Abstract: A gas flow modulator for gas appliances has electronic control to regulate the flow of gas by means of a control mechanism. The control mechanism is situated transversely to the flow of gas. The control mechanism also includes features to insure a minimal flow of gas and a maximum flow of gas as selectable by a potentiometer.

Abstract: An awning control system for providing automatic retraction of one or more awnings by detection of motion of an awning lead rail generally includes a sensing circuit for providing a radio frequency signal, is receivable by one or more awning motors for retracting corresponding awnings into corresponding awning cassettes upon receipt of a deflection signal. The deflection signal is provided by a motion detector connected to an awning header.

Abstract: A portable tankless water heater includes a heat exchanger disposed in a sealed housing with an inlet cold water line and an outlet hot water line extending outside the sealed housing. A burner, disposed in an operative relationship with said heat exchanger is provided for heating water flowing through said heat exchanger and an exhaust system induces draft of air from a housing air inlet through said heat exchanger and out of a housing flue outlet.

Abstract: A portable tankless water heater includes a heat exchanger disposed in a sealed housing with an inlet cold water line and an outlet hot water line extending outside the sealed housing. A burner, disposed in an operative relationship with said heat exchanger is provided for heating water flowing through said heat exchanger and an exhaust system induces draft of air from a housing air inlet through said heat exchanger and out of a housing flue outlet.

Abstract: A power and load management system for a recreational vehicle provides a power distribution panel comprising a distribution controller operative to generate distribution control signals including at least load signals corresponding to the power load demands on the power distribution panel and distribution relay control signals, and an automatic transfer switch (ATS). The ATS has multiple power inputs, each operative to be connected to one of multiple power sources, e.g., shore power, a battery bank, a generator, etc., and two power transfer lines to the power distribution switch. The ATS further comprises multiple relays, each controllable independently of the others by an ATS controller to connect a corresponding one of the power transfer lines to a selected one of the available power inputs to feed power to the power distribution panel.

Abstract: A highly accurate, long life, low cost gas sensor is disclosed, particularly useful for measuring carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in an environment. The gas sensor has a first, sensing electrode and a second, counting electrode. Positioned between the first and second electrodes is an ion conducting, solid electrolyte membrane. In response to the presence of a toxic gas introduced to the first electrode, an electric signal is produced between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electric signal changes in response to changes in the concentration of the toxic gas. Detection circuitry measures the electric signal to determine the concentration of the toxic gas. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic top membrane electrically connects the first electrode to the detection circuitry while preventing liquid water from contacting the first electrode. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic bottom membrane electrically connects the second electrode to the detection circuitry.

Abstract: A highly accurate, long life, low cost gas sensor is disclosed, particularly useful for measuring carbon monoxide and other toxic gases in an environment. The gas sensor has a first, sensing electrode and a second, counting electrode. Positioned between the first and second electrodes is an ion conducting, solid electrolyte membrane. In response to the presence of a toxic gas introduced to the first electrode, an electric signal is produced between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electric signal changes in response to changes in the concentration of the toxic gas. Detection circuitry measures the electric signal to determine the concentration of the toxic gas. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic top membrane electrically connects the first electrode to the detection circuitry while preventing liquid water from contacting the first electrode. An electrically conductive, hydrophobic bottom membrane electrically connects the second electrode to the detection circuitry.

Abstract: A highly accurate, long life, low cost gas sensor is disclosed, particularly useful for measuring oxygen in an environment. The gas sensor has a first, sensing electrode and a second, counting electrode. Dual electrolytes are electrically serially connected between the first and second electrodes. One of the electrolytes is an ion conducting solid electrolyte, the second is a liquid electrolyte. In response to an electric current an electrical characteristic is produced, and the electrical characteristic changes in response to changes in the concentration of a gas such as oxygen introduced at the first, sensing electrode. The solid electrolyte can be a perfluorinated polymer which advantageously controls the rate of the electrochemical reaction to give the sensor a long life without need for continuous recalibration.

Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor with humidity compensation for sensing CO, alcohol vapors and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a counter electrode, optionally a counter electrode and a reference electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors, or can be made of a thin electrically conducting film such as platinum. A reservoir of water maintain the solid protonic conductive membrane at constant 100 percent relative humidity to compensate for ambient humidity changes. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor.

Abstract: A gas fired appliance measures infrared emissions from a metal object heated in a combustion chamber to evaluate combustion. Associated circuitry uses the evaluation to control operational parameters of the appliance, including fuel and air fed to the appliance. A second metal object, prior to fuel ignition, is electrically heated to emit infrared radiation. Infrared emissions from the second metal object, indicative of the temperature thereof, are monitored to assure an ignition temperature to ignite a combustible air and fuel mixture. A fan directs a stream of ambient air upon the second metal object to cool the same and reduce the infrared emanating therefrom. The reduction in infrared from the second metal object is monitored to verify proper fan operation.

Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor for sensing CO and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a count counter electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor. Analyte gas pumps for the inventive sensor include dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the membrane, and include a means for applying a DC power across the membrane to the sensing and counter electrodes. Another embodiment of the inventive sensor has first and second solid protonic conductive membranes, one of which has a sensing electrode and a counter electrode separated by the first membrane, and the other of which has dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the second membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for using a gas detecting device that conducts electricity increasingly for increasing concentration of a gas being detected. The temperature of a gas sensor element is regulated to first burn-off impurities on the surface thereof, and then to cool down the gas sensor element to a temperature at or above which the gas catalyzes. During catalyzation, the sensor element conducts and electrically signals a microprocessor concentration data, which microprocessor controls a three color LED so as to emit a color pattern indicative of the concentration level of the gas. A sum of previously measured concentration levels is taken to gauge exposure to the gas over a period of time. The gas detection system includes a self-calibration routine that can be run prior to normal use by successive exposure to varying concentrations of gas to determine the sensor element-specific reaction.

Abstract: Gas is supplied to a gas flow modulator having a tubular member with a gas flow passage extending through the tubular member. A slide member in the gas flow passage is axially slidable longitudinally along the passage. Springs within the tubular member in opposite directions on the slide member so as to resiliently bias the slide member towards a predetermined position in the gas flow passage. A flow constrictor means is fixedly positioned within the gas flow passage for constricting gas flow along the gas flow passage, the slide member and the flow constrictor means being shaped to cease the flow of gas along the gas flow passage upon displacement of the slide member in a first direction from the predetermined position by means of an electromagnetic induction coil extending around the exterior of the tubular member and in cooperation with a magnetic material forming at least part of the slide member or secured thereto.

Abstract: A gas sensing device has a sampling chamber for containing a gas to be sensed, with a gas sensing element with the chamber for providing an output signal which varies in response to the presence of the gas in the chamber. An orifice, or other restriction, permits gas flow between the interior and the exterior of the chamber and a pump, e.g. in the form of a heater, displaces a sample of the gas through the restriction into the interior of the chamber for sensing by the sensing element and subsequently displaces gas from the interior to the exterior of the chamber.

Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor for sensing CO and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a count counter electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor. Analyte gas pumps for the inventive sensor include dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the membrane, and include a means for applying a DC power across the membrane to the sensing and counter electrodes. Another embodiment of the inventive sensor has first and second solid protonic conductive membranes, one of which has a sensing electrode and a counter electrode separated by the first membrane, and the other of which has dual pumping electrodes situated on opposite sides of the second membrane.

Abstract: A low cost room temperature electrochemical gas sensor with humidity compensation for sensing CO, alcohol vapors and other toxic analyte gases has a solid protonic conductive membrane with a low bulk ionic resistance. A sensing electrode and a counter electrode, optionally a counter electrode and a reference electrode, which are separated by the membrane, can be made of mixed protonic-electronic conductors, or can be made of a thin electrically conducting film such as platinum. A reservoir of water maintain the solid protonic conductive membrane at constant 100 percent relative humidity to compensate for ambient humidity changes. Embodiments of the inventive sensor also include an electrochemical analyte gas pump to transport the analyte gas away from the counter electrode side of the sensor.