Abstract: A system (10) and method for measuring and recording distances, such as between structures or reference points on vehicles. The system includes one or more measurement devices (12), each having a cable-extension transducer (14) for generating an electronic signal corresponding to the distance, a microprocessor(16) for determining the distance based upon the electronic signal, and a transceiver (22) operable to wirelessly transmit the distance to a data collection device (26) connected to a computing device (28). The cable-extension transducer (14) is wound about a spool (38) and directed around a wheel (40) such that the wheel (40) turns as the cable (36) is extended or retracted over the distance, thereby allowing for winding the cable (36) in multiple layers about the spool (38). The computing device (28) compares the measured distance to an ideal distance, and reports any difference therebetween.

Abstract: Provided are novel devices, systems, and methods for performing microanalysis of a localized biochemical milieu, and/or for highly localized drug delivery and treatment evaluation.

Abstract: A water heating system has a controller that is electronically actuated. In this regard, the controller controls an activation state of at least one heating element by providing an electrical control signal to a relay. In one embodiment, the controller has an emergency shut-off apparatus that is mechanically actuated. Further various features can be optionally implemented to help heat related problems plaguing many conventional water heater controllers that are electronically actuated.

Abstract: A water heater controller for a water heating system comprises a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a relay, and logic. The relay an controls an activation state of a heating element. The logic is configured to receive temperature data from the first temperature sensor, and the temperature data is indicative of at least one temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor. The logic is further configured to compensate the temperature data for heat from the relay based on at least one temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor.

Abstract: A water heating system, comprise a tank, a heating element, and a controller that is coupled to the heating element. The controller comprises a base, a housing, a relay, logic and, a temperature sensor. The base is composed of thermally conductive material, and the housing is composed of electrically insulating material. The housing is coupled to the base, and the logic is configured to control the a state of the relay. Further, the temperature sensor contacts the base and is coupled to the logic.

Abstract: A water heating system, comprises a tank, a bracket, a heating element, and a controller. The bracket has a hole and a notch. The heating element is mounted on the tank, and the heating element passes through the hole. The controller is inserted into the notch. Further, the controller comprises a relay coupled to the heating element and logic configured to control a state of the relay. The logic resides in a portion of the controller that is inserted into the notch.

Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with any desired algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to perform at least one function in addition to or in lieu of the first controller.

Abstract: A water heating system comprises a tank, a sensor holding apparatus, a heating element, a bracket, and a controller that is external to the sensor holding apparatus. The sensor holding apparatus is coupled to an electronic temperature sensor, and the heating element is mounted on the tank. The bracket has a hole and a notch. The heating element passes through the hole, and the sensor holding apparatus is inserted into the notch. The controller is configured to control an operational state of the heating element based on the electronic temperature sensor.

Abstract: A controller for a water heating system has an electrical interface, a housing, and logic. The electrical interface receives an electrically conductive wire that is covered by a coating composed of electrically insulating material. An exposed end of the wire is inserted into the electrical interface. The housing has a hole through which the wire passes. The electrical interface and a wall of the housing are separated by a gap so that the coating can pass through the hole and reside in the gap without passing into the electrical interface. The logic is configured to control an operational state of a heating element.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally pertains to water heating systems capable of detecting for dry fire conditions. A water heating system In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a controller that determines at least one ambient condition, such as ambient temperature, and that then checks for a dry fire condition based on the ambient condition. For example, the controller may dynamically determine a sampling interval for a dry fire test based on the ambient condition. In another example, the controller may dynamically determine a threshold used for sensing a dry fire condition based on the ambient condition. Various other parameters used for testing for a dry fire condition may be based on the ambient condition in other examples.

Abstract: An electronic pet fence is provided having several stationary transceivers and a mobile collar transceiver attached to the pet. Boundary and keep out locations are determined during a learning mode and stored in memory. Determination logic responds to signals exchanged between the stationary transceivers and the collar transceiver during an operation mode to determine if the pet is located within the defined boundary.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank comprises a tank, a first heating element, a first switch, a temperature-based switch, and logic. The first heating element is mounted on the tank, and the temperature-based switch is coupled to the first heating element and to the first switch. The logic is configured to control a state of the first switch based on a temperature of a liquid residing in the tank.

Abstract: A water heating system has a tank, a first heating element, a first temperature sensor, and a controller. The first heating element is mounted on the tank, and the controller is electrically coupled to the first temperature sensor. The controller is configured to detect a stacking condition based on the first temperature sensor and to disable the first heating element in response to detection of the stacking condition.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally pertain to systems and methods for estimating and indicating temperature characteristics of temperature controlled liquids. A system in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a tank filled at least partially with a liquid, such as water, and the system has a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on the tank. During operation, a controller compares temperatures sensed by these temperature sensors to a predefined temperature profile for the liquid within the tank in order to estimate the likely temperature characteristics of such liquid. The controller then reports these estimated temperature characteristics via a user interface. As an example, the controller may estimate and report the amount of liquid above a threshold temperature that can be drawn from the tank. Based on the reported temperature characteristics, a user may make decisions about whether or how to use liquid drawn from the tank.

Abstract: A system for controlling a temperature of a liquid residing within a tank comprises a temperature sensor, a temperature control element, memory, and logic. The temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the liquid residing within the tank, and the temperature control element is coupled to the tank. The memory stores data indicative of a usage history of the tank, and the logic is configured to automatically control the temperature control element based on the data.

Abstract: A battery health monitor (BHM) that operates as a battery-mountable full-spectrum alternating current (ac) impedance meter that facilitates monitoring a state-of-charge and a state-of-health of a battery. The BHM is used for monitoring one or more electrical parameters, e.g., impedance, of a battery. The BHM includes: a current sink coupled to the first terminal and configured to sink therefrom an oscillatory current so as to cause the battery to produce at a first terminal thereof an oscillatory voltage equal to or less than a dc operating voltage of the battery that would be present at the first terminal in the absence of the oscillatory current; and a voltage sensor configured to sense the oscillatory voltage at the first terminal.

Abstract: A water heater has a modular control system. The water heater comprises a tank, a heating element, a first controller, and a second controller. The heating element is coupled to the tank. The first controller is mounted on the tank and has a first communication port. The second controller has a second communication port communicatively coupled to the first communication port of the first controller. The first controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a first algorithm in an absence of the second controller, and the second controller is configured to control the heating element in accordance with a second algorithm.

Abstract: A water heating system has a tank, a first heating element, a first temperature sensor, and a controller. The first heating element is mounted on the tank, and the controller is electrically coupled to the first temperature sensor. The controller is configured to detect a stacking condition based on the first temperature sensor and to disable the first heating element in response to detection of the stacking condition.

Abstract: A water heating system has a tank, a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The heating element is mounted on the tank, and the temperature sensor is mounted on the heating element. The controller is coupled to the temperature sensor and is configured to detect a dry fire condition associated with the heating element based on the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system comprises a relay, a device, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The relay has a conductive component that generates heat when current flows through the conductive component, and the device is coupled to the relay such that power is provided to the device via the relay. The temperature sensor is positioned in close proximity to the relay such that temperatures sensed by the temperature sensor are affected by the heat. The controller is electrically coupled to the temperature sensor and is configured to detect failure of the relay or the device based on the sensed temperatures.