Abstract: An improved shell-and-tube steam instantaneous heat exchange system of a closely coupled feedback design which overheats water in the heat exchanger portion of the system and then blends the water, as needed, with proportional amounts of cold water to achieve the correct outlet temperature for a wide range of flow rates. The system uses at least two primary heat exchangers to provide redundancy in the case of failure of a major component of the system. Steam flow through the heat exchangers is controlled by the use of steam traps, rather than using a thermostatically controlled valve to vary the supply of steam. To obtain precise temperature control during varying water volume use, water is directed from the blended outlet of a first water tempering valve into the hot inlet port of a second water tempering valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC). The method comprises performing system analysis on at least one of a DC current, DC voltage, or an AC voltage; utilizing the system analysis for selecting at least one conversion parameter; and converting DC to AC utilizing the at least one conversion parameter.

Abstract: A video imaging system includes a master video camera for producing video images of a moving object of interest, a plurality of additional video cameras each positioned at a different location for producing additional video images of the object of interest from different spatial perspectives, and a control system for controlling the additional video cameras to track the object of interest imaged by the master video camera. The system generates video images using a method comprising the steps of producing a master video image of a moving object of interest, producing additional video images of the object of interest from different spatial perspectives, and controlling size of the object of interest in the additional video images in response to the size of the object of interest in the master video image.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus is shown which includes a water heating tank having generally cylindrical sidewalls with upper and lower ends, each of which is closed by a transverse wall section to define a closed tank interior. The tank also has a water inlet and a water outlet. A plurality of vertically arranged fire tubes are connected between the upper and lower transverse wall sections, each fire tube having an open interior for conducting products of combustion. A combustion chamber is mounted on the upper end of the water heating tank for providing products of combustion to the open interiors of the fire tubes. A flue collector chamber is located at the bottom end of the tank for collecting and exhausting the products of combustion from the vertically arranged fire tubes. An induction blower draws the products of combustion downwardly from the combustion chamber, through the fire tubes and out the flue collector chamber for exhaustion from the apparatus.

Abstract: A water heater apparatus is shown which includes a water heating tank having generally cylindrical sidewalls with upper and lower ends, each of which is closed by a transverse wall section to define a closed tank interior. The tank also has a water inlet and a water outlet. A plurality of vertically arranged fire tubes are connected between the upper and lower transverse wall sections, each fire tube having an open interior for conducting products of combustion. A combustion chamber is mounted on the upper end of the water heating tank for providing products of combustion to the open interiors of the fire tubes. A flue collector is located at the bottom end of the tank for collecting and exhausting the products of combustion from the vertically arranged fire tubes. An induction blower draws the products of combustion downwardly from the combustion chamber, through the fire tubes and out the flue collector for exhaustion from the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water heating apparatus which uses a submergible, pressurized combustion chamber having multiple external heating surfaces, a forced draft burner and a flue collector that collects and passively recirculates a portion of the flue gases back into the burner air intake region. An improved burner array more completely mixes the combustible gases in the combustion region and operates over a wide range of input demands.

Abstract: In a fluid heating apparatus having a fluid tank, a combustion chamber communicating with the fluid tank for heat exchange, and a combustible fluid delivery system coupled to the combustion chamber, a plurality of valves are individually configured in either an off-state or an on-state for delivering combustible fluid to the combustion chamber. Depending on the configuration of the multiple valves, the rate at which combustible fluid is supplied to the combustion chamber may be varied in response to a heat demand signal. Individual valve signals are generated for each of the multiple valves in response to the heat demand signal to place the multiple valves in a configuration to supply combustible fluid at predetermined rates. The demand signal is calculated in response to reading temperature at an inlet temperature probe and an outlet temperature probe, wherein the outlet temperature probe is located nearer a fluid outlet from the fluid tank than is the inlet temperature probe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water heating apparatus and method to passively recirculate flue gas in order to reduce NO.sub.x emissions formed during combustion. The apparatus uses a high efficiency burner, a submergible, pressurized, combustion chamber having multiple external heating surfaces, and a flue collector that collects and passively recirculates a portion of the flue gases back into the burner air intake while exhausting the rest. The multiple external heating surfaces are installed within a closed tank and are submerged in water under pressure during use.

Abstract: A water heater/boiler design is shown having a tank with a submergible, pressurized combustion chamber and a resilient sealing means which divides the interior of the water heater tank into a primary and secondary heat exchange compartments. A forced draft burner is used to heat the combustion chamber with the products of combustion passing through multiple heat exchange surfaces to a flue collector located on the exterior of the device.

Abstract: A direct contact water heater is provided having an upright, closed cylindrical tank formed from an outer tank shell. The outer tank shell has a top, a bottom and an external sidewall extending between the top and bottom to define an interior of the tank. A combustion chamber is centrally located within the interior of the tank. Combustible fuel is introduced downward from a combustion means into the combustion chamber and is ignited in the presence of air within the combustion chamber to create products of combustion. A plurality of spray nozzles are connected to a water supply to be heated. The spray nozzles are evenly spaced around and along the length of the combustion chamber for directing water from the water supply into the combustion chamber so that more uniform contact of the water is achieved with the products of combustion to facilitate heating of the water.

Abstract: A water heater is shown having a closed tank with an opening for receiving a combustion chamber, the interior of the tank normally containing water under pressure. A combustion chamber is located within the tank interior and includes a body portion having an open end adjacent the tank opening into which combustible fuel is introduced and ignited in the presence of air to create products of combustion. A flue collector is mounted on the exterior of the closed tank and has an annular chamber surrounding a flue opening for receiving the products of combustion for exhaustion to the atmosphere. An outer wall portion closes one end of the flue opening to provide a closed compartment within the collector which can be pressurized by an external blower. An inner wall portion of the collector has an opening which communicates with the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of a water heater provides generating a heating demand signal which a minimum level corresponds to a required heat input for maintaining water temperature in the water tank in case of no exogenous demand for water. Responsive to the heating demand signal, air flow from the forced draft blower and flow of combustible fluid from the combustible fluid delivery system are varied to produce combustion product over a minimum 15 to 1 ratio. This allows water heating to be varied to meet maximum expected exogenous demand or to maintain water temperature with no exogenous demand.

Abstract: A combustion system is shown having a combustion chamber into which fuel is introduced and ignited in the presence of air to create products of combustion which are routed through an exhaust vent. A forced draft burner intakes air and fuel and ignites these components to supply heat to the combustion chamber. A valve is provided within the exhaust vent for varying the degree of restriction within the exhaust vent. A modulation drive motor is connected to the variable restriction in the exhaust vent and to the air and fuel supply sources for increasing the exhaust vent back pressure as the ratio of air and fuel being supplied to the combustion chamber are decreased.

Abstract: An improved water heater is shown which includes a water heating tank having external cylindrical sidewalls, an interior, and initially open upper and lower ends. A combustion chamber is connectable to the water heating tank and houses a burner for the combustion of a selected fossil fuel. A fire tube unit of a fixed length is received within the interior of the water heater tank and has an upper transverse wall section, a lower transverse wall section and interconnecting fire tubes. The fire tubes have open interiors which receive the products of combustion from the combustion chamber for heating water contained in the water heating tank. Flanges and resilient seals are located at the upper and lower ends of the water heating tank for securing the fire tube unit within the interior thereof.

Abstract: A completely self contained photographic vending unit included within a weatherized containment automatically takes photographs of users in response to user inputs. The photographs are taken on a self-developing film supplied in cartridges. A film loading mechanism supplies and positions fresh cartridges into a camera body by conveying the fresh film cartridge from a storage unit to the camera location and then elevating the film cartridge into the camera through the bottom of the camera. The camera is aimed by tilting the entire camera assembly including the camera and film delivery mechanism as an integral unit. Frames or cards are selectively dispensed from one of a plurality of dispensing units through a delivery chute to be combined with the photograph to provide a personalized and customized greeting card, postcard or framed photograph. The entire vending unit operates automatically and unattended and may be used in an exterior location without an enclosing photographic booth.

Abstract: A potable, hot water storage vessel is shown with a metallic body having a water inlet, water outlet and at least one additional opening communicating the vessel interior and exterior. A flexible, non-molded liner is installed within the vessel interior through the additional opening. The liner has integrally formed ports which extend through the vessel inlet and outlets to the exterior of the vessel body. A bolt-on flange is received on the vessel exterior at the inlet and outlet to form a seal with each of the liner ports.

Abstract: A bolt-on fitting is shown for coupling a fitting to an object having external sidewalls and a normally closed interior containing a liquid, such as a water heater tank or boiler. The bolt-on fitting has a body with an inner surface and an outer surface. A plurality of bolt openings are spaced about the periphery of the body. An O-ring is located on the inner surface for sealing between the flange and the mating surface on the tank. The inner surface of the flange is concave, being curved about both a horizontal and a vertical axis drawn to bisect the body so that the bolt openings form isolated points of contact with the tank surface when the flange is bolted into position.

Abstract: A water heater/boiler design is shown having a tank with a submergible, pressurized combustion chamber so that all of the heating surfaces of the combustion chamber are submerged under water. The products of combustion are routed from the submerged combustion chamber to a secondary heat exchanger having heat exchange tubes which are also submerged in the tank. A forced draft burner is used to heat the combustion chamber and the burner inlet air is preheated by passing the inlet air over portions of the secondary heat exchanger located on the exterior of the tank.

Abstract: An improved water heater or boiler having a water heater tank, a combustion chamber and a burner wherein a selected insulating material separates the combustion chamber and the tubesheet of the water heater tank to maintain the temperature of the tubesheet below the ductile to brittle transition temperature.