Abstract: A low-bacteria milk powder with a high WPNI is suggested, which is obtainable by (a) providing a raw milk; (b) heating the raw milk in at least one tubular heat exchanger to a temperature of at least 20° C.; (c) separating the cream, obtaining a skimmed milk; (d) pasteurising the skimmed milk in a tubular heat exchanger for a period from 10 to 60 seconds at a temperature from 72 to 75° C.; (e) evaporating the pasteurised skimmed milk to a dry matter content from 35 to 55% by weight; and (f) drying the pasteurised skimmed milk concentrate in a spray tower.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a thermal actuator which comprises at least two containers containing a first fluid. The at least two containers define interior portions that are interconnected such that the interior portions of the containers are in fluidal communication with each other. The first fluid comprises a first liquid component and a second gaseous component. The thermal actuator is arranged such that a change in a temperature difference between one container and the or another container and within a predetermined range of temperature difference causes a quantity of a fluid contained in the thermal actuator to be transferred from the one container to the or another container such that a mass distribution of the thermal actuator is altered in response to the change in temperature difference so as to cause actuation.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: Apparatus constituting part of an induction and fuel delivery system for a cylinder of a piston internal combustion engine comprising a small cyclone into which is tangentially discharged a flow of heated air to generate a sustained vortex of high rotational speed; a modulatable fuel injector delivering a flow of atomised fuel into said small cyclone wherein it underdoes flash evaporation and energetic mixing; a delivery duct connecting said small cyclone to the inlet tract of said cylinder wherein said vortex fuel-air mixture is mixed with heated induction air; and means to prevent overheating of said modulatable fuel injector.

Abstract: A zone control panel may be adapted to accommodate a method of verifying communication and/or connections between the zone control panel and one or more thermostats that are electrically connected to the zone control panel. In some cases, the one or more thermostats may be set to a particular state or condition, and the zone control panel may be adapted to sequentially or simultaneously display the particular state or condition of each of the one or more thermostats.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A zoned HVAC system is provided with a series of dampers. A control for the dampers causes the dampers to each move between open and closed positions while monitoring a system condition. The system condition is selected to be one that should change as the damper moves between open and closed positions. If the system condition does not change as the control orders the damper to move between the open and closed positions, the particular damper is identified as a potentially faulty damper.

Abstract: A water heating device comprising (a) combustion means for igniting a combustible mixture of air and gas for heating water; (b) heat exchanger means for providing heat transfer between the hot gases and the water, the exchanger means including a combustion chamber for receiving the hot gases, a water chamber having an inlet and outlet between which water passes, the water chamber enclosing the combustion chamber, and a plurality of exchange tubes connected to the bottom of the combustion chamber, the tubes extending below the combustion chamber and through the water chamber, such that the hot gases flow through the combustion chamber and then through the tubes in physical isolation from and in heat exchange relation with the water, and the water flows about the tubes and then around the outside of the combustion chamber in counterflow to the hot gases; and (c) temperature control means for controlling the temperature of the water, including thermal measuring means having a sensor for sensing the temperature o

Abstract: A novel semi-instantaneous, modulating and condensing gas fired water heating system having a very high dynamic response for supplying potable water on demand at a substantially constant, controlled temperature having a maximum output of approximately 1,000,000 BTU/hour is provided. The device includes combustion means, heat exchanger means, and temperature control means having thermal measuring means and controlling means for controlling the rate of heat transfer in anticipation of changes in BTU requirements. The heat exchanger includes a combustion chamber open at its bottom to receive the combustible mixture of air and gas burned by the combustor. Enclosing the combustion chamber is a water chamber having a channel defined by the walls of the combustion and water chambers. Through the channel flows upwards the liquid, preferably water, to be heated.

Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting an external heating unit to a heater water tank comprising a mounting assembly connected to a tank opening with a passage opening interiorly of the water tank and connected to the heating unit exteriorly of the water tank, a tube assembly extending through the mounting assembly into the interior of the water tank and thermostatic control means for controlling the operation of the heating unit with a temperature sensing element mounted on the tube assembly within the water tank so that the temperature sensing element is exposed to the temperature of the water in the water tank. The tube assembly may be provided with a tube passage connected to the heating unit exteriorly of the water tank and opening interiorly of the water tank so that water can be withdrawn from the water tank through one of the passages to be supplied to the heating unit and returned from the heating unit to the heater water tank through the other of the passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing hot water. A heat exchanger has a primary circuit which receives water from a hot water source and delivers the spent water back to the source. A secondary circuit through the heat exchanger receives unheated water and delivers it as hot tap water. A pump is connected in the line between the hot water source and the primary circuit of the heat exchanger, and a shunt bypass is connected in parallel with the series comprising the pump and the primary circuit of the heat exchanger. A sensing means such as a temperature sensing means senses the commencement of water flow through the secondary circuit and in response thereto operates the pump. Another temperature sensing means measures the temperature downstream from the primary circuit and in response thereto controls the distribution of fluid downstream from the primary circuit of the heat exchanger as between the shunt and the return line to the hot water source.

Abstract: A water heater supplies hot water at a variable flow rate, depending on demand, and at a substantially constant, controlled temperature. It comprises a heat exchanger formed with an inlet and an outlet whereby water can be supplied to and withdrawn from the heat exchanger in accordance with demand and means for passing a second fluid such as steam through the heat exchanger coil to heat the water. A temperature gradient is thus established in the water in the direction of its flow through the heat exchanger. A sense tube forms a substantially homogeneous mixture of different portions of the water, these portions being drawn from sampling points spaced apart along the temperature gradient and in relative proportions depending on the flow rate of the water through the heat exchanger. The temperature of the water in the sense tube is detected, and control means responds to the sensed temperature for controlling the rate at which steam is supplied to heat the water.

Abstract: A water heater comprises an elongated vessel having a heat exchanger that occupies a substantial portion at one end and leaves a minimum volume storage and blending zone at the other end of the vessel. Water is recirculated through the heat exchanger, preferably continuously, through a recirculation conduit that takes water through its inlet essentially solely from the outlet end of the heat exchange zone and returns it to the inlet end, the intake of the recirculation conduit being located at the lower end of the volume storage and immediately above an apertured partition extending across the interior of the vessel immediately above the heat exchanger. The temperature sensor of the control thermostat is received within a tunnel secured to the partition. The tunnel has two side outlet openings away from the aperture so that the thermostat is always subject to the hottest water just above the heat exchanger for fast and accurate control of the heating fluid on failure of the circulating pump.

Abstract: A process chromatograph including a column for separating fluid samples into their individual components, and a density-responsive detector connected to the column output to produce a pressure signal representing the concentration of the separated components. The column and associated elements are contained within a thermally-insulated housing the interior spaces of which are heated and maintained at a set-point temperature by a temperature regulating system. Heat energy is supplied by steam to one section of a two-section tubular heat-exchanger. A stream of air is caused to flow through the other section and into the housing interior, to transfer heat thereto. The rate of heat transfer is automatically controlled by a thermostatic control which continuously adjusts the flow of air through the heat exchanger so as to maintain the interior temperature at a desired set-point.