Abstract: A fuel burning furnace includes a number of energy efficient features. The furnace includes a heat exchanger in which combustion air is preheated by hot discharge gases. Diverters are provided in the heat exchanger to continually urge hot combustion gases toward the interior portions of the heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer characteristics. The furnace incorporates a number of features to determine malfunction and indicate inefficient operation. A humidification control system for the humidification or dehumidification of circulated air also is provided. The furnace also includes a blower motor system which compensates for loss of tension in driving belts and makes correction for blower speed in response to temperature variations.

Abstract: A fuel burning furnace includes a number of energy efficient features. The furnace includes a heat exchanger in which combustion air is preheated by hot discharge gases. Diverters are provided in the heat exchanger to continually urge hot combustion gases toward the interior portions of the heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer characteristics. The furnace incorporates a number of features to determine malfunction and indicate inefficient operation. A humidification control system for the humidification or dehumidification of circulated air also is provided. The furnace also includes a blower motor system which compensates for loss of tension in driving belts and makes correction for blower speed in response to temperature variations.

Abstract: A fuel burning furnace includes a number of energy efficient features. The furnace includes a heat exchanger in which combustion air is preheated by hot discharge gases. Diverters are provided in the heat exchanger to continually urge hot combustion gases toward the interior portions of the heat exchanger to improve its heat transfer characteristics. The furnace incorporates a number of features to determine malfunction and indicate inefficient operation. A humidification control system for the humidification or dehumidification of circulated air also is provided. The furnace also includes a blower motor system which compensates for loss of tension in driving belts and makes correction for blower speed in response to temperature variations.

Abstract: An improved clothes dryer characterized by a diffuser located inside the dryer drum for receiving heated air flow and directing the same towards and into intimate contact with wet clothing in the drum at a plurality of locations spaced along the axial length of the drum. Also provided is a dryer temperature control system operative to control the temperature in the dryer drum by maintaining a desired preselected temperature on a steady basis and/or by varying the rate of air flow through the dryer drum; a clogged filter detector operative to generate an output signal indicating a clogged filter in response to the rate of forced air flow through the dryer dropping below a predetermined minimum acceptable level, and a laundry system wherein hot dry attic air is supplied to the dryer while the hot dryer exhaust and drain water from a washer is used to preheat water in a storage tank prior to such water being supplied to a hot water heater.

Abstract: An oil and gas fueled hot water heater system having improved efficiency and performance embodies water and air supply jackets, cold and hot water insulating check valves, and flow directors and restrictors for the hot combustion gas generated by the heater burner which gas passes through a central flue in a water storage tank and is then exhausted through an exhaust vent to atmosphere. The water supply jacket closely surrounds the central flue and receives supply water at the top thereof and discharges same to the bottom of the storage tank thereby increasing the heat transfer characteristics of the heater. The air supply jacket surrounds the exhaust vent and air is drawn in through the top of the jacket along the exhaust vent for preheating and then is directed to the burner to support combustion. The cold and hot water insulating check valves are positioned in the water supply and outlet lines to reduce heat transfer through such lines when the heater is idle.

Abstract: An improved clothes dryer characterized by a diffuser located inside the dryer drum for receiving heated air flow and directing the same towards and into intimate contact with wet clothing in the drum at a plurality of locations spaced along the axial length of the drum. Also provided is a dryer temperature control system operative to control the temperature in the dryer drum by maintaining a desired preselected temperature on a steady state basis and/or by varying the rate of air flow through the dryer drum; a clogged filter detector operative to generate an output signal indicating a clogged filter in response to the rate of forced air flow through the dryer dropping below a predetermined minimum acceptable level, and a laundry system wherein hot dry attic air is supplied to the dryer while the hot dryer exhaust and drain water from a washer is used to preheat water in a storage tank prior to such water being supplied to a hot water heater.

Abstract: An oil and gas fueled hot water heater system having improved efficiency and performance embodies air and fuel regulator valves, water and air supply jackets, cold and hot water insulating check valves, and flow directors and restrictors for the hot combustion gas generated by the heater burner which gas passes through a central flue in a water storage tank and is then exhausted through an exhaust vent to atmosphere. The air and fuel regulator valves are non-electrically controlled and are responsive to water demand requirements for improved heater efficiency and performance. The water supply jacket closely surrounds the central flue and receives supply water at the top thereof and discharges same to the bottom of the storage tank thereby increasing the heat transfer characteristics of the heater. The air supply jacket surrounds the exhaust vent and air is drawn in through the top of the jacket along the exhaust vent for preheating and then is directed to the burner to support combustion.

Abstract: A heater system having improved efficiency and performance embodies air and fuel regulator valves, water and air supply jackets, and flow directors for the hot combustion gas generated by the heater burner which gas passes through a central flue in a water storage tank and is then exhausted through an exhaust vent to atmosphere. The air and fuel regulator valves are non-electrically controlled and are responsive to water demand requirement for improved heater efficiency and performance. The water supply jacket closely surrounds the central flue and receives supply water at the top thereof and discharges same to the bottom of the storage tank thereby increasing the heat transfer characteristics of the heater. The air supply jacket surrounds the exhaust vent and air is drawn in through the top of the jacket along the exhaust vent for preheating and then is directed to the burner to support combustion.

Abstract: A gas cooking range includes a number of energy-efficient features. The range includes an oven section in which combustion air is preheated by heated discharge gases. Panels are spaced from the walls of the oven and circulation fans are included to provide exceedingly effective airflow within the oven. A gas shutoff valve automatically controls the discharge of heated gases from the oven so that heated gases are discharged only when combustion is occurring. The range also includes a compact, rotatable oven/broiler burner unit, a smoke-free drip pan, an efficient piloted ignition, flame-containing rangetop burner rings atop which pots and pans can be supported, and a small, portable oven which can be supported atop the burner rings.

Abstract: In an endless track for crawler type vehicles, a plurality of identical, reversible track links are articulately interconnected in transversely spaced pairs into an endless chain by sealed pivot assemblies including readily replaceable hardened wear inserts at points of greatest fatigue. Track shoes consisting of two selectively independently replaceable plates are secured to and extend between the corresponding outwardly bowed rail surfaces on the transversely spaced links of each link pair for operation until wear of the plates and/or links necessitates on site, life extending maintenance initially to individual parts and eventually to the entire endless chain.

Abstract: In an endless track for crawler type vehicles, a plurality of identical, reversable track links are articulately interconnected in transversely spaced pairs into an endless chain by sealed pivot assemblies including readily replaceable hardened wear inserts at points of greatest fatigue. Track shoes consisting of two selectively independently replaceable plates are secured to and extend between the corresponding outwardly bowed rail surfaces on the transversely spaced links of each link pair for operation until wear of the plates and/or links necessitates on site, life extending maintenance initially to individual parts and eventually to the entire endless chain. In the latter event, the entire endless chain is serviced by disconnecting one master pivot assembly to take the chain off the vehicle, ndividual parts and eventually to the entire endless chain.

Abstract: A balancing system for a wheel having a tire mounted on the rim thereof consists of at least one and as many as three balancing components including rim mounted weights, an annular member including a balancing medium positioned within the tire, and a shock absorber between the wheel and brake drum. The weights are relatively narrow in width and elongated in length and are mounted on the rim to extend predominantly radially of the tire sidewall rather than circumferentially. The annular member is suspended from the tire within the radially outer portion of the air cavity of the tire and during rotation of the tire automatically corrects for imbalance by circumferential migration of the balancing medium and/or annular member to the area of imbalance and/or by radial displacement of the annular member.

Abstract: An alignment bushing for twist drills or the like includes a uniform cylindrical guide member having a bore therethrough which guides the drill to the workpiece, and a holder for securing the guide member to a jig plate adjacent the workpiece, the guide member being removable from and reversibly positionable in the holder. After the inner diameter of the guide member has become worn at one end due to repeated use, the guide member may be removed from the holder and reversibly repositioned therein for subsequent twist drill aligning usage. The holder may be selectively positioned along the length of the guide member readily to adapt the bushing to variable spacing occurring between different jig plates and workpieces.

Abstract: A hand-held pencil sharpener is disclosed which utilizes a common double-edged safety razor blade that may be easily removed and replaced when worn. The pencil sharpener has spaced, generally parallel tapered bores of varying sizes selectively to guide pencils of different diameters against the shaving edges of the razor blade as the pencil is rotated, said razor blade being positioned between said parallel bores tangentially to place the opposed sharpened edges thereof into the bores to form the shaving edges of the sharpener.

Abstract: A segmental V belt consists of a plurality of body segments selectively joined to form an endless belt of any desired length. Such body segments, which can have sidewall perforations or formations to increase wear life, may be joined by connecting the exposed adjacent ends of reinforcing members otherwise embedded in the body segments, or by connecting the radially outer surfaces of the body segments to a reinforcement strip superimposed thereon.

Abstract: A cutting tool having one portion including a cutting head and another portion including a stem, the portions being separately produced from the same or different metals, or nonmetals, ceramics and the like, and then connected together in coaxial relation by a slip, press, or shrink fit of a polygonal shank of uniform cross section throughout its length on either one of said portions into a complementary polygonal socket in the other portion. Novel means are provided for adjustment of the portions generally radially of the cutting axis to offset differences in concentricity due to manufacturing errors and to assure firm and precise coaxial relation of the assembled portions.