Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A flow control device for an appliance including a burner and a blower for delivering a pre-mixed mixture of air and gas to the burner includes a flange defining an opening through which the pre-mixed mixture of air and gas flows from an outlet of the blower to the burner. A damper plate is provided in the opening downstream of the blower for increasing a static pressure at the outlet of the blower during ignition of the burner.

Abstract: A burner for use with an igniter for firing a flame into a heat-exchanger includes a body having a sidewall that defines an interior chamber. A first opening in the body receives a pre-mixed mixture of air and fuel. A second opening in the body is in fluid communication with the first opening. A distributor connected to the body closes the second opening. The distributor includes a first portion and at least one curved second, portion provided on the first portion. Each second portion includes a plurality of first perforations in fluid communication with the first opening in the body. The first perforations of one second portion are positioned adjacent to the igniter such that ignition of the pre-mix mixture flowing through the first perforations results in a flame through the second portion.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and including a central passage and fluid directing structure for directing a mixture of air and combustible fuel radially through the tube. The fluid directing structure collectively defines a total flow area. A blocking member is axially movable within the central passage between a first condition blocking a first percentage of the total flow area and a second condition blocking a second percentage of the total flow area different from the first percentage to control the flow of the mixture of air and combustible fuel through the fluid directing structure from the first end to the second end of the tube to be ignited.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for an apparatus including a burner has at least one tube extending along a centerline from an inlet end adjacent the burner to an outlet end. A plurality of indentations is formed in the tube adjacent the inlet end and extend radially inward towards the centerline. The indentations are formed in opposing pairs extending towards one another to a depth sufficient to create turbulent fluid flow through the inlet end of the tube.

Abstract: A fuel burner includes a tube extending from a first end to a second end and having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a central passage. The central passage is supplied at the first end with a mixture of air and combustible fuel pre-mixed upstream of the tube. The second end is closed by an end wall in a fluid-tight manner. The tube includes fluid directing structure for directing the pre-mixed mixture radially outward from the central passage to an exterior of the tube such that the pre-mixed mixture rotates radially about the central axis along the exterior of the tube.

Abstract: A compact heat exchanger suitable for use in a forced air furnace for a recreational vehicle includes a multi-turn coil having linear segments interposed between bends. The coil is formed from a monolithic tube with portion of the tube being expanded to vary the diameter.

Abstract: A deep fryer apparatus including a gas burner for heating cooking oil. The burner includes a venturi inlet for receiving fuel and combustion air that communicates with a main chamber having an expanding cross-section. A balancing plate is disposed in a flow path of the fuel air mixture that is located intermediate the inlet and the outlet. The balancing plate defines a region of reduced cross-section in the flow path. A flame cap located at the outlet defines at least one secondary chamber between itself and the balancing plate that defines a flow path cross-section that is larger than the cross-section of the flow path at the balancing plate. The balancing plate is preferably tapered to compensate for variations in the length of the flow path due to an angled orientation between the burner inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A burner nozzle for use in burning a gas/air mixture includes a tubular member that extends along a centerline and has a mixture supply passage extending from an inlet end that receives air and gas to an outlet end. The outlet end includes a plurality of exit portions in fluid communication with the inlet end. The exit portions are positioned on opposing sides of cooperating dimples formed in the tubular member. The dimples are configured to shape the exit portions into nozzles having a cross-sectional area that decreases in a direction towards the outlet end.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is shut down when a predicted steady state combustion chamber temperature is below a known threshold. The predicted steady state temperature is based on combustion chamber temperatures during heat up of the burner and appliance.

Abstract: A combustion method and combustor for use in a jet engine, the jet engine having a compressor portion and a turbine portion. The combustor includes an outer tube having a central axis that extends longitudinally intermediate the compressor portion and turbine portion and is positioned to receive air discharged by the compressor portion. An inner tube is positioned within the outer tube that includes an associated outer surface spaced from the inner surface of the outer tube thereby defining a combustion chamber. The outer tube and inner tube include fluid directing structure for communicating at least some of the air discharged by the compressor portion to the combustion chamber. The fluid directing structure directs air into the combustion chamber in a direction offset from the central axis, thereby causing rotation or swirling of the air about the central axis.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube having an integral restricting and turbulating structure consisting of dimples formed by confronting indentations pressed into the sides of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples are comprised of indentations disposed in pairs which extend into the tube to such a depth as is necessary to significantly reduce the cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tube. The dimples of a pair are staggered or offset, longitudinally with respect to each other such that a restrictive passage is defined between each pair of offset dimples. The turbulence characteristics of the tube can be controlled by varying the depth to which the dimples project into the tube and the longitudinal spacing between the dimples that comprise the pair. Adjacent pairs of dimples may be rotated 90° with respect to each other or alternately can be arranged in a helix pattern.

Abstract: A burner nozzle for use in burning a gas/air mixture includes a tubular member that extends along a centerline and has a mixture supply passage extending from an inlet end that receives air and gas to an outlet end. The outlet end includes a plurality of exit portions in fluid communication with the inlet end. The exit portions are positioned on opposing sides of cooperating dimples formed in the tubular member. The dimples are configured to shape the exit portions into nozzles having a cross-sectional area that decreases in a direction towards the outlet end.

Abstract: A fuel-fired appliance is shut down when a predicted steady state combustion chamber temperature is below a known threshold. The predicted steady state temperature is based on combustion chamber temperatures during heat up of the burner and appliance.

Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas fired furnace capable of operating with a 16:1 turndown ratio or greater. The furnace includes a plurality of burners (10) grouped into at least (14a) first and second (14b) groups, each group connected to a source of combustible gas through a control valve (30a, 30b, 30c). The control valve (30c) controlling at least one group of burners is of a modulating type having an output proportional to a control signal applied to the valve. The burners fire into associated heat exchange tubes (20a), each tube having an inlet (24) and an outlet. The tube outlets are connected to a collector chamber (44) that includes a baffle plate (60) that divides the collector into two sections, one of the sections communicating with the outlets of the tubes associated with the first group of burners, the other section communicating with the outlets of the heat exchanger tubes associated with the other group of burners.

Abstract: A gas burner including a burner body having a lower housing, an inlet conduit and a combustion surface element attached to the lower housing. A diffuser/reflector positioned within the body encourages even distribution and mixing of a combustible gas/air mixture. The diffuser/reflector is preferably of a sheet metal construction and includes a plurality of stamped openings with each of these openings having an overhanging guide plate. The combustion surface element includes a plurality of integrally formed rigidizing ribs and is made from a high temperature steel alloy wire cloth. The inlet conduit is secured directly or indirectly to an access door/bulkhead that is used to close off an access opening formed in a water heater wall through which the burner is installed. In one construction, an air scoop shrouds the inlet conduit and at least partially defines a flow path of primary air, substantially isolated from the combustion chamber.