Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for precluding backflow of fluid in a mixing valve, through use of a manifold of the mixing valve including a septum wall in an intermediate divided segment of an outlet conduit of the manifold.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a level of product in a tank to detect one of a delivery and a drain operation is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operably coupled to the tank and adapted to detect the level of product in the tank at a first rate and at a second rate. The data center is in communication with the monitor and adapted to receive a user inputtable threshold level of change. The monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the first rate until the threshold level of change is detected. Thereafter, the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the second rate. The data center generates an alarm signal to indicate that one of the delivery and the drain has occurred.

Abstract: A variable flow valve is provided. The variable flow valve includes a housing, an actuator, a biasing agent, positioning coils, and a locking coil. The housing defines a bore, an inlet, and an outlet. The actuator is moveably disposed within the bore and configured to selectively obstruct and expose the outlet. The biasing agent is disposed within the bore. The biasing agent is also interposed between the housing and the actuator to bias the actuator toward the outlet. The positioning coils are disposed about the housing and operable to drive the biasing agent to a retracted position. The locking coil is disposed about the housing proximate the biasing agent. The locking coil is operable to capture the biasing agent in the retracted position. As such, the positioning coils are thereafter able to move the actuator free of the bias from the biasing agent.

Abstract: An electronic gas control apparatus including a variable flow valve, an igniter, a flame sensor, and an electronic controller is provided. The valve has a flow range that equals or exceeds a required flow range for any one of the types of gas suitably combusted by the burner. The electronic controller is operably coupled to each of the valve, the igniter, and the sensor. The electronic controller is configured to activate the igniter, to receive a flame status signal from the sensor, and to recognize a position of the valve when the flame status signal indicates a flame at the burner. As such, the electronic controller is calibrated for the gas, line-pressure, jet and burner configuration being used.

Abstract: An adaptive defrost control system of the present invention monitors an amount of current flowing through the defrost heater to calculate the amount of power delivered thereby. The circuit utilizes a thermistor to monitor the temperature rise of the electrical trace supplying current to the defrost heater to allow the controller to calculate an amount of power delivered thereby. A second thermistor may be used to compensate for a change in ambient temperature that might otherwise be attributed to a change in current flow through the power trace. A physical modification to the power trace to enhance the temperature rise characteristic at the point of placement of the thermistor enhances the accuracy of the calculation. A secondary current flow path around the branch of thermistor placement is also provided so as to not reduce the total current carrying capacity of the power trace.

Abstract: A defrost heater relay control circuit having reduced power consumption during a de-energized mode of operation is provided. The relay drive circuit utilizes a series connected capacitor to introduce a phase shift in the AC current waveform such that the amount of real power dissipated in the circuit during periods when the defrost heater control relay is de-energized is greatly reduced. This effectively shorts out the relay drive voltage without generating heat due to real power dissipation through the switched circuitry that disables the relay.

Abstract: The present invention involves a water heater and method of manufacturing the same. The water heater includes a tank assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly includes a heater assembly, a control unit, a control circuit and at least one temperature sensor. The base assembly is a separate module that has at least the heater assembly and control unit mounted thereto.

Abstract: A level monitoring system for a floating roof tank is provided. The level monitoring system includes a switch electrically connected to a monitor. When the tank reaches a high fill level, the switch closes an electrical circuit. The monitor senses that the circuit has become closed, indicating the high fill level, and sends a signal to an alarm module. The level monitoring system may use either a cable pull switch or a tilt switch that are activated by the floating roof of the tank when the a predetermined level has been reached.

Abstract: The disclosed technology can be used in the development and operation of multistatic probes that can characterize substances and relationships between substances. A multistatic probe can include transmitting and receiving conductive elements that are electrically distinct and which are capable of conveying electromagnetic energy to/from a substance of interest. The transmitting and receiving conductive elements can be arranged to be in contact with at least one dielectric mismatch boundary between substances of interest, whereby an electromagnetic signal transmitted on the transmitting conductive element causes a corresponding electromagnetic signal to be coupled to the receiving conductive element in response to the transmitted signal being in proximity to the dielectric mismatch boundary.

Abstract: The positive half-cycle for an ac input signal is applied to a wave rectifier (20, 22), a filter (41) and a voltage regulator (30, 31) for generating a dc output signal. The ac input signal is also applied to a transistor (50) in either the common emitter or common source configuration which shifts the ac input signal by 180 degrees. This signal is then applied to another rectifier (21, 23) for converting the shifted ac input signal into a pulsating dc output signal. Then shifted dc output signal is applied to a second capacitor filter to reduce the signal variations. The final stage for the second output stage is also a voltage regulator (32, 33) (i.e., two series zener diodes). The transformerless power supply produces either a dual positive or dual negative dc voltage supply. In addition, the voltage supply circuits may include a relay voltage, which may be controlled by a control circuit.

Abstract: A tank level monitoring system is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively connected to the tank to periodically monitor a level of product stored in the tank. The monitor includes a user-defined reporting schedule programmed therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor via a data channel. The monitor transmits level measurement information to the data center over the communication channel based on the user-defined reporting schedule.

Abstract: A regulator valve for managing a fluid in an appliance is provided. The regulator valve comprises a housing having an inlet and an outlet, a filter, a pressure regulator, a solenoid valve, a mounting structure, and a locking tab depending from the mounting structure. The inlet and outlet utilize quick connect adaptors. The pressure regulator maintains the fluid in the housing within a desired pressure range and the solenoid valve alternatively permits and prevents expulsion of the fluid from the outlet. The twist mount is inserted through a twist mount aperture on, e.g., a drinking fountain and rotated until a portion of the twist mount engages with a portion of the drinking fountain and the locking tab rests in a tab aperture on the drinking fountain. Therefore, the regulator valve is secured to the drinking fountain and can clean, regulate, and manage the fluid.

Abstract: A gas clothes dryer having a carbon monoxide sensor incorporated therewith to detect the possibility and/or presence of a carbon monoxide that may be indicative of blockage in the exhaust vent or an improperly maintained appliance is provided. The dryer of the present invention incorporates carbon monoxide sensing to determine when an elevated level of carbon monoxide is present, and provides a warning to the consumer of the impending or existing hazardous condition. The warning may be audible, visual, and may include an interface to installed hazardous condition alarms within the dwelling. Additional interface to connected home systems providing text messaging may also be provided.

Abstract: A range hood having a carbon monoxide sensor positioned therein is provided. The vent fan of the range hood is activated upon the detection of carbon monoxide so as to increase the ventilation of the cooking area. A visual and/or audible alarm may also be provided. If carbon monoxide levels increase or persist, the range hood may increase the speed of the vent fan to provide additional ventilation. Continued presence of carbon monoxide will result in the sounding of a warning. Interface to external warning devices and systems is also provided.

Abstract: A clothes dryer having a carbon monoxide sensor incorporated therewith to detect the possibility and/or presence of a fire in the exhaust vent is provided. The dryer of the present invention incorporates carbon monoxide sensing to determine when an exhaust vent fire is likely or has occurred, and provides a warning to the consumer of the impending or existing hazardous condition. The warning may be audible, visual, and may include an interface to installed hazardous condition alarms within the dwelling. Additional interface to connected home systems providing text messaging may also be provided.

Abstract: A washing machine having a leak prevention system that reduces the risk of flooding caused by a failed line or stuck water valve is provided. The leak prevention system uses a battery powered, RF enabled water valve that is attached directly to the taps used to supply water to the washing machine. Upon a call for water, the washing machine controller sends an RF signal to the supply valve, which will charge the supply line. Upon completion of the fill, the supply valve will shut off, depressurizing the line. A flow meter is also incorporated into the water train within the washing machine and monitors the amount of water entering the tub. An alarm is provided to indicate a low or dead battery or an overfill condition.

Abstract: A gas cook-top with glass (capacitive) touch controls and automatic burner re-ignition is provided. The gas cook-top utilizes a variable flow gas control valve that is driven by an electronic controller whose user interface provides a glass capacitive touch interface. Various electronic features including safety lockouts and burner re-ignition are provided, as is relational control of the burner flame. As a user moves their finger along a flame adjust indicator, the electronic control positions the variable flow gas valve to control the flame height of the burner to correspond to the relative position along the indicator selected by the user.

Abstract: A sensor is installed in the dryer air-stream to verify that an adequate draft is being created by the appliance prior to activating the appliances air-heating system. If the sensor determines that an adequate draft is present, determined, e.g. by a pressure differential in the system, it will allow the appliance's air-heating system (either an electrical element or gas burner) to be activated. If the sensor determines that an inadequate draft is present, this may be symptomatic of a blocked or obstructed air-vent or lint trap, which is a potential hazard. In this case the system will not activate the heating system and an audible and/or visual warning of the failure mode may be displayed.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling an ambient temperature in a building is provided. The system comprises a thermostat, a computing device, and a thin client. The thermostat has one or more settings and is equipped for wireless communication. The computing device is equipped for wireless communication with the thermostat. The thin client device is remotely located from the thermostat and operatively coupled to the computing device through a wide area network. The thin client device permits manipulation of the one or more settings which are wirelessly communicated from the computing device to the thermostat such that the ambient temperature of the building is remotely controlled.

Abstract: A temperature and pressure measuring circuit is provided. The circuit comprises an uncompensated pressure transducer, an analog-to-digital converter, a reference resistive device, and first and second switches. The transducer has variable resistive devices between first, second, third, and fourth bridge nodes. The analog-to-digital converter has first and second reference inputs and first and second differential inputs. When the first switch couples the first differential input and the third bridge node and the second switch couples the second differential input and a ground, a bridge voltage is measurable and a bridge resistance is ratiometrically determinable. The bridge resistance is employed to calculate a temperature. When the first switch couples the first differential input and the first bridge node and the second switch couples the second differential input and the second bridge node, a differential voltage is measurable. The differential voltage is employed to calculate a pressure.