Abstract: A combination valve for relieving excess pressure while also stopping downstream gas flow. A pull-type valve core is mounted within the gas flow passage of a valve body. It includes an actuating plunger operatively connected to a poppet that overlies the valve core and sealingly reciprocates against an upper portion of the valve body. The poppet includes a head portion with a central orifice. The poppet seats against an inner surface of a vented housing which encloses the poppet, valve core and valve body. A spring biases the poppet to its seated position allowing normal gas flow through the central orifice and valve core. Excessive gas pressure will overcome the spring force and allow the excess to vent out the housing. Unseating of the poppet also allows the actuating plunger to close the valve core and stop gas flow to downstream equipment.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer includes an open-top vessel having at least one trough-shaped container adapted to hold a quantity of cooking oil. A pulse combustion burner is provided for heating the oil and includes a combustion chamber adapted to be immersed in the oil. A mixer head receives controllable air and fuel flows and an ignitor within the mixer head initiates combustion. A cabinet is provided for supporting the vessel and the burner. A tailpipe receives the combustion products and carries the same into an exhaust decoupler which is located adjacent the inlet end of the combustion chamber and which substantially enclosed the mixer head and at least a portion of a vent pipe. The exhaust decoupler and the tailpipe are arranged in heat exchange relationship with the vessel wall. A continuously operating air blower is provided to minimize burner start-up time and to cool electronic control circuitry used to regulate the oil temperature and the operating periods of the burner.

Abstract: A solar collector element having an inner tube through which a fluid can be passed, an outer glass tube enveloping the periphery of the inner tube and defining an evacuated space between the two tubes, and a solar selective surface coating deposited on the outer surface of the inner tube. The surface coating is deposited as three layers, an inner layer composed of a metal which exhibits high reflectivity in the infra-red spectral range, an outer layer composed of a material which behaves as a semiconductor at collector operating temperatures and an intermediate layer which is composed of a dielectric material.

Abstract: A viscous fluid coupling device for controlling the transmission of an outpt torque in response to the ambient temperature of the device. The coupling device includes a valve plate for successively effecting first, second and third operational modes to maintain the output torque transmission respectively at low, medium and high levels. The valve plate is provided with a slot which is arranged to effect a fourth operational mode between the second and third operational modes thereby to reliably effect the second operational mode in response to a drop in the ambient temperature of the device.

Abstract: A solar pond of large scale comprises an intake and a return outlet which are not fixedly disposed but are movable in the direction of water depth. The intake and the return outlet are connected through a saline water circulation loop in which necessary saline concentrations with respect to water depths of the solar pond can be efficiently obtained. This allows a solar pond with a specified saline concentration gradient to be established and repaired in a brief period.

Abstract: A heat transfer and conditioning unit includes a casing overlying a fire chamber. An exhaust conduit is disposed within said casing inwardly of its walls having an inlet to receive heated exhaust gases and an outlet adapted to communicate with a flue to atmosphere. The exhaust conduit includes a series of pairs of opposed parallel laterally elongated plates. Inwardly directed opposed V-formed plates interconnect adjacent plates to define a series of longitudinally spaced laterally elongated venturi pasages along the length of said exhaust conduit. Said venturi passages effectively slow down the movement of the products of combustion through the exhaust conduit for increased quantities of heat transfer to the walls thereof. The walls of said exhaust conduit are spaced from the casing to define an independent fresh air heating chamber along the walls of said casing and exhaust conduit for the conductive transfer of heat to the forced fresh air passing therethrough.

Abstract: A flame radiator structure is disclosed for inhibiting formation of oxides of nitrogen (NO.sub.x) by a combustion system of the type having at least one monoport inshot burner which burns fuel to produce a combustion flame which is projected through an inlet opening into a heat exchanger for the combustion system. The flame radiator structure comprises a perforated, tubular, main body section having open ends and means for attaching this perforated tubular main body section at the inlet to the heat exchanger. Alternating ribs and oblong openings are spaced along side walls of the perforated main body section to stiffen the structure and to allow the structure to safely expand and contract in response to thermal cycling.

Abstract: A valve device for insertion in the fuel line of an internal combustion engine between the engine and the fuel pump therefor and adapted to impede the flow of fuel to the engine in response to a reduction in pressure in the lubricating oil system for the engine. The device is insensitive to variations in fuel pressure and flow rate by virtue of having a fuel pressure balancing piston associated with the valve and having an oil pressure sensitive piston substantially isolated from the fuel pressure and flow.

Abstract: A solar powered fluid heating system includes a thermal collector for vaporizing a refrigerant, a separator for removing any liquid component from the vapor component of the heated refrigerant, and a condenser for transferring heat from the refrigerant vapor to a fluid thereby returning the refrigerant to the liquid phase. Liquid refrigerant is returned from the condenser to the separator, and from the separator to the thermal collector. A pump or a compressor is used to force refrigerant through the refrigerant circuit. The pump or the compressor is actuated by solar energy which is received either from an array of photovoltaic cells or from a generator driven by a turbine which is in turn driven by refrigerant vapor flowing from the separator to the condenser. Secondary refrigerant circuits may be utilized to preheat the refrigerant in the thermal collector, or to exhaust excess heat therefrom, or both.

Abstract: A solar heat collector arrangement including at least one straight-tubing type solar heat collector and first and second frame members for supporting the straight-tubing type solar heat collector. A reflector mirror is provided for directing sunrays into the heat collector. The first frame member includes a round mount opening for receiving one end of the heat collector and the second frame member includes a semi-circular groove for receiving the other end of the heat collector. Resilient annuluses are mounted on each end of the heat collector for protecting the heat collector. The heat collector, the resilient annuluses and the reflector mirror are fitted one upon another into the opening in the first frame member and on the groove in the second frame member. A retainer is provided for holding the resilient annulus and the reflector mirror from above, the retainer is mounted for detachably connecting the heat collector relative to the first and second frame members.

Abstract: A double-layered thermal energy storage module comprising front and rear vertically disposed storage sections separated by a flat sheet positioned therebetween. The upper end, lower end, and sides of the storage sections are sealed except for inlet and outlet connections. Each of the storage sections are provided with a plurality of spaced-apart phase change material storage tube segments having fluid flow channel segments positioned therebetween. The segments in the front section are disposed at an opposite angle to the segments in the rear section. The ends of the tube segments in the front section communicate with ends of tube sections in the rear section. The ends of the channel segments in the front section communicate with ends of channel segments in the rear section. The tube segments are filled with a phase change material while the channel segments are filled with a heat transfer fluid.

Abstract: Mounted on the entrance end of a firetube, the two screen elememts of an in-line flame arrestor are linearly spaced along a tubular core. A common aperture through the core wall is formed between the two screens. Combustion air directed through either, or both, screen elements enters the core through the aperture in the core wall to supply a fluid-fuel burner mounted within the core both primary and secondary portions of the combustion air. The effective size of the aperture is adjusted by a movable, internal sleeve within the core with linkage to the fuel supply system of the burner.

Abstract: A travel limiting lever is rockably mounted about an axis at right angles to the axis of the cover assembly and comprises two camming surfaces, one of the camming surfaces being engageable with the reaction plate or flywheel and the other being engageable with the cover. The lever is subjected to resiliently loaded friction action for controlling the angular position of the lever. The camming surfaces are both disposed on the same side of a plane which passes through the axis and also passes through the axis of the cover assembly or is parallel thereto.

Abstract: A cylindrical combustion chamber for use with a hot fog generating machine is provided with a cast iron liner formed in three pieces. Each of the three pieces are spaced from the outer cylindrical shell of the combustion chamber and are provided with longitudinally directed fins which are equally spaced about the circumference of each piece. The fins in each piece are circumferentially offset from the fins on the adjacent piece so as to define a spiral passage for the gasses between the liner and the shell. An inlet is provided through the shell adjacent one end and a fuel injection nozzle and ignition device are provided adjacent the opposite end. The combustion gasses then move downwardly through the liner to an outlet at the opposite end. Upon generation of a backpressure the combustion gasses can pass outwardly of the liner to recirculate with the incoming air.

Abstract: Novel catalyst for the photochemical conversion and storage of radiant energy through the conversion of strained cyclic non-conjugated carbon containing compounds to their corresponding conjugated forms comprises ionically bonding a transition metal complex having a square planar geometry and multiple sites of coordination with an anion-exchange resin. A method is provided for the preparation of the novel catalyst and comprises forming an acid salt derivative of the transition metal complex and mixing it together with an anion-exchange resin. A process wherein the novel catalyst is added to a strained cyclic non-conjugated carbon containing compound resulting in the release of heat energy through the conversion of the non-conjugated carbon containing compound to its conjugated form. A process and sealed container means wherein the non-conjugated carbon containing compound and the catalyst are in compartments and are separated until heat energy is required.

Abstract: An oven door having an inner panel between the back and front panels. The back and inner panels have aligned window openings. A window unit between the back panel and inner panel has a pair of glass panes aligned with the window openings. A suspended glass pane between the inner panel and front panel is aligned with the window openings. The front panel has a glass pane provided with a viewing area aligned with the window openings, or it may have a window opening aligned with the window openings in the back and inner panels and there may be another suspended glass pane to cover the window opening in the front panel. Fasteners connect the inner panel window unit and suspended glass pane or panes to the back panel.

Abstract: A steering wheel for a vehicle has a switch-supporting pad kept stationary at all times regardless of turning movement of the steering wheel. The steering wheel incorporates a cable for electrically connecting vehicle electric accessories such as a radio, turn signal lights, and headlights to switches mounted on the pad for controlling the electric accessories. The cable is composed of a first loosely coiled spiral positioned in a housing section in a sun gear attached to the pad, a second loosely coiled spiral positioned in a housing section in a sun gear attached to a column, and a connecting portion joining the first and second spirals and extending axially through a boss plate mounted on a steering shaft.

Abstract: A solar device having at least two glazings wherein the inner glazing is a film stretched, positioned and held in place by internal tenter strips in cooperation with pressure uniformly exerted by the outer glazing. The device has plastic structural components to achieve a low k value.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising a substantially hemispherical reflector a collecting arrangement supported above the reflector be pivotable about the center of curvature of the reflector, one end of said collecting arrangement being slidably supported on a part circular support pivotally mounted at one point to the reflector below the center of curvature of the reflector and slidably supported by said reflector at a second point spaced from said one point to be movable along a circular horizontally disposed path around said reflector, a first drive means provided to maintain the collecting arrangement at a declination corresponding to the declination of the sun and second drive means to cause rotation of said part circular support to maintain the inclination of the collecting arrangement in correspondence to the inclination of the sun.

Abstract: A sliding plate valve for a gas chromatograph or the like is provided with a pneumatic actuator (22) for reciprocating a slider assembly (24) and slide pad (26) over the face surface (28) of the valve body (20). Flow passages (44) are aligned with flow openings (42) in the face surface (28) as the slide pad (26) reciprocates between purge and sample positions. The slide pad (26) is urged against the face surface (28) by force springs (60) which are movable with the reciprocating slider housing (64). The slide pad (26) and assembly (24) are maintained in alignment by the interaction of chamfered grooves (68, 70) and chamfered lip surfaces (76, 78).