Abstract: An expansion constraint assembly can be attached to the exterior of a kiln cylinder. The expansion constraint assembly may include an outer constraining structure, an inner circular structure, and support structures extending between the inner circular structure and the outer constraining structure. The support structures may extend at an offset angle away from a radial direction of the outer constraining structure. The expansion constraint assembly may also include additional rings disposed between the inner circular structure and the outer constraining structure. The expansion constraint assembly can constrain asymmetric expansion of the kiln cylinder, for example, by relieving uniform expansion as a rotational shift, while restraining asymmetric expansion via tensile and compressive stresses in inter-connecting members.

Abstract: A brake device (100) for braking the movement of at least one movable element (1) relative to a housing (2) of an air outlet, wherein the movable element (1) is an air-flow-directing and/or air-flow-limiting element and/or an actuation element, wherein the brake device (100) has at least one resilient element (4), wherein the resilient element (4) has a main extent direction which is orientated at least substantially perpendicularly to a movement path of the at least one movable element (1). An air outlet, having such a brake device, is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary seal assembly for a rotary kiln having a hood and a rotary drum with an opening formed between the drum and the hood, and an end. The rotary seal assembly includes a flexible framework arrangement that attaches to the end. The rotary seal assembly includes a riding surface that engages the drum as the drum rotates. The riding surface includes a series of seal segments with each seal segment having a mounting eye positioned to eliminate a fulcrum point at the mounting eye. The rotary seal assembly includes a seal that is supported by the riding surface and is in essentially 360-degree contact with the drum when it is rotating and seals the opening between the drum when it is rotating in the hood to prevent fluid flow into and out of the end. A rotary seal assembly for a rotary kiln having a hood and a rotary drum with an opening formed between the drum and the hood, and an end, includes redundant tension springs which form a complete 360-degree circle around the drum.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system, method, and apparatus comprising a direct steam generator configured to generate saturated steam and combustion exhaust constituents.

Abstract: A climate control system includes a plurality of vent registers, an HVAC unit delivering conditioned air to the plurality of vent registers, a side door status monitoring device and a controller configured to control opening and closing of the plurality of vent registers in response to side door status data provided by the side door status monitoring device. A related climate control method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water comprises a main burner, a pilot burner, a valve assembly with a main valve and a pilot valve having a shutter, a magnetic thermoelectric safety assembly with a thermocouple device holding the pilot valve open in the presence of a flame in the pilot burner, a button member mounted on a rod that is slidingly guided in the valve assembly and an electrical ignition member supplied via an electrical connection circuit, a switch device in the circuit being designed to be switched by means of the button member so as to close the electrical circuit when said button member is pressed in order to carry out actuation of the magnetic assembly so as to open the passage of gas through the pilot valve towards the pilot burner and to ignite the pilot flame by means of the sparks generated by the ignition member.

Abstract: A novel two-chamber design for thermal boilers is presented in this document. The boiler uses spiral-shaped tubes with conical and flat portions which form a combustion chamber. The use of a direct flame burner causes exhaust gas turbulence and increases the gas pressure in the main chamber. The high-pressure gases, which have lost their kinetic energy due to collision with spirals, leave the main chamber and enter into the secondary chamber, where their energy is used to preheat inlet water.

Abstract: A wind direction adjustment mechanism includes: a support plate having a holding protrusion; a fixed plate fixed to a surface portion of the support plate; a movable plate facing the surface portion of the support plate, and slidably held by the support plate; and a plurality of wind direction plates formed of an elastic material, and provided to extend between the fixed plate and the movable plate, wherein the movable plate has an angle holding portion into which the holding protrusion is inserted to maintain a sliding position of the movable plate, the angle holding portion includes a side wall portion and a plurality of partition wall portions, the side wall portion protruding in a direction opposite to a direction toward a portion where the support plate is disposed, thus forming a frame structure, the plurality of partition wall portions being formed in parallel, each of the plurality of partition wall portions is formed such that an angle adjustment portion and an angle restricting portion are integrall

Abstract: A multi-circulation heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)/Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) processes comprises a steam drum internally partitioned to provide a clean side and a dirty side. The clean side downcomer pipe supplies water to one or more generating banks as part of a clean circuit located in a high heat flux zone of the boiler. Boiler water is fed from the clean side of the drum to the dirty side of the drum via natural head differential. Water is then fed through a corresponding downcomer to a dirty generating bank, which is located in a low heat flux zone of the boiler.

Abstract: A controller performs a first operation in which a heat source device directly or indirectly heats water in a first channel of a heat exchanger and a second operation in which the heat source device directly or indirectly cools the water in the first channel of the heat exchanger after the first operation ends.

Abstract: A fluid control apparatus includes: a metal plate; a heater configured to heat the metal plate; a first joint block and a second joint block provided on an installation surface of the metal plate, extending in a predetermined direction, and formed with a flow passage therein; a first pipe extending along the predetermined direction between the first joint block and the second joint block; a heat transfer cover provided on the installation surface of the metal plate; and a first fluid control device mounted to the first joint block and the second joint block so as to straddle over the first pipe. The heat transfer cover has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, extends along the predetermined direction, and includes a first cover member and a second cover member mounted around an outer circumference of the first pipe in contact with each other. The first cover member covers a part in a cross section of the first pipe and has a first abutment surface abutting on the installation surface of the metal plate.

Abstract: In an example implementation, a sintering system includes optical fiber installed into a sintering furnace. A support structure inside the furnace is to support a token green object in a predetermined position and to hold a distal end of the fiber adjacent to the predetermined position. A light source is operably engaged at a proximal end of the fiber to transmit light through the fiber into the furnace. A light detector is operably engaged at the proximal end of the fiber to receive reflected light through the fiber that scatters off a surface of the token green object.

Abstract: A method heats a furnace process chamber with the combustion of fuel gas. The method heats the process chamber in a preheat mode when the temperature of the process chamber is below the autoignition temperature of the fuel gas. The preheat mode forms preheated combustion air by directing the combustion air through a regenerative bed. A stream of the preheated combustion air is directed into the process chamber in a condition unmixed with fuel gas. The preheat mode also forms a fuel rich mixture of the fuel gas and unheated combustion air. The fuel rich mixture is directed into the process chamber adjacent to the stream of preheated combustion air.

Abstract: A boiler system having a generally cylindrical housing or shell includes a main or fire tube with a furnace or combustion chamber extending longitudinally near the bottom of the housing and a burner to accomplish combustion within the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber opens at its rear end to furnace tube sheet, and to a first set of tubes extending longitudinally of the boiler. The first set of tubes extends to and through the rear tube sheet of the boiler to a turnaround space, which transitions to a second set of tubes located above the combustion chamber and first set of tubes to generally span a length extending from the rear tube sheet of the boiler to the front tube sheet. The boiler system as disclosed has a reduced size while maintaining efficiency in steam and hot water applications.

Abstract: A user interface for a thermostat that controls a radiator valve can include a user input member that is movable from a home position to a set point increase or decrease position to increase or decrease a set point temperature of the thermostat. In some embodiments, a return mechanism returns the user input member to the home position after being released from one of the set point increase and decrease positions. The user interface can include an indicator panel and controller that controls the indicator panel to provide an indication of when the set point temperature of the thermostat is being adjusted. The user interface can also include a lockout controller that prevents further set point temperature adjustments using the user interface when the set point temperature differs from the environmental temperature by a specified amount.

Abstract: A gas powered water heater includes a storage tank, a main burner, a flame sensor assembly, and a controller communicatively coupled to the flame sensor assembly. The flame sensor assembly includes a probe positioned proximate the main burner to couple an electric current to the main burner through a flame on the main burner and not to couple an electric current to the main burner when the flame is not present on the main burner, and a detector that provides signals representative of the electric current provided through the probe. The controller is programmed to determine a length of time taken for a transition between a signal representative of no electric current and a signal representative of a steady state electric current, and determine, based at least in part on the determined length of time, a strength of the flame on the main burner.

Abstract: A modular data center has an air handling unit (AHU) that is coupled to a first panel that is engaged over a first opening in a volumetric container. The AHU directs pressurized supply air through a supply air outlet into a cold aisle causing the supply air to pass through a first side of the IT component(s) installed in an interior of the volumetric container. A chimney of a return air plenum captures return air from a second side of the IT component(s), directing the return air to a return air duct of the return air plenum that is connected to a return air inlet of the AHU. In one or more embodiments, a second AHU is coupled to a second panel that is engaged to a second opening in a second side, directing pressurized supply air via a supply air plenum to the opposing first side.

Abstract: A barbecue grill configured to be removably attached to a docking mechanism which is supported by a pickup truck bed. A heat resistant docking plate that is configured to be attached to a vehicle tailgate, and allows the user to nest, lock and carry the grill in the back of the pickup bed. The grill includes a lid, a grate, burners, and burner covers which may be locked for transport to reduce rattle, and burners which are secured to the grill body. A double wall with stainless steel interior and aluminum exterior is provided to permit the grill to get hotter on the inside without dissipating as much heat. A removable drip pan with a large reservoir is provided in order to contain drippings during device transport.

Abstract: An air-wall room system, suspended from a room ceiling, having a compressed air discharge duct. The air discharge duct is used for circulating compressed air into a hollow, four sided, upper air-wall frame with air openings. The air from the upper air-wall frame is circulated into a work space. The hollow upper air-wall frame includes air discharge ports for creating an air-wall. The air-wall, similar to a curtain, prevents toxic gases from escaping outside the work space. Corners of the upper air-wall frame are attached to vertical frame members. A bottom of the vertical frame members is attached to corners of a hollow, four sided, lower air-wall frame. The lower air-wall frame includes vacuum ports for receiving the bottom of the air-wall. A side of the lower air-wall frame is connected to a vacuum air exhaust duct. The air exhaust duct is used for drawing a vacuum in the hollow lower air-wall frame and exhausting the air-wall out a vacuum air exhaust duct.

Abstract: Provided is an air-conditioning system including: an air pollution level detector configured to detect each of a pollution level of outside air, which is air outside a vehicle, and a pollution level of inside air, which is air inside the vehicle; and an air-conditioning control device configured to control air conditioning by switching an air-conditioning mode of the vehicle between an inside-air circulation mode and an outside-air introduction mode. The air-conditioning control device switches the air-conditioning mode from the outside-air introduction mode to the inside-air circulation mode based on the pollution level of the outside air acquired from the air pollution level detector, and switches the air-conditioning mode from the inside-air circulation mode to the outside-air introduction mode based on the pollution level of the inside air acquired from the air pollution level detector.