Abstract: An appliance vent duct cover includes a first cover portion, and a second cover portion including a plurality of openings, wherein the second cover portion is slidably coupled to the first cover portion such that the second cover portion is selectively positionable with respect to the first cover portion to enable the plurality of openings to be substantially covered by the first cover portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a one-piece, self-contained air-heating, slide-in residential fireplace insert system comprising three sections: a control/base section, a front closure system and a tubing system; in particular to a system containing a plurality of individual tubularly confined columns of moving air (under fan pressure) surrounding a heat-radiating source on five sides, (excluding the front closure), where-in the said columns of moving air are heated within the said tubing system by radiation from the said heat-radiating source through the metal walls of the said confined columns of moving air before the said heated air is exited into an attending room.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-line wash-down of a heat sink media bed in a regenerative heat exchanger of a regenerative fume incinerator is disclosed. When a heat sink media bed requires cleaning, the selected regenerative heat exchanger is cooled while the remaining regenerative heat exchangers are operated in their normal mode of operation. When the selected media bed reaches a temperature which is less than the thermal-shock temperature of the media material, a cleaning fluid is sprayed on the media surfaces through spray-pipes which are installed within the media bed. After the media surfaces are washed down, the selected regenerative heat-exchanger is reverted back to its normal mode of operation. The regenerative heat exchanger can also be automatically burnt-out of deposited gasifiable matter prior to the wash-down. Random or sequential burn-out and wash-down of the regenerative heat-exchangers can be performed.

Abstract: A method for oxy-fuel combustion, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a liquid fuel into an emulsion chamber through a liquid fuel conduit having an effective diameter, the emulsion chamber having a length that is 2 times or less than 2 times of said effective diameter of said liquid fuel conduit; introducing an atomizing gas into the emulsion chamber through at least one atomizing gas conduit; mixing the liquid fuel and the atomizing gas in said emulsion chamber to create an emulsion mixture that has a mean residence time in said emulsion chamber of from 500 to 800 ?s, the emulsion mixture having an emulsion mixture velocity less than or equal to 12 m/s; and discharging said emulsion mixture through a generally rectangular-shaped orifice into an oxygen-enriched oxidizer stream. A nozzle and burner for oxy-fuel combustion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A burner apparatus for an indoor or outdoor fireplace, fire pit, stove or oven is shown. The burner apparatus operates to produce natural gas fueled or liquid petroleum fueled amber flames among artificial logs, coals or a combination of artificial logs and coals, simulating a natural fire. One embodiment of the burner apparatus comprises a burner tube loop for the distribution of fuel, a fuel/air mixing valve for mixing the fuel and air before ignition of the resulting fuel/air mixture, metal cups for the dissipation of the fuel/air mixture and flames, an ignition system for igniting the fuel/air mixture, a control system for monitoring and controlling the ignition of the fuel and for regulating the flow of fuel, and artificial logs, coals or a combination of logs and coals placed around the burner tube loop to provide for an aesthetically pleasing and natural looking display.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits over the capillary pedestal, a wick that is carried by the wick holder, and a fuel element that fits over the wick and wick holder and rests on the melting plate. The fuel element includes a duct therethrough for receiving the wick holder. The fuel element is adapted to prevent improper insertion of the wick holder into the duct. The duct is adapted to facilitate successful initial ignition and sustained burn of the wick by having a width that is selected to ensure that melted fuel material engages the wick when dripping down the duct. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly. A candle holder, such as including the melting plate supported by a base, may be adapted to promote laminar air flow thereacross during a burn in a substantially calm atmospheric environment.

Abstract: The elevation of a solar panel to follow the course of the sun is achieved in a manner to require relatively little power. The elevation mechanism utilizes a system of wires and pulleys which cooperate with springs which are compressed when the panel is in the collapsed position. The springs operate to overcome inertia when panel elevation first commences. The wire and pulley system operates to extend in opposite directions a pair of arms, one connected to the panel base member, the other connected to the top of the panel pivoting member.

Abstract: The invention provides a gas heater for connection to a heat source and a pressurized gas source, the gas heater comprising: a jacket having an inlet and an outlet and defining a cavity there between; a porous heat exchanger extender within said cavity, and means for providing heat to said heat exchanger along the length thereof. The invention also provides a gas supply apparatus and a method of providing gas.

Abstract: A grill includes a lower portion and an upper platen pivotably attached to the lower portion each having a grilling surface. An adjustment mechanism adjusts a dimension of the gap between the grilling surfaces between a large dimension and a small dimension. The adjustment mechanism includes a rotatable bar having a handle and a cam surface. The upper grilling surface is suspended by two cables. The cam surface is received between arms rotates the bar to move the position of the cam surface relative to the arms to adjust the gap between the grilling surfaces. This lengthens or shortens the cables to move the suspended upper grilling surface to adjust the gap between the grilling surfaces.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base, a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits onto the capillary pedestal, and a fuel element that fits over the wick holder. The wick holder includes a sleeve having first and second open ends. A wick fits into the sleeve and extends between the open ends. The sleeve has a constricted portion, which is disposed between the open ends and has a cross-sectional area less than any other cross-sectional area between the open ends. The constricted portion reduces an effective capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the open ends, which may thereby regulate how quickly fuel is consumed when the candle assembly is burning. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a surface within a vessel has an elongate combustion conduit extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The downstream end is associated with an aperture in the wall of the vessel and is positioned to direct a shockwave toward the surface. At least one hanger supports the combustion conduit at at least one location along a length of the combustion conduit.

Abstract: A portable cooking grill is configured with a collapsible frame having a pair of frame sections extending outwardly and downwardly from a pair of foldably connected grill sections to allow the user to adjust the height of the grilling surface and the frame width. Each frame section has a pair of telescoping legs pivotally connected to the ends of side support rails. The side support rails have a downwardly facing U-shaped channel which receives one of the legs therein. For storage, the legs are telescopically collapsed and then folded into the channel, the support rails are received in a tubular section of the grill sections and the grill sections are folded together. The legs have a securing mechanism to secure the legs at the height desired by the user. A engagement mechanism secures the side support rails in the retracted or extended, or therebetween, position relative to the grill sections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which cooperatively engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate. The wick holder also provides capillary fins by which liquified fuel is transported from said support plate to said flame, Said wick holder further engages said capillary pedestal in such a locking manner as to resist accidental removal from said pedestal.

Abstract: A cook top includes a one-piece drip pan beneath all burners for collecting spillage and drips originating at the burners. Burner assemblies having burners therein are located by and supported on the drip pan. Grates are provided above the burners and have chamfered flame-facing surfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a laborsaving lighter, and more particularly relates to a laborsaving and safe lighter, which includes a casing (101), and a piezoelectric assembly and a gas emitting assembly disposed in the casing. The piezoelectric assembly includes a piezoelectric push rod (104) and a button (105). A vertical slot opening (106) is formed in the end face of the button (105), and a safety piece (107) is disposed in the slot opening (106). There is a rock arm (109) between the gas emitting assembly and the safety piece (107). In the lighter's non-operative state, the upper end of the rock arm (109) rests against the lower part (107a) of the safety piece (107). The middle part of the rock arm is contacted with the piezoelectric push rod (104), and the lower end of the rock arm is connected pivotally to the inner surface of the casing (101). According to the principle of lever, the present invention is laborsaving as well as safety.

Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base, a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits onto the capillary pedestal, and a fuel element that fits over the wick holder. The wick holder includes a sleeve having first and second open ends. A wick fits into the sleeve and extends between the open ends. The sleeve has a constricted portion, which is disposed between the open ends and has a cross-sectional area less than any other cross-sectional area between the open ends. The constricted portion reduces an effective capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the open ends, which may thereby regulate how quickly fuel is consumed when the candle assembly is burning. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly.

Abstract: A method of verifying proper operation of an electromagnetic valve. The method includes providing a mechanism to effect opening of the valve, verifying that the valve opened as a result of employing the mechanism to effect opening of the valve and after verifying the valve opened, signaling the valve to close after a first period of time has elapsed. The method further includes, after signaling the valve to close, signaling the valve to re-open after a second period of time has elapsed and detecting the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event associated with the closing or re-opening of the valve.

Abstract: A liquid fuel lamp is provided with a wick carrying composite safety cap which is mountable to and removable from the liquid fuel container only by simultaneous pressing and turning actions. The safety cap has a spring biassed latch and a wick guard surrounding in a spaced manner around the upper end portion of the wick.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus of a cooking appliance including a cabinet having a cooking chamber located therein and an electric component chamber located outside the cooking chamber; a door installed on the cabinet for opening and closing the cooking chamber, and having channels so as to cause external air to flow into the electric component chamber and a part of the air to flow into the electric component chamber via side surfaces of the cooking chamber; and an air blower installed in the electric component chamber for forcibly sucking in the external air and discharging air having cooled the door and the electric component chamber, thereby improving cooling efficiency of the door and the inside of the electric component chamber.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon streams are heated uniformly and directly using one or more flameless oxidation burners. Flameless oxidation burners may control the temperature within a range of about 50° C. to reduce the tendency to coking due to localized “hot spots”. The hydrocarbon streams, which may be monomer streams, may pass cross-current (perpendicular) to burners having a longitudinal design or configuration, or may pass parallel to such burners.