Abstract: Apparatus and a method for controlling the flow of a fluid to a fluid-actuated system. The system is controlled by a sensor which senses a variable characteristic of the system, such as the air temperature. The apparatus includes a pair of solenoid valves, one valve being set to deliver a first volume of fluid per unit time and the other valve being set to deliver a second volume of fluid per unit time. The solenoid coil of one of the valves responds to the actuation and de-actuation of the sensor. The second valve has a solenoid coil controlled by a pair of switches. One of the switches is responsive to a first timing signal and the second switch is responsive to a second timing signal. One of the switches allows the second valve to be open for a first time interval during which the first valve is open; thereafter, the second valve is closed.

Abstract: A tracking system is provided for pivotally mounted spaced-apart solar collectors. A pair of cables is connected to spaced-apart portions of each collector, and a driver displaces the cables, thereby causing the collectors to pivot about their mounting, so as to assume the desired orientation. The collectors may be of the cylindrical type as well as the flat-plate type. Rigid spar-like linkages may be substituted for the cables. Releasable attachments of the cables to the collectors is also described, as is a fine tuning mechanism for precisely aligning each individual collector.

Abstract: A device for vertically moving a wick in an oil burner is disclosed which is capable of constantly ensuring the normal combustion operation of the oil burner. The device includes a drive shaft having a pinion, a rack disposed adjacent to a wick receiving chamber of the burner which is engaged with the pinion and connected to a wick to vertically move it when the drive shaft is rotated, and a stop member for stopping the movement of the rack with respect to the pinion only when the wick is lowered to the minimum normal combustion position to thereby ensure the normal combustion.

Abstract: In a gasification burner comprising an antechamber for mixing fuel and primary air; a catalytic device for generating a fuel gas from the fuel/primary air mixture; a mixing chamber for mixing the fuel gas with secondary air; an annular space which surrounds the antechamber, the catalytic device and the mixing chamber being separated from the antechamber by a ring wall provided with radial canals; a combustion chamber and a burner plate terminating the combustion chamber; and an ignition chamber arranged between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber the operating safety is increased by having the annular space also enclose the ignition chamber and the combustion chamber in ring-fashion and extend up to the vicinity of the burner plate; a primary air feed stub opening into the annular space; and baffles in the annular space which baffles conduct the primary air stream from the primary air feed stub to the radial canals of the ring wall in spiral or meander fashion about the combustion chamber and the ig

Abstract: A hydrogen gas burner for the mixture of hydrogen gas with ambient air and non-combustible gasses. The mixture of gasses when ignited provides a flame of extremely high, but controlled intensity and temperature. The structure comprises a housing and a hydrogen gas inlet directed to a combustion chamber positioned within the housing. Ambient air intake ports are provided for adding ambient air to the combustion chamber for ignition of the hydrogen gas by an ignitor therein. At the other end of the housing there is positioned adjacent to the outlet of the burner (flame) a barrier/heating element. The heating element uniformly disperses the flame and in turn absorbs the heat. The opposite side to the flame, the heating element uniformly disperses the extremely hot air. A non-combustible gas trap adjacent to the heating element captures a small portion of the non-combustible gas (burned air).

Abstract: A burner assembly provides for 100% premixing of fuel and air by drawing the air into at least one high velocity stream of fuel without power assist. Specifically, the nozzle assembly for injecting the fuel into a throat comprises a plurality of nozzles in a generally circular array. Preferably, swirl is imparted to the air/fuel mixture by angling the nozzles. The diffuser comprises a conical primary diffuser followed by a cusp diffuser.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a flue damper control including an automatic control and a manual override for use in the event of failure of certain parts. The control includes a first lever means connected to the damper for opening and closing the damper. An electric solenoid is connected in circuit with a furnace thermostat, and the solenoid is coupled by spring means to the first lever means. In automatic operation, when the thermostat calls for heat, the solenoid armature moves, and the first lever means is operated by the spring means coupling to move the damper to the open position. A return spring moves the damper to the closed position when the thermostat no longer calls for heat. The control further includes a first switch connected in circuit with a fuel control valve, which is actuated by the first switch means as it opens the damper.

Abstract: A solar energy collection mat element of unitary black elastomeric or flexible plastic consists of a side-by-side series of parallel pipes with integral connecting material between the pipes defining tear lines. The last pipe of the series has a longitudinally directed slit, allowing the last pipe to be opened transversely and placed in gripping relationship about the first pipe of another similar mat element.

Abstract: The decorative safety candle has the exterior appearance of a traditional moulded wax candle, but is fueled by a replaceable butane pressure cartridge. The butane cartridge is contained within an interior cylindrical metal casing, which is open at its bottom, the casing having a pair of slots at its bottom edge, adapted to removably retain a safety switch, having a downwardly extending pivotal finger, which urges the butane cylinder upwardly, when the candle is placed on a flat surface, to activate the nozzle valve of a commercially available butane cylinder. The safety switch includes a set screw whereby the gas flow may be selectively adjusted. The pivotal finger is pivoted to its upward position when the candle is not in use. When the candle is in use, in the event it is accidentally knocked over or picked up, will result in the immediate cessation of gas flow, and extinguishing of the candle flame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high capacity oil burner comprising a cylindrical atomizer completely surrounded by a protective cylindrical housing having a diameter from 2 to 3 times greater than the diameter of said atomizer; liquid fuels being injected under pressure into said atomizer and accumulating within said atomizer in a chamber for the accumulation of liquid fuels, and compressed air being injected into a chamber for the accumulation of air; cylindrical holes communicating said chamber for the accumulation of liquid fuels with the outside and cylindrical holes communicating said chamber for the accumulation of air with said cylindrical holes communicating the chamber for the accumulation of liquids with the outside so that the injection of compressed air into said liquid fuel discharge holes atomizes said fuel which is expelled to the outside through the end portions of said discharge holes which are circumferentially positioned to be burnt by a pilot flame; said protecting cylindrical housing

Abstract: An oxygen density detecting device for a combustor in which individual adjustment of reference levels for each combustor is not necessary. A memory device stores a reference ion current value from a sensor disposed in the combustor for a predetermined period of time extending from the time instant at which combustion breaks out in the combustor until the ion current has substantially stabilized. The oxygen density of the room air used by the combustor is determined by comparing the ion current value stored in the memory with ion current values which are successively provided by the sensing device. An output signal produced thereby is utilized to control circuit elements including a fuel supplying electromagnetic pump and a combustion air blower used for supplying room air into the combustor.

Abstract: A fireplace extension is provided, which extends forwardly from a traditonal fireplace, having two sets of doors, a first set of doors within the extension, and a second set of doors which close the extension. Fresh air duct means open into the fireplace extension between the first and second set of doors, and damper means are provided in the first set of doors, whereby, a surprising increase in efficiency in the fireplace itself is achieved, not only from the point of view of heat generated, but from the duration of time during which such fireplace is effective in generating heat.

Abstract: An apparatus for downhole steam generation employing dual-stage preheaters for liquid fuel and for the water. A first heat exchange jacket for the fuel surrounds the fuel/oxidant mixing section of the combustor assembly downstream of the fuel nozzle and contacts the top of the combustor unit of the combustor assembly, thereby receiving heat directly from the combustion of the fuel/oxidant. A second stage heat exchange jacket surrounds an upper portion of the oxidant supply line adjacent the fuel nozzle receiving further heat from the compression heat which results from pressurization of the oxidant. The combustor unit includes an inner combustor sleeve whose inner wall defines the combustion zone. The inner combustor sleeve is surrounded by two concentric water channels, one defined by the space between the inner combustor sleeve and an intermediate sleeve, and the second defined by the space between the intermediate sleeve and an outer cylindrical housing.

Abstract: A thermostat for a stove is disclosed. The thermal control unit is contained in a housing which has an aperture formed therein and includes a thermal control unit for detecting changes in the temperature of the stove. A flap is secured to the housing and is rotatable across the aperture so as to cover the aperture to any desired degree. The thermal control unit controls the position of the flap to control the effective area of the aperture, thereby to control the amount of air supplied to the stove. The thermal control unit, the flap and the aperture cooperate to ensure that the effective area of the aperture changes by an amount approximately proportional to the square of the magnitude of any change in the stove temperature detected by the thermal control unit. The thermal control unit may preferably comprise a bimetallic coil or a liquid expansion thermometer.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for shutting down a room heating device upon detecting incomplete combustion in the burner of the heating device. A detecting element is arranged to provide an output to a setting circuit. When the output changes due to a change in combustion, the circuit cuts off fuel supply. Additional circuitry is provided to vary the predetermined operation level of the circuit depending on whether a room air circulation fan is operating or not.

Abstract: Disclosed is a forced-air heat extractor for use in a conventional fireplace. The heat extractor includes a plenum through which air is circulated by means of a blower which is positioned in an inlet duct connected to the plenum and located in the fireplace. The plenum is provided with a temperature responsive relief closure in its top wall which opens to permit the free flow of heated air upward toward the fireplace's flue in the event the temperature in the plenum exceeds a predetermined value, as might occur in the event of an interruption in the flow of forced air through the plenum, thus protecting the blower motor and associated circuitry from excessive temperatures. A bottom bar having an air inlet to which is coupled the inlet duct is positioned on the forward, lower portion of the fireplace. Upon this bottom bar a firescreen may be conveniently positioned. An outlet duct similarly couples heated air in the plenum to an air outlet in the bottom bar.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a pump for delivering oil to the atomizing nozzle of a combustion chamber. The system includes a tank with a free piston by which oil introduced at one end from the pump forces water out at the other end at the same pressure as the oil discharged from the pump. The oil and water are then discharged through a pair of adjacent nozzles and mixed and then through an additional nozzle to further mix the oil and water and then conducted to the combustion chamber atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A wood-burning stove includes side walls joined together in an airtight manner to form a firebox and a heat chamber thereabove. The firebox contains upstanding rails to support wood logs for combustion. Streams of heated air are discharged from a manifold that extends from rail-to-rail outwardly from one terminal end of each rail between opposite side walls of the stove. A plate is adjusted to control the flow of air into the manifold. An access door has openings in a spacer side wall for supplying air as desired to the firebox. The spacer walls of the door support a glass panel at an outwardly-spaced location from a deflector to prevent deposits of creosote and other materials on the glass.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting solar energy to useful energy principally for home use. The apparatus provides a complete system for receiving solar energy over a large area, e.g. 1,000 square feet; concentrating the energy; and directing the energy toward a target of a few square feet at an extremely high temperature. The receiving, concentrating and transmitting apparatus consists of an array of collectors provided with mechanisms for tracking the sun. The collectors include a system of reflectors and/or lenses to first concentrate and then direct the energy toward the target.The system further includes a substantial storage chamber with means for circulating a fluid between the target and the storage chamber to transfer heat from the target to the storage chamber. The system further includes means for transferring the heat from the target and/or storage system to a heat engine and electrical generator combination to create power for use on demand.

Abstract: A single-ended recuperative radiant tube assembly for increasing the efficiency of a combustion furnace system by using less fuel input per heat output than conventional systems. The single-ended recuperative radiant tube assembly has inner and outer recuperator tube assemblies positioned in a counterflow arrangement within a radiant tube assembly. Hot exhaust gases emitted from a burner within the single-ended radiant tube assembly are directed through a flame tube to an annular exhaust chamber located between the outer recuperator tube and radiant tube assemblies. Ambient air flowing towards the burner in an air chamber between the inner and outer recuperator tube assemblies is heated by the exhaust gases in the annular exhaust chamber.