Abstract: A water heater control system comprising a temperature sensor, an anode rod, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature from the temperature sensor and apply a voltage and/or current to the anode rod. A mounting bracket mates with a spud of a water heater and provides a conduit space for conductors providing connectivity among the controller, temperature sensor, and anode rod. The mounting bracket may provide mechanical support for the anode rod and the temperature sensor. The mounting bracket may comprise a housing mechanically supporting and surrounding the controller.

Abstract: A device that includes a pressure sensor that adds dynamic pressure sensing capability to a furnace. In some examples the device may include a relay and other circuitry to replace the single-setpoint pressure switch used to sense the operation of an inducer fan. The pressure sensor may measure the pressure from the inducer fan and send a signal to the other circuitry, such as a microcontroller. The other circuitry may determine when the pressure from the inducer fan reaches a predetermined threshold and allow the main gas valve of the furnace to open. The other circuitry may be configured to set the pressure sensor to a variety of predetermined pressure thresholds, and thereby replace multiple pressure switches. In some examples, the other circuitry may record pressure values received from the pressure sensor over time and provide performance data, as well as other signals or indicators.

Abstract: A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.

Abstract: A system and method for the determination of an optimal ammunition round based upon a barrel length of a given firearm and resulting ammunition. The ammunition is preferably provided in a pair of rounds for a given caliber and bullet optimized for a range of barrel lengths, wherein a user can select a preferred round for a given firearm based upon the barrel length.

Abstract: A water heater control system comprising an energy storage system electrically connected to a pilot valve operator and electrically isolated from a main valve operator. The energy storage system may be electrically connected to an ignition circuit. A thermoelectric device is in thermal communication with the pilot flame and electrically connected to a main valve operator. The water heater system may include a microcontroller configured to establish electrical communications between the device and the energy storage system, the pilot valve operator, and the main valve operator. The microcontroller may be configured to recognize a call for main burner operation, and may also be configured to check an available voltage of the energy storage system against a setpoint. The microcontroller may establish pilot flame operation with or without main burner operation, depending on whether a call for heat or recharging of the energy storage system is required.

Abstract: A water heater may include a water tank, a burner, a pilot for igniting the burner, an ignitor for igniting the pilot, a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with a flame of the pilot, a controller for controlling an ignition sequence of the pilot using the ignitor, and a rechargeable power storage device for supplying power to the ignitor and the controller. The rechargeable power storage device may be rechargeable using the energy produced by the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to selectively ran only the pilot for at least pan of a heating cycle to increase the recharge lime of the rechargeable power storage device while still healing the water in the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater control system the water heater system comprising a rechargeable and non-rechargeable power source. In one or more examples, a controller such as a microcontroller of the water heater system is configured to receive power from the non-rechargeable power source and does not receive power from the rechargeable power source. Various other components of the water heater system are configured to receive power from the rechargeable power source. The system may comprise an energy storage system electrically connected to a pilot valve operator and electrically isolated from a main valve operator. The controller may be configured to recognize a call for main burner operation and may also be configured to check an available voltage of the energy storage system against a setpoint.

Abstract: A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for outputting an alarm signal in response to detecting a leak in a water heater device. For example, a water heater device includes a leak sensor, an intermittent pilot light, and a circuit. The circuit includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from the leak sensor, an electrical signal including information indicative of a leak in the water heater device, activate, based on the electrical signal including information indicative of the leak, an alarm device, where the alarm device is powered for at least a period of time by a power source, where the power source is configured to receive energy from a thermoelectric device, and maintain an amount of energy stored by the power source so that the amount of energy is sufficient for the power source to supply energy to the alarm device.

Abstract: A device that includes a pressure sensor that adds dynamic pressure sensing capability to a furnace. In some examples the device may include a relay and other circuitry to replace the single-setpoint pressure switch used to sense the operation of an inducer fan. The pressure sensor may measure the pressure from the inducer fan and send a signal to the other circuitry, such as a microcontroller. The other circuitry may determine when the pressure from the inducer fan reaches a predetermined threshold and allow the main gas valve of the furnace to open. The other circuitry may be configured to set the pressure sensor to a variety of predetermined pressure thresholds, and thereby replace multiple pressure switches. In some examples, the other circuitry may record pressure values received from the pressure sensor over time and provide performance data, as well as other signals or indicators.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for outputting an alarm signal in response to detecting a leak in a water heater device. For example, a water heater device includes a leak sensor, an intermittent pilot light, and a circuit. The circuit includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from the leak sensor, an electrical signal including information indicative of a leak in the water heater device, activate, based on the electrical signal including information indicative of the leak, an alarm device, where the alarm device is powered for at least a period of time by a power source, where the power source is configured to receive energy from a thermoelectric device, and maintain an amount of energy stored by the power source so that the amount of energy is sufficient for the power source to supply energy to the alarm device.

Abstract: A device that includes a pressure sensor that adds dynamic pressure sensing capability to a furnace. In some examples the device may include a relay and other circuitry to replace the single-setpoint pressure switch used to sense the operation of an inducer fan. The pressure sensor may measure the pressure from the inducer fan and send a signal to the other circuitry, such as a microcontroller. The other circuitry may determine when the pressure from the inducer fan reaches a predetermined threshold and allow the main gas valve of the furnace to open. The other circuitry may be configured to set the pressure sensor to a variety of predetermined pressure thresholds, and thereby replace multiple pressure switches. In some examples, the other circuitry may record pressure values received from the pressure sensor over time and provide performance data, as well as other signals or indicators.

Abstract: A water heater may include a water tank, a burner, a pilot for igniting the burner, an ignitor for igniting the pilot, a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with a flame of the pilot, a controller for controlling an ignition sequence of the pilot using the ignitor, and a rechargeable power storage device for supplying power to the ignitor and the controller. The rechargeable power storage device may be rechargeable using the energy produced by the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to selectively ran only the pilot for at least pan of a heating cycle to increase the recharge lime of the rechargeable power storage device while still healing the water in the water heater.

Abstract: A water heater may include a water tank, a burner, a pilot for igniting the burner, an ignitor for igniting the pilot, a thermoelectric device in thermal communication with a flame of the pilot, a controller for controlling an ignition sequence of the pilot using the ignitor, and a rechargeable power storage device for supplying power to the ignitor and the controller. The rechargeable power storage device may be rechargeable using the energy produced by the thermoelectric device. The controller is configured to selectively run only the pilot for at least part of a heating cycle to increase the recharge time of the rechargeable power storage device while still heating the water in the water heater.

Abstract: Methods and systems for programming and controlling a control system of a gas valve assembly. The methods and systems include programming a control system in an automated manner to establish an air-fuel ratio based at least in part on a burner firing rate. The established air-fuel ratio may be configured to facilitate meeting a combustion constituent set point of combustion constituents in the combustion exhaust. The methods and systems include controlling operation of a combustion appliance based on closed-loop control techniques and utilizing feedback from a sensor measuring combustion constituents in exhaust from a combustion chamber in the combustion appliance. The combustion constituents on which control of the combustion appliance may be determined include oxygen and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A device that includes a pressure sensor that adds dynamic pressure sensing capability to a furnace. In some examples the device may include a relay and other circuitry to replace the single-setpoint pressure switch used to sense the operation of an inducer fan. The pressure sensor may measure the pressure from the inducer fan and send a signal to the other circuitry, such as a microcontroller. The other circuitry may determine when the pressure from the inducer fan reaches a predetermined threshold and allow the main gas valve of the furnace to open. The other circuitry may be configured to set the pressure sensor to a variety of predetermined pressure thresholds, and thereby replace multiple pressure switches. In some examples, the other circuitry may record pressure values received from the pressure sensor over time and provide performance data, as well as other signals or indicators.

Abstract: A system for heating water to improve safety and efficiency. The system may have normal operation measured in time. After a time of normal operation, a water temperature setpoint may be checked. If the setpoint is not at a certain level, normal operation may continue. If the setpoint is within the certain level, water temperature may be measured. If the water temperature is less than a desired level, one or more draws of water may be measured for a preset temperature drop. If the draws do not meet the temperature drop, a return to check the setpoint may be made. If the draws meet the temperature drop, the setpoint may be reduced and a time of normal operation may be measured to determine whether a burn cycle occurs within the time. If not, normal operation may continue; but if so, a return to check the setpoint may be made.

Abstract: A water heater control system comprising a comprising a temperature sensor, an anode rod, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature from the temperature sensor and apply a voltage and/or current to the anode rod. A mounting bracket mates with a spud of a water heater and provides a conduit space for conductors providing connectivity among the controller, temperature sensor, and anode rod. The mounting bracket may provide mechanical support for the anode rod and the temperature sensor. The mounting bracket may comprise a housing mechanically supporting and surrounding the controller.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to devices, systems, and techniques for outputting an alarm signal in response to detecting a leak in a water heater device. For example, a water heater device includes a leak sensor, an intermittent pilot light, and a circuit. The circuit includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from the leak sensor, an electrical signal including information indicative of a leak in the water heater device, activate, based on the electrical signal including information indicative of the leak, an alarm device, where the alarm device is powered for at least a period of time by a power source, where the power source is configured to receive energy from a thermoelectric device, and maintain an amount of energy stored by the power source so that the amount of energy is sufficient for the power source to supply energy to the alarm device.

Abstract: A water heater control system the water heater system comprising a rechargeable and non-rechargeable power source. In one or more examples, a controller such as a microcontroller of the water heater system is configured to receive power from the non-rechargeable power source and does not receive power from the rechargeable power source. Various other components of the water heater system are configured to receive power from the rechargeable power source. The system may comprise an energy storage system electrically connected to a pilot valve operator and electrically isolated from a main valve operator. The controller may be configured to recognize a call for main burner operation and may also be configured to check an available voltage of the energy storage system against a setpoint.