Abstract: Articles, systems, and methods in which electromagnetic energy is converted to heat (e.g., for the purpose of inducing or inhibiting phase change of a material disposed over a surface) are generally described.

Abstract: A connector to fit in a window gap, the connector having a generally elongated shape and having two parts being slidable in relation to each other. The connector includes an air-inlet adapted to receive air from an air conditioner and an air outlet. The two parts include a body and a telescopic part and the connector is adapted to be manipulated to be in: a first state where the body and the telescopic part can be moved in relation to each other in a length direction of the connector, or a second state where the body and the telescopic part are locked in relation to each other in a length direction of the connector by a locking mechanism.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance includes a first burner and a second burner which are spaced apart with a grate positioned above the burners. The grate includes a first sensor finger with a first temperature sensor over the first burner and a second sensor finger with a second temperature sensor over the second burner. The cooktop appliance also includes a first control valve and a second control valve which selectively direct fuel to the respective burners. A controller of the cooktop appliance is operably coupled to the temperature sensors and the control valves. The controller may be operable for and/or methods of operating the cooktop appliance may include receiving a set temperature, receiving a first temperature measurement from the first temperature sensor and a second temperature measurement from the second temperature sensor, and adjusting each control valve based on the set temperature and the corresponding temperature measurement.

Abstract: A combustion air proving (CAP) system for a burner assembly having a burner for providing heated air to a location, a controller, and a back plate, where outside air is fed to the burner via a conduit. The CAP system, is connected to an inlet of the system. An outlet of the system is connected to the burner via the back plate. A damper within the system is translatable between open and closed positions for allowing and blocking air flow, respectively. A sensor measures an air flow parameter of air flow to the burner. The sensor communicates with the controller, which shuts down the burner if the parameter measured by the sensor meets a predetermined threshold value. An assembly installer may test for proper sensor and controller functions by translating the damper to the closed position and blocking outside air flow.

Abstract: A home cooking appliance includes a housing, a cooktop on the housing, the cooktop having at least one gas burner, a cooking compartment in the housing and accessible through a door in a front of the housing, a cooling air system having a cooling fan that conveys cooling air through the housing, and an air guide between the cooktop and the cooking compartment, the air guide including an inlet located away from a space below the at least one gas burner of the cooktop and an outlet in fluid communication with the cooling fan, the air guide configured to restrict air from being drawn into the cooling fan from the space below the at least one gas burner of the cooktop.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided. The aircraft includes a pressurized volume and an air conditioning system. The air conditioning system operates in a first mode when the aircraft is performing high altitude operations and a second mode when the aircraft is performing low altitude operations. The first mode includes when a first medium, a second medium, and a third medium are mixed by the air conditioning system to produce a chamber ready medium. The second mode comprises when only the first medium and the second medium are mixed by the air conditioning system to produce the chamber ready medium. The air conditioning system provides the chamber ready medium to the pressurized volume.

Abstract: A burner control system for improving burner performance and efficiency may determine fuel and air channel or manifold parameters. Determination of parameters may be performed with a sensor connected across the air and fuel channels. A signal from the sensor may control the parameters which in turn affect the amounts of fuel and air to the burner via a controller. Parameter control of the fuel and air in their respective channels may result in more accurate fuel and air ratio control. One or more flow restrictors in fuel and/or air bypass channels may further improve accuracy of the fuel and air ratio. The channels may be interconnected with a pressure or flow divider. Byproducts of combustion in the exhaust, temperatures of gas and air, flame quality and/or other items may be monitored and adjusted with control of the fuel and air ratio for optimum combustion in the burner.

Abstract: A system for air handling, the system includes a pipe comprised of plastic having an oval cross-section. The system may further include a register boot comprised of plastic having a main body with a first opening and a second opening wherein the first opening has an oval cross-section for connection with an oval pipe and wherein the second opening is generally rectangular for fitting a register cover. The system may further include a fitting having a first end and a second end, the first end having a round opening and a second opening having an oval cross-section and a main body between the first end and the second end. The main body may be sized and shaped such that the round opening is presented orthogonally to the second opening. The system may further include a t-fitting having a first segment with a first opening attached to a second segment orthogonal to the first segment, the second segment having first and second opposite openings.

Abstract: Methods for regulating a heating device, which includes a combustion chamber, into which combustion air is introduced via a controllable blower. An operating variable and a speed of the blower are measured. An operating coefficient is determined on the basis of the measured operating variable and the measured speed. A volume flow coefficient is determined on the basis of reference values for the operating coefficient. A volume flow of the combustion air being determined on the basis of the volume flow coefficient. A calibration of the reference values is carried out for the operating coefficient.

Abstract: A ventilation apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a case having a flow hole; a flow guide positioned inside the case, the flow guide having an inflow opening that communicates with the flow hole, and the flow guide having a guide surface that slopes downward as the same extends outward; a swirler positioned in an area formed by the flow guide and configured to rotate in order to discharge a part of air introduced through the flow hole out of the case again, the swirler having a plurality of blades; a driving motor for rotating the swirler; and a grill member that covers the swirler outside the case and provides an air channel. The grill member comprises a grill rib that forms a suction channel for suctioning air and a discharge channel for discharging air. The discharge channel may be positioned outside the suction channel.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for operating a fluid heating device comprising a heat pump and an electric heating element. The disclosed technology can include a system and method that can receive current data from a current sensor and temperature data from a temperature sensor, determine whether the current is greater than or equal to a threshold current and whether the temperature is greater than or equal to a threshold temperature, and output a control signal to heat the fluid using the heat pump only or the electric heating element only based on the current data and the temperature data.

Abstract: A cab heating system for a vehicle comprising a turbine engine, a heat exchanger, and a duct. The turbine engine generates exhaust containing waste heat. The heat exchanger comprises a first portion, a second portion, and first and second lines for carrying auxiliary working fluid between the first and second portions. The duct is operatively connected to carry exhaust from the turbine engine to the first portion of the heat exchanger. The first portion of the heat exchanger transfers waste heat of the exhaust generated by the turbine engine to the auxiliary working fluid. The first line carries the auxiliary working fluid to the second portion of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger extracts heat from the auxiliary working fluid. The second line carries the auxiliary working fluid to the first portion of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus comprises an oven. The oven comprises a cooking chamber, a heated air source and two or more vents through which, in use, heated air can vent from the cooking chamber. The two or more vents comprise at least one lower vent and at least one upper vent. The at least one lower vent is provided at a lower height than the at least one upper vent. The at least one upper vent is controllable to regulate a flow of heated air therethrough.

Abstract: A method of preventing exhaust gas intrusion in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. Whether a vehicle operating condition resulting in an increased carbon monoxide emission at an exhaust pipe is present is detected. Whether a vehicle component condition is present is detected. The vehicle component condition is an open window or an open sunroof. An HVAC setting is switched from a recirculating air mode to a fresh air mode when at least one of the vehicle operating condition and the vehicle component condition is detected as being present.

Abstract: A pressure relief assembly includes a housing defining an air passage chamber having at least one airflow opening. A flap is secured within the air passage chamber. The flap is configured to move into an open position to expose the airflow opening(s) to relieve air pressure. A cushion is secured to the housing underneath the flap. The cushion is configured to cushion motion of the flap. A first attachment securely couples the flap to the housing. A second attachment securely couples the cushion to the housing. The first attachment is separate and distinct from the second attachment.

Abstract: A piezoelectric lighter includes a lighter housing having a liquefied gas storage, a gas emitting nozzle extended from the liquefied gas storage, a piezoelectric unit disposed in the lighter housing, and a lighter cap slidably coupled on top of the lighter housing above the piezoelectric unit. The gas emitting nozzle is slidably received at a nozzle window of the lighter cap, wherein an exit opening of the gas emitting nozzle is embedded in the ceiling of the lighter cap to protect the exit opening of the gas emitting nozzle. When the lighter cap is depressed to expose the exit opening of the gas emitting nozzle above the ceiling of the lighter cap, the piezoelectric unit is depressed and the gas emission unit is actuated at the same time to produce a flame at the exit opening of the gas emitting nozzle.

Abstract: A control module for an electrical appliance is provided. The control module comprises a wireless interface, a processor coupled to the wireless interface and a plurality of pins extending from the bottom of the module coupled to the processor, the pins for twist lock interfacing with a receptacle of an appliance, wherein the processor can send and receive command related to the control of the appliance.

Abstract: A gas-fired instantaneous water heater including a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a heat pump that is powered by the TEG to improve efficiency compared to existing water heaters. Water to be heated is circulated through the heat pump, TEG heat exchanger, and primary heat exchanger to produce a stream of heated water. An adjustable firing rate permeable matrix radiant burner is included, in which natural gas and air are combusted to produce combustion products, including heat. The combustion products are condensed in a condensing system to produce cooled and dry exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present double walled grease duct includes a tubular outer shell surrounding a tubular inner liner, wherein a spacer is positioned perpendicular to the walls of the outer shell and the inner liner. The spacer can include a plurality of vertical metal strips extend from a top edge of the spacer to the bottom edge of the spacer, wherein the top edge of the spacer contacts the walls of the outer shell and wherein the bottom edge of the spacer contacts the walls of the inner liner. The metal strips resist the different rates of thermal expansion between the outer shell and inner liner ultimately preventing the collapse of the inner liner under pressure from thermal expansion.

Abstract: An air vent for a vehicle may include: a duct part having an internal path through which air is moved; a first adjusting part rotatably installed in the duct part, and guiding the direction of discharged air while rotated in a side-to-side direction; a second adjusting part rotatably installed in the duct part with the first adjusting part, and adjusting a flow rate and direction of discharged air while rotated in an upward/downward direction or blocking an air flow passing through the duct part; a driving part connected to the second adjusting part and configured to supply power to rotate the second adjusting part; and a rotation pressing part connected to the second adjusting part and elastically supporting the second adjusting part to rotate the second adjusting part in one direction.