Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a mechanical and powerless leak detection and shutoff system that may be used in any commercially available water heater, e.g., both gas and electric. The system includes a spring-loaded shutoff assembly having a valve member operatively coupled to a fluid inlet line of the water heater. A handle of the shutoff assembly is maintained in an open configuration via a latching mechanism until a force is applied to cause the latching mechanism to release the handle and actuate the valve member to shutoff fluid flow through the fluid inlet line. The shutoff assembly is operatively coupled to a leak detection assembly via a cable. The leak detection assembly uses a fluid-soluble material that dissolves when exposed to fluid to thereby pull the cable to apply the force to disengage the latching mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid dosing system is disclosed and can include a cartridge comprising a reservoir configured to store an additive, an output vessel in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a cartridge outlet in fluid communication with the output vessel. The liquid dosing system can include a housing that includes a water passage configured to direct water though the liquid dosing system and a receiving portion configured to at least partially receive the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the housing. The receiving portion can include a receiving port in fluid communication with the water passage, and the receiving port can be configured to receive at least some of the additive from the cartridge outlet when the cartridge is connected to the housing. The receiving portion can include a motor configured to engage in mechanical communication with the output vessel when the cartridge is connected to the housing.

Abstract: A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes a tank having a wall, a water inlet defined through the wall and configured to allow ingress of water into the tank, and a water outlet defined through the wall and configured to allow egress of water from the tank. The water heating system also includes a first heating element disposed in a first portion of the tank. The first heating element has a substantially elongate shape and is inclined at a first predefined angle with respect to a base of the tank.

Abstract: A leakage mitigation system to trigger a preventive action against detected leakage from a liquid enclosure, includes a leakage detection device disposed along base of the liquid enclosure. The system includes an absorbent that actuates the leakage detection device from a first state to a second state based on a volume of liquid leaked from the liquid enclosure. The device includes a valve coupled to an inlet pipe of the liquid enclosure and configured to allow flow of liquid through the inlet pipe in an open condition thereof and restrict flow of liquid through the inlet pipe in a closed condition thereof. The system further includes a shut-off actuator coupled to the valve and configured to actuate the valve from the open condition to the closed condition in response to the device being actuated from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A freeze protection system is provided that includes a first valve configured to be coupled with an inlet of a water heater, such as a tankless water heater; a second valve configured to be coupled with an outlet of the water heater; and a valve actuator configured to automatically actuate the first valve and the second valve to permit water to drain from the water heater when (1) electric power is lost to the water heater, and (2) a temperature of a fluid in or around the water heater is less than or equal to a predetermined low temperature threshold.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a portable hand washing station having a sink with an atomizing nozzle that can provide an ultra-low flow of atomized liquid. The atomizing nozzle can reduce consumption of water and reduce the required supply of power for adequate operation of a heating device and a pump of the portable hand washing station. The heating device can include insulation, such that the heating device can provide heated water during an extended operation period.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for a heat pump water heater. The disclosed technology can include a heat pump water heater system having an evaporator, a condenser, a vapor injection line, a compressor, and a multi-fluid heat exchanger. The vapor injection line can include an expansion valve to transition refrigerant received from the condenser at a first pressure to a second pressure. The compressor can be configured to circulate refrigerant through the condenser, the multi-fluid heat exchanger, the vapor injection line, and the evaporator. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can be configured to receive refrigerant at a first pressure from the condenser, refrigerant at a second pressure from the vapor injection line, and water. The multi-fluid heat exchanger can further facilitate heat transfer between the refrigerants at the first and second pressures and the water to preheat the water before the water is passed through the condenser.

Abstract: The disclosed technology can include a system for monitoring and detecting a fault in a fluid storage tank. A sensor can be located in, on, or proximate the fluid storage tank and can be configured to detect waveforms produced by the fluid storage tank in response to strain. The sensor can convert such waveforms into electrical signals and transmit such electrical signals in the form of vibration data to a controller. The controller can compare the vibration data to stored data, and based on such comparison, determine if a fault is present in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A leakage mitigation system includes a leakage detection device having a canister configured to: (i) contain a first reactant and a second reactant and, (ii) based on a volume of liquid leaked from a tank, allow the first reactant and the second reactant to react with each other to produce a gas. A shut-off valve coupled to an inlet pipe of the tank is configured to actuate between an open condition and a closed condition. Further, a conduit extending between the leakage detection device and the shut-off valve allows flow of the gas from the leak detection device to the shut off valve. In order to mitigate the leakage of water, the shut-off valve is actuated between the open condition and the closed condition based on the pressure exerted thereon by the flow of the gas.

Abstract: An instant hot water delivery system includes a thermal storage bin that receives hot water from a water heater via a hot water supply conduit and stores the hot water therein. The thermal storage bin is disposed adjacent a point of demand to deliver the hot water instantly to the point of demand responsive to a demand. The thermal storage bin is configured to retain a thermal energy of the hot water for a prolonged period using a phase change material. When the hot water stored in the thermal storage bin cools down below a threshold temperature, the cooled down hot water is recirculated to the water heater via a cold water supply conduit using a crossover valve. The recirculation is based on thermosiphon. Fresh hot water from the water heater replaces the cooled down hot water that is displaced from the thermal storage bin.

Abstract: A leakage mitigation system includes a leakage detection device having a canister configured to: (i) contain a first reactant and a second reactant and, (ii) based on a volume of liquid leaked from a tank, allow the first reactant and the second reactant to react with each other to produce a gas. A shut-off valve coupled to an inlet pipe of the tank is configured to actuate between an open condition and a closed condition. Further, a conduit extending between the leakage detection device and the shut-off valve allows flow of the gas from the leak detection device to the shut off valve. In order to mitigate the leakage of water, the shut-off valve is actuated between the open condition and the closed condition based on the pressure exerted thereon by the flow of the gas.

Abstract: The disclosed technology can include a system for monitoring and detecting a fault in a fluid storage tank. A sensor can be located in, on, or proximate the fluid storage tank and can be configured to detect waveforms produced by the fluid storage tank in response to strain. The sensor can convert such waveforms into electrical signals and transmit such electrical signals in the form of vibration data to a controller. The controller can compare the vibration data to stored data, and based on such comparison, determine if a fault is present in the fluid storage tank.

Abstract: A water heating system is provided. The water heating system includes a tank having a wall, a water inlet defined through the wall and configured to allow ingress of water into the tank, and a water outlet defined through the wall and configured to allow egress of water from the tank. The water heating system also includes a heating element disposed within the tank, having a substantially elongate shape, and being moveable between a first inclination angle with respect to a base of the tank and a second inclination angle with respect to the base of the tank.

Abstract: A heated water device is disclosed. The heated water device includes a cold water tank configured to receive cold water from a cold water source and a hot water tank configured to receive water from a hot water source and discharge water to the cold water source. The heated water device includes a pump configured to selectively pump water from the hot water source and to the hot water tank and a valve configured to selectively permit water to flow from the hot water tank to the cold water source. The heated water device includes a thermoelectric generator configured to generate electrical energy from a water temperature differential between cold water in the cold water tank and heated water in the hot water tank.

Abstract: A leakage mitigation system to trigger a preventive action against detected leakage from a liquid enclosure, includes a leakage detection device disposed along base of the liquid enclosure. The system includes an absorbent that actuates the leakage detection device from a first state to a second state based on a volume of liquid leaked from the liquid enclosure. The device includes a valve coupled to an inlet pipe of the liquid enclosure and configured to allow flow of liquid through the inlet pipe in an open condition thereof and restrict flow of liquid through the inlet pipe in a closed condition thereof. The system further includes a shut-off actuator coupled to the valve and configured to actuate the valve from the open condition to the closed condition in response to the device being actuated from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A water heating system having a tank and one or more heat sources for heating water is provided. The water heating system includes a water outlet for allowing egress of water from the tank and a dip tube for allowing ingress of water into the tank. The dip tube includes a first end for coupling with a water source and a second end disposed proximate a base of the tank for discharging water into the tank through an array of holes. Each of the holes is defined in a side wall of the dip tube and laterally discharges water with respect to a longitudinal axis of the second end of the dip tube.

Abstract: A liquid dosing system is disclosed and can include a cartridge comprising a reservoir configured to store an additive, an output vessel in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a cartridge outlet in fluid communication with the output vessel. The liquid dosing system can include a housing that includes a water passage configured to direct water though the liquid dosing system and a receiving portion configured to at least partially receive the cartridge when the cartridge is connected to the housing. The receiving portion can include a receiving port in fluid communication with the water passage, and the receiving port can be configured to receive at least some of the additive from the cartridge outlet when the cartridge is connected to the housing. The receiving portion can include a motor configured to engage in mechanical communication with the output vessel when the cartridge is connected to the housing.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump system is disclosed and can include a rigid backing and a rotor assembly comprising a central hub. The central hub can rotate along a central axis extending in an axial direction. The central hub can include one or more ball bearings or one or more rollers that are configured to rotate about a respective roller axis that intersects a central axis of the central hub. Located between the rigid backing and the rotor assembly can be tubing or a flow channel that is defined by the rigid backing and an elastomeric sheet. As the central hub rotates, the one or more rollers or ball bearings are configured to push against the tubing or the flow channel in the axial direction and can move along the tubing or the flow channel to move fluid through the tubing or the flow channel.

Abstract: A liquid dosing system is disclosed and can include an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit. The inlet and outlet conduits can each be configured to fluidly communicate a heat exchanger of a water heater. The liquid dosing system can include one or more connector conduits configured to fluidly connect the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit to define a fluid circuit by at least the inlet conduit, the heat exchanger, the outlet conduit, and the one or more connector conduits. The liquid dosing system can include a pump configured to pump water through the fluid circuit, a reservoir configured to store an additive, and a dosing device configured to dispense the additive into the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A condenser assembly is disclosed. The condenser assembly can include a condenser coil having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion can be configured to fluidly communicate with a first refrigerant line of a heat pump, and the first portion can have a plurality of windings defining an internal volume. The second portion can be configured to fluidly communicate with a second refrigerant line of the heat pump. The condenser coil can be configured to at least partially insert into an internal volume of a water heater tank.