Abstract: A steam generator including a combustion chamber having fuel and air inlets at the upstream end and a water inlet at the downstream end to inject water into the flue gas, a vaporizer in communication with the downstream end of the combustor and a pressure control to vary the size of the discharge opening of the vaporizer and thus control the pressure within the combustor and vaporizer, including; a slideably movable plug attached to and operable by a fluid operated piston.

Abstract: A combustion controlling apparatus is disclosed which is used in a pulse combustion apparatus for generating flames intermittently and which has a flame-rod type flame detector. In this combustion controlling apparatus, a low AC source voltage is converted to a DC voltage and then this DC voltge is converted by an inverter to an AC of about 100 V and 800 Hz which is then supplied to the igniter and flame rod. The inverter comprises a pair of transistors and a transformer having a primary winding with its center tap connected to a DC source voltage and both ends thereof connected to the respective collectors of the transistors which are in turn cross-coupled to the bases of the mating ones through respective series circuits each consisting of a capacitor and a resistor. Thus, in a secondary winding of the transformer, a rectangular wave voltage is produced. The inverter can supply a high voltage to the flame rod during ignition, enabling easy fire detection and can prevent the transistors from generating heat.

Abstract: A pulse combustor comprises a throttle plate provided in a cylindrical body for dividing the interior of the body into a combustion chamber and a mixture chamber and having a throttle hole, gas suction holes communicating with the combustion chamber, air suction holes communicating with the combustion chamber, igniting plug provided in the combustion chamber for explosing and burning the mixture gas of the air and the fuel gas therein, and valve plate provided in the mixture chamber for shutting off the communication of the gas suction holes and air suction holes with the mixture chamber when the pressure in the mixture chamber becomes positive as the mixture gas is exploded and burnt and enabling the communication when the pressure in the mixture chamber becomes negative.

Abstract: A liquid fuel combustion apparatus for evaporating and vaporizing kerosene, gas oil or like liquid fuel by heating, admixing air with the vaporized fuel in a specified ratio and burning the resulting gaseous mixture in a combustion unit. The vaporizer for the liquid fuel comprises a liquid fuel drawing-up member (15) made of a heat-resistant porous body (8) or heat-resistant inorganic fiber fabric (9) for drawing up the liquid fuel, and a heat generating member (6) including coating layers (22, 23) of heat-resistant metal, heat-resistant alloy or heat-resistant metallic oxide for giving heat to the drawing-up member. To prevent formation of tar-like substances, a catalyst is preferably deposited on the surface of the drawing-up member and/or on the surface of the heat generating member. Further preferably, the outer periphery of the heat generating member (6) is in contact with the drawing-up member (5).

Abstract: System for flame start-up/shut-down for a hydrogen gas mixture burner. An electrical probe igniter positioned adjacent the gas port outlet. On demand the igniter is actuated to heat and electrically heat a thermal switch. Responsive electronic controls actuate the appropriate valves and circuits for operational start-up. Upon the ignition of the generated hydrogen gas mixture, a second thermal probe is heated by the flame to deactivate the ignition and start-up circuits. After demand the second thermal probe cools and the circuit is restored for start-up again. A safety probe positioned in the flame is quiescent. In the event of demand time shut-down, the safety probe will activate the circuits for restart. If failure to start-up continues for a predetermined time, the safety probe circuit will effect permanent shut-down.

Abstract: A charcoal starter-burner of the general type exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,907 has a perforate grate hinged at one side and spaced inwardly from the inner wall of a tubular housing. The hinge axis defines a side of the grate of greater extent and a side of lesser extent, the grate being substantially planar on the side of greater extent and being bent down from that plane to define a lip on the side of lesser extent, the lip being at an angle of between 30.degree. and 50.degree. from the upper surface of the planar side of greater extent of the grate. The tubular housing is provided with a stop projecting into the housing above the grate at a side opposite the hinge axis and with two holes located chordally with respect to one another, symmetrically with respect to the stop and immediately below the grate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of secondary air (30) between at least two fuel burners (14,16) in a multiple fuel combustor (16). Total chemical energies of the individual fuel streams (44,60) are determined and compared (64,66) with the total combustor chemical energy input (62) for controlling biasing means (32,34). The determination of at least one individual fuel total chemical energy content (60) may optionally include a prompt neutron activation type analyzer (48) for on-line measurement of specific fuel chemical energy (59).

Abstract: Oil burner, having an ignition mechanism and a wick movable upwardly and downwardly, and being operated with ease by completing wick lifting and ignition simultaneously in a single operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a control circuit for a semi-conductor power element, comprising a circuit generating a signal synchronous with the variable current supply signal of the semi-conductor power element, and a logic circuit with high input impedance to receive directly, on the one hand, the said synchronous signal and, on the other hand, the low strength detection signal and which is such that the delay circuit is combined to the high input impedance logic circuit to prevent the production of control pulses on the electrode controlling the semi-conductor or power element, if one of the components of the control circuit should become faulty.The invention finds an application in burner control and safety devices.

Abstract: An electrically-activated photoflash lamp which includes a lead glass envelope, a quantity of shredded zirconium or hafnium combustible material within the envelope, a combustion-supporting gas (e.g., oxygen) also within the envelope, and an ignition structure disposed within the envelope for igniting the combustible material upon application of a high voltage, low energy pulse thereto. The ignition structure includes a pair of metallic lead wires secured within one end of the envelope and having terminations which lie substantially flush with the interior surface of this end. A quantity of primer material bridges the terminations and is ignited upon application of the above pulse. The lead wires are secured and hermetically sealed within the envelope's end without the need for a press sealing operation. A method of making this lamp is also provided.

Abstract: A large capacity air-powered flare for smokeless combustion of very large volumes of vented waste gases, comprises a first inner vertical conduit of diameter D1, for the flow of waste gas, and a second larger coaxial conduit of diameter D2, for the flow of primary combustion air, at a selected velocity in the annular space therebetween. Above the top the inner conduit there is a cylindrical obstruction of diameter D3 which is greater than D1, but less than D2. This forces the upwardly flowing gases to be deflected outwardly and upwardly into the second annular space between the obstruction and the outer conduit. The velocity of primary combustion air in the second annular space is at least 50 f.p.s., which serves to thoroughly mix with the inflowing gases so that as they rise through the second annular space they continue flowing above the top of the flare as an annular wall of high velocity gas, air and flame. This high velocity annular flow has large surface area on the outside and inside.

Abstract: An automatic air-fuel ratio control apparatus for use in a combustion system of a type in which combustion air is preheated, which is so arranged that a push rod depresses one end portion of a rocking lever in accordance with temperature of preheated combustion air and consequently the other end portion of the rocking lever depresses a valve member to correct pressure of working fluid for controlling a flow of fuel so as to obtain best air-fuel ratio, and further that a bearing member for pivotally supporting the rocking lever can be diagonally shifted to change the air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: A folding barbecue composed of bottom and four wall panels, the bottom panel is pivotably connected with respective wall panel, any two adjacent panels are provided with a passage at adjacent edges and secured by passing one pin upwardly through said passage, and said pin has its lower end to serve as the leg support of the barbecue. This barbecue may be folded into a flat shape adapted for carrying or storage and also may be treated as a disposable commodity due to low cost.

Abstract: The burner is formed of a tubular housing including a central tubular passage and a boundary annular passage for feeding into the gasification reactor under high speed a carburation medium such as oxygen or steam. At least three intermediate channels of coaxial annular sections are symmetrically arranged about the central channel and each communicates with a separate inlet conduit for feeding a mixture of powderized fuel with a carrier gas. The transition between the annular intermediate channel and the tubular inlet conduits is made such that the varying outline of the cross-section encloses the same area as the tubular inlet conduit or the annular section intermediate channel. The central tubular channel and the boundary annular channel for feeding the carburation fluid is configurated so as to divert one stream of the carburation fluid at an angle of about 45.degree. toward the axially directed jet of the powderized fuel mixture.

Abstract: A water heater for use in a fireplace includes a heat exchanger which sits in the fireplace behind the fire. The top portion of the heat exchanger is surrounded by but spaced from a removable hood-like heat trap which does not open directly into the chimney. The heat trap captures the hot air rising from the fire and confines it to flow rearwardly over the top of the heat exchanger and then downwardly along the rear side of the heat exchanger. The hot air then escapes under the lower edge of the skirt of the heat trap and is drawn up the chimney. In an alternative embodiment, the heat exchanger extends horizontally in a plenum under the fire. In other embodiments, an auxiliary fan is used to move the air through passages adjacent a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An electronic spark ignition system for a heating apparatus which does not have a means of attempting repeated ignition attempts if prior attempts at ignition fail is forced into a recycling mode by an independent, self-contained electronic spark ignition recycler. The recycler includes a temperature sensor for detecting output temperature of the heating apparatus, an on/off circuit for activating and deactivating that circuit, a timing determines the length of time allocated for recycling, a triggerable bidirectional switch to force the electronic spark ignition into a repeat mode, and a means for deactivating the recycler after a predetermined condition is met. The temperature sensor activates the timer which periodically triggers the bidirectional switch until ignition occurs or until the recycler is deactivated.

Abstract: A canopy system for a building structure is disclosed which may be utilized with a climate control system within a building. The canopy system has at least one tubular panel formed of flexible impermeable sheet material, the panel including an open ended hollow sleeve with two side walls, a top exterior sheet and a bottom interior sheet being joined sealed and having supports at the joins between the side walls and the top and bottom sheets. The top and bottom sheets extend across and are supported by the supports at each side of the panel by the building structure, one supported side of the panel being at a higher elevation than the other supported side of the panel, each end of the open ended hollow sleeve joined to a manifold system adapted to control pressure within the panel, and a liquid feed pipe within the panel at the supported side of the panel having the higher elevation.

Abstract: A combustion control process and apparatus provides a reference flame of known or constant composition which is in ionic communication with the main flame which is to be controlled. Both the reference and main flames are supported by electrically insulated burner nozzles and the flames are in mutual electrical communication through ionized gases. The potential difference is measured between the flames by way of the nozzles and is used in the air-fuel ratio adjustment of the main burner. Additionally, the main burner can function as a reference point in combination with a zirconia oxygen sensor to ascertain potential differences therebetween, which differences reflect the air-fuel mixture of the main flame.

Abstract: A combustion control apparatus in which a predetermined number of pre-purge and igniting cycles are repeated until ignition takes place successfully. A pre-purge time interval of the second and subsequent igniting cycles is selected shorter than that of the first igniting cycle. When an existing combustion control element which is capable of performing the igniting cycle only once is employed, the intended combustion control is performed by appropriately controlling a reset terminal of the existing combustion control element of signals representative of expirations of the pre-purge time interval and the ignition time interval. The number of the igniting cycles is counted by a counter for stopping operation of the combustion apparatus when a predetermined count value is attained. A novel circuit for the combustion control element is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fired heaters, boilers and oilfield steamers include a heater radiant section adjacent a burner. A precombustion chamber is mounted between the burner and the heater radiant section and is surrounded by a combustion air plenum. A plurality of spaced tubes form a perforated combustion chamber and extend from the air plenum axially into the heater radiant section and terminate in line and in converging relationship with the exiting products of combustion. The tubes are protected by refractory members positioned along each tube in abutting end to end relationship. A plurality of openings may be spaced along each tube for progressively staging combustion air.