Abstract: A power supply testing system for non-utility power generators, etc. includes a test tank filled with a resistive liquid; a main electrode housed within the test tank to receive power from a non-utility power generator to be tested; a movable insulator member interposed between the main electrode and the test tank to regulate the amount of power supplied from the main electrode to the tank; and a piping system for cooling or filtering the resistive liquid within the test tank and returning it to the test tank, thereby recycling the resistive liquid. The main electrode is supported at an upper portion of the test tank and depends therefrom, and the piping system includes an inlet pipe located above the test tank for feeding the resistive liquid into the test tank, while power is supplied through said inlet pipe.

Abstract: A PTC-resistor which is a temperature dependent electrical thermistor of semiconductor ferro-electric ceramic which is provided with power leads and serves as a sensor element is directly fused into glass. The power leads are welded to metal coatings formed on the PTC-resistor which are stable at the temperature occurring when the PTC-resistor is fused. The metal coatings are made of aluminum which are formed by aluminum silk screened metallizations which have a thickness of 50 .mu.m or more.

Abstract: An electrode for level detection includes a detection electrode including conductor portions and resistor portions arranged and formed one after the other in a level change direction. An insulating coating layer is formed on either each conductor portion or each resistor portion. The insulating coating layer may be of a film having a property to repel a liquid to be measured.

Abstract: A rheostat of the kind that comprises a tank containing electrolyte and at least two electrodes, one electrode being connectable to an electric power supply and the other electrode being connectable to apparatus to be fed by the power supply. The electrodes define therebetween an electrolyte flow path and there is associated with the electrolyte flow path operational pumping apparatus providing for a controlled effective circulation of the electrolyte between the electrodes. The rheostat is particularly usable in conjunction with the starting of squirrel-cage motors.

Abstract: A variable level liquid rheostat having a tubular overflow member between a starting chamber and a tank for controlling the level of electrolyte in the starting chamber. The overflow member has a closed upper end inside the starting chamber and lateral discharge orifices and communicates with the electrolyte in the tank. The overflow member produces a siphoning effect when the electrolyte level in the starting chamber is substantially above the discharge orifices for causing a sudden drop of the level in the starting chamber until the electrolyte level in the starting chamber again reaches the discharge.

Abstract: An electrode boiler includes a boiler shell having at least two spaced electrodes arranged about a vertical axis and positioned to be at least partially immersed in a water zone in the shell; the water zone including a relatively cold water zone below the lower edges of the electrodes. A pair of vertically spaced nozzles are provided for introducing water into the shell during operation of the boiler. The vertically higher nozzle is arranged to introduce water into the shell in the water zone directly between the electrodes in substantially horizontal radially-directed jets. The vertically lower nozzle is arranged to introduce water directly into the relatively cold water zone in a stream directed on the base of the boiler shell.

Abstract: The steam generator includes a cylindrical tank, a plurality of circumferentially-spaced electrical terminals extending through the tank top wall. To afford the capability of adjusting the horizontal distance between adjacent electrodes while maintaining the sides parallel and uniformly spaced, the underside of the tank top wall is provided with a radially extending row of radially-spaced bosses in conjunction with each terminal and each boss includes an aperture radially aligned with the corresponding terminal. The upper end of each electrode includes a radially-extending row of apertures which are adapted to receive the inner end of a terminal and are spaced so that, when a terminal is positioned in one of the electrode apertures, at least one other is in registration with a tank boss aperture to receive a metal screw or the like for anchoring the electrode on the tank.

Abstract: An electrode for a liquid rheostat comprises a plurality of globally annular elements arranged successively and electrically connected together two at a time. The annular elements progressively decrease in size. The electrode can be formed from a continuous metal strand wound in a spiral, the turns of the strand forming the annular elements. A liquid rheostat including such electrodes is particularly suitable for starting an electric motor as it produces a gradual start up characteristic.

Abstract: An electric boiler includes a first electrode disposed within a chamber and comprising an upwardly oriented water nozzle surrounded by a convolute electrode member. A second electrode is disposed within the chamber vertically above the first electrode and has a bottom center opening for receiving water from the nozzle and a dome for redirecting the same radially outwardly. The second electrode also includes an annular water receptor surrounding said opening and having a plurality of drain openings spaced from the center opening and a plurality of pipe sections of different lengths disposed respectively in said openings for discharging water downwardly onto the convolute electrode member. Control means is connected to the nozzle for varying the water delivery rate therefrom in response to steam pressure in said chamber.

Abstract: An electrode-type steam generator includes a pair of spaced electrodes extending into a pressure vessel having a feed water inlet and a steam outlet. A rotary stirring device, cycled on and off by a pressure switch in the steam outlet, is provided in the vessel below the electrodes and is operative to create a vortex which artificially raises the level of the water adjacent the sides of the vessel without water being added, whereby the electrodes are immersed to a greater extent when the stirrer is operating to increase steam production than when it is not operating. The flow of water into the vessel through the feed water inlet is controlled by a solenoid valve responsive to the current flow between the immersed portions of the electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid rheostat includes a conductive element which surrounds multiple electrodes. The element provides a multiplicity of current paths between the electrodes at a given depth of electrolyte solution thus decreasing current concentration of the electrodes. In order to further decrease current concentration, cylindrical electrodes are used. In a second embodiment, the liquid rheostat and an electrolyte storage container are disposed so as to surround a fluid transport pipe of a pumping system, the fluid being transported in the pipe serving to cool the electrolyte. The rheostat and storage container combined with the pipe provide a compact arrangement for saving space in a pump installation.

Abstract: A high temperature water (HTW) space heating system in which the direct source of HTW is an automatic electrode steam boiler having electrodes, adapted to be connected in an electrical distribution system. The electrodes are positioned in corresponding steam generating compartments surrounded by a control compartment. A corresponding water spout directs water toward the tip of each electrode. A regulating valve allows only a limited steam output, which is used for control purposes. Water is taken from the boiler and mixed with water from an outside source. A boiler water circulating group feeds the mixed water to the spouts with sufficient velocity for it to flow up the surface of the electrodes to the water level in the steam generating compartments. The system has a heated space circuit including a pump for circulating HTW.

Abstract: A jet-protected electrode tip for high voltage electrode boilers from which boiler water is taken, mixed with the boiler feedwater or other water of lower temperature taken from an outside source and pumped through circuits terminated by a nozzle located below and pointing upward towards the tip of each electrode. A boiler having this distinguishing feature is commonly referred to as a jet-flow electrode boiler. The water is discharged through the nozzle and ejected as a jet stream having sufficient velocity to prevent oscillation thereof about the electrode tip. The improvement comprises passing a portion of the jet stream as a continuous stream through an inlet passage leading to a central chamber in the electrode tip, thereby maintaining electrical contact between the jet and the electrode tip. The inlet passage is disposed on the central longitudinal axis of the electrode.

Abstract: An electrode boiler includes a plurality of veritcal electrodes arranged in a container having an open steam outlet at its top whereby the boiler operates at substantially atmospheric pressure. The boiler is provided with electrically controlled feed and drain valves and a water level sensing electrode is provided in the container. Electronic solid state control circuitry includes means response to the water level sensed by water level sensing electrode for controlling operation of the feed valve to replace water boiled away thereby maintaining a constant water level in the boiler. The electronic control circuitry also includes current responsive means operative to open the drain valve when the electrode current reaches a predetermined maximum magnitude irrespective of the water level and to close the drain valve when the electrode current falls to a predetermined lower value.

Abstract: An improved method of operating a water-vapor generator having a vaporization vessel containing water and provided with heating electrodes therein which are connected to an electric current supply and between which flows an electric current whose magnitude depends on the depth of immersion of the electrodes in the water in the vessel, which method comprises discharging water from the vessel from time in order to reduce the concentration of minerals in the water resulting from vaporization and introducing fresh water into the vessel to replace that which has been evaporated and/or discharged. The method employs the electrode current as a controlled condition for the control of the water supply and discharge valves to the vessel.