Abstract: A boiler or vapor generator using catalytic combustion of hydrocarbons to evaporate a fluid passed through pipes operates in accordance with the principles of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,908,602 and 3,952,707 and comprises vertically disposed catalyst elements within a thermally insulated housing. The space between the catalyst elements, which face one another, is occupied by a pair of coiled tubes which are superposed so as to be imbricated in one another. The tube coils shield the catalyst elements from radiation interchange of heat. The two coiled tubes are connected with a lower supply tube and an upper collector and are traversed by the liquid to be vaporized and heated so as to form a wall without interstices between the catalyst panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to rotary engines of the type comprising a casing, assembled with two transverse end-plates and constituting a stator equipped with fluid-admission and exhaust tubes; a rotor associated with means for displacing said rotor in the stator so as to form working chambers with this latter; and rectilinear segments freely mounted in rectilinear grooves provided respectively along generator lines of said casing, corresponding to the separation edges of the working chambers on the internal surfaces of each end-plate, following at least three directions and forming a polygon surrounding the rotor-displacement means by virtue of a crossed arrangement, by overlapping of segments in pairs, especially along the radial directions corresponding to said casing segments and extending at least up to a segment of said polygon, each of these segments co-operating with other segments by slots or notches forming expansion clearances.

Abstract: A hot-fluid generator, e.g. for heating water or producing steam, which comprises at least two vertical spaced-apart catalyst elements for the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel to generate heat, a thin hollow vertical panel of heat-conductive material interposed between and substantially coextensive with the broad catalyst surfaces of the elements and a supply pipe below the panel and a distribution pipe above the panel for respectively supplying fluid to and removing it from the panel. When the catalyst elements are coaxial cylinders, the thin hollow panel or vessel is also a cylinder coaxial with the catalyst elements. Where the catalyst elements are generally planar, a dome-shaped vessel can communicate with the panel and be provided with passages for the exhaust gases. Transfer vessels can be provided along opposite vertical edges of the main vessel or panel and the vessels can be provided with horizontally extending fins projecting into the space between the catalyst elements.