Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A shut-off valve for use with high pressure gas cylinders is disclosed which is adapted to automatically retain a residual pressure in the cylinder. The valve includes a check plug axially moveable within the housing which has a hard sealing surface, for establishing high pressure seals and a soft sealing surface for establishing low pressure seals. The plug is spring-biased into the closed position with force selected so that it automatically closes and seals the interior of the cylinder once the gas pressure in the cylinder drops to or below a predetermined threshold pressure.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders having radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An operational recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A pulse combustion energy system including a pulse combustor coupled to a processing tube for flowing material to be processed therethrough, the processing tube being coupled to a pair of cyclone collectors for receiving the material flowing therefrom. An optional recycling section is coupled to the cyclone collectors for flowing vapor from the cyclone collectors back to the upstream end of the processing tube. The pulse combustor includes a rotary valve, a combustion chamber, an inner tail pipe and an outer tail pipe. The combustion chamber and inner tail pipe are conical and tubular sections mounted in longitudinal compression, and the compressive forces are transmitted externally across the junction of the combustion chamber and tail pipe by a strongback assembly. The rotary valve includes first, second, and third closely adjacent cylinders defining an interior air chamber. The cylinders have radially oriented, substantially aligned apertures which define an air intake.

Abstract: A combined manual and pressure-responsive shut-off valve, intended particularly for use with high pressure gas cylinders, is disclosed. The valve includes a single seat and a single plug, the plug having a first sealing surface for closing against a low residual pressure in the cylinder and a second sealing surface for closing against a relatively high cylinder pressure. A pressure-responsive actuator engages the first sealing surface against the seat whenever pressure in the cylinder falls below a predetermined minimum. A manual actuator engages the second sealing surface against the valve seat to close against a wide range of pressures. The seat is specifically configured to conform to the plug. Means are provided for refilling the cylinder without removing the combined valve. In one embodiment, a special tool is provided for opening the pressure-responsive actuator. In a second embodiment, a bypass check valve is provided to allow gas to flow into the cylinder.

Abstract: A furnace includes a downdraft combustion chamber, a burner mounted at the top of a combustion chamber for burning particulate ash-containing fuel, and a generally horizontal duct near the lower end of the combustion chamber for withdrawing hot gases rsulting from the combustion. The combustion chamber is downwardly tapered to a relatively small conduit, downward into which molten slag from the ash flows. The slag, upon passing through the conduit, passes into and through a downwardly open slag-receiving chamber below the combustion chamber. The slag falls through out the bottom of the slag-receiving chamber into a volume of water immediately below. A portion of the hot gases is diverted through the slag-receiving chamber in order to maintain the slag-receiving chamber at a sufficiently high temperature so that the slag passing therethrough is prevented from solidifying. The portion of hot gas is then directed to a mill for drying fuel therein prior to combustion.

Abstract: A flame-sensing system for a tangentially fired broiler in which a plurality of scanners are positioned on the side walls of the combustion chamber adjacent respective burners, and oriented to sight the flame from the respective burners, rather than the central fireball. Closely spaced coolant-carrying tubes lining the boiler walls are oriented with at least one tube in a serpentine pattern and with two or three tubes displaced laterally and rearwardly of the flame zone to provide space for a viewing port approximately the width of two tubes. The displacement pattern tends to dissipate the heat load on the scanner port to prevent scanner or boiler case overheating.

Abstract: The gas turbine regeneration package is designed to increase the efficiency of gas turbines with exhaust gas recirculation. Besides the gas turbine itself, four basic components are used to make up the efficiency package: the first is an exhaust gas cooler, the second is an exhaust gas cooling fan, the third is a recycle exhaust gas regenerator and finally there is a compressed ambient air regenerator. Other turbines have ambient air regenerators but they are not used in conjunction with a recycled gas stream so they tend to have high concentrations of NO.sub.x in their exhaust gases. The basic advantage of this regenerator package includes the following:A. increased efficiency of the turbine at full and reduced power settings,B. cooler turbine exhaust is emitted to the atmosphere,C. better control over the combustion process particularly the production of oxides of nitrogen,D. reduced noise, andE. the use of ambient air as part of the engine heat sink.