Abstract: A dwelling includes a hot air type solar heat collector for heating rooms and a hot water type solar heat collector for supplying hot water. The former is fitted in that portion of the roofing which is positioned above the dwelling body, while the latter is provided in that portion of the roofing which extends outward over the outer wall of the dwelling body.

Abstract: Fireplace apparatus is disclosed in which combustion air is obtained from outside the structure in which the apparatus is installed and the apparatus is sealed from the structure in which it is installed and the heat from the fireplace is collected from around the fireplace and from above the fireplace in the chimney flue for transmission to other parts of the structure in which the fireplace furnace apparatus is installed for heating purposes.

Abstract: Recirculating natural convection solar energy collectors are disclosed. In one species of the invention, the collector comprises an insulated housing, a cover of glass or other suitable transparent material, a transparent plate of glass or other suitable material mounted inside said housing and spaced apart from the cover, a heat absorber mounted inside the housing and spaced apart from the transparent plate, an air separator mounted inside the housing and spaced apart from the absorber and cover, and a heat exchanger located inside the housing at the top of the housing. The heat absorber is made from a thin sheet of suitable material such as aluminum foil that has a surface coated with a heat absorbing material such as black paint, solar selective black chrome and the like. As the air inside the housing flows over the heat absorber, it is heated and rises to the top of the housing. The heat exchanger at the top of the housing absorbs heat from the hot air thereby cooling the air.

Abstract: Apparatus for photocuring a coating on a moving substrate in a system including a first and second tunnel with a treating chamber located therebetween and housing at least 1 mercury vapor lamp. The mercury vapor lamp has associated therewith a reflector module for directing UV light to the substrate. The reflector module temperature is controlled by physically spacing a liquid cooled heat sink from the reflector module so that only radiation heat transfer occurs therebetween.The method of the invention comprises controlling the temperature of the reflector surface so that the surface is always at a temperature at least as high as the temperature of the coating to be cured.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising a U-shaped absorber sealed in an evacuated cover tube provided with a semi-cylindrical reflector on its inner surface, the U-shaped absorber being arranged between the cover tube axis and the reflector, with the central plane of the U-shaped absorber including the center lines of its legs and coinciding with the symmetry plane of the reflector.

Abstract: A solar heating system comprises a solar panel having a liquid inlet and vapor outlet, a conduit connecting the inlet and outlet and having a fluid pump therealong operable to circulate fluid through the solar panel and conduit, and a vacuum pump operable to maintain the pressure within the solar panel below a predetermined value. A condenser containing heat exchange fluid is in heat exchange contact with the conduit intermediate the vapor outlet and fluid pump, preferably by passing a portion of the conduit through the condenser. The lower portion of a liquid storage tank is connected to the solar panel and houses fluid drained therefrom when the system is not operating, the vacuum pump communicating with the upper portion of the tank to facilitate draining the panel.

Abstract: A portable cooking unit of the type having dished fuel trays pivotally joined to a central frame for movement between raised fuel lighting positions and lowered cooking positions, and having removable grills comprises improved support means for supporting the grills releasably.Bails, which are attached to the fuel trays for supporting them in their lowered positions, have indented medial portions allowing a user's hand to be placed under them for moving the fuel trays to their raised positions when they are hot. The bails are movable between carrying positions for carrying the cooking unit and support positions for supporting the fuel trays when cooking, by means of inwardly facing extensions located at their extremities. The extensions fit rotatably in bores located in the fuel trays allowing the bails to be moved over camming surfaces into detents which retain them in their support positions.

Abstract: A hot air oven for heating food-loaded cartridges, each constituted by a stack of sealed trays comtaining pre-cooked meals nested within an open carton whose side walls have holes therein to admit heated air. The oven includes a rotating turn-table for supporting an annular array of such cartridges, the side walls of which define a hollow center core. A heater assembly produces heated air which is blown by a propeller into the hollow core, some of this air being forced through the holes of the cartons to heat the food in the trays. The remaining portion of the heated air passes through a flow passage below the cartridges to be drawn upwardly by the suction force of the propeller to create an air curtain around the array, thereby creating a toroidal flow pattern which envelops the annular array. The oven is divided by a shield placed within the hollow core into a hot zone and an extra hot zone, the cartridges of the turntable travelling cyclically through these zones.

Abstract: A collector assembly is provided in a semicylindrical configuration with a window exposed to solar radiation and a semicylindrical collector panel inside the housing with the convex face directly exposed to solar radiation and the concave face exposed to reflected radiation from a combination curved reflector surface inside, a portion of which is exposed directly to solar radiation.

Abstract: The device for melting ice at a fish hole in the includes an enclosure having first and second sidewalls hingedly connected to first and second end walls together with a cover formed in two portions, each cover portion hingedly connected to a sidewall. A partial bottom is hingedly connected to an end wall. One of the cover portions is formed with an opening through which a fish line extends into the enclosure with the cover portions closed. One of said cover portions has a baffle connected thereto which extends into the enclosure with a heat shield mounted on the underside of the cover. A cover portion carries a window for visual inspection of an ice hole over which the device is placed. The partial bottom is adapted to mount a source of heat beneath the heat shield and between the baffle and an end wall.

Abstract: A solar energy collector in which one or more sheets of thin transparent material are positioned in the collector housing. The sheets are tensioned on frames which are supported within the housing and the uppermost frame supports a glass cover member.

Abstract: A device is provided for the collection and concentration of radiant energy and includes at least one reflective side wall. The wall directs incident radiant energy to the exit aperture thereof or onto the surface of energy absorber positioned at the exit aperture so that the angle of incidence of radiant energy at the exit aperture or on the surface of the energy absorber is restricted to desired values.

Abstract: A self-contained fireplace and circulating air unit for installation in a building living area which includes a combustion system and an air circulating system. The combustion system includes a fireplace having an open top for exhaust of combustion products and a heat exchanger positioned to intercept the combustion products. The circulating system includes circulating air ducts in communication with the heat exchanger and a blower for circulating air through the ducts and the heat exchanger and through duct work in the building in which the unit is installed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiant energy collector and concentrator having opposed symmetrical concave sides forming a trough. The profile curve of each side wall is comprised of two sections defined by different equations. The top section is a parabola and the bottom section is a straight line or another parabola or other curve.

Abstract: A barbecue comprises a stand supporting a body member arranged to contain a bed of burning fuel and a horizontal grid mounted above the fuel bed, the bed or the grid being mounted on a vertical rotatable shaft, and a motor below the bed connected to the shaft to rotate the shaft continuously, the motor and the shaft being supported by a bearing assembly which is suspended below the body member of the barbecue by support means allowing the bearing assembly to tilt about two perpendicular horizontal axes. The barbeque may be fully portable and dismantled for easy transport.

Abstract: An installation for utilizing solar energy for heating air and delivering heated air to a building or the like includes a solar heat collector, a heat storage unit, a blower for producing the desired air flow and ducting connecting the components to permit operation in various modes. A unitary controller is provided in the form of an enclosure containing a blower and having three air flow ports. Ducting extends between the first port and the collector, between the second port and the heat storage unit, between the third port and the building, and between the building, heat storage unit, and collector. Flow control and directing means unitized within the enclosure establish three different air transport loops through the blower for three different heat transfer modes. A first loop connects the blower, storage unit and collector to deliver heat from the collector to the storage unit. A second loop connects the blower, building and collector to deliver heat from the collector to the building.

Abstract: Heat exchange apparatus for improving the efficiency of a fireplace is disclosed in the form of a plurality of heat transfer conduits connected at one end to a manifold and containing a plurality of heat exchange elements. A fan means directs air through the manifold and then through the conduits for contact with the heat exchange elements to thereby heat the air which is then discharged into a room.

Abstract: Disclosed is a means for heating a space with hot air comprising essentially first and second enclosures, the second enclosure being completely surrounded by and spaced apart from the first enclosure to form an air chamber for the circulation and heating of air. Energy for heating the air is supplied by burning fuel (wood, coal, etc.) disposed on a plurality of spaced apart, grate forming, tubelike members lying in a common plane positioned inside of the second enclosure. A terminal portion of one end of the tubes bridge across the air chamber and the tubes terminal edges are exposed to the space sought to be heated; terminal edges of the other end of the tubes are exposed to and communicate with the air chamber.

Abstract: A solar heater with a collector and an insulating lid operated by water pressure means to cover the collector when the celestial radiation drops below a predetermined value and to uncover the collector when the celestial radiation rises above a predetermined value. The water pressure means may be manually operated or electrically by means of a solenoid type valve activated through one or more heat sensitive devices located near or on the heater.

Abstract: This apparatus is used for drying the gummed flaps of envelopes and includes a drying wheel that rotates within an embracing plenum chamber from which hot air is directed across envelopes carried by the wheel. The wheel includes spaced discs having slots into which the envelopes are guided and held during the drying process, and from which the envelopes are discharged following drying. The slots are of a configuration to apply pressure to the envelopes and thereby ensure that they are retained within the slots against the action of centrifugal forces.