Abstract: A carburetor drain apparatus includes a carburetor bowl, a fuel supply pipe, a fuel drain pipe, and a bail interface. The carburetor bowl is configured to store fuel and provide the fuel to an air passage. The fuel supply pipe is connected a fuel tank and the carburetor bowl. The fuel drain pipe is connected to the carburetor bowl. The bail interface is configured to operate in response to actuation of a bail to open the fuel drain pipe.

Abstract: A heater and a method of its use are configured for use at cold operating temperatures. The heater has a supply line for transporting a volume of fuel between a fuel tank and burner. An inline heater is supplied in a supply line for the burner. The heater also has a return line that normally returns unused fuel from the burner to the heater, hence reducing the volume of fuel that needs to be heated by the heater and reducing system power requirements. The heater may be thermostatically controlled to maintain the temperature of the heated fuel to a value that is at or above a temperature required for good fuel atomization but below a flashpoint of the fuel. A valve is provided in the return line to permit diversion of the returned fuel to the fuel tank during a purge operation at initial startup.

Abstract: A Glycerin Fueled Afterburning Engine utilizes the power generation unit exhaust heat to pre-heat the glycerin, or similar difficult to combust fuel, and then utilizes regenerative burner heating to fully vaporize and superheat the fuel above the auto ignition temperature. The combustion inlet air is also highly preheated by the recuperative power generation cycle. The actual combustion process is then accomplished by hypergolic ignition from mixing the hot vapor with the hot air. The overall engine process operates on a cycle of (1) air compression, (2) indirect heating of air in an air heater, (3) air expansion, (4) air heating by combustion, and (5) air cooling by heat transfer to the incoming compressed air charge in the recuperator.

Abstract: A method for regulating a temperature of a combustion medium in a mixing zone of a burner and a method for regulating a burner, in particular an oil burner, a burner performance being modulated. A heating system including a burner, which includes a regulating device, and a regulating device for a burner, in particular an oil burner. The method/system is intended to provide as constant a temperature as possible in the mixing zone during the different operating modes and with changed burner performance. The combustion air flows through a first supply tract in a first operating mode and in adjustable proportions through the first and/or a second supply tract in a second operating mode, and the combustion air is supplied with heat via a heating element, which may be switched on and off, in the first supply tract, and with heat from a combustion zone in the second supply tract.

Abstract: A modular support system for outdoor radiant tube heaters includes a frame defined by hollow beams for receiving fuel and electrical lines and supporting electrical heaters posts for supporting the beams and saddles for interconnecting the beams and mounting them on posts.

Abstract: A fireplace assembly with an integrated burn control system includes a variety of features that provide an elegant, revolutionary, and highly-efficient way to heat a residence or other environment. The fireplace assembly may be used in combination with gas-burning fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. The fireplace assembly includes, but is not limited to: a control panel; a concealment door that conceals the control panel when the concealment door is closed; automatic control panel lighting that is activated when the concealment door is open; a split flow or dual burner assembly that simulates a natural wood burning fire; and an intermittent pilot ignition system that allows a pilot flame to run continuously or intermittently. The fireplace assembly can be manually controlled via the control panel or automatically and/or remotely controlled via a remote control device.

Abstract: A fuel-fired appliance is shut down when a predicted steady state combustion chamber temperature is below a known threshold. The predicted steady state temperature is based on combustion chamber temperatures during heat up of the burner and appliance.

Abstract: A method for regulating a temperature of a combustion medium in a mixing zone of a burner and a method for regulating a burner, in particular an oil burner, a burner performance being modulated. A heating system including a burner, which includes a regulating device, and a regulating device for a burner, in particular an oil burner. The method/system is intended to provide as constant a temperature as possible in the mixing zone during the different operating modes and with changed burner performance. The combustion air flows through a first supply tract in a first operating mode and in adjustable proportions through the first and/or a second supply tract in a second operating mode, and the combustion air is supplied with heat via a heating element, which may be switched on and off, in the first supply tract, and with heat from a combustion zone in the second supply tract.

Abstract: A fuel nozzle assembly is provided. The assembly includes an outer nozzle body having a first end and a second end and at least one inner nozzle tube having a first end and a second end. One of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel plenum and a fuel passage extending therefrom, while the other of the nozzle body or nozzle tube includes a fuel injection hole slidably aligned with the fuel passage to form a fuel flow path therebetween at an interface between the body and the tube. The nozzle body and the nozzle tube are fixed against relative movement at the first ends of the nozzle body and nozzle tube, enabling the fuel flow path to close at the interface due to thermal growth after a flame enters the nozzle tube.

Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having process tubes and multiple burners where it is desired to conform the temperatures of the process tubes to selected target temperature criterion. The present method provides a systematic and quantitative approach to determine how to adjust burner flow rates to result in desired tube wall temperatures, for example to minimize the temperature deviation between tube wall temperatures at a predetermined elevation in the furnace.

Abstract: A gas valve (14) control system (10) uses a control signal (16) to enable a valve (14) and a validation signal (22) to validate the control signal (16). The system (10) includes a valve (14) connected to a burner (12). A receiver (18) is electrically connected to the valve (14) and provides the valve (14) with the control signal (16). A controller (20) has a control transmitter (24) in wireless communication with the receiver (18) to transmit the control signal (16) to the receiver (18) at a speed of light. The controller (20) further includes a validation transmitter (26) to transmit a validation signal (22) to the receiver (18) at a speed of sound. The valve (14) is enabled by the control signal (16) if a time delay between the receiver (18) receiving the control signal (16) and the validation signal (22) is shorter than a maximum delay period. The control signal (16) is discarded if the time delay is longer than the maximum delay period.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a gas-fired heating system with improved thermal efficiency includes modulating a quantity of combustion air flow to a combustion mixture in response to a measured change in fuel-gas pressure using a DC (e.g., brushless) motor to drive a combustion air blower. A pressure transducer in a manifold transporting fuel-gas into the combustion mixture outputs a signal proportional to the measured pressure to the motor. The motor speed and thus the resultant quantity of combustion air flow are modulated in proportion to the quantity of fuel-gas to the mixture. Accordingly, a constant fuel-gas to combustion air ratio is maintained. The system and method may further provide for adjusting the output signal to accommodate measured intake air temperature, and/or measured atmospheric pressure in order to maintain a constant, good thermal efficiency (preferably ?80%) regardless of air temperature and altitude at the system's installation location.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solid oxide fuel cell system comprising at least one longitudinally extending tubular solid oxide fuel cell and a longitudinally extending heater mounted in thermal proximity to the fuel cell to provide heat to the fuel cell during start up and during operation as needed. The heater and fuel cell can be encased within a tubular thermal casing; the inside of the casing defines a first reactant chamber for containing a first reactant, such as oxidant. The fuel cell comprises a ceramic solid state electrolyte layer and inner and outer electrode layers concentrically arranged around and sandwiching the electrolyte layer. The outer electrode layer is fluidly communicable with the first reactant, and the inner electrode layer is fluidly isolated from the first reactant and fluidly communicable with a second reactant, such as fuel.

Abstract: A heater (12) includes a burner (16), a valve (20), and an inducer (18). A thermostat (24) is electrically coupled to the heater (12) and a control board (44) is disposed in the heater (12) and electrically connected to the thermostat (24). The control board (44) includes an inducer relay (50), a valve relay (52), and a control timer (54) for switching the valve (20) between a high flow stage and a low flow stage and the inducer (18) between a high speed stage and a low speed stage, respectively, wherein the inducer relay (50), the valve relay (52), and the control timer (54) are mounted to the control board (44) to define a singular and compact controller (30).

Abstract: A combustion apparatus 2 has an anti-spreading member 65 disposed below a combustion chamber 10. This anti-spreading member 65 is composed of a generally cylindrical main body 65a, an outer flange 65b and an inner flange 65c, these flanges being formed at and integral with the opposite ends of the main body 65a, respectively. A controller 40 for regulating the operation of this apparatus 2 is designed to preheat the anti-spreading member 65 at a heat generation rate ‘q’ lower than the required heat generation rate ‘Q’, before the apparatus starts its normal operation to burn a fuel.

Abstract: A gas operated lantern includes a regulator having a simple mechanism allowing a user to start or stop the flow of gas through the regulator. The regulator preferably exhausts an air/gas mixture in the same direction as which gas enters the regulator. The regulator includes a diaphragm assembly which presses down on a valve assembly to open the valve assembly. A stem enters the regulator and is turnable by the user to raise the diaphragm assembly and thus cause the valve assembly to close. The lantern also includes an automatic choke. The choke is preferably a strip of metal located in the burner tube of the lantern which acts to close off a portion of the burner tube when the lantern is cold, causing the air/fuel mixture to become richer and thus easier to light. As the lantern heats up, the choke straightens to open the burner tube, allowing a greater flow of air through the lantern and causing the air/fuel mixture to become leaner and thus raising the efficiency of the lantern.

Abstract: A wax candle (10) positioned below a wax reservoir (30), which is held in position above candle (10) by a wax reservoir support (20). While burning, the heat emitted from the flame of candle (10) causes the wax contained in reservoir (30) to slowly and continuous melt. This melted wax drips down from reservoir (30) into candle (10) and replenishes the wax used for combustion on the wick of candle (10). The rate of this replenishment and the flame size of candle (10) are self regulating, and in direct relationship with each other during cycle outlined below: An increase in flame size causes a subsequent increase in replenishment. An increase in replenishment causes a subsequent decrease in flame size. A decrease in flame size causes a subsequent decrease in replenishment. A decrease in replenishment causes a subsequent increase in flame size. And the cycle begins again.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-rich oxidant, in a combustion chamber (3), in which, cyclically: at least one principal variable representing the combustion in the said combustion chamber (3) is measured, and, as a function of the result of the measurement of the at least one principal variable, a control instruction for regulating the flowrates of fuel and oxidant to be injected into the combustion chamber (3) is determined. Then the regulating control instruction is applied in order to make the fuel burn with the oxidant in the chamber (3). Additionally at least one secondary variable associated with an operational constraint of the combustion chamber (3) or with a perturbation in the operation of the latter is measured, and for the determination of regulating control instruction, the measurement result of the at least one secondary variable is also taken into account. The invention is useful in glass furnaces, rotary furnaces, and incineration furnaces.

Abstract: A device and a method for the controlled reduction of the gas flow Q fed to a burner nozzle of a gas-fired cooking or baking appliance via a gas supply pipe. The gas supply pipe is branched into a number n of partial gas pipes connected in parallel, through which a partial gas flow Q.sub.k with k=1,2,3, . . . ,n can be fed to the burner nozzle in each case, and which have a control unit in each case, the control units each being connected on their gas inlet side to the gas supply pipe and on their gas outlet side to the burner nozzle, and have a switching element for switching on and off the partial gas flow Q.sub.k passing through them and a throttle element for reduction of the partial gas flow Q.sub.k passing through them. The switching elements can be switched on and off according to the selected heating power. Alternatively a number n of throttle elements are connected in series with switching elements connected in parallel.

Abstract: A novel control system for altering a fixed pattern of gas flames in a fireplace having artificial logs comprises a log set having a burner system and the burner system having a gas valve control which is coupled to source of gas or air to be regulated. The control system has a valve which controls the air or gas being supplied to the burner and a control sensor is coupled to the control system for activating the time sequence of the cycle of the control system so as to raise or lower the gas flames being regulated and to disturb the pattern of gas flames to produce the effect of dancing flames.

Abstract: As electronic programmable valve positioning linkage for a burner used in a hot mix asphalt plant is associated with fuel, air and optionally flue gas recirculation valve motors. To avoid an undesired rich condition which might result in an explosive condition, the linkage employs a program logic which changes a valve position, depending on increase or decrease of the burner output, in response to a temperature controller and thereby maintain an acceptable lean condition. The air valve motor is controlled by the temperature controller when burner output is to be increased with the fuel valve motor following the air valve motor, and the fuel valve motor is controlled when the burner output is to be decreased with the air valve motor following the fuel valve motor. In conjunction with the linkage, a mass flow system can be provided to calculate fuel/air and/or flue gas recirculation ratios based upon measurement of air flow, fuel flow and flue gas flow.

Abstract: In a combustion heater, a fuel feed unit supplies a fuel uniformly into a burner so as to prevent incomplete combustion in the burner. When a vaporization member is provided in the burner, the fuel feed unit supplies the fuel uniformly all over the surface of the vaporization member so that the incomplete combustion in the burner is also prevented. In addition or alternatively, the fuel feed unit includes a fuel feed pipe and a valve unit which is provided at a tip portion of the fuel feed pipe, so as to prevent emissions of an unburned fuel. In addition or alternatively, a temperature of the fuel supplied to the burner is monitored, and an operation of the fuel feed unit or an air feed unit for supplying combustion air to the burner is controlled based on the monitored fuel temperature so as to provide a desirable air-fuel mixture for preventing incomplete combustion in the burner.

Abstract: A heater (independent vehicle heater) which can be operated in a particularly wide range between full load and partial load, e.g., 1:10 to 1:15, is shown. This is achieved by the annular space surrounding the combustion chamber being divided into two partial compartments and by supplying the combustion air to these partial compartments. A control element (back-pressure-controlled control element), which separates some of the air passage openings between the annular space and the combustion chamber from the passage of air, is arranged in the combustion air line.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device sequence for burning waste oil and includes a circulating system having a pump for circulating the oil therein and a heater for heating the oil to a suitable combustion temperature during this circulation. A combustion oil system is included for diverting a portion of the circulating oil to an atomizing gun for combination therein with a source of atomizing air. The gun includes a heat exchange body portion in fluid communication with the circulating system. A linear actuator is included having a rod with a needle end that is operated by the actuator in a linear manner along the central axis of the atomizing gun for extending through the injection orifice for providing mechanical cleaning thereof and for regulating oil flow therethrough. The present invention includes a control system for regulating the operation thereof. In particular, oil is heated and circulated prior to diversion to the combustion system which also allows for pre-heating of the atomizing gun.

Abstract: A preheater system for waste oil burners utilizes a primary preheater remote from the burner nozzle and a secondary preheater adjacent the burner nozzle. The primary preheater ordinarily provides heat to the waste oil when the burner is operating. The secondary preheater ordinarily maintains the waste oil adjacent the burner nozzle at atomization temperature when the burner is not operating. Flow of waste oil from the primary preheater to the burner nozzle is precluded when the burner is not operating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a waste oil burner having a quick connect and disconnect subassembly. The subassembly includes a housing and an elongated horizontally disposed elongated metal block extending therefrom and terminating in a nozzle for carrying outwardly waste oil and air. The block describes a tortuous path for waste oil which is subjected to being heated in view of the presence of an electric heater in the block. The block also has a bore for the introduction and carrying out compressed air. Suitable air and waste oil connections are supplied approximate the rear end portion of the block. Electric plug in connection is provided whereby electrical contact is made with electric outlet means associated with said oil burner main assembly.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the thermal incineration of oxidizable substances in a process gas are proposed, whereby the process gas is conveyed through an afterburning apparatus (10) comprising, inter alia, a combustion chamber (18) chamber and a process gas outlet (24) in order to remove purified exhaust gas from the process gas outlet (24), and to mix said purified gas in which the process gas in order to maintain a constant concentration of the process gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for a system control means to control the temperature and preheat of waste oil in a waste oil feed system and burner. The apparatus includes the combination of a heat transfer assembly with a helical passageway through a preheat means, a system control means, an anticipatory rate-proportional bank temperature control means, and an expansion pressure relief means for cold startup.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a system control means to control the temperature and preheat of waste oil in a waste oil feed system and burner. The apparatus and method include the combination of a heat transfer assembly with a helical passageway through a preheat means, a system control means, an anticipatory rate-proportional band temperature control means, and an expansion pressure relief means.

Abstract: The invention is directed to improvements in furnaces.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a safety arrangement adapted to detect the incomplete combustion of a burner to stop the combustion in a combustion apparatus for burning a mixture of fuel and air. Through employment of an oxygen concentration cell type sensor (25), by setting the burner to be at a low air/fuel ratio (rich air/fuel mixture), ignition performance has been improved, while simultaneously, through utilization of the fact that the sensor electromotive force is large during a low air/fuel ratio, it is made possible to detect the ignition of the burner quickly and positively.In addition, it is so arranged that voltage is applied to the sensor (25) from outside, so that, by utilizing temperature characteristics of the internal resistance of the sensor (25), misfire of the burner is positively detected.

Abstract: A liquid fuel vaporizing burner comprising a combustion chamber, a fuel inlet, a primary air inlet, a secondary air inlet, and a microprocessor controller. The fuel inlet communicates with the combustion chamber. The primary air inlet communicates with the combustion chamber and is interactive with the fuel inlet. The heated secondary air inlet extends about the combustion chamber in heat exchange relationship. The combustion chamber has walls of generally heat conductive material. The combustion chamber comprises a combustion region and an exhaust region. The secondary air inlet opens at one end to the atmosphere and at its other end to a mixing passage. The microprocessor controller is electrically connected to thermocouples about the burner, to the primary and secondary air inlets, and to the fuel inlet.

Abstract: A pressure atomizing liquid fuel burner having an improved turndown ratio is disclosed along with a method of increasing the turndown ratio in such burners. The burner includes means for adding an amount of gas to the liquid fuel prior to the injection of the fuel which causes the liquid fuel to foam such that a liquid-gas foamed mixture is injected. The relative amounts of the aeration gas and the liquid fuel are controlled such that the injection velocity is maintained relatively constant over a wide turndown ratio in the liquid fuel. The aeration gas to be added to the liquid fuel may be preheated prior to the addition of the gas to the liquid fuel.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence or absence of flame in a combustor and an oxygen density of room air used to operate the combustor. An ion current detecting sensor increases a flame ion current value in the combustor to an ion current value at which erroneous detection of the presence or absence of flame is prevented. A timer outputs a high level signal when combustion starts and starts a timer operation for holding the high level signal until the ion current is stabilized. Thereafter, the time outputs a low level signal which grounds a circuit to lower the flame presence or absence detecting ion current value detected by the sensor.

Abstract: An oxygen density detecting device for a combustor in which individual adjustment of reference levels for each combustor is not necessary. A memory device stores a reference ion current value from a sensor disposed in the combustor for a predetermined period of time extending from the time instant at which combustion breaks out in the combustor until the ion current has substantially stabilized. The oxygen density of the room air used by the combustor is determined by comparing the ion current value stored in the memory with ion current values which are successively provided by the sensing device. An output signal produced thereby is utilized to control circuit elements including a fuel supplying electromagnetic pump and a combustion air blower used for supplying room air into the combustor.

Abstract: An oil feed system for an oil burner is disclosed. The feed system includes an oil preheater through which the oil is pumped to ensure that the oil fed to the burner nozzle is warm enough to ignite easily and completely. A purge line is provided to recirculate the standing oil in the supply line which leads to the burner nozzle back through the heater so that on start up cold oil is not sprayed from the nozzle. A solenoid valve in the purge line opens for a predetermined time initially during which oil is recirculated. It is not necessary to close off the burner nozzle during this period because the nozzle presents a considerably higher resistance to the oil than the purge line which is connected through the solenoid valve to the suction side of the feed pump with the result that the cold oil flows directly to the purge line.

Abstract: A gasified liquid fuel combustion apparatus for supplying a gaseous mixture of air and a gasified liquid fuel to a burner for combustion. The apparatus includes a gasifying device which comprises two spaced concentric tubes having a concentric inner tube therein. An electric heater is positioned in the space between the inner tube and the two concentric tubes and heats a chamber between the concentric tubes. Fuel is admitted to the lower rear end of the chamber and is gasified and then exits the gasifier through a nozzle connected to the forward end of the chamber. A solenoid controlled valve is operable to open and close the nozzle.

Abstract: A method to replace natural gas with vaporized fuel oil is disclosed. The method, in general, is mixing the fuel oil with a diluent, such as steam, then vaporizing a portion of the mixed fuel oil in a vaporizer, then separating the liquid from the vapor, then maintaining the vapor at from about 50.degree. to 300.degree. F. above the dew point of the mixed vapor and diluent and preferably maintaining the pressure of the mixed vapor and diluent at about 75 to 150 psig, above the pressure downstream of a valve controlling flow of the vapor mixed with diluent, and burning the vapor in a burner designed for natural gas without major modifications to the burner. The temperature and pressure can be maintained by heat from the vaporizer or by adding heat from a superheater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kerosene vapor stove with an automatic fuel feeding system. There are two ways of vaporizing the kerosene. When the stove is about to be lighted, kerosene is channelled into a preliminary preheating tube to be heated up to a high temperature within a short time. The heated kerosene under pressure passes through a nozzle and shoots through an air gap into a mixing tube, vaporizing in the process. The mixture of the kerosene vapor and air is delivered into a burner where it burns. After the stove has been lighted for about two minutes, the loop of tube above the burner will be well heated. This tube is a part of the normal path for kerosene. Kerosene is now channelled through this tube for preheating, utilizing the heat produced by the burner to effect vaporization. The automatic feeding of the kerosene is accomplished through using a steel container containing kerosene up to 80% of its volume. A tube extends from the outlet valve of the container down to its bottom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing a charge gas mixture for the operation of an internal combustion engine in which liquid hydrocarbons are partially oxidized into a combustible gas mixture within a reactor under insufficiency of air, whereby the liquid hydrocarbons are admixed at a predetermined ratio below the stoichiometric ratio to a first partial air quantity flow which is preheated prior to entry into the reactor, in which additionally the hot gas mixture formed in the reactor is cooled off while giving off at least a considerable part of its heat to the first partial air quantity flow, is mixed with a second partial air quantity flow at least at a stoichiometric approximately constant mixture ratio and is fed to the internal combustion engine; the second partial air quantity flow itself or a quantity flow containing the second partial air quantity flow as a predominant component is continuously measured as regards quantity and the supply of the liquid hydrocarbons is metered as a functio

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling fluency of hydrocarbon fluids having a kinematic viscosity in the range of 350 seconds Saybolt Universal to 10,000 seconds Saybolt Universal at 100.degree. F. Electromagnetic waves generated by a power source are directed through a dielectric medium towards a contained hydrocarbon fluid of the foregoing type. The electromagnetic energy is converted into thermal energy within the hydrocarbon fluid for controlling its fluency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to installations for supplying the burners of boilers with an emulsion of fuel, water and if desired soluble oil, intended to ensure the elimination of 95% of the solid unburnt material in the combustion gases of boilers and hot air generators and to eliminate the liquid residues by incineration. The installation includes a reserve tank fed by an electrovalve controlled by a level-electrode provided in the tank so as to maintain a constant level of liquid, a pump, an emulsifying device and at least one burner, together with a regulating valve acting on the flow of liquid to be treated in dependence on the temperature of the mixture after its passage through the emulsifier, this valve being mounted between the pump and the emulsifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling .Iadd.the .Iaddend.fluency of hydrocarbon fluids having a kinematic viscosity in the range of 350 seconds Saybolt Universal to 10,000 seconds Saybolt Universal at 100.degree. F. Electromagnetic waves generated by a power source are directed through a dielectric medium towards a contained hydrocarbon fluid of the foregoing type. The electromagnetic energy is converted into thermal energy within the hydrocarbon fluid for controlling its fluency. .Iadd.The hydrocarbon fluid whose fluency is to be controlled may be located within a geological substrate to which the electromagnetic energy is applied. .Iaddend.