Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling hybrid water heater systems including a gas heating system and a heat pump system are provided. The gas heating system includes a burner in fluid communication with a gas line and is designed to heat the water tank. The gas line may be in fluid communication with a gas valve of a valve assembly. The heat pump system is further configured to heat the water tank. One or more temperature sensor(s) may be positioned in the water tank and in communication with a controller. The controller may determine a temperature setting for the water tank, request and/or receive one or more tank temperature(s) determined by the one or more temperature sensor(s), and/or send computer-executable instructions to the valve assembly (e.g., to transition the gas valve between closed and open positions) and/or the heat pump system (e.g., to turn on).

Abstract: A junction box is provided for use with a water heater, a conduit, and a wire, the water heater having a water tank, a jacket separated from and concentrically surrounding the water tank, a coupling on the water tank, an electrical device associated with the coupling, and insulation disposed between the water tank and the jacket, the conduit being configured to be disposed between the water tank and the jacket, the wire being configured to be disposed within the conduit and being configured to be connected to the electrical device, the jacket having a jacket opening at the coupling.

Abstract: A burner mounting plate and a burner gasket are provided. A bottom portion of the burner mounting plate includes a groove configured to receive the burner gasket. The burner mounting plate also includes one or more mechanical stops protruding from the groove at various intervals. The burner gasket is shaped such that the burner gasket fits within the groove around the mechanical stops to prevent over compression of the burner gasket. The burner mounting plate also includes one or more protrusions corresponding to one or more apertures provided on the burner gasket. Further, an adhesive may be provided on the burner mounting plate and/or the burner gasket. This all serves to secure the burner gasket to the burner mounting plate to prevent the burner gasket from moving within the groove or falling out of the groove during installation.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater includes a top water outlet, a water tank, a top cover assembly having a top surface, wherein the top water outlet is disposed on the top surface to output water from the water tank, a multi-pass heat exchanger positioned in the water tank, wherein the multi-pass heat exchanger comprises flue tubes, and a top plenum at a top end portion of the water heater, wherein the top plenum has a first end and a second end.

Abstract: An exhaust conduit for neutralizing condensate from high efficiency gas storage water heaters is provided. The exhaust conduit includes an inlet configured to be coupled to an exhaust outlet of the heater, an outlet configured to be coupled to an exhaust vent, and a condensate chamber having an interior in fluidic communication with the inlet and the outlet. The condensate chamber has a lower portion configured to receive a neutralizer and an upper portion having a service port configured to provide access to the lower portion of the condensate chamber. The condensate chamber further includes a fluid outlet for draining the neutralized condensate via a drain line. The exhaust conduit has one or more ridges disposed in the chamber that are arranged to define a channel for directing condensate from the inlet across the neutralizer toward the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for developing an earth formation is disclosed. A tool conveyed in a borehole induces a stress in the earth formation proximate a borehole. A sensor assembly obtains a measurement of a physical property of the borehole at a plurality of azimuthal locations in the borehole. The values of the physical property are indicative of the induced stress in the formation. A processor forms an image of the borehole using the obtained measurements of the physical property, estimates an azimuthal variation with borehole depth of the induced stress in the formation from the formed image, and alters an operational parameter of a device for developing the earth formation using the estimated azimuthal variation with depth of the induced stress in the formation.

Abstract: A system and method for the geomechanical steering of the orientation of a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, any available a priori data regarding the stress characteristics of a region of interest are used to develop a preliminary stress model for the region. A geosteered drilling operation is thereafter commenced, with the trajectory being steered in a direction relative to the stress model of the region. While drilling, real-time data is obtained from conventional down-hole instrumentation. The real-time data is used to refine the stress model for the region, such that the trajectory can be guided on an ongoing basis to achieve an optimal relationship with the measured stress characteristics of the region.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for converting a substantially linear drive force to a rotary propulsive force, the apparatus includes a track member and a pedal slidingly engaging the track member. The pedal is movable between first and second positions. The apparatus further includes an axle. A unidirectional clutch mechanism is coupled to the pedal and the axle. The clutch operably engages the power axle when a substantially linear force is applied in moving the pedal from the first position to the second position such that a rotary propulsive force is produced by the axle.

Abstract: A system and method for the geomechanical steering of the orientation of a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, any available a priori data regarding the stress characteristics of a region of interest are used to develop a preliminary stress model for the region. A geosteered drilling operation is thereafter commenced, with the trajectory being steered in a direction relative to the stress model of the region. While drilling, real-time data is obtained from conventional down-hole instrumentation. The real-time data is used to refine the stress model for the region, such that the trajectory can be guided on an ongoing basis to achieve an optimal relationship with the measured stress characteristics of the region.

Abstract: A feeding system for cultured species including: (a) providing (i) a sensor able to detect feed particles passing through a sample area, and (ii) a control unit, including computer data storage age media in communication with the sensor, and (b) detecting and discriminating feed particles that pass through the sample area; wherein the control unit is able to process information obtained from the sensor and regulate subsequent feed output based on algorithm parameters, said algorithm parameters determine the instantaneous feed rate of the cultured species to adjust and match the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.

Abstract: A feeding system for cultured species including: (a) providing (i) a sensor able to detect feed particles passing through a sample area, and (ii) a control unit, including computer data storage media in communication with the sensor; and (b) detecting and discriminating feed particles that pass through the sample area; wherein the control unit is able to process information obtained from the sensor and regulate subsequent feed output based on algorithm parameters, said algorithm parameters determine the instantaneous feed rate of the cultured species to adjust and match the preferred feed values meted to the cultured species at any given time.