Abstract: Lens apparatus includes a TIR lens having multiple facets, the lens having a central axis about which the facets extend in non-circular relation. The lens may have a non-circular perimeter about that axis, and that perimeter may be rectangular or square.

Abstract: A campstove is provided with an adjustable grate legs for supporting a cooking utensil. The grate legs are movable between a compact, storage position and an extended position in which they provide a relatively stable support for a pan or a pot. The campstove includes a base, a fuel tube which extends upwardly from the base, and a burner mounted on the top of the fuel tube. A burner bowl is rotatably mounted on the fuel tube for rotation relative to the base. Each of the grate legs includes a bottom portion which is rotatably mounted in the base, an intermediate portion which extends below the burner bowl away from the axis of rotation of the leg, and a top portion which extends above the bowl toward the axis of rotation. Abutments on the burner bowl are engageable with each of the legs for rotating the legs when the burner bowl is rotated relative to the base.

Abstract: A heating system for barbecue grills and other gas appliances is disclosed, the system having a U-shaped tubular burner and shield. The system may also include a radiant material disposed at or below the level of the burner.

Abstract: A one-piece, seamless food service base is insert molded from a heat and impact resistant plastic. The base is shaped to receive a standard serving plate and includes an integrally molded core. The core is made from a metal or other material that is characteristically susceptible to heating through induction heating. In one form, the core is a solid metal disk with strategically disposed bores for molding the base. In another form, the core is a hollow metal disk having a standard wax phase change core.

Abstract: An induced draft, fossil fuel fired, deep fat fryer comprising a fluid container, a fluid container housing wall disposed around a portion of said fluid container, forming at least one combustion gas chamber between the fluid container and the fluid container housing wall, the combustion gas chamber having a combustion air inlet opening and a combustion product gas exhaust opening, a burner for combustion of a fuel/air mixture, forming a combustion product gas in the combustion gas chamber, a baffle guiding the combustion product gas into heat transfer communication with the fluid container, and a blower for inducing a subatmospheric pressure condition in the combustion gas chamber, the blower disposed downstream of the combustion product gas exhaust opening and in communication with the combustion product gas exhaust opening.

Abstract: A particulate waste wood fuel comprising wood particles comprising less than 20% water by weight and having a particle size distribution suitable for combustion of the particulate wood fuel in a particulate fossil fuel suspension furnace. A method for making the particulate wood fuel includes shredding of waste wood and drying the shredded waste wood to obtain the desired particle size distribution and water content. A method for producing energy comprises injecting the particulate wood fuel into the combustion chamber of a particulate fuel suspension furnace separately from a particulate fossil fuel which is also injected into the combustion chamber. The particulate fossil fuel and particulate wood fuel are combusted in the combustion chamber in a gas flow through the combustion chamber to form a flame in the gas flow. The wood particles are substantially completely combusted within the combustion chamber while suspended in the gas flow and are not combusted at the furnace wall.

Abstract: A flat pan gas burner for a gas log fireplace system comprises a U-shaped pan formed in a sheet of metal. The U-shaped pan is provided with attachment flanges and a gas pipe attachment aperture through which is attached a gas pipe adapter. A burner plate is further provided with a plurality of gas flame apertures in a predetermined pattern for creating a desired flame pattern below the gas log system. If desired, there is further provided a layer of porous ceramic material on the burner plate which is impregnated with metallic salts and which produces a desired lengthening and coloring of the gas flames of the gas burner. A rocking or sliding support of the flat pan gas burner imparts movements and/or different length to the colored flames.

Abstract: A solar energy collecting system includes a water tank and a solar collector and a pump for pumping water from the water tank to the solar collector. A sensor is arranged close to the solar collector. A CPU is connected to the pump and the temperature sensor in order to circulate the water according to the water temperature at the inlet of the solar collector. The water can be circulated in a fast speed when at noon. The water may be heated with a lengthened heating time and may be heated with a smaller temperature difference so as to effectively collect solar energy.

Abstract: A solar collector and a method of manufacture is disclosed. The solar collector frame has internally oriented projections for positioning a light transmissive cover, absorber plate, insulation and base to form an enclosure. To provide for maximum active or passive collection efficiency, by increasing resistance to heat flow, an easily maintained evacuated cover is disclosed. The solar collector can be economically manufactured and can be on-site fabricated, and adapted for single or multiple installation in original or retrofit applications in a building with minimal structural modification.

Abstract: A protective guard for an outdoor grill is provided, comprising a support strip and a plurality of protective spars. The support strip conforms to the outer perimeter of the grill's kettle, and is mounted onto the kettle, generally horizontal to the ground. The protective spars are connected to the support strip, and suspend downward from the support strip towards the ground, along the outer surface of the kettle. The apparatus provides a lightweight, removable barrier around the kettle, to prevent humans or household pets from coming into contact with the hot outer surface of the kettle. The apparatus is simple in design, with relatively few parts, and is easy to manufacture. The apparatus is also easy to assemble, and can be modified to fit any of a number of different sizes or shapes of barbecue grills, as an add-on accessory.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of gas for artificial logs. The apparatus includes a main gas burner and a pilot as well as a gas valve which controls the flow of gas to the main burner and to the pilot. The pilot includes a oxygen depletion sensor. A thermal responsive electrical generator is adjacent to the pilot and is connected to the valve. The output voltage of the generator, while under load, is at least 140 millivolts so as to operate the gas valve, which is capable of full automatic operation without the use of an additional electrical source. In addition, the thermal responsive electrical generator is positioned with respect to the pilot so that gas from the pilot will not continue to burn about the generator when the oxygen depletion sensor senses a predetermined low level of oxygen.

Abstract: A discharge-type capable of accomplishing ignition of a wick at a position convenient or suitable for the ignition. Spark discharge for ignition of a wick is started in the course of raising of the wick. Thus, any possible variation in height of the wick and deformation of the wick due to wear do not adversely affects ignition of the wick, because the ignition is carried out when a gap between the wick being raised and the discharge electrode is rendered optimum for the ignition. This permits a dry cell to be satisfactorily used as a power supply for the ignition.

Abstract: An acoustically pulsating burner assembly which includes an elongated outer tube, a fuel supply means located within the tube, and utilizes one or more integral axially adjustable Sondhauss thermoacoustic tubular elements to generate pulsations within the burner. The acoustic pulsations are generated inside the axially movable closed end tube element provided within the burner, and these vibrations promote more efficient combustion of the fuel so as to reduce undesired emissions in the combustion products. If desired, multiple thermoacoustic tubular elements of different lengths can be advantageously used to generate pulsations of different frequencies within the burner assembly. The burner assembly is located in a furnace windbox, and can be adapted for combusting gas, oil or particulate fuels such as coal.

Abstract: A barbecue grill cart assembly is disclosed, the assembly having a plurality of legs which are partially fastened together at their lower ends by a shelf and secured at their upper ends by a grill containment surface. The upper grill containment surface has a rectangular middle section with a portion removed for receiving a grill, and at least one side shelf extending towards the front of the grill cart assembly at an angle greater than 0.degree..

Abstract: A TIR lens having a central axis, and toward which light from a light source is to be directed, and a light ray deviator positioned along the path of light travel between the source and the TIR lens, for deviating light rays toward portions of the lens spaced from the axis, thereby to more evenly distribute light flux at the output of the TIR lens.

Abstract: A heat trap for hot water storage tanks is described and it comprises an outer tubular casing having opposed connecting end portions. The casing has an inner chamber which is divided to provide a convoluted water flow path. This convoluted water flow path can be provided by having concentric channels defined with the interior of the casing, or by having a member with two longitudinally spaced apart circular end walls joined by vanes extending radially from the central axis of the end walls. The first and second vanes have passages therein adjacent opposed ends. The opposed ends of the casing may also be a threaded tapered portion to connect the heat trap to threaded holes of different sizes depending on the make of the hot water tank.

Abstract: A radiant energy redirecting system comprising a radiant energy transmitting body structure; the structure comprising multiple elements, each of which acts as a radiant energy redirecting module, having on its cross-sectional perimeter an entry face to receive incidence of the energy into the interior of the perimeter, an exit face to pass the energy to the exterior of the perimeter in a direction towards the reverse side of the body from the side of the incidence, and a Totally Internally Reflecting face angled relative to the entry and exit faces to redirect towards the exit face the radiant energy incident from the entry face; the body structure generally redirecting incident radiant energy towards a predetermined target zone situated apart from and on the reverse side of the body relative to the side of the incidence; and lens structure associated with at least one of the faces for redirecting radiant energy passing between the entry and exit faces via the Totally Internally Reflecting face.

Abstract: A combustion catalyst is disclosed which is composed of a durable support containing a plurality of mutually partitioned and independent combustion gas flow paths and an active catalyst formed mainly of palladium and/or palladium oxide and deposited in the form of a coating on the inner wall surfaces of the combustion gas flow paths and characterized in that the deposition of the active catalyst in the form of a coating on all the inner wall surfaces is omitted in part of the whole of the combustion gas flow paths. The mutually partitioned and independent combustion gas flow paths which are provided for the durable support jointly form an aggregate of opening parts in the pattern of gratings and these opening parts have a square, rectangular, triangular, or hexagonal cross section. Thus, the durable support constitutes a so-called honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A nozzle and gas injection method using the nozzle wherein the nozzle comprises a section of porous material. Gas passes through one or more passageways running the length of the porous material section and also diffuses through the porous material section exiting across the nozzle face. This gas passing through the face serves to keep deleterious material, such as zone vapors, from contacting and fouling the nozzle.

Abstract: A fuel combuster such as a torch tip, having means therein for cleaning the orifice of the tip, as well as a method of cleaning such an orifice. The combustion device comprises a metallic elongated tube having a forward section terminating in a front end, a middle section and a rearward section, the middle section communicating at its respective ends with the forward section and the rearward section. The rearward section is adapted, suitably at its rearward end, for connection to a source of combustible gas, and is suitably provided with axially positioned fuel jet means for injecting combustible gas into the tube and with apertures for intake of combustion supporting gas to be mixed with the combustible gas. The fuel jet means includes an orifice having an elongated wire passing therethrough. Movement of the wire loosens any dirt in the orifice.