Abstract: An individual key, a stoker incorporating a plurality of the keys, or a furnace incorporating the stoker which includes a key apparatus having a mounting surface dimensioned and configured for sliding engagement with an associated arm, the mounting surface is disposed on the bottom of the key, an upper face receives associated fuel to be burned, a first side having a first contour, and a second side having a second contour. The second contour is different than the first contour. In some forms of the invention the first contour and the second contour are dimensioned and configured for meshing engagement whereby a first side of a first key will mesh with a second side of a second key when a plurality of the identical keys are arrayed in side abutting relationship. The first contour may includes a first lip and the second contour may include a second lip and the the first lip may be disposed at a different elevation than the second lip.

Abstract: A positioning mechanism for a cooking apparatus or a cooking apparatus that includes the the positioning mechanism. The cooking apparatus includes a concave open top housing, a cover dimensioned and configured to engage the open top housing, a hinge coupling the housing and the cover to allow movement of the cover from a fully closed position to a fully open position, and a positioning mechanism to lock the relative positions of the housing and the cover, the positioning mechanism includes an L-shaped rod fixed to the cover and an eye bolt fixed to the housing, the rod extending through the eye bolt, the positioning mechanism further including a generally planar member having at least one part thereof having an upstanding portion for impacting the eye bolt and moving the planar member into oblique relationship with respect to the rod whereby the planar member is locked with respect to the rod. In some forms of the invention the upstanding portion may be a knee shaped bend.

Abstract: An air nozzle assembly for use in associated combustion apparatus which includes a first elongated housing having first and second axial extremities. The first axial extremity thereof is open to the interior of the first housing and tapers axially from a larger to a smaller cross section that constitutes a generally flat nozzle at the first axial extremity. A second elongated housing has first and second axial extremities. The fist axial extremity is open to the interior of the second housing, at least the first axial extremity and an axial portion of the second elongated housing are dimensioned and configured to extend with at least the first axial portion disposed within the first elongated housing. The first axial portion tapers axially from a larger to a smaller cross section at the first axial extremity. The apparatus also includes means for selectively preventing flow in the second elongated housing.

Abstract: A steam generator having a steam drum and which includes first and second U-shaped members dimensioned and configured for cradling the steam drum. Each of the first and second U-shaped members has first and second elongated leg portions and each of the leg portions is supported by a separate first body. The first body is supported by a separate second body, one of the bodies has a concave spherical section face and the other has a convex spherical section face, the concave spherical section face and the convex spherical section face are disposed in abutting load bearing relationship. Thus, a discrete set of first and second bodies is associated with each of the leg portions.

Abstract: A steam generator apparatus which includes an enclosure comprising vertically extending front and back waterwalls joined by opposed spaced first and second waterwalls, The enclosure also includes a plurality of spaced vertically extending windboxes, each of the windboxes faces the interior of the enclosure. Each of the windboxes comprises a plurality of modules that are configured for installation at respective elevations, each of the modules being dimensioned and configured for shipment to the installation site. Some forms of the invention further includes a vertically extending truss assembly and the ignitor and auxiliary air compartments are supported on the truss assembly. Other forms of the invention include air ducting supplying air to air compartments and the truss assembly extends within the ducting. Still other forms of the invention may utilize the truss assembly without the modular windbox.

Abstract: A motor and fan apparatus a centrifugal fan including a generally circular impeller having a plurality of generally radial vanes. The apparatus also includes a common shaft on which the impeller and the rotor are mounted in axially spaced relation. A circular pan shaped cover encloses the impeller and has a centrally disposed inlet and a wall disposed around the periphery of the impeller in spaced relationship from the periphery of the impeller. A fluid barrier is disposed axially adjacent to the impeller. The barrier and the cover collectively direct fluid flow from the periphery of the impeller in an axial direction parallel to the shaft. The apparatus includes a housing disposed axially adjacent to the barrier. The housing has a generally toroidal shaped part and a smaller generally circular shaped part, the generally toroidal shaped part and the generally circular shaped part are disposed in generally concentric relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus for selectively permitting access to the interior of a boiler and selectively closing off access to the interior of the boiler which includes a frame, a support plate, and a hinge. The hinge couples the support plate and the frame and allows pivotal movement of the support plate with respect to the frame. The apparatus also includes a door plate; and apparatus for coupling the support plate to the door plate. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for coupling comprises a plurality of studs fixed to one of the plates in generally parallel spaced relationship. The other of the plates may include a plurality of holes disposed in generally registered relationship to the studs and dimensioned for loose fitting engagement with the studs. The apparatus may also include apparatus for latching the support plate to the frame to prevent pivotal movement thereof with respect to the frame. The apparatus may also include apparatus for urging the door plate away from the support plate toward the frame.

Abstract: A reed for use in a reed valve which includes a resilient planar member having a first edge portion by which the member may be attached to an associated reed cage and an opposed second edge portion. The reed includes a generally arch shaped cut in the member defining in the member spaced hinges extending generally intermediate the first and second edge portions on each side of the arch shaped cut and also defining a portion within the member that opens upon bending of the member intermediate the first side and the second side. In some forms of the invention the generally arch shaped cut has two ends and the two ends are closer to the second edge portion than the remainder of the generally arch shaped cut. Some embodiments of the invention may have a plurality of additional generally arch shaped cuts disposed therein.

Abstract: A furnace having a continuous ash discharge stoker which includes a fuel distributor apparatus for delivering associated particulate fuel to an associated continuous ash discharge furnace which includes a housing having an inlet for a particulate fuel and an inlet for pressurized air. The housing includes a surface for directing the flow of the associated particulate fuel and an outlet cooperating with the surface through which the associated particulate fuel and air exit the housing. The apparatus includes a nozzle dimensioned and configured to direct pressurized air along a face of the surface to establish a boundary layer between the surface and the associated particulate fuel flowing over the surface. In some forms of the invention the nozzle comprises first and second flat plates disposed in mutually parallel spaced relationship. The first and second flat plates may each be disposed in generally aligned relationship to at least a portion of the surface.

Abstract: An electrical cable penetration seal apparatus which includes a compliant module having an inner and outer regions of different durometer characteristics. In some forms of the invention the outer regions are generally planar and disposed on opposed sides of the compliant module. The outer regions have are manufactured of a relatively high durometer elastomer and an inner region which is made from a lower durometer elastomer.

Abstract: A stirrup apparatus for cooperation with an associated buckstay that has at least one flange and which extends around an associated furnace. The stirrup apparatus includes a wall channel extending generally horizontally around the associated furnace. The apparatus also includes an elongated bent plate having first and second ends, the plate being elongated intermediate the first and second ends. The first and second ends are welded to the wall channel at spaced parts of the wall channel with an axial part of the plate intermediate the first and second ends spaced from the wall channel. At least a first elongated bar is welded on a side of the bent plate that faces the wall channel and extends generally in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the bent plate.

Abstract: An ash control valve apparatus, for use in a system that includes a fluidized-bed system, including a housing, a seat in the housing for passage of particulate material, a plug dimensioned and configured for mating engagement with the seat; and apparatus for moving the plug from a first position wherein the plug is disposed in seated engagement with the seat and a second position wherein the plug is disposed in spaced relationship to the seat. The apparatus for moving the plug includes apparatus for mounting the plug, that includes an elongated tube to which the plug is fixed. The apparatus for axially moving the tube includes a cylinder and piston assembly; and a clamp engaging the tube and operatively connected to the cylinder of the cylinder and piston assembly.

Abstract: A door holder assembly for use with an associated electromagnet and an associated door having a pneumatic or hydraulic door closer mechanism mounted thereon which includes an elongated body having first and second axial portions. The apparatus includes a threaded member coupled to the first axial portion and to the second axial portion, the threaded member is coupled to one of the axial portions by mating threaded surfaces whereby relative rotation of the first and second axial portions varies the combined axial extent of the elongated body. The assembly further including a plate at one end of the elongated body and a base at the other end of the elongated body, the base and the plate are each mounted on the elongated body by means that allows relative angular movement therebetween. In some forms of the invention the first and second axial portions are disposed in telescoping relationship and each of the axial portions are cylindrical.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas recirculation into a furnace to control steam temperature includes a hot air chamber for receiving hot air from an air preheater. The hot air chamber has at least one outlet communicating with the interior of the furnace. The apparatus includes a recirculation gas chamber for receiving recirculation gas from a recirculation fan and includes at least one outlet communicating with the interior of the furnace. Each of the chambers is disposed about at least a portion of the circumference of the furnace with one of the chambers disposed above at least a portion of the other. Ducts are provided between the hot air chamber and the air preheater and between the recirculation gas chamber and the recirculation fan to provide communication between the elements. A passageway is disposed between the hot air chamber and the recirculation gas chamber.

Abstract: In one form of the invention an apparatus for precisely locating an associated arrow embedded in an associated target having a first center which includes a plurality of light sources disposed in an arc having a second center and a plurality of photo sensors arrayed opposite the light sources with the target intermediate the light sources and photo sensors. The apparatus includes a apparatus for turning on and off the light sources sequentially to produce a scan of the target, apparatus for determining the exact location of the arrow embedded in the target with the apparatus for determining utilizing the apparatus for detecting. In another form of the invention an apparatus for precisely locating an associated arrow embedded in an associated target having a first center which includes a plurality of corner cube reflectors disposed having a second center with the plurality of corner cube reflectors being arrayed generally around a first side of the target.