Patents by Inventor Harold L. Knox

Harold L. Knox has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4762073
    Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Giaier, Neil H. Johnson, Harold L. Knox, David C. Reschly, Kim E. Spurlock
  • Patent number: 4718360
    Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Giaier, Neil H. Johnson, Harold L. Knox, David C. Reschly, Kim E. Spurlock
  • Patent number: 4633849
    Abstract: The rotary stoker has a fuel supporting grate which is divided into a central stationary section and an outer rotating ring. Fuel is fed to the center of the stationary section. The outer ring is downwardly and centrally inclined, as an inverted cone, and lies partially beneath the stationary section to form an annular trough of V-shaped cross section. Openings or spaces separate the stationary section and outer ring, in the bottom of the trough, for continuous ash removal into a hopper as the ring rotates. Air may be admitted through the under sides of both sections of the grate from separately controlled air plenums. Air may also be admitted above the grate from a third, separately controlled air plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventor: Harold L. Knox
  • Patent number: 4616573
    Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Giaier, Neil H. Johnson, David C. Reschly, Harold L. Knox, Kim E. Spurlock
  • Patent number: 4602572
    Abstract: A metering feeder for delivering solid fuels, such as municipal or industrial refuse, for combustion includes a pair of generally vertically arranged hoppers. An upper hopper containing relatively compacted or intertangled fuel discharges metered amounts of fuel into a lower hopper through the action of a ram-type pusher. Fuel discharged from the upper hopper is dropped into the lower hopper to develop sufficient kinetic energy to decompact the fuel. An upwardly inclined conveyor removes fuel from the lower hopper at an independently metered rate under optional control of a combustion control system. The action of the inclined conveyor further decompacts the fuel by underraking and mixing, thereby providing a well controlled, uniform, loose density fuel for combustion. The conveyor has a closed course of cleats which cyclically moves to remove fuel. The cleats extend in acute angular relation to the direction of movement for improved performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Giaier, Neil H. Johnson, David C. Reschly, Harold L. Knox, Kim E. Spurlock
  • Patent number: 4174920
    Abstract: A solid fuel distribution system for uniformly distributing fuel throughout a furnace comprising a novel dual-reciprocating spout assembly that is adapted to provide a substantially constant supply of fuel to a plurality of supply chutes. The spout assembly comprises a pair of reciprocating spouts mounted on a horizontal axis and actuated to swing back and forth in opposed fashion so that each supply chute is fed with a relatively constant supply of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Detroit Stoker Company
    Inventor: Harold L. Knox