Abstract: A control system for use with gas-fired appliance installations, such as a furnace, includes a switch responsive to normal draft levels in the vent stack. At the start of a heating cycle, and in the absence of draft, the switch permits a pre-draft enabling circuit to tentatively enable the furnace controller for a predetermined time. The controller opens a stack damper plate and actuates the ignition system and gas valves of the furnace. If draft is not established within the predetermined time, the pre-draft enabling circuit times out and the gas is shut off. If normal draft is sensed within the predetermined time, the draft responsive switch permits the furnace controller to be operated as long as the thermostat calls for heat. If, for any reason, draft subsequently stops, the control system re-cycles itself; and if draft is not re-established before the pre-draft enabling circuit times out, the system deactivates the furnace controller.

Abstract: A furnace control system to control burner operation of a multifuel furnace to reduce primary fuel consumption of either oil or gas of the multifuel furnace. The system controls a primary fuel to initially kindle a secondary fuel when the fire reaches a self-sustaining burning rate, the primary fuel is shut off but the burner fan continues to run to force a draft and insure complete combustion of the secondary fuel and the volatile gases. The furnace control system is utilized as original equipment manufacturer incorporated into the controls for a burner of a multifuel furnace or as a retrofit furnace control system to control the burner operation of the multifuel furnace.

Abstract: A technique for increasing the efficiency, and for decreasing the exhaust emissions, of an internal combustion type engine in which rf energy is generated at a frequency which both (a) is suitable for coupling the energy to a combusting plasma air-fuel mixture (preferably at a plasma frequency) and (b) excites at least one resonant mode of the engine's combustion chamber; so as to enhance both pre-combustion conditioning of the mixture and combustion reactions.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for starting a gas turbine engine is shown wherein the combustion chamber has a fixed geometry providing a high throughput velocity to prevent flashback during normal operation of the engine. Thus, there is provided a flame holding zone out of the main flow path through the chamber that exhausts into the chamber upstream of a catalytic reactor element to preheat the catalyst to a sufficiently high temperature for continuous auto-combustion therein prior to the rotor of the engine attaining running speed. After running speed the combustion in the flame holding zone is extinguished and the velocity of the fuel/air mixture in the main flow path through the chamber is sufficient to maintain the combustion within the catalytic element for the continuous running of the engine without any flashback.

Abstract: The reaction zone of a free-flow refractory lined partial oxidation gas generator is preheated by the complete combustion of fuel gas, supplied by means of a preheat burner, with air at atmospheric pressure. The preheat burner is replaced by the main process burner and the heating is continued by the complete combustion of said fuel gas and air at atmospheric pressure. The main burner is then made pressure tight to the reaction zone, and the heating is continued. When the temperature of the reaction zone reaches the temperature for ignition of the autothermal partial oxidation reaction of the liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and free-oxygen containing gas in the presence of a temperature moderator, fuel gas and air are cut-off, and are respectively replaced by a stream of said liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel, optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator, and a separate stream of free-oxygen containing gas, optionally in admixture with a temperature moderator.

Abstract: An electric arc heated, high velocity, oxidizing gas jet is used to ignite pulverized coal as the coal is fed in an air stream through the coal burners in a conventional coal-fired, suspension type steam boiler.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the ignition of a hydrocarbon gas stream utilizing a hydrogen pre-ignition arrangement. A small volume of hydrogen gas is mixed with air and directed past a platinum containing catalyst, e.g., activated with aluminum and in mesh form to heat the catalyst. A flame is produced and extends away from the catalyst and is directed from the catalyst so that it intersects a hydrocarbon gas stream and ignites the hydrocarbon gas stream at room temperature.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for starting a combustion system utilizing a catalyst, and at the same time provide low emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.The method is particularly applicable to starting such combustion systems which are subject to intermittent operation, such as for example, gas turbines used to power automotive vehicles in which carbonaceous fuels are combusted to provide the motive fluid, or furnaces which are used intermittently. In the method, heat, such as produced by electrical means or by thermal combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, is employed to bring the catalyst to an operating temperature which will permit rapid oxidation of the carbonaceous fuel. When the catalyst has been heated to reach such operating temperatures, the start-up heating may be terminated and the normal operation of the combustion zone including the catalyst may proceed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the initiation and completion of self-sustaining combustion in fuel/oxidizer mixtures through the use of ultraviolet radiation absorbed throughout the mixture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the initiation and completion of self-sustaining combustion in fuel/oxidizer mixtures through the use of ultraviolet radiation absorbed throughout the mixture.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the initiation and completion of self-sustaining combustion in fuel/oxidizer mixtures through the use of ultraviolet radiation absorbed throughout the mixture.

Abstract: This invention relates to a circuit for monitoring the presence of a flame of a gas burner, comprising a probe means connectible to a source of alternating signal and locatable in a combustion area of the flame for applying said alternating signal across the area for rectification by the flame when the flame is present, second means operably coupled to said probe means for providing a second alternating signal in dependence upon the generation of the rectified signal, and switch means connected to receive said second alternating signal and operable for switching from a first to a second state for a preset period of time responsively to reception of the second alternating signal.

Abstract: A device for electrically starting and stopping the operation of a gas burner in response to the shadow of the user's hand holding an object to be heated, the device including a solenoid valve in the gas line and a dimmer circuit with a directional photoelectric sensor, a switching amplifier, and a valve relay controlling the solenoid valve. The dimmer circuit can be bypassed for continuous operation by means of a selector switch.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for starting a combustion system utilizing a catalyst, and at the same time provide low emissions of unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The method is particularly applicable to starting such combustion systems which are subject to intermittent operation, such as for example, gas turbines used to power automotive vehicles in which carbonaceous fuels are combusted to provide the motive fluid, or furnaces which are used intermittently. In the method, heat, such as produced by electrical means or by thermal combustion of a carbonaceous fuel, is employed to bring the catalyst to an operating temperature which will permit rapid oxidation of the carbonaceous fuel. When the catalyst has been heated to reach such operating temperatures, the start-up heating may be terminated and the normal operation of the combustion zone including the catalyst may proceed.

Abstract: A means for lighting a main burner with a new pilot system comprises inserting and utilizing precisely formed restrictive orifices in the gas and air supply lines for providing a gas-air combustible mixture for flowing downstream to an orifice-diffuser pilot for instantaneous lighting thereof and for insuring steady burning with no flame-out when heating high pressure high velocity turbulent air.

Abstract: A technique for increasing the efficiency, and for decreasing the exhaust emissions, of an internal combustion type engine in which substantially rf energy (e.g., 10.sup.6 Hz to 10.sup.12 Hz) is generated and coupled to a combusting plasma airfuel mixture (preferably at a plasma frequency) so as to enhance both pre-combustion conditioning of the mixture and combustion reactions.