Abstract: A method and an apparatus for burning combustible gases contained in a mixture comprised of the combustible gases and a liquid. The apparatus comprises: a separator, having an upper end and a lower end. A first portion of the gases is directed out of the upper end and the liquid and a second portion of the gases are directed out of the lower end; an inlet; and a burner which communicates with the upper end such that the first portion contacts the burner for combustion and the combustion creates a vacuum effect which produces an air current outside of the separator from the lower end to the burner. The lower end communicates with the air current such that the second portion is drawn by the air current to the burner.

Abstract: A golf ball warmer including a fabric container for housing a commercial hand warmer that is activated by contact of air. The fabric container is cubical in shape to house the hand warmer and golf balls, and having a floor for receiving one of the hand warmers. A back surface of the container extends above an opening of the container to form a closing flap. A mesh fabric pocket is stitched to the inside of the flap for receiving another hand warmer. The container can house two golf balls on the warmer disposed on the floor of a container. When the flap is closed the mesh fabric pocket is placed over the top of the golf balls.

Abstract: A side edge assembly for a cooling grate comprises a first aligned array of outer plates arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction of the grate and a second aligned array, which is between the grate and the outer plates, of inner plates arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction of the grate. In the assembled condition the joins of the outer plates and the joins of the inner plates are displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a table accessory to an outdoor grill accessory, which is a pair of opposed work surfaces in the form of side tables. The accessory is easily retrofitted to the fire bowl of a conventional kettle type grill. In an illustrated embodiment, novel clips hook into the rim slot of the bowl to advantageously prevent air leaks. One or both of the side tables can be folded down when not in use. The accessory, when installed on the grill, does not impede the portability of the grill.

Abstract: A non-water cooled burner is provided for preparation of synthesis gas by partial oxidation of hydrocarbon-containing fuel and an oxygen-containing gas applied as oxidiser. The burner comprises a burner head and an arrangement of passages or channels for feeding the fuel and oxidiser and optionally a moderator gas to a reactor. The burner head is provided with a non-ceramic lining or thin-walled mantle mounted at its one end on the burner head and its other end directed to the reactor and surrounding the passages. The non-ceramic lining is externally provided with a protection shield against hot synthesis gas, the protection shield comprising a plurality of separate ceramic members which join sideways at least partially in such a manner that the non-ceramic lining at its the other end is encircled over a determined part of its length by the plurality of separate ceramic members. The plurality of ceramic members is fixed on the non-ceramic lining.

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 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 from, the core is a hollow metal disk having a standard wax phase change core. Insulation may also be added above and/or below the core to improve heat transfer and to keep the bottom of the unit cool. In another form, the core is made of graphite and may even be mixed with ceramic to form a composite which may be used for the entire base, alleviating the need for insert molding a separate core and base.

Abstract: A portable heat generating device in which fuel vapor (e.g. methanol) and an oxygen supply (e.g. air) are uniformly released through porous tubes woven with catalyst-impregnated glass filaments into a sheet-shaped, fabric-like structure enclosed in a mylar envelope. The catalyst promotes flameless combustion of the fuel vapor and oxygen, with consequent heat release occurring uniformly over the fabric-like structure. The heat generation process is started by pumping liquid fuel and air into the porous tubes using a peristaltic pump, thereby building up hydraulic pressure within the liquid fuel portion of the microbore-tubes. The level of pressure sustained within the liquid fuel portion of the microbore-tubes is limited by a manually set variable pressure release valve. The pressure in the microbore-tubes forces the liquid fuel within the porous microbore-tubing through the pores where it is converted into a vapor state before reacting with the oxygen and catalyst to produce flameless combustion.

Abstract: An unvented gas-log fireplace is formed from a sheet metal member bent to form side and rear panels. A pair of spaced apart sheet metal plates are connected between the side panels and have rear edges spaced from the rear panel. The rear edges of the plates are bent to form lips extending in a direction toward the opposite plate. Bracket members are secured to the plates adjacent the side panels. A rear refractory member is positioned between the plates in engagement with the lips, and side refractory panels are positioned in abutment with a respective side sheet metal panel and held in place by the bracket members, the side ceramic panels abutting the rear ceramic panel at the sides thereof.

Abstract: A removable dam provides a way to prevent liquid insulation from interfering with electrical components and from squirting out an opening in the jacket of a hot water heater.

Abstract: A novel control system for altering a fixed pattern of gas flames in a fireplace having artificial logs comprises a log set having a burner system and the burner system having a gas valve control which is coupled to source of gas or air to be regulated. The control system has a valve which controls the air or gas being supplied to the burner and a control sensor is coupled to the control system for activating the time sequence of the cycle of the control system so as to raise or lower the gas flames being regulated and to disturb the pattern of gas flames to produce the effect of dancing flames.

Abstract: A plurality of natural or LP gas-fired burners each having a port construction which produces a substantially even distribution of heat over the cooking surface of a griddle top is disclosed. Each burner includes a longitudinally extending portion having a first and a second series of ports, each series being positioned in a substantially linear orientation and each positioned substantially parallel to one another and to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinally extending portion of the burner. Each series of ports include a first grouping of ports having an orientation with respect to normal so as to produce flames directed toward the front of the griddle top and a second grouping of ports having an orientation with respect to normal so as to produce flames directed toward the rear of the griddle top. A pilot flame or gas ignition device is positioned at the transition point between the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports.

Abstract: As electronic programmable valve positioning linkage for a burner used in a hot mix asphalt plant is associated with fuel, air and optionally flue gas recirculation valve motors. To avoid an undesired rich condition which might result in an explosive condition, the linkage employs a program logic which changes a valve position, depending on increase or decrease of the burner output, in response to a temperature controller and thereby maintain an acceptable lean condition. The air valve motor is controlled by the temperature controller when burner output is to be increased with the fuel valve motor following the air valve motor, and the fuel valve motor is controlled when the burner output is to be decreased with the air valve motor following the fuel valve motor. In conjunction with the linkage, a mass flow system can be provided to calculate fuel/air and/or flue gas recirculation ratios based upon measurement of air flow, fuel flow and flue gas flow.

Abstract: A method to increase fluid hydrocarbon fluid BTU input for an appliance incorporating a combustion zone and a burner therein, and to increase fuel combustion intensity and thermal efficiency as well to reduce the appliance's harmful stack emissions, by employing a device which moderately pre-heats and conditions low temperature fuel delivered to the appliance prior to combustion, by extracting heat from the appliance's combustion zone in order to deliver fuel to the appliance's burner at a constant, pre-set operating temperature of between 37 degrees Fahrenheit and the fuel's flash point temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a head wind in a gas boiler and method is disclosed which is capable of the magnitude of variation of voltage corresponding to the R.P.M. of an exhaust fan and the combustion state of flame. A microcomputer in the gas boiler detects the R.P.M of exhaust fan and voltage applied to the exhaust fan when the R.P.M exceeds a normal limit. The detected voltage is compared with a reference voltage. If the compared result exceeds a predetermined value, to sense the combustion state of flame an infrared rays sensor is used. When the head wind is introduced into an exhaust conduit, the red wavelength is sensed at flame due to incomplete combustion. Accordingly, in case that the magnitude of variation of voltage exceeds a predetermined value and the red wavelength is sensed, microcomputer can detect the head wind.

Abstract: An alcohol fuel burner which comprises a fuel container having a base and a side wall, a cover for the upper portion of the container, the covering having a plurality of inlet apertures as well as a central aperture, draft control means to control the amount of air permitted through the air inlet apertures, an inner chimney extending upwardly from the centrally located aperture and an outer chimney extending upwardly from the fuel container with the outer chimney being spaced from the inner chimney. The device permits efficient burning of the fuel in the container.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater is provided with a flame spreader-type fuel burner assembly that reduces the operating NOx emissions of the water heater. The assembly includes a radial port gas burner coaxially disposed in a facing relationship with a generally inverted dish-shaped flame spreader which intercepts and is impinged on its concave side by the burner flames. In various disclosed embodiments of the flame spreader, during operation of the burner the burner flames pass through spaced series of openings extending through the flame spreader body inwardly of its outer edge periphery instead of being deflected horizontally outwardly past such periphery before passing upwardly beyond the flame spreader. The passage of the previously generated burner flames through these various openings serves to materially reduce the burner NOx emissions compared to a burner having an associated flame spreader with a conventional imperforate construction.

Abstract: A wood pellet stove for efficiently burning wood pellets and especially burning pellets at low burns. The stove is accurately controlled by a control panel with a microprocessor which helps safely regulate air flow from a combustion air and exhaust gas fan. Also, the microprocessor helps control convection air flow from a convection air fan and regulate feed of wood pellets into a burn pot using a motorized auger. The microprocessor is further used to monitor inlet air temperature and exhaust gas temperature. The stove includes a stove housing with a fire box and a fire box access door in the front of the housing. The burn pot includes a burn grate and pit used for receiving and burning wood pellets. The burn pot is disposed on a fire box floor. A wood pellet hopper is disposed in the rear of the housing for holding wood pellets therein. The motorized auger is used for feeding the wood pellets into the burn pot.

Abstract: A hot water heating system having a water tower with a cold water inlet at the upper end and a hot water outlet at the lower end has a large diameter combustion inlet opening in the sidewall. A combustion chamber is secured to the water tower at the combustion inlet so that products of combustion of fuel consumed in the combustion chamber pass into the water tower and are exhausted through a vent. An outer shell surrounds the combustion chamber providing an annular chamber having a water inlet. A port communicates the upper interior of the annular chamber with the interior of the water tower. Water is circulated from a hot water storage through the annular chamber and through the port into the interior of the water tower. The recirculated water thus accomplishing the dual functions of cooling the combustion chamber and salvaging heat extracted from the combustion chamber to augment the heat of the water in the storage tank.

Abstract: An LPG canister connector for a combustion appliance having a flow path from a canister containing liquid fuel and having a cap with outlet means at the upstream end of the flow path, a valve assembly adapted to be connected to the cap and equipped with a conduit adapted to be connected to a combustion appliance at the downstream end of the flow path, and promoters for vaporization of said fuel being located intermediate the ends of the flow path.

Abstract: A gas-fired air heating furnace has a modulatable supply air blower and a modulatable gas valve operatively connected to the combustion air heat exchanger burner. A calibration sequence of a microprocessor-based control system is utilized to automatically determine the precise relationship between the gas valve setting and the actual heat transferred by the heat exchanger to air flowing through the furnace by measuring the actual air temperature rise across the heat exchanger obtained using initial calibration settings of the blower and gas valve.