Abstract: A gas-fired combustion apparatus includes a burner disposed in a substantially sealed combustion chamber and a permeable flexible member arranged to suppress pressure fluctuations within the combustion chamber while concurrently providing for intake of combustion air and restriction of particulate which may interfere with burner operation and increase the risk of ignition of flammable vapor remote of the combustion chamber. The permeable flexible member forms a portion of the combustion chamber wall and is displaceable to provide volume changes. Water heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner apparatus includes a porous combustion surface disposed in a combustion chamber substantially sealed to prevent entry of secondary air. A subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber by a natural or aspirated draft. The subatmospheric pressure cooperates with an aspirating flow of fuel to the burner apparatus to provide an increased flow of primary combustion air which reduces the combustion temperature and the emission of pollutants. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure may be used to achieve a given flow of primary combustion air with a reduced combustion surface area. Water heater and room heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: A gas heater is provided with a combustion status sensor that provides heater performance data to a controller that controls the heater according to the sensor data and stored calibration parameters optimized for the particular heater.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner apparatus includes a porous combustion surface disposed in a combustion chamber substantially sealed to prevent entry of secondary air. A subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber by a natural or aspirated draft. The subatmospheric pressure cooperates with an aspirating flow of fuel to the burner apparatus to provide an increased flow of primary combustion air which reduces the combustion temperature and the emission of pollutants. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure may be used to achieve a given flow of primary combustion air with a reduced combustion surface area. Water heater and room heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner apparatus includes a porous combustion surface disposed in a combustion chamber substantially sealed to prevent entry of secondary air. A subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber by a natural or aspirated draft. The subatmospheric pressure cooperates with an aspirating flow of fuel to the burner apparatus to provide an increased flow of primary combustion air which reduces the combustion temperature and the emission of pollutants. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure may be used to achieve a given flow of primary combustion air with a reduced combustion surface area. Water heater and room heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: A gas-fired combustion apparatus includes a porous combustion surface disposed in a combustion chamber substantially sealed to prevent entry of secondary air and having a pressure relief means that operates to relieve or suppress pressure changes which may otherwise occur in the combustion chamber with commencement of the burner operation. Thereafter a subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber by a natural or aspirated draft. The subatmospheric pressure cooperates with an aspirating flow of fuel to the burner apparatus to provide an increased flow of primary combustion air which reduces the combustion temperature and the emission of pollutants. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure may be used to achieve a given flow of primary combustion air with a reduced combustion surface area. Water heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.

Abstract: Combustion methods and burners reduce the emission of pollutants such as CO and NO.sub.2 by promoting the completion of combustion reactions by at least temporarily separating ambient air from hot products of combustion.

Abstract: A gas burner apparatus including plenum chamber having a combustion surface formed from a conductive porous heat resistant material, a fuel supply, an air/gas mixing and delivery device extending into the chamber, the delivery device being adapted to supply an air/gas mixture with an air component at least equal to that required for theoretical complete combustion, and a fuel delivery system for delivering fuel from the fuel supply to achieve a predetermined combustion temperature at the combustion surface selected so as to reduce the formation of oxides of nitrogen in the products of combustion to about 5 ng/Joule or below.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner apparatus includes a porous combustion surface disposed in a combustion chamber substantially sealed to prevent entry of secondary air. A subatmospheric pressure is maintained in the combustion chamber by a natural or aspirated draft. The subatmospheric pressure cooperates with an aspirating flow of fuel to the burner apparatus to provide an increased flow of primary combustion air which reduces the combustion temperature and the emission of pollutants. Alternatively, the subatmospheric pressure may be used to achieve a given flow of primary combustion air with a reduced combustion surface area. Water heater and room heater applications of the burner apparatus are illustrated.