Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting activity include a first domestic appliance and a second domestic appliance. Such methods may include detecting a first interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing an activity counter by a first amount based on the first interaction. The methods also include detecting a second interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing the activity counter by a second amount based on the second interaction. The methods further include providing a user notification when the activity counter crosses a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A micro detector includes a substrate, a fin structure, a floating gate, a sensing gate, a reading gate and an energy sensing film. The fin structure is located on the substrate. The floating gate is located on the substrate, and the floating gate is vertically and crossly arranged with the fin structure. The sensing gate is located at one side of the fin structure. The reading gate is located at the other side of the fin structure. The energy sensing film is located on the sensing gate and is connected with the sensing gate. An induced charge is generated when the energy sensing film is contacted with an external energy source, and the induced charge is stored in the floating gate.

Abstract: A water heater appliance may include a casing, a tank, a temperature sensor, a heating system, and a controller. The controller may be in operative communication with the heating system. The controller may be configured to initiate a heating cycle. The heating cycle may include determining a future standby event and determining a contemporary depletion state from a plurality of set depletion states. The plurality of set depletion states may include a steady state and one or more depleted states. The heating cycle may further include calculating a recharge period according to a set formula corresponding to the determined contemporary depletion state and directing, prior to the future standby event, the water heater appliance to the steady state based on the recharge period.

Abstract: A water heater appliance may include a casing, a tank, a temperature sensor, a heating system, and a controller. The controller may be in operative communication with the heating system. The controller may be configured to initiate a heating cycle. The heating cycle may include determining a future standby event and determining a contemporary depletion state from a plurality of set depletion states. The plurality of set depletion states may include a steady state and one or more depleted states. The heating cycle may further include calculating a recharge period according to a set formula corresponding to the determined contemporary depletion state and directing, prior to the future standby event, the water heater appliance to the steady state based on the recharge period.

Abstract: A method of operating a water heater appliance includes activating a heating element of the water heater, whereby a volume of water in a tank of the water heater is heated and measuring electrical power drawn by the heating element of the water heater appliance while the heating element is activated to heat the volume of water. The method also includes determining a tank depletion status of the tank based on the measured electrical power drawn by the heating element. The method further includes estimating a recovery time based on the determined tank depletion status.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting activity include a first domestic appliance and a second domestic appliance. Such methods may include detecting a first interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing an activity counter by a first amount based on the first interaction. The methods also include detecting a second interaction with one of the first domestic appliance and the second domestic appliance and increasing the activity counter by a second amount based on the second interaction. The methods further include providing a user notification when the activity counter crosses a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a water heater appliance includes energizing the heating element for an energization period, such as less than two seconds. During the energization period, the appliance controller measures the electrical current passing through the heating element. The measured electrical current and a base signal are passed through a correlation filter to determine a correlation value. The base signal may correspond to the electrical current passing through the heating element when the tank is full or when the tank is empty, and the correlation value may be used to determine to which base signal the measured electrical current more closely correlates. In this manner, the correlation value is used to determine whether the heating element is submerged in water.

Abstract: A water heater appliance and methods for operating the same, as provided herein, may include a casing, a tank, an inlet conduit, an electric heating system, a mixing valve, and a controller. The electric heating system may be in thermal communication with the tank. The mixing valve may be mounted to the casing downstream from the tank. The controller may be operably coupled to the electric heating system and the mixing valve. The controller may be configured to initiate a mixing cycle. The mixing cycle may include detecting a flow demand at the water heater appliance, directing the mixing valve to a programmed park position in response to detecting the flow demand, determining expiration of a park period following directing the mixing valve to the programmed park position, and releasing the mixing valve from the programmed park position in response to determining expiration of the park period.

Abstract: A micro detector includes a substrate, a fin structure, a floating gate, a sensing gate, a reading gate and an antenna layer. The fin structure is located on the substrate. The floating gate is located on the substrate, and the floating gate is vertically and crossly arranged with the fin structure. The sensing gate is located at one side of the fin structure. The reading gate is located at the other side of the fin structure. The antenna layer is located on the sensing gate and is connected with the sensing gate. An induced charge is generated when the antenna layer is contacted with an external energy source, and the induced charge is stored in the floating gate.

Abstract: A water heater appliance includes a cold water conduit and a hot water conduit. The water heater appliance also includes a mixing valve and a controller. The controller may be configured for and/or methods of operating the water heater appliance may include detecting a start of a flow event from the water heater appliance and detecting a water temperature in the mixed water conduit of the water heater that is outside of tolerance limits after detecting the start of the flow event. The controller may be further configured for and/or the method may further include verifying that the flow event has not ended after detecting the water temperature in the mixed water conduit is outside of the tolerance limits. After verifying that the flow event has not ended, a count is added to a fault counter.

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 and methods for operating the same, as provided herein, may include a casing, a tank, an inlet conduit, an electric heating system, a mixing valve, and a controller. The electric heating system may be in thermal communication with the tank. The mixing valve may be mounted to the casing downstream from the tank. The controller may be operably coupled to the electric heating system and the mixing valve. The controller may be configured to initiate a mixing cycle. The mixing cycle may include detecting a flow demand at the water heater appliance, directing the mixing valve to a programmed park position in response to detecting the flow demand, determining expiration of a park period following directing the mixing valve to the programmed park position, and releasing the mixing valve from the programmed park position in response to determining expiration of the park period.

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: An electric water heater appliance is provided herein. The electric water heater appliance may include a tank, an electric heating element, and a temperature sensor. The tank may define an interior volume extending from a top portion to a bottom portion. The interior volume may define a volume height along a vertical direction between the bottom portion and the top portion. The electric heating element may be operable to heat water within the interior volume. The temperature sensor may be attached to the tank above the electric heating element. A sensor gap may be defined along the vertical direction between the electric heating element and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A micro detector includes a substrate, a fin structure, a floating gate, a sensing gate, a reading gate and an antenna layer. The fin structure is located on the substrate. The floating gate is located on the substrate, and the floating gate is vertically and crossly arranged with the fin structure. The sensing gate is located at one side of the fin structure. The reading gate is located at the other side of the fin structure. The antenna layer is located on the sensing gate and is connected with the sensing gate. An induced charge is generated when the antenna layer is contacted with an external energy source, and the induced charge is stored in the floating gate.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp structure includes a first clamp member comprising a first clamping portion and a first fixing portion formed on one end of the first clamping portion, a second clamp member comprising a second clamping portion and a second fixing portion formed on one end of the second clamping portion; and an adjustment member disposed between the first clamp member and the second clamp member. The adjustment member has an adjusting portion and a pivot portion that are movably combined. The adjusting portion is disposed on another end of the first clamping portion, and the pivot portion disposed on another end of the second clamping portion. The first and second clamp members are combined through the adjustment member and form a clamp distance therein. The second clamp member is movably adjusted with respect to the first clamp member for clamping the tubes with different diameters.

Abstract: A method for controlling a water heater appliance includes energizing the heating element for an energization period, such as less than two seconds. During the energization period, the appliance controller measures the electrical current passing through the heating element. The measured electrical current and a base signal are passed through a correlation filter to determine a correlation value. The base signal may correspond to the electrical current passing through the heating element when the tank is full or when the tank is empty, and the correlation value may be used to determine to which base signal the measured electrical current more closely correlates. In this manner, the correlation value is used to determine whether the heating element is submerged in water.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp structure includes a first clamp member comprising a first clamping portion and a first fixing portion formed on one end of the first clamping portion, a second clamp member comprising a second clamping portion and a second fixing portion formed on one end of the second clamping portion; and an adjustment member disposed between the first clamp member and the second clamp member. The adjustment member has an adjusting portion and a pivot portion that are movably combined. The adjusting portion is disposed on another end of the first clamping portion, and the pivot portion disposed on another end of the second clamping portion. The first and second clamp members are combined through the adjustment member and form a clamp distance therein. The second clamp member is movably adjusted with respect to the first clamp member for clamping the tubes with different diameters.

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 micro detector includes a substrate, a fin structure, a floating gate, a sensing gate, a reading gate and an antenna layer. The fin structure is located on the substrate. The floating gate is located on the substrate, and the floating gate is vertically and crossly arranged with the fin structure. The sensing gate is located at one side of the fin structure. The reading gate is located at the other side of the fin structure. The antenna layer is located on the sensing gate and is connected with the sensing gate. An induced charge is generated when the antenna layer is contacted with an external energy source, and the induced charge is stored in the floating gate.