A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

A system configured to generate heat when supplied with a first fuel or a second fuel can include a fuel supply line operatively connected to a fuel source. A valve assembly can be operatively connected to the fuel supply line. A main burner can be operatively connected to the valve assembly. A thermoelectric generating system can be configured to transform heat to electricity. A first pilot burner can include at least one of a first thermocouple and a first Fe-ion sensor. A second pilot burner can include at least one of a second thermocouple and a second Fe-ion sensor. A printed circuit board (PCB) can be operatively connected to the valve assembly and the first and second pilot burners. The PCB can be configured to control operation of the valve assembly based on information received from at least one of the first and second pilot burners.

Apparatus including a receptacle for holding therein organic waste, a first dispenser operative to dispense an oxidizing agent to the organic waste so as to cause an exothermic reaction that results in combustion of the organic waste, and a second dispenser operative to dispense a reducing agent that neutralizes a residual amount of the oxidizing agent that remains after the exothermic reaction.

A chimney cap system is comprised of a support base securable to the top of a chimney flue and a device which sits on top of the chimney blocking rain and debris from falling into the open flue. It can be ornamental as well as functional. The sides often have screens of some type to allow the effluent hot gasses and smoke to exit the top of the flue passively while capturing sparks and debris leaving that may pose a fire hazard. Additionally, significant energy is wasted out of the top of the chimney as heat and super heated gasses are vented wastefully into the outside environment. A thermoelectric generator, TEG, utilizing the temperature gradient between the gasses inside the flue and the ambient air outside the flue to generate electricity via the Seebeck effect is incorporated into a chimney cap to capture the otherwise wasted energy and recycle it.

An energy conversion device to provide thermal energy and electric energy for a gas burner, comprising: an energy converter configured to provide thermal energy for a gas burner ring in which gas is burned, the energy converter having at least one thermoelectric element configured to convert a portion of the thermal energy into electric energy using a thermoelectric material.

A system for operating a damper comprises a flue pipe assembly, and a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly. At least one thermoelectric generator is coupled to a surface of the flue pipe assembly. Operation of the damper is achieved by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper.

A small-scale thermoelectric power generator and combustion apparatus, components thereof, methods for making the same, and applications thereof. The thermoelectric power generator can include a burner including a matrix stabilized combustion chamber comprising a catalytically enhanced, porous flame containment portion. The combustion apparatus can include components connected in a loop configuration including a vaporization chamber; a mixing chamber connected to the vaporization chamber; a combustion chamber connected to the vaporization chamber; and a heat exchanger connected to the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber can include a porous combustion material which can include a unique catalytic material.

A fuel oil provision-vaporization-pressure regulation-full premixed combustion system includes an air pump, a fuel tank, a vaporizing chamber, a preheater, a premix nozzle, an ignition device, a full premixed combustor and an intake guiding device. The air pump communicates with an air inlet of the fuel tank through a first conduit. The fuel tank is provided with a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet pipe. The fuel outlet pipe communicates with a fuel inlet of the vaporizing chamber through a second conduit. The vaporizing chamber is provided with the preheater. A fuel outlet of the vaporizing chamber is in communication with an air inlet of the premix nozzle through a third conduit. An air outlet of the premix nozzle opens to the intake guiding device. An outlet of the intake guiding device communicates with the full premixed combustor. The full premixed combustor is provided with the ignition device.

A thermally driven power generator having a base and a heat source placed within the base. The thermally driven power generator further having a heat collector is adapted to collect the heat from the heat source through a plurality of fins and a heat sink adapted to release heat into the environment. The thermally driven power generator further having a thermal electric power generation module is sandwiched between the heat collector and a heat sink; the thermal electric power generation module is designed to convert heat collected by the heat collector to electrical power. A tray assembly for a thermally driven power generator, the tray assembly having: a transport tray; and a magnetic element integrated with the transport tray, the magnetic element designed to attract a wick keeper of a candle such that the wick is held in place.

A system for operating a damper comprises a flue pipe assembly, and a damper movable between an open position and a closed position within the flue pipe assembly. At least one thermoelectric generator is coupled to a surface of the flue pipe assembly. Operation of the damper is achieved by the thermoelectric generator harvesting thermal energy from the flue pipe assembly and converting it into usable electrical energy for actuation of the damper.