Abstract: A diffuser for a water heater fill tubes having a tube wall with an outside diameter. The diffuser includes an elongated flexible diffuser body for positioning at the outlet end of the fill tube. The diffuser body has a sealing end for sealing with an outside surface of the fill tube wall closest to the inlet end of the fill tube, and an open end for positioning at an end closest to the outlet end of the fill tube. The open end has a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the tube wall, thereby creating an diffuser water outlet opening between the diffuser body and the tube wall for redirecting radial water flow emanating from the fill tube water outlet opening(s) toward the diffuser outlet opening. A fill tube assembly for a water heater, a water heater, and a method for heating water are also disclosed.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater and a thermal mixing valve. The water heater includes a tank and a cap that each define interior volumes. The interior volume of the tank includes a heating element is the location where fluid is heated, whereas the cap includes a volume within which the thermal mixing valve may be disposed. The thermal mixing valve pulls cool and warm water from the volume of the tank, and then discharges a mixed stream of fluid at a user desired temperature via an outlet.

Abstract: A water level detection system includes a water containing vessel, an airtight tube fluidly coupled to the water containing vessel, a pressure sensor fluidly coupled to the airtight tube, and a water level control unit communicably coupled to the pressure sensor. The water level control unit is configured to control at least one of a height of water within the water containing vessel or a temperature of the water based on pressure data from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A water heater has a water supply line, a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the water supply line, a heating element positioned proximate to the heat exchanger, such that when activated, the heating element conveys heat to the heat exchanger and thereby heating water supplied by the water supply line, an output line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger and configured to receive heated water therefrom, a flow sensor configured to cause the heating element to activate in response to sensing a predetermined water flow rate through the water heater, and a bypass flow line operably connected between the water supply line and the output line.

Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a water level in a plumbing element. The monitoring system has a sensor unit, which includes at least one sensor for detecting a measured value and with the aid of which a water level in a receiving space of the plumbing element may be ascertained. A plumbing element is also provided that comprises a receiving space for accommodating water and at least one water outlet for emptying the water from the receiving space.

Abstract: A water heater includes a tank defining an interior volume having an inlet and an outlet, a heating element configured to heat water within the tank, and a bypass in fluid communication between the inlet and outlet and configured to divert at least a portion of the supply water from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: Provided is a hot water distribution system comprising a water heater, a water pump, a controller, a temperature sensor, a point-of-use, and a diverting valve capable of directing water from the water heater to either the point-of-use or back to the water heater.

Abstract: This invention relates to a domestic hot water installation (1, 51, 61, 71) comprising a hot water cylinder (3), an external heating circuit (4) such as a boiler (5) in combination with a heat exchanger (7), a pump (9), and a control circuit (11). The control circuit comprises a pair of sensors (15, 17), at least one of which is a temperature sensor, and a programmable controller (13) in communication with the sensors. The programmable controller has a processor (19), an accessible memory (21), and means (23) to operate the pump. The programmable controller monitors the data from the sensors and accurately calculates the amount of hot water that has been delivered to the hot water cylinder. When the correct amount of water, according to a domestic hot water profile, has been delivered to the hot water cylinder, the programmable controller stops hot water from being delivered into the tank by shutting off the pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a whole soybean curd production system having a heating device and a cooling device, and a method for producing whole soybean curd and, more specifically, to a whole soybean curd production system and a method for producing whole soybean curd, the whole soybean curd production system comprising: a heating device having a steam boiler formed to be opened and closed so as to enable inside thereof to be cleaned; and a cooling device having a cooling means formed from a Peltier element.

Abstract: A wide range temperature control system for semiconductor manufacturing equipment uses a thermoelectric element applied to a chiller that is a temperature control device for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The refrigerant circulated through a refrigerant tank passes through thermoelectric element block groups and is cooling and heating controlled, outputs of the thermoelectric element block groups are then supplied to a load, a heat exchanger using process cooling water (PCW) is configured in the refrigerant tank in which the refrigerant recirculated from a working load is stored, a heater for high temperature heating is further configured, some of the thermoelectric element block groups at a high temperature are bypassed through a variable valve, the polarity of a voltage is reversed in the thermoelectric element block groups through which a high-temperature refrigerant passes, and a part of an insulating element adjacent to the refrigerant is maintained at a lower temperature than the refrigerant.

Abstract: The prompt hot water and water conservation system includes a hot water supply pipe connected to a hot water heater outlet. A discharge faucet is connected to the supply pipe. A return pipe is connected to the supply pipe and to a hot water tank drain. The return pipe carries cooled water to the drain for reheating. Reheated water circulates into the supply pipe. A flow control device, in the return pipe, includes a chamber that houses a sphere. Return water flow moves the sphere toward a stop and permits unimpeded movement of water into the tank drain for reheating. When the faucet is opened, water flows from the tank drain into the flow control device. The sphere is moved to contact a small end of the chamber and substantially stop flow through the return pipe. Water is circulated through the system by increased density of cooled water.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprises a plurality of cells, a plurality of heating elements, and a controller for independently controlling the plurality of heating elements. The heat transfer system is capable of maintaining a fluid temperature within a predetermined range. A second pump pumps fluid through a heat exchanger in operative relationship with the blower upon a call for heat.

Abstract: A steamer cooks individual serving portions of food such as oysters and shellfish by direct contact with steam at atmospheric pressure. The steamer uses a boiler and valved piping system including a manifold to deliver steam on demand to each one of plural cooking stations. Each station has a container such as a bucket that receives the steam through a nozzle extending through a hole in the bucket's bottom. The user controls the flow of steam to each cooking station independently, thus allowing multiple serving portions of food to be steamed independently of each other, that is, separately, in parallel, and without regard for the start times and end times of the other serving portions. Preferably individual steam valves, timers and on/off indicators allow the user complete control over cooking times at each cooking station. The steam exiting the buckets and condensate are collected and carried off.

Abstract: A hot water recirculation system includes a source of hot water, a fixture, a fluid circuit, a fluid pump, and an electrical circuit sensor. The fixture is remote from the source of hot water and is configured to dispense hot water. The fluid circuit extends from the source to the fixture for delivering hot water to the fixture. The fluid circuit returns to the source for recirculating hot water in the fluid circuit back to the source for reheating. The fluid pump is configured for recirculating hot water through the fluid circuit. The electrical circuit sensor is configured to detect operation of an electrical circuit proximate the fixture and associated with a user operating the fixture. The electrical circuit sensor is further configured to initiate operation of the fluid pump responsive to detected operation of the electrical circuit to initiate hot water recirculation. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A swimming pool heater that heats a private swimming pool and can be used to provide heating for a house, a cottage or a commercial swimming pool. Wood, that is often found around pools, is used as primary fuel. This oven has a cylindrical external appearance and is disposed horizontally. It is made of an interior wall and an exterior wall in between which water circulates. The interior wall plays the role of fire chamber and heat exchanger; the section having the shape of an annular zig-zag offers more surface for heat exchange than a simple cylinder thus increasing the overall heater efficiency. The left-over ashes insulate the bottom of the heating chamber replacing often used tiles. For general use, logs and branches are used as fuel, and an increase of 20 to 30 degrees F. of the water of a typical garden pool is attained overnight.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for conserving water and heat energy in a hot water supply system. A holding tank is provided near the Point Of Use to capture unwanted cooled water. An integrated displacement actuator allows this volume to be recirculated back into the hot water supply line after use. The actuator consists of a flexible bladder or rolling diaphragm that divides the holding tank into two compartments; one for non-compressible supply water, and the second for a compressible phase change fluid. At ambient temperature, the phase change fluid condenses to a liquid phase at a relatively low pressure, allowing diverted water to flow into the tank from the hot water supply system. When the phase change fluid is warmed by the adjacent hot water, it changes to a gaseous phase, pressurizing the holding tank and allowing re-injection of the cool water into the hot water supply system. A control system is provided direct water flow based on time, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method of sanitizing a bottled water dispenser may include transporting a portable boiler to a location of a bottled water dispenser. The method also may include generating steam in the portable boiler at the location of the bottled water dispenser, and flowing steam through an outlet of the portable boiler. The method may further include flow coupling the outlet of the portable boiler with an opening of the bottled water dispenser, wherein the opening leads to a fluid flow path of the bottled water dispenser. The method may additionally include flowing steam into the fluid flow path through the opening of the bottled water dispenser, and maintaining steam flow through at least a portion of the fluid flow path for a time period sufficient to sanitize the portion of the fluid flow path. The invention may also include a device for sanitizing a bottled water dispenser with steam.