Abstract: A fuel burning system comprises a burner in communication with a burner supply pipe having an automatic two-stage regulator valve for controlling the pressure of fuel gas delivered to the burner. The burner supply pipe is normally fed by a primary supply pipe delivering collected digester or landfill gas through an automatic three-way valve, however a secondary supply pipe carrying natural gas may be selected by the three-way valve for communication with the burner supply pipe. The regulator valve and three-way valve are electrically connected to a standard ignition module by a pressure-sensitive switch to detect the presence of digester or landfill gas in the primary supply pipe. When sufficient gas pressure exists in the primary supply pipe, the three-way valve is operated to permit delivery of the digester or landfill gas to the burner supply pipe and the regulator valve is held in its high stage setting for burning this primary fuel.

Abstract: A coupling assembly (56) for coupling an exhaust system to a pipe through which hot gases are discharged. The coupling assembly (56) couples the exhaust pipe (54) of a vehicle (16) to a flexible exhaust suction hose (42) of a vehicle emission capture system (10) of the type that discharges vehicle exhaust gases from within a structure (12) to a location outside of the structure. The coupling assembly includes two portions, one portion being a rubber-like boot (62) which is secured to the free end (42.3) of a flexible suction hose (42), the rubber-like boot carrying near its free end (62.2) a garter spring (64), and the other portion of the coupling assembly being a ball adaptor (60) which may be secured to the tail pipe (54) of a vehicle. The ball adaptor has a connection portion (60.1) and a spherical portion (60.3) through which hot exhaust gases may pass. The major external diameter of the spherical portion of the ball adaptor is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the garter spring (64).

Abstract: A burner assembly (10) for a radiant heater of the infrared type. The burner assembly includes a burner tube (12), a generally cylindrical mixing cup assembly (14), means (16) for mounting the cup assembly within the burner tube, means (18) for introducing air into the upstream end of the burner tube, and means (20) for introducing combustible gas into the burner cup, the gas and air being thoroughly mixed together in the burner cup. The cup assembly includes a generally cylindrical mixer tube (32), and passageway means at the downstream end, the passageway means including a ceramic block (34) and a metallic grid (36) in contact with the downstream face of the ceramic block. The ceramic block has a plurality of relatively small orifices (34.1) which extend through the block. The metallic grid (36) has a plurality of relatively small apertures (36.3) and a large central aperture (36.4).

Abstract: A control assembly in combination with a thermostatically responsive apparatus. In a preferred mode the principles of the present invention are applied to an infra-red heating system of the type including burner assemblies (12, 12') connected in series by a heating pipe (14), the assemblies being further connected by heating pipes (14) to a vacuum pump (40). The pump (40) is driven by a variable-speed electric motor (42) which is responsive to a thermostat (16) which may initiate, through control panel (15), operation of the burner assemblies. The burning rate of the burner assemblies is controlled by varying the speed of the electric motor and this is accomplished by the control assembly (44) which is responsive to indoor and outdoor temperature sensing devices (48, 50). The control assembly is initially programmed with climatic data which is correlated with operational speeds of the pump to give desired thermal operational characteristics of the burners at differing temperature ranges.