Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for mixing of carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or other nutrients in an ocean, wherein surface water CO2 is decreased to reduce or slow acidification of the ocean, and increases in fish populations are advantageously promoted. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for recovery of nutrients, for example, phosphorus, from an ocean floor in the form of fish biomass, which may be used to make such useful products as fish fillets, fish meal, fish oil, biofuel or fertilizer.

Abstract: A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning tool for removing animal hair from nearly any hand-held grooming tool is disclosed. A vacuum grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning a grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support and may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the cleaning tool to the vacuum source during its engagement by a hand-held grooming tool being cleaned. This pivot-action mechanism can switch the vacuum off to a connected vacuum grooming tool and on to the cleaning tool, such that the airflow through the cleaning tool does not have to compete with any vacuum or airflow through the vacuum grooming tool during its cleaning.

Abstract: A vacuum grooming tool is disclosed that includes a vacuum nozzle attachable to a vacuum source and has a hollow body with a mouth opening. A grooming device selected from a variety of standard animal grooming hand tools, such as a shedding blade, rake or de-matting tool, may span the mouth opening. The grooming device is positioned such that the airflow created by the vacuum source flows over at least one side of the grooming device. A vacuum cleaning tool for removing any animal hair from a grooming tool is also disclosed. A vacuum plenum of the cleaning tool is attachable to a vacuum source and has an opening for cleaning the grooming tool in one pass. The cleaning tool can be mounted on a stationary support may also include a pivot-action mechanism that connects the vacuum grooming tool or the cleaning tool to the vacuum source.

Abstract: An adjustable collar system including a strap member having first and second ends and a housing assembly configured to slideably receive on the strap member. The housing assembly including a first end portion configured and operable to detachably engage the first end of the strap member and a second end portion configured and operable to adjustable affix to a portion of the strap member in proximity to the second end of the strap member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for communicating to a person handling a dog the behavioral temperament of an approaching dog using color coded material, each color representing a different temperament of the approaching dog.

Abstract: A water-chamber working apparatus according to the present invention includes a base that holds heat transfer tubes on a tube plate surface and is fixed to the tube plate surface, and a manipulator that is coupled with the base and is suspended in a water chamber. The base includes a base body that is coupled with a manipulator, a wing capable of being displaced forward and backward with respect to the base body, and clamper that are arranged on the wing and are inserted into the heat transfer tube to clamp and hold the heat transfer tube.

Abstract: A modified portion of gas hot water heater exhaust vent tubing. Cold water tubing is wound around the outside of a tube of the same interior diameter and vertical orientation as the exhaust vent tube that typical gas hot water heaters are designed to operate with. Said vent tube is insulated, double-walled, or is otherwise of a sufficient thickness and/or appropriate material composition so as to prevent condensation occurring on its interior surfaces, and may contain small vents or perforations that allow hot exhaust gases to communicate with the cold water tubing. An insulating jacket is located proximally to the cold water tubing whereby the insulating jacket, cold water tubing and vent tube portion are enclosed within a housing portion. The present invention is meant to easily replace an existing section of exhaust venting typically used in a consistent vertical orientation with a common gas hot water heater.

Abstract: An ECU computes a quantity of reforming-fuel which the reforming-fuel injector injects based on an engine driving condition and an EGR quantity. The injecting quantity of the reforming-fuel is properly adjusted according to an EGR gas temperature or an alcohol concentration of the reforming-fuel, whereby it can be restricted that temperature of a fuel-reforming catalyst and the EGR gas temperature are decreased due to a vaporization heat of the reforming-fuel. Also, an injecting time period of the reforming-fuel is properly adjusted, so that a maldistribution of the reforming-fuel is restricted. Furthermore, an injection cycle of the reforming-fuel is varies according to an engine speed, so that a supplied quantity of the reforming-fuel is made uniform for each cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine includes an oil circuit and a pump in fluidic communication with a supply line and at least one lubricant receiving component and a liquid cooling system including a coolant circuit having an oil pressure actuated coolant valve and a coolant valve control line in fluidic communication with the pump and having a first configuration in which coolant may flow therethrough and a second configuration in which coolant is inhibited from flowing therethrough, the first and second configurations triggered in response to a change in oil pressure in the coolant valve control line.

Abstract: A controller, for use in a power plant having a liquid cooling system and an air cooling system, comprising one or more inputs, configured to receive a signal from at least one deposit sensor, wherein the signal from the deposit sensor is indicative of deposits in the liquid cooling system; and one or more processors, configured to process the signal received from the deposit sensor to control the air cooling system.

Abstract: A cylinder head (1) for an internal combustion engine with liquid cooling and a liquid-cooled exhaust manifold (8) and which is arranged integrally with the cylinder head (1) includes at least one first and one second cooling chamber (4, 9) through which a coolant flows, and with the region of the exhaust manifold (8) being enclosed at least partly by the second cooling chamber. In order to ensure by way of simple production the optimal removal of heat from thermally critical regions, the first and second cooling chambers are flow-connected via at least one borehole (10) with one another.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has a piston head with a circumferential ring belt and a circumferential cooling channel in the region of the ring belt, and a piston skirt having a working surface assigned to each of its major thrust side (DS) and its minor thrust side (GDS). At least one bore that proceeds from the cooling channel is provided. The bore ends in the working surface assigned to the minor thrust side (GDS), in the form of a bore opening, and is disposed at an incline, in such a manner that it encloses an acute angle (?) with the center axis (M) of the piston. The working surface assigned to the minor thrust side has a depression in the region of the bore opening.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft supported for rotation on the engine structure, a drive member and a camshaft actuation assembly. The camshaft may include a first shaft, a second shaft located within the first shaft and rotatable relative to the first shaft, a first cam lobe located on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the first shaft and a second cam lobe supported for rotation on the first shaft and fixed for rotation with the second shaft. The drive member may be fixed to a first axial end of the camshaft and rotationally driven to drive rotation of the camshaft. The camshaft actuation assembly may include an actuator coupled to a second axial end of the camshaft and rotationally fixed to the engine structure and relative to the camshaft.

Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser for adjusting phase between a first shaft and a second shaft using oil pressure from an oil pressure source including a housing assembly and a rotor assembly together defining a plurality of segments. The segments include at least one operating segment including an advance chamber and a retard chamber, the advance chamber and the retard chamber being oppositely switchable between at least a source of oil pressure and a drain, the vane being movable by oil pressure from the oil source applied to either the advance chamber or the retard chamber with the other of the advance chamber and the retard chamber being coupled to the drain and at least one assist segment including an assist chamber and a vent chamber, the vent chamber being vented to atmosphere; such that oil supplied to the assist chamber assists the motion of the vane in a direction.

Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine, has a housing having a plurality of shoes and a vane member having a plurality of vanes dividing each working fluid chamber formed between adjacent two shoes into advance and retard oil chambers. The vane member rotates to an advanced angle side and to a retarded angle side relative to the housing by selectively supplying or exhausting hydraulic pressure in or from the advance oil chamber and the retard oil chamber. A most-advanced angle position and a most-retarded angle position are limited by the fact that one vane touches one shoe from a circumferential direction. Radius of curvature of one of both corners of a base part of the one shoe, which is a corner located at a side where the one vane does not touch, is set to be greater than those of corners of the other shoes.

Abstract: A valve train device for switching lift of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft including a carrier shaft and a cam assembly disposed non-rotatably and axially displaceably on the carrier shaft via a guide. The cam assembly includes a bearing region, at least one cam group having at least two cams and a first and a second axial contour. A bearing bush is mounted non-rotatably and axially displaceably in a camshaft bearing and radially supports the camshaft in the camshaft bearing. The cam assembly is mounted rotatably and axially displaceably in the bearing bush in the bearing region. The bearing bush includes a first axial reverse opposing contour that corresponds to, and is switchable into operative contact with, the first axial contour and a second axial reverse opposing contour that corresponds to, and is switchable into operative contact with, the second axial contour.

Abstract: An igniter for an internal combustion engine, the igniter comprising: a center electrode; an insulator disposed about the center electrode; a ground shield disposed about the insulator, the insulator having a tip portion extending past an end portion of the ground shield and a tip portion of the center electrode extending through and away from the tip portion of the insulator; and a spark gap disposed between the tip portion of the center electrode and the end portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: A hand-held work apparatus includes an engine housing (200). An internal combustion engine (202) is arranged in the engine housing (200) and includes a cylinder (204) and a crankshaft. A fan wheel (214) is driven directly or indirectly by the crank shaft, such that the fan wheel (214) rotates about an axis A. A fan housing (216) surrounds and cooperates with the fan wheel (214). A combustion air inlet (224) is located radially outside of the fan wheel (214) for leading air to the internal combustion engine (202). Further, the combustion air inlet (224) includes a combustion air inlet port (226) and a combustion air duct (22$). The combustion air inlet port (226) is provided with a first edge (230), which first edge (230) is located radially adjacent to the periphery (220) of the fan wheel (214).

Abstract: A valve device for an internal combustion engine includes a multi-part housing. A drive unit generates a rotational moment. The drive unit is arranged in a motor chamber. A transmission unit is arranged in a transmission chamber. An eccentric is configured to be driven by the transmission unit. A valve rod is configured to be displaceable in translation. The valve rod extends into a valve rod displacement chamber. A coupling element converts a displacement of the eccentric into a translational displacement of the valve rod. A valve seat is arranged between an inlet and an outlet. A valve closing body is attached to the valve rod. The valve closing body is configured to be lowered onto the valve seat and lifted off the valve seat. A cover is disposed between the eccentric and the coupling element. The cover is configured to separate the transmission chamber from the valve rod displacement chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a multi-joint crank drive wherein the multi-joint crank driver includes a plurality of coupling members which are rotatably supported on crank pins of a crank shaft and a plurality of hinged connecting rods which are rotatably supported on crank pins of an eccentric shaft wherein each of the coupling members is pivotally connected to a piston connecting rod of a piston of the internal combustion engine and one of the articulation connecting rods. In order to enable to largely or completely compensate inertia forces, it is proposed according to the invention to equip the internal combustion engine with a single balance which serves for neutralizing second order inertia forces.

Abstract: A method for operation of a lubrication circuit in an internal combustion engine is provided herein. The method comprises during a first operating condition, operating an oil agitation device to increase the turbulence of oil in the lubrication circuit, the oil agitation device positioned downstream of an oil pump in a supply line in fluidic communication with a lubricant receiving component.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block defining at least one row of cylinders extending from a first end toward a second end. The internal combustion engine also includes a front housing attached to the first end of the engine block. An idler gear assembly includes an idler gear rotatably mounted on a stub shaft and has a first attachment to the engine block and a second attachment to the front housing. A thrust plate is positioned between the front housing and the idler gear assembly and includes an annular thrust surface, a pair of sealed fastener device openings, and an unsealed lubrication opening.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises at least one combustion chamber. The engine is suitable for various types of fuel. The engine, depending on fuel type, may have at least one spark plug. The engine uses an external source of compressed oxidant, such as air, which is delivered from a compressor and/or pressurized storage tank. Compressed oxidant, such as air, is delivered directly into the combustion chamber. Fuel is delivered directly into the combustion chamber. Oxidant and fuel mixture is ignited either by means of a spark plug, laser ignition, or by other means, or ignites spontaneously, depending on fuel type and pressure in the combustion chamber. The engine may comprise at least one cylinder, or may be of rotary or other type. A hybrid vehicle based on such an engine is provided. An automatic parking system for such a vehicle is provided.

Abstract: A rotary engine for automobile, locomotive, airplanes, ships, vehicle or motorcycle is provided. The rotary engine comprises a rotor and at least one supporting member. The rotor rotates around an axis and has at least one chamber with a door selectively close the chamber; the supporting member approaches the rotor and has a first fuel inlet, a spark plug and a groove disposed sequentially along with the rotated direction of the rotor. The groove has an outlet connecting to exterior of the supporting member. Wherein the first fuel inlet allows fuel entering and approaching the chamber, and then the spark plug ignites the fuel of the chamber when the chamber and the groove are connected.

Abstract: A dual fuel injector may be used to injector both gas and liquid fuel into a cylinder of a compression ignition engine. An injector body defines a first set of nozzle outlets, a second set of nozzle outlets, a first fuel inlet and a second fuel inlet. A dual solenoid actuator includes a first armature, a first coil, a second armature and a second coil that share a common centerline. The dual solenoid actuator has a non-injection configuration at which the first armature is at an un-energized position and the second armature is at an un-energized position. The dual solenoid actuator has a first fuel injection configuration at which the first fuel inlet is fluidly connected to the first set of nozzle outlets, the first armature is at an energized position and the second armature is at the un-energized position.

Abstract: A fuel injection method is provided for diesel engines, particularly diesel engines working according to the opposed piston principle, comprising several injection nozzles arranged in a tangential manner on the periphery of the cylinder. An approximately homogeneous mixing step is achieved by the geometric arrangement of the injection nozzles and by the individual control of the injection amount and of the temporal injection process.

Abstract: A duel fuel quill assembly and method for assembling such an assembly for an engine are disclosed. The dual fuel quill assembly may comprise a cylinder head including a main bore and a receiving cavity, an outer quill tube, an inner quill tube nested within the outer quill tube, an adapter slidingly received inside the main bore of the cylinder head, and a manifold secured to the adapter. The adapter may be moveable between a first position and a second position and may define an axial bore configured to receive the outer quill tube and the nested inner quill tube. The manifold may define a recess configured to compress the outer and inner quill tubes against the cylinder head cavity when the adapter is in the second position.

Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes: a variable valve timing portion changing a phase of opening and closing of each of an intake valve and an exhaust valve into a target phase; an EGR valve adjusting an exhaust gas recirculation amount recirculated from an exhaust side to an intake side; a supercharging efficiency control portion controlling a supercharging efficiency of a supercharger; a throttle valve adjusting an intake air amount; and the internal combustion engine feedback-controls at least two of the EGR valve, the supercharging efficiency control portion, and the throttle valve, and feedforward-controls the variable valve timing portion.

Abstract: A method for controlling engine vacuum production is disclosed. In one example, one or more air sources to an engine intake manifold are closed so as to increase an amount of air drawn from another air source. The method may increase a rate of vacuum supplied to a vacuum actuated device so as to improve operation of the vacuum actuated device.

Abstract: A dual-crankshaft, opposed-piston, internal combustion engine includes one or more ported cylinders. Each cylinder has exhaust and intake ports, and the cylinders are juxtaposed and oriented with exhaust and intake ports mutually aligned. The crankshafts are rotatably mounted at respective exhaust and intake ends of the cylinders and are coupled by a multi-gear train. A pair of pistons is disposed for opposed sliding movement in the bore of each cylinder. All of the pistons controlling the exhaust ports are coupled by connecting rods to the crankshaft mounted near at the exhaust ends of the cylinders, and all of the pistons controlling the intake ports are coupled by connecting rods to the crankshaft mounted near at the intake ends of the cylinders. The crankshafts are connected by a timing belt operative to change the rotational timing between the crankshafts. The gear train support structure is stiffened to suppress gear train vibration.

Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that includes an integrated charge air cooler, comprising a housing having a first housing part and a second housing part connected thereto, wherein charge air flows into the housing via an inlet and flows out of the housing via an outlet, wherein the charge air cooler is disposed in the housing and is permeated by the charge air on the path from the inlet to the outlet, wherein the charge air cooler is completely enclosed by the housing, except for passages for passing a cooling fluid, and the charge air cooler is elastically supported relative to the housing, wherein the support takes place by means of at least one elastic bearing element in particular disposed on a collector of the charge air cooler.

Abstract: A system, heated fuel injector, and controller for closed-loop temperature control of a heated fuel injector having simultaneous two-way data communication over a single-line data connection. The system includes a voltage source to output a heater enable signal and a variable current sink configured to draw a current value indicative of a temperature value related to the heated fuel injector. The heater signal and the current value are simultaneously present on the single-line data connection. The configuration reduces the effect of ground shift on the accuracy of determining a feedback signal from the heated fuel injector. The feedback signal is a temperature value related to the heated fuel injector and is indicated by a current value. Because the feedback signal is a current value, the feedback signal is generally immune from being influenced by ground shift between the controller and the heated fuel injector.

Abstract: A flow control system is provided having an engine, a turbocharger, and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) line, and a flow regulating device. The engine has an air-oil separator and an intake manifold. The air-oil separator separates oil droplets and oil mist from a blowby gas. The turbocharger has an air inlet and an air outlet, where the air outlet is connected to the intake manifold of the engine. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) vent line has a first end connected to the air-oil separator and a second end connected to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The PCV vent line delivers the blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The flow regulating device is located in the PCV vent line. The flow regulating device selectively limits the flow of blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger.

Abstract: An intake manifold assembly for an internal combustion engine of a vehicle includes a plenum, a plurality of lower runners coupled to and in fluid communication with the plenum, and a plurality of upper runners. Each of the upper runners is coupled to and in fluid communication with one of the lower runners. The plurality of upper runners includes a single dedicated upper EGR runner configured for supplying combustion air to at least two dedicated EGR cylinders. A primary throttle body is coupled to the plenum and configured for regulating a flow rate of compressed combustion air through the plenum. An EGR throttle body is coupled to the dedicated upper EGR runner and configured for regulating a flow rate of the compressed combustion air through the dedicated upper EGR runner to control the flow rate of the compressed combustion air to the dedicated EGR cylinders.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold assembly includes a first manifold member and a second manifold member. The first manifold member includes a first group of runners joining to define an exhaust treatment outlet, and a second group of runners. The second manifold member includes a primary passage and an inlet runner in fluid communication with each runner of the second group of runners and the primary passage. A bypass control valve opens fluid communication between the primary passage of the second manifold member and the exhaust treatment outlet to allow the internal combustion engine to operate in a normal mode where all exhaust gas is discharged through the exhaust treatment outlet, and closes fluid communication between the primary passage of the second manifold member and the exhaust treatment outlet to direct exhaust gas from the second group of runners to an intake manifold to establish a dedicated EGR system.

Abstract: A working gas circulation type engine includes a combustion chamber in which a working gas having a ratio of specific heats higher than that of air can be expanded by combustion of a fuel, a circulation path capable of circulating a gas containing the working gas from a gas exhaust side to a gas suction side of the combustion chamber and supplying the gas containing the working gas to the combustion chamber again, and a control device that changes a control parameter for controlling the combustion of the fuel based on a ratio of specific heats of the gas circulating in the circulation path. Therefore, there can be provided the working gas circulation type engine capable of obtaining a stable output.

Abstract: Fuel management system for enhanced operation of a spark ignition gasoline engine. Injectors inject an anti-knock agent such as ethanol directly into a cylinder. It is preferred that the direct injection occur after the inlet valve is closed. It is also preferred that stoichiometric operation with a three way catalyst be used to minimize emissions. In addition, it is also preferred that the anti-knock agents have a heat of vaporization per unit of combustion energy that is at least three times that of gasoline.

Abstract: A bowfishing reel that is biased into an open position in which the line is free to be fed from the reel. When desired, the user can actuate a mechanism that forces the bail into the closed position while the mechanism is engaged. Once the mechanism is released, the bail returns to the open position.

Abstract: A back-tension archery release includes a handle with an adjustable sear housing and an adjustable finger. The handle has a longitudinal axis. The sear housing is adjustable about an axis normal to the longitudinal axis to eliminate twist or torque in a bowstring loop connected with the release. The finger is adjustable about the longitudinal axis to increase or decrease the speed of the release and provide an improved ergonomic feel to the user. In addition, the finger is removable from the handle so that differently configured fingers may be substituted by the user.

Abstract: Arrow rest arrangements according to certain embodiments include an elongate arm mounted to extend into and rotate in the plane of an arrow aligned with an archery bow and riser. The arm can rotate from an open position, for example where the arm is substantially perpendicular to the arrow shaft, to a closed position where the arm engages and may be substantially aligned with the arrow shaft. The arm preferably includes two opposing end portions to engage, constrain and align the arrow shaft in the closed position, yet which drop or rotate away from the shaft upon release of the arrow to allow the arrow to freely leave the bow.

Abstract: A toy gun that includes a dart ejecting device and a magazine for loading darts and shells is disclosed herein. The gun also includes a shell ejecting device having a driving mechanism and a shell ejecting mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a handle, a linkage through the center of the magazine, and a sliding piece, each of which are joined together in sequence. Other modifications and features suitable for practice therewith, and methods and means of operating the device, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for feeding projectile balls into the ball chamber of a handgun, especially into the ball chamber of a paintball gun, having a ball container with an outlet port, a feeder tube between the outlet port and the ball chamber, and an essentially cylindrical feeder with an axis for feeding the balls from the ball container to the feeder tube. The device comprises a flexible element that is disposed inside the ball container adjacent to the outlet port. A first end of the flexible element is fixed to the ball container and the flexible element is essentially rigid in the direction of the axis. Balls that are not in the correct position when approaching the outlet port are deflected back into the ball container, instead of hitting the edge of the outlet port. This way, jamming of the balls and explosion by excessive pressure are prevented.

Abstract: An improved paintball gun uses a low-pressure pneumatic sear to hold the firing valve closed against the high pressure gas occupying the other side of the valve. In this manner, only one operation is required between depressing the trigger and the firing of the paintball gun because a double-acting cylinder is not required as an interface between the trigger depression and actuation of the valve. The paintball gun is also substantially faster than existing electro-pneumatic paintball guns because it uses a blow forward bolt, in which higher-pressure gas is held directly behind the bolt and has only one direction to travel during the firing of the paintball gun.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the dart in a barrel of a toy gun is provided. The apparatus includes a dart sensor lever, a linkage, a transmission mechanism between the dart sensor lever and the linkage, and a pivot attached to the gun body. The dart sensor lever is linked with the pivot so that it will swing around the pivot. The transmission mechanism is linked with the linkage, which causes the linkage to move. Other modifications and features suitable for practice therewith, and methods and means of operating the device, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a door of an electric oven, which has an improved configuration to prevent the escape of heat from a cooking compartment to the outside during cooking or self-cleaning of the cooking compartment. The door, which serves to selectively open or close a cooking compartment of an electric oven, includes a front glass installed to a front surface, a rear glass installed behind the front glass, and a porous plate interposed between the front glass and the rear glass. The porous plate serves to prevent the escape of heat from the cooking compartment to the outside and includes a plurality of view holes to enable observation of the cooking compartment from the outside.

Abstract: A Football Helmet Barbecue Grill includes a Football Shaped Hood, a Base Assembly, and a Grill Assembly. The Grill Assembly is affixed with the Base Assembly. In some preferred embodiments, the Base Assembly is removed to form a Football Themed Hibachi Grill with a handle affixed to the top of the Football Shaped Hood.

Abstract: A thermal power boiler includes a furnace having a rear wall, a flue gas channel connected to the furnace, the flue gas channel including a back pass arranged on the rear wall side of the furnace, and a pre-heater for combustion air provided with an inlet channel for flue gas, the upper portion of the inlet channel for flue gas being connected to the lower portion of the back pass, and a flow channel for combustion air arranged adjacent to the inlet channel for flue gas, leading pre-heated combustion air to the furnace. The inlet channel for flue gas includes two adjacent channel portions that are connected to opposite sides of the back pass.

Abstract: A solar light collecting device includes: a rectangular-shaped frame-like body 22 supported by a strut body 21 so as to be tiltable in a vertical plane; a flexible reflecting mirror 24 having two side edges 22a held by the frame-like body 22 and a quasi-parabolic cross section along the short sides thereof to reflect solar light; and a tilting cylinder device 25 which tilts the frame-like body 22 according to the altitude of the sun and guides the light reflected by the reflecting mirror 24 to a heat collecting device disposed at the focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror. A curve adjusting device 27 contacts the rear surface of the reflecting mirror 24 according to the tilting position of the reflecting mirror 24 to change the degree of curve of the reflecting surface.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method, system and apparatus for optimizing a flow of thermal fluid through one in a multitude of local reservoirs (e.g. water tank) which may have local heating capability and which shares a common water heating source (e.g. solar panels). Keeping a minimal flow from the inlet to the outlet allows a continuous temperature difference monitoring, which is then used to vary the local flow through an automated system, while also taking in consideration the effect of an optional local heating source. The said above may be applied in reverse for cooling systems.