Abstract: Described is a quiet hand-held hair dryer with configuration and component combinations for making the hair dryer exceptionally quiet and efficient. The hair dryer includes a housing having a lower handle portion and an upper body portion separated by an air-directing wall. A large impeller moves air downward from a large top air inlet and passes it outward through a side air outlet in a hair drying stream. An electric motor is mounted in the handle housing adjacent its bottom and is connected in driving relation with the impeller by a long vertical shaft. The motor is mounted in a rubber casing permitting cooling air flow and minimizing vibration to the housing; and the upper end of the shaft is stabilized by a bearing mounted in a rubber housing for the same purpose. The configuration of the described hair dryer permits high air flow with relatively low motor speeds.

Abstract: A system and method for purification of combustion gases cools the combustion gases to an optimal oxidation temperature, oxidizes the combustion gases, injects water or uses natural moisture content to form acid aerosols, neutralizes the acid aerosols with an alkaline solution, and then filters the acid aerosol, alkaline solution and water from the combustion gases. The purified gas stream is then exhausted from the system. Oxidation can be provided in stages to obtain optimal oxidation of different combustion gas components with different optimal oxidation temperature ranges. When used in a thermal power plant, the cooling of exhaust gases can be accomplished by regenerative preheating of combustion air, boiler feedwater or combustion fuel, and the clean exhaust gas can be cooled below the conventional exhaust stack temperature range, thus enhancing power plant efficiency.

Abstract: In a vacuum housing (1), an inner duct (17) is disposed. Quadrupole magnets (superconducting coils) (4) is placed around the inner duct (17) is excited by a DC power supply (10). Quadrupole magnets (4) are cooled by liquid helium contained in a helium housing and outer tubes (2, 3) and is brought into a superconducting state. Pulverized coal X is ejected together with air Y from a header (11) through piping (12) and a valve (13) to a baffle plate (14). Pulverized coal is made to fall into the inner duct (3). Paramagnetic materials such as ash are attracted by magnetic force to the tube and are then collected by a collection tube (26). Combustible diamagnetic materials are collected by a combustible collecting tube (18) extending in the central axis. Intermediate materials are collected by an intermediate collection tube (23) and are put back to the head (11) through a bypass tube (25). There are no mechanical parts in the inner duct (3). Consequently, rotation loss and eddy-current heating are prevented.

Abstract: A compressor control device is presented to control driving power of a compressor of a vehicle air conditioner. The control device is composed of a first means which detects ambient temperature conditions of the vehicle, a second means which decides a necessary air-conditioning capacity according to the ambient temperature conditions and a third means which transmits driving power to the compressor from the engine when the necessary cooling capacity is larger than a reference capacity and from the electric motor when said necessary cooling capacity is not larger than said reference capacity.

Abstract: A new apparatus and process for efficient removal of carbon from fly ash has been developed, whereby carbon removal occurs through oxidation as combustion. The ignition of the carbon is accomplished by bulk heating and molecular impingement of a suspended layer of fly ash by a heated oxidizing gas strewn, and the desired level of carbon burnout is accomplished by maintenance of combustion conditions.

Abstract: A system for pyrolysis of hydrocarbon constituents of waste material including a treatment unit featuring a retort with a ellipsoidal cross-section forming a first retort half and a second retort half, the material to be treated being selectively deposited in only one half of the retort at a time during any given period of system operation, to avoid abrasion and wear of the half not in use, thus effectively doubling the life of the retort component. Another feature of a treatment unit according to the invention is a heat reclamation arrangement that introduces gases that have first been combusted to supply heat energy to the retort through a conduit directly into the interior of the retort, to improve the efficiency with which pyrolysis takes place. Further, the treatment unit has an exhaust and cleaning arrangement to render gases produced during pyrolysis substantially free of pollutants such that the gases can be vented to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for self cleaning a thermal oxidizer that is thermally treating and decontaminating gases is disclosed. The apparatus for self cleaning the thermal oxidizer can clean the accumulated dust out from inside the thermal oxidizer without requiring disassembly of the unit. The apparatus for self cleaning can also accomplish this cleaning cycle without interrupting the normal operation of the thermal oxidizer. Dust cleaned out from the apparatus for self cleaning the thermal oxidizer is decontaminated by the same thermal treatment that decontaminates the gases processed by the thermal oxidizer. Many of the existing thermal oxidizers already in operation can be retrofitted to become self cleaning thermal oxidizers. It is also possible to include the apparatus for self cleaning in a new thermal oxidizer.

Abstract: A refrigerant expansion device for a refrigeration cycle comprises a housing, a passage formed penetrating the housing, an expansion means for expanding the refrigerant passing through the passage and a flow rate control means for bypassing some of the refrigerant passing through the expansion means according to the pressure of the refrigerant, for supplying to the low pressure portion of the passage, and for controlling the flow rate of the refrigerant through the expansion means.

Abstract: A detecting device for a vehicle includes an inside air temperature sensor for an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system includes an air duct having a horizontal duct, and the horizontal duct is disposed in a receiving passage of a ceiling of the vehicle. The horizontal duct includes a connection duct portion having a U-shaped bottom wall portion. The inside air temperature sensor is disposed in the U-shaped bottom wall portion at a position proximate to an opening portion of an inner wall of a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a suction cover is attached to the opening portion of the inner wall of the passenger compartment. Thus, the inside air temperature sensor accurately detects a temperature of inside air in the passenger compartment without being affected by an amount of sunlight entering the passenger compartment or the other conditions.

Abstract: Combustible gases from a solid fuel are produced by pyrolyzing the fuel in a pyrolyzer which also produces carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material from the pyrolyzer is combusted in a furnace to produce combustion products that include hot flue gases and ash particulate. The combustion products are separated into a plurality of streams, one of which contains flue gases, and another of which contains hot ash which is directed into the pyrolyzer. Finally, the stream of flue gases from the furnace is used to dry the fuel that is supplied to said pyrolyzer.

Abstract: The method of an apparatus for incinerating and melting wastes along with incombustible materials in the wastes which comprise introducing wastes in a horizontal rotary furnace, incinerating the wastes at a temperature from 800.degree. C. to 1,200.degree. C., and melting the ashes of the wastes together with the remaining products which are vitrified at a temperature of more than 1,600.degree. C., by an oxygen type burner in which an oxygen-fuel mixture has an oxygen content of 50% in the mixture. The exhaust gas generated in the incineration and melting processes is introduced to a dust collector for cleaning the exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an indirect-fired, stationary tube, gas/solids or solids/solids, full ceramic pyroprocessing furnace-reactor that uses heat-resistant conveyors to propel solids through the stationary tube.

Abstract: A receiver is located in a refrigerating circuit that includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator. The receiver receives and temporarily reserves liquefied refrigerant sent from the compressor by way of the condenser. The expansion valve atomizes the liquefied refrigerant sent from the receiver and supplies the atomized refrigerant to the evaporator. The receiver includes a tank for reserving the liquefied refrigerant sent from the condenser and a head portion located on the tank. The head portion houses the expansion valve. The expansion valve includes a restricting mechanism for adjusting the flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator from the tank and a control mechanism for controlling the restricting mechanism in accordance with the temperature of the refrigerant transferred to the compressor from the evaporator.

Abstract: A rotary combustor is disclosed in which a plurality of tubes connect a first header to a second header, and in which the first and second headers have a plurality of baffles dividing them into a plurality of chambers. In accordance with the invention, a branch pipe is located at the extreme end of a first of the chambers for admitting fluid to the first chamber, such that the fluid flows through a first set of tubes to a second chamber and then through a second set of tubes and is returned to another chamber and exits through a second branch pipe disposed at an extreme end of the chamber. The structure made in accordance with the present invention exhibits a relative flow pattern between the chambers that is a counterflow, thereby improving the performance of the combustor. preferably, the tubes are grouped in plurality of pairs of tubes, and the chambers include relatively smaller chambers and relatively larger chambers.

Abstract: An improved distribution system for an evaporator. The system comprises an evaporator having a plurality of heat exchange flow paths; and an evaporator distributor operably connecting the plurality of flow paths to an evaporator inlet. The system includes an impingement device having an outlet operably connected to the evaporator inlet and having at least a pair of fluid inlets arranged so that fluid entering through either of the fluid inlets directly impinges upon fluid entering the other fluid inlet thereby providing a churned up fluid to the impingement device outlet. Additionally, the system includes an expansion device having an inlet and an outlet; and a separator having a separator inlet connected to the expansion valve outlet and having at least a pair of outlets. The separator is arranged to divide fluid from the expansion device into several streams and direct those streams to its outlets.

Abstract: A burner for combustion of a pulverized coal mixture having two kinds of rich and lean concentration has, a height of a burner panel reduced and the overall burner simplified. A rich/lean separator (10, 20, 30) is provided within a pulverized coal conduit (2) so that a high concentration mixture is formed in an outer peripheral portion and a low concentration mixture is formed in a central portion within a single pulverized coal conduit. Thus, a rich mixture burner and a lean mixture burner, which have been conventionally provided separately, may be formed into a single burner. Recirculation of air is accelerated by a cutaway slit (20d, 30d) provided in a central portion of the rich/lean separator to make the air flow rate distribution uniform in a pulverized coal nozzle. Also, a duct and an air blow box for the combustion air to be supplied to the pulverized coal flame are not integrally formed continuous in the height direction, but are divided into a plurality of discontinuous units.

Abstract: A vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling a liquid in which there is a spray dispenser for distributing liquid refrigerant over the tubes in a shell-and-tube type evaporator. The differential pressure in the refrigerant flow loop across the evaporator is the sole means of producing a flow through the spray dispenser. The evaporator is operated as a hybrid falling film heat exchanger, that is, in a semi-flooded condition. The lower portion of the evaporator shell is flooded with liquid refrigerant to wet the lower tubes in the tube bundle while the tubes in the upper portion are wetted only by refrigerant spray from the spray dispenser. The system is operated in a steady state condition whereby at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the tubes in the evaporator operate in a flooded heat transfer mode. The system allows a reduction in the amount of refrigerant charge in the system while at the same time avoiding the use of a recirculating system and pump.

Abstract: An individual key, a stoker incorporating a plurality of the keys, or a furnace incorporating the stoker which includes a key apparatus having a mounting surface dimensioned and configured for sliding engagement with an associated arm, the mounting surface is disposed on the bottom of the key, an upper face receives associated fuel to be burned, a first side having a first contour, and a second side having a second contour. The second contour is different than the first contour. In some forms of the invention the first contour and the second contour are dimensioned and configured for meshing engagement whereby a first side of a first key will mesh with a second side of a second key when a plurality of the identical keys are arrayed in side abutting relationship. The first contour may includes a first lip and the second contour may include a second lip and the the first lip may be disposed at a different elevation than the second lip.

Abstract: A blower fan assembly for removing combusted by-products and flue gas from a furnace is presented. The blower fan assembly includes a housing with a cavity for receiving a blower fan. The housing is secured over an opening in a furnace so that when the blower fan rotates, flue gas is drawn from the furnace to an exhaust conduit outside the building in which the furnace is received. The blower fan includes a fan ring connected to a fan disc by a plurality of vanes which are parallel with the axis of rotation. A motor, mounted to the housing, rotates the fan disc. The blower fan draws air in through the fan ring, through the plurality of vanes and out through the exhaust conduit. A static pressure tap is located in the housing and is connected to a pressure sensor which measures the static pressure generated by the blower fan as it rotates.

Abstract: A primary compressor and a booster compressor connected in series is presented. A first conduit connects the low side of a heating/cooling or refrigeration system to the inlet of the booster compressor, the outlet of the booster compressor and the inlet of the primary compressor. A second conduit connects the outlet of the primary compressor to the high side of the system. The first conduit includes a check valve for closing or opening the connection between the first conduit and the outlet of the booster compressor. A sump conduit is positioned near the bottom of the primary and booster compressors to allow lubricant to flow from the booster compressor to the primary compressor.