Abstract: In a combustion system, fuel flow and fuel composition are sensed, and energy flow in the combustion system is determined based on the fuel flow and the fuel composition. Air flow of combustion air is also sensed. The fuel-to-air ratio in the combustion system is controlled as a function of the energy or oxygen demand flow determined and the air flow sensed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying exhaust gas analysis to simple combustion control systems wherein the fuel flow and air flow control devices are interconnected with fixed mechanical linkage, or interconnected by a single specific signal, between the fuel flow and air flow control devices. An apparatus and method are disclosed to automatically compensate the air-to-fuel ratio, pre-calibrated on a volume basis, for uncontrolled variations of air or fuel quality such as density, BTU content and the like so that the calibration of the rate of combustion air flow relative to the rate of fuel flow will always be substantially correct even while these flow rates are changing.

Abstract: An air register apparatus, method, and arrangement is disclosed in which each air register includes two portions, one of which feeds combustion air to an inner, ignition zone where fuel is first ignited, the other of which feeds combustion air to an outer, supplemental zone where the main combustion takes place. These two register portions provide separate and discrete air streams having measurable characteristics which accurately reflect the characteristics of the overall flow through each register portion and which characteristics govern combustion characteristics in the associated zone. Each air stream passes through an inwardly spiralling scroll passageway having a simple upstream air valve at the entrance to the passageway for controlling the flow of air through the passageway. This upstream air valve is remote from the hostile environment of the furnace or other combustion device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the air-fuel ratio of a burner in order to minimize the presence of undesirable emissions in exhaust gases of the burner combustion. A burner calibration is performed by selecting a number of calibration points corresponding to burner fuel positions. Air flow is varied for each calibration point as an exhaust gas analyzer determines the content of exhaust gases of the burner combustion. Air settings for optimal combustion are determined for each calibration point and are stored in a programmable logic controller and software. During plant operation, the programmable logic controller and software adjust the air supplied to the combustion of the burner according to the calibration data and the fuel position of the burner.

Abstract: In this air-conditioner, combustion test of a refrigerant heater is conducted through a control valve on the basis of a minimum combustion command signal and a maximum combustion command signal set in advance at a plurality of stages to store values of the minimum combustion command signal and the maximum combustion command signal presenting an optimum combustion state from the above-mentioned command signals, whereby in an actual operation, control of the control valve is carried out by using stored values with respect to the minimum combustion command signal and the maximum combustion command signal.

Abstract: A proportional combustion control device for supplying fuel to a combustor for a boiler, a hot water maker, etc., comprising an opening and closing valve for controlling a supply of fuel provided in the midst of a fuel supply pipe, and a control valve having a spindle whose needle portion at the extreme end is moved in and out of a nozzle and an exciting coil to generate a drive force for intermittently and axially moving said spindle against the restoring force by being supplied with a drive pulse, wherein even if fuel is either oil or gas, proportional control of combustion can be made, and the spindle is intermittently moved in the range capable of continuously carrying out combustion to open and close the nozzle whereby jetting of fuel is subjected to proportional control at the turndown ratio of 1/5 to 1/10 to always render the stabilized combustion possible.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling pressure instabilities in a combustion chamber. The apparatus includes a detector which detects combustion chamber pressure and outputs a signal indicative of that pressure. A controller then receives the output signal, delays it by a selectable amount of time, and outputs the resultant delayed signal to a pressure chamber device. The pressure chamber device controls the fuel pressure in a fuel line which supplies the combustion chamber. In one embodiment, this pressure chamber device is a cylindrical chamber with closed ends. The pressure chamber has inlet openings and outlet openings which are connected to the fuel line. In some embodiments the bottom of the pressure chamber device includes an elastic diaphragm activated by an electric signal from the controller. In some embodiments the controller involves a delay line for delaying the output signal from the detector.

Abstract: A gas-air ratio control valve for gas burners has a reciprocally movable operating rod (7) which is provided with a primary air flow rate control valve portion (A), a secondary air flow rate control valve portion (B) and a raw gas flow rate control valve portion (G), the opening degree of these valve portions being increased and decreased according to the reciprocal movement of the operating rod (7). In these valve portions, the inner wall surface of a valve body or valve chest can be tapered. The operating rod (7) can also be moved back and forth in the vertical direction. In case a raw gas is converged with a primary air, it may be also be faced with the flow of the primary air.

Abstract: A control device, which is interposed between a modulating motor and a valve, includes a control arm which is mounted on the shaft of the valve and a roller follower that is on the arm. In addition, the control device includes a bracket which is mounted on a fuel line adjacent to the valve, a cam which rotates on the bracket about an axis that is parallel to the shaft and an operating arm which rotates with the cam and is connected to the modulating motor, so that the modulating motor moves an air damper and cam in unison. The cam has an arcuate element which curves eccentrically about the axis of rotation and screws which are threaded into the arcuate element such that their ends form a cam profile. The roller follower bears against this profile, riding over the ends of the screws as the cam rotates.

Abstract: A purging system for a heating apparatus according to the present invention includes a pair of three-way valves interposed serially between a burner head and a supply of combustible fluid. Each valve is connected to a switch for switching between two modes of conduction. One of the valves is controlled by a remote switch so that the burner may be flushed manually by an operator. The other switch senses whether the heating apparatus is operating and flushes the burner automatically when the apparatus is inoperative.

Abstract: A burner assembly includes a burner housing having a combustion chamber defined therein and a fuel injection nozzle secured to the burner housing and communicating with the combustion chamber. A fuel control device is provided for controlling the amount of fuel flowing through the nozzle. The fuel control device includes a valve chamber including a bore and a valve seat and a needle valve adapted to reciprocate in the valve chamber. An adjusting device is provided for adjusting a range of motion of the needle valve in the valve chamber. The adjusting device includes a control rod secured at one end to the needle valve and a bimetallic assembly for regulating the motion of the control rod. The bimetallic assembly includes a pair of legs which are operably connected to the control rod and are exposed to the heat produced by the burner assembly.

Abstract: A blower burner is provided for a boiler heated with fluid fuels with a blower casing, which incorporates on one side the blower with the attached drive motor and where the fire tube of the burner comes out on the other side. The motor and the fire tube form protruding parts on opposite sides of the blower housing. The rear side of the fire tube protrudes beyond the side of the casing disposed toward the drive motor and the rear side of the fire tube protrudes into a cover extension attachment of the blower casing. The burner is provided with a pressure controller, where the air pressure inside of the fire tube element is measured by the input sensor signal and where the blower speed is the variable controlled by the pressure controller. Furthermore, a sound absorbing means is provided for the blower burner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating the surface area of a radiant infrared burner over which combustion occurs as a function of burner heat output rate. This modulation serves to maintain the heat flux density on the surface of the burner at or near an optimum value over a range of heat output rates. The modulation is effected by means of a piston disposed in the internal cavity of a burner which blocks the passage of combustible gas to areas of the burner downstream of the piston from the gas inlet to the burner. The piston is displaced further downstream with increased gas flow rate resulting in combustion occuring over an increased area of the burner surface as burner heat output rate is increased. In its simplest embodiment, the invention comprises a burner oriented vertically with the combustible gas entering the bottom of the burner and a free piston which floats on the incoming gas stream at a level within the burner which is proportional to the gas flow rate.

Abstract: A gas heated tool such as a soldering iron has a refillable gas container (1) with an inlet valve (17, 18, 19) and an outlet valve (14) biassed mutually to the closed position by a spring (21) acting between them. The outer valve is opened by an operating member (31) which is connected to a diaphragm (30) forming part of a differential valve. This is controlled by a rotatable tube (39) with pins (43) engaging a profile on an axially movable cam member (38) which acts on the operating member (31) through a spring (37). The control tube (39) has its upper end apertured (57) to control the admission of air in accordance with its angle of rotation. Thus, the rotation of tube (39) simultaneously adjusts the differential valve to control the flow of gas from container (1), and adjusts the mixture by adjusting the air admitted. Gas passing up operating member (31) mixes with the air and is consumed in combustion head (4).

Abstract: A device for controlling fuel combustion in a burner detects the temperature in the burner and controls, based on the detected temperature, electric power supplied to an atmozing glow plug of a fuel atomizer which heats and atomizes fuel.

Abstract: A burner apparatus comprising: a burner plate, a proportional directional valve through which fuel gas flows into said burner plate, a blower which supplies air to said burner plate, a thermal sensor which detects the burning condition of said burner plate, a heat determining means which determines the heat generation of said burner plate, a blower control circuit which controls said blower in response to the condition of said heat determining means, a proportional directional valve control circuit which controls the opening degree of said proportional directional valve in response to the output of said thermal sensor and the amount of air flow from said blower.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing fuel and air to a furnace. The furnace includes a plurality of burner assemblies, each with its own air valve for controlling the flow of combustion air therethrough. A sensing instrument for each burner assembly senses a condition reflecting the individual performance of that particular, separate burner assembly. A controller is coupled with the sensing instruments and with the air valves of the burner assemblies for controlling each individual air valve in response to the performance reflecting condition sensed by each sensing instrument. This results in individual control of the performance of each burner assembly of the set of burner assemblies feeding fuel and air to the furnace.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reactor in which an air distribution plate is disposed within an enclosure for supporting a bed of particulate material including fuel. The air distribution plate includes a plurality of vertically disposed nozzles extending therethrough for receiving air from an air plenum and discharging the air in an upward direction into the bed at a velocity sufficient to fluidize the bed material and support the combustion or gasification of the fuel. A first pressure sensing device is disposed within at least one of said nozzles and a second pressure sensing device is disposed within the air plenum, whereby the rate of air flow into the bed of particulate material can be measured.

Abstract: The present invention includes an exhaust fan for exhausting combustion gases from a gas fired water heater, a gas pressure diaphragm switch for operating the exhaust fan in response to fuel flowing to the burner of the water heater, and a safety device for preventing fuel flow to the burner upon detecting undesirable changes in combustion gases. The apparatus further includes a time delay to continue operation of the exhaust fan and exhaust residual combustion gases for a short time after fuel flow to the burner has ceased. In one form the time delay is a time delay relay switch and in another form it is a flow restricting orifice that restricts the flow of fuel from the gas pressure diaphragm switch, thereby maintaining a closed circuit to the exhaust fan.

Abstract: A gas fuel torch assembly is provided for attachement to a portable pressurized gas fuel cylinder. The assembly includes a housing and a gas delivery system in the housing. The system delivers gas fuel from the cylinder within an adjustable operating pressure range to a burn tube connected to the housing. The gas delivery system includes a gas passageway, an on/off valve and a pressure regulator valve assembly. The pressure regulator valve assembly includes a regulator body slidably received in the housing and an adjustable regulator valve stem. A metering orifice provided in the gas passageway of the regulator body defines a maximum pressure at which gas fuel is fed into the burn tube. Both the on/off valve and regulator valve include spring biased resilient ball members loosely held within enlarged valve chambers.

Abstract: A portable curling iron having a barrel to be heated, includes first and second burners which heat the barrel; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the first and second burners, the cartridge including a fuel delivery valve which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a plunger which applies a force to the valve in response to user actuation, to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a regulator assembly including a diaphragm which applies a reverse force to the plunger when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of fuel to the first and second burners; a valve stem through which the fuel travels from the cartridge to the second burner; a bimetallic element for applying a force to the valve stem to permit the fuel to pass to the second burner when the temperature is less than a predetermined start-up temperature and for removing such force when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained; and a spring which applies a revers

Abstract: A burner apparatus comprising: a burner plate on which fuel gas is ignited, a thermal sensor which generates an output voltage in response to the combustion of the fuel gas so as to detect an air component of the fuel gas, means for causing the output from the thermal sensor to correspond to the quantity of combustion on said burner plate, and a safety circuit which stops combustion on said burner plate when the output of the thermal sensor displaces from a magnitude within a certain range.

Abstract: A portable curling iron having a barrel to be heated, includes first and second burners which heat the barrel; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the first and second burners, the cartridge including a fuel delivery valve which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a plunger which applies a force to the valve in response to user actuation, to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a regulator assembly including a diaphragm which applies a reverse force to the plunger when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of fuel to the first and second burners; a valve stem through which the fuel travels from the cartridge to the second burner; a bimetallic element for applying a force to the valve stem to permit the fuel to pass to the second burner when the temperature is less than a predetermined start-up temperature and for removing such force when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained; and a spring which applies a revers

Abstract: The burner has a motor (11), a fuel pump (13) and a fan (15). In the flame tube (81) is a gasification chamber having a gasification chamber housing (75) coaxially located to the flame tube (81), and a housing (75) located at a distance therefrom. The rotor (17) located in the housing (75) can be axially moved with respect to the bearing (29), thereby causing a slot between the axial bearing surfaces (51, 53). Through this slot fuel is ejected into the gasification chamber by the rotation of the rotor (17). The opening of the slot between the axial bearing surfaces (51, 53) depends on the oil pressure which is determined by signals of the heating control 24. The fuel throughput may be controlled in steps or continuously according to the heat requirements. The electric heating (77) is only used during the start phase. In operation of the burner the heat requirements for the gasifying chamber (25) are covered by the recirculation of hot combustion gases through the recirculation gas inlet (73).

Abstract: A gas burner control system for controlling operation of a furnace having a blower fluidically connected to the combustion chamber of the furnace utilizes a mass flow sensor for preventing or discontinuing burner operation in the event of a blower failure or a predetermined degree of blockage in the fluid flow path controlled by the blower. The mass flow sensor includes circuit means which enables use of unmatched sensors, enables establishing of a desired value of temperature difference between sensors, enables establishing a temperature difference that is not constant so as to compensate for different ambient air densities, and enables compensating for voltage variations at different ambient air temperatures.

Abstract: A portable heating appliance having a member to be heated, includes burner tubes for heating the member; a fuel supply cartridge for supplying fuel to the burner tubes, the cartridge including a stationary fuel delivery valve for controlling the flow of fuel from the cartridge; and an actuator assembly for actuating the fuel delivery valve in response to user actuation to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge, the actuator assembly including a plunger, a mechanism for moving the plunger to a first position into operative engagement with the fuel delivery valve for opening the fuel delivery valve and a mechanism for moving the plunger to a second position out of operative engagement with the fuel delivery valve so that the latter terminates the flow of fuel to the burner tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas control device for controlling the fuel gas and the oxidizing agent supplied to a burner in an atomic absorption spectrometer. The device includes a pressure controller and a downstream flowmeter, connected to the aforesaid pressure controller in each of the device's supply conduits to an atomizer, oxidizing agent port and full gas port of the burner. Each flowmeter employed in the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of a turbine wheel which is exposed to the gas flowing through the flowmeter. By the rotation of the turbine wheel output, signals are generated depending on the angular rate thereof and thus as a function of the gas flow rate. These output signals are input into a control unit and a set of servomotors, each associated with one of said pressure controllers, are reproducibly adjusted under the control of said control unit, even under unstable pressure conditions, to selected gas flow rates.

Abstract: A flow controller system for optimally controlling the flow of air and fuel to a burner in a plurality of operating modes throughout the firing range of the burner is disclosed herein. The system includes a pair of differential pressure sensors connected across the air conduit and the burner, and the fuel conduit and the burner, as well as a pair of electrically operated air and fuel valves for controlling the pressure of the air and fuel destined for the burner. The system further includes a microprocessor control means electrically connected to both the pressure sensors and the air and fuel pressure regulating valves. Optimal air-to-fuel pressure ratios are empirically derived at each point along the firing range of the burner by means of detachably connectable flowmeters, oxygen sensors and thermocouples, and this information is stored within the memory of the microprocessor control means.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gas control device for controlling the fuel gas and the oxidizing agent supplied to a burner in an atomic absorption spectrometer, which includes a first restrictor and a first pressure regulator for the fuel gas line, and a second restrictor and a second pressure regulator of the oxidizing agent line, the regulators being connected upstream of the restrictors, respectively, and servomotors for reproducibly adjusting the pressure settings of the pressure regulators, respectively.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a gas-fired system. Three diaphragm-operated valves are in series providing a stage operation. The valves are pilot controlled. A booster pump is provided for cooperation with the pilot valves to boost the line pressure to the first of the valves, the boosted pressure being sufficient to operate the diaphragm valves, and the boosted pressure being controlled by the pilot valves. The booster pump operates only when needed. Diaphragm-operated pilot valves means are provided which operate two separate pilot valves which control the pressure on the opposite sides of the diaphragm of the diaphragm valves. The system provides stage operation, the stages including a first stage which is closing of a vent valve connected between diaphragm control valves, opening of a first diaphragm valve, and a third stage which is a controlled slow opening of the second diaphragm control valve. The first diaphragm valve is both a control valve and a pressure regulator.

Abstract: In order to prevent burn-off of a radial feedstock nozzle in a carbon black reactor, resulting when the feedstock stopped flowing through the nozzle, a preselected minimum temperature of the feedstock tube actuates a mechanism to withdraw the feedstock from the hot zone of the reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a venting device for oil-burning installations. A float arranged in a venting chamber controls both a connection between the venting chamber and the surrounding atmosphere and a connection between the venting chamber and the suction side of an oil pump included in the installation.

Abstract: An improved flare gas combustion apparatus comprising a plurality of linear burners connected to plural flare gas conduits, each burner having an elongate tubular member with a plurality of aligned apertures and one of the flare gas conduits connected in fluid communication with the tubular members. A first flare gas conduit is maintained open during operation and the remaining flare gas conduits are selectively and sequentially opened in response to flow indicating devices disposed in a connected flare gas header so that the continuously open flare gas conduit is joined in sequence by the other flare gas conduits as predetermined flow rate values are reached in the flare gas header. For safety purposes a pressure indicating device disposed in the flare gas header is provided to simultaneously open all of the flare gas conduits for flare gas discharge to all of the linear burners when the pressure in the flare gas header reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An ignition and fuel supply system for gas-fueled heat radiators of the type comprising an upstream fuel feed (6), a safety valve (20) in the vicinity of the radiator, a pilot device (27) mounted on the radiator to allow reignition and a feed conduit (4) for the gas; the system includes a bypass (15) equipped with gas-expanding devices (14) providing a pressure less than the pressures in the heating areas, whereby the pilot flame device (27) may be fed from the same conduit (4) used for the heating areas; a selection valve (24) is arranged in the radiator injection conduit in order to be closed at the pressure of the pilot flame; an ignition branch line (16) is arranged as a shunt of the upstream feed means (6) in order to supply gas at a pressure exceeding the pressures of the heating modes at the time an electrical igniter (19) is actuated to assure electrical ignition of the radiator.

Abstract: A feed forward control system maximizes combustion efficiency in a combustion system, by controlling the amount of excess air supplied to the burner. The feed forward control system includes flow sensors for sensing the flow of air and fuel to the burner. Based upon the fuel flow measurement, a digital computer determines the correct stoichiometric amount of combustion air required and the firing rate of the burner. Based upon the firing rate, the digital computer determines, from stored data in a look-up table, the necessary excess air required. Based upon the stoichiometric combustion air and the excess air, the computer determines the actual air that is required. This air required is then compared with the air flow measurement received by the digital computer. Based upon this comparison, an air trim actuator is driven by the computer until the required air flow is attained.

Abstract: A two-stage fuel regulator, adapted for operation in any orientation and over a wide temperature range, which includes a pressure limiter, a fuel vaporizer, a low pressure cutoff and an on/off switch. The first stage includes an inlet from a fuel storage tank where the fuel is maintained in a two-phase system of liquid and vapor. The tank inlet opens to one side of a diaphragm having a throughgoing hole surrounded by an annular valve face. A space on the other side of the diaphragm defines an expansion chamber. By adjusting the biasing force with which the valve face abuts a valve seat, the expansion chamber pressure may be maintained to be less, by a predetermined pressure difference (e.g., 1 psi), than the tank pressure, whereby vaporization of all fuel in the expansion chamber is assured. Additionally, whenever the tank pressure drops below the predetermined pressure difference (e.g., when the fuel supply is low or in a cold environment), passage of fuel into the expansion chamber is prohibited.

Abstract: Flare stack burning of waste gases utilizes available low pressure steam by sequential steam injection as a function of the demand for smokeless combustion.

Abstract: The operation of a gas burner, such as a Bunsen burner, is controlled by a remote control device including a diaphragm drive which responds to a fluid under pressure for operating the actuator of the burner whereby the gas supply is switched on or off. The diaphragm seals off a pressure chamber from a fuel gas supply chamber and is deformable by the pressure in the pressure chamber. Such deformation is transmitted to the burner actuator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel supply system for a fuel burner of the type that requires for proper operation an excess flow of fuel to be provided to the burner with that excess being recirculated. The fuel system further requires that sufficient fuel is added to the system to make up for that amount of fuel which is fired or burned. The fuel supply system includes a fuel pump which selectively draws from a fuel supply the make-up fuel flow and from a return path the excess fuel flow for recirculation. At any given moment all fuel flow from one inlet line and the other inlet line is positively closed.

Abstract: A gas burner which consists of a cylindrical duct forming member closed at one end and open at the other end to receive a gas/air mixture under pressure. The member is perforated so that the gas/air mixture flows to the outside of the member where it is burned. The duct is provided with a cone-shaped plug for reducing the volume of the duct from the open end towards the closed end so that a constant velocity of gas/air mixture is maintained within the duct to obtain a uniform static pressure on the outside in the region where the gas/air mixture is burned.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the combustion of hydrocarbon vapors comprising a stack; a first vapor directing assembly, a portion of which is disposed within the stack for discharging vapors below or at a first predetermined flow rate into a combustion zone at one end of the stack; a first switching valve in fluid communication with the first vapor directing assembly for directing the flow of vapors through the first vapor directing assembly; a second vapor directing assembly in fluid communication with the first vapor directing assembly, a portion of the second vapor directing assembly extending through the stack for discharging vapors above the first flow rate but below a second predetermined flow rate into the combustion zone; and a second switching valve in fluid communication with the second vapor directing assembly for directing the flow of vapors through the second vapor conducting assembly.

Abstract: A system for marginally adjusting the fuel flow to a burner to maintain the proper oxygen content in the exhaust from the burner is disclosed. The burner is of the type where both the fuel and air flow rates are adjusted in a substantially fixed ratio in response to load changes on the system with the fuel being adjusted by a fuel control valve mounted in a fuel supply line. A self-operating pressure regulating valve having an actuator responsive to the differential pressure across the fuel control valve is mounted in the fuel line upstream of the fuel control valve. A set point adjustment mechanism is mounted on the regulating valve actuator to adjust the set point of the regulating valve in response to an oxygen controller which senses the oxygen content in the stack gases. The set point adjustment mechanism has a cam assembly which continously adjusts the set point of the regulator actuator by varying the compression on a spring loaded diaphragm therein.

Abstract: A flame igniter for lighting barbecues, gas fireplaces and other devices which tend to flash and therefore require remote ignition. The igniter includes a cylindrical, liquefied gas, fuel reservoir having a plug and valve assembly positioned in one end for filling from commercial containers having various nozzle designs and also for emergency pressure release, and a similar plug in the opposite end, a portion of which forms a valve seat against which a metal valve needle can be actuated to release and regulate fuel into a long thin burner tube, which exits adjacent a removable modular igniter assembly with a confortably operating spark wheel. The burner tube is connected to the source of liquefied gas by the valve and a relatively long tube beneath the valve.

Abstract: Disclosed in this invention is an igniter making use of a piezo-electric element, comprising a stator, a movable piezo-electric unit, and a conductor provided coaxially in a cylindrical body as an assembly. The movable piezo-electric unit incorporates a piezo-electric element, and is arranged to be movable under the pressure of a gas flowing in a gas passage in the cylindrical body to impinge against the conductor to initiate spark discharge between the discharging electrodes connected to the respective electrodes of the piezo-electric element. A magnetic attractive force is produced between the stator and the movable piezo-electric unit to boost the impact force of the movable piezo-electric unit against the conductor.

Abstract: A gun-type fluid fuel burner having a blast tube with a fuel dispensing nozzle therein includes a blower housing having a scroll side wall and opposite end walls. The housing side wall has an upwardly facing air discharge opening therein which communicates with the blast tube, and one of the end walls has an air inlet opening therein. A squirrel cage blower wheel having a diameter more than twice its width is mounted for rotation in the housing and is directly driven by a two pole single phase alternating current motor mounted on one of the housing end walls, the blower drawing air through the input opening and discharging the air under pressure through the discharge opening. A damper plate is mounted on the housing for movement between an open position and a position closing the discharge opening, the damper being moved to its open position in response to air pressure from the blower and returning to its closed position under the influence of biasing force.

Abstract: A desired oxygen/fuel ratio is maintained for a combustion process when the heat required from the combustion process is substantially constant. Excess oxygen is provided to the combustion process in response to an increasing fuel flow resulting from an increase in the heat required of the combustion process by initiating an increase in the flow of an oxygen-containing fluid before the fuel flow rate is increased in response to an increasing heat requirement. When the heat required of the combustion process is decreasing, the reduction in the flow rate of the fuel is initiated prior to initiating a reduction in the flow rate of the oxygen-containing fluid. In this manner, excess oxygen is provided to a combustion process even when the fuel flow rate is not at a steady-state condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to the control of burners, e.g., for boilers or furnaces and has for its objective to provide means whereby the combustion conditions existing at a burner are initially governed by pre-determined conditions which conditions can be automatically maintained or improved during the operation of the burner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refuse disposal apparatus in which refuse fed into a fermenting vat can be disposed by subjecting the refuse to methane fermentation, the fermenting vat including a heating device for heating the refuse in the fermenting vat to a proper temperature for accelerated methane fermentation, and the refuse being agitated by an agitating device in the fermenting vat, so that methane produced in the fermenting vat by the methane fermentation may be externally collected by means of a gas collecting pipe for use as an everlasting heat source, and that sludge produced by the methane fermentation of the refuse in the fermenting vat may be discharged to the outside through a discharge pipe for use as fertilizer.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensing switch device having a housing provided with a fluid flow passage therethrough defined by an inlet and an outlet disposed in spaced coaxially aligned relation in the housing and separated by a valve seat controlled by a movable valve member that is operated by the pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet, the device having an electrical switch construction operatively associated with the valve member and having the switch contacts thereof actuated by the pressure differential. A pressure regulator is disposed in the housing for regulating the pressure of the fluid that passes from the inlet to the outlet of the housing, the pressure regulator being disposed downstream from the main valve seat so as to act on the fluid after the same passes through the main valve seat from the inlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling air intake through the air intake aperture of the oil burner in a heating boiler includes a rotary coupling member adapted to be connected to the shaft of the oil pump and/or air blower so that it extends substantially along the axis of the intake aperture, a first sleeve member detachably mounted on the coupling member, a second sleeve member slidably mounted on the first sleeve member and to which a closure member is affixed for axial movement away from and towards to open and close, respectively, the intake aperture. At least one spring member is provided whose ends are connected to respective ones of the first and second sleeve members thereby interconnecting the same.