Abstract: A condensate collector (40) for use in water heating apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) includes a liquid storage tank (12), a combustion chamber (20), a flue (26) disposed above the combustion chamber (20), and, a condensate collector (40). The condensate collector (40) includes a receptacle (42) positioned in an entry end (28) of the flue (26), a discharge outlet (53) for discharging condensate collected in the receptacle (42) for subsequent transfer to a drain.

Abstract: A cap for a gas burner is disclosed. The cap includes a center portion including a top surface having a periphery; at least one extension extending outward from the center portion, the at least one extension defining a drain channel extending outward and downward from the top surface; and a ledge extending along the periphery. A spill resistant gas burner assembly incorporating such a cap is also disclosed.

Abstract: A freeze resistant method for draining liquid condensate from a condensate furnace includes quickly purging the liquid condensate from a condensate reservoir. A condensing heat exchanger connected to a condensing reservoir stores liquid condensate as the system is in use. An inducer produces a positive pressure along a condensate line to the outlet of the reservoir, creating a back pressure which prevents draining of the reservoir. When the inducer is shut off, the positive pressure is removed, and the liquid condensate rapidly flushes from the reservoir. The amount of liquid condensate remaining in the system and exposed to cold conditions can be minimized.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled fuel valve, especially for a fuel-operated heating burner of a vehicle heating system has at least one valve member (40) that is adjustable as a function of a temperature in the area of a heating burner (30).

Abstract: An injector for water free of external torch external torch gas injector comprising an outer tube, a first inner tube and a second inner tube. The outer tube has a side tube and a plurality of outer tube emission holes. The outer wall of the outer tube joins with a ball-and-socket joint. The plurality of outer tube emission holes is at the front end of the outer tube. The outer tube encloses the first inner tube. The first inner tube has a side tube and an inner tube emission hole. The inner tube emission hole is also at the front end of the outer tube. The outer tube also encloses the second inner tube. The second inner tube has an inner tube inlet and an inner tube emission hole. The second inner tube inlet is at the back end of the outer tube. The second inner tube emission hole is on the wall of the outer tube, near the largest cross-section of the ball-and-socket joint.

Abstract: A gas flare is described which includes a vent stack for combustion air having a first end and a second end. A gaseous fuel cyclone chamber surrounds the vent stack. The cyclone chamber has an interior wall conterminous with the vent stack and an exterior wall spaced from the vent stack. The cyclone chamber has a narrowing defining an access opening adjacent the first end of the vent stack. A gaseous fuel injection ring surrounds the first end of the vent stack with fuel nozzles extending into the access opening of the cyclone chamber. Gaseous fuel is fed into the cyclone chamber for thorough mixing prior to combustion. An igniter is positioned above the first end of the vent stack. Gaseous fuel flowing under pressure from the cyclone chamber creates a venturi effect drawing air up the vent stack to form a mixture of air and gaseous fuel which is ignited by the igniter. A combustion air passage communicates with the second end of the vent stack.

Abstract: Diesel fuel is vaporized and then burned on a cylindrical screen flame holder. The fuel is vaporized in a finned, vertical tube vapor generator and directed through a superheater tube past the flame to a flow control valve and nozzle. A flow restriction is provided between a liquid fuel supply and the vapor generator. The flame holder is vertically supported over a mixer and the nozzle. A flame deflector about the flame holder and a reservoir about the nozzle collect fuel condensate during start-up.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs an excess fuel containment compartment (24) which receives any excess fuel which might be fed to the fuel supply chamber (40). The excess fuel causes a receptacle (20) in the compartment to move downward. Through a retaining arm (82) and actuating arm (78), such movement communicates with a removable tank lift mechanism in response to the excess fuel condition. Also the mechanism prevents re-insertion of the removable tank (60) to its proper seating position until the danger of flareup is removed. This safety device also alerts the user of the liquid fuel burner to a dangerous condition by a mechanism comprising a highly visible warning gauge needle (34). In addition, the burner can be readily serviced and restored to operation should an excess fuel malfunction occur.

Abstract: A safety device for preventing uncontrolled burning in wick-fed liquid fuel burners employs an excess fuel containment compartment (24) which receives any excess fuel which might be fed from a removable tank (60) through a spring-loaded valve in the removable tank cap (61) into fuel supply chamber (40). The excess fuel causes a receptacle (20) in the compartment to move downward. Through a retaining arm (82) and lever (66) such movement activates a pin-drop mechanism. Activation of the pin-drop mechanism closes off the valve in the removable tank cap. Also the mechanism prevents re-opening of the fuel tank valve until the danger of flareup is removed. This safety device also alerts the user of the liquid fuel burner to a dangerous condition by a mechanism comprising a warning gauge needle (34). In addition, the burner can be readily serviced and restored to operation should an excess fuel malfunction occur.

Abstract: The liquid fuel burning apparatus includes a fuel tank, a burning unit for burning the fuel, an electromagnetic pump for sucking the fuel from the tank, a feeding pipe for feeding the sucked fuel to the burning unit, and a control unit for controlling the electromagnetic pump. The electromagnetic pump has a plunger which is reciprocated by a plunger solenoid to suck the fuel in the fuel tank and discharge the sucked fuel therefrom in the associative motion of a suction and a discharge valves incorporated therein. The control unit opens the valves for a predetermined time when the fuel supply is stopped. Thus, fuel remained at an end of the feeding pipe is collected from so that the unburnt gas or strange smell which would be generated when the unnecessary liquid fuel is supplied to the burning means can be restricted.

Abstract: A leak detector for a valve controlling flow of fuel to a combustion chamber employs a fuel concentration sensor in a sensing chamber placed downstream from the valve seat. The valve has a downstream chamber which is in communication by diffusion through an orifice, with a source of pressurized air. By injecting air into the downstream chamber through this orifice after the valve has closed and then measuring with the sensor the fuel concentration within the sensing chamber, excessive fuel leakage by the valve can be detected.

Abstract: A gas burning furnace is disclosed with a sealed and vented gas control valve. Sealing the gas control valve in an enclosure shields the control valve from the external environment. By venting the enclosure to the furnace pilot light, any gas leaking from the gas control valve into the enclosure is conducted to and ignited by the pilot light in a deliberate controlled manner, thereby precluding an explosion in the enclosure. Other safety features disclosed include an overheat shut-off, pilot light extinguished shut-off and blower malfunction shut-off.

Abstract: A burn nozzle for mixing petroleum products to be burned and air in which air is injected into the petroleum stream leaving a nozzle from an air can which is spaced from the nozzle and its petroleum product supply line such that any leakage from the oil supply line is into a space between the line and the air can and the petroleum products cannot be forced under pressure into the air can. The air can may be provided with a slip joint to accommodate unequal heating of the air can. The free end of the oil conduit and its outlet chamber may be smaller in diameter than the oil can and be threaded to the remainder of the oil conduit to permit its ready removal and replacement.

Abstract: A gas valve device includes an integral drip leg and filter, positioned upstream from valve means contained therein, for collecting and removing liquid and solid impurities from a gas stream. The drip leg and filter includes a fine-mesh screen of significantly larger cross-sectional area than an inlet opening through which the gas stream enters the gas valve device. The screen is positioned at an angle to cause solid particles to be deflected away from the screen. Clean-out means is located between the inlet opening and the screen for collecting and removing the accumulated liquid and solid impurities. In a preferred embodiment, a detachable cover can be removed to enable cleaning or replacing the screen.

Abstract: A burner for hydrocarbon fuel, such as waste lubricating oil for internal combustion engines and the like, has a fuel line terminating in a discharge nozzle and connected to a source of the fuel. Arranged within the fuel line and terminating in a discharge outlet disposed substantially adjacent the discharge nozzle is a gas line connected to a source of a gas under pressure. The gas lifts and atomizes the fuel and causes same to discharge from the nozzle and into a combustion chamber. The latter is preferably formed by a burner can provided with one or more apertures in a sidewall thereof, and having a baffle disposed spaced from, but adjacent to, the discharge nozzle, which is disposed just inside the combustion chamber, for avoiding carbon buildup on the end of the nozzle.