Abstract: A lubricating oil composition is described. The composition includes a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity and a polyphosphate-based dispersion. The dispersion includes an ammonium polyphosphate and a dispersing agent.

Abstract: A powered handle for a surgical stapler can have a drive system including an electric motor. The powered handle can include a manual articulation mechanism to articulate a jaw assembly coupled to a reload shaft connected to the handle. The manual articulation mechanism can include a ball screw mechanism that translates an articulation member responsive to rotation of an articulation knob when an instrument shaft is engaged with the handle. The articulation mechanism includes a release function that allows the jaw assembly to return to a longitudinally centered orientation. The powered handle includes a battery pack serving as a power supply for the drive system. A control system can control actuation of the motor based on user inputs and operating parameters of the stapler and can provide certain motor drive profiles for predetermined positions of the stapler. The powered handle can include a manual return mechanism.

Abstract: A method for insulating a gas-fueled water heater includes providing a tank for storage of water for heating and a combustion chamber adjacent to the tank. The method includes providing a compressed foam barrier circumferentially around the tank. Further, the method includes positioning a covering around the tank from a top end to a bottom end, the covering extending over the compressed foam barrier. Moreover, the method includes decompressing the compressed foam barrier such that an outer diameter of the foam barrier expands up to and seals against the covering so as to separate an internal volume defined between an outer surface of the tank and the covering into a first section and a second section. Then, the method includes injecting a foam material into the first section so as to provide a foam barrier around at least a portion of an outer surface of the tank.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank extending along a vertical direction between a top end wall and a bottom end wall and a dip tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inlet end of the dip tube is coupled to a cold water inlet in the top end wall of the tank. The outlet end of the dip tube may be positioned in a bottom corner of the tank and/or positioned at an outer perimeter of the bottom end wall.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes a control panel assembly that has features that facilitate mounting of a control panel of the control panel assembly to a curved surface of the water heater appliance. For instance, the curved surface may be an outer surface of a wrapper or a shroud of the water heater appliance. Particularly, the control panel assembly includes features that permit mounting of the control panel assembly to surfaces of variable radii. Moreover, the control panel assembly includes features that facilitate access to the electrical components of the control panel during assembly and servicing of the control panel assembly. Specifically, the control panel assembly includes features that allow the control panel to hinge downward to permit easy access to the electrical components during assembly and service.

Abstract: A method for insulating a gas-fueled water heater includes providing a tank for storage of water for heating and a combustion chamber adjacent to the tank. The method includes providing a compressed foam barrier circumferentially around the tank. Further, the method includes positioning a covering around the tank from a top end to a bottom end, the covering extending over the compressed foam barrier. Moreover, the method includes decompressing the compressed foam barrier such that an outer diameter of the foam barrier expands up to and seals against the covering so as to separate an internal volume defined between an outer surface of the tank and the covering into a first section and a second section. Then, the method includes injecting a foam material into the first section so as to provide a foam barrier around at least a portion of an outer surface of the tank.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a tank extending along a vertical direction between a top end wall and a bottom end wall and a dip tube extending from an inlet end to an outlet end. The inlet end of the dip tube is coupled to a cold water inlet in the top end wall of the tank. The outlet end of the dip tube may be positioned in a bottom corner of the tank and/or positioned at an outer perimeter of the bottom end wall.

Abstract: A mixing valve for a water heater appliance includes a valve body that defines a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet conduit and a hot water inlet conduit. The cold water inlet conduit defines a profiled junction defining an inlet orifice and a plunger valve is mounted within the valve body and is moveable relative to the inlet orifice to regulate a flow of water through the inlet orifice. A distal end of the plunger valve defines a profiled sealing face, the profiled sealing face and the inlet orifice being cooperative to permit a flow rate that is substantially proportional to a valve position.

Abstract: A mixing valve for a water heater appliance includes a valve body that defines a mixing chamber, the mixing chamber being in fluid communication with a cold water inlet conduit and a hot water inlet conduit. A plunger valve is mounted within the valve body and is moveable along a translation axis to regulate a flow of water from the hot water inlet conduit and the cold water inlet conduit. A controller periodically initiates a cleaning cycle wherein the plunger valve is moved through a full range of motion (e.g., full hot to full cold). The cleaning cycle may only be performed if there is no water flowing through the mixing valve, e.g., as determined by temperature sensor measurements.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes features that facilitate centering a tank within a casing of the water heater while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the water heater. More particularly, a water heater is provided that includes a bottom cover that has an integral centering feature that facilitates centering of the tank within the casing. A method for assembling a water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes a control panel assembly that has features that facilitate mounting of a control panel of the control panel assembly to a curved surface of the water heater appliance. For instance, the curved surface may be an outer surface of a wrapper or a shroud of the water heater appliance. Particularly, the control panel assembly includes features that permit mounting of the control panel assembly to surfaces of variable radii. Moreover, the control panel assembly includes features that facilitate access to the electrical components of the control panel during assembly and servicing of the control panel assembly. Specifically, the control panel assembly includes features that allow the control panel to hinge downward to permit easy access to the electrical components during assembly and service.

Abstract: A method for operating a water heater appliance includes determining a set temperature of the water heater appliance. The method also includes monitoring a temperature proximate to a lower heating element of the water heater appliance with a first temperature sensor of the water heater appliance and monitoring a temperature proximate to an upper heating element of the water heater appliance with a second temperature sensor of the water heater appliance. When the monitored temperature proximate the lower heating element is less than a first temperature threshold and the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is less than a second temperature threshold, the method includes turning the lower heating element on. When the monitored temperature proximate the upper heating element is equal to the set temperature, the method includes turning the lower heating element off. A related water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A water heater appliance is provided that includes features that facilitate centering a tank within a casing of the water heater while also diminishing heat loss through the bottom of the water heater. More particularly, a water heater is provided that includes a bottom cover that has an integral centering feature that facilitates centering of the tank within the casing. A method for assembling a water heater appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A gas fueled water heater appliance having a temperature control switch is provided herein. The gas fueled water heater appliance may include a tank for storage of water for heating, a chamber wall, a gas burner, a valve, the temperature control switch, and a conductive probe. The chamber wall may define a combustion chamber. The gas burner may be positioned adjacent to the tank and within the combustion chamber to heat the water in the tank. The valve may control a flow of gaseous fuel to the gas burner. The temperature control switch may be in operable communication with the valve. The conductive probe may extend through the chamber wall from a first end positioned on the temperature control switch to a second end positioned within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas fueled water heater appliance having a temperature control switch is provided herein. The gas fueled water heater appliance may include a tank for storage of water for heating, a chamber wall, a gas burner, a valve, the temperature control switch, and a conductive probe. The chamber wall may define a combustion chamber. The gas burner may be positioned adjacent to the tank and within the combustion chamber to heat the water in the tank. The valve may control a flow of gaseous fuel to the gas burner. The temperature control switch may be in operable communication with the valve. The conductive probe may extend through the chamber wall from a first end positioned on the temperature control switch to a second end positioned within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and a method for servicing the heat pump water heater are provided. The heat pump water heater includes an evaporator, a condensate collection tray, and a condensate pump for discharging collected condensate. Notably, the operating time of the condensate pump correlates to the amount of wet operation of heat pump water heater, and increased wet operation may correlate to corrosion and wear on the heat pump water heater. Therefore, an exemplary method contemplates determining an operating time of the condensate pump and, based on the operating time, determining and communicating a recommended service schedule. In addition, an operating parameter of the heat pump water heater may be adjusted, such as switching to electric heating when the operating time exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A heat pump water heater and systems and methods for its control. The systems are configured to heat water within a water storage tank of a heat pump water heater wherein a controller within the system is operatively connected to a plurality of heat sources including at least one electric heating element and a heat pump and sensors in order to selectively energize one of the plurality of heat sources. The controller is configure to process data representative of the temperature of water within the tank near the top of the water storage tank, and rate of water flowing out of the water storage tank, in order to automatically selectively energize the heat sources. The selection of heat sources by the controller is determined by a mode of operation selected by the user and the data processed by the controller in view of the selected mode of operation.

Abstract: A vascular closure device (20) having a proximal end and a distal end is described. The vascular closure device may include an insertion sheath (28), a handle, and a locator anchor (38) positionable distally outside a distal end of the insertion sheath when the handle is in a first position. The handle may be movable from the first position to a second position located proximally relative to the first position, the locator anchor being configured to expand laterally when the handle is moved from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the handle may be movable from the second position to a third position located proximally relative to the second position to deploy a vascular closure implant in a puncture tract. A vascular closure method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a heat pump water heater appliance with a mounting assembly for coupling a compressor to a plate within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. The mounting assembly includes a post that extends through a foot of the compressor and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the plate into the post in order to secure the bracket and the post together. An attachment mechanism secures the post and the foot of the compressor together.