Abstract: A hot water unit fluid supply control system for a hot water unit is disclosed. The hot water unit has a heating system that is operable in a heating cycle to heat up water in at least a first region of the water unit, and a sensor arrangement for sensing a temperature of water of the hot water unit. The control system comprises a control unit configured to: receive operational data relating to an operation of the heating system; receive temperature data from the sensor arrangement; and allow for a volume of water from the first region to be released from the hot water unit as treated water or usable water based on: the operational data, and the temperature data from the sensor arrangement.

Abstract: A hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a switching device coupled to a hot water unit, a rainwater tank and a potable water source. The switching device is configured to selectively switch between a first state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the rainwater tank, and a second state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the potable water source. The hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a control unit configured to: receive fluid characteristic information associated with fluid in the hot water unit from one or more sensors; activate or deactivate a pump of the rainwater tank based on a comparison of a fluid characteristic parameter of the fluid characteristic information with requirements of the hot water unit to thereby cause the switching device to assume the first or second state.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include techniques to increase the probability that network validators will include a specific transaction in a target block of a blockchain. The method includes creating and signing in real-time a transaction and loading copies of the transaction at agent nodes connected to a network of peer nodes. An agent node can obtain an indication of an opportunity to write the transaction to a target block. The method can further include broadcasting the transaction to the network of peer nodes based on the obtained indication of the opportunity to write the transaction, to improve a probability of having the transaction written to the target block.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include techniques to increase the probability that network validators will include a specific transaction in a target block of a blockchain. The method includes creating and signing in real-time a transaction and loading copies of the transaction at agent nodes connected to a network of peer nodes. An agent node can obtain an indication of an opportunity to write the transaction to a target block. The method can further include broadcasting the transaction to the network of peer nodes based on the obtained indication of the opportunity to write the transaction, to improve a probability of having the transaction written to the target block.

Abstract: A hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a switching device coupled to a hot water unit, a rainwater tank and a potable water source. The switching device is configured to selectively switch between a first state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the rainwater tank, and a second state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the potable water source. The hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a control unit configured to: receive fluid characteristic information associated with fluid in the hot water unit from one or more sensors; activate or deactivate a pump of the rainwater tank based on a comparison of a fluid characteristic parameter of the fluid characteristic information with requirements of the hot water unit to thereby cause the switching device to assume the first or second state.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include techniques to increase the probability that network validators will include a specific transaction in a target block of a blockchain. The method includes creating and signing in real-time a transaction and loading copies of the transaction at agent nodes connected to a network of peer nodes. An agent node can obtain an indication of an opportunity to write the transaction to a target block. The method can further include broadcasting the transaction to the network of peer nodes based on the obtained indication of the opportunity to write the transaction, to improve a probability of having the transaction written to the target block.

Abstract: This application discloses a shaped charge firearm projectile that includes a two-piece jacket that defines an internal cavity with an opening in the front side of the jacket that is part of the internal cavity, a detonator positioned in the internal cavity, a striker passing through the opening with one end positioned outside of the internal cavity and the other end positioned near the detonator inside of the internal cavity positioned to detonate the detonator when the striker impacts a target with sufficient force, and a main charge positioned in the internal cavity with the main charge and the jacket defining an air-filled chamber located between the front side of the jacket and the main charge, where the striker extends into the main charge.

Abstract: This application discloses a shaped charge firearm projectile that includes a two-piece jacket that defines an internal cavity with an opening in the front side of the jacket that is part of the internal cavity, a detonator positioned in the internal cavity, a striker passing through the opening with one end positioned outside of the internal cavity and the other end positioned near the detonator inside of the internal cavity positioned to detonate the detonator when the striker impacts a target with sufficient force, and a main charge positioned in the internal cavity with the main charge and the jacket defining an air-filled chamber located between the front side of the jacket and the main charge, where the striker extends into the main charge.

Abstract: Ballast modules for balancing neutrally buoyant or hovering amusement balloons formed from a sheet of transparent weight bearing material having score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs with each of the tabs detachably attached to its adjacent tab by a set of tab ties and having an adhesive layer on one surface of the module for removable attachment to a balloon and a kit including instructions for attaching the ballast to a balloon.

Abstract: Ballast modules for balancing neutrally buoyant or hovering amusement balloons formed from a sheet of transparent weight bearing material having score lines defining a plurality of individual ballast tabs with each of the tabs detachably attached to its adjacent tab by a set of tab ties and having an adhesive layer on one surface of the module for removable attachment to a balloon and a kit including instructions for attaching the ballast to a balloon.