Abstract: A solar collector device is provided. The solar collector device includes an evacuated tube and a mini-channel tube mounted within the evacuated tube, the mini-channel tube comprising a first plurality of ports for inflow of a heat-transfer fluid and a second plurality of ports for outflow of the heat-transfer fluid to a heat exchange system. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 3 millimeters to approximately 200 micrometers. The mini-channel tube may have a hydraulic diameter in a range of approximately 200 micrometers to approximately 10 micrometers.

Abstract: An object is to provide a decompression device including a plurality of stages of orifice plates disposed in a flow passage, which generates less noise in response to sonic feedback phenomenon and gas-column resonance. A decompression device 10A includes: an upstream orifice plate 14 disposed in a duct 12 forming a flow passage for a fluid F; and a downstream orifice plate 16 disposed in the flow passage and downstream of the upstream orifice plate 14. A jet-flow interference part 22A is disposed only partially on an outlet rim portion of an orifice 18 on the upstream orifice plate 14 and configured to interfere with a jet flow discharged from the orifice 18. Positions of Karman vortices e are differentiated in a duct axial direction between regions with and without the jet-flow interference part 22A to reduce generation of noise.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed including: a trough shaped reflector extending along a longitudinal axis and including at least one reflective surface having a shape which substantially corresponds to an edge ray involute of the absorber.

Abstract: A convection oven having one or more intermediate air plenums is disclosed. An intermediate air plenum placed within an oven cavity defines the bottom of an upper cooking chamber and the top of a lower cooking chamber. Each intermediate air plenum comprises a left side air inlet for receiving heated air from a left side air channel located on a left side cavity wall of the oven cavity, a right side air inlet for receiving heated air from a right side air channel located on a right side cavity wall of the oven cavity, a top plenum surface including a plurality of top air outlets configured to direct a portion of the heated air upwards, and a bottom plenum surface including a plurality of bottom air outlets configured to direct a portion of the heated air downwards. The top and bottom plenum surfaces are preferably shaped to optimize even distribution of heated air flow into the oven cavity.

Abstract: An exhaust pipe holding member includes an annular portion, an annular outward protruding portion (protruding piece), and a flange portion. The annular portion is formed with a through hole penetrating from one end through the other end. The outward protruding portion protrudes peripherally outward from the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion. The flange portion is disposed closer to one end than to the outward protruding portion, extending peripherally outward from the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion, and is configured to have a thickness greater than that of the outward protruding portion. The flange portion is formed with an annular groove surrounding the through hole.

Abstract: Provided is a substrate processing apparatus capable of improving the workability of measuring a temperature-flat zone in a process furnace and the reliability of a temperature-flat length of a heater. The substrate processing apparatus includes a process chamber configured to process a substrate retained in a retainer loaded therein; a temperature measuring device configured to measure an inside temperature of the process chamber; a transfer device configured to transfer the substrate at least to the retainer; and a controller configured to control the transfer device and the temperature measuring device to move the transfer device to a predetermined position before the inside temperature of the process chamber is measured and to obtain the inside temperature by the temperature measuring device while vertically moving the transfer device with the temperature measuring device attached to the transfer device when the inside temperature of the process chamber is measured.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an apparatus for extinguishing a flame of a candle in a candle container. The apparatus includes a base and a retractable lid positioned around an opening of the container. The lid may include two halves that are moved between open and closed positions. Control arms cause the retractable lid to close. A mechanical timer controls opening of the lid and a countdown such that, after expiration of a predetermined time period, the lid is closed. A manual over-ride causes the lid to close manually, independent of the timer. Impact sensors are configured to cause the control arms to release and close the lid responsive to a detection of impact or disturbance. The sensors may be positioned around the base such that when an impact is sensed by one sensor, each of the sensors is activated to release the lid and enclose the opening to extinguish the flame.

Abstract: A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooking compartment in the housing and accessible through a door in the housing, a cooling air system conveying air through the housing, and an air channel in fluid communication with the cooling air system, the air channel having an outlet exhausting a portion of the air from the cooling air system along a rear wall of the housing.

Abstract: The burner includes a first tube portion having a tube end including an ejection port and a second tube portion extending toward the ejection port in the first tube portion. The combustion gas generated by combusting air-fuel mixture is ejected from the ejection port. The second tube portion includes a heat exchanging portion that vaporizes liquid fuel with combustion heat of the combustion chamber and supplies the vaporized fuel to the premixing chamber. The outer surface of the second tube portion functions as a heat receiving surface of the heat exchanging portion. A fuel supply section of the burner is configured to vaporize liquid fuel and supply the vaporized fuel to the premixing chamber, and supply liquid fuel to the heat exchanging portion.

Abstract: A burner assembly for a domestic gas cooktop includes a lower burner mounting structure positioned on a first side of the top sheet; a burner body configured to be positioned on an opposite side of the top sheet, the burner body having an igniter positioning surface; an igniter having an igniter end, and a stop integrally formed in the igniter, the stop having an upper ledge; and an urging member that pushes against the lower burner mounting structure, and urges the igniter in a direction away from the lower burner mounting structure and toward the igniter positioning surface such that the upper ledge of the stop is urged into contact with the igniter positioning surface when the burner assembly is in an assembled condition. The igniter is held in an operating position by the burner body and the urging member when the burner assembly is in use.

Abstract: A gas heating device includes a main body defining a combustion chamber, a catalyst disposed in the combustion chamber, and an electric thermal device providing electric thermal energy to heat the catalyst and disposed in the combustion chamber and adjacent to a side of the catalyst.

Abstract: A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooking surface on a top of the housing, a cooking compartment in the housing, a cooling air system conveying air through the housing, and an exhaust channel in fluid communication with the cooling air system, the exhaust channel disposed at a rear corner of the housing and exhausting a portion of the cooling air in an upward direction from the rear corner of the housing.

Abstract: A gas heater (10) includes heater burner (16). Heat is generated by the ignition of gas supplied to the burner via conduits (20). A solenoid gas safety valve (22), when provided with a threshold electrical current, is maintained in an open condition allowing passage of gas to the burners. When not provided with that threshold current, the valve is closed, preventing the passage of gas. An electrical current generator (28) includes spaced apart thermocouple devices (30, 32). Due to a combined electrical current generation by the thermocouples, the current generator can generate electrical current at least said threshold current even if any one of the thermocouple devices does not generate the threshold electrical current.

Abstract: Two sensible thermal energy storage (STES) systems in multiple chambers containing molten eutectic salts have been devised for use at temperatures above 565° C. For the first type, the thermal energy of low specific heat of an immiscible gaseous heat transfer fluid (HTF) at temperatures above 900° C. is readily converted to dispatchable heat of high specific heat in the molten eutectic salt liquid layers operating at high temperatures, which can again produce a gaseous HTF at a constant temperature of 700° C. or higher for the lower electricity generation capacities. For the second type, the molten eutectic salt liquids are used as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium and also a HTF at temperatures above 700° C. for the higher electricity generation capacities. These STES systems provide an effective cushion against the disturbances of heat supply from the sun.

Abstract: An oven appliance includes a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly couples a door to slide assemblies such that the door is pivotable. The hinge assembly includes a hinge arm that extends through an opening of the door. The hinge arm has a plurality of rounded edges at the opening of the door. A gasket is mounted to the door at the opening of the door. The gasket extends around the hinge arm and contacts the hinge arm at the rounded edges of the hinge arm.