Abstract: A ventilating hood and cooktop system includes safety components to reduce or eliminate the possibility of a fire in the ventilating hood. The system provides elements for sensing the temperature over the cooktop. When the temperature reaches a first predetermined level, the ventilation fan speed is increased. The system includes alarm warning elements which issue different signals depending on the temperature above the cooktop. If a maximum temperature is reached, the system shuts off the fan of the ventilating hood and shuts down the cooktop.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a device which utilizes catalytic microcombustion for the production of heat or power and which exhibits a low pressure drop and has a high catalytic surface area. The catalytic microcombustor includes catalyst inserts in the reaction chamber separated by a sub millimeter distance. Thermal spreaders ensure temperature uniformity and maximum thermal efficiency. A mixing zone is prior to the combustion zone. Thermally conductive and/or insulating inserts are in the vicinity of the reaction zone.

Abstract: A solar chimney includes a solar collector which heats air in the chimney, producing updrafts which can be harnessed to perform useful work. The solar collector may be located inside or outside the chimney. The device may include a reservoir for storing a heat transfer fluid, thus enabling the device to be used during both day and night. The solar chimney may be equipped with both internal and external solar collectors, operating in parallel. The solar chimney may also be equipped with multiple external solar collectors, connected in parallel to a reservoir. The solar chimney of the invention provides a convenient and practical way to convert solar energy into electrical power.

Abstract: A tracker drive system is provided for rotatably driving one or more objects, for example solar panels or other equipment. The system comprises a torque element mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, wherein the torque element can support one or more objects for rotation therewith about the generally horizontal axis; a lever arm connected with the torque element, the lever arm being movable to rotate the torque element; a movable drive member that is drivable by a drive mechanism; and a dynamic coupler coupling the drive member with the lever arm such that the lever arm is drivable by the drive member to rotate the torque element.

Abstract: The tubular radiation absorbing device (1) for solar thermal applications has a central tube (2) and a glass tubular jacket (3) surrounding the central tube (2) so that a ring-shaped space (4) is formed between the central tube (2) and the tubular jacket (3). The ring-shaped space (4) contains at least one inert gas with a partial pressure of 3 to 200 mbar. Alternatively in another embodiment a gas-tight closed container (10) filled with at least one inert gas is arranged in the ring-shaped space (4). The container (10) has a device for supplying inert gas to the ring-shaped space (4) in order to compensate for increased heat losses due to diffusion of hydrogen into the ring-shaped space (4) from the heat carrier medium.

Abstract: A convection oven is disclosed. The convection oven includes an indirect heating chamber and a housing forming both an oven chamber and a circulation path between the oven chamber and the indirect heating chamber. An air circulator is adapted to circulate air through the circulation path. A fuel burner is adapted to generate heat, and heat from the fuel burner is transferred to the indirect heating chamber through a heat exchange interface.

Abstract: A primary flow of the burner air stream is slowed relatively to a secondary flow of the air stream. Fuel is injected at a lower rate into the primary flow, which generates a more stable flame, and fuel is injected at a higher rate into the secondary flow, which generates a stronger flame. If the stronger flame is blown out, fuel in the secondary flow can be lit by the flame from the primary flow.

Abstract: A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. The safety mechanism disables the operative connection between the trigger and the igniter such that the safety mechanism does not lock the trigger (the trigger may move relative to the torch body) but the movement of the trigger does not actuate the igniter. An actuating button is provided such that the user manually controls the position of the disabling mechanism.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a combustion apparatus equipped with a pilot burner and a main burner capable of establishing a stable combustion state without involving generation of CO and unburned substances at the main burner even when the supply of a gas fuel to the pilot burner is stopped. A combustion apparatus equipped with a pilot burner and a main burner according to the present invention is characterized in that, when the main burner is in a combustion state, the amount of air supplied to the pilot burner can be adjusted. Here, the amount of air supplied to the pilot burner is an amount allowing the pilot burner to be cooled.

Abstract: A controller includes a shell, a valve, a temperature-sensitive regulator and a cover. The shell defines an intake, a first space in communication with the intake, a second space in communication with the first space and an outlet in communication with the second space. The valve is installed in the first space for shutting the intake. The temperature-sensitive regulator is installed in the second space for contact with the valve. The cover is used to shut the second space and contact the temperature-sensitive regulator.

Abstract: A pneumatic signal conditioning device may have a first fluid path and a second fluid path. The first fluid path includes a first inlet and a first outlet, and is configured such that the first outlet provides a first conditioned signal representing a pressure at the first inlet. Similarly, the second fluid path is configured such that the second outlet provides a second conditioned signal representing a pressure at the second inlet. A pressure switch may be disposed in fluid communication with the first fluid path and the second fluid path such that the first fluid path and the second fluid path pass through the pressure switch.

Abstract: A front face attachment for a fireplace allows a single fireplace construction to be converted from a first arrangement having front facing top outlet and bottom inlet with covering louver panels for air flow around the combustion chamber to a second arrangement in which there are no front facing outlets and the top and bottom outlets are behind front cover flanges for receiving cladding materials.

Abstract: A baking oven containing a lighting device for lighting the cooking area and a lighting control device for controlling the on/off states and time profiles of the lighting device. The lighting control device has at least two pre-determined time profiles for determining the lighting intensity of the lighting device according to the operation leading to the switching on of the lighting device.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base with a melting plate upon which a meltable solid fuel rests and a wick holder to hold a wick and engage the meltable solid fuel, and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, a candle assembly includes a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on the wick and controls the at least one of the sound emitting system or the light emitting system, and a lock and key mechanism. Another candle assembly includes a replaceable container to hold a meltable fuel element with a wick and a first mating surface and a control unit having at least one electrical component to control at least one of a sound emitting system or a light emitting system. In another aspect, the control unit has a second mating surface complimentary to the first mating surface and a sensor configured to detect the presence of a flame disposed on a wick.

Abstract: A valve assembly including a block forming a bore. An air inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of air into the bore. The bore provides communication between the air inlet opening and at least one air outlet passage. A fuel inlet opening is in communication with the bore, and provides a volume of fuel into the bore. The bore provides communication between the fuel inlet opening and at least one fuel outlet passage. A pintle is slidably positionable within the bore to control the volume of air directed out of the bore through the air outlet passage and the volume of fuel directed out of the bore through the fuel outlet passage.

Abstract: An accurate and cost effective heliostat array and method of use is disclosed. The heliostat array in the preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of mirrors arrayed in a common plane, a plurality of reflector positioning arms, and a rigid positioning plate. The positioning plate, which is coupled to each of the reflectors via a positioning arm, is adapted to simultaneously aim each reflector using as few as one or two actuators. When the positioning arms forms the base of an isosceles triangle with one leg aligned with a ray directed to the sun and the other equal length leg aligned with a ray directed to the receiver, the positioning plate has the shape of a Conchoid of Nicomedes surface of revolution, which enables the heliostat array to simultaneously orient all of the mirrors to precisely focus incident sunlight from anywhere in the celestial hemisphere onto a common focal point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kitchen-range (1) and/or an oven (100) with a self-cleaning system, having a cleaning-element spraying assembly (6, 7, 106, 107), preferably water with detergent, arranged at the cooking top (13) and/or cooking chamber (113) for spraying it in a pressurized way and removing the existing dirt. A circuit is coupled to the cooking top (13) and/or cooking chamber (113), formed by conduits (5, 105, 4, 104) and a pump (19), so that the sprayed cleaning-elements can circulate and remove dirt from the surfaces to be cleaned.

Abstract: A gas cooking surface, including at least one gas burner and a control device for adjusting the heating capacity stages of the burner. The gas burner operates depending on the heating capacity stage adjusted in a continuous mode in which the gas burner is continuously supplied with gas, or in a clocked mode in which the gas burner is supplied with gas in an intermittent manner. In order to allow for a user-friendly handling of the cooking surface, the control device, for adjusting the desired heating capacity stage, is provided with at least one touch contact that switches, without respect of the mode of operation, between the different heating capacity stages when actuated by the user.

Abstract: A system and method of repairing a wax candle having a diminished wick. A kit is provided having a coring device, a ramrod for displacing wax from the coring device and a length of replacement wick. The coring device is used to cut a core from the candle around the diminished wick. The coring device removes a core of wax from the candle, therein creating a bore in the candle. A length of replacement wick is then placed into the bore. The removed core of wax is then reinserted into the bore, thereby locking the replacement wick in place. The replacement wick extends above the wax and is trimmed to the proper height for use in lighting the candle.

Abstract: An internal combustion burner, especially for attenuation of mineral fibers, and including a combustion chamber, into which at least one duct for feeding fuel and oxidizer opens, and provided with an expansion orifice. The combustion chamber is provided with at least one flame stabilizing element, the geometry of the walls of which is chosen to create a confinement zone in which at least part of the combustion between oxidizer and fuel takes place.