Abstract: A heater assembly to be located at a substantially vertical wall for heating air. The heater assembly includes one or more heating elements, and one or more heat transfer elements mounted on the heating element for transferring heat to a column of the air moving substantially upwardly past the heat transfer elements. The column includes an inner portion positioned proximal to the wall and an outer portion positioned distal to the wall. Each heat transfer element is formed to transfer substantially more heat to the outer portion of the column of the air than to the inner portion thereof, to cause the outer portion to rise faster than the inner portion, for at least partially entraining the inner portion with the outer portion, so that at least a part of the inner portion forms a laminar boundary layer flowing along the wall.

Abstract: A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located. The method includes sensing an initial temperature, and permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at 100 percent output for a preselected initial time period. After the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, a second temperature is sensed. A first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature is determined. A maximum error between a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, and the ambient temperature at the selected time, is determined in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.

Abstract: A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located. The method includes sensing an initial temperature, and permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at 100 percent output for a preselected initial time period. After the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, a second temperature is sensed. A first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature is determined. A maximum error between a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, and the ambient temperature at the selected time, is determined in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.

Abstract: The invention provides a flame simulating assembly having a simulated fuel bed, a light source, and a screen. The light source is operable to produce an image of flames appearing to be emitted from the simulated fuel bed. The screen has a front surface disposed behind the simulated fuel bed for transmitting the image of flames through the front surface. A pattern is included in the screen for simulating the appearance of firebrick to a viewer of the image of flames.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly including a simulated fireplace having a flame image subassembly for providing images of flames and one or more light sources configured to provide light having an intensity. The flame simulating assembly also includes a controller for controlling the simulated fireplace, and an ambient light sensor positioned outside the simulated fireplace for sensing ambient light intensity. The controller is configured to increase or decrease the intensity of the light provided by the light source upon receipt of signals from the ambient light sensor.

Abstract: A method of forming a simulated combustible fuel element including covering at least a part of a surface of a master with a material selected to produce a mold, and then removing the master from the mold. A predetermined amount of a liquefied body material that is less than a volume of the mold is introduced into the mold. A body including the body material is produced with one or more cavities therein and an exterior surface simulating at least the part of the surface of the master. The body material is allowed to solidify, at least to the extent that the body material is self-supporting, and the mold and the body are separated. One or more fuel light sources are positioned to direct light therefrom in the cavity. At least a portion of the exterior surface is coated so that the portion simulates a combustible fuel element.

Abstract: A method of forming a simulated combustible fuel element for simulating a semi-burned combustible fuel element, including, first, covering a surface of the semi-burned combustible fuel element with a material selected to produce a resiliently flexible mold, and second, after the selected material has set, removing the semi-burned combustible fuel element from the mold. Next, a predetermined amount of liquefied body material is introduced into the mold, and a body is produced resembling the semi-burned combustible fuel element with one or more cavities therein and an exterior surface simulating the surface of the semi-burned combustible fuel element, the body including one or more light passages. After the body material is cured, the mold is removed from the body.

Abstract: A method of forming a simulated combustible fuel element for simulating a semi-burned combustible fuel element, including, first, covering a surface of the semi-burned combustible fuel element with a material selected to produce a resiliently flexible mold, and second, after the selected material has set, removing the semi-burned combustible fuel element from the mold. Next, a predetermined amount of liquefied body material is introduced into the mold, and a body is produced resembling the semi-burned combustible fuel element with one or more cavities therein and an exterior surface simulating the surface of the semi-burned combustible fuel element, the body including one or more light passages. After the body material is cured, the mold is removed from the body.

Abstract: A heater assembly to be located at a substantially vertical wall for heating air. The heater assembly includes one or more heating elements, and one or more heat transfer elements mounted on the heating element for transferring heat to a column of the air moving substantially upwardly past the heat transfer elements. The column includes an inner portion positioned proximal to the wall and an outer portion positioned distal to the wall. Each heat transfer element is formed to transfer substantially more heat to the outer portion of the column of the air than to the inner portion thereof, to cause the outer portion to rise faster than the inner portion, for at least partially entraining the inner portion with the outer portion, so that at least a part of the inner portion forms a laminar boundary layer flowing along the wall.

Abstract: A composition that includes (a) a chealant component; (b) a polyaspartic acid component; and (c) a disulfonated diphenyl component; such that the chealant component, the polyaspartic acid component, and the disulfonated diphenyl component are present in sufficient amounts so that when the composition treats a colorant delivery system containing deposits, the deposits are removed from the system. The invention also relates to methods for making and using such a composition.

Abstract: A flame simulating assembly for providing one or more images of flames. The flame simulating assembly includes one or more light sources for producing the image of flames and a screen with a front surface and positioned in a path of light from the light source. The screen is adapted for transmission of the images of flames through the screen. The assembly also includes one or more simulated interior fireplace walls positioned behind the screen, a first simulated fuel bed positioned in front of the screen and a second simulated fuel bed positioned behind the screen and at least partially viewable through the screen. The screen is adapted to permit observation of at least part of the simulated interior fireplace wall.

Abstract: An assembly including a substantially transparent front panel and a partially translucent screen with a partially reflective front surface positioned to face a rear side of the front panel and spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance. A first image is defined on the rear side for reflection by the front surface to provide a virtual image thereof. A back wall is positioned behind the screen and displays a second image on an exposed surface thereof facing the rear surface of the screen. The exposed surface is spaced apart from the front surface of the screen by the predetermined distance. The virtual image is located substantially in the plane of the exposed surface so that the virtual image appears to be positioned behind the screen.

Abstract: An electric heating device including a fan for moving a volume of air at a rate substantially corresponding to a speed of rotation of the fan, and a fan motor for rotating the fan over a range of speeds. The device also has a heat generator with one or more PTC elements for generating heat, and for transferring the heat to the moving volume of air. In addition, the device has a control subassembly adapted for proportionate control of the fan motor based on a variable required heat output so that the rate of movement of the moving volume of air varies in proportion to changes in the required heat output.

Abstract: A barbecue grill for cooking an object. The barbecue grill includes a number of ribs for supporting the object. Each rib has one or more resistive elements and one or more body portions substantially electrically insulated by an insulator relative to the resistive element. The body portion includes a top surface adapted for engaging the object. Each rib is spaced apart from at least one of the ribs proximal thereto by a predetermined distance to allow liquid escaping from the object to flow between the ribs under the influence of gravity.