Abstract: An electrode boiler comprises a container for containing water and electrodes within the container which serves to pass electrical current through such water and which is generally upright when in use. Feed and drain systems are connected to the container to enable water to be fed to and drained therefrom. An outlet is provided through which steam generated inside the container can pass. An electrode current indicator provides an indication of the value of the electrical current passing through the electrodes. A controlling computer is connected to the feed and drain systems and the electrode current indicator. The controlling computer is set to cause the feed system to open when a predetermined drop in the electrode current has occurred owing to a boiling away of water from the boiler, and then to cause the feed system to close when a predetermined increase in the electrode current has occurred owing to the introduction of water into the boiler.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler, a pump connected by a flow passageway to the boiler to pump water thereto, and flow-control means connected to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler to control the flow of water from the pump to the boiler. The flow-control means comprise at least two relief means in parallel with one another, but with their points of connection to the flow passageway between the pump and the boiler spaced apart in series with one another. The invention extends to method of operating a steam-raising system such that the system is controlled to keep its condition close to a minimum of the temperature and/or pressure of output from a boiler of the system expressed as a function of the flowrate of water supplied to the boiler.

Abstract: An electrode boiler comprising a container for containing water and electrodes within the container which serve to pass electrical current through such water and which are generally upright when the boiler is in use. Fill and drain valves are connected to the container to enable water to be fed to and drained from the container. An outlet of the container enables steam generated inside the container to pass out therefrom when the boiler is in use. A water level contact member is arranged to cause a signal to occur when the water in the container reaches a predetermined level. The boiler is provided with a store to store the value of an allowed time for water to boil away from the said predetermined level until the water is no longer in contact with the contact member. A timer is connected to time the actual time it takes for such boiling away to occur, and comparator is connected to the store and the timer to effect a comparison between the allowed time and the said actual time.

Abstract: The invention is an adjustable mount for positioning an electro-optic transducer in an evacuated cryogenic environment. Electro-optic transducers are used in this manner as high sensitivity detectors of gas emission lives of spectroscopic analysis. The mount is made-up of an adjusting mechanism 10 and a transducer mount 20. The adjusting mechanism provided five degrees of freedom, 3 linear adjustments and 2 angular adjustments. The mount allows the use of an internal lens 66 to focus energy on the transducer element thereby improving the efficiency of the detection device. Further, the transducer mount 20, although attached to the adjusting mechanism 10, is isolated thermally such that a cryogenic environment can be maintained at the transducer while the adjusting mechanism 10 remains at room temperature. Radiation shields 68 also are incorporated to further reduce heat flow to the transducer location.