angled shaft through its center of rotation with a second shaft through the angled shaft. Movement of the angled shaft with respect to the pulley or the second shaft changes the center of rotation of the pulley and hence the degree or eccentricity can be changed during motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: Reginald V. Dutschke
  • Patent number: 4820056
    Abstract: A fluidization apparatus for powder coating devices is provided which comprises a housing that is subdivided by a porous horizontal wall into an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion. The lower housing portion is provided with a compressed air feed. The upper housing portion is provided with a connecting conduit to an injector fed with compressed air and is provided with a powder feed above and through its cover. The lower housing portion is a cylinder having a circular floor area in which an air turbine is mounted and which includes an unbalanced mass. The upper housing portion is a cuboid having a quadratic floor area, whereby the length of a quadratic side corresponds to the length of the diameter of a filter mat having the shape of a circular disk, the filter mat separating the upper and lower housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Wagner International AG
    Inventor: Arkadijus Rese
  • Patent number: 4794405
    Abstract: Image setting apparatus is disclosed for producing two-dimensional image on photosensitive material. The apparatus includes a device for transporting the photosensitive material past an imaging line to provide a first dimension of the two-dimensional image, a controllable source of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) for producing a modulated EMR beam, a scanning device for converting the EMR beam into a scanning beam, and a scan lens in the path of the scanning beam to focus the beam spot on the photosensitive surface. The beam spot thus moves repeatedly along the imaging line to provide the other dimension of the two-dimensional image. According to the invention, the EMR source is controlled to switch the EMR beam on and off at a frequency which is adjusted to compensate for variations in the scanning speed of the beam spot along the imaging line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Dr.-Ing. Rudolf Hell GmbH
    Inventor: John A. Kennedy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4778278
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus of the vibrocompactor type for compacting carbonaceous blocks, and which comprises a vibrating table on which a carbonaceous paste is to be disposed, a heavy mass located below the table, and damper means located between the table and the mass for suspending the table above the mass. According to the invention, the damper means comprises inflatable pneumatic cushions. These cushions may be connected in parallel permanently to a source of fluid under a controllable pressure, or alternatively may be connected in parallel during the inflation of the cushions, and then isolated individually or in groups from the source of fluid. The apparatus may also include a means for measuring the pressure in each cushion or in a group of cushions, and a means for signalling the drop in pressure in each cushion or group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: Aluminium Pechiney
    Inventors: Claude Vanvoren, Benoit Coste
  • Patent number: 4721395
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for increasing the turbulence in a gas exposed to low frequency sound. The gas is exposed to sound produced by a sound generator (10) which has a tubular resonator (11) having an open end and is operated at one of the resonance frequencies of the resonator having a maximum frequency of 150 Hz. The gas is flown into the tubular resonator through the open end thereof and is discharged from the resonator substantially in a region, where the sound pressure of the standing wave in the resonator has a node, after having passed through a substantial length of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Inventors: Mats A. Olsson, Hans-Bertil Hakansson
  • Patent number: 4693037
    Abstract: A vibratory finishing machine for the surface finishing of workpieces comprising an essentially spiral trough, having a plurality of channels in side-by-side relationship, resiliently mounted for vibration and tilted with respect to the horizontal; such a spiral trough which is employed as a finishing chamber by attachment to a resiliently-mounted vibratory structure of a vibratory finishing machine; and a method and apparatus for vibratorily finishing a workpiece by subjecting it to a surface finishing medium in such a trough, having liquid finishing medium in only lower sections thereof and having solid finishing medium in an outer channel of said trough, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Roto-Finish Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. McNeil
  • Patent number: 4652309
    Abstract: A liquid impervious covering such as a plastic membrane or a concrete flooring is installed over an extensive substantially level area of ground and mined metal ore heaped onto this covering to form a mound. A leachant liquid solution is poured onto the ore and permitted to thoroughly penetrate the ore material. This end result is achieved either by forming a crater on the top of the ore material which is filled with the leachant solution which is allowed to ooze through the ore material, or by feeding the solution from sprinklers located around the mound until the ore material is thoroughly wetted. When the ore material has been wetted with the leachant, sonic energy is applied to the ore material by means of a sonically excited elastic pipe or bar member which is lowered into the mound by means of a crane and sonically driven by means of an orbiting mass oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Inventor: Albert G. Bodine
  • Patent number: 4585355
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete mixer truck having a rotatably driven mixer drum, particularly a drum provided with interior mixing elements, and a hydraulic system as a drive source for the mixing process.It is intended to enhance the effect of the mixing process by transmitting vibration energy to the mixture materials. To this effect, a vibration generator is included in the hydraulic system in such a manner that pressure pulses generated in the flow of the hydraulic fluid are superimposed on the mixing movement in the form of vibrations. This superposition effect may be achieved with respect to the rotation of the drum and/or with respect to the movements of a separate mixing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Gerhard Hudelmaier
    Inventor: Franz Waitzinger
  • Patent number: 4571087
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically sonicating microtiter trays and arrays of test tubes, vials, and other small sample containers. An inverted cuphorn on an ultrasonic transducer introduces sonic energy through an extended fluid bath, on a one-by-one basis, into sample containers partially immersed therein. Stepped or continuous movement sample container positioning is by an x-y positioning table driven by reversible motors under the direction of an electromechanical controller. The dwell time of each sample container in the sonic energy field is selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventor: David F. Ranney
  • Patent number: 4565451
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining granular components. The granular material, in finely divided form, is moved from spaced-apart locations into flight paths or trajectories which overlap or cross one another. The mixing of the components first takes place in the crossover zone of the trajectories. The material is thus continuously and uniformly mixed in a simple manner. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes two drums which are rotated in opposite directions. Receivers for the components are distributed on the surfaces of the drums. An extraction device is located between the drums for removing the granular material from the receivers as the drums rotate. In the region below the extraction device, there is disposed a mixing zone in which the trajectories of the material cross one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Inventor: Eduard Winner
  • Patent number: 4564297
    Abstract: Process and means to enhance fluid coverage of surfaces in industrial applications. Generation of a directed force field is employed to provide removal of surface air, improve surface wetting of a fluid, and consolidation and densification of fibrous structures.Apparatus of the invention is described which provides vibratory forces of appreciable magnitude and super-audio frequency and applied to solid, fluid and gaseous combinations, to displace surface gas and promote fluid contact with the solid surface. Apparatus of the invention facilitates the generation and application of the vibratory energy to composite structures of synthetic or natural fibers with a fluid resinous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1986
    Inventor: Francis G. Firth
  • Patent number: 4533255
    Abstract: In a process for mixing liquid samples to be analyzed, the liquid sample contained in a sample container is moved and mixed by a mechanically oscillated air column in contact with at least part of the liquid sample surface, the air column being excited with a frequency in the resonant range of the system formed by the air column and the sample liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Eppendorf Geratebau Netheler & Hinz GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Gronholz, Hartmut Schmidt-Rabenau
  • Patent number: 4526472
    Abstract: A mixing capsule assembly, particularly for use in preparing dental amalgams, comprises an outer capsule for receiving one of the materials to be mixed, and an inner capsule to receive a second material to be mixed and to be enclosed within the outer capsule. The inner capsule includes two sections attachable together by complementary frictionally-engaging surfaces of conical configuration. The arrangement is such that when the inner capsule is impacted against an inner face of the outer capsule during the vibration of the assembly, the complementary surfaces are moved away from each other to permit some of the second material to pass between them and to mix with the material in the outer capsule; and when the inner capsule is impacted against the opposite inner face of the outer capsule, the complementary surfaces are moved back to block the passage of material between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Silmet Ltd.
    Inventor: Saul Zaltsman
  • Patent number: 4513515
    Abstract: A vertical container holds and treats particulate material, such as comminuted cellulosic fibrous material like wood chips. The container includes a vertical interior wall, an open top, and a discharge outlet at the bottom. A top interior wall structure directs particulate material to a first false bottom concentric with it. The first false bottom is mounted for oscillation with respect to the vertical container and discharges particulate material through a discharge opening in the generally conical bottom thereof into a second false bottom structure. The second false bottom structure also includes a generally conical bottom with a discharge opening, and is also mounted for oscillation with respect to the container. Steam is preferably introduced into the second false bottom to effect steaming of the particulate material within it, and the container is held at super-atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Kamyr AB
    Inventors: Johan C. F. C. Richter, Ole J. Richter
  • Patent number: 4465111
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for filling like magnetic containers with a like measured amount of divided material product. The apparatus includes a magnet positioned adjacent to a portion of a path of magnetic containers in cooperation with product measuring devices. The magnet attracts the containers with divided material product contained therein. A vibrator is connected to the magnet for vibrating the magnet and a container attracted to the magnet to compact divided material product in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: John R. Nalbach Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Nalbach
  • Patent number: 4463602
    Abstract: An invention in a rock core testing unit vibrator for generating a vibration at a controlled frequency for coupling to a barrel of a rock core test unit wherein a rock core cutting is jammed. In practice, the generator output is controlled to produce a harmonic or natural resonant frequency of the barrel of sufficient intensity to produce a resonant elastic vibration therein to shake that barrel relative to the rock core cuttings, dislodging the rock core cuttings that then fall therefrom under the urgings of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: Terra Tek Core Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Nyle S. Stoddard, Scott W. Butters
  • Patent number: 4461405
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing dry powdered material including a hopper having a trough shaped bottom and a dispensing outlet at one end of the bottom wall, a feed auger for feeding material along the bottom and an agitator wheel mounted for rotation in an upright plane through the auger and meshing with the auger for rotation thereby. Reciprocating agitators are mounted in the hopper at opposite sides of the agitator wheel for movement along paths generally paralleling the auger and actuator members are provided on the wheel arranged to engage abutments on the agitator members to move the agitator members in one direction. Springs are provided on the agitator members to return the agitator members in the opposite direction until stops on the agitator members engage brackets on the hopper with an impact to jar and loosen material that may cling to the walls of the hopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1984
    Assignee: Taylor Freezer Company
    Inventor: Lee E. Adamson
  • Patent number: 4450983
    Abstract: A powder dispensing assembly (10) comprising; support structure (20), a dispensing platform (26) supported by the support structure (20) for receiving powder and having a distal lip (28) over which particles of powder move to define a falling curtain of powder particles. A supply platform (30) is supported by the support structure (20) for receiving powder and supplying the powder to the dispensing platform (26). A flow control device (34) establishes a flow path of the powder from the supply platform (30) to the dispensing platform (26). A drive device (36) vibrates the dispensing platform (26) to move particles thereover and over the lip (28) and to move the supply platform (30) in unison with the dispensing platform (26) to move powder from the supply platform (30) and through the flow control device (34) to the dispensing platform (26). A shelf (54) is disposed below the lip (28) for receiving the powder from the lip (28 ).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 4412757
    Abstract: A material compacting vibration machine provided with an imbalanced system having coaxial first and second independently rotatable shafts carrying first and second drive elements and a pair of unbalanced masses having third and fourth drive elements secured thereto with driving connections between the first and third drive elements and between the second and fourth drive elements, and a drive shaft selectively coupled to the first and second drive elements, wherein the four drive elements all are disposed on one side of the imbalanced system and are shielded by a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Delmag-Maschinenfabrik Reinhold Dornfeld GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Friedrich Kummel, Rudolf Hennecke, Manfred Schubert, Ludwig Unrath
  • Patent number: 4362431
    Abstract: A shaft arrangement (34) having a transversely displaceable weight member (42) relative to the shaft arrangement's longitudinal axis (B). The shaft arrangement (34) includes a housing structure (36) within compression structure (44) is arranged. The compression structure (44) extends through the housing structure (36) and connects to the displaceable weight member (42). An elastomeric member (50) is captured between the compression structure (44) and the housing structure (36) so as to resist transverse displacement of the weight member and the connected compression structure (44). The elastomeric member (50) maintains the weight member (42) and connected compression structure (44) in a rotatably balanced position relative to the longitudinal axis (B) for rotation speeds less than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Cochran
  • Patent number: 4360276
    Abstract: Apparatus for creating a path through particulate material such as granular or pulverulent material in a storage container is lowerable into the material in the container and includes an upper part attachable to a lowering device and a lower part. The lower part has a downwardly and inwardly inclined outer wall extending to a lower central area, a vibrator for vibrating the outer wall along a substantially vertical axis, and an air nozzle at the lower central area to which air can be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Northern Vibrator Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: James M. Jack
  • Patent number: 4344712
    Abstract: Test apparatus for microbiological cultures includes a vibrating member for placement thereupon of a vessel, such as a petri dish, containing a microbiological culture medium in the form of a liquid film, whereby vibration of the vessel will tend to equalize the thickness of a film formed by solidification of the medium, thereby promoting accuracy of test results. The apparatus further includes a table for placement thereupon of a plurality of vessels containing cultures, the table having a plurality of guides for use in accommodating vessels after removal from the vibrating members. Ramps are disposed on the table adjacent the vibrating members to guide the vessels to the desired position on the vibrating members and to elevate the covers of the vessels so that vibration can occur in a vertical as well as horizontal mode, thereby fostering the desired equalization of the thickness of the culture film in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Steven D. Shaffer, L. Michael Kienitz, James N. Pitts, Jr., Richard D. Bliss
  • Patent number: 4288263
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with manufacturing board from a fluid evolutive product, such as a plaster and water mixture. The process comprises pouring upon a conveyor a fluid evolutive product, such as a plaster and water mixture, contained in storage above the conveyor, through a transverse, parallel slit into which the product is introduced in continuous process through a number of nozzles which discharge into the storage product mass. A reinforcement may be introduced into the poured product. The invention offers as well mechanism for the implementation of the process and products manufactured by the process. Typically the invention is applied to plaster board manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Industries
    Inventors: Adrien Delcoigne, Jacques Lanneau
  • Patent number: 4283148
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for blending together solid particles having different sizes into a homogeneous mass. A weighed quantity of solid particles of different sizes are inserted into a Y-shaped container which is closed off and rotated several times to blend the solid particles into a homogeneous mass. After blending, a scale is inserted into an elongated principal section of the container to determine bulk density of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventor: Richard W. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4266879
    Abstract: A fluid resonator is disclosed in which a fluid flow through and around a cylindrical member positioned parallel to the direction of the fluid flow causes vibration or vibratory waves in the fluid flow. The fluid resonator may take on a number of different forms. Preferably, a plurality of cylindrical members may be concentrically positioned in the fluid flow stream. Variations may also be provided in the structure of the cylindrical element to produce desired effects in specific cases. The fluid resonator may be used for many purposes, including emulsification apparatus and the secondary recovery of oil from oil formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Inventor: Richard T. McFall
  • Patent number: 4257224
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for controlling the mixing of two fluids in which an active element is driven to induce, in the vicinity of the beginning of the mixing region, oscillations of the two fluids about an axis substantially normal to the mixing region flow axis.The active element may be driven by an external drive, or by the kinetic energy in the fluids. Several applications of the invention are described including promoting combustion in jet engines, suppressing audible jet noise, and increasing the output of ejector pumps or thrust augmentors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Remot University Authority for Applied Research & Industrial Develop. Ltd.
    Inventors: Israel Wygnanski, Heinrich Fiedler
  • Patent number: 4232972
    Abstract: The method for mixing substances employs a reciprocating movement provided by mechanical impulses. The apparatus for mixing substances comprises a reservoir, a mixing means, a reciprocating movement mechanism of the mixing means, which mechanism includes eddy current electromagnetic inductors coupled to a current source having a storage capacitor, a turn-on sequencer for said inductors, and elements made of electrically conducting material. The invention substantially improves the effectiveness of the mixing operation and provides for increased labor, productivity, and reduces the power requirements needed to drive the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Inventor: Igor A. Levin
  • Patent number: 4207005
    Abstract: A vibrator with attached prongs which achieves the breakup of compacted materials in structures similar to silos, grain elevators and railroad cars is set forth. Attached to the pronged vibrator is a cable which allows the vibrator to be lowered into the structure where breakup is to be accomplished. The vibrator is housed within a shell of dimensions applicable to the particular use. Secured to the vibrator shell are a multiple of prongs. The vibrator when in operation causes not only the sphere to vibrate, but also the attached prongs. The vibrator is capable of imparting varying frequencies to the compacted materials and may be adjusted to reach the natural frequency of the compacted material. Thus where the vibrator comes into contact with the compacted material, breakup is achieved both by the physical action of the prongs and also by achieving the natural frequency of the material which in and of itself causes breakup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Inventor: Charles E. Stanfield
  • Patent number: 4188129
    Abstract: A method for obtaining vibrational and lateral movement within rotatable receptacles is disclosed. The lateral movement is achieved by the interruption of the simple circular motion of a receptacle by slight projections in the circular path of the receptacles. The interruptions cause the materials within the receptacles to vibrate and move laterally rather than continue in a strict circular path. The interruptions may take the form of studs or projections on the outer circumference of the receptacles being rotated or may take the form of studs or projections located on the means rotating the receptacles. The rotatable receptacles are classically rotated by belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Inventor: Roy F. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4142804
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for fluxing a mixable thermoplastic material is disclosed. In the process a blend of thermoplastic material is agitated in a mixer; at the same time vibrations of the mixer is monitored during this agitation step and when it reaches a predetermined level, a signal is generated so the mixer may be stopped or the material discharged. The apparatus includes a high intensity mixer, a means for monitoring vibrations of the mixer, together with a means for comparing these vibrations with a preset level to produce a signal to indicate the material in the mixer has reached the required degree of fluxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1979
    Assignee: Lewis Specialties Limited
    Inventor: Zenas Crocker
  • Patent number: 4121472
    Abstract: In an eccentric drive system including a rotatably mounted driven shaft, at least one primary eccentric mass fixed to the driven shaft for rotation therewith, an additional eccentric mass mounted for rotation with the shaft in a manner to permit periodic adjustment of the angular position of the additional mass relative to that of the primary mass, the shaft is provided with a shaft portion presenting an outer periphery which is arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation of the shaft, the additional mass is mounted on the shaft portion to be angularly movable relative to that portion, and the system is further provided with a spring element connected between the additional mass and the shaft for producing a force about the axis of the shaft urging the additional mass into an initial angular position relative to the shaft, and with a fastening unit disposed between the shaft and the additional mass and actuatable between a released position in which it permits the additional mass to undergo angular displac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1978
    Assignee: Koehring GmbH - Bomag Division
    Inventors: Gulertan Vural, Udo Carle
  • Patent number: 4087495
    Abstract: An ultrasonic air humidifying apparatus wherein, in order that a fine mist made by mistifying water with an ultrasonic energy may be effectively delivered through a mist conduit pipe, the mist conduit pipe positioned above the water surface of water to be mistified is covered at the lower end with a member having a plurality of openings so that an apex portion of a conical projection of water formed by swelling the water surface with the ultrasonic energy will project into the mist conduit pipe through one of said openings and an air current fed on the water surface by a blower will be led into the mist conduit pipe through said openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Mikuni Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Umehara
  • Patent number: 4067549
    Abstract: Electrostatic precipitators and other devices requiring vibration may be required to operate in high temperature environments, have a high dielectric strength, and withstand impacts that range into thousands of foot-pounds per second at a high repetition rate. In the present invention, a transmission or rapper rod is employed including tapered ends, that are too short to bottom in the corresponding mounting sleeves, and further including a pair of thin, malleable metallic shims between the tapered ends and the sleeves acting to accommodate dimensional tolerances and distinct surface finishes, thereby eliminating fracture-inducing impacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1978
    Assignee: Plessey Incorporated
    Inventors: John Francis Konyak, Edrol Ford Troxtel, George Mundy Schuman, Jr., Andrew Hugh Maguire, Elwin Arthur Guthrie
  • Patent number: 4050907
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating any type of organic waste such as sewage, garbage, weeds and surplus crops to convert them into useful products, having a treatment tank or plurality of such tanks, a conduit circuit for carrying a heating fluid therethrough; vibrators to vibrate the conduit to homogenize and mix the tank contents, a furnace for supplying heat to the conduit circuit with the fuel for the furnace being the gaseous product recovered from the treatment tank or tanks, and solar cells and microwave heating units to balance and maintain the supply of heat when the fuel supply to the furnace is low. Radiation diffusers may be positioned about the tank or tanks to assist in the conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1977
    Inventor: George H. Brimhall