Abstract: A printhead for a printer and methods for making the printhead. The printhead may include a driver module on a jetstack. The jetstack may include a plurality of holes formed therethrough. A first adhesive layer may be disposed on the jetstack. A diaphragm plate may be disposed on the first adhesive layer. A piezoelectric layer may be disposed on the diaphragm plate. A second adhesive layer may be disposed on the piezoelectric layer. A chip on flex may be disposed on the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud assembly and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud assembly is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, the shroud assembly and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud assembly.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, shroud and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rim, a base wall, a side wall and an outer rim. The inner rim has a first opening formed therein. The base wall extends outward from an inner edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The side wall extends outward from an outer edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The outer rim has a second opening formed therein and an inner edge integral with the side wall. The inner rim, base wall, side wall and outer rim are formed to prevent liquid seepage to one or more surrounding components of an appliance in which the apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A water heater is provided that improves heat transfer between the coils of the heat exchanger of a refrigerant-based heating system and the water in the heater's water tank. Grooves can be added to the exterior of the water tank. The coils of the heat exchanger are positioned within the grooves on the exterior surface of the water tank. Additional features may also be used to further improve heat transfer. Methods for constructing such water heater are also provided.

Abstract: A microprocessor within a processing unit is configured to manage to operation of a finite state machine (FSM) that, in turn, manages the operation of a data connector. The FSM may be a hardwired chip component that adheres to a communication protocol associated with the data connector. The microprocessor is configured to execute a software application in order to (i) apply configuration changes to the processing unit during state transitions initiated by the FSM and (ii) cause the FSM to initiate specific state transitions.

Abstract: A water heater comprises a tank, a cylinder coil section and a return-flow coil section. The cylinder coil section is in a heat transfer relationship with the tank and encircles a first portion of the tank. The return-flow coil section is in a heat transfer relationship with the tank and encircles a second portion of the tank. The cylinder coil section and the return-flow coil section are continuous over at least the first and second portions of the tank.

Abstract: In a system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the system comprises a first device, a second device, a communications link, and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed by the system perform a method of communications link training. This method comprises requesting a speed change to a second speed for the first device communicating with the second device at a first speed via the communications link. A saved set of parameters are accessed for at least one of the first device and the second device. A first training cycle is performed for the first device and the second device at the second speed using the saved set of parameters for the at least one of the first device and second device. The reuse of parameters from a previous successful equalization training cycle reduces the time required to perform equalization training.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an inner rim, a base wall, a side wall and an outer rim. The inner rim has a first opening formed therein. The base wall extends outward from an inner edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The side wall extends outward from an outer edge of the inner rim and is integral with the inner rim. The outer rim has a second opening formed therein and an inner edge integral with the side wall. The inner rim, base wall, side wall and outer rim are formed to prevent liquid seepage to one or more surrounding components of an appliance in which the apparatus is installed.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a water heater, a cover, a shroud and at least one ring. The water heater includes a tank, a layer of foam surrounding the tank and a wrapper surrounding the layer of foam. The cover is positioned on a top edge of the water heater. The shroud is positioned over the cover. The at least one ring is positioned around at least one of an inlet port and an outlet port of the water heater. The cover, shroud and at least one ring are operative to prevent a liquid from coming into contact with at least one of the layer of foam surrounding the tank and one or more components covered by the shroud.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a top end cap and a bottom end cap spaced apart from one another. A filter media is disposed between the top and bottom end caps. An outlet channel is within the filter media and extends between the top end cap and the bottom end cap. The outlet channel includes an open top end proximate the top end cap and a closed bottom end proximate the bottom end cap.

Abstract: A water heater system is provided with a solar water heater and an electric water heater having one or more electric heating elements. The solar and electric water heaters are configured to provide a common hot water output. A controller is operatively configured with the water heaters and receives a first signal indicative of a current power demand state of an associated electric utility. In response to the received signal, the controller operates the electric water heater in an energy savings mode during periods of high power demand wherein power consumption of the electric heating elements is restricted. The controller is operatively configured to modulate the degree of power consumption restriction placed on the electric heating elements in the energy savings mode as a function of current hot water supply capacity of the solar water heater.

Abstract: A mixing valve comprises a housing including first and second inlet passages and a third outlet passage. The first passage is connectable in a high temperature fluid supply line. The second passage is connectable with a low temperature fluid supply. The third passage selectively communicates with the first and second passages. A valve assembly is mounted within the housing. The valve assembly includes a thermostat element and a valve body actuatable by the thermostat element. The thermostat element is contactable thermally by the high temperature fluid passing through the first passage. The valve body is operable under the influence of the thermostat element to regulate flow of low temperature fluid and provide a mix ratio of high temperature fluid and low temperature fluid that results in a mixed fluid having a selected temperature flowing out of the third passage. The mixing valve is adapted to provide feedback to a consumer of a failure condition.

Abstract: A water treatment assembly includes a housing having a plurality of water treatment component interfaces. The water treatment assembly also includes a plurality of water treatment components selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component, wherein each of the water treatment components are coupled to a respective one of the water treatment component interfaces. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet.

Abstract: A modular water treatment system includes a plurality of water treatment components including selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component. A plurality of interfaces are provided for coupling to the selected water treatment components. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the selected water treatment components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet. A controller is configured to control the flow of water through the system, and a sensor is configured to transmit a signal to the controller.

Abstract: A modular water treatment system includes a plurality of water treatment components selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component. The water treatment system also includes a plurality of interfaces for coupling to the selected water treatment components, and plumbing lines providing flow communication between the selected components, the plumbing lines comprising a system water inlet and a system water outlet.

Abstract: A water treatment assembly includes a housing having a plurality of water treatment component interfaces. The water treatment assembly also includes a plurality of water treatment components selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component, wherein each of the water treatment components are coupled to a respective one of the water treatment component interfaces. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet.

Abstract: A water treatment assembly includes a housing having a plurality of water treatment component interfaces. The water treatment assembly also includes a plurality of water treatment components selected from a group of a particulate filter component, a taste and odor filter component, a lead and mercury filter component, a water softener component, and a water disinfection component, wherein each of the water treatment components are coupled to a respective one of the water treatment component interfaces. Plumbing lines provide flow communication between the components, and the plumbing lines include a system water inlet and a system water outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering and softening water in combination are disclosed. The systems may include a water filtering system, having a water filter and a water softening system connected to the water filtering system. In addition, a controller may be connected to the water filtering system and the water softening system via wired or wireless connections. The methods may include filtering incoming water, monitoring the hardness of the incoming water, and softening the incoming water when the water hardness is above a maximum level. Furthermore, the performance of the water filtering system may be altered in response to the performance of the water softening system. In addition, the performance of the water softening system may be altered in response to the performance of the water filtering system.

Abstract: A dry change water filter assembly is provided. The filter assembly includes a filter head including a water by-pass valve, and a filter body configured to removably attach to the filter head. The water by-pass valve is actuated by at least one of attaching the filter body to the filter head and removing the filter body from the filter head.