Abstract: A barbecue cooking apparatus is provided. The barbecue cooking apparatus includes a firebox comprising a housing having solid walls. A charcoal tray is disposed within the housing, and one or more vents are disposed in the housing above the charcoal tray. One or more vents are disposed in the charcoal tray. An upper interior chamber within the housing above the charcoal tray is configured to hold wood and charcoal. A lower interior chamber within the housing below the charcoal tray is configured to provide a volume for the collection of wood ash. A duct is attached to the housing and forms a passageway from the lower interior chamber for heated air and wood smoke.

Abstract: A field ration packaging assembly includes a ration housing and a food tray. The ration housing includes a lid panel having at least one air exhaust vent and a wall panel having at least one intake vent. The food tray may be positioned above a heat source. The at least one air exhaust vent and at least one air intake vent may be in fluid communication such that upon activation of the heat source, air enters the ration housing through the at least one air intake vent, passes over the heat source and exits the ration housing at the at least one exhaust vent by natural convection.

Abstract: A barbecue cooking apparatus is provided. The barbecue cooking apparatus includes a firebox comprising a housing having solid walls. A charcoal tray is disposed within the housing, and one or more vents are disposed in the housing above the charcoal tray. One or more vents are disposed in the charcoal tray. An upper interior chamber within the housing above the charcoal tray is configured to hold wood and charcoal. A lower interior chamber within the housing below the charcoal tray is configured to provide a volume for the collection of wood ash. A duct is attached to the housing and forms a passageway from the lower interior chamber for heated air and wood smoke.

Abstract: A cooker to smoker adapter is provided, and in one embodiment the cooker to smoker adapter includes first and second walls constructed to cooperate with a wall of a cooker to provide a fuel containment zone for receipt of fuel to be used in a smoking process. In another embodiment, one of the walls includes at least one aperture to readily permit the addition of fuel to the fuel containment zone. In yet another embodiment, a second aperture is provided in one of the walls, this aperture being adapted to receive a reservoir for a liquid. In a further embodiment, a liquid holding reservoir is provided integral with one of the walls. In another embodiment, stand-alone structures are provided to define a fuel containment zone to permit the burning of fuel while avoiding direct radiant transmission of heat from the fuel containment zone to a food which is being smoked. In one embodiment, the stand-alone structure is adapted to receive a reservoir for water.

Abstract: We have discovered a simple electrical assembly of heating coils which may be arranged to produce hot air or gas up to 1500° C. This assembly is the invention claimed in this patent.

Abstract: A barbecue pit has a oven and a firebox mounted upon a frame which includes a reach pole, wheels, and a trailer hitch. The heat and smoke from the firebox enters into the bottom of the back of the oven. A baffle regulates the flow of heat into the oven and prevents flames from entering the oven. A chimney has its intake located at the bottom of the front of the oven and extends to sufficient height to prevent smoke from getting in the eyes of attendants. Access to the oven is by a rack opening. A rack rolls in and out of the oven on rollers and has a series of doors which close the rack opening of the oven when the doors are aligned therewith. The rack opening and intermediate doors, the oven is rarely opened so that smoke and heat escapes therefrom.

Abstract: An improved wood burning heating unit which possesses a trapezoidal housing including a fire box portion possessing in a combustion zone a fire brick grid for supporting fuel wood. An air duct extends beneath the fire brick grid, upwardly along a back portion of the heating unit, and terminates in fluid communication with a helical heat exchanger section. The heat exchanger section surrounds a central chimney including an open upper end and an open lower end selectively closable by a damper. An outside air T connection includes a first leg connected to an outside air inlet, a second leg communicating with the chimney, above the heat exchanger section, and a third leg connected for directing combustion air to the fire box. The outside air T connection also includes a pair of air pressure actuated flapper valves for regulating combustion air flow depending upon conditions within the fire box.

Abstract: A pellet stove has an arrangement for improving the flow of air therethrough. Air entering the stove is split into first and second portions. The first portion is diverted upwardly through a combustion chamber, wherein pellets are burned, thereby aiding in the burning of the pellets. The first portion of air then exits from the combustion chamber. It is directed to a rear of the stove through a heat exchanger where a flue exhaust is located. The second portion of air has three parts. The second portion of air is simultaneously diverted upwardly around the hopper and auger mechanisms, whereby the mechanisms and the pellets therein are cooled. One part of the second portion of air then is received in the flue exhaust so that this one part of the second portion of air exits the stove, creating a negative pressure in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A meat smoker is provided in a portable cooking unit having a fire box (14) and a smoker oven (12) vertically and laterally offset from the fire box. Smoker oven (12) defines an upper enclosed volume (94) containing meat to be cooked and a lower enclosed volume (96) which opens directly to the fire box (14). A hot pan drain wall (52) is provided to separate the upper volume (94) from the lower volume (96). An adjustable damper (62) is provided between the upper volume (94) and the fire box (14) to control the temperature and the smoke density within the upper volume (94). A top (40) may be placed over an opening in the fire box (14) and having a heating plate (28) to define an oven volume (16) for radiant heat input. An ash receptacle (34) is provided having stable lifting means for removal and replacement during operation of the fire box (14).

Abstract: Solid fuel heating appliance having high thermal efficiency and low levels of polluting emissions. The heating appliance includes an insulated secondary combustion chamber where a mixture of exhaust gases from the primary combustion chamber and secondary air is burned. A catalytic igniter is provided in the secondary combustion chamber to lower the ignition temperature of the unburned volatile gases from the primary combustion chamber. Regenerative feedback structure is provided in heat exchange relationship with the exhaust from the secondary combustion chamber to preheat the mixture entering the secondary combustion chamber, catalytic igniter, and the regenerative heat transfer assure substantially continuous combustion within the secondary combustion chamber even when conditions in the primary combustion chamber change.

Abstract: An improved process of the type wherein a fuel is first pyrolyzed in a chamber and the resulting volatiles and non-volatiles then transferred to a combustion region for burning, the improvement comprising temporarily storing at least a portion of the volatiles in an enclosure spaced from the chamber and the combustion region when volatiles production exceeds the volatiles incineration capability of the combustion region. Apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A solid fuel combustion chamber having fire bars supporting the fuel and two screening walls located above the fire bars, one screening wall overlying the other having an inlet opening larger that and communicating with the outlet of the underlying screening wall.

Abstract: Woodburning heating apparatus including a catalytic igniter for increasing heating efficiency and reducing polluting emissions. The apparatus includes a secondary combustion chamber in gaseous communication with a primary combusiton chamber. The secondary combustion chamber is lined with a refractory material and includes a perforate catalytic igniter through which combustion gases from the primary combustion chamber flow. The secondary combustion chamber further includes refractory baffles arranged to enhance mixing of the combustion gases and located to re-radiate heat onto the catalytic igniter. Preheated secondary combustion air enters the secondary combustion chamber so that the combustion gases are more completely burned to improve heating efficiency and reduce emissions.

Abstract: A solid fuel-burning stove has a fire chamber defined by its walls and top and an upper gas recirculating chamber with a convex portion is provided in the top section of the stove.

Abstract: A slow combustion stove is disclosed. The stove comprises a stove body adapted to receive fuel, such as wood, on the bottom to form a fire bed, an adjustable air intake for admitting air into the stove body, an exhaust duct, a smoke outlet located adjacent the top of the furnace body and communicating with the exhaust duct, a smoke flue located adjacent the bottom of the furnace body and also communicating with the exhaust duct, and damper means permitting exhaust of the combustion gases through the smoke outlet during starting of the fire and through the fire bed and the smoke flue when the fire is well lit to ensure maximum fuel and gas combustion.

Abstract: A wood-burning stove utilizes a volatilization chamber inserted within the combustion chamber of the stove. The volatilization chamber contains a charge of wood which is heated to drive off combustible gases and vapors. The combustible gases and vapors are thereafter burned in the combustion chamber of the stove by being passed through a layer of solid fuel w hich includes a substantial amount of charcoal residue from previous volatilized wood. The heat generated by burning the volatile material is used to produce additional volatiles as well as to heat the stove.

Abstract: Furnace structures having smoke and gas return are disclosed. The structures have a closed circuit combustion gas loop and a closed circuit liquid heat transfer loop. The two loops are circulated countercurrent to one another so that maximum heat transfer efficiency is achieved and exhaust emissions are reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A device and method for burning wood for the purpose of heat generation is disclosed. The device has a flat grate on which the fuel is placed and a vertical combustion air inlet passage which discharges the air as a wide, flat ribbon at one end of the combustion chamber substantially at the top surface of the grate. Combustion is confined to a zone which progressively moves along the grate away from the air unit. The combustion gases are collected at the top of the combustion chamber which is arched and arranged to cause them to spiral and while still in the combustion chamber and at autogenic temperature to mix with additional, partially heated air to complete the combustion process. The exhaust route for the combustion gases is elongated and doubled back upon itself to delay discharge and allow sufficient time to effectively heat exchange with the thermal energy transport and distribution medium.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a firebox for producing heat and smoke, and a smoke oven forming a cooking chamber therein. A plurality of vertically spaced shelves are disposed within the chamber for carrying food to be cooked. The shelves are rotated about a generally vertical axis. A heat shield is positioned beneath one of the shelves and above another of the shelves to retard the travel of heat to and from the space above such other shelf. First and second vertically spaced openings are provided in the chamber in communication with the firebox to conduct heat and smoke into the chamber. The first opening is disposed above the heat shield and the second disposed below the heat shield. Adjustable gates are provided for opening and closing the openings independently to regulate the passage of heat and smoke therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing deposits from material such as drill pipe by subjecting such material to extremely high temperatures in a flame fired furnace. Heated air passing over the material carries with it the volatized deposits and is recirculated within the furnace. As the deposit laden air is recirculated to the burner, the deposits are burned in the flame, thus substantially eliminating the exhaust of contaminants into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A system of wood combustion employing forced draft is disclosed and comprises a forced draft air and flue arrangement which is utilized with a typical wood heater or wood stove. The forced air and flue arrangement includes a blower, a plenum on which the blower is attached, a panel to which the plenum is attached having air inlets formed therethrough, the air inlets being internal to the plenum, and a flue arrangement attached to the other side of the panel. The flue arrangement includes ducts leading from the air inlets, the ducts having air nozzle slits formed on the other end thereof which are communicable with the internal portions of the wood heater or wood stove. Forced air from the blower enters the combustion chamber through the air nozzle slits. Immediately adjacent to the air nozzle slits and formed as a portion of the flue arrangement is an internal flue outlet for providing an exhaust exit for combustion gases, the flue outlet being communicable with an exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A heating plant has a fuel container with an evaporation space or chamber from which evaporated fuel is passed to a combustion chamber. Combustion gases pass from the combustion chamber through a heating tube, for discharge, while part of said gases is fed back to the evaporation chamber. The feedback path has variable insulation or flow control to control the feedback gas temperature thus to maintain constant the amount of heat fed back, irrespective of the combustion chamber heat output. The connections of evaporation chamber to combustion chamber and evaporation chamber to heating tube, by way of the gas feedback tube, are rendered more secure by mechanical support means such as bracing struts, to resist operating and transportation stresses.

Abstract: A recirculating barbecue device which has a heat booster and smoke trap, the device includes a barbecue basin for holding coals, and a hood arranged above the basin for collecting gases and fly ash, the hood includes a filter for filtering the fly ash and an air fan and conduit for recycling collected gases and drawing additional air to the basin for increasing the temperature of coals in the basin and insuring a complete combustion of gases produced during burning of the coals.