Abstract: A burner system is provided which creates standing waves in the gas/air flow within the burner so as to vary the pressure distribution along the length of the burner and thus the heights of the flames produced along the length of the burner. By changing the standing waves, the pressure distributions within the burner are changed, thereby causing the burner to produce changing flame patterns that simulate realistic wood burning flame patterns. In another embodiment, two orthogonal or sinusoidal gas/air flows offset by a phase angle are generated within the burner creating a beat frequency. By varying the phase angle offset, the rate of occurrence of the beats defining the beat frequency are varied resulting in the variation of the pressure distribution within the burner. Consequently, the flame patterns generated by the burner are varied simulating the appearance of realistic wood burning flame patterns.

Abstract: A burner assembly for use in a gas burning fireplace for producing flame patterns simulating flame patterns produced by real burning wood, and a method for producing such flame patterns. A preferably cylindrical bluff body is placed into the gas flow path from a supply line dividing the flow into a first and a second flow and generating Karman vortices within each flow. The vortices between the two flows are staggered. Each flow enters into a burner and exits through the burner ports where it is ignited to produce a flame pattern. The vortices create a rotating turbulence within each flow such that each flow has relatively steady flow portions alternating with turbulent rotating portions. This variance in the flow results in flames that have varying intensity, as well as color, and produces flame patterns simulating those produced by real burning wood.

Abstract: A wood burning stove incorporates a catalytic cell for reducing exhaust emissions from the stove. A pair of heat shields are spaced from opposing surfaces of a combustor to exchange thermal radiation with the combustor. The combustor is oriented at an acute angle to enhance the combustor life. One of the heat shields also functions as a deflector for deflecting exhaust toward the combustor. A secondary air unit supplies secondary air to the vicinity of the combustor. A dynamic grate assembly is employed to prevent under firing of the firebox.

Abstract: A wood burning stove incorporates a catalytic cell for reducing exhaust emissions from the stove. A pair of heat shields are spaced from opposing surfaces of a combustor to exchange thermal radiation with the combustor. The combustor is oriented at an acute angle to enhance the combustor life. One of the heat shields also functions as a deflector for deflecting exhaust toward the combustor. A secondary air unit supplies secondary air to the vicinity of the combustor. A dynamic grate assembly is employed to prevent under firing of the firebox.

Abstract: This invention is directed to means for expediting the fabrication of selectively-manifolded honeycomb structures for use as fluid filter elements. The method comprises the use of flexible masks which are properly aligned to the end faces of a honeycomb structure utilizing vibratory motion in conjunction with a locating wire. By varying the configuration of the masks, it is possible to fabricate a fluid filter element having a center zone which is selectively manifolded and an outer portion wherein at least the ends of the honeycomb structure cells are completely filled.