Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a building is provided. The monitoring system includes a monitoring server and a monitoring client. The monitoring server is configured to receive an aggregate current value from a monitoring device, wherein the aggregate current value represents a total current flowing through the HVAC system, determine a commanded operating mode of the HVAC system in response to the aggregate current value, wherein operating modes of the HVAC system include at least one of an idle mode and an ON mode, and analyze a system condition of the HVAC system based on the determined commanded operating mode. The monitoring client is configured to command the monitoring server to execute validation testing based on data received from monitoring the HVAC system, display results of validation testing, display real-time system performance data, and display an alert during a system malfunction.

Abstract: A method of assembling a pilot burner assembly for use with a gas fired appliance includes inserting a retention element of a gas supply line through a slot defined by a retaining ledge of a second bracket plate, rotating an outlet orifice of the gas supply line such that the second retention element engages the retaining ledge, and inserting a pilot guard through first and second pilot guard apertures defined by respective first and second bracket plates such that a retention element of the pilot guard cooperatively engages the retention element of the gas supply line to maintain a connection between the pilot guard and the gas supply line.

Abstract: A food waste disposer system (300) has active noise control of food waste disposer noise that is generated by the food waste disposer (302) when a motor of the food waste disposer (302) is running. The food waste disposer (302) has a food conveying section that conveys food waste to a grinding section. The grinding section has a rotatable shredder plate that is rotated by a motor of a motor section. Active noise sound waves (310) are radiated into an area (313) where the food waste disposer noise is to be controlled at an amplitude and frequency to at least cancel or mask the food waste disposer noise.

Abstract: A safety gas valve relay driving circuit for an HVAC system includes a gas valve relay including an output for selectively enabling and disabling a gas valve in an HVAC system according to an energization state of the gas valve relay, and a charge pump circuit to control energization of the gas valve relay. The charge pump circuit includes a charge pump capacitor. The driving circuit also includes first and second inputs for receiving first and second driving signals from at least one controller, a low-pass filter coupled between the first input and the charge pump circuit to filter the received first driving signal, and a high-pass filter watchdog circuit coupled between the second input and the charge pump circuit to filter the received second driving signal. Example methods of driving a gas valve relay for an HVAC system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control unit is located under a kitchen sink. The control unit controls the timing of the power demand from each device so that they can all be run from a single electrical circuit coupled to the control unit. The control unit also accommodates sensors and other accessories such as flow meters, electronic faucets, leak detectors, shutoff valves, and state communication either wired or wireless which allows these sensors and other accessories to be added with little additional cost beyond the cost of the sensors and other accessories.

Abstract: Described are methods, apparatuses, and systems for securing a vacuum appliance to a vacuum device including a first locking adapter that includes a tab and a second locking adapter that includes a receiving slot. The first and second adapters form an airtight seal when the tab is received by the slot by rotating one adapter relative to the other. The receiving slot can include a slot terminus to restrict rotational movement of the first adapter relative to the second. The apparatus can further include a securing slot that can secure the tab within a slot terminus such that a portion of the second locking adapter adjacent to the receiving slot is adapted to flex. Through the described rotation, the first and second adapters tighten and become rigid thus minimizing both the slippage between these two elements and the leakage between the vacuum device and any attached appliances.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes a cleaning head having a suction opening defined along a bottom thereof, a handle assembly connected to the cleaning head, a motor, and a blower connected to the motor and operable to generate suction through the suction opening upon operation of the motor. The vacuum cleaner further includes an electrical connection interface selectively connectable to a direct current (DC) power source and an alternating current (AC) power source. The electrical connection interface is electrically connectable to the motor via an electrical path such that an AC current is supplied to the motor when the AC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface, and a DC current is supplied to the motor when the DC power source is connected to the electrical connection interface.

Abstract: A control unit (100) is in use located under a kitchen sink. The control unit (100) controls the timing of the power demand from each device so that they can all be run from a single electrical circuit coupled to the control unit (100). The control unit (100) also accommodates sensors and other accessories such as flow meters (134), electronic faucets (114), leak detectors (118), shutoff valves (136), and state communication either wired or wireless which allows these sensors and other accessories to be added with little additional cost beyond the cost of the sensors and other accessories. A common faucet base (302) is disposed in use on an underside of a sink. The common faucet base (302) is configured to accommodate a plurality of faucet heads (304) having different faucet styles.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a food loading station having a disposer that grinds food waste that is located at a facility that processes food waste. A storage tank receives a slurry of food waste and water from the disposer for storage until the slurry is collected for transportation to an anaerobic digestion facility. An agitator is installed in the storage tank for mixing the slurry stored in the storage tank prior to collection for transportation to the anaerobic digestion facility. A discharge outlet is installed on the storage tank for connection to a discharge hose of a collection truck. The discharge outlet has an air admittance valve for admitting ambient air into the discharge hose while the slurry is sucked out of the storage tank through the discharge hose and into the collection truck.

Abstract: A vacuum comprising a canister and a removable lid assembly that is configured to couple to the canister. The lid assembly includes a motor, an impeller coupled to the motor, a filter mounting structure configured to receive a filter element, and an impeller inlet with curved inner walls. These curved inner walls help to minimize air flow path disruptions.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for remote testing of controllers such as thermostats, to detect incorrect climate control system configuration parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, a computer wirelessly connects with a remote thermostat and sends signal(s) to the thermostat instructing the thermostat to perform climate control function(s) in predefined sequence(s). The computer receives signal(s) from the thermostat indicating whether the thermostat is performing the climate control function(s) in accordance with the sent signal(s). Based on the signal(s) received from the thermostat, the computer determines whether the thermostat is configured with accurate climate control system configuration parameters.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tube assembly includes an outer tube defining a vacuum passage extending from a first end to a second end and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the vacuum passage and connected to the outer tube for telescopic adjustment. The inner tube includes a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The vacuum tube assembly further includes an adjustment clamp connected to the second end of the outer tube. The adjustment clamp includes a clamp body with an inner diameter connected to the second end of the outer tube. The adjustment clamp also includes a lever connected to the clamp body and moveable between a first, latched position and a second, unlatched position to permit selective adjustment of the inner diameter of the clamp body and selective clamping between the clamp body and the inner tube.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) monitoring system includes, at a remote monitoring apparatus, receiving and storing frames of data from a local monitoring device installed at a building. Each of the frames includes time domain current data based on a measured aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of an HVAC system of the building and frequency domain data based on the measured aggregate current. The method includes, based on the frequency domain current data and exclusive of individual current data from a plurality of individual current sensors, determining an individual contribution of a first component of the HVAC system to the measured aggregate current. The method includes transmitting information based on the stored current data to an HVAC manufacturer. The method includes, if a problem is identified with the first component using the determined individual contribution, transmitting an alert message.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a gas powered appliance includes a hot surface igniter, an igniter relay, and an integrity detection circuit. The integrity detection circuit is configured to be coupled to a power source, the igniter relay, and the hot surface igniter to produce an output indicative of the integrity of the hot surface igniter and the igniter relay. The integrity detection circuit is configured to output a first voltage when the igniter relay is closed and output a second voltage different from the first voltage when the hot surface igniter is in a non-short circuit failure condition.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residence includes a monitoring device installed at the residence and a server located remotely from the residence. The monitoring device measures an aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of the HVAC system and transmits current data based on the measured aggregate current. The server receives the transmitted current data and, based on the received current, assesses whether a failure has occurred in a first component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system and assesses whether a failure has occurred in a second component of the plurality of components of the HVAC system.