Abstract: An end effector assembly of a forceps includes a first jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface, and a second jaw with a tissue sealing surface and an electrode on the sealing surface. The first jaw and the second jaw move between an open position and a closed position. The sealing surface of at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw has a rigid medial section and flexible lateral sections.

Abstract: A modulating heater system for a pool or spa includes a pool/spa heater capable of variably modulating energy output thereof and a controller communicatively coupled to the heater. The controller determines a current mode of operation for the heater, and establishes temperature overshoot and target temperature setpoints for pool/spa water for the current mode of operation. The controller determines a current temperature of the water, an optimized modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation, and a maximum modulation rate for the heater for the current mode of operation. The controller controls the heater to operate at one of the optimized and maximum modulation rates based on the temperature overshoot setpoint for the current mode of operation, the target water temperature setpoint for the current mode of operation, and the current water temperature. A corresponding method for controlling a pool/spa modulating heater is also provided.

Abstract: A modulating heater system for a pool or spa includes a pool or spa heater capable of variably modulating energy output thereof and a controller communicatively coupled thereto. The controller determines a predicted load based on a previous load, ambient and water temperatures, and estimated pool/spa size, and determines an overshoot setpoint for an operational mode. The controller establishes a target temperature setpoint for the mode and receives a current water temperature. The controller determines whether the overshoot setpoint plus target temperature setpoint is greater than the current water temperature, and determines an error based thereon. The controller determines if the error is less than or greater than a target for the mode, and, based on this determination, determines a heater modulation rate for the mode taking into account the mode, maximum heater output, and available fuel supply. The controller controls the heater to operate at the determined modulation rate.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a tailgate configured to pivot relative to a vehicle body between a closed position, a fully open position, and a secondary position that is between the closed position and the fully open position. The assembly further includes a cable device having a tailgate connector and a vehicle connector. The tailgate connector is coupled to the tailgate. The vehicle connector couples to a sidewall of the vehicle in first position to support the tailgate in the fully open position. The vehicle connector couples to the sidewall of the vehicle in a second position to support the tailgate in a secondary position. The first position is vertically below the second position. The assembly still further includes a bracket that blocks removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body when the tailgate is in the fully open position and when the tailgate is in the secondary position.

Abstract: An inlet mixer system for a gas heater includes a housing in fluid communication with an inlet of a combustion blower, and first and second mixer inserts, each removably positionable within the housing. Each mixer insert includes a body defining a mixing chamber, an air intake, and a plurality of orifices disposed radially about the body and extending through the body, which provide respective volumetric flow rates of a fuel gas. When the first mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a first fuel gas, and when the second mixer insert is positioned within the housing, the inlet mixer system is configured for use with a second fuel gas.

Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a tailgate configured to pivot relative to a vehicle body between a closed position, a fully open position, and a secondary position that is between the closed position and the fully open position. The assembly further includes a cable device having a tailgate connector and a vehicle connector. The tailgate connector is coupled to the tailgate. The vehicle connector couples to a sidewall of the vehicle in first position to support the tailgate in the fully open position. The vehicle connector couples to the sidewall of the vehicle in a second position to support the tailgate in a secondary position. The first position is vertically below the second position. The assembly still further includes a bracket that blocks removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body when the tailgate is in the fully open position and when the tailgate is in the secondary position.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers include: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: Swimming pool or spa gas heaters, cabinets, water header manifolds, and heat exchangers therefor are provided in accordance with the present disclosure, including: gas heaters having an air gap between a cabinet and combustion chamber to reduce heat transfer to sides of the cabinet; gas heaters having a user interface that is repositionable on a top panel; gas heater cabinets including a removable top panel that can be hung on a side panel; gas heaters having a built-in dual junction box; gas heaters having a top-accessible igniter and burner that are interlocked to maintain positioning thereof; adaptable water manifolds including connectable inlet and outlet fittings that adjust effective inlet and outlet positions; heat exchangers having a plurality of tube-and-fin subassemblies arranged in a semi-circular configuration; and water manifolds including internal cartridges that divide the water manifold into a plurality of chambers for improved circulation through a heat exchanger are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting chemical reactions may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a chemical detection device. The chemical detection device may include a chemical sensor, which may be mounted on the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a valve block. The valve block may fluidly couple a plurality of reagent containers to the chemical detection device. The apparatus may further comprise a heat exchanger and a controller. The controller may control a fluid connection between the valve block and the chemical detection device. The controller may be also configured to adjust a temperature of a selected reagent from the plurality of reagent containers via the heat exchanger. The temperature of the selected reagent may be adjusted prior to the reagent entering the chemical detection device.

Abstract: An improved method of cultivating kava plants is disclosed in which a growth medium is formed form a mound formed over a leveled bed of porous rocks, such as volcanic cinders. The bed material is substantially free of organic matter. The mound material is comprised of gravel smaller than the bed material, such as volcanic gravel, and includes organic matter. The kava plants are grown in the mound material. The plants can be harvested by lifting the plant from the mound using a modified forklift assembly. Relatively high mounded rows of other material can alternatively be used. An improved method of producing kava seedlings is also disclosed in which the apical tips of kava plant stems are cut. After buds develop along the stems, the stems are harvested, sectioned, and used to generate a large number of seedlings. Harvesting of remaining rootstock from the parent plant is delayed after harvesting of the stems to promote an increase in kavalactone concentration.

Abstract: An improved method of cultivating kava plants is disclosed in which a growth medium is formed form a mound formed over a leveled bed of porous rocks, such as volcanic cinders. The bed material is substantially free of organic matter. The mound material is comprised of gravel smaller than the bed material, such as volcanic gravel, and includes organic matter. The kava plants are grown in the mound material. The plants can be harvested by lifting the plant from the mound using a modified forklift assembly. Relatively high mounded rows of other material can alternatively be used. An improved method of producing kava seedlings is also disclosed in which the apical tips of kava plant stems are cut. After buds develop along the stems, the stems are harvested, sectioned, and used to generate a large number of seedlings. Harvesting of remaining rootstock from the parent plant is delayed after harvesting of the stems to promote an increase in kavalactone concentration.