Abstract: A control method for a space conditioning system operable with a stages thermostat, the method including: powering a control module comprising including an output terminal, a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and control logic; detecting receipt of the first input signal at the first input terminal; responsive to detecting receipt of the first input signal, outputting a first value of the plurality of values, the first value corresponding to the first input signal; after outputting the first value, outputting one or more values of the plurality of values, the one or more values being larger than the first value; detecting receipt of the second input signal at the second input terminal; and responsive to detecting receipt of the second input signal, outputting a second value of the plurality of values, the second value corresponding to the second input signal.

Abstract: A control method for a space conditioning system operable with a stages thermostat, the method including: powering a control module comprising including an output terminal, a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and control logic; detecting receipt of the first input signal at the first input terminal; responsive to detecting receipt of the first input signal, outputting a first value of the plurality of values, the first value corresponding to the first input signal; after outputting the first value, outputting one or more values of the plurality of values, the one or more values being larger than the first value; detecting receipt of the second input signal at the second input terminal; and responsive to detecting receipt of the second input signal, outputting a second value of the plurality of values, the second value corresponding to the second input signal.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a compressor coupled to a first variable speed motor, a first heat exchanger, a geothermal heat exchanger, a fan coupled to a second variable speed motor, and an expansion device. The heat pump system also includes a refrigerant loop which fluidly couples the compressor, the geothermal heat exchanger, the expansion device, and the first heat exchanger. The heat pump system also includes a controller configured to adjust a first speed of the first variable speed motor, a second speed of the second variable speed motor, and an operation of the expansion device based upon a thermal energy demand.

Abstract: An integrated heat pump and water heating circuit for space heating and cooling and heating domestic water. The circuit includes a first heat exchanger for the domestic water, a second heat exchanger for the source, a third exchanger for the space, and a variable capacity compressor. The circuit has four modes of operation. In the first mode, the space is cooled. In the second mode, the space is heated. In the third mode, the circuit heats the water supply. In a fourth mode, the water supply is heated and the space is cooled simultaneously. The speed of the compressor is adjusted to maintain a pressure differential at or above a predetermined set point.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical instruments includes a tray configured to hold the instruments and a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes a cavity portion and a handle portion. The cavity portion includes a set of walls and is configured to releasably receive the tray, while the handle portion is coupled to the tray for selectively inserting and removing the tray respectively into and from within the cavity portion. The handle portion is sealingly engageable with the cavity portion to thereby define the pressure chamber. A steam inlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a source of steam to selectively permit steam to flow from the source of steam and into the pressure chamber. A steam outlet fluidly communicates the pressure chamber with a steam management assembly to selectively permit steam to flow from the pressure chamber and into the steam management assembly.

Abstract: A portable steam sterilizer for surgical and dental instruments includes an outer casing and a pressure chamber configured to receive steam therein. A tray is configured to hold the instruments and is releasably received within the pressure chamber while a boiler is in fluid communication with the pressure chamber for providing steam thereto. The sterilizer further includes a container for receiving condensed steam evacuated from the pressure chamber. The container is spaced from the outer casing and includes a main body and a lid that is substantially non-rotationally coupled to the main body. A conduit is coupled to the lid and fluid communicates the container with the pressure chamber. The main body of the container may include a base while the lid may include a wall oriented generally orthogonal to the base.

Abstract: A control for a water heater having upper and lower heating elements assures that the upper heating element is not activated until certain control conditions are met. The control first determines whether the temperature sensed by a sensor in the vicinity of the upper heating element has reached a predefined set point temperature for that sensor. The control thereafter determines whether the temperature sensed by the sensor declines at a rate greater or equal to a threshold rate of temperature change before authorizing any activation of the upper heating element.

Abstract: An apparatus including an elongate extensible and collapsible cylindrical housing, with a rigid annular ring mounted at an upper end of the housing and a rigid cylinder mounted at a lower end of the housing, with a ring including a plurality of handles, with the handles diametrically aligned relative to one another, including aligned recesses to position a fishing rod therewithin. The lower cylindrical housing includes a trap door positioned within the lower end of the housing to permit closing of the door upon directing of a fish therethrough and collapsing of the door subsequent to securing the fish within the elongate cylindrical housing.