Abstract: A solar heating system for mounting under a roof includes a panel formed of a sheet material, the panel having substantially opposed first and second surfaces and adapted for attachment under the roof with the first surface substantially facing the roof. A plurality of tubing fasteners extend outward from the second surface of the panel, and at least one run of tubing is held against the second surface of the panel by the plurality of tubing fasteners. The plurality of tubing fasteners can be partially cut-out and bent portions of the sheet material. The system can also include a sidewall formed by folding a portion of the sheet material toward the second surface along a line of weakness and standoff tabs extending from the first surface formed as partially cut-out and bent portions of the sheet material.

Abstract: The invention includes method and apparatus for controlling the stability of a burner, preferably a low NOx burner, of a natural draft heater. The method includes measuring the draft over a time period and generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that defines the relationship between the draft and time during the time period. A value for the burner stability is defined that is representative of a stable burner operation. The draft function is compared to the stable burner value to determine a differential value, and the operation of the fired heater is adjusted in response to the differential value. The apparatus includes means for measuring the draft over a time period and means for generating a measured output from which a draft function is determined that is proportional to the cyclic variation of the draft during the time period.

Abstract: A non-thermostatic heating device is provided with temperature range control whereby materials may be heated and melted to a safe or desired temperature and maintained, particularly soy based non-candle formulated waxes for skin therapy as well as aromatherapy waxes generally. The device is vented and comprises a non flammable insulative container such as treated paper tubing and semi insulative elements, particularly one or more enclosed air pockets which are predetermined in dimension or movable for change in volume to provide a desired equilibrium temperature range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a textile heat accumulator consisting of a textile carrier material to which a plurality of thin capillaries for water transportation are attached and which is coated with an elastomeric compound comprising finely divided phase change materials such as salt hydrates or crystalline alkyl hydrocarbons. The textile heat accumulator arranged in a roofing structure of a building facilitates the control of the heat flux into the building and the utilization of the latent heat stored within phase change material for hot water generation.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing pollution from a flare stack includes a platform disposed on or near the top of the flare stack and a plurality of baffles and filters disposed on the platform. A first plurality of upwardly extending stainless steel baffles is disposed around the flare stack while a second plurality of baffles is disposed about the outer periphery of the platform. A first and a second plurality of filters are disposed between the first and second plurality of baffles. The first plurality of filters associated with a fan, blower or pump for drawing flare gas into and out of the filter.

Abstract: A gas delivery system for supplying a process gas from a gas supply to a thermal processing furnace, a thermal processing furnace equipped with the gas delivery system, and methods for delivering process gas to a thermal processing furnace. The gas delivery system comprises a plurality of regulators, such as mass flow controllers, in a process gas manifold coupling a gas supply with a thermal processing furnace. The regulators establish a corresponding plurality of flows of a process gas at a plurality of flow rates communicated by the process gas manifold to the thermal processing furnace. The gas delivery system may be a component of the thermal processing furnace that further includes a liner that surrounds a processing space inside the thermal processing furnace.

Abstract: A non-penetrating, roof-mounted, solar energy concentrator is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a receiver adapted to convert light into electricity; one or more reflectors adapted to direct solar light to the receiver; and a frame affixed to the receiver and one or more reflectors. The frame includes a plurality of footings adapted to frictional affix the frame to a roof, such that the concentrator is detachably secured to the roof with compromising the integrity of the roof. The footings may include or receive ballast used to increase the weight of the concentrator, thereby increasing the friction used to affix the concentrator to the roof without fasteners that penetrate the roof. The footings in some embodiments are also configured to deflect the wind, thereby reducing the wind load on the concentrator.

Abstract: A cooking grill comprising a housing defining a cooking chamber and having a side opening therein, a heating element in the chamber, a drawer slidably disposed in the side opening, the drawer having a bottom tray and a front wall that substantially fills the side opening when the drawer is inserted in the housing, a grilling module adapted to sit in the drawer having a support portion for supporting a grilling surface, and a removable grilling surface, wherein the drawer can be inserted into the side opening in either a first orientation in which the bottom tray is below the heating element and the support portion is above the heating element or a second orientation rotated 180 degrees from the first orientation in which the bottom tray is above the heating element and the support portion is below the heating element.

Abstract: A beverage warmer apparatus (10) can include a vertically adjustable platform (17) for holding a self-contained heating element (20) (such as a tea light candle, Sterno can, or other heating element), a gear (54) or pulley mechanism (18 and 22) for adjusting the height of the vertically adjustable platform, a support structure (16) anchored at least in part to the vertically adjustable platform, and a top planar member (12) having an opening (14) and further supported by the support structure. The apparatus can further include a bottom planar member (13) coupled to the support structure. The vertically adjustable platform can be an L-shaped member for holding a horizontally slidable planar member (15) that holds the self-contained heating element. The support structure 16 can have posts or walls coupled to the top planar member or the bottom planar member.

Abstract: The invention concerns a gas burner (1) with multiple concentric flame rings, comprising: a central burner (2) with a central ring of flame orifices (5), and axial central gas injector (6) and convergent-divergent means (7) forming venturi; and an annular outer burner (3) coaxially surrounding the central burner and provided with at least one annular ring of flame orifices (9), gas injecting means (10) and convergent-divergent means (12) forming venturis; the gas injecting means (10) include several radial gas injectors (11) around the central injector (6); the convergent-divergent means (12) include several radial convergent-divergent conduits (13) forming tubular venturis coaxial respectively to the radial injectors (11) and emerging in the annular outer burner.

Abstract: A system when installed in-line with a pollution source provides reduction and/or complete combustion of harmful emissions generated there from. Such emissions including (but not limited to) compounds such as oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, odors, organic and inorganic particulates. The pollution source can be of any type, such as smoke from a smokestack, engine exhaust, etc. The re-burner system is of very simple construction, is extremely energy efficient and does not require any moving parts or maintenance, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a fluid displacement system are disclosed. The system may include a reservoir containing a fluid in a liquid state and a first chamber hydraulically connected to the reservoir to receive the fluid from the reservoir. The first chamber may be configured to receive solar energy and configured to convert the received solar energy to vaporize the fluid. The system may also include a second chamber hydraulically connected to the first chamber to receive the vaporized fluid from the first chamber. The second chamber may be configured to condense the vaporized fluid, causing depressurization in the second chamber. The system may also include a hydraulic connection between the second chamber and a source of fluid to be displaced. The system may be configured such that the depressurization of the second chamber may cause fluid in the source of fluid to be displaced through the hydraulic connection.

Abstract: A solar collector has operably connected reflective panels that can be positioned to substantially form a parabolic trough that concentrates solar radiation onto a tube running along the focal line of the trough. A folding mechanism can be manually or automatically operated to selectively fold and unfold the panels into open and closed positions and into any number of intermediate positions, including the position characterized by formation of a parabolic trough. A rotating mechanism can be manually or automatically operated to selectively rotate the solar collector about an axis parallel to the focus line of the parabolic trough.

Abstract: A burner assembly for a radiant tube heater having an air duct portion for passage of combustion air to a radiant tube portion includes a mixing cup for mixing combustible gas and air and delivering the mixture to the tube. This cup has an inlet portion and a larger cylindrical outlet portion. Air inlet holes are formed in an upstream end wall of the outlet portion and air ports are formed in a peripheral wall of the inlet portion. An air diverter mounted at an upstream end of the inlet portion has a set of blade which divert a portion of the air through the ports for initial mixing with the gas while a second portion of the air flows through the inlet holes providing additional primary air for mixing. An airflow restricting plate can be mounted on the cup so as to extend circumferentially around the cup.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus including a heat source, a covering, and a transportable case. The a transportable case may be sized and shaped to enclose the heat source and the covering in thermal transfer relation to warm the covering while the covering is in a first state. The covering may also have a second state, after being heated by the heat source in the first state wherein it may be at least partially wrapped around a user to partially warm the user from the heat provided thereto in the first state. The covering may be formed into a canopy-like form, in the second state, being substantially enclosed at a top and wherein the heat source may be positioned in relation to the canopy-like form to provide heat to within the canopy-like form.

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 control for controlling the operation of a fuel-fired heating appliance is provided that include a sensor capable of sensing the presence of carbon monoxide gas and providing an output indicative of the level of carbon monoxide gas. The control further includes a microprocessor that periodically reads the CO sensor output and stores at least one sensor output value in a memory, wherein the microprocessor responsively discontinues the operation of the appliance when the microprocessor detects a sensor output that has increased by more than a predetermined amount over at least one previously stored sensor output value. In one embodiment, the control is preferably configured to periodically read the sensor output value, and responsive discontinue operation of an appliance upon sensing a predetermined increase of at least a 50 percent increase over the previously monitored sensor output value over a period of about 15 to 90 minutes.

Abstract: A combined igniter and flame sense electrode for a dual stage gas burner that includes a first burner and a second burner is disclosed. The electrode includes a first conductive element mounted on the shaft and positioned closer to the first burner than to the second burner; a second conductive element mounted on the shaft and positioned closer to the second burner than to the first burner; and one or more electrical connectors connected to the conductive elements. An electrode according to the invention can also be used with a single stage gas burner, by placing the first conductive element at the position of high level flame from the burner and by placing the second conductive element at the position of low level flame from the burner. A gas burner assembly incorporating such an electrode, and a gas appliance incorporating such a gas burner assembly, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A solar collector structural support system that affixes to a mounting surface without penetrating the mounting surface is disclosed. The invention in the preferred embodiment includes a base assembly comprising: a plurality of leg members, a center junction elements configured to receive (a) the proximal end of each of the plurality of leg members and (b) a support member configured to securely uphold at least one of the one or more one solar collectors, and at least one footing adapted to frictionally engage the mounting surface. Multiple base assemblies may be interconnected using peripheral junction elements to form arrays of solar collectors of arbitrarily large size. The peripheral junction element is configured to couple the leg members of multiple base assemblies. When connected with the present invention, a plurality of solar concentrators form an array with greater structural integrity and less susceptibility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel feeding apparatus and method for improving the controllability of mixing process and mixing ratio of fuel and combustion air, and a combustion system and method for effecting new combustion properties. The fuel feeding apparatus of the combustion system has fuel feeding means, combustion gas extraction means, steam supply means, mixing means and fuel gas introduction means. The combustion gas extraction means extracts combustion gas of a combustion area therefrom. The mixing means mixes the fuel of fuel feeding means with at least one of combustion gas extracted from the furnace and steam of a steam generator. The fuel gas introduction means introduces a mixed fluid of combustion gas, steam and fuel to the combustion area as a fuel gas, and allows the fuel gas to be mixed with the combustion air.