Abstract: The invention relates to a four-port thermally responsive valve for valving two normally closed fluid ports and one pair of normally open fluid ports in response to predetermined temperatures. A single valve member is movably contained within a housing passageway and spring biased in a first position so that a sealing surface at each end of the valve member is respectively engageable with and spaced from corresponding seating surfaces in the passageway for achieving initially open or closed valved conditions between the individual ports in each pair. A centrally located seal ring mounted in the housing passageway and surrounding the valve member isolates one pair of fluid ports from a second pair of fluid ports when the valve member is moved to a second position thereby permitting three valving functions to be attained with one device.

Abstract: A fluid mixing valve construction having a housing provided with a pair of inlets respectively interconnected by a pair of valve seats to an outlet and with a valve member operated by a condition responsive unit for controlling the valve seats in accordance with the condition of fluid passing to the outlet and sensed by the condition responsive unit. A second condition responsive unit is operatively interconnected to the valve member to close one of the valve seats with the valve member if the first mentioned condition responsive unit does not close the one valve seat with the valve member even though the same is sensing a condition that would require the first mentioned condition responsive unit to close the one valve seat whereby the fluid mixing valve construction is substantially fail-safe.

Abstract: An extremely compact, simple and reliable thermostatically control valve for mixing two fluids of different temperatures comprises means for manual adjustment of volume and temperature of the mixed fluids leaving the valve, wherein said adjustment means are disposed for setting a temperature sensible member adapted to control by means of its thermal expansion the position of a control member which in turn controls the volumes of the different fluids in order to maintain the mixed fluid at the temperature set, the supply of one of said fluids being arranged through a pipe extending through said control member and opening in a first chamber communicating with a second chamber wherein said temperature sensitive member is disposed, said fluids being mixed in either of said first or second chambers, and said second chamber being provided with a further communication duct communicating with the outlet of the valve.

Abstract: A thermally responsive valve device having non-linear flow characteristics. The thermally responsive valve device includes movable and stationary valve structure. A movable valve member is movable to adjust the open area of a flow passage, but movement of the movable valve member provides non-linear relationship between the area of the flow passage created and the distance of travel of the movable valve member. The movable and/or the stationary valve member is provided with an irregularly shaped portion so that with slight opening movement of the movable closure member less fluid flow than normal is permitted. As the movable valve member continues to move in an opening direction, the fluid flow increases at a predetermined non-linear rate until a specific flow rate is achieved. This operating characteristic eliminates or dramatically reduces temperature fluctuations in the system.

Abstract: A secondary heat exchanger is connected in the flow path of exhaust gases passing from the exhaust expansion chamber to the flue gas outlet of a pulse combustion system, so as to be heated by the hot exhaust gases flowing therein, and air to be heated is first passed over the exterior of the secondary heat exchanger and then over the exterior of the combustion chamber. The temperature at the outlet end of the secondary heat exchanger is below the condensation point of exhaust gases therein, and the temperature at the inlet end of the secondary heat exchanger is sufficiently low to permit use of a wider range of materials for the secondary heat exchanger. The secondary heat exchanger is made of a material of high thermal conductivity which is corrosion resistant, and increases the thermal efficiency of the system greatly while exerting a muffling action to reduce the noise in the system.

Abstract: Apparatus for drying a continuous advancing strand which apparatus includes a trough with a plurality of spaced grooves extending from openings at the bottom of the trough upwardly along the inside surfaces of the trough. Subatmospheric pressure is created beneath the openings for creating an airflow along the grooves and beneath the strand for drying the surface of the strand. Additionally, a cover with apertures is applied to the trough above the strand.

Abstract: A combination hibachi-type grill and rotisserie comprises at least one fuel tray mounted on a base. Securing means demountably secures a pair of brackets to opposite sides of the tray in vertical arrangement. Mounting means on the brackets rotatably receives a spit longitudinally of the tray. Drive means coupled to the spit drives the same at a predetermined rotational speed.

Abstract: A draft control arrangement having bimetallic damper elements mounted in a draft hood and adapted to change shape in response to temperature change to open and close the flow passage for vent gases from a combustion apparatus. The damper elements are positioned in the hood relatively close to the source of hot flue gases to provide faster opening and less tendency for vent gas spillage. When open the damper elements cooperate with stationary walls of the draft hood so that the resulting streamlined passage presents minimum flow resistance. In certain embodiments the damper elements are arranged to undergo a spreading action during opening movement to achieve a disproportionately large passage for the vent gases during the initial phase of opening. In another embodiment a damper unit is mounted separate from the draft hood and provides the same operating results as the other embodiments.

Abstract: A solar heating panel has a rectangular frame to receive a rectangular metal pan which supports a continuous coil of water tubing which is attached thereto by strips of metal attached to the pan. Preferably, the frame is divided into quadrants by rails. Each quadrant is closed off by a pane of glass cushioned and weather-stripped to the frame and rails. Above the glass is a continuous sheet of a synthetic, highly transparent plastic which is attached to the frame by a gasket. Provision is made for thermal expansion of the various components, for drainage, for prevention of leakage of moisture and for insulation. The panel can be incorporated in a household water heating system and also to heat space. The metal pan has a roughened surface (e.g., pebbled, diamond-embossed) and is painted black. This structure increases the area exposed to the sun, eliminates reflection, interrupts flow of cooling air across the surface of the pan, and reduces the effect of expansion and contraction.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a solar radiation absorbing fluid (i.e.: a black fluid) for direct solar energy to thermal energy transfer. The unique structure of the several disclosed embodiments of this invention provides for a selected distribution and a selected depth of the absorbing fluid in the solar energy exposed area.The disclosed apparatus converts solar radiation energy into thermal energy with higher conversion efficiency, lower material and manufacturing costs and considerable weight reduction compared to conventional solar collectors.

Abstract: A stove for use in an abode and which includes an air intake system and a viewing door. The air intake system inducts air into the stove from outside the abode and includes a draft control mechanism for controlling the amount of air introduced into the stove. The viewing door includes means for slidably receiving a spark screen, a viewing window and a heat shield, which elements can be used singly or in combination, as desired. A latching mechanism on the door enables the door to be closed with varying degrees of tightness. Alternative embodiments include use of the stove in a water heating system and fans convecting air over the stove outside surfaces.

Abstract: A temperature responsive valve assembly includes a body having an inlet port and first and second outlet ports, a thermostatic bimetal disk disposed within the body and responsive to a variation in temperature to change the curvature thereof from a first position to a second position, a first seat portion disposed within a first passage between the inlet port and the first outlet port, a second seat portion disposed within a second passage between the inlet port and the second outlet port, a valve member arranged between the first and second seat portions and engageable with both seat portions, a connecting means following the movement of the bimetal disk to thereby actuate the valve members between a first position wherein the valve member engages with the first seat portion to control the first passage and a second positon wherein the valve member engages with the second seat portion to control the second passage, a seat member having the second seat portion thereon and being adjustably threaded with the bo

Abstract: A hollow cylindrical dryer drum having an outer surface with a working face for heat drying a traveling paper web with a plurality of axially extending bars on the inner surface of the drum and an annular ring dam positioned against the ends of the bars and spaced from one end of the drum to provide a condensate removal channel between the end of the drum and the ring.

Abstract: This invention comprises a furnace heating device having a fire box and hollow tubing extending longitudinally through the internal portion of said fire box through which a heating medium is circulated to outside radiators. The fire box has an ash drawer extending through the bottom portion of the fire box adjacent to the coiled tubing.

Abstract: An inflatable collector for solar energy is provided in which superposed layers of plastic sheet material are heat sealed to one another to provide a pair of layers providing an absorber unit in which the upper layer is pigmented to absorb solar radiation and the pair of layers are sealed to one another in a pattern providing a continuous elongated path. Fluid is supplied to one end of this elongated path and at least one transparent layer is provided overlying the pair of layers, to provide a return space above the pair of layers, and valve means are provided to interconnect the end of the elongated path remote from the fluid supply end with the return space so that fluid heated in the elongated path is further heated in the return space before being withdrawn from the collector.

Abstract: A removable frame supports a spater-intercepting screen positioned adjacent burners of a cooking stove. Grease particles and the like are trapped by the screen to protect walls and appliances near the stove. The screen is substantially transparent and easily cleaned, and in one version can be moved to a retracted position in the frame when the stove is not in use.

Abstract: A barbecue burner of the type of an upright container. The bottom and virtually all of the side walls of the container are imperforate, except for a narrow, horizontally elongated slot near the top of one of the side walls renders the burner particularly suitable for fast burning fuel such as paper. The barbecue is particularly suitable for outdoor activities as it can be folded and utilizes fuel of the type of old newspapers or the like, thus avoiding the need of relatively bulky and unclean conventional barbecue fuel.

Abstract: The grill body is an integral member, preferably made of microcrystalline glass and formed with opposed series of corresponding pairs of upwardly opening saddles at each of two different intermediate levels in two opposed sidewalls. Each pair of saddles receives the opposite ends of a metal bar or the like, to provide two levels of support bars. Preferably, the support bars at each level are not interconnected by cross-bars so they may be removed, cleaned and even replaced individually. Particular gas burner and electric heating element constructions are illustrated.

Abstract: A device for collecting solar heat energy in which a transparent glass or plastic member, preferably extruded, is provided with the body having upper and lower and peripheral walls with integral passages extending therethrough parallel and spaced from the top and bottom walls and through which fluid is passed. On opposite sides of the passages, dead gas spaces are formed in the body of the glass or plastic material for insulating purposes. The collector according to the present invention can be mounted in a frame and tilted by an automatic device so as always to present the device in a plane substantially normal to the direction of solar radiation.

Abstract: A fluid flow controller is disclosed particularly adapted for maintaining a variable value constant volume fluid flow through a conduit supplying fluid to a zone. A spring biased vane is disposed across the diameter of the conduit to provide a motion signal proportional to the average volume flow pressure across the diameter of the conduit. The motion signal from the vane and a transducer within a zone to which the fluid is being conducted responsive to an environmental parameter in the zone are connected to a controller assembly connected to control an actuator moving a damper within the conduit. The controller is adapted to position the damper to maintain the motion signal from the vane and the signal from the transducer within the controlled zone in balance.This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 711,066 filed Aug. 2, 1976, now abandoned.