Abstract: A pressurized, fluidized bed combustor including a housing having a combustor chamber therein with a distributor plate closing the lower portion of the housing and arranged above a fluidizer windbox, which, in turn, is arranged above a heat exchanger inlet plenum which is mounted above a bottom of the combustor. A coal gun is provided for discharging coal into the fluidized bed, and it comprises an outer guide tube which extends from a spaced location above the distributor plate downwardly through the bottom of the combustor chamber and it includes a portion which extends exteriorly of the combustor chamber. This exterior portion carries a ball valve which has a passage therethrough which makes it possible to insert a coal supply pipe upwardly in the interior of the outer guide pipe and through the passage of the ball valve up to substantially the top of the outer pipe at a location above the distributor plate within the reaction bed.

Abstract: A combination glass door fireplace closure and heat exchanger which can be inserted into the cavity of a gas fired fireplace to permit more efficient and economical operation thereof. The insert includes a plurality of substantially parallel C-shaped exchanger tubes. The lower and upper ends of the tube are coupled to a glass door fireplace closure which is adapted for sealing the frontal opening of the fireplace cavity. A substantially C-shaped heat exchanger duct surrounds the tubes and the lower and upper ends thereof are coupled to the glass door fireplace closure. A gas pipe nozzle is mounted beneath the tubes above the heat exchanger duct and is covered by a quantity of sand supported by a tray. The nozzle pipe is coupled to a gas supply pipe extending from the side of the fireplace. Gas discharged from the pipe diffuses through the sand to produce uniform burning when mixed with air drawn through a combustion air inlet in the glass door fireplace closure.

Abstract: In a direct ignition gas burner control system wherein two valves are connected fluidically in series with the burner, a make-before-break thermostatically actuated switch is effective, when a set of "cold" contacts are made, to energize an electrical resistance igniter and to open a first of the two valves which opening enables a pressure actuated switch to close its contacts. When the igniter is above a temperature sufficient to ignite gas, the thermostatically actuated switch makes a set of "hot" contacts while its "cold" contacts are still made. In this intermediate contact position, a second of the two valves is opened, allowing gas to flow to the burner. Continued energizing of the igniter causes the thermostatically actuated switch to break its "cold" contacts, effecting de-energizing of the igniter. When the "cold" contacts are open, the pressure actuated switch provides a hold-in circuit for the valves.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-pulsed recuperation of energy includes a vessel defining a pulse chamber and a recuperator chamber. Gates selectively open an inlet to the pulse chamber for the introduction of the gas to the pulse chamber, open a passage for partial release of the gas from the pulse chamber to the recuperator chamber, and close the pulse chamber for confinement during compression and after release. A pulse-heat source in the pulse chamber pulse-heats the confined gas to cause the compression. Heat transfer apparatus in the chambers transfers heat from the remainder and the released portion to a heat transfer medium. A method of recuperation of heat energy, which is the method by which the apparatus operates, includes heat-pulsed compression of a confined gas. The gas is partially, adiabatically released after compression. Heat energy is recuperated by heat transfer from the released portion and the remainder.

Abstract: An oil burner in which a liquid fuel oil is vaporized in a heated vaporizing chamber connected through an apertured partition to a multiple concentric shelled combustion chamber.

Abstract: A freeze protection system allows the working fluid contained in the communicating tubes of the solar collector to drain from both the input and output tubes of the collector when a first predetermined temperature of the working fluid is detected and to fill the collector via both the input and output tubes when a second predetermined temperature is detected. The invention includes valve mechanisms, of the spool valve variety, that communicate the working fluid to be heated to the collector and therefrom to a storage tank, a valve actuator and a sensor.

Abstract: A fireplace device which is especially suited to the retrofitting of existing fireplaces and stoves in order to increase their ability to heat living areas includes a curved portion that is connected to a planar portion mounted on legs that support the device above a hearth. The device may be constructed so that it is adjustable with respect to a lower depending wall of the fireplace opening in order to maximize the radiative and convective heat which is transferred into the living area.

Abstract: A fireplace heating unit provided with a firebox. A vertically elongated hollow member defining in horizontal cross section a square and formed primarily of transparent material, is open at both ends and is secured at its lower end to the firebox. A hollow top section having a relatively small open upper end which defines a chimney and a lower open and conforming to and engaging the upper end of said member has a narrow horizontal peripheral border having the same shape and essentially the perimeter as said square. Shaped openings partially blocked by louvers are formed in the border of the top and bottom section and hinged flaps are mounted outside of the louvers so as to control the amount of air passing into the heating unit through the louvers.

Abstract: An automatic damper control comprising: damper means for use in a flue or the like; diaphragm means adapted to expand and contract in response to pressure variations in the flue; and sensor means for sensing the pressure in the flue. The sensor means is connected to the diaphragm means and comprises means for generating a plurality of beams of light. The sensor means further comprises collimating means adapted to collimate each of the beams of light onto a photoreceptor. The damper control also comprises blocking means for blocking at least one of the beams of light. The blocking means is operatively associated with the diaphragm means and is adapted to be displaced relative to the beams of light in response to movement by the diaphragm means. Drive means are additionally provided for moving the damper means in response to pressure variations in the flue.

Abstract: An upstanding heating chamber is disposed adjacent a wall of a fireplace for exposure to the fire, and tubular inlet and outlet ducts lead from the heating chamber along the bottom wall of the fireplace to the front. A blower circulates air through the inlet duct into the heating chamber and out the outlet duct into the room. The apparatus is arranged for use with existing fireplaces or can be built into new fireplaces.

Abstract: The wall extending laterally away from the side of a fireplace opening is provided with a vertical recess that receives one end of a track extending across the front of the fireplace below the upper surface of its hearth and supporting a glass door normally located in front of the fireplace but extending part way into the recess, into which it is movable to a retracted position. Mounted between the front surface of the recess and the door is a vertical sealing strip that engages both. A horizontal sealing strip mounted between the door and the front surface of a downwardly opening slot that receives the top of the door engages the door. To help hold the door against the sealing strip there is a rigid horizontal rod mounted in the slot and recess behind the door and engaging the door near its top. A fire screen may be mounted on a track behind the door track.

Abstract: A heat storing fireplace including a fire-box surrounded by a heat storage medium which is either an enclosure containing a material having a high specific heat such as sand or gravel or a large number of heat conducting bags containing a high specific heat material. Exhaust gases are conveyed from the fire-box to an exhaust outlet by several conduits extending through the heat storage medium in a circuitous path in order to transfer heat from the exhaust gases to the heat storage medium. Heat is further distributed through the storage material by a heat conducting lattice fastened to the conduits and extending through the storage medium in a circuitous path. Combustion air enters the bottom of the fire box through a combustion air inlet jacket surrounding the exhaust outlet in order to simultaneously pre-warm the combustion air while thermally insulating the exhaust outlet from its support structure. A draft is created through the fire-box by an exhaust fan mounted in the exhaust outlet.

Abstract: A resilient sealing member for use about the marginal edge of a glazing panel mounted in a solar energy collector. The sealing member is cup-shaped for receiving the marginal edge portion of the panel and is formed with a sealing lip bearing against the outboard surface of the glazing panel to provide a fluid tight, pressure seal adjacent the entire periphery thereof. The sealing member is advantageously used in combination with a retainer assembly having a retainer cap that exerts pressure on the sealing member to urge the lip into uniform, pressure sealing contact with such outboard surface.

Abstract: A highly efficient, open-ended solar energy receiver is disclosed having a porous element through which air passes and a conventional heat exchanger positioned above and immediately adjacent to the porous element such that when solar energy is focused onto the porous element, a constant controlled temperature hot air stream from the element is conveyed by the temperature controlled convectively rising hot air to the conventional heat exchanger to produce steam, thereby minimizing pumping requirements. The quantity of air flowing through the receiver is regulated, if desired, by a low-power exhaust fan operating at a relatively low temperature due to the removal of heat by the heat exchanger. Regulation may also be obtained by an opening at the top of the receiver, controlled in such a manner as to vary the air flow through the system to maintain a constant temperature output from the heat exchanger. Additionally, if desired, water flow control may be utilized to maintain the proper energy balance.

Abstract: A candle lamp including securing means for removably attaching a container to a socket. The securing means includes grooves formed in the container for receiving tongues protruding from the inside of a socket. Fingers also protrude inside the socket for gripping the tapered bottom portion of the container. A rib extends outward in the socket for preventing containers smaller than the proper container from being seated upright in the socket. The socket cooperating with the container includes an air circulating pathway for safeguarding the lamp from a harmful build up of heat.

Abstract: An arrangement for a direct ignition type fuel ignition system includes a capacitive timing network which enables a flame relay to operate during a trial for ignition interval, energizing a fuel valve to supply fuel to a burner for ignition, and a flame sensing circuit which causes the flame relay and the fuel valve to be maintained operated only if a flame is sensed before the end of the trial for ignition interval. In the absence of a flame, a diode, back biased by the timing signal, decouples the flame sensing circuit from the timing network. When a flame is established, a further diode, back biased by a control signal provided by the flame sensing circuit, decouples the timing network from the flame sensing circuit. In an embodiment wherein the charging time of a capacitor defines the trial for ignition interval, a fast reset circuit provides rapid discharge of the timing capacitor when power is removed from the timing network.

Abstract: A burner apparatus is specially designed for vaporized fuels such as alcohol vapor for use by campers, aboard small boats, in vans, and the like. Extremely efficient combustion is achieved by an annular air/fuel mixer plate with a plurality of circular openings facing upwardly positioned above an annular vapor generator member having an annular cavity with fuel outlet ports passing through the top wall of the cavity in positions spaced vertically below and in axial alignment with the circular openings in the air/fuel mixer plate, respectively. A liquid fuel line communicates with the interior portion of the cavity for introducing liquid fuel therein and once combustion has started, the fuel is vaporized to pass out the fuel openings.

Abstract: An extension lighter is described for the ignition of hard to reach material such as fireplaces, grills and the like. A conventional self contained lighter having a switch-on and switch-off control is mounted on an extension comprising a lighter holder and an operating arm or plunger. The lighter is removably mounted on one end of the holder and a trigger grip is provided permitting the user to both ignite and to extinguish the lighter by means of the plunger without directly operating the lighter itself.

Abstract: A radiant combustor assembly including a generally planar porous combustor element for burning an air-fuel mixture on the surface thereof without combustion flash back.

Abstract: A multi-fuel gas burner using preheated forced draft air, comprising a cylindrical inner burner tube, supported by the wall of a furnace, and inserted into an opening in said wall, and including means to inject through the upstream end combustion air preheated to a selected temperature, and compressed to a selected pressure. The downstream end of the inner burner tube closed, and a plurality of longitudinal slots, circumferentially spaced, in the wall of the tube at the closed end. Means to inject rich fuel gas up to 3,500 btu/cu feet under selected pressure into the inner burner tube along its axis. An outer burner tube axially surrounding said inner burner tube and forming an annular passage therebetween. Means to pass low pressure, lean, combustible gas of as low as 50 btu/cu feet down said annular passage and outwardly through a circumferential slot at the end of said outer burner tube inside the furnace.