Abstract: A radiant burner comprising a screen and a radiant plate enclosed by a peripheral band and associated with a body defining the premixing chamber. In said burner, there is provided, bearing against an upper flange of the band, a ceramic frame having an internal peripheral structure which enables the grate to be supported. Provision being also made of resilient means.

Abstract: A gas fired radiant griddle assembly employing a series of perforated ceramic tiles to define a burner surface positioned beneath the griddle. The center area of the assembled ceramic tiles is blocked off so as to define an annular burner surface to minimize the temperature gradient across the griddle surface and the hot combustion effluents are drawn by convection beneath the griddle surface and out the rear corners of the combustion chamber beneath the griddle to heat the peripheral and corner portions of the griddle and further minimize the temperature gradient across the expanse of the griddle.

Abstract: An infrared heat device utilizing a ceramic burner tile operating in a confined combustion chamber. Inlet gas flow, metered by an orifice, is boosted as required by the air pressure provided in at least approximately Stoichiometric ratio to compensate for increased back pressure.

Abstract: The alveoli of a plate having an alveolar radiating face are provided in the front face of the plate according to a family of patterns regularly distributed in rows, generally different, rows of holes, all the holes existing in the plate opening out totally or partially and in all regular distribution conditions of staggered, checkered or offset holes in the rows, into corresponding alveoli each containing a central hole; the base of the alveoli has an hexagonal or quadrilateral shape, regular or irregular, and the alveoli may have depth profiles which correspond to revolution volumes or facet volumes.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for use with a portable oven. The disclosed heat exchanger maximizes the conversion of heat caloric content of a combustible fuel to useable heat energy. A gas fueled infra-red burner mounted above the heat exchanger directs radiant energy toward a metal plate which also is contacted by waste or effluent from the burner. The metal plate in turn transmits heat by conduction to a sealed passageway or flow path through which air circulates on its way to the oven. By heating the plate with both effluent and radiation approximately 70% of the heat caloric content of the gas fuel is converted to heat energy for heating air in the passageway. Use of a sealed passageway allows conditions inside the oven to be controlled to make the oven suitable for use as a test oven.

Abstract: A swimming pool cover consisting of a sheet of transparent, flexible, pliant plastic of a size to cover the water surface of a pool with an overhang of a several inches permitting folding back all edges, a foamed plastic cylinder in the fold around the pool periphery and a plurality of tubular clamps maintaining the folded edge around the foamed plastic cylinder.

Abstract: An open top housing member, the top being arranged to be closed by a solar radiation transparent covering, is arranged to be mounted in side by side and end to end relationship with similar members to provide a large area solar heat absorber unit, and each housing member includes passageways for the flow of fluids, such as air, and means for joining the members at the passageways, thereby providing an inlet fluid manifold at one edge of the combined housings and an outlet fluid manifold at the opposite edge of the housings providing the transfer of heat absorbed by the unit to the transfer fluid. Generally, the housing members are made of lightweight sheet metal and may be secured together either by crimping edges and flanges of adjoining members or lateral mechanical pressure at the passageways, and each is provided with an adjustable gate member for varying the flow pattern of the fluid through each individual member.

Abstract: In a solar heat collector, a corrugated screen or a transverse series of perforated plates, on the underside of a heat absorber plate and heated by conduction and radiation from the absorber plate. The screen or perforated plates increase the surface area for heat transfer, especially to air, and produce turbulence of the heat transfer medium to increase heat transfer therefrom and also from the underside of the absorber plate. The screen or perforated plates are also adapted to support the heat absorber plate in a desired position.