Abstract: An apparatus and method for consistently delivering solid fuel to the combustion zone of a furnace is disclosed. The method includes feeding the solid fuel into the material inlet of a rotating rotary air lock valve which may have slanted vanes and moving the fuel from the material inlet of the rotating rotary air lock valve to the material outlet of the rotating rotary air lock valve, and conveying the fuel and gas through a discharge conduit to a fuel feed receiver of a furnace burner having a combustion zone.

Abstract: Apparatus for igniting combustible fuel discharged from an outlet in a burner tube comprises a dielectric support within which are an ignition electrode and a ground electrode projecting beyond the support and which are spaced from one another a distance to form a gap which may be traversed by sparks generated by the ignition electrode. A fuel concentrator plate is carried by the ground electrode and partially embraces the ignition electrode adjacent the gap. The electrode support is mounted directly on the burner tube in a position to enable the concentrator plate to intercept fuel discharged from the outlet and concentrate the fuel in the zone of the gap.

Abstract: A lighter of multiple torch flames comprises a nozzle and vaporizer assembly that includes a vaporizer, a mixing chamber, and at least two burner nozzle channels generally in V-orientation. The vaporizer has at least one central opening and a filter below the opening, thereby generating a burst of clean vaporized combustible gas to pass through a path toward the burner nozzle channels. The mixing chamber has at least one air inlet where the combustible gas is mixed with fresh air. The nozzle channels have a joint point within a stabilizing chamber of a diameter smaller than that of the path, thereby directing the few combustible gas to diversion channels to form a ring of surrounding flames and most toward the nozzle channels to form at least two forceful and distinct torch flames in straight column shape when being ignited.

Abstract: A discharge-type capable of accomplishing ignition of a wick at a position convenient or suitable for the ignition. Spark discharge for ignition of a wick is started in the course of raising of the wick. Thus, any possible variation in height of the wick and deformation of the wick due to wear do not adversely affects ignition of the wick, because the ignition is carried out when a gap between the wick being raised and the discharge electrode is rendered optimum for the ignition. This permits a dry cell to be satisfactorily used as a power supply for the ignition.

Abstract: A discharge-type ignition device for an oil burner capable of permitting ignition of a wick to be carried out at any optimum position of the wick which is fixed. First and second discharge electrodes are arranged in proximity to the wick when it is raised to a combustion position. An ignition switch is kept turned on in the course of upward movement of the wick for ignition, so that spark discharge is generated between the discharge electrodes toward the wick being raised. The wick is raised to an uppermost position beyond the combustion position every time when the ignition operation is carried out, so that ignition may take place at any optimum position of the wick.

Abstract: A fire vortex display for providing an interesting fire display for decorative and attention getting purposes. The display utilizes a burner for burning a gaseous or liquid fuel, typically in a very fuel rich mixture. The burner is located at one end of a normally vertical transparent tube such as a Pyrex tube, with a blower blowing air into the tube adjacent to the burner in a substantially circumferential manner to provide a swirling action for the flame given off by the burner as the flame proceeds upward into the tube. A second transparent tube concentric with and somewhat larger than the first tube is provided over the first tube, with the region between the two tubes being ducted to form the inlet for the blower. This keeps the outer tube cool so that the fire vortex can be observed from a position close thereto and the outer tube even touched by an observer without danger thereto.

Abstract: An automatic ignition control system for controlling the pilot burners and main burners of fuel burning appliances so that these burners are ignited only upon demand is disclosed. The system consists of a main control unit which may be interconnected with conventional main and pilot burners or which may be connected with a new and novel burner specifically designed for the purpose. The main control unit is actuated by suitable thermostats or switches when burner operation is required and operates to open the pilot valve and activate a pilot igniter control circuit. The igniter control circuit may take several forms, depending upon the type of igniter used with the burner, and sensing means are provided to deactivate this igniter control circuit when a pilot flame is detected. If the pilot fails to ignite after a predetermined period of time, the main control deactivates the pilot solenoid and sounds an alarm.