Abstract: A spark ignited, gas fueled pilot assembly compromising a bracket and a metal gas tube extending through the bracket and having an outlet end. The gas tube is surrounded by a ceramic jacket which is of such a length as to extend beyond the outlet end of the gas tube by approximately 0.03? such that the gas tube outlet is recessed into the ceramic jacket. The assembly further comprises a pair of ignitor electrodes carried by the bracket and arranged and located relative to the recessed gas supply tube to ignite fuel emanating therefrom.

Abstract: A thimble shaped burner is made of a porous foam metal material and is adapted to be mounted on the interior of a plenum chamber receiving a fuel/air mixture under pressure. The fuel/air mixture infuses into the interior of the thimble shaped burner body and exits from it through a burner port in a support structure where the fuel/air mixture that has been infused through the burner body is ignited. The burners are typically used in multiples and are mounted by means conventional fasteners passing through reinforced mounting flanges on the interior of an air fuel plenum chamber. Flame lift off is reduced or eliminated by particular configurations and dimensions of annular metal washers that are used in association with the burner bodies for mounting purposes.

Abstract: A gas-fired, powered infrared burner unit comprising a perforate distribution plate configured as a tray and a porous foam metal burner element carried in the tray, the combination overlying the open top of a plenum box and sealingly fastened to an edge flange of said box by a retainer having a surrounding flange fastened to the plenum box flange by welding, staking or other means so as to eliminate the need for a gasket. The foam metal medium is constructed of a foam metal alloy to have a pore size of 1000 micros±5%, and produce, along with the perforations in the distribution tray, a port loading of between about 850 and 1,000 BTU/in2.

Abstract: A drying installation (1) and method for drying of products (3). More in particular, the invention relates to a drying installation (1) and a method for drying sludge or mud, as e.g. the drying of wastewater and industrial sludge possibly contaminated with toxic or corrosive components. The dryer installation (1) comprises infrared emitters (5) which are protected and/or insulated from the evaporation products (7) exiting the drying product (3).

Abstract: A radiant burner comprises a body defining a premixing chamber and a combustion chamber. The premixing chamber is separated from the combustion chamber by at least one radiant burner plate (2) which has multiple levels of burner surface. The combustion chamber is further limited by a first radiant screen (4). The radiant burner further comprises a second radiant screen (3) in the combustion chamber. The second radiant screen is spaced from, but near and parallel to the radiant burner plate(s), such that this second radiant screen acts as an extended burner surface and also heats up said at least one radiant burner plate when in use.

Abstract: A method for optimizing an LED lighting system cost includes steps of determining LED costs, power source costs, and total costs associated with a plurality of LED quantities, and identifying a lowest total cost as an optimal cost. A LED lighting system includes an LED operated by a constant-current driver at less than its maximum current capacity. A programmable controller including a feedback routine is used to compensate for intensity drift as an LED ages. Other embodiments of LED lighting systems include multiple LEDs producing light having various spectrums to optimize the lighting system efficiency and the effectiveness. A charge controller including an MPPT routine is advantageously employed with a LED lighting system powered by a limited-capacity power source.

Abstract: A method for optimizing an LED lighting system cost includes steps of determining LED costs, power source costs, and total costs associated with a plurality of LED quantities, and identifying a lowest total cost as an optimal cost. A LED lighting system includes an LED operated by a constant-current driver at less than its maximum current capacity. A programmable controller including a feedback routine is used to compensate for intensity drift as an LED ages. Other embodiments of LED lighting systems include multiple LEDs producing light having various spectrums to optimize the lighting system efficiency and the effectiveness. A charge controller including an MPPT routine is advantageously employed with a LED lighting system powered by a limited-capacity power source.

Abstract: A radiant heater including a burner having an inlet for receiving an air and gas mixture and an exhaust for emitting exhaust gases generated by combustion of the air and gas mixture within the burner, an elongated radiant heating tube having an inlet for receiving the exhaust gases emitted by the burner, a gas flow control assembly for controlling the flow of gas to the burner, and a blower for controlling the flow of air to the burner. The blower comprises a two-stage blower including a motor having a low winding corresponding to a low blower speed and a high winding corresponding to a high blower speed. The gas flow control assembly comprises a two-stage regulator or two-stage valve having a low setting for delivering a low gas flow to the burner and a high setting for delivering a high gas flow to the burner.

Abstract: A radiant heating system including at least one gas burner and at least one conduit connected to the at least one burner on one end and connected to at least one exhaust tube at an opposite end for transporting hot exhaust gas. Heat is transferred via conduction to an external surface of the conduit. The heat is then radiated omnidirectionaly from the external surface of the conduit as infrared rays. A fan directs a stream of air across the external surface of the conduit to cool the conduit allowing the at least one burner to operate continuously for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A dryer for drying continuous strips of paper uses blowing and suction airflows. The temperature of the suction airflow is higher than the temperature of the blowing airflow. The dryer exchanges energy between the blowing and suction airflows.

Abstract: In a heat treatment installation a strip moves continuously past infrared radiant elements and elements for blowing air onto the strip. The installation comprises a succession of blower elements separated from each other by at least one infrared radiant element, each blower element having on each side of it a suction element near an infrared radiant element.

Abstract: A fuel enriched ignitor for a fuel gas burner appliance wherein a fuel enricher tube is provided with a coupling having a threaded insert which, by way of a metering orifice, matches the enricher tube to the particular fuel gas being used. By both two-element and three-element ignitors are disclosed. The ignitor is also illustrated in a gas supply system having a single main valve which serves both the enricher tube and the primary appliance burner.

Abstract: A compact gas-fired radiant space heater is adapted for residential use, having an output in the 20k BTU to 40k BTU/hr range and exterior dimensions small enough to allow it to be installed in a standard two foot by four foot suspended ceiling opening. A radiator tube having a total length of approximately 15 feet is bent into a serpentine shape, and combustion control components are housed within a plenum chamber supplying combustion air to the tube, both the tube and the chamber being encircled by a frame that fits within the two foot by four foot opening. The combustion control components are attached to a chassis plate whereby the components are removable from the plenum chamber as a unit to enhance serviceability of the heater. A burner venturi of novel configuration produces a flame that is less than four feet long yet which is relatively quiet.

Abstract: A fuel enriched ignitor for a fuel gas burner appliance wherein a fuel enricher tube is provided with a coupling having a threaded insert which, by way of a metering orifice, matches the enricher tube to the particular fuel gas being used. By both two-element and three-element ignitors are disclosed. The ignitor is also illustrated in a gas supply system having a single main valve which serves both the enricher tube and the primary appliance burner.

Abstract: A drying equipment comprised of a battery of radiant heaters, a suction hood and a blower hood. It is designed to dry a moving material, paper in particular, and is equipped with a fire prevention system integrated into its cowl. The fire prevention system comprises a spraying manifold supplying a flow of steam and then a steam and water mixture to reduce the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: An infrared heater for a fluid immersion apparatus such as a commercial deep fat fryer includes a burner whose burner element is made from woven ceramic fibers, preferably formed as a cloth. The burner can also include a wire mesh or screen for supporting the cloth; alternatively, the cloth can be made self-supporting through the wrapping or affixing of several cloth layers together. The burner element possesses a predetermined gas permeability adequate to avoid any significant backflash during the use of the burner. The gas permeability is selected to match the flow rate, composition and backpressure of the selected gas, and takes into account the insulative capacity of the fiber weave employed. The resulting burner construction is substantially more durable and resistant to damage during replacement or inspection than are burners having conventional ceramic elements, such as foams, felts, or the like.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for shutting off a gas or air/gas mixture supply port of a radiant burner so as to cause it to stop automatically in the event of ignition at the rear, this device being of the type comprising a deformable temperature-detecting part, the deformation of which brings about the movement of a shut-off part intended for shutting off the port in the event that a specific temperature is detected, wherein the detection part is arranged in the distribution chamber of the radiant burner.

Abstract: A gas fired infrared burner ceramic tile retainer for securing ceramic burner tiles within a plenum including a one-piece cut-and-form stamped tile retainer made of continuous sheet metal includes a top portion which is substantially horizontal for engaging the burner tile edge and a transverse portion which is substantially perpendicular to the top portion which includes a plurality of tabs extending downwardly from the transverse portions. These tabs are placed at intervals around the bottom of the tile retainer and are adapted to be bent under the plenum which contains the burner tile. The plenum has a tile receiving lip around its upper outer perimeter, and the tabs are bent underneath this lip to secure the burner tile by sandwiching the outer edges of the burner tile between the tile retainer and the plenum tile receiving lip. The disclosed tile retainer furthermore helps to maintain a substantially gas tight seal between the ceramic tile and the plenum.

Abstract: An infrared heater for fluid immersion apparatus is disclosed and includes a cylindrical ceramic foam radiant gas burner, the burner being made from retriculated ceramic foam having a porosity of about 40 to about 100 pores per linear inch. Also disclosed is a high emissivity coating on the reticulated ceramic foam burner element for substantially decreasing the likelihood of backflashing. In conjunction with the burner element, a cylindrical baffle having unevenly spaced openings distributes the gas mixtures within the burner element to enhance uniform burning.