Abstract: This application relates to a portable electronic device including a first sensing module and a second sensing module that are both in communication with a processor. The portable electronic device can include access ports that are formed in the housing, where the first and second sensing modules are capable of receiving an external stimulus by way of the access ports. A plate is positioned in the housing between a wall of the housing and the sensing modules. The plate and the wall define non-linear flow paths between the access ports to the first and second sensing modules. The non-linear flow paths can transmit the external stimulus to cause at least one of the first or second sensing modules to provide a detection signal to the processor that causes a display unit to present a notification that corresponds to the external stimulus.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening comprising an audio port and a speaker assembly carried by the device housing. The speaker assembly includes a water ejection system having a diaphragm coupled to a magnetic driver and a mesh that covers the audio port where the diaphragm and the mesh together define an acoustic volume. When a water ejection signal is received at the magnetic driver, the magnetic driver is caused to move the diaphragm in a manner that ejects water contained within the acoustic volume out of the acoustic volume and through the mesh.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing having an opening comprising an audio port and a speaker assembly carried by the device housing. The speaker assembly includes a water ejection system having a diaphragm coupled to a magnetic driver and a mesh that covers the audio port where the diaphragm and the mesh together define an acoustic volume. When a water ejection signal is received at the magnetic driver, the magnetic driver is caused to move the diaphragm in a manner that ejects water contained within the acoustic volume out of the acoustic volume and through the mesh.

Abstract: A burner tube and door assembly for a water heater includes a burner tube and a fuel supply line in telescoping relationship to define a tube junction. The tube junction extends through the door of a water heater. One of the tube and line includes an enlarged portion. A lock ring applies a radially-directed force around a portion of the tube junction. The enlarged portion and lock ring are on opposite sides of the door to secure the door to the burner tube and fuel supply line. The enlarged portion and lock ring apply a compressive load to the door to resist rotation of the door with respect to the tube junction.

Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a base plate sized and shaped to substantially sealingly cover an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and has at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a gas control valve, and a flexible seal positioned at least partly within the opening including an engaging portion substantially sealed to an edge portion of the opening, and a through hole that is shaped to receive the fuel supply and has a size slightly smaller than the size of an outer dimension of the fuel supply line such that the flexible seal and the fuel supply line are friction fit together to form a seal.

Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a base plate sized and shaped to substantially sealingly cover an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and has at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a gas control valve, and a flexible seal positioned at least partly within the opening including an engaging portion substantially sealed to an edge portion of the opening, and a through hole that is shaped to receive the fuel supply and has a size slightly smaller than the size of an outer dimension of the fuel supply line such that the flexible seal and the fuel supply line are friction fit together to form a seal.

Abstract: A drain valve and method for assembling a drain valve. A valve assembly is inserted into a pipe, and a reduced diameter portion is formed in the pipe to create a substantially water-tight seal between a portion of the valve assembly and the pipe. A second reduced diameter portion may be formed in the pipe to provide a thrust bearing surface for resisting sliding movement of the valve assembly within the pipe. A transverse hole is provided in the pipe to provide access to a rotatable mechanism in the valve assembly to permit and restrict fluid flow through the drain valve.

Abstract: A burner tube and door assembly for a water heater includes a burner tube and a fuel supply line in telescoping relationship to define a tube junction. The tube junction extends through the door of a water heater. One of the tube and line includes an enlarged portion. A lock ring applies a radially-directed force around a portion of the tube junction. The enlarged portion and lock ring are on opposite sides of the door to secure the door to the burner tube and fuel supply line. The enlarged portion and lock ring apply a compressive load to the door to resist rotation of the door with respect to the tube junction.

Abstract: A water heater includes a water container, a combustion chamber having an opening that may be covered by a door and located adjacent the water container, a burner associated with the combustion chamber and arranged to combust fuel to heat water in the water container, and a control valve for regulating fuel flow from an external fuel source. A fuel line extends between the control valve and the burner, the fuel line has a first substantially rigid portion connected to the control valve, a second interior portion extending from the door to the burner and a third flexible portion fixedly connected to both of the first and second portions.

Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a base plate sized and shaped to substantially sealingly cover an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and has at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a gas control valve, and a flexible seal positioned at least partly within the opening including an engaging portion substantially sealed to an edge portion of the opening, and a through hole that is shaped to receive the fuel supply and has a size slightly smaller than the size of an outer dimension of the fuel supply line such that the flexible seal and the fuel supply line are friction fit together to form a seal.

Abstract: A water heater door assembly includes a seal positioned over an access opening in a water heater combustion chamber and having at least one opening through which a fuel supply line extends at least partly between a burner in the combustion chamber and a gas control valve, the seal including a pair of complementary seal pieces adjacent each other in sealing contact with at least edge portions of the access opening and in sealing contact with the fuel supply line and a retainer affixed to edge portions of the combustion chamber adjacent the access opening which sealingly holds the seal pieces over the access opening.

Abstract: A water heater including a water-tight tank, a cold water inlet and a hot water inlet in the tank. A first heat trap assembly is mounted at the cold water inlet and a second heat trap assembly is mounted at the hot water outlet. The first and second heat trap assemblies are adapted to allow flow of water both into and out of the tank when hot water is drawn out of the hot water outlet. The first and second heat trap assemblies are adapted to reduce convection heat loss from inside the tank when the water heater is in a stable condition, i.e., when water is not being drawn out of the hot water outlet. The heat trap assemblies are comprised of a housing member having a flange and a cylindrical body formed integrally therewith and a bushing member having a flange and a cylindrical body formed integrally therewith. The body of the bushing member is securely mounted inside the body portion of the housing member.

Abstract: A trip-free high limit control for a water heater having a source of heat to heat the water. A switch arm is mounted in a control housing for movement in the housing. The switch arm has a first contact portion at one end thereof. A second stationary contact is mounted in the housing. The contact portion on the switch arm is movable relative to the stationary contact between closed and open positions to control the energization and de-energization of the source of heat for the water heater. A bi-metallic snap disk is mounted in the housing and is movable with snap action between first and second positions of stability at a predetermined overheat temperature. A switch arm actuating plunger is mounted in the housing for movement by the snap disk to open the switch contacts at a predetermined overheat temperature. A reset mechanism is provided which includes a reset spring mounted in the housing in operable engagement with the plunger.

Abstract: A thermostatic switch construction including a housing having a switch arm mounted for movement inside. A bi-metallic snap disk is mounted in the housing and movable in response to temperature change with snap action between two positions of stability. A switch arm actuating plunger is slidably mounted in the housing with its lower end adapted for contact by and snap movement by the bi-metallic snap disk. A creep gap assembly is provided which includes a creep gap screw threadably mounted in the switch arm opposite the upper end of the plunger. Axes of the plunger and the gap set screw are in alignment. The creep space between the lower end of the set screw and the upper end of the plunger is adjustable by rotation of the set screw. A temperature setting adjustment is provided which includes a spring member mounted in the housing with one end of the spring member in direct contact with the bi-metallic snap disk to thereby exert pressure on the disk.

Abstract: Compounds useful as polymer stabilizers which are polymerizable into condensation polymer systems are disclosed and claimed. A particularly preferred embodiment is 1-(3'-(benzotriazol-2"-yl)-4'-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethan e.

Abstract: A polyarylate is formed by reacting a mixture of esters of a dihydric phenol and trisphenol, at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid, an alkali metal catalyst, an inert diluent having a boiling point of from about 200.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. Polyarylates of improved shear sensitivity and higher molecular weight can be formed.

Abstract: Crude hydroxyphenylalkane, e.g., 1,1,1-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, is purified, to reduce color and prevent caustic solution turbidity, (a) by contacting the hydroxyphenylalkane in alcoholic solution with an alkali metal dithionite, preferably in the presence of an alkalinity agent such as an alkali metal borohydride, more preferably by introducing the dithionite into the alcoholic solution as an alkaline aqueous solution, (b) precipitating the hydroxyphenylalkane from the alcoholic solution, and optionally (c) rinsing the hydroxyphenylalkane with an alkaline aqueous solution of the dithionite.

Abstract: A method is provided for the preparation of ibuprofen by carbonylating 1-(4'-isobutylphenyl)ethanol (IBPE) with carbon monoxide in an acidic aqueous medium, e.g. containing at least 10% of water based on the weight of IBPE initially added, at a temperature of at least about 10.degree. C. and a carbon monoxide pressure of at least about 500 psig, and in the presence of (1) a catalyst complex consisting essentially of a palladium compound in which the palladium has a valence of zero to 2 and is complexed with at least one monodentate phosphine ligand miscible with the organic phase of the reaction medium, the phosphorus/palladium mole ratio in said palladium compound and ligand being at least about 2:1 when the palladium/IBPE mole ratio is such that palladium=1 and IBPE=10,000 or more; (2) dissociated hydrogen ions from an acid which is substantially completely ionizable in dilute aqueous solution such that the mole ratio of hydrogen ions to IBPE added to the reaction zone is at least about 0.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing 1,3-glycols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting an epoxide with synthesis gas in the presence of rhodium and a phosphine.

Abstract: The housing for an electrical device or control has a plurality of electric terminals, each having a base into which a screw is threaded with the screw head overlying the base to clamp a wire therebetween. Each base is recessed into the housing in a cavity having one side closed by a tab bent up from the base. The housing cavity and tab prevent lateral access to the space between the screw head and base except where permitted by a hole in the tab. The hole has an inverted teardrop shape and has its longitudinal axis tilted about 20.degree. so the larger end of the hole is further from the screw. The hole is positioned to the left of the screw (when viewed from outside the tab). As the screw is tightened the wire is forced down the tilted axis of the hole closer to the screw while friction between the screw head and the wire urges the wire further into the cavity. The base is provided with raised bumps or a recess. When the screw is tightened the wire is deformed against the bumps or into the recess.