Alfred University Research Foundation, Inc.

Other

William B Crandall

Linda J Wasserstein

Robert A Clyde

An electric heat storage apparatus comprises an electric heating element, a ceramic heat storage pipe, an air passageway in communication with the pipe, and a thermostatically controlled air circulation means. The ceramic pipe has a scalloped-shaped outer surface providing a plurality of crests and troughs and a series of parallel grooves cut in at least some of the crests. The heating element is located in the grooves in contact with the pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the pipe is provided with a plurality of internal ribs of at least two different lengths. The pipe is supported on a ceramic cradle and a ceramic sponge or metal turnings are inserted into the pipe between the ribs to increase the heat transfer area.

Electric storage heating apparatus

A ceramic product having an expansion coefficient from about 1.0.times.10.sup.-6 .degree.C. to about 2.5.times.10.sup.-6 .degree.C. containing a sintered mixture of spodumene and clay is described. The sintered mixture also includes iron oxide in an amount from about 1.0% to about 7.0% by weight of the total sintered mixture. The final product includes a .beta. spodumene solid solution and mullite, and has a mullite content of less than 10% by volume. The presence of iron oxide in the sintered mixture reduces the formation of mullite during the formation of .beta. spodumene and thus reduces the expansion coefficient of the final product. The process for preparing the ceramic products described herein includes providing an intimate mixture of 40% by weight to 60% by weight of spodumene and 40% by weight to 60% by weight of clay and heating the mixture in the presence of iron oxide at a suitable time and temperature, within a range from cone 5 to cone 10 and preferably within a range from cone 6 to cone 9. The ceramic body is coated with a suitable glaze which preferably contains from about 70% by weight to about 90% by weight of spodumene and from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight of talc and 20% by weight to about 10% by weight of whiting. The glaze composition also includes from about 1.0% by weight to about 7.0% by weight of iron oxide. The base portion of the ceramic products of this invention is optionally coated with a suitable terra sigillata for aesthetic purposes and also to avoid sticking of the product to the furnace during the firing process. The terra sigillata composition typically contains from about 10% by weight to 35% by weight of spodumene, 65% to 90% by weight of clay and 1% by weight to 7% by weight of iron oxide. Because of their low expansion coefficients the products of the invention are useful for a multitude of household purposes. They can readily withstand the thermal shock encountered when exposed to the extreme heating or cooling conditions normally present in household environments.

Low thermal expansion ceramic and process

A ceramic sponge made from plastic is described. Because of the ease of cutting the plastic in various shapes before converting to ceramic several unique applications are possible. In case of a column packing better contact between liquid and gas is made. For an auto catalytic converter better contact between gas and catalyst is realized. By cutting in other ways a filter to remove solids is made, permitting longer use before clogging, also a scrubber to remove particulates. A rotary ceramic filter is described; it is also a composite of fibers and ceramic which retains small particulates without excessive pressure drop upon passage of fluid through the filter. An acid resistant collector plate for an electrostatic precipitation is described.

Multi-purpose ceramic element

Non-porous, Alfred shale terra sigillata coated ceramic utensils, such as cooking pans, pots, plates, cups and heating and serving dishes, having non-sticking food-contacting surfaces are provided for use in the preparation and/or serving of foodstuffs. The ceramic utensils comprise a ceramic body and an Alfred shale terra sigillata coating on said body, both body and coating preferably being made from Alfred shale.

Ceramic utensils

Terra sigillata coated ceramic cookware vessels, such as bread pans. Bread baked in such pans has the taste and physical qualities of bread baked in a brick oven. In addition, the baked bread releases easily from the pan.

Terra sigillata coated ceramic cookware

A method for baking bread in a sigillata coated ceramic cookware vessels, such as bread pans. Bread baked in such pans has the taste and physical qualities of bread baked in a brick oven. In addition, the baked bread releases easily from the pan.

Growing community of inventors

Alfred Station, NY, United States of America

William B Crandall