Abstract: A sump pump system having a primary pump, a fluid level sensor, and a primary controller electrically connected to the primary pump for activating the pump when the fluid level sensor indicates a predetermine fluid level has been reached, the primary controller having a primary interface for communicating with a secondary pump. In some forms, the system includes a secondary pump having a secondary controller electrically connected to the secondary pump and having a secondary interface, the primary and secondary interfaces allowing the primary and secondary pump controllers to communicate with one another and allowing at least one of the primary and secondary pump controllers to assume control of both the primary and secondary pump. Related methods are further described herein.

Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.

Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.

Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.

Abstract: Methods relating to varying capacitance of a capacitive sensor and controlling a pump based on the level of a liquid. A pump controller for controlling the level of a liquid in a reservoir includes a controller and a capacitor. The capacitor is adapted to provide an activation signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a first predetermined level relative thereto.

Abstract: A variable capacitor for sensing the level of a liquid. The capacitor provides a readable capacitance that varies with respect to the level of the liquid. A pump control system implementing the capacitive sensor to control the level of a liquid by activating and deactivating the pump depending on the level of the liquid. Methods relating to varying capacitance of a capacitive sensor and controlling a pump based on the level of a liquid. A pump controller for controlling the level of a liquid in a reservoir includes a controller and a capacitor. The capacitor is adapted to provide an activation signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a first predetermined level relative thereto. Additionally, the capacitor is adapted to provide a trigger signal to the controller when the liquid in the reservoir reaches a second predetermined level relative thereto. Based on the trigger signal, the controller determines when to deactivate the pump.

Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.

Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.

Abstract: A furnace system for heating a poultry brooder house includes a firebox for burning biomass fuel, and a grate within the firebox for burning the biomass fuel thereon. A distributor assembly may positioned within the firebox and is located directly above the grate. The distributor assembly includes a distributor plate having a plurality of apertures therethrough, and a distributor arm above the distributor plate that is movable relative to the distributor plate to cause biomass fuel supported on the plate to pass through the apertures and fall onto the grate. The furnace system may include a hopper assembly that defines a well for receiving a volume of biomass fuel for delivery to the grate or to the distributor plate.

Abstract: A pump has a one piece combined floating wear ring and liquid director that includes an upper ring portion received over an impeller hub and a curved lower portion that separates the pump impeller and suction chambers and directs liquid from the suction chamber inlet port to the impeller inlet.

Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. The control may also be in communication with various other devices of an appliance, such as a variable speed air-circulating fan, a variable speed exhaust fan, or various sensors associated with the heating appliance. The control modulates the gas valve and the combustion air blower to maintain substantially stoichiometric conditions of the gas and air provided to the burner tube and as a function of signals from at least one of the devices. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven.

Abstract: A power burner system for use with a heating appliance includes a burner tube, a gas valve for providing gas to the burner tube, and a variable speed combustion air blower for mixing air with the gas provided to the burner tube. The burner system further includes a control in communication with the gas valve and the combustion air blower. In one embodiment, the burner system may be used in a conveyor oven. In another embodiment, a conveyor oven includes air circulating fingers having at least first and second air discharge apertures with different flow areas for providing heated air to a cooking chamber of the oven. In another embodiment, a conveyor oven includes apertures through a wall separating the cooking chamber from a blower compartment. The apertures define different flow areas such that the flow rates through the apertures differ.

Abstract: A gas burner has a gas distribution section, an inlet to the gas distribution section connected to a supply of combustible gas, a plurality of outlets, and a gas diffuser. The gas distribution section includes at least one tubular member having a substantially flat first side and formed into a closed loop-shape. In one embodiment, the burner outlets are slots arranged along the first side and oriented substantially transverse to the axial direction of the tubular members whereby a locally uniform flame front is provided at each outlet. The gas diffuser is disposed adjacent the burner inlet to facilitate a uniform flame front along the entire gas distribution section by smoothing out fluctuations or variations in the incoming gas flow.

Abstract: A gas burner has a gas distribution section, an inlet to the gas distribution section connected to a supply of combustible gas, a plurality of outlets, and a gas diffuser. The gas distribution section includes at least one tubular member having a substantially flat first side and formed into a closed loop-shape. In one embodiment, the burner outlets are slots arranged along the first side and oriented substantially transverse to the axial direction of the tubular members whereby a locally uniform flame front is provided at each outlet. The gas diffuser is disposed adjacent the burner inlet to facilitate a uniform flame front along the entire gas distribution section by smoothing out fluctuations or variations in the incoming gas flow.

Abstract: A burner for a gas convection oven comprises an annular-shaped burner tube having outer peripheral slots and two gas input ends. The burner is disposed about the outer periphery of a fan and a cylindrical sleeve is disposed between the fan and tube as an inner burner baffle. An annular ring extends radially outward from the downstream end of the sleeve as an outer baffle. The burner and fan are disposed in the same chamber and are used in both commercial and residential ovens and ranges.

Abstract: A premix gas burner has a flat, composite burner plate formed by a rear flat plate having a first set of apertures and a forward flat and thinner plate having a second set of apertures of less diameter than the first set of apertures. The plates are connected to form a composite burner plate at the front end of a burner tube. A pilot tube extends through the burner tube and a pilot flame ignitor includes an insulated center electrode and a spirally wrapped grounding electrode electrically engaging the I.P. of the pilot tube to form an electrical ground. The electrodes spark to ignite a pilot flame which in turn ignites the larger burner flame.