Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for injecting natural gas in an RTO. The RTO may be, for example, a known type that has a rotary distributor, a center section divided into pie-shaped segments above the rotary distributor, a heat exchanger section above the center section, and a combustion chamber above the heat exchanger. According to an aspect of the invention, the system introduces gas into segments of the center section in a sequenced manner via cycling on/off control valves. In a particular embodiment, the natural gas is injected at a specific location of a respective segment within the center section that is past the rotary distributor seals and directly under the bottom of the heat exchanger bed. According to the injection sequence, the injection of natural gas into the segment commences when the segment begins to receive inlet waste gas streams, and injection ceases before the flow through the sector changes or stops.

Abstract: A portable outdoor cooker for cooking foods is provided. The cooker comprises a substantially circular heat transfer plate, a plurality of individually controllable burners disposed beneath the heat transfer plate, and a frame assembly for supporting the heat transfer plate and burners above the ground and in relation to one another. The heat transfer plate has a center and a perimeter, and includes a cooking surface. The plurality of burners includes an inner burner and an outer burner, the outer burner being positioned adjacent the perimeter of the heat transfer plate and the inner burner being positioned closer to the center of the heat transfer plate than the outer burner such that the cooking surface can be made hotter adjacent the perimeter of the heat transfer plate than adjacent the center of the heat transfer plate.

Abstract: A fully integrated electronic appliance controller for controlling the operation of a appliance (e.g., a gas-fired water heater or boiler). The controller includes an integrated intelligent control system; enhanced safety features including an igniter current proving circuit, a flame detection circuit, a safety limit string and an energy cut-out (ECO) control; an intelligent user interface including a display unit and a communications system; and an adaptive control feature. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to receive as many as four temperature probes (e.g., thermistors). The first probe senses the water temperature at the outlet of a water heater, the second probe senses the water temperature at the inlet of the water heater, the optional third probe senses the temperature at a first location in an associated remote water storage tank, and the optional fourth probe senses the temperature at a second location in the associated remote water storage tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of detecting the condition of a flame having an emf by electrically conducting the emf generated by the flame as a signal to a sensor through an electrically isolated conductor means and sensing with said sensor an electrical parameter which is measure of the emf of the flame and wherein the parameter is the ratio of the A.C. and D.C. signal levels.