Abstract: In one embodiment, an electromagnetic (EM) energy containment device includes a spherically symmetric resonant dielectric structure having a radial dimension R0 defined as R0=3/?·?0/2 and having first and second regions with different indices of refraction. The spherically symmetric resonant dielectric structure is configured to receive and to contain, for a selectable duration of time, an electromagnetic wave of a wavelength ?0, and can find applications in delay circuits for beam steering for example.

Abstract: A shifter assembly that includes a base and a shift lever pivotal relative to the base along a straight shift path. A cable mount is linked to the shift lever and a cable is attached to the cable mount. A clutch is linked with the shift lever and cable mount. The clutch selectively transmits motion of the shift lever to the cable mount for a first travel position and decouples the cable mount from the shift lever at a second travel position.

Abstract: A shifter assembly that includes a base and a shift lever pivotal relative to the base along a straight shift path. A cable mount is linked to the shift lever and a cable is attached to the cable mount. A clutch is linked with the shift lever and cable mount. The clutch selectively transmits motion of the shift lever to the cable mount for a first travel position and decouples the cable mount from the shift lever at a second travel position.

Abstract: A sound shield is positioned between the burner chamber of a furnace and the portion of the furnace immediately in front of the burner chamber which is typically a removable door. The removable door has slotted vents that allow air to be drawn into the burner chamber. The sound shield is positioned between the slotted vents and the burner chamber in such a manner so as to prevent substantial amounts of burner noise being produced by burning fuel from escaping through the vents. This is done without unduly restricting the flow of air through the slotted vents to the burner chamber.

Abstract: A sound shield is positioned between the burner chamber of a furnace and the portion of the furnace immediately in front of the burner chamber which is typically a removable door. The removable door has slotted vents that allow air to be drawn into the burner chamber. The sound shield is positioned between the slotted vents and the burner chamber in such a manner so as to prevent substantial amounts of burner noise being produced by burning fuel from escaping through the vents. This is done without unduly restricting the flow of air through the slotted vents to the burner chamber.

Abstract: A furnace is provided with a flame rollout protection system which operates through an existing excess-air control pneumatic circuitry to shut down the furnace in the event of a flame rollout condition. A fusible tube is attached at its one end to the pneumatic system and extends into an area which will be exposed to hot gases in the event of a flame rollout condition. A melting of the tube by the hot gases causes the pressure therein to drop to ambient pressure such that of the pneumatic circuitry responsively causes the furnace to shut down. The tube is also extended to pass through an area which will be exposed to hot gases in the event of a blocked vent in the furnace, thereby causing a similar shut down of the furnace.

Abstract: A compact gas combustion furnace includes a substantially rectangular casing having an interior defined by a plurality of compartments. A draft inducer is mounted above the heat exchanger compartment to allow a multipass heat exchanger to be used while allowing the furnace to be fitted within a mobile home closet. A transition box couples the horizontally disposed inlet of the inducer and the vertically disposed outlet side of the heat exchangers. In a preferable arrangement, the furnace includes a burner assembly utilizing a plurality of burners, each having an arcuate shape in relation to a corresponding plurality of heat exchangers, and thereby occupying a minimum of space without loss of efficiency.

Abstract: An improved furnace is provided which can be field modified to change the pressure drop across the inducer. The pressure drop is modified to accommodate vertical or horizontal venting and adequately lined and inadequately lined chimneys. A first rate of flow of combustion byproducts into the vent system is used when the chimney is adequately lined and a second relatively higher rate of flow is used when the chimney is inadequately lined. The rate of flow is changed by inserting or removing an obstruction in the flow of combustion byproducts. The obstruction could be a tab or choke placed at the inducer outlet or a similar device in the inducer inlet. When the tab is in place the flow of combustion byproducts is reduced. When the tab is removed, the flow rate increases. Alternatively, the inducer inlet could be adjusted to increase or decrease the amount of air flow through the inducer.

Abstract: A multi-poise furnace that is capable of operating in either a vertical or horizontal orientation and having a primary heat exchanger coupled to a condensing heat exchanger, apparatus for collecting and draining condensate leaving the condensing heat exchanger.

Abstract: A reusable sealed coupling for joining a first pipe having a first internal diameter adjacent a first end thereof which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of a second pipe, the coupling comprising: a coupler capable of receiving the first end of the first pipe within a first portion thereof and an end of the second pipe within a second portion thereof so that the coupler, second pipe, and first pipe achieve mutual overlap in at least one region. The first and second pipes are both set into predetermined positions with respect to the coupler and with respect to one another; and a seal between the coupler, second pipe, said first pipe is created in at least a portion of the region of mutual overlap.

Abstract: An improved inducer for a gas furnace having a housing and cover includes a number of radially extending tabs spaced around the inducer cover. Each of the tabs has an aperture formed therein. The inducer housing is provided with a number of flexible arms including a barbed detent at the distal end of each arm. The flexible arms are spaced around the outside of a side wall of the housing, fabricated from the same material as the housing, and correspond in number and placement to the tabs on the cover. A sealing channel with a gasket provided therein is formed on the interior side of the cover. The sealing channel corresponds in shape to the top edge of the housing side wall. When the channel gasket is placed in contact with the top edge of the wall and each respective barbed detent within a corresponding tab aperture, a force exerted against the housing and cover will cause the arms to bend slightly and the detents to snap into the tab aperture thereby securing the cover to the housing.

Abstract: A secondary condensing heat exchanger for use in a multi-poised furnace that includes multiple single pass heat transfer stages. Each stage includes a housing having an entrance at one end and a pair of outlets at the other end. The walls of the housing are arranged to conduct condensate formed in the housing through one or both outlets, depending on the orientation of the furnace. Lateral flow restrictors are mounted in the housing to direct flue gas products entering the housing back and forth across the housing.

Abstract: A pair of sealing skirts join the inducer to the collector box of a condenser induction furnace, and accommodate offset in positions of the inducer inlet opening and the collector box outlet port. The two mating skirts are congruent and of generally triangular shape. A ridge or lip of one fits a groove on the other to form an airtight gasketless seal.

Abstract: A furnace of the type for supplying circulating heated air to an comfort space, the furnace being contained within a cabinet, having a door allowing access to the interior thereof, which is set in a door frame, wherein the furnace is capable of operating in at least any vertical orientation, an improvement comprising. The bottom end of the door is removably retained against a bottom portion of the door frame, via a hinge, when the furnace is any vertical orientation. At least one latch is located adjacent the top end of the door when the furnace is in any vertical orientation, the latch being constructed to engage a mated door strike; and at least one door strike is located in both a top portion and a bottom portion of the door frame.

Abstract: A multi-cell secondary heat exchanger for use in a high efficiency, multi-poised furnace wherein each cell has outwardly extended exit or entrance bells that are received in grooves formed in adjacent cell panels. The grooves surround exit or entrance ports and are filled with a sealing material that provides a fluid tight seal between the cell panel and the bell.

Abstract: In a multi-poise furnace having multiple parallel heat transfer stages, each stage having superimposed flow passages lying in a common plane. The last passage in each stage containing laterally-disposed indentations in opposed side walls for increasing the heat transfer surface area, and the walls of the last passage being further configured to conduct any condensate formed in the heat exchanger out of the exit region of the exchanger, regardless of the furnace orientation.

Abstract: An inducer (40) for causing a flow of combustion air into and gases of combustion through and out of a furnace (10) of the condensing type. The inducer is intended for use, without modification of its design or size, in a series of furnaces of the same basic design but having different heating capacities and therefore different requirements for flow through the induction flow path. The furnace design is such that a given furnace is capable of operation so as to provide a flow of air to be heated that is either up, down or horizontal with only minor field modification on installation. The inducer has two discharges (43), only one of which is used in a given installation. The other discharge is blocked with a plug (61) of special configuration that can vary the output of the inducer to ensure optimum flow of combustion air into and gases of combustion through and out of the furnace.

Abstract: A furnace for supplying circulated heated air to a comfort zone, the furnace having a condensing heat exchanger and a blower for moving ambient air over the heat exchanger, wherein a transformer for stepping down line voltage (115 VAC) to control voltage (24 VAC) is secured to the inner surface of an enclosed housing within the furnace wherein the inner wall also supports at least one retaining bracket and one fastenable support bracket. A first flange extending from the transformer engages the retaining bracket to rotatably support the transformer. A second flange extending from the transformer engages the fastenable support bracket to secure and further support the transformer supported within the housing. A threaded member secures the fastenable support bracket to the second flange, thereby preventing disengagement.

Abstract: A filter retaining device for a furnace having a casing and requiring a filter includes a filter retaining wire for securing the filter over an opening provided in the casing. The retaining device also includes a latch clip and a retainer clip which are each insertable through a corresponding hole in the furnace casing. One end of the filter wire is moveably secured by the retainer clip. The other end of the filter wire has a U-shape formed therein so that it can be easily snapped into and out of the latch clip. Each clip has a pair of flexible barbed detentes so that it may be securely snapped into its corresponding hole.

Abstract: An induced flow condenser furnace has a combustion air intake shoe that connects the combustion air pipe to the burner box, and has a provision for draining off any condensate from the combustion air pipe before it reaches the burner box. The shoe has a tray portion with an open top that mates with an intake opening in one wall of the burner box, and a tube portion that connects at one end with the combustion air pipe and at the other end with an end cap. The latter has a drain nipple to permit escape of the condensate. An internal lip is formed in the tube portion traps condensate when the furnace is poised in an inverted or downflow orientation. This permits the furnace to be poised in any of four orientations. The intake shoe facilitates connection of the inlet pipe and drain tube in all multi-poise configurations.