Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pellet fuel burning heating unit for burning corn or wood pellets having a balanced pressure system having a four-way split combustion intake airstream. The invention includes a combustion air blower system for providing combustion air into a firebox containing a burner under positive pressure and at the same time providing a negative pressure to remove the combustion gases from the firebox. A pressure regulator and air splitter maintains a balance between the positive and negative pressure and adjusts the air flow into the firebox and out the exhaust. The exhaust is provided through a bank of exhaust tubes running from the top of the firebox to an exhaust manifold. The blower air moves into the pressure regulator and air splitter dividing the air flow such that a portion enters the heating unit exhaust manifold to produce a negative pressure and the remaining portion enters the heating unit burner under positive pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pellet fuel burning heating unit for burning corn or wood pellets having a balanced pressure system having a four-way split combustion intake airstream. The invention includes a combustion air blower system for providing combustion air into a firebox containing a burner under positive pressure and at the same time providing a negative pressure to remove the combustion gases from the firebox. A pressure regulator and air splitter maintains a balance between the positive and negative pressure and adjusts the air flow into the firebox and out the exhaust. The exhaust is provided through a bank of exhaust tubes running from the top of the firebox to an exhaust manifold. The blower air moves into the pressure regulator and air splitter dividing the air flow such that a portion enters the heating unit exhaust manifold to produce a negative pressure and the remaining portion enters the heating unit burner under positive pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a burn pot for particulate combustors, particularly of the type used for burning particulate fuel such as pellets. The burn pot includes a burn pot body surrounded by an air plenum in which air is delivered and exhausted through openings in side, front, and bottom walls of the burn pot body. A rearwardly inclined back wall is moved by a driver to reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly toward and away from the front wall. The back wall is inclined opposite to the front wall in order, upon reciprocating motion, to engage and move the particulate material toward the front wall, bunching it for more efficient combustion, clearing the openings in the burn pot walls, and forcing ash up the front wall and over the upper ash discharge edge thereof. The burn pot and back wall are removably mounted within the firebox to facilitate removal for cleaning, maintenance or replacement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning a combustible material in a closed container having an open top wherein a sheet of oxygen containing gas is forced into the burning chamber of such container, wherein, in forming the sheet of oxygen containing gas, a majority of the gas which is to be formed into a sheet is forced away from the central section of the sheet towards the end sections of the sheet that are situated on either end of the central section and wherein the interior volume of the burning chamber can be varied by use of a movable wall means so that the combined effect of the gas sheet formed in the foregoing manner and the adjusted internal volume of the burning chamber in relation to the specific material to be burned yields an efficient combustion process as evidenced by minimal production of opaque smoke.

Abstract: A vertical hot water storage tank with an access opening in its underside, for positioning an internal heating element in the tank, and connectors for the supply of cold water to the tank and for the egress of hot water therefrom, is in the form of a pressure tight cylindrical vessel. In order to simplify the construction of the vessel, it is assembled from separate modular elements made of a plastics material, which are relatively adjustable to determine the capacity of the vessel and which are finally bonded together. The modular elements may comprise a pair of inter-fitting top and bottom lid elements, or top and bottom lid elements interfitting with a central tubular element. The capacity of the vessel may be determined prior to the bonding of the elements together, by the extent to which they overlap one another or by suitable dimensioning of the elements.

Abstract: An ullage compensator is disclosed for a stored chemical energy power propulsion system. With the invention, at least one movable wall (16) is provided within a reactor having a chamber (10) which is movable between a first position at which the chamber has a maximum reaction volume to a second position at which the reaction chamber has a minimum volume. A force is applied to the movable wall by a bellows to cause the wall to project into the chamber in response to the force when a reaction is occurring within the chamber. The invention eliminates damage to the interior surface of the chamber and the inlet port(s) for introducing an oxidant into the chamber which sustains the reaction caused by direct contact with a gaseous oxidant which causes the reaction.