Abstract: An Electro-Mechanical Pulse Generator (“EMPG”) may be used to ignite an ignition pad comprising of fine carbon steel fibers. When electrical energy is applied to the carbon steel fibers, the carbon steel ignites thus starting the combustion of the fuel in a fuel basket located within the grill's combustion chamber. An electrical control panel connects an energy source such as a battery with an ignition wire positioned within the combustion chamber of the grill. A fan positioned below or near the fuel basket controls the amount of air flow into the combustion chamber to aid in initially lighting the fuel as well as controlling the temperature of the grill and the amount of combustion used to heat the food that is cooking.

Abstract: A ground supported single drum power boiler is described combining a refractory lined and insulated V-Cell floor; refractory lined and insulated combustion chamber; integrated fuel chutes configured to pre-dry wet solid fuel; top mounted fuel bin; internal chamber walls; configurable combustion air systems; and a back pass with after-burner ports and cross flow superheaters. The boiler can be configured in pre-assembled modules to minimize the field construction time and cost. An alternative embodiment is adaptable as a gasifier.

Abstract: A modular-hinged grilling grate system may include a modular outer support structure and at least one attachable swivel grill grate section.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a gas grill or add-on component for a gas grill that provides the additional functionality of permitting grilling with either gas, charcoal briquettes, or wood chips. The additional functionality of being able to cook with charcoal or wood chips on a gas grill is achieved by positioning moveable flaps in a second position thus providing a horizontal surface above the gas burner, yet below the cooking surface, upon which to place charcoal briquettes. Spaces on either side of each pair of flaps allow the gas burners to be used to ignite the charcoal briquettes or wood chips. Once the charcoal briquettes or wood chips are ignited, use of the gas burner is discontinued. The charcoal or wood chips are permitted to burn to complete ash, then the moveable flaps are placed to a first position thus forming an apex that permits the ash to fall into an ash pan located in the bottom of the firebox.

Abstract: A bar work loading apparatus for loading a bar work into a head traveling type vertical machine tool. The machine tool has a headstock rotatably supporting an approximately vertical main spindle and movable in the direction of the axis of the main spindle and a direction perpendicularly intersecting the axis of the main spindle. A chuck is provided at the lower end of the main spindle. The machine tool further has a controller for controlling the movement of the headstock and the rotation of the main spindle and also controlling the opening and closing operation of the chuck. The bar work loading apparatus is provided near the machine tool in side-by-side relation and has a holding member capable of holding at least one bar work in such a manner that the axial direction of the bar work is parallel to the axial direction of the main spindle at least at a work receiving position where the chuck receives the bar work, which is in a range within which the center axis of the main spindle is movable.

Abstract: Solid fuel combustion equipment in the form of a grate assembly comprises longitudinally extending support elements on which are mounted laterally orientated grate bars. The support elements are pivotable about their horizontal axes and are provided with sealing means at their adjacent margins to effect a seal to prevent in use passage of air when the elements are horizontally aligned. De-ashing of the grate assembly in use is achieved by tipping the support elements, whereupon ash falls to a receiving area when it is removed.

Abstract: A charcoal lighter device having a tubular housing adapted to rest vertically on a support surface and a handle assembly positioned outside of and attached to the housing. A charcoal support grate fits in the housing and has a first edge pivoted in the housing and a second edge. A grate support finger is connected to the handle assembly and is positionable, by the movement of the handle assembly relative to the housing, between an extended grate support position and a grate release position. The second edge is positionable on the grate support finger such that the grate is in a generally horizontal charcoal support position spaced above the support surface when the grate support finger is in its grate support position, and the second edge pivots downwardly from said generally horizontal position to a charcoal dumping position when the grate support finger is subsequently moved to its grate release position, thereby safely dumping the lit charcoal into a barbecue grill positioned beneath it.

Abstract: A charcoal starter-burner of the general type exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,907 has a perforate grate hinged at one side and spaced inwardly from the inner wall of a tubular housing. The hinge axis defines a side of the grate of greater extent and a side of lesser extent, the grate being substantially planar on the side of greater extent and being bent down from that plane to define a lip on the side of lesser extent, the lip being at an angle of between 30.degree. and 50.degree. from the upper surface of the planar side of greater extent of the grate. The tubular housing is provided with a stop projecting into the housing above the grate at a side opposite the hinge axis and with two holes located chordally with respect to one another, symmetrically with respect to the stop and immediately below the grate.

Abstract: A solid fuel burner having a housing with runners mounted inside its sidewalls and vertical rods passing upwardly through the runners which support two frames each having a shaker-grid opening therethrough with a shaker grid rockably supported therein, the shaker grids being capable of separate shaking so that one grid can support a coal fire and the other support a wood fire, and the frames having air slots therethrough offset from the grid openings with plugs for selectively closing them, and sideliner plates restable on the frames and leaning outwardly against the vertical rods between the grids and the sidewalls.

Abstract: Symmetrical stepped grate/rabble arm combinations for use in a fixed bed coal gasifier are shown in which the stepped grates comprise step plates having in combination threwith means for controlling the rate of discharge of solids therefrom. The solids discharge controlling means described comprise adjustable mechanical dams at spaced locations along the step plate periphery together with means for the positioning thereof.

Abstract: A charcoal lighter comprises a tubular housing with draft openings in the lower portion and a grate loosely positioned within. Hanger rods pivotably support the grate removably from the upper edge of the housing in a raised, horizontal position for holding charcoal to be lit, and one of the rods is releasable from the housing edge to pivot the grate to a lowered, declining position for depositing the lit charcoal onto a grill base. A perforate plate is installable on the upper edge of the tubular housing, allowing its use as a miniature grill, and when so installed it locks the releasable hanger rod to the housing edge, to prevent inadvertent release of the grate to the lowered position.