Abstract: A hot water heater appliance includes a boiler, a companion water heater and a controller. The controller is configured to control the water heater appliance in response to a scheduled plurality of performance modes based on a preset schedule. A first performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected low usage time and a second performance mode is scheduled to be performed at an expected high usage time relative to the expected low usage time.

Abstract: A mixing manifold is provided. The manifold includes: a body; a first converging passageway in the body; a first diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the first converging passageway to form a first venturi; a first obstruction in a throat of the first venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the first venturi and an open position; a second converging passageway in the body; a second diverging passageway in the body in-line and in fluid communication with the second converging passageway to form a second venturi; and a second obstruction in the second venturi configured to move between two positions, a blocking position that blocks, at least in part, flow through the second venturi and an open position. A method of providing fluid flow through a manifold is also provided.

Abstract: A jacket for a hot water heater appliance includes a top, bottom, front, back, and a fastener. The top is configured to insulate an upper portion of a hot water tank. The bottom is configured to insulate a lower portion of the hot water tank. The front is configured to insulate a front portion of the hot water tank. The back is configured to insulate a back portion of the hot water tank. The fastener is configured to releaseably fasten the front to the back. The top, bottom, front and back include expanded polypropylene (EPP) configured to provide insulation to the hot water tank.

Abstract: An airflow proving device is provided. The device includes: a housing defining an airflow pathway; a first chamber within the housing; a second chamber within the housing located downstream in the flow pathway from the first chamber; structure in the housing defining an orifice, the orifice providing fluid communication between the first and second chamber and being part of the fluid pathway; and a pressure measuring device having a first sensor configured to monitor a pressure in the first chamber and a second sensor configured to monitor a pressure in the second chamber.

Abstract: A boiler gas flow distribution fin includes an elongated flow distribution fin protruding from a back wall of a flow distribution channel into a hot gas flow path from a boiler combustion chamber. The flow distribution fin can include a leading segment with a leading ridge, a medial segment with a medial ridge, and a trailing segment with a trailing ridge. A gap between the fin ridges and a set of convective fins in an adjacent flue passageway segment can vary from a larger gap at the leading ridge to a smaller gap at the trailing ridge, transitioning along the medial ridge. The flow distribution fin can aid in directing a hot gas flow from a combustion chamber into the flue passageway segment, resulting in a substantially balanced mass flow rate through each of a series of flue passageway sections.

Abstract: An expanded foam material surrounds a relatively thin, metallic motor casing and forms a housing which supports the motor while providing a seal to preclude leakage of liquids into the motor casing and to prevent discharge of dielectric oil from the interior of the motor casing. During manufacture of the pump, the casing is placed within a mold and a portion of the mold structure complementally and firmly engages four radially spaced regions of the generally cylindrical motor casing. Next, a quantity of the initially pourable foam material is introduced into the space between the mold and the casing, and the material self-expands to a solidified, cured condition in firm, surrounding engagement with the motor casing.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly for a submersible pump has a base and an end ring which together directly, flatly engage opposite ends of a lamination stack so that the stack is thus aligned with the base and the end ring. A shell is pressed over the lamination stack and the ends of the shell are roll-formed to grippingly engage shoulders on the base and the end ring while the stack is held in compression. The shell directly engages the outer cylindrical periphery of the laminations to establish a continuous ground path and also to preclude shifting of individual laminations. The base is molded of a synthetic resinous material and directly supports a sleeve bearing, and a plurality of fluid conduits in the base enable passage of coolant to the bearing during operation of the motor. In preferred forms, the base is provided with an edge for directly engaging one end of a series of pump stagings, and the base also has a shoulder for gripping engagement with a complementally formed edge of a pump casing.

Abstract: Structure for guiding a submersible pump along an upright path of travel includes a wire-like connector coupled to the pump unit, and the connector is shaped to slidably engage two outwardly extending portions of an upright guide rail which is I-shaped in transverse configuration. The wire-like connector cleans debris from the rail during vertical movement of the pump and also enables the unit to be tilted as necessary. When the pump unit is shifted to approach a lowermost position for pumping fluids, a directing means comprising outwardly extending plates with inclined surfaces thereon engages horizontal arms connected to a pump outlet flange so that the pump is precisely guided both vertically and horizontally to a position wherein the pump outlet flange is in flat, parallel, face-to-face relationship with an inlet flange of a stationary discharge pipe.

Abstract: A connector for an immersible electric device such as a pump motor substantially precludes water leakage in an area where the wires enter a motor housing. The connector is comprised of a elastomeric body portion having a relatively non-resilient plate secured thereto, and passageways extending through the body portion and the plate complementally receive the electrical wires. The body portion and the plate are installed in a mating bore of the motor base such that the plate is seated against an inwardly extending shoulder within the bore.

Abstract: A submersible pump has a cartridge of pump stages that are compressed between an inlet base and a discharge head as a pump casing surrounding the cartridge is roll-formed to complementally engage shoulders on the base and the head. The inner diameter of the casing presents a slight interference fit with each of the pump stages so that a diffuser on each stage is held in a stationary position during operation of the pump. The casing also provides a plurality of radially inwardly directed forces to maintain the stages in alignment with each other. Complete circumferential contact of the diffuser walls with the interior surface of the casing reduces interstage leaking such that pump efficiency is enhanced.

Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a generally bell shaped casing having a flared, open end section and a fluid inlet in opposed relation to the flared end section. A body removably connected to the casing covers a portion of the flared end section and has a fluid outlet as well as two spaced, outwardly extending ball guiding members which are matingly received within opposed walls of the casing. The ball guiding members are configured to shift the ball along a path of travel between a first, flow impeding position adjacent the fluid inlet and a second position spaced from the inlet and disposed laterally of a substantially straight fluid passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A slinger for a submersible electric pump protects a motor shaft bearing as well as a shaft seal. The slinger is provided with four, inclined, curved projections or vanes which are operable to propel sand or other potentially abrasive, grit-like contaminants away from an area adjacent the shaft seal. A pair of outlet slots disposed horizontally adjacent a lowermost portion of the slinger cooperates with the vanes to enable passage of the contaminants to an area external of the pump, such that the contaminants do not accumulate within the pump itself and the likelihood that the contaminants will enter the first pump stage is significantly reduced. Each of the vanes has a face inclined slightly relative to the frustoconical outer surface of the slinger, and each face terminates in a curved leading edge and a curved trailing edge. The vanes direct the contaminants toward the lowermost portion of the slinger where maximum outward thrust is developed.

Abstract: A pressure sensing piston connected to a valve of a leak detector senses leakage of gasoline from underground piping and restricts the flow of gasoline through the piping whenever any leakage exceeds a certain, predetermined rate of flow. The piston is shiftably received in a piston chamber and carries an inner cylindrical wall that is sealingly engageable with a mating cylindrical seal of structure connected to the piston chamber whenever the valve of the detector is in a leak sensing position to enhance movement of the valve in accordance with relatively small changes in the volume of fluid within the region.

Abstract: A float assembly for use in tanks, sumps or other liquid-containing vessels includes an elongated, upright, extruded support which maintains individual float switches at preselected heights. The support includes upright, elongated, recess-defining walls with a pair of flat, spaced, parallel sidewall portions that are configured to grippingly engage an outer, deformable insulative covering of a cord connected to the float switch. The cord may be grasped and pulled to an appropriate height, and is thereafter secured by the sidewall portions without the use of tools, fasteners or other components. In preferred forms, the recess-defining walls have a transverse, generally U-shaped configuration with an internal passageway for housing an upper portion of the cord between the float switch and an overlying junction box.

Abstract: A tank mounted discharge conduit assembly for use with a submersible pump unit comprises a base member connected to the tank as well as an upright body having a fluid conduit therein. The base member has an upwardly extending portion which is complementally received within a lower portion of the upright body, in order to provide support against lateral deflection of the body as well as to prohibit the flow of fluids through a lower end of the conduit. The body also integrally includes a pair of upright, spaced, elongated, U-shaped guides which are configured to slidably receive an outlet flange of the pump and shift the latter toward a position of fluid communication between the pump and an opening in the body communicating with the fluid conduit therein.

Abstract: Compact, easily installable apparatus is disclosed for attachment to a conventional domestic hot water heater tank using only the preexisting threaded drain valve opening normally provided, in order to convert the heater into a simple storage tank and effect water heating externally of the existing heater in an indirect heat exchanger coupled to, for example, an existing boiler forming a part of a space heating system. In this fashion energy savings can be realized inasmuch as boiler water is used for heating the domestic water supplies, as opposed to separate firing of the hot water tank.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the level of a liquid in a tank between predetermined limits is disclosed. A low and high probe are provided, each connected in the tank at the desired limit levels, and each connected to a comparator associated therewith. The output of each of the comparators are connected as inputs to an OR gate, which provides the control signal for activating a pump to pump liquid from the tank, and further provides a latching signal to the lower limit comparator, to keep that comparator latched in an off position until the upper limit comparator is triggered by liquid coming into contact with the upper limit probe.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus for sensing high and low liquid level for the purpose of controlling a circuit. As liquid rises, gas within a first communicating line to a differential pressure switch is relieved through a check valve to atmosphere. When the liquid rises sufficiently, the pressure within a second communicating line causes closure of the switch and the circuit. As the level of liquid recedes, the check valve closes and a vacuum develops in the first connecting line so that the switch and circuit remain closed until the liquid level is below the entry to the first communicating line. At that time, the liquid within the communicating line exits and the pressures are equalized to the switch which then opens thereby opening the circuit.

Abstract: A valve element for reciprocation within a port has a body member which cooperates with a valve seat defined on a wall around the port. A plurality of resilient legs extend from the body member through the port and terminate in feet which extend radially beyond the periphery of the port. A central bore in the body member, parallel to the legs receives a locking stem which reciprocates between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, a locking disc on the stem engages projections extending radially inward from the legs to prevent the legs from moving inward, thereby locking the valve element within the port. In the unlocked position, the locking disc is out of alignment with the projections, and bevelled surfaces on the feet cooperate with the wall to cam the legs inwardly, so that the valve element can be removed from the port when it is subjected to sufficient axial force.

Abstract: A fan assembly, which includes a centrifugal-type fan wheel mounted for rotation in, e.g., a scroll-like fan casing or a tubular fan casing is provided with a retractable fan inlet funnel which may be selectively positioned relative to the fan wheel between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the inlet funnel axially overlaps the inlet side of the fan wheel with substantially all the inlet air being directed into the fan wheel. In the retracted position, the inlet funnel is spaced away from the fan wheel to permit a portion of the fan wheel outlet air to recirculate to the inlet side of the fan wheel. The inlet funnel has a converging/diverging venturi shape and is movably connected to a truncated conical base by a linkage assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of links each of which has one end pivoted to the base and the other end pivotally connected to a support ring which is connected to the inlet funnel by struts.