Abstract: An improved friction heater with driveshaft that rotates one frictional part relative to another interfitted with it provides, on the driveshaft, screw-and-inertia member to release frictional force between the frictional parts when the frictional parts are being stopped, permitting use of a less powerful drive for start-up and lighter structural support. The interfitted frictional parts are conical in shape and also have automatic-driveshaft release to prevent overheating from wear at the frictional interface after long use. The release provision includes a slot in the lower part of the rotor and a transverse pin in the driveshaft, that engages the slot for normal driving operation. When as result of wear, the relative axial position of rotor and housing changes sufficiently to pass out of the range of normal operation, the slot and pin automatically and correspondingly pass from engagement with each other.

Abstract: A friction boiler system has a rotary member frictionally engaging a housing having adjustable fit to the rotary member. The rotary member has a gray iron cover fixed on it and rotating with it. The housing is in two halves split longitudinally, each half has fixed therein a hemi-cylindrical liner of gray iron for fitting the circumference of the rotary member. To adjust the fit, a wedge on each side, driven by a screw-actuated cam, sets the spacing between the housing halves, against spring bias urging the housing halves together. The screw actuated cam has a straight portion guided by guideways and an angled portion inclined to the direction of wedge motion and riding in a recess in the respective wedge. A heat-transfer circulation system carries fluid heated by the frictional boiler system to point of use, and return, if a closed system is used. An electric motor may be employed as one form of power. Kinetic energy of other origins can be directly and efficiently converted to thermal energy by the system.