Abstract: A portable grill apparatus including a frame having a plurality of leg members pivotally attached to a support rod. An arm member is also pivotally attached to the support rod and extends outwardly therefrom on both sides of the support rod. A pair of rail members is suspended from the arm member. A firebox is supported by the rail members such that the rail members and correspondingly the firebox are suspended above the ground surface. The arm member pivots on the support rod to adjust the orientation of the rail members and correspondingly the firebox.

Abstract: A modulating gas burner control system using closed loop feedback from a flame rod which provides a signal that varies with gas pressure and which provides combustion air fan control to accurately control the heat from the system without use of expensive control valves.

Abstract: An air-conditioning register is buried in a decorative panel having a decorative surface, and includes a cylinder-shaped retainer having a ventilation passage, a fin assembly disposed swingably and adjacent to the outlet opening in the retainer, a connecting member for connecting the fin assembly, and an operating member for driving the connecting member. The air-conditioning register operates interchangeably between a blowing direction adjusting mode, in which the fin assembly adjusts a blowing direction of air-conditioning air, and a shut-off mode, in which the fin assembly shuts off the outlet opening. The ventilation passage extends in a lengthwise direction which intersects with the decorative surface at an acute angle. The fin assembly includes main fin members, and a sub fin member. In the blowing direction adjusting mode, the main fin members swing, but the sub fin member is held substantially parallel to the lengthwise direction of the ventilation passage.

Abstract: A simple, highly reliable automatic motor driven oven door latch for an oven self-cleaning operation. To ensure that the motor has operated correctly and has not stopped in a null position, the motor is provided with a start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism is monitored to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position. If the locking member has not moved to the correct position, then the motor is provided with another start pulse and the location of the latch or locking member of the latching mechanism again is monitored to again ensure that the locking member has moved to the correct position. This sequence can be repeated on opening and closing of the latching mechanism a desired number of times to guarantee that the locking member has moved to the correct position when locking or releasing the oven door.

Abstract: A disk-like piezoelectric lighter with a safety lock includes a casing, a gas emitting nozzle, a piezoelectric unit, a sliding member and a safety lock. The safety lock comprises an arcuate resilient arm; a sliding cap having an cover portion, a pair of stands, a pair of branch arms, a lateral blocking stopper and a guiding slot; a safety button which comprises a base portion and a button portion and which is mounted slidably in the guiding slot in such a manner that the base portion comes into contact with the resilient arm to allow the resilient arm to be shifted from the locked position that the resilient arm is blocked up by the blocking stopper to the unlocked position that the blocking up is released to ignite the piezoelectric lighter.

Abstract: An ignition unit promotes the efficiency of assembly because connections on the high voltage output side and the ground side are completed by a single operation, when an ignition electrode part and a main unit are connected together directly. A guide rail of the main unit is insertion-engaged into a slit between clamp pieces of a bracket so that the main unit is mounted onto the bracket. With the insertion engagement, a high voltage output terminal receives therein a high voltage input terminal of a spark plug supported by the bracket, a plate terminal which is a part of the bracket is driven into a ground-side connection terminal, and a convex portion of a projected piece is engaged into an engagement hole, for positioning and slipping-off prevention.

Abstract: The blowing opening portions 20, 21, 22 and the communicating passage opening portion 27 are opened and closed by the first 25 and the second rotary door 26, the fork-shaped spring 41 is arranged close to an intermediate position between the door rotary shafts 25b, 26b, a spring force of one arm portion 41b of the fork-shaped spring 41 acts on the first rotary door 25 so that a load caused by the door self-weight can be canceled, and a spring force of the other arm portion 41c of the fork-shaped spring 41 acts on the second rotary door 26 so that a load caused by the door self-weight can be canceled. Due to the above structure, an increase in the door operating force caused by an influence of the door self-weight can be suppressed by a very simple structure.

Abstract: An instrument for a solar energy system including a receiver and a heliostat to reflect solar energy on to the receiver. The instrument includes a first element adapted to form an image of the sun, a second element adapted to form an image of the receiver, and a detector. The detector is positioned to receive each of the images and a comparator is adapted to detect a distance between the images. The comparator generates an error correction signal based on the distance between the images. The error correction signal is received by a controller that controls the operation of a postioner that adjusts the position of the heliostat accordingly.

Abstract: A cap for a flue opening of a chimney in order to enhance draw of smoke and in order to protect from entry of animals, debris, and the elements. The device includes a tubular housing having sidewalls fabricated from flat sheet metal and a top attached to the sidewalls from fasteners. A plurality of louver openings are provided in the sidewalls in order to draw air. A plurality of exit vent openings in the sidewalls above the louver openings are at least equal to a cross-sectional area of the flue opening. An inner frame and mounting assembly includes a mechanism to both anchor the device to the chimney flue and to level the device.

Abstract: The automatic vent damper has various embodiments of a wind actuated vent system, which automatically closes to preclude entry of wind blown water when a wind of predetermined velocity and direction acts upon the device. The damper may be installed as an off-ridge or ridge vent system, or in other operating environments and installations as desired. Various mechanisms are used to operate the device, with all including one or more springs, which hold a rigid door or flap, open in light wind conditions. However, when a wind of sufficient velocity blows toward the vent opening, the door or flap is closed due to aerodynamic forces thereon to preclude entry of wind blown water into the device. The door or flap automatically opens again due to the spring mechanism when the wind abates.

Abstract: A thermic module for a self-heating container. The container includes a bottom end with a cavity having internal walls formed therein for receiving the thermic module. The thermic module will be comprised of a first cup having plastic walls and containing a first chemical reactant. The module will also include a second cup containing a second chemical reactant and a dividing wall positioned between the first and second cups such that the first and second chemical reactants cannot mix. An end cap will be positioned below the second cup and will retain the second chemical reactant within the second cup. An actuator for puncturing the dividing wall will be positioned between the end cap and the dividing wall. Finally, the walls of the first cup are formed of a plastic of sufficient thinness and having a sufficiently low Vicat Softening Point such that the plastic walls will expand into contact with the internal walls of the container cavity upon mixing of the first and second chemical reactants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for the monitoring of the combustion process within a combustion system. The apparatus comprises; a combustion system, a means for supplying fuel and an oxidizer, a device for igniting the fuel and oxidizer in order to initiate combustion, and a sensor for determining the current conducted by the combustion process. The combustion system comprises a fuel nozzle and an outer shell attached to the combustion nozzle. The outer shell defines a combustion chamber. Preferably the nozzle is a lean premix fuel nozzle (LPN). Fuel and an oxidizer are provided to the fuel nozzle at separate rates. The fuel and oxidizer are ignited. A sensor positioned within the combustion system comprising at least two electrodes in spaced-apart relationship from one another. At least a portion of the combustion process or flame is between the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An igniter includes a child resistant safety locking trigger. The trigger is provided with a release slider which is movable along the trigger body along a path arranged at an angle to the path of travel of the trigger body when being depressed for activation of the igniter. A stop member within the igniter prevents operation of the trigger until the release slider is moved to a release position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention provides a coated steel wire oven rack. The preferred coated steel wire oven rack includes a plurality of elongated steel wire members joined together to form an oven rack having an outer surface. The plurality of elongated steel wire members are made from a steel rod material containing from about 80 to about 99.9% by weight of iron, from about 0.001 to about 0.08% by weight of carbon and from about 0.001 to about 0.2% by weight of a carbon stabilizing transition metal, preferably selected from the group consisting of Vanadium, Tantalum, Titanium and Niobium. The plurality of elongated steel wire members are preferably made from the steel rod material by drawing the steel rod material to form steel wire; wherein the diameter of the cross-sectional area of the steel rod material is reduced by at least about 20% when the steel rod material is drawn to form the steel wire.

Abstract: A reaction chamber has a surface to be protected and a longitudinal axis transverse to this surface. For the protection of the surface, a method is used comprising introducing a primary flow of reactants into the chamber in a manner whirling around the longitudinal axis thereof, withdrawing reaction products at an opposite end of the reaction chamber in a flow along the longitudinal axis, and introducing into the chamber a secondary protecting flow directed from a periphery of the surface towards the longitudinal axis. The primary flow and the flow of reaction products approximate a free vortex flow and a pressure created by this vortex flow keeps the secondary flow adjacent the surface to be protected, substantially over its entire area.

Abstract: A collapsible wind shield and food warmer for portable rectangular tabletop gas grills is made of sheet metal, adjustable to fit most rectangular portable gas grills. Wind shield fits along the side of the grill between the legs and the body of the grill, with a freestanding door on one end. A sheet metal tray slides under the grill. Shield is approximately 3½″ tall and 14½″ long. The device deflects the wind away from underneath the grill preventing the gas burner from being blown out and increasing the inside temperature of the grill. The pan underneath the grill is used for keeping food hot, for warming buns or other foods, and for cooking on the grate. Wind shield collapses to fit inside warming pan for easy storage on the grate of the grill.

Abstract: A radiant heating system including at least one gas burner and at least one conduit connected to the at least one burner on one end and connected to at least one exhaust tube at an opposite end for transporting hot exhaust gas. Heat is transferred via conduction to an external surface of the conduit. The heat is then radiated omnidirectionaly from the external surface of the conduit as infrared rays. A fan directs a stream of air across the external surface of the conduit to cool the conduit allowing the at least one burner to operate continuously for longer periods of time.

Abstract: An eye-use steam-generating heating sheet contains a steam-generating composition, which is covered with at least a first moisture-permeable sheet and a second moisture-permeable sheet in that order. The first moisture-permeable sheet has a moisture permeability of at least 600 g/m2/24 hrs, the second moisture-permeable sheet has a moisture permeability has a moisture permeability of 700 to 3000 g/m2/24 hrs, the first moisture-permeable sheet and the second moisture-permeable sheet are provided such that a steam accumulation space is formed therebetween, and at least one of the moisture-permeable sheets covering the steam-generating composition has a water resistance of at least 400 mm. This eye-use steam-generating heating sheet is sealed for storage.

Abstract: An accessory for a conventional fireplace grate that is positioned on top of the fireplace grate and which supports a synthetic firelog thereon. The accessory provides better support for the synthetic log than the grate alone, and the firelog therefore burns longer than if it were placed on the fireplace grate without the accessory. The present invention provides a handy accessory that adapts fireplace grates that are designed primarily for real wood to adequately support synthetic logs.

Abstract: A safety apparatus of a piezoelectric lighter includes a pressure absorbing device disposed in a cap cavity of a casing of the piezoelectric lighter, a holding means integrally affixed to an interior surface of a thumb-push cap for rigidly holding one end of the pressure absorbing device in position, and a receiving means provided in the cap cavity for receiving and supporting another end of the pressure absorbing device in position. Therefore the pressure absorbing device is vertically held between the thumb-push cap and the ceiling of the casing for urging the thumb-push cap at an upper normal position thereof and providing an additional press resistance to the thumb-push cap, so as to resist a downwardly press force applied by an under age child on the thumb-push cap while an adult is capable of pushing down the thumb-push cap easily.