US3203770A

US3203770A - Atmosphere generating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3203770A
Application number: US213397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rolf I Ranum
Original assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Current assignee: Whirlpool Corp
Priority date: 1962-07-30
Filing date: 1962-07-30
Publication date: 1965-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 1982-08-31

Description

Aug. 3l, 1965 R. l. RANUM ATMOSPHERE GENERATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Shree?I l Filed July 50, 1962 A I J P30 MEDnd/ m A@ 22mm NK QM xm WN 1m md vll' E 7 MM e m ,fw y mmmaowm v mk NW www z a m n.23 %N\\ j M h mw y AVNNNW @W K www,

Ugh-KO m4@ Aug. 31, 1965 R. l. RANUM ATMOSPHERE GENERATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Shea?l 2 Filed July 50, 1962 mwN Q.mw@

Aug. 3l, 1965 R. l. RANUM ATMOSPHERE GENERATING APPARATUS Filed July 30, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 QQN www kwh .@N

w91 EN l. I f/,. @WN @N im@ www Il. N MNH.: di A, 1 A

Aug. 31, 1965 R. l. RANUM 3,203,770

ATMOSPHERE GENERATING APPARATUS Filed July so, 1962 e sheets-sheet 4 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 30, 1962 v 'il l All Aug. 31, 1965 R. l. RANUM ATMOSPHERE GENERATING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 30, 1962 United States Patent O i3,203,770 ATMOSPHERE GENERAIENG APPARATUS? Rolf I. Ranum, St. Joseph, Mich., assigner to Whirlpool `Corporation, a Delaware corporation Filed lilly 30, 1962, Ser. No. 213,397 16 Claims. (Cl. 2li- 281) This invention relates to an apparatus for producing an atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning food and the like particularly for long periods of time and relates specifically to the catalytic burner portion of the apparatus.

As is explained in the copending application of K. Bedrosian and l. R. C. Brown Serial No. 149,731, tiled November 2, 1961, now abandoned after filing continuation-in-part Patents Nos. 3, 102,778 and 3,102,780, and assigned to a common assignee, stored animal and vegetable products such as food products immediately begin to deteriorate. As is well known, this deterioration can be markedly slowed if these products are refrigerated. The deterioration on storage can be remarkably further delayed if the products are stored in a controlled atmosphere containing a reduced amount of Oxygen such as from 2-10%, not more than about 13% carbon dioxide and the remainder inert gases. lt is also necessary that harmful gases such as oxides of nitrogen be substantially absent as these tend to deteriorate the products.

The above copending patents also disclose apparatus and method for generating such an atmosphere by the catalytic combustion of a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel in the p esence of air and at a temperature suliciently low that the production of substantial amounts of oxides of nitrogen is avoided. As is explained here, the combustion is maintained at a temperature not greater than about 2000 F. in order to produce such an atmosphere. The combustion reduces the amount of oxygen and the amount of carbon dioxide is controlled by providing means for removing carbon dioxide when necessary.

The invention here is concerned specifically with the apparatus or generator for generating such an atmosphere by burning a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel in the presence of air or other source of oxygen.

One of the features of this invention therefore is to provide an improved apparatus including a catalytic burner or generator for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning food.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of certain embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a semi-diagrammatic view of an apparatus embodying the invention.

FGURE 2 is a semi-diagrammatic view or" a wiring diagram for the apparatus or system of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of a catalytic burner and associated condenser for generating the controller preserving atmosphere.

FlGURE 4 is a plan view of the burner with the upper closure member removed and with the supporting rods which are beneath the screen shown in solid lines.

FGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the enclosing frame and associated headers of the burner.

FlGURE 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FGURE 4 and with a set of lower openings shown in phantom.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 7--7 of FIGURE 4.

FiGURE 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 8 8 of FIGURE 4.

FGURE. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view talen substantially along line 99 of FIGURE 4.

dld Patented Aug. 3l, i965 ice FIGURE l() is a reduced plan View of the supporting screen oi FlGURE 4.

FiGURE l1 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 11-11 of FGURE 10.

FlGURE 12 is a plan view of the top closure member of the catalytic burner.

FIGURE 13 is a side elevational view of the member of FlGURE 12.

FEC-URE 14 is a portion of the semi-diagrammatic wiring diagram of FIGURE 2, with certain modifications thereto.

The accompanying drawings disclose, in part semidiagrammatically, a system or apparatus for generating an atmosphere with controlled amounts of carbon dioxide, oxygen and inert gases and eliminating any substantial amounts of gases such as oxides of nitrogen that would be harmful to the products being stored. For an easier understanding of the invention FIGURES 1 and 2 resent the elements of the apparatus and the controls semi-diagrammatically as the elements are associated with each other. The remaining figures of the accompanying drawings disclose in greater detail alternate embodiments of certain of these elements.

FlGURlE 1 discloses an atmosphere generating system which includes a catalytic burner Z0 supplied with air by a blower 2i. and with hydrocarbon gas by a gas line 22. The products of combustion from the burner 2li flow through a condenser 23 connected to the burner for cooling and for removal of moisture from the gaseous cornbustion products. The condenser 23 is connected by means of a pipe 24 to an adsorber chamber 25 in which is located an adsorber bed 26 that is preferably activated carbon for removing carbon dioxide from gases by selective and reversible adsorption. The adsorber chamber may be connected as desired and as described in greater detail hereinafter with a storage chamber 27 shown diagrammatically in FlGURE 1 in which food products may be stored for long periods of time.

Connected to the gas supply line 22 is a gas switch 23 and the ilow of gas through the line 22 is controlled by a pair of solenoid operated

gas valves

29 and 30 arranged in series. Gas from the line 22 also ilows through an airgas balancing regulator 31 and thro-ugh a gas line 32 containing an adjustable gas orifice 33 for regulating the gas supply.

Air is supplied by means of a pipe 34 which connects to a main air pipe 35 leading -frora the motor operated air blower 21. The air pipe 34 and the gas line 32 join at the region of the gas orifice 33 for flow through an air-gas mixing line 36 into the catalytic burner 2t?. The air flow through the pipe 34 and thus into the line 36 is controlled by .an adjustable air orifice 37. v

A s'naller air line 38 leads from the air pipe 34 in front of the adjustable orifice S7. One branch 39 of this air line 3S goes to the balancing regulator 31 `and another branch it? connects with `an air switch 41 and safety switch 42.

The pipe 24 that conveys the products of combustion from the burner 2t? is connected to a pipe 43 which has one end connected by means of a two-way Valve 44 to a purge outlet pipe 45 and to a pipe 46 leading -to the adsorber chamber 25 on one side of the adsorber .bed 26. The opposite side of the adsorber chamber 25 is connected by Away ot a Valve 47 to a pipe 4S which is connected by way of a two-way Valve 49 to the above-mentioned pipe 43 and to a pipe Sil which connects by way of a two-way valve 51 to a pipe S2 leading to the storage chamber 27 :and a pipe S3 which connects to the purge outlet pipe 45. Also connected to the adsorber chamber 25 on the same side thereof as the valve 47 is a pipe 54 which is c011- nected by way of a two-way valve 55 to a by-pass pipe S6 and to the outlet of the air pipe 3S from the blower 21.

The

valves

44, 47, 49, 51 and 55 each function 4in two positions to control the ilow of air and generated atmosphere. In each valve the energized position is shown in a broken line and the de-energized position in a solid line. Thus, as is shown in FIGURE 1, de-energized valve 44 blocks the outlet into pipe 45. De-energized valve 47 opens pipe 4S to the top of the adsorber chamber De-energized valve 49 blocks entry to both

pipes

43 and 50 from pipe 43. 13e-energized valve 51 blocks access to pipe 52 and thus to chamber 27 from pipe 50. De-energized valve 55 blocks access to pipe 54 from

pipes

35 and 56. When each of these valves is energized the dotted line position is assumed and the pipe connections are obvious.

lF or various cooling purposes including maintaining the temperature in the catalytic burner 20 suihciently low as to prevent substantial oxidation of nitrogen in the air during combustion, and for heating air from blower 21, as required, by using the heat from the water after it has been heated by cooling the burner, there is provided cooling water through a water line 57. This water line is provided with a manual Valve S and a modulating control valve 59. The Water line 57 beyond the

valves

53 and 59 connects to the cooling water passage o0 of the condenser 23. From here a water line 61 which is provided with a condenser thermostat 62 connects to the top closure member 63 containing cooling passages as described in greater detail hereinafter. From this top closure member 63 a water line 64 passes to an air heater 65 in which ail' delivered by a blower 21 is heated by the heat of water from the pipe 64, as may be required. An -air heater outlet pipe 66 leads to the coolant passages of a bottom closure membe-r 67 on the burner 20. From the bottom closure member 67 an outlet pipe 68 leads through an enlarged pipe section 69 to a drain pipe 70. Located in this enlarged section 69 is the feeler portion 71 of the thermostat which controls the modulating water valve 59. Thus the volume How of the cooling medium or water is coutrolled in direct relationship to the temperature of the cooling medium leaving the apparatus. Located in the drain pipe 70 -is a water control thermostat 72 The drain pipe 70 not only carries away the cooling water from the burner and condenser but also carries away condensate from the condenser 23 by way of a trap pipe 73 and a second trap pipe 74.

In order to initiate ignition, the bottom of the catalytic burner is provided with a pair of spark plugs 75. Among the controls for the burner are a llashback sensor 76 that communicates with the top of the burner and the outlet of air-gas mixing line 36, an inlet sensor 77 also communicating with the top of the burner and an outlet sensor 78 communicating with the bottom of the burner.

-FIGURE 2 illustrates the Wiring diagram of the atmosphere generating system of FIGURE 1 and includes some controls and switches that are not shown in FIGURE l.

The power supply to the system is the conventional 115 volt 60 cycle alternating 4current supplied through

lines

79 and 80. ln yline 79 there are connected in series a main on-ollc toggle control switch 81, fuse S2, condenser thermostat 62, water control thermostat '72 and safety swtich 42. The condenser thermostat 62 is normally closed and is adjusted to open at a predetermined temperature such as 135 F. in order to interrupt the circuit when water leaving the condenser is in excess of this temperature. yNVater control thermostat 72 is a normally closed thermostat set to open at a predetermined temperature such as i135 F. This thermostat opens when water leaving the burner exceeds this preset temperature. Safety switch 42 is normally closed at an air pressure less than a predetermined maximum, such as 4.5 inches of water, and will open at higher pressuers to interrupt the circuit. This switch provides protection against excessively high pressures in air lline 34 and especially against a defective diaphragm (not shown) in the balancing regulator 31. Each of

switches

62, 72 and 42 is a manually reset switch.

Also connected in series with the previously mentioned Cil series of

switches

81, 62, 72 and 42 are air switch 41, gas `switch 2S, flashback sensor switch 76 and on-otl switch 83 for the burner. Air switch 41 is normally open but closes when the blower 21 develops sullicient pressure to apply a predetermined minimum such as 3.3 inches of water to the air switch 41. Gas switch 28 is normally open but closes .at a predetermined minimum pressure such as 5.5 inches of water in the gas supply line 22. The flashback sensor switch 76 is normally closed with its sensor mounted just above the catalyst bed wit-hin the `burner 20 as explained later and is set to open at a predetermined excessive temperature such as SOO F.

The side of burner switch 83 opposite switch 76 is connected to a delay relay 84. Within this relay S4 is an electric resistance heater 85 which is connected by wire 86 to A C. line 30. Also within the delay relay 84 is a normally open switch 87 which is connected by Wire 38 to a terminal on a conventional control 89. Outlet sensor thermostat switch 78 is also connected to the control 89 and has its bulb or feeler located directly beneath the catalyst bed in burner 20 as illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURE 1.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2, control 89 has terminals marked 1, 2, 3 and 4 in a set and a second set of terminals marked T, FD-T and FD. The switch 78 which is normally open is connected between the terminals FD and FD-T. The terminal T is connected to terminal FD-T.

Control S9 is a standard ignition control system for oil or gas burners that are readily available commercially. It functions to connect terminal 1 to terminals 3 and 4, as illustrated by the broken lines in FIGURE 2, for a predetermined period of time. Upon the expiration of the predetermined period, terminal 1 will automatically be disconnected from terminals 3 and 4 unless switch 78 has closed. If switch 78 closes before the expiration of the predetermined time interval, terminal 1 is disconnected from terminal 4 but remains connected to terminal 3.

Connected from terminal 3 of the control 89 are the two

gas valves

29 and 30 by way of a line 90. The two

gas valves

29 and 30 have operating solenoids, as illustrated, connected in parallel. The other sides of the solenoids of the

valves

29 and 30 are connected by wire 91 to the A.C. supply line 80.

From terminal 4 of control 89 there is connected by wire 92 a pair of transformers 93 having secondary windings 94 each of which has one side grounded, as indicated, and the other side connected to a spark plug 75. The wire 92 connects to one side of the primary windings of the transformers and the other side is connected by wire 95 to the A.C. line 80.

Also connected between the line 80 and wire 96 which connects

switches

41 and 42 is a motor 97 of the blower 21.

Also connected to wire 95 is a power relay 98 which includes an operating coil 99 and a pair of ganged switches 100 and 101 connected together by a linkage 129. The other side of coil 99 is connected by means of Wire 102 to the cold terminal 103 of inlet sensor 77. This sensor includes in addition to the cold terminal 103, a hot terminal 106 and a movable switch 104 connected by Wire 105 to A. C. line 80. The feeler or temperature sensitive portion of the inlet sensor 77 is mounted just above the catalyst bed in burner 20 and switch 104 moves from the cold terminal 103 to the hot terminal 106 at a predetermined temperature such as about 800 F. Connected from the hot terminal 106 by way of wire 107 is a signal light 108 and a signal receptacle 109. These are in parallel and are connected to wire 96. A test switch 110 is also connected between the wires 102 and 107. The test switch 110 is used in the customary way to test the equipment when desired. The signal receptacle 109 may be used to connect a remote signal device as required.

Switch 100 within the power relay 98 is connected by wire 111 to the connection between air switch 41 and gas switch 28. The normally closed terminal 112 of switch 18h is connected by wire 113 to timer motor 114i the other side of which is connected to A.C. line 80. The normally open terminal 115 of switch 19d is connected to the normally open terminal 115 of switch 101 by a wire 117.

The tired end of switch 101 is connected by way of Wire 118 to the operating solenoid 119 of valve 49, solenoid 12@ of valve 44 and solenoid 121 of valve 47. These solenoids are in parallel and their other ends are connected to A.C. line 80. The normally closed terminal 122 of switch 161 is connected by way of line 123 to the ysolenoid 12e of valve 55'. Terminal 122 -is also connected by way of a normally open timer switch 127 and wire 125 to the solenoid 126 ot valve 51. The

solenoids

124 and 126 also have their opposite sides connected to A.C. line Si?. A second normally open timer switch 12S is connected from the wire 113 to wire 125 between timer switch 127 and solenoid 126.

Timer swtiches

127 and 128 are operated at predetermined times by the energization of timer motor 114.

The operation of the apparatus as illustrated in 5TG- URES l and 2 is as follows: When gas is supplied at suilicient pressure in line 22 and water at suiiicient pressure and temperature in line 57, the apparatus may be energized by closing the main switch at 81. Power is then supplied by way ot line 79 through closed switch 81, fuse 2, closed water condenser thermostat switch 62, closed water control switch 72. and closed safety switch d2. This therefore connects power from line 79 to one side of the air switch 41 and to the blower motor 97 and the coil 99 of power relay 98 by way of line 96. The power relay 93 is inmediately enerized causing switches 1li@ and 191 to move to the left by reason of their common linkage 129 thereby contacting the switches 1150 and 1111 with

ixed terminals

115 and 116, respectively. This is the normally open position of the switches and these two contacts are connected by a wire 117. The blower 21 operated by the motor 97 begins to run to supply air by way of

pipes

35 and 34 to the burner 29. As soon as the air pressure reaches a minimum such as 3.3 inches or water it is sensed by air switch 41 and the switch thereupon closes. This supplies power by way of wire 111, switch 19t?, wire 117, switch 191 and wire 118 to solenoids 119 of valve 49, 12) of valve ifi and 1.21 of valve 47 to line S6, thereby operating these Valves. This moves the operating portions of the valves to the dotted line positions of FIGURE l. As solenoid 124 or" valve 55 remains de-energized it is in the solid line position of FIGURE l. The valve 51 is similarly die-energized so that it is in the solid line position. With this arrangement the gases coming from the burner Ztl flow through the

pipes

24, and 43, valve 49, pipe 5d, valve 51 and pipe 53 into the purge outlet line 45. They thus by-pass the adsorber and are blocked from entering the storage chamber 27 by valve 51.

During this supply of power, power is also provided to the gas switch 2S which is closed so long as there is a minimum gas pressure, for example at least 5.5 inches of water pressure. Since the burner has not yet been tired, the ilashback sensor 76 is closed and then as long as the burner toggle switch S3 is manually closed power is delivered to the heater S5 of delay relay S4, After a p edetermined time interval, such as seconds in the present embodiment, switch S7 closes and thereby supplies power through wire to terminal 1 of control 89. Since the outlet sensor 78 likewise has not yet sensed any tem erature rise in the burner, terminal 1 is connected to terminals 3 and l oi the control, as indicated in lilG- URE. 2. This serves to power the solenoids of gas valves 29 and 3Q and to open these valves to supply gas to the burner. The power connection through terminal 4 of control 29 also energizes the two spark plugs 75 through the transformers 93. As soon as the sparks are produced in the lower portion of the burner ignition of the gas takes place. Because of the action of the catalyst in the burner burning thereupon moves into the catalyst bed described in more detail hereinafter.

As soon as the outlet sensor 7S senses a predetermined minimum temperature, about 700 F. in the Ipresent embodiment, it closes thereby causing control S9 to disconnect terminal 1 from terminal 4 only, opening the circuit to the transformers 93 and thus stopping the operation of the spark plugs In this embodiment, this takes less than 45 seconds. Control 89 which is a conventional commercial control is preset so that if the outlet sensor switch 7S does not close in approximately 45 seconds termin-a1 1 will be disconnected from both terminals 3 and 4, shutting oft not only the ignition circuit but also the gas supply by de-energizing gas valves 29 and 3i).

Gas continues to burn catalytioally within burner 20 with the products of combustion passing to the purge outlet 45 by way ol' valves 459 and 51 in the manner previously described. After about l5 minutes warm-up time, the inlet sensor 77 reaches -a predetermined temperature, here exemplilied as 800 F. This is the ternperature above the catalyst bed of burner 26 and signiiies a normal operation. As soon as this temperature has been reached the switch 164- moves from the cold terminal 103 to contact the hot terminal 106. This disconnects the operating coil 99 of the power relay 93 and turns on the signal light 198 to show that the burner is operating.

This cle-energizing of the power relay 98 causes switches 1S@ and 191 .to move back to their normally closed positions as shown in FIGURE 2. This provides power to the timer motor 114 by way of terminal 112. The timer switch 123 controlled by the timer motor 114 is preset to be closed at this instant so that solenoid 126 of valve 51 is energized to move it to the dotted line position of FIGURE l. in the meantime solenoids 119, 12? and 121 had been ile-energized when power relay switch 161 moved back to its terminal 122 as previously described. Under these conditions, here identiiied as condition A, the products ot combustion from the exit pipe 2d flow through the lower end of pipe 43, valve 44 and pipe 46 into the bottom of absorber chamber 25. Prom here, they liow up through the absorber bed 26 where carbon dioxide is adsorbed and the gases then iiow Iby way oi valve 47, pipe 48, valve 49, pipe Si?, valve 51 and pipe 52 1into the storage chamber 27. The timer is so constructed that this condition prevails .for la predetermined period of time, for example 2l minutes.

After the 2l minutes of this condition A timer switch 127 is closed and this energizes soleno-

ids

124, 119, 120 and 121 of

valves

55, 49, 44 and 47, respectively, with solenoid 126 of valve 51 remaining energized. As all valves .are energized they are moved to the dotted line positions of FIGURE l. This is identified here as condit-ion B.

Under condition B the products of combustion from the burner 2li and condenser 23 pass through the pipe 24,

pipe 43, valve 49, pipe 5t?, valve 51 and pipe 52 to the storage chamber 27. At the same time healed air from the yblower 21 passes by way of pipe 35, valve 55' and pipe 54 through the adsorber bed 2e and out pipe 46, valve .and purge outlet pipe 45. This condition which lasts for a predetermined time, here exemplified as 3 minutes, removes adsorbed carbon dioxide from the adsorber bed.

At .the end of condition B timer control switch 128 then opens and this de-energizes all tive of the valves so that they all move to the solid line positions of FlG- URE l. This condition, here identiiied as condition C, lasts approximately 3 minutes during which the products of combustion pass by way of the pipe 24, pipe 43, valve @lli and pipe 46 through the adsorber bed 26 and by way of valve It?, pipe 43, valve 49, pipe Sil, valve S1 and pipe 53 to ythe purge outlet pipe 45. This causes the products of combustion to sweep the adsorber bed 26 clear of air which collected in the bed and the connecting pipes during the previous regeneration cycle (condition E). During this 3 minute period of purge (condition C) timer switch 127 is also opened by the timer.

At the end of the 3 minute purge (condition C) the timer again has advanced to close timer switch 12S to again energize solenoid 125 or" valve 51 and condition A is initiated again. The successive conditions A, B and C constitute a single cycle and the cycles are repeated continuously to supply the desired atmosphere to the storage chamber 27. During conditions A and B the percentage of carbon dioxide under each condition is different. However, the atmospheres blend in chamber 27 to provide an over-all relatively constant atmosphere. During these cycles the products of combustion are fed through the adsorber bed 26 in condition A to strip carbon dioxide from the combustion products atmosphere. Then the bed is regenerated, purged of air, which contains oxygen, and then returned to the beginning of condition A. During these repeating cycles the burner continues to burn, the ignition circuit is not used again, the power relay 9S is not used again and the delay relay :.4 is not used. again.

Under some storage conditions in storage chamber 27, such as those conditions requiring extremely low concentrations of carbon dioxide, condition B may be altered as will now be described. This altered condition, here identified as condition B', is obtained by modifying some of the connections as shown in FIGURE 14. Here, timer switch 127 is shown as a double-pole switch having two terminals 127a and 127b. To achieve condition B', wire i125 is disconnected from the top of solenoid 126 and a new wire 125a connects the top of solenoid 125 to other terminal 127i: of timer switch 127. All other wiring connections remain unchanged. Thus, when the power relay 93 is de-energized and timer switch 12S is preset to be closed at this instant as has been described, solenoid 126 of valve 51 is now energized by way of timer switch 12S, wire `125, timer switch 1.27 through terminal =12'7a, wire 125er', and solenoid 126 to line S0. Condition A will therefore remain unchanged. However, after the 2l minutes of condition A, timer switch 127 now moves from terminal 127a to terminal 127b, thereby energizing

solenoids

124, 110, 120 yand 121 of

valves

5S, 49, 44 and 47, respectively, but this action de-energizes solenoid 126 of valve 51. This provides the altered condition B'.

Under condition B', the products of combustion now pass through the pipe 24, pipe 43, energized valve 49, pipe 50 and de-energized valve 51 to the pipe S3 and out the purge outlet pipe 45. Of course, during this altered condition B', heated air passes through the adsorber bed 26 and out the purge outlet pipe 45 in the same manner as in condition B. lt has been determined that this altered condition B' also lasts approximately 3 minutes.

Other storage conditions require an atmosphere within storage chamber 27 comprising a relatively low percentage of carbon dioxide and a relatively higher percentage of oxygen. This is achieved electrically by connecting wire 1250 from solenoid 126 to terminal 127e of timer switch 127 and by shorting timer switch 12S with a jumper wire 128e, as shown dotted in FIGURE 14. These connections establish that the previously described conditions A and B' remain unchanged, but condition C is now altered (condition C) to provide that solenoid 126 of valve 51 becomes re-energized by timer switch 127 returning to terminal 12711 at or near the start of this time period for condition C This permits the products of combustion to pass from pipe 24 through pipe 43, valve 44, pipe 46 the adsorber bed 26, valve 47 pipe 48, valve 49, pipe 50, now energized valve 51 and pipe 52 to storage chamber 27 during the purge operation, which substantially increases the amount of oxygen directed to the storage chamber 27.

Yet other storage conditions require an atmosphere within storage chamber 27 comprising a relatively high percentage of carbon dioxide and a relatively high percentage of oxygen. This is achieved electrically by connecting solenoid 126 of valve 51 as shown in FIGURE 2, and by shorting timer switch 123 with jumper wire 128e as shown in FGURE 14. lere, conditions A and B are unchanged, and condition C' now exists in which the products of combustion pass through adsorber bed 26 to purge the adsorber and then are passed to the storage room.

The system as illustrated in FGURES 1 and 2 contains a number of safety features to protect the system and to protect the products stored within the chamber 27. Thus, it the water supplied at pipe S7 should fail or if the water should be too warm the water condenser thermostat 62 opens (at, for example, 135 F.) to shut oh? the apparatus. This is a manually reset switch requiring the operator to manually close it to reinitiate the cycle. 1f the water leaving the burner 20 as sensed by the water control thermostat 72 is too hot (for example, above 1350 F.) the water control thermostat 72 opens also shutting oit the apparatus. This condition could exist if the incoming water supply tailed or if the water was too hot, and it also could exist if any bloei:- age occurred in the various water passages associated with the condenser, burner and air heater. This also is a manually reset switch again requiring manual closing by the operator. 1f the air pressure in the system and especially in the air-gas regulator 31 is excessive (for example, above 4.5 inches of water) the safety switch 42 will open also shutting down the apparatus. This again must be manually reset by the operator.

lf tor some reason air pressure in the system supplied by the blower 21 falls below a minimum value (for example 3.3 inches of water) air switch 41 opens shutting ol the power to the

gas solenoid valves

29 and 30 but permitting the blower motor Yi to continue to run.

When air switch 41 opens, it also interrupts the circuit to cle-energize

solenoids

119, 120, 121, 124 and 126 and

valves

44, 47, 49, S1 and 55. The products of combustion may now contain undesirable elements and are exhausted through

pipes

24 and 43, valve 44, pipe 46, adsorber chambe;` 25, valve 47, pipe 48, valve 49, pipe 50, valve 51 and pipe 53 to pipe 45. With the gas supply shut oil and the blower still operating, the burner will rapidly cool and switch 104 of inlet sensor 77 will move from hot terminal 106 to cold terminal 103. This opens the circuit to signal light 108, extinguishing it, giving the visual indication that burner 20 is not operating.

When switch 104 engages cold terminal 103, operating coil 99 of power relay 98 is energized to operate switches 100 and 101 and, as herein'oefore described, energize

solenoids

119, 120 and 121,

valves

44, 47 and 49 causes the air flowing through the burner to bypass adsorber chamber 25 and flow to the pipe 4S.

Similarly, if the incoming gas pressure entering through the gas line 22 should fall below a minimum value (such as about 5.5 inches or" water) gas switch 28 opens shutting ott' the power to

gas solenoid valves

29 and 30. Thus, the gas supply to the burner is shut off and, with the fan still operating, the burner will rapidly cool to operate inlet sensor 77 which, as above described, causes lamp 10S to become extinguished giving the visual indication the burner is not operating and the air flowing through the burner is directed past the adsorber chamber 25 to pipe 45.

1f the flashback sensor 76 senses an overly heated condition (for example, above 800 F.) which could be caused by poor combustion or hashing back of ame into the air-gas mixing line 36, this switch will open also shutting ot the power to

gas solenoid valves

29 and 30. Again, this shuts oli the gas supply to the burner and, as above described, the visual indication is obtained and the air passing through the burner is exhausted.

1f for any reason the inlet sensor thermostat '77 senses a burner temperature at the inlet below a predetermined value (for example, below about 700 F.) switch 104 9 of the inlet sensor would move to the cold terminal 193 so, as above described, the products of combustion which now may be faulty would pass directly to the purge outlet 45.

The above description of the apparatus and its operation is of the system as a whole. This system is claimed specifically in the copending application of lames W. Lannert et al. Serial No. 213,398, tiled luly 30, 1962, and assigned to a common assignee.

The adsorber portion of the apparatus including the pipes and conduits and valves and the operating structures therefor are claimed specifically in the copending application of Joshua R. C. Brown et al. Serial No. 213,520, tiled July 30, 1962, and assigned to a common assignee.

A preferred catalytic burner and assembly of catalytic burner and condenser are disclosed in FIGURES 3-13 inclusive. The inventions of these preferred structures are claimed specifically herein.

A side elevation of the preferred catalytic burner 1311 and preferred condenser 131 assembly and certain assoelated structure is shown in FIGURE 3. When used in the system of FIGURES l and 2, the preferred burner 130 is assembled into the system in the same manner as the burner 2b illustrated in FIGURE 1. Similarly, the condenser 131 is assembled like the condenser 23 of FlG- URE 1 and both the preferred burner and preierred condenser operate in the manner previously described as to burner Ztl and condenser 23.

Burner 1351 comprises an enclosing generally rectangular frame 132 of boit-like construction closed by top closure member 133 and bottom closure member 134i. These closure members are the preferred forms of the

closure members

63 and 67, respectively, of the irst embodiment shown in FGURE l.

The specific structure of each closure member 133 and 131i is substantially identical. As shown in FGURES 12 and 13, the top closure member 133 is made up of a flat metal plate 135 and a metal plate 136 provided with a serpentine passage 136 extending back and forth lengthwise across the width of the plate to provide a passage for a coolant such as cooling water. The entrance to the top closure member 133 is provided with a short pipe 137 to which is attached a iitting 138, see FIGURE 3. The exit from the serpentine passage 136' is provided with a pipe 139 to which is attached a iitting 140.

One side of the frame 132 has attached thereto adjacent the top an inlet manifold 141 for the gaseous fuel and air mixture. This inlet manifold 141 is provided with a bushing 142 to which is attached the air-gas line 36 as illustrated in FGURE 1. This inlet manifold and bushing also contains the flashback sensor 76 having its feeler end extending to within the frame 132 as illustrated in FGURE 3.

rl`he opposite side of the frame 132 adjacent the bottom thereof is provided with an outlet manifold 143. EX- tending downwardly from the outlet manifold is the condenser 131 through which pass the products of combustion from the burner 131). The condenser 131 is cooled by water iiowing through the back and forth passes of water tubes 14d which function similarly to the water tubes 60 of FGURE l. The bottom water tubes 144 are connected by means of a T to an extending inlet pipe 1li-d. The topmost section of water tubes 144 is connected to an outlet iitting 146 and an outlet pipe 147. The condenser 131 is also provided with reinforcing tins 118, and with a drain outlet 154 which connects to a rap such as 73 of FGURE 1.

The bottom closure member 134i, which is like the top closure 133 shown in detail in FGURES 12 and 13, is also provided with an inlet tting 149 at one side and an outlet fitting 151B at the other side.

When connected into the entire system in the manner illustrated by the burner 26 and condenser 23 of FIG- URE 1 inlet iitting 133 is connected by a pipe (not shown) to the outlet fitting 14d olf the condenser 131. The outlet tltting 14? of the top closure member 133 may be connected by a pipe similar to pipe 64 (FIGURE 1) to air heater d5. The outlet thereof is connected by a pipe similar to pipe 66 (FIGURE l) to the inlet fitting 149 of the bottom mtmber 13d. The outlet fitting 151) of the bottom member 134 is connected to one end of a water pipe 11 through which water flows in the direction indicated by the arrow 152. The end of the pipe 151 opposite the tting 15d is itself provided with a litting 153 which is adapted to be connected to an outlet pipe (not shown) which connects `to a drain similar to the drain pipe 711. The water pipe 151 is adapted to contain the water control thermostat 72 illustrated diagrammaticaily in EGURES 1 and 2. Thus, with this arrangement cooling water flows into the condenser through pipe 11E-5, through cooling pipes 144 in the condenser, through the outlet 146 from the condenser, into the inlet 13S and the top closure member 133, through the passages 136' in this top member to the outlet 149, from the outlet 149 to an air heater such as air heater 65 (FGURE l), to the bottom inlet 149, through the cooling passages in the bottom closure member, 134-, from the outlet 15d in the bottom closure member 134 through the pipe 151 and from the Fitting 153 to the drain.

One side of the frame 132 adjacent the bottom thereof is provided with a spark plug 75. The opposite side of the frame near the bottom thereof is provided with the second spark plug in about the same relative position to the frame as the spark plug 75 illustrated in FIG- URE 3. The burner 1311 is provided with mounting brackets 155 and with a pair of openings on each side sealed by pipe plugs 156.

The bottom of the condenser 131 is provided with an outlet bushing 157 for the products of combustion that is adapted to be connected to a pipe outlet similar to the pipe 2d of FlGURE l.

For clarity of illustration, FIGURE 4 is a plan View of the burner 13) partially broken away and with the top closure member 133 removed in order to show the support for the bed 153 (FGURE 9) of iinely divided catalyst. This support comprises a ilat foraminous member 159, here shown as a wire screen, of 10 by 10 mesh, .025 inch diameter lnconel wire. The screen 159 is shown in detail in FGURES l0 and 11 and as shown is provided with spaced parallel embossments 16) eX- tending lengthwise of the screen 159 and extending in cross section slightly more than These spaced parallel embossments serve to strengthen the screen.

As shown in enlarged detail in FlGURE 9 and in FGURE 6, the edges of the screen 159 are held between upper and lower spaced

flanges

161 and 162 mounted on .the inner surface of the frame 132. The screen 159 is not clamped by the

flanges

161 and 162 but is free to move relative thereto particularly under the expansion and contraction due to heating and cooling.

The bed 15S of catalyst is illustrated only fragmentarily in FIGURE 9 for illustrative purposes only.

The bed 158 of catalyst and the supporting screen 159 are supported on a plurality of transverse rods 163 here shown as 11 and including a center rod 164. As can be seen in FIGURE 4, the rods extend across the shorter width of the frame 1?-2. Each of the rods 163 except for the center rod 1nd is suported loosely by means of a plurality or' brackets 165 fastened at the side of the frame 132 on the angle 16d whose top part forms the supporting ange 162. As is shown in FIGURE 7, the bottom 167 of each bracket 165 is substantially horizontal so that the rods 163 can move relative to the bracket under the forces of expansion and contraction. At the same time each

rod

163 and 164 can also expand and contract longitudinally because of the free ends as illustrated in FIG- URE 9. As is shown in FIGURES 4 and 6. the brackets 16S on either side of the center rod 164 face away from this center rod and to the opposite side of the burner. As

is illustrated in Fl URE S, the center rod 164- is not mounted in this manner but is mounted at the ends by a pair of partially encircling brackets 3.63 which limit lateral movement of the rods but still permit the usual longitudinal movement under the forces of expansion and contraction.

As illustrated in FIGURE 9, the screen i@ is loosely tied to the rods 163 and Lied by means of loose wire ties M9. Also, as illustrated in FGURE 9, the outlet manifold 143 is provided with a plurality of openings 70 through which products of combustion from the space 171 beneath the catalyst bed 15B may tlow to the condenser 131. Also located in this space l'il is a pair of openings 172 of which one is illustrated in GURE 9 for retaining the spark plugs '75.

The products of combustion from the bottom space 1.7i flow through a series of horizontally aligned openings i735 in the trame 132 beneath the screen 159 and bed 5153. The relationship of these openings d173 is shown in phantom in FlGURE 6.

The air-gas mixture is conveyed from the inlet manifold 141 into the upper space .lr/'l in the burner above the catalyst bed l5?) by a plurality of horizontally aligned openings 175 that are located immediately above this bed. To aid in distributing the airgas mixture uniformly over the catalyst bed, there may be a plurality of bailles 178 fastened to top closure member i333, as shown in FIGURE 3.

As is shown in FIGURES 5 and 9, the frame 132 is provided with upper and lower reinforced edge ilanges 176 and 177 to which are bolted the edges of the top and bottom closure members 133 and i3d.

As is disclosed in the above-mentioned copending Patents 3,102,778 and 3,102,780, the catalyst for the bed SS is a well known and commercially available material. The typical catalysts are chrome-alumina and plat-l inum-alumina and are supplied primarily to the petroleum industry for hydrocarbon modification.

In operating the system described herein, the relative amounts of air and gas are regulated so as to produce approximately from 2-l0% oxygen, preferably, in the combustion products. During the operation of the system combustion is initiated in the lower space 171 by means of the spark plugs 75. However, burning rapidly moves upwardly through the screen SL59 to take place in the catalyst bed S. lf burning moves out of the catalyst bed it is detected by the llashback sensor 76 in the manner previously described. A typical catalyst is a chromealumina catalyst containing about chromic oxide and is in the form of about one-eighth inch extruded pellets. The burner is preferably operated at a temperature of about 1600 F. maximum and the temperature within the burner is kept beneath about 2000" F. primarily by the cooling water, as previously described, in order to prevent the production of substantial amounts of the oxides of nitrogen. The minimum temperature at the center of the catalyst bed must be about 1200" F. for complete combustion.

In operating the system it sometimes occurs that the products of combustion are in the desired proportions of ox gen, carbon dioxide and inert gases for preserving the food products. When this occurs the combustion products are not passed through the adsorber bed 26 but are passed directly into the storage chamber 27 in the manner specitied above. ln the usual preserving of food products the storage chamber 27 is chilled to between about 29-55" F. However, as the apparatus for chilling the chamber 27 forms no part of the present invention it is not illustrated.

The significance of inlet sensor 77 has already been discussed with regard to the control of

valves

44, 47 and 49 to purge the products of combustion to the atmosphere during improper catalytic combustion within burner 20. It should be emphasized that inlet sensor 77 provides complete and automatic sensing of any faulty, low-temperature operation of the burner. The location of the inlet sensor 77 just above the catalytic bed is significant. At this location, as long as correct and complete catalytic combustion is taking place within the burner, the temperature will remain above a certain determinable level. However, if the catalytic combustion should be improper or incomplete, the temperature at that location will drop substantially, and the set point of the inlet sensor is established to react to that temperature drop. Thus, one thermostat, exemplied here in inlet sensor 77, can by its location and operational conditions, provide automatic control of the apparatus of the present invention to detect an improperly burning catalytic burner.

Having described my invention as related to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, it is my intention that the invention be not limited by any of the details of description, unless otherwise specified, but rather be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as set out in the accompanying claims.

l claim:

l. A generator comprising: an enclosing frame; a catalyst bed means in said frame for the catalytic combustion of hydrocarbon fuel in said bed, said frame having a iirst chamber on one side ot said bed and a second charnber on the opposite side of said bed; means for absorbing heat energy from said bed comprising first heat energy absorbing means adjacent said iirst chamber and second heat energy absorbing means adjacent said second chamber, both said heat energy absorbing means thereby cooling said catalytic combustion; and means for supporting both said heat energy absorbing means on said frame.

2. In an apparatus for generating heat energy and a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; irst and second heat absorbing closure members; means for supporting said closure members on said frame; support means positioned within said frame and between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; means including said closure members, said enclosing trarne and said support means for defining iirst and second chambers on opposite sides of said bed between the bed and said closure members and communicating with said bed; air supply means for supplying air to said generator for supporting combustion therein; an air heater in said air supply means; means for forming a first iluid passage in said first closure member; means for forming a second uid passage in said second closure member; means for forming a fluid passage in said air heater; and means for passing heat exchange fluid through one of said first and second passages, then through said air heater passage, and then through the other of said first and second passages for simultaneously cooling said chambers and thus said bed and heating said air.

3. ln an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; rst and second closure members; means for supporting said closure members on said frame; support means positioned within said frame and between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; means for forming a rst coolant passage in said first closure member; means for forming a second coolant passage in said second closure member; an outlet conduit for said combustion products; means for forming a third coolant passage in said outlet conduit; and means for connecting said coolant passages in series for ow of a coolant therethrough.

4. The generator of claim 3 wherein said means for connecting said coolant passages in series directs coolant flow through said third passage prior to How through the other two passages.

5. ln an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; first and second closure members; means for supporting said closure members on said frame; support means positioned within said frame and between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; means for supplying air to said generator for supporting combustion therein; an air heater in said air supply means; means for forming a first tiuid passage in said first closure member; means for forming a second fluid passage in said second closure member; means for forming a fluid passage in said air heater; means for forming an outlet conduit for said combustion products; means for forming a third fluid passage in said outlet conduit; and means for connecting said fluid passages in series for ow of a heat exchange fluid through said third passage, then said rst passage, then said air heater passage and then said second passage.

6. The generator of claim 3 wherein said support means comprises a at foraminous member and mounting means therefor comprising a plurality of spaced elongate members arranged in said frame on either side of the center of said dat member and means for loosely retaining said elongate members for movement laterally vof their lengths toward and away from said center.

7. In an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; first and second closure members; means for supporting said closure members on said frame; support means positioned Within said frame and between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; means including said support means, said closure members and said frame for defining irst and second chambers on opposite sides of and communicating with said bed; means for supplying gaseous fuel and air to one of said chambers for passage into said bed; means positioned downstream of said bed for initiating combustion of said fuel to provide burning within said bed; an outlet conduit for said combustion products from the other of said chambers; means for forming a rst uid passage in said lirst closure member; means for forming a second uid passage in said second closure member; means for forming a third Huid passage in said outlet conduit; and means for connecting said uid passages in series for flow of a heat exchange fluid through said third passage, then said first passage and then said second passage.

S. In an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; first and second closure members; means for supporting said closure members on said frame; support means positioned within said frame and between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; means including said closure members, said support means and said frame for defining first and second chambers on opposite sides of and communicating with said bed; means for supplying gaseous fuel to one of said chambers; means for supplying air to said one chamber for supporting combustion of said fuel in said bed; an air heater in said air supply means; means positioned downstream of said bed for initiating combustion of said fuel to provide burning within said bed; an outlet conduit for said combustion products from said other chamber; means for forming a first fluid passage in said iirst closure member; means for forming a second fluid passage in said second closure member; means for forming a third fluid passage in said outlet conduit; means for forming a uid passage in said air heater; and means for connecting said uid passages in series for flow of a heat exchange fluid through said i4 third passage, then said first passage, then said air heater passage and then said second passage.

9. Apparatus for providing a controlled atmosphere suitable for preservation of animal and vegetable products, comprisinff: catalytic burner means for generating an atmosphere comprising oxygen, carbon dioxide and inert gases by the burning of a fuel in the presence of air; means for forming an exit conduit from said burner for said atmosphere; means for cooling said exit conduit to condense moisture from said atmosphere including passage means on said exit conduit for a cooling medium; means for cooling said burner means to a temperature less than the normal burning temperature therein including passage means on said burner means for a cooling medium; and means for supplying air and gaseous fuel to said burner means.

10. ln an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; support means within said frame for supporting a granular catalyst bed therein; and mounting means for loosely retaining said support means relative to said enclosing frame for substantially free movement of said support means toward and away from said enclosing frame, said support means comA prising a dat foraminous member, and said mounting means comprising spaced rigid members within said frame and means for loosely connecting said rigid members to said foraminous member for movement laterally and longitudinally relative thereto.

11. In an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; support means within said frame for supporting a granular catalyst bed therein; and mounting means for loosely retaining said support means relative to said enclosing frame for substantially free movement of said support means toward and away from said enclosing frame, said support means comprising a flat foraminous member movable relative to said frame, and said mounting means comprising a plurality of spaced elongate members, means for loosely connecting said elongate members to said foraminous member and means holding said elongate members in said frame on either side of the center of said foraminous member for movement longitudinally and for movement substantially freely toward and away from said center.

12. The generator of claim 1t) wherein said mounting means also includes spaced flange means connected to said enclosing frame for loosely engaging said foraminous member, and bracket means connected to said ange means for engaging said rigid members.

13. In an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame; support means in said frame for supporting a granular catalyst bed therein comprising a flat fo-raminous member; and mounting means for loosely retaining said support means relative to said enclosing frame for substantially free movement of said support means toward and away from said enclosing frame, said mounting means comprising rigid members, means loosely connecting said rigid members to said -foraminous member for movement relative thereto,

spaced ange means connected to said enclosing frame for loosely engaging said foraminous member, and bracket means connected to said flange means for engaging said rigid members.

14. In an apparatus for generating la combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame having side Walls; spaced first and second closure members on said frame; support means in said frame between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed; and mounting means for loosely retaining said support means for movement toward and away from said enclosing frame, said mounting means comprising spaced flange means connected to said side walls and bracket means connected to said ange means for loosely supporting said support means for movement toward and away from said frame.

i5. In an apparatus for generating a combustion products atmosphere suitable for preserving or conditioning animal and vegetable products by the catalytic combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, an improved generator comprising: an enclosing frame having side walls; spaced first and second closure members on said frame; support means in said frame between said closure members for supporting a granular catalyst bed, said support means comprising a lat foraminous member; and mounting means in said frame for loosely retaining said support means for movement toward and away from said enclosing frame, said mounting means comprising rigid members, means for loosely connecting said rigid members to said foraminous member for movement relative thereto, spaced ange means connected to said side walls for loosely engaging said foraminous member, and bracket means connected to said ange means for loosely engaging said rigid members, said bracket means thereby supporting said bed with the foraminous member and rigid members movable relative to each other and to said frame.

16. The generator of claim 15 wherein said rigid members comprise a plurality of spaced elongate members having end portions engaged by said bracket means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,438,467 3/48 Tyson et al. 2,607,663 8/52 Perry et al. 23-288 2,750,266 6/56 Roberts et al. 23-288 2,834,657 5/58 Houdry. 2,943,921 7/60 King. 23-288 3,033,658 5/62 Gross et al 23-288 3,037,554 6/62 Risse 158-140 3,063,493 11/62 Weiss. 3,102,778 9/63 Bedrosian et al 21-58 FOREGN PATENTS 1,136,829 1/57 France.

MORRIS O. WOLK, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A GENERATOR COMPRISING: AN ENCLOSING FRAME; A CATALYST BED MEANS IN SAID FRAME FOR THE CATALYTIC COMBUSTION OF HYDROCARBON FUEL IN SAID BED, SAID FRAME HAVING A FIRST CHAMBER ON ONE SIDE OF SAID BED AND A SECOND CHAMBER ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID BED; MEANS FOR ABSORBING HEAT ENERGY FROM SAID BED COMPRISING FIRST HEAT ENERGY ABSORBING MEANS ADJACENT SAID FIRST CHAMBER AND SECOND HEAT ENERGY ABSORBING MEANS ADJACENT SAID SECOND CHAMBER, BOTH SAID HEAT ENERGY ABSORBING MEANS THEREBY COOLING SAID CATALYTIC COMBUSTION; AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING BOTH SAID HEAT ENERGY ABSORBING MEANS ON SAID FRAME.