Abstract: A wave-making apparatus for use in a swimming pool comprises a motor that may be powered at least in part by the flow of water from a swimming pool pump. When water from the pump flows through an inlet in the motor housing, it rotates a turbine within the housing, which in turn rotates a cantilever arm about a central axis of the turbine. A distal end of the cantilever arm is attached, e.g., by a tether or other device, to a buoy or float at the surface of the water such that rotation of the cantilever arm pulls the float down periodically, creating perpetual swimming pool waves.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A wave-making apparatus for use in a swimming pool comprises a motor that may be powered at least in part by the flow of water from a swimming pool pump. When water from the pump flows through an inlet in the motor housing, it rotates a turbine within the housing, which in turn rotates a cantilever arm about a central axis of the turbine. A distal end of the cantilever arm is attached, e.g., by a tether or other device, to a buoy or float at the surface of the water such that rotation of the cantilever arm pulls the float down periodically, creating perpetual swimming pool waves.

Abstract: A method of using a thermocouple is provided. The method includes, but is not limited to, disposing at least one temperature sensor at each of two or more respective portions of an electrical connector adapted to receive thermocouple signals, measuring temperatures at the two or more portions, and calculating the temperatures at each terminal of the electrical connector based on measured temperature values of the two or more respective portions having the disposed temperature sensors. The method also includes, but is not limited to, calculating a cold junction temperature of a terminal for at least one thermocouple channel carrying the thermocouple signals based on measured or calculated temperature values of the terminals, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heater to drive a load temperature to approximate a setpoint. At the beginning of each ½ AC cycle, a sigma delta modulation algorithm is computed to determine whether the AC cycle should be turned on or off. The running estimate of the past actual duty cycle is compared to the desired output duty cycle, and the difference between the two is used to adjust the next ½ cycle's output. This results in a pseudo-random pulse sequence output which does not contain significant periodic components that could cause undesirable small periodic thermal ‘ripples’ on the element being heated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heater to drive a load temperature to approximate a setpoint. At the beginning of each ½ AC cycle, a sigma delta modulation algorithm is computed to determine whether the AC cycle should be turned on or off. The running estimate of the past actual duty cycle is compared to the desired output duty cycle, and the difference between the two is used to adjust the next ½ cycle's output. This results in a pseudo-random pulse sequence output which does not contain significant periodic components that could cause undesirable small periodic thermal ‘ripples’ on the element being heated.

Abstract: A computer readable medium with instructions stored on the medium. When the instructions are executed by a processor, they cause the processor to calculate overall efficiency. A system for determining the overall efficiency for a building. The system comprises: an environment system controller with a processor used to calculate overall efficiency; a plurality of indoor temperature sensors in communication with the environment system controller; an outdoor temperature sensor in communication with the environment system controller; an efficiency monitoring device in communication with the environment system controller; and a chronograph configured to time stamp sensor readings.

Abstract: A swimming pool skimmer includes a paddle wheel that directs fluid and debris into a debris catcher. The paddle wheel is turned by a motor that is powered from an array of solar cells. A solar concentrator focuses solar energy onto the solar cells, and an alarm circuit includes a strain gauge on the debris catcher. The strain gauge forms one leg of a bridge circuit that is connected to a comparator having a feedback loop. The output of the comparator is connected to an alarm element either directly or remotely.