Abstract: Disclosed herein are heat pump systems for water heaters. The heat pump systems can comprise a housing defining an interior chamber, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet can form an air flow path through the interior chamber, and an evaporator unit can be positioned within the interior chamber such that the air flow path contacts the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a flue pipe having a cross-section to encourage aerodynamic flow and/or side baffles to encourage air flow into the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a second air inlet to increase air flow and a curved elbow around the first air inlet to direct the air flow path. The air flow path can flow from a top side of the housing to a side of the housing, and the air flow path can be reversible.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a localized heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a moveable air delivery system comprising. The moveable air delivery system further comprising an air inlet configured to receive air and an air outlet configured to output the air into a space. The localized HVAC further comprising a movement system configured to move the air outlet in a generally planar manner. The movement system further comprising an air delivery support system configured to support the air outlet, the air delivery support system configured to move the air outlet in an air delivery plane.

Abstract: A defrost cycle control assembly includes a first sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a top portion of an outdoor heat exchanger of a heat pump, a second sensor that is configured to measure a temperature adjacent a bottom portion of the outdoor heat exchanger, and a third sensor that is configured to measure an ambient temperature. Further, the defrost cycle control assembly includes a controller that is configured to initiate a defrost cycle of the heat pump based on the temperature adjacent the top portion and the ambient temperature when said temperatures indicate formation of frost at the top portion of the outdoor heat exchanger where the first sensor is disposed. The controller is configured to terminate the defrost cycle when the temperature at the bottom portion reaches a termination temperature which indicates that the frost on the outdoor heat exchanger has melted.

Abstract: Embodiments include heat pump systems with gas bypasses and related methods. In one embodiment, a system may include a gas bypass tank having a bypass inlet, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet, and a first splitting valve having a first splitter outlet in fluid communication with the bypass inlet, a first splitter inlet in fluid communication with the liquid outlet, and a first switching path configured to switch between a first conduit path in fluid communication with a first coil system and a second conduit path in fluid communication with a second coil system.

Abstract: A baffle for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a multiple first apertures that traverse therethrough, where each first aperture has a first outer perimeter that includes a first base shape and at least one first protrusion extending from the first base shape. Each of the first apertures is configured to receive a tube. The first base shape of each first aperture has a first shape and a first size that is configured to be substantially the same as the first shape and the first size of an end of a tube.

Abstract: A heating system of a managed fluid system can include a heat exchanger and a first temperature sensor device that measures an inlet temperature of a fluid flowing into the heat exchanger. The heating system can also include a second temperature sensor device that measures an outlet temperature of the fluid flowing out of the heat exchanger. The heating system can further include a controller communicably coupled to the first temperature sensor device and the second temperature sensor device. The controller can receive inlet temperature measurements made by the first temperature sensor device and outlet temperature measurements made by the second temperature sensor device. The controller can also evaluate the inlet temperature measurements and the outlet temperature measurements using at least one lookup table and at least one algorithm. The controller can subsequently determine an input rate of fuel used to heat the fluid flowing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Air recirculation systems for heat pumps are disclosed. The air recirculation systems include a heat pump subsystem and a recirculation subsystem. The recirculation subsystem can include one or more arms that direct cool, dehumidified air flowing from the heat pump subsystems back to air inlets. The recirculation subsystems can transition from open to closed configurations either manually or via motors. The air recirculation systems can include a controller that outputs a control signal to the motors to open or close the recirculation subsystems. The control signals can be based on temperature data, current data, and the like.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a controller configured to control an output of one or more boilers to reduce temperature overshoot of the boiler system. The controller can receive temperature data, a threshold temperature value, and a maximum temperature value, and determine whether the temperature of the water in the boiler system is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature. The controller can also determine a number of operating boilers that were operating when the threshold temperature was reached and determine a temperature increment value based on the threshold temperature, the maximum temperature, and the number of operating boilers. The controller can output a control signal to a boiler to reduce an output of the boiler based on the temperature increment value and the temperature data to reduce overshoot of the boiler system.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a controller for a cascade boiler system having both condensing and non-condensing boilers. The controller can receive supply water temperature data and return water temperature data to determine a current temperature differential in the system. The controller can determine a current load demand value using the current temperature differential and a set point temperature. If the current load demand value is less than or equal to a first load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode. If the current load demand value is greater than a second load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a non-condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) conditioning system including a single outdoor unit and a VRF path extending between the single outdoor unit and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals can include a first terminal configured to condition air of an interior room and a second terminal configured to heat or cool a liquid. The VRF system can provide heating or cooling of air in different rooms or zones within a building or home while also providing heating or cooling of water. In response to a demand for heating or cooling at each terminal, the VRF system can vary the supply of refrigerant to each terminal, such that efficient and precise temperature regulation of air and liquid can be provided.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a fluid heating device that can include a heating chamber in communication with a heating element, and an ultrasonic transducer in communication with the heating chamber and for transmitting ultrasonic sound waves. The disclosed technology includes an ultrasonic transducer system that includes an assembly configured to attach to a fluid heating device, and an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the assembly. The disclosed technology also includes a method for ultrasonic cleaning within a fluid heating device that can include a controller configured to receive flow data from a flow sensor; based on the flow data, determine that fluid is flowing through a heating chamber; and output instructions for an ultrasonic transducer to output ultrasonic sound waves.

Abstract: A screen cover for attaching to an open end of a conduit of a water heater is provided. The screen cover includes a first diametric portion having a first diameter and a second diametric portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The first and second diametric portions are coaxially aligned and configured to allow flow of air or gas therethrough. The screen cover includes a shoulder portion defined between the first diametric portion and the second diametric portion. The screen cover further includes a mesh disposed at a first opening of the first diametric portion. The mesh prevents entry of external objects into the water heater through the open end of the conduit.

Abstract: A fluid heating device comprising a heat pump and an electric heating element can include a system and method that can receive current data from a current sensor and temperature data from a temperature sensor, determine whether the current is greater than or equal to a threshold current and whether the temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature, and output a control signal to heat the fluid using the heat pump only or the electric heating element only based on the current data and the temperature data.

Abstract: A hose nozzle assembly which is capable of heating water comprising an internal heating chamber with at least one heating element. The hose nozzle assembly is able to heat water from a common garden hose with the ability to control both flow rates and temperature.

Abstract: In an electric water heater having adjustable set point and differential temperatures, upper and lower heating elements, and associated temperature sensors respectively operative to sense upper and lower tank water temperatures, a specially designed control system is provided for controlling the heating elements. The control system is operative to prevent dry firing of the heating elements by measuring temperatures over time with the temperature sensors.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a device for extending the turndown ratio of a gas-fired burner system. The device can comprise a variable area device configured reduce the amount of fuel and air passed to the burner during low output conditions by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the passage between the blower and the burner. The variable area device can be controlled by an actuator that adjusts the position of the variable area device. The actuator can be manually controlled, mechanically controlled, or electronically controlled.

Abstract: A control system can provide a linear behavior of airflow as a function of damper position of each zone damper in an HVAC system. The control system incrementally closes each zone damper from a fully open position to a fully closed position, and records static pressure measurements with each change in damper position. Then, using a mathematical model that is derived from the second fan law, a correction is calculated for each damper position of each zone damper based on the recorded static pressure measurements to provide corrected damper positions at which the airflow through the zone damper exhibits a linear behavior. The corrected damper positions are stored and used during an operational cycle of the HVAC system to obtain a precise airflow through the zone dampers.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a cleaning device for cleaning personal care tools, such as toothbrushes and shaving razors. The cleaning device can include a heating element configured to heat cleaning fluid received by the cleaning device and a high pressure nozzle configured to output heated cleaning fluid into the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a non-powered valve assembly having a valve, an actuating system, and a trigger. The trigger can be in mechanical communication with the actuating system and the actuating system can be in mechanical communication with the valve. The trigger can be positioned such that the trigger can interact with liquid resulting from a leak in a plumbing assembly. Upon interaction with liquid, the trigger can dissolve or expand, causing the actuating system to be activated and the valve to transition from the open position to a closed position. In the closed position, the valve can restrict the passage of liquid through the plumbing assembly such that the leak can be mitigated.

Abstract: The metal tank portion of an electric water heater is protected against corrosion utilizing a corrosion protection system that detects a voltage potential between the sheath portion of a tank water-immersed electric heating element and the tank. In one embodiment of the corrosion protection system the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to enable a user of the water heater to accurately gauge the necessity of replacing a sacrificial anode extending into the tank. In another corrosion protection system, the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to provide impressed current cathodic protection of the tank and also to prevent dry firing of the electric water heater.