Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature indicator stick includes a housing having an interior configured to receive the temperature indicator stick configured to indicate a predetermined temperature through a physical change or a chemical when exposed to the predetermined temperature. A gear is supported by the housing that extends from beyond an exterior of the housing into the interior of the housing to engage the temperature indicator stick. Accordingly, rotation of the gear from the exterior causes a retraction or advancement of the temperature indicator stick to and from the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature indicator stick includes a housing having an interior configured to receive the temperature indicator stick configured to indicate a predetermined temperature through a physical change or a chemical when exposed to the predetermined temperature. A roller drive is supported by the housing to engage the temperature indicator stick. Accordingly, rotation of the drive roller causes a retraction or advancement of the temperature indicator stick to and from the interior of the housing. Additionally, the housing and temperature indicator stick may include a key system to keep the temperature indicator stick in a substantially fixed rotational position with respect to the housing as the temperature indicator stick advanced from and retracted into the housing.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a tank for holding water and a resistive heating element associated with the tank for heating water in the tank. A control is connected for monitoring at least one resistance parameter of the resistive heating element as power is applied to the resistive heating element, the control configured to output a fault signal if the monitored resistance parameter exceeds a set threshold. The monitored parameter may be one or more of (i) a rate of resistance change during heater start-up, (ii) a rate of resistance change during steady state heater operation or (iii) a heater resistance corresponding to a set point in time following heater start-up.

Abstract: A warewash machine includes a tank for holding liquid to be sprayed on items in a spray chamber and a recirculation line for delivering liquid from the tank to nozzles for spraying. A sensor arrangement is provided for monitoring condition of tank liquid, the sensor arrangement including an light emitter and a light receiver. A control is provided for energizing the light emitter and monitoring output of the light receiver, wherein the control is configured to vary the energization level of the light emitter during sensing to extend a useful range of measurement the sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement may be located in line with or in parallel with a drain line of the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ware washer (40, 50) and to a method for operating a ware washer (40, 50) which is designed as a programmable machine (40) or as a conveyor ware washer (50) and which has at least one pump (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6), at least one line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6) connected to the pump (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6), and at least one nozzle system connected to the line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6) and having at least one nozzle (13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, 13-6, 13-7), a liquid being supplied at least intermittently to the at least one nozzle (13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, 13-6, 13-7) via the line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6).

Abstract: A system and method for a multi-temperature indicator stick. The multi-temperature indicator stick includes an elongated stick configured to indicate two or more predetermined temperatures. The elongated stick includes a first temperature indication material configured to indicate a first predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the first predetermined temperature. The elongated stick also includes a second temperature indication material configured to indicate a second predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the second predetermined temperature. The first temperature indication material and the second temperature indication material share a common interface extending longitudinally along the elongated stick.

Abstract: In a system and a method for managing production of prefabricated trusses and frames, production data during manufacture of a prefabricated truss and/or frame is collected, stored and processed to enable analysis of efficiency in the manufacture of the prefabricated truss and/or frame.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.

Abstract: A two-piece strapping tool having a manual tensioner and a battery-operated sealer is disclosed. The tensioner is a feedwheel tensioner that uses a serrated feedwheel to grip a first portion of the strap and a tension gripper to hold a second portion of the strap in a stationary position. The tensioner is configured to matingly receive the sealer between the tensioner's support legs such that the sealer may readily engage the overlapping portions of the strap to be welded. The sealer is battery-operated and uses a vibrational-type weld assembly driven by an electrical motor to weld overlapping portions of the strap. The sealer also includes a cutting assembly to sever the welded strap from a strap source.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, at least one fan for associated with the power source, at least one temperature sensing device in operational proximity to the power source and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan and at least one temperature sensing device for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one cooling fan as a function of power source temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, and a lockout device in operational proximity to the valve sleeve and configured for automatically preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve from the firing position until a piston in the power source returns to a pre-firing position.

Abstract: A two-piece strapping tool having a manual tensioner and a battery-operated sealer is disclosed. The tensioner is a feedwheel tensioner that uses a serrated feedwheel to grip a first portion of the strap and a tension gripper to hold a second portion of the strap in a stationary position. The tensioner is configured to matingly receive the sealer between the tensioner's support legs such that the sealer may readily engage the overlapping portions of the strap to be welded. The sealer is battery-operated and uses a vibrational-type weld assembly driven by an electrical motor to weld overlapping portions of the strap. The sealer also includes a cutting assembly to sever the welded strap from a strap source.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source; at least one fan associated with the power source during operation; and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one fan as a function of the number of combustion firings by the power source.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature indicator stick includes a housing having an interior configured to receive the temperature indicator stick configured to indicate a predetermined temperature through a physical change or a chemical when exposed to the predetermined temperature. A roller drive is supported by the housing to engage the temperature indicator stick. Accordingly, rotation of the drive roller causes a retraction or advancement of the temperature indicator stick to and from the interior of the housing. Additionally, the housing and temperature indicator stick may include a key system to keep the temperature indicator stick in a substantially fixed rotational position with respect to the housing as the temperature indicator stick advanced from and retracted into the housing.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a valve sleeve reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, and a lockout device in operational proximity to the valve sleeve and configured for automatically preventing the reciprocation of the valve sleeve from the firing position until a piston in the power source returns to a pre-firing position.

Abstract: A system and method for a multi-temperature indicator stick. The multi-temperature indicator stick includes an elongated stick configured to indicate two or more predetermined temperatures. The elongated stick includes a first temperature indication material configured to indicate a first predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the first predetermined temperature. The elongated stick also includes a second temperature indication material configured to indicate a second predetermined temperature upon being subjected to the second predetermined temperature. The first temperature indication material and the second temperature indication material share a common interface extending longitudinally along the elongated stick.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a temperature indicator stick includes a housing having an interior configured to receive the temperature indicator stick configured to indicate a predetermined temperature through a physical change or a chemical when exposed to the predetermined temperature. A gear is supported by the housing that extends from beyond an exterior of the housing into the interior of the housing to engage the temperature indicator stick. Accordingly, rotation of the gear from the exterior causes a retraction or advancement of the temperature indicator stick to and from the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, at least one fan for associated with the power source, at least one temperature sensing device in operational proximity to the power source and a control system operationally associated with the power source and connected to the at least one fan and at least one temperature sensing device for adjusting the length of time for energizing the at least one cooling fan as a function of power source temperature sensed by the at least one temperature sensing device.

Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.

Abstract: A mechanism for generating a flame jet has a volume formed of at least one vertical structure and two opposing horizontal structures. A rotatable fan is located within the volume, and is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the planes of the horizontal structures. The mechanism also contains means for igniting a combustible gas which is contained within the volume, to propel a flame jet outside of the volume.