Abstract: Sifting apparatus, for sifting solid particles from a gaseous or liquid fluid, having a rotating conical filter and fan blade assembly connected to the filter exterior, both rotated together by a motor/pulley assembly, the fan blades slanted in a direction opposite the rotation direction, so that air is drawn through the filter from its interior to its exterior, having an inlet for admission of air only at the narrow end of the filter, and having a receptacle for collection of the particles at the broad end of the filter. Applications include cleaning of particle contaminants from air; cleaning beach sand by sifting out broken glass, sea weed or other debris; extraction of mineral particles from water slurry; collection of soil samples picked up by an air stream; lawn maintenance collection of weeds, leaves and burrs; biohazard removal operations; and an alternative to auger food particle transport in food processing.

Abstract: Sifting apparatus, for sifting solid particles from a gaseous or liquid fluid, having a rotating conical filter and fan blade assembly connected to the filter exterior, both rotated together by a motor/pulley assembly, the fan blades slanted in a direction opposite the rotation direction, so that air is drawn through the filter from its interior to its exterior, having an inlet for admission of air only at the narrow end of the filter, and having a receptacle for collection of the particles at the broad end of the filter. Applications include cleaning of particle contaminants from air; cleaning beach sand by sifting out broken glass, sea weed or other debris; extraction of mineral particles from water slurry; collection of soil samples picked up by an air stream; lawn maintenance collection of weeds, leaves and burrs; biohazard removal operations; and an alternative to auger food particle transport in food processing.

Abstract: Sifting apparatus, for sifting solid particles from a gaseous or liquid fluid, having a rotating conical filter and fan blade assembly connected to the filter exterior, both rotated together by a motor/pulley assembly, the fan blades slanted in a direction opposite the rotation direction, so that air is drawn through the filter from its interior to its exterior, having an inlet for admission of air only at the narrow end of the filter, and having a receptacle for collection of the particles at the broad end of the filter. Applications include cleaning of particle contaminants from air; cleaning beach sand by sifting out broken glass, sea weed or other debris; extraction of mineral particles from water slurry; collection of soil samples picked up by an air stream; lawn maintenance collection of weeds, leaves and burrs; biohazard removal operations; and an alternative to auger food particle transport in food processing.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater includes at least first (7) and second (11) adjacent heating zones. The first heating zone (7) includes a first heating element portion (5) and the second heating zone includes a second heating element portion (9). An electrical terminal (19) is provided at a periphery of the heater for connecting the first and second heating element portions to a source of electrical energy. The heating element portions (5, 9) are integral with conjoined ends connected to a first electrical connector (21), with one free end connected to a second electrical (23) connector, and with another free end connected to a third electrical connector (25). The first, second and third electrical connectors include means for connecting to the heating element portions in such a way that the heating element portions are not deflected from their intended path to any substantial extent.

Abstract: A radiant heater for a glass ceramic top cooking appliance includes a base of thermal and electrical insulating material and at least first and second heating elements arranged such that at least the first heating element provided in a first heating zone is adjacent to at least the second heating element provided in a second heating zone, the first heating element comprising a bright radiating element. A peripheral wall of thermal insulating material surrounds the heating elements and a dividing wall is arranged between the first and second heating elements and extends to a height substantially the same as that of the peripheral wall. A plurality of passages communicates between the first and second heating zones and is disposed in the region of the base of the dividing wall such that, when the bright radiating element is energized, light from the bright radiating element laterally illuminates the second heating zone through the passages.

Abstract: A visual indication is provided in a heater of an electric cooking appliance which incorporates a user-operable multi-position switch for switching the heater from one power output to another. The heater incorporates at least one heating element which is capable of emitting a significant amount of visible radiation, the at least one heating element being de-energized and subsequently re-energized as the heater is switched from one power output to another. Such a heater is of particular value where the heating element is capable of emitting fewer distinct levels of visible radiation than the number of distinct heat settings of the heater selectable from the multi-position switch. The heating element may be de-energized and subsequently re-energized only between adjacent heat settings in which there is no substantial change in the level of visible radiation.

Abstract: In a radiant heater having multiple heating zones there is provided a first heating zone incorporating at least one heating element and a second heating zone incorporating at least first and second heating elements. A thermal cut-out device includes a temperature sensor which passes through at least the first heating zone and which is responsive solely to heat emitted in the first heating zone. A manually operable switch permits switching between first and second heating states. In the first heating state, the at least one heating element in the first heating zone is energised alone, while in the second heating state the at least one heating element in the first heating zone is electrically connected in series with the second heating element of the second heating zone, the at least one heating element and the second heating element being energised in parallel with the first heating element of the second heating zone.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (10) includes a layer of microporous thermal insulation (16) in a metal dish (12) and a peripheral wall (18) of ceramic fibre. A circular tungsten-halogen heating lamp (22) is supported in the dish above the insulation by its ends and by a protrusion (46) extending from the silica envelope (26) of the lamp. The protrusion extends sideways and is clamped between the insulation and the peripheral wall, and comprises a sealed exhaust tube used to evacuate and back-fill the lamp during its manufacture. Downwardly extending protrusions (120, 718) may be used instead of or in addition to sideways ones. A ridge (48) of the insulating material may also be provided, projecting up to engage with the underside of the lamp. This ridge may cooperate with the protrusion or with a clip (614) extending above the lamp to retain the lamp in position.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (20) includes a layer of microporous thermal insulation (16) in a metal dish (12) and a peripheral wall (18) of ceramic fibre. A circular tungsten-halogen heating lamp (22) is supported in the dish above the insulation by its ends and by a protrusion (46) extending from the silica envelope (26) of the lamp. The protrusion extends sideways and is clamped between the insulation and the peripheral wall, and comprises a sealed exhaust tube used to evacuate and back-fill the lamp during its manufacture. Downwardly extending protrusions (120, 718) may be used instead of or in addition to sideways ones. A ridge (48) of the insulating material may also be provided, projecting up to engage with the underside of the lamp. This ridge may cooperate with the protrusion or with a clip (614) extending above the lamp to retain the lamp in position.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater arrangement for connection to a power supply system providing first and second different power supply voltages, for example 120 volts and 240 volts, includes a heater having at least first and second heating elements, a rectifier and a switch coupled to the heating elements and to the rectifier. The switch is able to couple the heating elements and the rectifier in a number of different configurations including (a) coupling the heating elements selectively in series and in parallel with one another; (b) coupling the heating elements selectively to the first and second power supply voltages; and (c) coupling the rectifier selectively in series with at least one of the heating elements, thus providing a plurality of user selected power output levels of the heater. Where three or more heating elements are provided, at least one of the heating elements is preferably an infra-red lamp.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater (10) includes a layer of microporous thermal insulation (16) in a metal dish (12) and a peripheral wall (18) of ceramic fibre. A circular tungsten-halogen heating lamp (22) is supported in the dish above the insulation by its ends and by a protrusion (46) extending from the silica envelope (26) of the lamp. The protrusion extends sideways and is clamped between the insulation and the peripheral wall, and comprises a sealed exhaust tube used to evacuate and back-fill the lamp during its manufacture. Downwardly extending protrusions (120, 718) may be used instead of or in addition to sideways ones. A ridge (48) of the insulating material may also be provided, projecting up to engage with the underside of the lamp. This ridge may cooperate with the protrusion or with a clip (614) extending above the lamp to retain the lamp in position.

Abstract: A radiant electric heater has one or more infra-red image (22, 24) having a relatively high temperature coefficient of resistance. To reduce the inrush current when the lamps are first energized, a series resistance coil (54) is provided together with circuitry (64, 68, 70) to bypass the series resistance after a short time interval. Because the energy dissipated in the coil is relatively limited. It can be concealed beneath a peripheral insulating well (18) of the heater.

Abstract: An electric heater assembly for a glass ceramic top cooker includes a plurality of electric heating elements, a thermal cut-out device incorporating a first set of contacts for controlling the supply of electric current to at least one of the heating elements, and a relay associated with the thermal cut-out device and incorporating a second set of contacts for controlling the supply of electric current to at least another of the heating elements. In the event of the thermal cut-out device detecting a first predetermined temperature the first set of contacts moves from a first position to a second position causing the second set of contacts to move from a first position to a second position and in co-operation with the second set of contacts connects the heating elements in a lower power configuration or cuts off the supply of electric power to the heating elements.