Abstract: A collapsible camp stove assembly which is characterized by a lap and groove joint between the bottom and the sides and between the top and the sides such that these basic members do not need secondary members to form suitable joints and such as to form flame and smoke tight joints between these basic members. This collapsible camp stove is adapted to house all the flue sections and other stove accessories therein when in the collapsed mode. The collapsible camp stove assembly includes a bottom, a top and sides; the bottom and the top have peripheral flanges cooperatively engaging each other and forming an enclosure for the sides and other members when the stove is collapsed and the sides form lap and groove joints with the bottom and the top when the stove is installed.

Abstract: A solar heat collecting building block, having top, bottom, front, back and side surfaces, the block having at least one vertical passage extending therethrough from the bottom surface to the top surface, the top surface having an upper portion which protrudes above the plane of the top surface, the bottom surface having a recessed portion for mating receipt of the upper portion of another block, the front surface of the block having at least one transparent member embedded therein to allow solar rays to pass therethrough and strike the interior portions of said block and heat the same.

Abstract: A thermally responsive valve assembly comprising a two-portion valve body, one portion of which includes two nipples each having a passage therein. One of the nipples extends generally axially of the valve body and the other nipple extends generally perpendicularly to the first nipple with the passage in one of the nipples constituting an inlet passage and with the passage in the other nipple constituting an outlet passage with communication between the passages within the first portion of the valve body, and with one of the passages having a valve seat. Valve means are provided in the valve body for movement into and out of engagement with the valve seat, thereby selectively to block communication between the passages. The valve means comprises a dish-shaped thermostatic disk which is responsive to variations in temperature and changes in curvature from a first position in which the disk is bowed away from the valve seat and a second position in which the disk is bowed toward the valve seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for utilizing the head from the sun's rays as a source of energy for heating a liquid which may be stored and/or circulated through a heating system for heating homes or other areas by providing a plurality of individually adjustable lenses divided into groups, each group adapted to focus the sun's rays on a heat absorbing member at consecutive periods during the daylight hours as the sun changes its position.

Abstract: In a circulating water heater, a water heater is located in a flow circuit connected in parallel with a domestic water circuit. A heating circuit is connected in parallel with the domestic water circuit. A change-over valve interconnects the flow circuit containing the water heater with the domestic water circuit and the valve is also connected to the heating circuit. A short-circuit line including a pump interconnects the supply flow line and the return flow line in the flow circuit containing the water heater.

Abstract: A solar heat collector having an enclosure, a first receptacle for a heated liquid medium, and a second receptacle for a cooled liquid medium. Heat transfer means within the enclosure provide for the transfer of heat either to or from a liquid medium therein. Additionally, the heating enclosure may include a closure member which is transparent to radiant energy from the sun. Means may be provided to move the closure member between an opened and a closed position in response to the intensity of radiant energy which impinges on the closure member. First means may then be provided to convey a liquid medium from the first receptacle through the heat transfer means and back to the first receptacle with the closure in a closed position. Also, second means may be provided to convey a liquid medium from the second receptacle through the heat transfer means and then back to the second receptacle with the closure member in an opened position.

Abstract: The servo tracker of the instant invention comprises an apparatus for positioning of a major reflector to compensate for relative movement between the Earth and Sun. A base member supports a movable major reflector and a fixedly positioned minor reflector. The major reflector is movable in both a north/south and east/west direction. When correctly positioned, the major reflector directs the light rays of the Sun toward a major target where useful energy is produced. When correctly positioned, a portion of the reflected light rays from the major reflector are reflected by the minor reflector toward a minor target positioned adjacent a pair of sensors. When the major reflector is improperly positioned due to relative movement between the Sun and Earth, the reflected light rays from the minor reflector are directed toward one of the sensors depending at which axis the major reflector is improperly positioned and the direction required for repositioning to a correct position.

Abstract: A hinge is provided for pivotally connecting the bowl and cover of a substantially rectangular portable outdoor grill for cooking. The grill hinge comprises two sets of two hinge members, each set being pivotally attached to opposing sides of the grill. The hinge members are interchangeable between the "left-hand" and "right-hand" sides of the grill. The first and second hinge members of each set pivot in spaced relation to one another between closed and open positions of the cover. When in the open position, the first hinge member of a set bears upon the grill bowl and the second hinge member of the set bears upon the first hinge member over a substantial area to hold the cover in a desired open position.

Abstract: This insert device consists primarily of a flanged and perforated sleeve to which is secured, a plate with opening means for a flame produced by a fuel and air mixture, and the insert sleeve is secured to the inner periphery of a heater pipe or chimney. This device includes an optional ring, which can be used in heaters without forced air-feed, and the device is adaptable for orchard-space heaters and smoke-stacks.

Abstract: A thermally controlled steam trap valve with a housing having an internal chamber which is connected to the inlet and also including an outlet. There is a valve seat disposed in the housing for covering the outlet and a valve shaft which has a spherically shaped valve member mounted on the shaft for closing off the valve seat in response to a bimetallic element. Guide pin elements in the form of bushings are disposed in the housing at opposite ends of the shaft and have diametrical clearances which are coordinates with the axial spaces between the center point of the spherical valve member and the points of contact with the shaft with the guide bushings. In another embodiment the valve seat has a yoke with ribs extending over the bimetallic element. The valve member has radial guide shoulders which include openings for the discharge which cooperate with the inner wall of one of the bushings.

Abstract: An open rectangular box frame supports a removable open top drip pan on a fireplace hearth immediately in front of the fireplace fire box. A modified rectangular grill frame is pivotably mounted to and above the box frame at one rear corner and supports a removable grill. The grill rotates from a position within the fire box and above the flame to a position outside of the fire box and overlying the drip pan.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a web of material of indefinite length consists of a generally rectangular chamber having a single opening at the top and a screen arranged within the chamber to asymmetrically sag in a shape of approximately elliptical cross-section and means for introducing a web treatment medium into the chamber. This apparatus is advantageously combined with a flow-through reversible drum treatment chamber having within a casing a periodically reversed rotating drum through which a web of material is received in the relaxed state travelling continuously through the interior of the drum and means for controllably conditioning air and introducing the air into the drum.

Abstract: A ventilator adapted to project a uniform air curtain of high velocity and of high pressure. The ventilator is in the form of an elongated air pump in which a rotor shaft is mounted eccentrically within an open coil helix lining the tubular casing of a stator assembly having parallel intake and outlet slots extending the full length of the casing. The shaft is provided with centrifugal vanes which are caused by centrifugal force to engage the convolution of the helix and to slide therealong, whereby the helix functions to engage the vanes without interfering with the flow of air into the pump and its ejection through the outlet.

Abstract: This Application discloses an air vent cover assembly for a vent opening in an enclosed structure such as a boat cabin compartment. The assembly includes a connecting ring which is attached to the vent opening in the structure, and a detachable air scoop member having a snap ring which attaches onto an external groove on the upper portion of the connecting ring. The vent assembly is so arranged and constructed as to eliminate all fasteners on the outside of the vent cover or scoop.

Abstract: Heat exchange means for use in combination with flue means conducting heated gases from a combustion zone and for extraction of thermal energy from the heated gases. A casing means is provided defining an enclosure with a central axis, and having fresh air chambers at opposed ends of the casing, and with a heat exchange chamber disposed between the fresh air chambers. Heat exchange conduits couple the opposed fresh air chambers, with the heat exchange conduits extending through the heat exchange chamber about an annular zone spaced outwardly from the central axis. A pair of baffle plates are provided within the heat exchange chamber, with the plates being arranged at opposed ends of the chamber, and with one baffle plate being movable axially. The controllable positioning of the movable baffle plate defines the axial length of the heat exchange conduits exposed to heated flue gases moving through the heat exchange chamber.

Abstract: A portable cooking unit for use with charcoal or similar fuel comprises dished fuel trays open at both ends and joined pivotally to a frame for movement between a raised substantially vertical portion, in which they are adjacent one another, and a lowered substantially horizontal cooking position. Perforate grills are positionable in grill support means located in the fuel trays to retain fuel in the fuel trays for lighting when the fuel trays are in their raised position, and to cook on when the fuel trays are in their lowered position. A top damper is positionable over the upper open end of the fuel trays when they are in their raised position to smother the fuel when cooking is finished.

Abstract: Air is vented from steam-charged heating pipes of a tubular rotary dryer via connector pipes and a collecting pipe which is disposed circumferentially around the dryer drum. Holding blocks provided with inwardly-biased rollers support the collecting pipe for longitudinal movement on the exterior wall of the dryer drum.

Abstract: A solar panel assembly consisting essentially of a heat-collector fluid passage through which the air, for example, to be heated is passed for heating by convection and radiation. The panel comprises a ray-absorbing back or inner panel and a ray-passing diaphanous outer panel which is spaced forwardly thereof to provide the air passage through which the air to be heated is passed. The outer panel is so formed relative to the rear panel that the air passing through the passage is caused to travel in intimate contact with the ray-absorbing panel so that the absorbed heat will be effectively transferred to the passing air. This is accomplished by having the cooperating panels produce successive transverse slots in the direction of flow of the air stream which are constricted to offer resistance to the flow of the air stream to increase its velocity over the ray-absorbing rear panel with a minimum decrease in the pressure of the stream, much like a Venturi tube.

Abstract: A process for storing and preserving grain once it has been cured by promoting hydrolysis of the grain starches and proteins to thereby alter the grain composition to a more usable state and to effect and increase in the dry weight of the grain.

Abstract: A modular direct solar heat window unit comprising a vertically disposed frame having a lower window unit at the lower end thereof and a pair of upper window units positioned above the lower window unit. A ventilating window unit is provided in the upper end of the frame. The lower window unit comprises a pair of horizontally spaced and vertically disposed window members with each of the upper window units comprising a pair of window members which are disposed at an angle to the horizontal. A first panel member is hingedly secured at its lower end about a horizontal axis to the frame at the lower end thereof and is movable from a closed position adjacent the lower window unit to an open position. In the closed position, the first panel member protects and insulates the lower window unit. In the open position, the reflective inner surface of the first panel member reflects the rays of the sun into the lower window unit which has a solar heat collector positioned inwardly thereof.