Abstract: Aerogels having relatively large areas and/or relatively low numbers of defects are generally described. In some embodiments, the aerogel has one or more properties (e.g., optical and/or thermal properties) that do not substantially vary across the aerogel. Insulated glass units and/or solar thermal receivers comprising aerogels are also generally described. Articles, systems, and methods related to aerogels coupled to substrates are also generally described. Aerogels, including monolithic aerogels, may be coupled to transparent substrates such that the resulting article has advantageous insulation properties for window applications. Such articles may be used to retrofit existing windows or be incorporated into insulated glass units. The coupling of the aerogel to the substrate, in some embodiments, does not significantly impact the optical properties of the substrate and/or the aerogel. Insulated units comprising the aerogels are also described.

Abstract: A carrier able to carry beverages, the carrier comprising: a plurality of carrier elements, each carrier element pivotally movable with respect to an adjacent carrier element; and each carrier element having at least one holding aperture able to hold at least one beverage.

Abstract: A modular heat pump water tank is provided. The modular heat pump water tank comprises a tank unit including a tank for containing heated water; a heat pump unit including a heat pump for providing heat to the tank; and a heat exchanger arranged externally to the tank for transferring heat from the heat pump to water from the tank. The tank unit and the heat pump unit are adapted for mounting to one another to form an integrated heat pump water tank.

Abstract: A thermal storage vessel for containing a heat store fluid for receiving or delivering heat and at least one heat exchanger arranged inside the vessel are provided.

Abstract: A heating system is provided. The heating system includes a heat pump to provide heat. The heating system includes a circuit of heat transfer fluid to transfer heat to or from the heat pump. The heating system includes a space heating system configured to transfer heat from the heat transfer fluid to an environment. The heating system includes a water heating system comprising a water tank for storing hot water to be provided to a user, a cold water inlet, a hot water outlet for drawing off hot water for supply to a user, and a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the heat transfer fluid and water from the cold water inlet. The heating system includes a means of sensing a tank status, the tank status being indicative of a quantity of thermal energy stored in the tank. The heating system includes a controller adapted to control the transfer of heat to and from the tank in dependence on the tank status.

Abstract: A water heating tank comprises a reservoir having a cold water inlet and a hot water outlet; a can disposed in a lower portion of the tank enclosing at least a part of a heater; a chimney extending from the top of the can to an upper portion of the tank. A chimney valve is arranged between the can and the chimney. The chimney valve is configured to prevent water flowing from the can into the chimney when a temperature of water in the can exceeds a first chimney threshold temperature.

Abstract: Systems, kits of parts and methods for heating water are provided. A tank is provided for holding water and a heat pump provides heat to water of the tank via a heat exchanger. A variable speed pump pumps water from the tank to the heat exchanger and back to the tank and a three port valve is arranged to provide a flow path from the heat exchanger either to the top of the tank or to the bottom of the tank depending on a flow rate. A controller controls the variable speed pump depending on a hot water demand.

Abstract: A water heating system is described. The water heating system comprises a vessel for holding water and for receiving heat from one or more heat sources for heating water in the vessel. The water heating system comprises a sensor comprising a plurality of temperature sensing elements for sensing a distribution of temperatures in the vessel. The water heating system comprises a connector for connecting the sensor to a retrofittable tank controller. The water heating system is configured to provide one or more characteristics of the water heating system to a retrofittable tank controller such that a retrofittable tank controller connected to the sensor and in receipt of the characteristics of the water heating system can determine from the distribution of temperatures in the vessel a quantity of useable heat stored in the vessel. A retrofittable tank controller for controlling a water heating system is also described. A sensor for measuring a temperature distribution of fluid within a vessel is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot water storage tank (202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702), defining a primly storage volume (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704), with at least one heat source (212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) positioned in and operable to directly heat water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707) of the primary storage volume (204, 304, 404, 04, 604, 704), and a pump or other means (237, 337, 437, 537, 637) that draws water, from the lower portion (209, 309, 409, 509, 609, 709) of the tank into a heat transfer device (216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716), situated in said upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707). The heat transfer device (216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716) is configured to enable the transfer of heat from heated water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707) to the drawn water prior to discharge into the water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707).

Abstract: A controller interface (B12) between a hot water tank controller (B13) and a heat pump controller (B2) in a heating system is provided. The controller interface (B12) comprises a response module configured to receive, from the hot water tank controller (B13), a first signal indicative of a temperature. The response module provides a response signal based on the first signal and a temperature response characteristic and communicates the response signal to the heat pump controller (B2). The controller interface (B12) enables interoperability of a heat pump controller (B2) and a legacy hot water tank system and hot water tank controller (B13).

Abstract: A heating system (100), a controller (110) for a heating system and a method of controlling a heating system (100) suitable for responding to grid stress events are disclosed. A heating system (100) comprises a tank (104) for holding water; a heat pump (102) arranged to provide heat to the tank (104); an electric heating element (108) disposed in the tank for heating water; and, a controller (110) configured to: control electric power from an electric power grid to the heat pump (102) and the electric heating element (108); detect a grid stress event; determine a heat pump energy penalty for providing heat in response to the grid stress event under a present operating condition; and, vary, in dependence on the determined heat pump energy penalty, a power provided to the electric heating element (108).

Abstract: A water heating tank is provided comprising a reservoir with a cold water inlet into the reservoir and a hot water outlet from the reservoir. The water heating tank further comprises a heater enclosure located within the reservoir. The heater enclosure encloses at least part of a heater. The heater enclosure has an inlet, a vent and an outlet. The water heating tank further comprises a duct connected to the outlet of the heater enclosure. The duct has an exit located in an upper portion of the reservoir.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a solar humidifier. The solar humidifier includes a solar collector comprises perforations, wherein the solar collector exhibits an absorptance in the range of 0.70 to 0.95 when dry. The solar humidifier also includes a frame on which the solar collector is mounted, wherein the frame provides at least one opening for supplying brine to a surface of the solar collector. The solar humidifier further includes a collection box, wherein the collection box includes an interior volume and is enclosed on a side by the solar collector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot water storage tank (202, 302, 402, 502, 602, 702), defining a primly storage volume (204, 304, 404, 504, 604, 704), with at least one heat source (212, 312, 412, 512, 612, 712) positioned in and operable to directly heat water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707) of the primary storage volume (204, 304, 404, 04, 604, 704), and a pump or other means (237, 337, 437, 537, 637) that draws water, from the lower portion (209, 309, 409, 509, 609, 709) of the tank into a heat transfer device (216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716), situated in said upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707). The heat transfer device (216, 316, 416, 516, 616, 716) is configured to enable the transfer of heat from heated water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707) to the drawn water prior to discharge into the water in the upper portion (207, 307, 407, 507, 607, 707).

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a solar humidifier. The solar humidifier includes a solar collector comprises perforations, wherein the solar collector exhibits an absorptance in the range of 0.70 to 0.95 when dry. The solar humidifier also includes a frame on which the solar collector is mounted, wherein the frame provides at least one opening for supplying brine to a surface of the solar collector. The solar humidifier further includes a collection box, wherein the collection box includes an interior volume and is enclosed on a side by the solar collector.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, apparatus, and products, including a method for operating a respiratory care device that includes collecting at a respiratory care device data representative of operation of the respiratory care device, and communicating to a computing-based device external to the respiratory care device at least some of the collected data to control the operability of the respiratory care device. In some embodiments, the method may further include communicating to the respiratory care device data to controllably change one or more operation parameters of the respiratory care device to cause a change in the operation of the respiratory care device, changing the operation parameters of the respiratory care device according to the communicated data, and communicating to the external computing-based device resultant data representative of operation of the respiratory care device resulting from the controllable change to the one or more operation parameters.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for executing options trades are disclosed. The lead market maker entitlements are integrated with sophisticated order types, including dark order types, so that the lead marker maker is guaranteed an allocation of the trade if the lead market maker is at the NBBO when an order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The lead market maker is not provided an opportunity to price improve to execute with a specific incoming order. Additionally, market makers who are not the lead market maker in an option series may be granted the privileges of a lead market maker for the purpose of executing with a specific incoming directed order if the designated market maker is at the NBBO when a directed order priced at or better than the NBBO is received. The system and method disclosed encourages market makers to quote the best price possible, which in turn has the effect of narrowing spreads.

Abstract: A system for heating water in a hot water storage tank, comprising a heater; and means for drawing water onto the heater to be heated from beneath the heater.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods, include an oxygen delivery device that includes an oxygen delivery module, at least one sensor to detect patient breathing, and a controller configured to control the oxygen delivery module to cause the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient based on data from the at least one sensor such that in response to a determination, based on data from the at least one sensor, that no breathing is detected for a first pre-determined period of time, the controller causes the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient in continuous flow mode, and in response to a determination, based on additional data from the at least one sensor, that breathing is detected for a second period of time, the controller causes the oxygen delivery module to deliver oxygen to the patient in a pulse flow mode.

Abstract: A diffuser plate for diffusing a fluid flow in a fluid storage vessel, comprising: a plate having a plurality of holes for the fluid flow to pass through; and at least one wall that extends away from a surface of the plate.