Abstract: A gas fireplace unit has a combustion chamber in which a gas burner is provided as a heat source, and the gas fireplace unit has a heat exchanger on an upper wall of the combustion chamber. A first set of ports pass through the upper wall into the combustion chamber at a position wherein they are offset from the axis of an exhaust pipe that opens to the heat exchanger. A second set comprising a port or ports is provided aligned with the exhaust pipe, and a damper is mounted to be controllable to cover or uncover the second set from the exterior of the gas fireplace unit. The damper will permit hot gases from the burner to either be directly exhausted out the second set to the exhaust pipe, or when the damper is closed cause hot gasses to be exhausted only through the first set of ports, which provides a greater heat exchange path.

Abstract: An integral vent damper/hood apparatus for regulating draft in a flue of a hot water heater includes a damper support having a hemispherical dome, a congruent cylindrical portion with a plurality of openings therein for passage of flue gas therethrough, and a bottom support. A coaxial faceted guide is disposed between the hemispherical dome and the bottom support with a flue gas floatable damper disposed between the hemispherical dome and the bottom support and moveable along the coaxial faceted guide in response to flue gas exiting the hot water heater flue. The damper includes a coaxial circular aperture therein for enabling the movement of the damper along the faceted guide with contact occurring only at intersections of the guide facets. A hood is provided for conducting flue gas passing through said damper support into an exhaust flue along with a fixture for coaxially attaching the hood and damper support to the hot water heater flue.

Abstract: A vent damper for limiting the flow of ambient air in a hot water heater including a main burner, a pilot light burner and a central core for evacuation of exhaust gases from the main burner and pilot light burner. The vent damper comprises an inner shell having legs that extend downwardly and attach to a central baffle which directs the flow stream of exhaust gases passing through the exhaust port, a closure element slidably engaged about the inner shell which is movable between an open position and a closed position, a deflector attached to the upper end of the inner shell for deflecting downdrafts and limiting the upward travel of the seal ring, and an outer shell attached to the deflector that houses the aforementioned components.

Abstract: A flue gas closure system for a furnace which includes a burner and a heat exchanger through which flue gas flows. The system includes a closure member which in an open position permits the flow of flue gas through the heat exchanger and in a closed position prevents the flow of air through the heat exchanger and means for causing said closure member to be in an open position when the burners are on and to be in a closed position when the burners are off. The closure member includes a closure plate which is slidably connected to the heat exchanger. An actuator is connected to said closure member for moving said closure member to at least one of the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A guillotine damper has the framework surrounding a flow path provided with side and bottom guide sections. The blade has U-shaped channel sections extending along the top, bottom and sides thereof with its bottom and side sections dimensioned for sliding engagement with corresponding guide sections. The guide and channel sections are connected to the framework and blade, respectively, in a manner preventing their distortions by thermal expansion forces.

Abstract: A flue restrictor to control air flow in a combustion apparatus having an exhaust system that includes a flue. The restrictor has a housing to be attached in the flue. There is a first valve member located in the housing and a second valve member located in the housing. Each valve member is composed of open and closed areas, and cooperates with the other valve member to act as a valve. Movement of one valve member relative to the other controls air flow in the restrictor, and thus in the combustion apparatus. The restrictor provides sensitive control and ease of adjustment in position.

Abstract: An improved vent damper for oil or natural gas-fired hot water heaters includes a damper assembly incorporated into the exhaust duct above a hot water heater, and contains a lightweight, floating poppet closure slidably mounted on a reduced-diameter exhaust pipe. When the hot water heater's main burner is operating, hot exhaust gasses lift the floating poppet closure, and the gasses escape through the gap thereby created around its base. These exhaust gasses are then vented to the outside air via an exhaust duct. When the main burner is turned off again, the floating poppet closure falls back again to its original (closed) position, thereby blocking the exhaust duct and preventing cool room air from circulating through the heater and its central core. Pilot light exhaust gasses are able to continuously escape through the reduced-diameter exhaust pipe even when the floating poppet closure is in the closed position.

Abstract: In a sealing mechanism for a damper plate for a duct, seal members are made in the form of multi-convoluted sheet metal bellows, which engage each side of the damper plate around the periphery of the duct. When the duct is moved from an open position to a closed position, it slides between the seal elements forcing them apart. When the plate is slid from a closed position to an open position, the spring bias in the bellows members will cause them to expand to engage each other.

Abstract: A biomass stove has an outer chamber formed by a continuous side wall which is connected to a bottom wall. An air inlet is formed in the bottom wall for allowing introduction of air into the interior of the outer chamber. A fuel basket, also formed as a continuous side wall attached to a bottom wall, is located within the outer chamber. In the fuel basket, near the bottom of the fuel basket, a grate is positioned. First and second reflecting members are positioned below the grate within the fuel basket. Air inlets are located along the bottom periphery of the fuel basket with primary air flowing up through the air inlets and over the reflecting members and through the grate into a fuel supply which can be located within the fuel basket on the grate. One or more of the primary stoves can be suspended in a support housing to form an appropriate multi-burner stove.

Abstract: A damper mechanism of the slide gate type includes two curved seal segments positioned in back-to-back abutting relation to function as the primary flue seal. A seal door when closed extends between the upper ends of the seal segments and applies compression to the spaced appart ends to form, in combination with the seal segments, a closed chamber which functions as a secondary seal. Means are provided for applying a thrust force to the upper end of one of the seal segments to move that seal segment into abutting relation with the other seal segment when the slide gate is withdrawn. In a preferred embodiment, the thrust force is applied by the seal door during its closing. In another preferred embodiment, the closed chamber formed by the seal door and seal segments is enlarged and compressed air is pumped into the chamber to improve its functioning as a secondary seal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wood burning stove having an internal damper plate located between first and second combustion chambers within the stove. The damper plate is movable between a chamber dividing and a chamber joining position where the damper plate provides a smoke guide to the interior of the stove allowing the stove door to be opened when the stove is in use.

Abstract: A solid fuel burning stove having a catalytic converter apparatus located above the stove combustion site. The apparatus includes a horizontal partition having a first opening in direct communication with the stove flue and a second opening adjacent catalytic elements. A by-pass damper is slideable on the partition to open and close the first opening. The by-pass damper is connected via a hollow rod to a handle located at the front of the stove. Exit ports are located in the hollow rod to provide supplemental heated air to the catalytic elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inner door for a water heater that is easily slidably mounted on the inside of a heating chamber, without hinges, and that will not fall off and is difficult to remove and which tightly fits against the side wall of the combustion chamber to prevent flame spillage and rollout while also acting as a radiation shield.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the flow of a hot fluid. The apparatus includes a closure member for sliding between a closed position and an open position. The closure member has a hot section defined by the portion of the closure which is subject to impingement of hot fluid when the closure member is in the closed position and a cold section disposed outside the fluid passageway and not subject to impingement of hot fluids. The cold section includes at least one cleft which facilitates expansion of the cold section in response to expansion of the hot section due to heating by impingement of hot fluid on the hot section. This, in turn, relieves stresses and reduces the extent of distortion of the closure member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a flow control apparatus, such as a guillotine damper, is disclosed. The apparatus of the invention is particularly intended for dampers or other flow control devices utilizing pressurized sealing air to effect complete sealing. The closure member is of the type that moves completely out of the main fluid passageway when opened. Each of the two lateral seals, which cooperate with lateral edges of the closure member, includes an extended portion with a curved segment which takes the form of a cylindrical arc to stiffen each lateral seal against movement normal to the plane of the seal. This, in turn, allows considerable reduction in the clearances and gaps in the corners between the lateral seals and an entry seal to reduce the flow volume of the sealing air, to reduce the overall power requirements, and to reduce energy consumption.

Abstract: A combination damper and ash rake for a barbecue grill comprising an integral, flat disc having damper openings, rake projections struck upwardly from the disc and a pair of ears struck downwardly from the disc. The disc cooperates rotatably with a complementary flat bottom section of a barbecue grill receptacle having air openings formed therein. The disc ears provide a mounting hub for the disc positionable through a central mounting opening in the flat bottom section, and an operating handle is positionable through the disc ears. A resilient connector unites the handle and disc in operational assembly and provides a bias to maintain the disc in close contact with the bottom section of the grill receptacle.

Abstract: A furnace insert (10) for an enclosed fireplace is disclosed. Furnace (10) includes an outer housing (11) and an inner housing (50) which define a firebox (11A). A plurality of tubular steel ducts (45-52), inclusive, are mounted within firebox (11A) and heat air as it rises through the ducts from inlets at the bottom and out of outlets at the top. Additional heat is recovered from the furnace and, in addition, an insulating effect is created which prevents damage to the fireplace walls by a heat exchange chamber (54) which is defined by a space between inner housing (11) and outer housing (50) which has an air inlet (54A) at the bottom and an air outlet (54A) at the top.

Abstract: A guillotine damper for use in exhaust or like duct systems which must be entered by men for servicing has its frame provided with guides extending about the flow path from one end of the opening by which the blade enters an air tight bonnet to the other end thereof and enclosed by resiliently flexible metal seals. The blade has marginal channels coextensive with the guides with the channels closely fitting the guides and compressing the sides of the seals with zero leakage attained by sealing air discharged along the channels during movement of the blade and while the damper is closed.

Abstract: A sliding blade damper is provided with an improved seal arrangement around the blade withdrawal aperture. Two pairs of flexible sealing strips are used, mounted on either side of the aperture and pressing against the opposite sides of the blade. The unattached edges of the sealing strips are curled and bent away from the blade. The curled edges of one pair of strips hook the curled edges of the other pair, so that when the blade is inserted into the damper, the spreading apart of the first pair of strips serves to partially spread apart the second pair as well. In this manner the leading edge of the blade penetrates between the second pair of strips rather easily, lessening the chances that those strips will be bent or torn.

Abstract: A conduit closure apparatus comprising a main frame adapted for connection to a conduit in a position generally in registry with the conduit, a movable blade slidably mounted in the frame, means for moving the blade back and forth between an open position in which the blade is outside the conduit and a closed position in which the blade blocks the conduit, a slot-like port through which the blade slides when it is moved between its open and closed positions, and an inflatable sealing ring that is operable, when inflated, to press against the face of the blade at the blade's periphery when the blade is in the closed position, thereby creating a seal between the blade and the frame, is improved by having the main frame define a channel which holds the edges of the blade when in the closed position, and having the inflatable ring being carried by a second frame, smaller than the main frame, which slidably fits in the channel of the main frane and which can be withdrawn from the main frame through the blade port

Abstract: An afterburner for a wood stove for use as a retrofit assembly comprises a rectangular housing having openings in the upper and lower surfaces provided with cylindrical collars for cooperation with the flue duct and with the opening in the top of the wood stove respectively. The openings are positioned at the rear of the housing so as to provide a forward section spaced from the openings. A catalytic combuster mounted in a cylindrical support is movable from a position directly above the opening in the bottom surface into the front section by a manually operable handle extending through the front face of the housing. A baffle mounted on the support and arranged at a shallow angle to the horizontal overlies the major part of the combuster so as to direct gases into the front section of the housing for heat exchange contact with the walls thereof.

Abstract: A draft inlet or control for admitting outside air to a fireplace comprises a conduit sized to be set in and through the brickwork of a fireplace, preferably in the rear wall. The end facing into the fireplace has a face plate with radially spaced openings therein over which is a finger or poker operable rotatable shutter having like radially spaced openings permitting closing of the draft inlet when the two sets of openings are out of register. In one design, the shutter is held in place by a top plate spot welded to flanges on the conduit and having a circular opening with a restraining lip stamped in the edge of the opening to hold the shutter. In another design, the end plate and shutter are cast of a metal such as case iron, aluminum or brass and are held together and to the conduit by suitable fastening means, a top plate not being required.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wet-based, wood-burning boiler that has a combustion chamber that heats water in a cylindrical main boiler chamber and in a communicating rear boiler chamber. A flue directly exhausts smoke, flue gases and products of combustion from the combustion chamber without creosote formation, while a damper plate, tracked to its closed position: indirectly exhausts without lowering the temperature of the exhausting flue gases to creosote deposition temperature because the damper plate structure has a more effective draft area than the flue draft area, while at the same time the damper plate structure retains the highest temperature possible in the combustion chamber, and traps and transfers heat to the water in the boiler chambers more quickly and with a faster recovery rate.The wet-based, wood-burning boiler can be converted to a wood-burning, forced, hot-air furnace while retaining its tracked damper plate structure and functional attributes associated therewith.

Abstract: A barbecue grill is provided with a sliding damper for controlling the flow of combustion air into the grill. The damper is slidably mounted on the upper surface of a plate having an opening, and the damper is movable by a control rod which is secured to the damper and which extends to the outside of the grill.

Abstract: In a fuel burning stove having a heating chamber positioned above a firebox and covering a rear discharge opening as well as a major portion of the firebox upper wall, a vertical exhaust path is established between the discharge opening and the flue. A sliding baffle plate located in the heating chamber is manually controlled by a handle and externally mounted connecting link mechanism to selectively establish the vertical exhaust path or a tortuous exhaust passage. The tortuous passage is S-shaped causing hot gases to circulate through the heating chamber to increase the amount of heat radiated into the surrounding air. A forward damper responsive to movement of the baffle exposes a forward discharge opening when the vertical exhaust path is open to directly exhaust smoke from the forward region of the firebox prior to opening of the stove door to add fuel. The handle retains the door closed when the vertical exhaust path is closed by the baffle.

Abstract: A damper and air flow control for use with fireplaces or stoves having a plurality of heat tubes extending through the exhaust passage for smoke and other products of combustion includes a plurality of slats secured in spaced side-by-side relation to one another. Each slat is adapted to be positioned above a heat tube when the damper is in open position so as to leave the spaces between the heat tubes substantially unobstructed. Each slat has a width greater than the space between the heat tube over which it is positioned when the damper is open and an adjacent heat tube so that the slats may be moved to a position where they substantially block the spaces between the heat tubes. Control apparatus is provided to move the slats between open, closed, or partially closed positions.

Abstract: A thermostat for a stove is disclosed. The thermal control unit is contained in a housing which has an aperture formed therein and includes a thermal control unit for detecting changes in the temperature of the stove. A flap is secured to the housing and is rotatable across the aperture so as to cover the aperture to any desired degree. The thermal control unit controls the position of the flap to control the effective area of the aperture, thereby to control the amount of air supplied to the stove. The thermal control unit, the flap and the aperture cooperate to ensure that the effective area of the aperture changes by an amount approximately proportional to the square of the magnitude of any change in the stove temperature detected by the thermal control unit. The thermal control unit may preferably comprise a bimetallic coil or a liquid expansion thermometer.

Abstract: An adjustable fresh air damper for combustion air is provided. Said invention consists of a front plate having a central aperture, an air intake plate having a plurality of apertures and means for holding the front plate against a firebrick inner wall and the air intake plate against an outer wall of a rear wall of a fireplace having an aperture therethrough. A slide door is provided that is gravity operated with a means for guiding the slide door affixed to the front plate so that the slide door can go to an up position exposing the central aperture in the front plate allowing ambient outside fresh air to enter the fireplace and the slide door can go to a down position covering the central aperture in the front plate preventing ambient outside fresh air from entering the fireplace.

Abstract: A wood burning stove having a catalytic converter for achieving greatly increased combustion efficiency, said stove having damper means for insuring that all combustion gases from the primary combustion chamber pass through said converter before reaching the stove's exhaust duct when the damper is in one position, and manual control means for moving the damper to a second position wherein the combustion gases bypass said converter and pass directly to said exhaust duct, it being necessary to move said damper to its second position before the door of said stove can be opened. Said damper has a controlled leakage factor whereby if the converter becomes clogged when the damper is in its first position, combustion gases will be permitted to pass to said exhaust duct. In one operational mode, the stove may be used to burn coal.

Abstract: A forced air, fuel burning heater is provided which includes a relatively large damper plate slideably mounted immediately below the top wall of the heater, to thereby insulate the top wall from the heat of combustion and thereby reduce the temperature and thus the tendency of the top wall to warp from excessive heat. The damper plate preferably includes a rearward edge which is doubled upon itself to further insulate the edge of the flue opening in the top wall from heat, where warpage commonly occurs. The disclosed heater also includes a separate blower assembly which may be selectively mounted on either side of the combustion chamber with equally effective air circulation, and the hearth plate includes an upwardly inclined forward edge portion for reflecting radiant heat back toward the heater and thus reducing the temperature of the adjacent floor surface.

Abstract: A fuel burning stove or furnace wherein combustion of fuel is more complete resulting in a greater amount of heat generation and a cleaner combustion residue. The stove includes a stove housing defined by side walls and top and bottom walls and having an unobstructed combustion chamber. A flue has a flue passage to the combustion chamber at the lower portion thereof beneath the normal combustion area within the chamber. Unburned gaseous products of combustion rise toward the top of the chamber and are trapped and forced back downward through the chamber into the flue passage. As they pass again through the flame of combustion, the unburned products are burned. The result is more efficient combustion and a cleaner combustion residue. The residue is less pollutant and is safer in terms of avoiding chimney fires.

Abstract: The specification describes a stove which is convertible to a fireplace. The stove has a swingable mounted front door which closes the combustion chamber. The door has a primary and secondary pre-heating air passages both of which introduce a stream of pre-heated air to the appropriate regions of the combustion chamber. A slidable baffle system located in the chamber provides a wide range of fuel drafting arrangements. The stove further has a fire screen mounted on the front and which swings from the side opposite the door to conveniently accommodate conversion from closed combustion to a fireplace mode.

Abstract: A damper assembly for closure of a duct for conveying hot corrosive gases is disclosed.

Abstract: A stove or furnace in which the products of combustion are recirculated inside the combustion chamber by means of a V-shaped partition or baffle, the apex of which extends downward directly above the primary fire zone, so that the combustion products rising from the fire are deflected outward and then flow downward back into the primary fire zone. Secondary air may be mixed with the unburned combustion products above the primary fire zone to form a combustible mixture which is burned on re-entering the fire zone.

Abstract: A draft control is described for selectively admitting exterior fresh air to assist combustion within the interior of a fireplace. The draft control is comprised of two interconnected and relatively slidable plates. The plates are dimensioned relative to a standard firebrick to facilitate installation in existing fireplace structures. Cool, exterior air is allowed to pass through selectively aligned apertures extending through both plates into the firebox. The plates may slide between this operative position wherein the apertures are in open contact and a closed position wherein the apertures of one plate are out of alignment and do not permit free passage of air into the fireplace interior.

Abstract: A wood-burning stove has a vertically corrugated surrounding wall, the vertical corrugations having an outer side in direct contact with the atmosphere and an inner side directly contactable by the wood fuel. The corrugated wall has air inlets which can be controlled by adjustable dampers.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve comprising a housing; a sliding gate; an enclosed void space between the gate side edges and the wall of the housing when the gate is in the closed position; and a purge line for injecting pressurized fluid into the void space; improved by gate side edge sealing means comprising a downstream seat mounted on the interior wall of the housing and an upstream seat assembly comprised of a rigid, elongated channel on the interior wall of the housing, parallel to, and upstream of, the gate when in the valve-closed position, the channel having a back wall and at least one side wall, the back wall being substantially parallel to the gate; a rope positioned lengthwise in the channel; the channel having an elongated metal strip flexibly attached along the first of its two long edges to a side wall of the channel so as to sandwich the rope between the back wall of the channel and the rear surface of the metal strip; the seat assembly being positioned such that when the gate is closed the gate's upstr

Abstract: A damper assembly for use in gas-conducting conduits including a damper blade with a cavity therein for receiving a fluid and a plurality of outlet ports in flow communication with the cavity to provide means for providing a pressurized fluid seal around the damper blade when in a closed position.

Abstract: Sealing means for sealing between a moving member and a fixed frame with which the moving member cooperates, said sealing means comprising rigid, elongated, channel means (on either the frame or the moving member), said channel having a back wall and at least one side wall; a rope which is resiliently compressible across its width positioned lengthwise in said channel; and an elongated metal strip having opposing front and rear surfaces, said strip being flexibly attached along the first of its two long edges to a side wall of the channel so as to sandwich the rope between the back wall of the channel and the rear surface of the metal strip, the channel means, rope, and metal strip being positioned such that the complementary part (either the moving member or the frame) can press against the front surface of the metal strip in sealing engagement therewith, urging the strip against the rope, the resilience of the rope providing a pressure counter to that exerted by the complementary part.

Abstract: Sealing means for a sliding gate valve with a frame having a bottom frame member, a top frame member with an aperture therein generally transverse to the direction of fluid flow through the valve, and parallel, rectilinear side frame members and a gate having parallel, rectilinear sides adapted for sliding movement through the aperture to a closed position within the frame to restrict the flow of fluid through the frame. The seal is effected by a flange that is fixedly mounted on at least one frame member downstream of the aperture and in the interior of the frame and is parallel to the gate, and a longitudinal strip of resilient material fixedly mounted on at least one side frame member in the interior of the frame and in the plane of the gate. The flange is adapted to contact the downstream surface of the gate and limit the gate's downstream displacement due to the pressure of fluid when it is in the closed position and subjected to fluid pressure against its upstream surface.

Abstract: A damper construction is provided by a sheet metal plate having fixed guide members extending therefrom for sliding movement upon a pair of parallel guide tracks on each side of the plate. The tracks extend horizontally on each side of the flue opening and slope downwardly toward the upper edge of the open front of the fireplace. The plate is movable between positions fully covering and uncovering the flue opening when the guide members are disposed in the horizontal and downwardly sloping portions, respectively, of the tracks. A handle is attached at one end to the center of the front edge of the plate for limited pivotal movement about two perpendicular axes to allow access to the other end of the handle in either position of the plate, and to allow movement of the handle to a position out of the frontal fireplace opening when the plate is in the uncovering position.

Abstract: A damper for controlling the passage of combustion gases through a conduit in a furnace. The damper is a mass of formed refractory material shiftable through an opening in the side of the conduit between an operative position extending into the conduit and inoperative position spaced laterally of the conduit. The damper is mounted on an elongate hollow beam which has a coolant fluid flow passage extending therethrough and apertures through which coolant fluid may pass to cool the exterior of the damper and support. A housing extends laterally of the conduit and has side and end walls positioned to receive and enclose portions of the damper and damper support retracted from the conduit. The damper support is enclosed and shielded by the housing walls throughout operation of the apparatus. A coolant fluid supply is operable to inject coolant fluid under pressure into the damper support so that such fluid may flow outwardly therefrom to cool the damper support and surfaces of the damper.