Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a heat exchanger that includes a shell coupled to a top tube sheet and a bottom tube sheet. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The heat exchanger also includes a burner positioned to deliver combustion gases into the interior region. A plurality of tubes, configured to circulate a fluid therein, extend through the interior region around the burner. The heat exchanger further includes a divider that extends within the interior region from the top tube sheet to the bottom tube sheet and between one of the plurality of tubes and another non-adjacent tube of the plurality of tubes. The divider and the plurality of tubes define a receiving section of the interior region for receiving combustion gases from the burner and an exhaust section of the interior region in fluid communication with a combustion gas vent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a boiler blockage detection system and method utilizing inputs from a pressure sensing elements. A logic circuit may determine a boiler firing rate based on an input signal from the combustion controller. An indication of the exhaust pressure level and an indication of the inlet pressure level are received. A pressure differential between the exhaust pressure level and the inlet pressure level is determined. Alternatively, a pressure differential transmitter may determine the pressure differential. The determined pressure differential is compared to a predetermined pressure level differential threshold. The predetermined pressure level differential threshold is dependent on the determined firing rate. Based on a result of the comparison of the determined pressure differential to the predetermined pressure level differential threshold, it may be determined that there is a blockage of an intake or an exhaust of the boiler. In response to the blockage determination, an interrupt signal is output.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a heat exchanger that includes a shell coupled to a top tube sheet and a bottom tube sheet. The shell at least partially defines an interior region. The heat exchanger also includes a burner positioned to deliver combustion gases into the interior region. A plurality of tubes, configured to circulate a fluid therein, extend through the interior region around the burner. The heat exchanger further includes a divider that extends within the interior region from the top tube sheet to the bottom tube sheet and between one of the plurality of tubes and another non-adjacent tube of the plurality of tubes. The divider and the plurality of tubes define a receiving section of the interior region for receiving combustion gases from the burner and an exhaust section of the interior region in fluid communication with a combustion gas vent.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a heat exchanger including a shell at least partially defining an interior region; a burner positioned to deliver combustion gases into the interior region; and a plurality of tubes configured to circulate water therein, the plurality of tubes extending through the interior region. The plurality of tubes further including an inner set of tubes and an outer set of tubes, the inner set of tubes being closer to the burner than the outer set of tubes. The inner set of tubes and the outer set of tubes being positioned adjacent to one another such that the outer set of tubes is staggered from the inner set of tubes and tubes of the outer set of tubes are adjacent to tubes of the inner set of tubes. Additionally, baffle segments are annularly positioned in the interior region adjacent the plurality of tubes. Adjacent baffle segments defining gaps for the flow of the combustion gases.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inventive water management header and method for making the same. The water management header is attached to a boiler or water heater. The water management header includes a cylindrical shell that at least partially defines an interior region. Inner and outer series of heat exchange tubes extend within the interior region of the shell from a lower end of the shell to an upper end of the shell. The header is capable of being configured to provide a unique fluid flow pattern through the boiler or water heater relative to another water heater or boiler of similar design via a waterway primary inlet, outlet, a plurality of crossovers and a plurality of barriers.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a housing that defines a substantially enclosed interior region. A control panel is attached to the housing and includes a display that displays a particular condition of the water heating system. An access panel is attached to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the access panel, a passageway to the interior region of the housing is provided, and, in the second position of the access panel, the passageway to the interior region of the housing is closed. The display is visible in both positions of the access panel such that movement of the access panel from the second position to the first position facilitates simultaneous access to the display and to the interior region of the housing though the passageway.

Abstract: A data packet is provided that includes a synchronization field and an acknowledgement field indicative of an acknowledgement of receipt of a prior data packet. The data packet also includes a response field that includes information indicative of a system fault, a header field, and a sequence number field that includes a number assigned to the data packet. The data packet further includes a data field, an end of packet field, and an error-checking field. Methods and computer program products are provided that, in some implementations, include retransmitting packets if the acknowledgement field in a received data packet is a no acknowledgement (NAK) and/or placing a node into a safe state in response to a fault signal that is included in the received data packet.

Abstract: A water heating system includes a housing that defines a substantially enclosed interior region. A control panel is attached to the housing and includes a display that displays a particular condition of the water heating system. An access panel is attached to the housing for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position of the access panel, a passageway to the interior region of the housing is provided, and, in the second position of the access panel, the passageway to the interior region of the housing is closed. The display is visible in both positions of the access panel such that movement of the access panel from the second position to the first position facilitates simultaneous access to the display and to the interior region of the housing though the passageway.

Abstract: A data packet is provided that includes a synchronization field and an acknowledgement field indicative of an acknowledgement of receipt of a prior data packet. The data packet also includes a response field that includes information indicative of a system fault, a header field, and a sequence number field that includes a number assigned to the data packet. The data packet further includes a data field, an end of packet field, and an error-checking field. Methods and computer program products are provided that, in some implementations, include retransmitting packets if the acknowledgement field in a received data packet is a no acknowledgement (NAK) and/or placing a node into a safe state in response to a fault signal that is included in the received data packet.

Abstract: A data packet is provided that includes a synchronization field and an acknowledgement field indicative of an acknowledgement of receipt of a prior data packet. The data packet also includes a response field that includes information indicative of a system fault, a header field, and a sequence number field that includes a number assigned to the data packet. The data packet further includes a data field, an end of packet field, and an error-checking field. Methods and computer program products are provided that, in some implementations, include retransmitting packets if the acknowledgement field in a received data packet is a no acknowledgement (NAK) and/or placing a node into a safe state in response to a fault signal that is included in the received data packet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products that synchronously communicate data packets between a first node and a second node. Data packets are transmitted from the first node without waiting for acknowledgment of receipt by the second node. Acknowledgment of receipt of a given data packet is subsequently received at the first node. The acknowledgement is received substantially at a predetermined time following transmission of the given data packet. The acknowledgement indicates that the second node received the given data packet uncorrupted.