Abstract: A voltage regulator is described which uses external resistors to set a load line and offset. During initial operation and also during normal operation the load line and offset are reset by placing, for instance, the microprocessor in a high active state, low active state and in a sleep mode. By dynamically changing the load line and offset voltage, minimum current is drawn thus extending battery life.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a power controller for an AC load comprises: a user interface adapted to interact with a user to produce at least one user interface signal; and a control module adapted to electrically couple a line voltage supply, electrically couple the AC load, and provide electrical power to the AC load as a function of the at least one user interface signal by implementing a low-flicker, cycle-skipping control algorithm, the control algorithm comprising a plurality of cycle patterns, the cycle patterns comprising a plurality of main power levels.

Abstract: A cooktop comprising at least one cooktop heater and a controller coupled to the heater and operable to control operation of the heater, including cool down of the heater and drift detection, is described. In one embodiment, the cooktop further comprises a control interface coupled to the controller. The interface comprises a power setting selection unit for operator selection of a power level setting for the heater. The controller is configured to switch off supply of power to the heater if a second power level selection for the heater is a lower power level than a first power level selection, and to then resume standard heater operation once a temperature corresponding to the second power level selection is reached.

Abstract: The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which an oven (122) receives a plurality of program recipes from a network that are executed by scanning with a scanner (1216) a symbol and associating the scanned symbol with one of the plurality of program recipes while keeping a real-time clock (1224) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Abstract: A programmable apparatus and method for controlling the time and temperature of a cooking or a baking cycle. The apparatus comprises: a cooking or baking appliance, such as a conventional stove, broiler, conventional oven, convection oven, microwave oven or barbecue; a data storage and processing device such as a microprocessor or computer; a program stored in said microprocessor or computer for processing a code to control the time and temperature of the cooking or baking cycle; a device for entering a code into the microprocessor or computer; and a code which is provided by a party other than a user of the apparatus. In a first aspect of the invention, the code is a bar code on a food package and the device for entering the bar code is a scanner.

Abstract: A substrate temperature adjustment apparatus includes a temperature adjustment device for adjusting a temperature of a substrate, and a temperature measurement device for measuring a temperature of the temperature adjustment device, when the temperature is out of a target temperature range. The time taken until the temperature of the substrate falls within the target temperature range is predicted on the basis of the temperature of the temperature adjustment device measured by the temperature measurement device.

Abstract: An appliance control system is configured to operate an appliance in at least a normal mode and a holiday mode wherein normal mode operation of appliance feature elements is altered to better conform to religious customs, such as Orthodox Jewish customs. In response to user manipulation of a control interface panel, the control system is configured to enter the holiday mode upon user manipulation of the control interface panel with a designated key sequence. When in the holiday mode, response to user manipulation of the control interface panel is delayed for a randomly determined time, and appliance features of the normal mode that violate religious custom are disabled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toasting devices for toasting food which automatically control the degree browning of food toasted within them. The present invention particularly relates to such toasters that use a sensor to sense some quality of the food being toasted.

Abstract: A substantially constant load impedance electrical heater has been provided. The heater is comprised of two sections, a first heater and a second heater. The first heater is continuously “on” to provide the bulk of the heat. A second heater is selectively engaged to provide slightly more heat to the medium, heating the medium to the desired temperature. The output temperature of the heated medium is maintained by controlling the duty cycle of the second heater. More drastic changes in temperature are accomplished by changing the power continuously dissipated by the first heater. The greatest heating control is obtained by defining the first and second heaters as subsets from a bank of selectable heater elements. A method of minimizing fluctuations in the loading of a high-wattage electrical device is also provided.

Abstract: In performing control to supply power to a heater by detecting the impedance of a sensor element and feeding it back for control, a heater control device for an air-fuel ratio according to the invention can prevent damage to the heater or the sensor element by suppressing an excessive rise in the temperature of the heater and hence the sensor element even when the impedance of the sensor element has increased due to degradation of the sensor element. The heater control device includes: a feedback control unit which, based on the impedance of the air-fuel ratio sensor element, controls supply power to the heater for heating the air-fuel ratio sensor; a half-activation time detection unit which detects the half-activation time of the air-fuel ratio sensor; and a power limiting unit which, based on the half-activation time detected by the half-activation time detection unit, limits the power that is feedback-controlled by the feedback control unit.

Abstract: Clock saver apparatus and methods which enable the restoration of clock operations in the event that a power outage is brief and without requiring that an operator reset the clock are described. In one embodiment, the clock is restored to a time setting equal to the time at which the power outage was detected. For example, if the power outage is detected at 11:08:32 a.m., then the restored time after restoration of power is set at 11:08:32 a.m. In another embodiment, the clock is restored to a time setting equal to the time at which the power outage was detected plus the determined time duration of the power outage. For example, if the power outage is detected at 11:08:32 a.m., and if the power outage duration is 15 seconds, then the restored time after restoration of power is set at 11:08:47 a.m.

Abstract: An apparatus for toasting bread, includes a housing (2) with a slot (3) which leads into a toasting space (4). Heater elements (5) are arranged on both sides of this space which each cooperate with a reflector (7) for reflecting radiation in the direction of the toasting space. Grille elements (8) are located to center the bread in the toasting space. A bread support element (9) is provided for moving the bread up or down. The grille elements (8) and the support element (9) are moveable in a coordinated way. The grille elements (8) and/or the heater elements (5) are arranged on two pairs of arms (6) which are hinged (14) to a base part (1), while the support element (9) cooperates with a lever (19) which is also hinged (18) to the base part (1), the arms (6) and the lever (19) cooperating with openings (17) in a slide (10) which is movable in the base part (1).

Abstract: A device and method for thermally treating substrates. A substrate is heated by a heating plate to improve thermal homogeneity. The heating plate is heated using a number of separately controlled heating elements. The temperature of the heating elements is measured and the heating process is controlled by a PID controller. In addition, the temperature of the substrate surface facing away from the heating plate is locally measured. The temperature distribution over the substrate surface is determined according to the measured temperatures and set values for the temperature of the individual heating elements are determined and transmitted to the PID controller.

Abstract: A method for controlling the duration of a self-cleaning operation in an oven responsive to the oven usage. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber, an exhaust outlet from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere, and a heat control device for controlling the heating device for baking, broiling and self-cleaning cycles. The method of controlling the duration includes the steps of maintaining a count at the heat control device of the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle, accepting an input at the heat control device to begin a self-cleaning operation, and controlling the heating device to heat the oven cavity for a time period based upon the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An electric frying pot includes an outer pot body. and an inner pot. The outer pot body is provided with plural support members and a socket on its bottom base having a. micro-switch fixed under to connect the socket. The socket has two notches and an inserting groove on top and a sliding cover inside, a ring electric-heating tube fixed at the bottom of the inner pot, having two thirds embedded therein and two pins protruding at two opposite ends, with an actuating rod longer then the pins fixed between. Thus, when the inner pot is placed in the outer pot body, the actuating rod pushes the sliding cover to move away to let the actuating rod and the pins respectively inserting in the inserting grooves and the notches, synchronously with the bottom of the inner pot pressing the lug of the micro-switch to turn on power.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle device has:

Abstract: Device and method for controlling a heater in a cooker, the device including a plurality of heaters, a relay part for supplying/cutting off a power applied to the eaters, a current detecting part for detecting a current value applied to the heaters, and a controller for controlling the relay part according to the current value detected at the current detecting pmt and a preset current value, to adjust a preset heater operation time period for the present cooking, thereby improving a quality of cooking by solving a deviation of operation power caused by variation of heaters and/or power by compensating the cooking time period.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method for integrated circuits, particularly those having a plurality of channels or power devices. The temperature control system for an integrated circuit includes at least a heat generating device; a sensor element providing a signal correlated to the working conditions of said the heat generating device such as a signal proportional to the dissipated power of the heat generating device; an elaboration circuit of the signal correlated to the working conditions of the heat generating device; and a turning off circuit of said at least a heat generating device responsively to a signal of said elaboration circuit.

Abstract: A rotisserie grill includes a control device that alternates heat generation by a plurality of heating elements disposed at the periphery of a cooking chamber. The alternating heat evenly cooks food in a manner similar to a traditional rotisserie, while eliminating the need for food-rotating apparatus. The control device is a timer, which rotates a cam having a profile that actuates a switch. Heating elements are connected to the switch such that when one is energized, the other is not energized. The on/off cycle produced by the rotating cam repeats every 1 to 2 minutes. The rotisserie grill may be provided with multiple heating elements controlled by multiple switches. More than one cam may be employed to actuate the multiple switches in a complex pattern to simulate relative movement between the heating elements and the food.

Abstract: In a control unit of a hot-water supply system, a boiling time period is estimated based on a hot-water amount stored in a tank at a time of 23:00, a boiling start time is adjusted so that boiling operation is finished at a time immediately before 7:00. For example, when the hot water amount stored in the tank is smaller at the time of 23:00, the boiling time period is made longer and the boiling start time is made earlier. On the other hand, when the hot water amount stored in the tank is larger at the time of 23:00, the boiling time period is made shorter and the boiling start time is made later.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a water heater which includes a water container; an element located to heat water in the water container; a sensor located to sense temperature proximate the element; and a controller connected to the element and the sensor, the controller being programmed to energize the element with at least one electrical pulse over a predetermined time interval, comparing temperature information received from the sensor with a predetermined temperature, and disengaging the element in the event that the temperature received from the sensor is greater than a predetermined temperature for the predetermined time interval.

Abstract: The apparatus and method control preheating temperature of equipment having a device to be preheated and a preheating device for start-up which includes a heat source and a heat source control device which has a plurality of heating patterns to control said heat source. The apparatus includes a temperature measuring device for measuring current temperature of the device to be preheated within the equipment, a computing device for calculating a predicted time that is required by the preheating device to preheat the device from the current temperature to a preset temperature, a comparison device by which the predicted time as calculated by the computing device is compared with a specified start-up time and a selecting device for selecting from the plurality of heating patterns within the heat source control device a heating pattern that makes the predicted time shorter than the start-up time.

Abstract: A timer control system for operating an electric or gas cooktop stove with an oven and broiler. Automatic shut off weight sensitive sensors for shutting off the stove top heating elements and the oven and broiler elements after a prescribed interval of time are integrated with the stove top heating elements, the oven element and the broiler element. If a weight, i.e., food in a utensil, is placed on any active burner element, the timer control is negated and the heating will continue. Push button controls are located on a rear panel on top of the stove.

Abstract: A circuit for heating a component is maintained at a predefined operating temperature by a resistance heating element. A control system for the temperature of the resistance heating element is provided. From a determination of the average electrical energy delivered to the resistance heating element, an analysis arrangement concludes that the predefined operating temperature of the component to be heated has been at least approximately reached.

Abstract: A device is provided for heating a liquid in a holder, having a heater element (31) designed to be placed in said holder and to be immersed in liquid in said holder, a temperature sensor (65) for measuring the temperature of the liquid in the holder and coupled to a control unit (41) for the thermostatic control of power supply to the heater element (31), a thermal safety cut-out (60) for interrupting the power supply to the heater element in response to heating-up of the heater element to above a given temperature, which safety cut-out (60) is in thermally conductive contact with the heater element (31), and a carrier (50) which is thermally coupled by means of a thermal coupling to a portion of said heater element which is immersed in the liquid in said holder in the operational state, the temperature sensor (65) of the thermostat being situated on said carrier (50) at a distance from said thermal coupling.

Abstract: A method for controlling the duration of a self-cleaning operation in an oven responsive to the oven usage. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber, an exhaust outlet from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere, and a heat control device for controlling the heating device for baking, broiling and self-cleaning cycles. The method of controlling the duration includes the steps of maintaining a count at the heat control device of the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle, accepting an input at the heat control device to begin a self-cleaning operation, and controlling the heating device to heat the oven cavity for a time period based upon the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle.

Abstract: An electro-welding device for electrically welding plastic elements together, comprising: a power source for having an AC current in circulation, an electrical converter AC/DC, heating means electrically connected to the converter for heating the weldable elements, electrical regulating means interposed between the electrical converter and the heating means, the electrical regulating means comprising switching means having successive electrically passing and electrically non-passing phases, the electrical regulating means being subjected to the switch-over rhythm of said switching means for generating a switched over electrical signal.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus is provided which includes a food support member for supporting a food item thereon. The cooking apparatus further includes upper and lower housings disposed above and beneath the food support member. The upper and lower housings include an upper and lower heating member respectively. The cooking apparatus further includes a control unit which provides for cyclical heating by varying the heating members on and off to cook the food item located on the food support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for a heating unit. The heating unit is capable of generating heat to a utensil and has a temperature sensor, a heating element, and a cooking surface. The controller has a means for measuring a temperature of a cavity within the heating unit, a means for controlling the application of power to the heating element, and a means for determining whether to control the application of power to the heating element in an overdrive state based on a type of utensil that is located on the heating unit. The present invention also includes methods of operating the controller and the heating unit.

Abstract: An oven temperature control circuit utilizes one or more light emitting diodes to establish a clamping voltage that limits the voltage at the input of a circuit component, such as an analog-to-digital converter, when a sensor, such as a thermistor, is connected to the input of the circuit component and the sensor is subjected to an EMI pulse. A method is provided for continued execution of a heating process after an unavoidable and unintentional interruption.

Abstract: A cycle control system for use with a boiler having a fluid therein and a method of monitoring a boiler to determine the presence of an adequate level of fluid therein. The cycle control system includes a timing circuit producing a burner control signal having alternating on and off states corresponding to on and off period timers to allow foam to settle so that a probe can accurately check the fluid level in the boiler. A burner monitor circuit monitors when a demand controller turns the burner on and off responsive to demand. The on-period timer is reset whenever the burner monitor circuit indicates the demand control circuit has turned off the burner for a length of time sufficient for the probe to accurately check the fluid level.

Abstract: An oven capable of being operated in a self-cleaning cycle wherein the time period of the self clean cycle is responsive to the amount of soil accumulation in the oven. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber and an exhaust flue extending from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere. A heat control device is provided for controlling the operation of the heating device and an input device is used for signaling the heat control device to initiate the self-cleaning cycle. A gas sensor communicates with the exhaust flue for measuring a concentration of a gas component produced from combustion of food soils within the cooking chamber. The gas sensor has a signal output indicative of the measured concentration of the gas component during the self-cleaning cycle. The heat control device receives successive gas concentration signals from the gas sensor and calculates a gas concentration versus time curve.

Abstract: In a sake/milk heating process, the field of view of an infrared sensor is moved by a predetermined pattern in a heating chamber as an initial search. When the field of view is fixed after the initial search, if the temperature variation of an object within the field of view after a predetermined time has passed is equal to or lower than a specified value, various determinations are made, and the field of view of the infrared sensor is again moved in the heating chamber as a re-search. Thus, even if the field of view is fixed at a position where no food item is placed for some reason in the initial search, the field of view will not be fixed in the incorrect position and can be moved again.

Abstract: A water heater having a water tank and multiple electric resistance heating elements extending into the water tank for heating water in the tank. The water heater includes a proportional band temperature controller for conducting electric power to the electric resistance heating elements in bursts. Each burst of electric power is followed by a period during which the temperature controller does not conduct power to the electric resistance heating element. In one embodiment, each burst of electrical power lasts for about 95% or less of a cycle comprised of one burst of electric power followed by the period during which the temperature controller does not conduct electric power. Further, activation of the heating elements by the controller is carried out in a sequential or other timed or controlled fashion to permit uniform heating of the water in the tank. Further, the controller may operate a cold water introduction valve to further enhance temperature uniformity in the tank.

Abstract: A substantially constant load impedance electrical heater has been provided. The heater is comprised of two sections, a first heater and a second heater. The first heater is continuously “on” to provide the bulk of the heat. A second heater is selectively engaged to provide slightly more heat to the medium, heating the medium to the desired temperature. The output temperature of the heated medium is maintained by controlling the duty cycle of the second heater. More drastic changes in temperature are accomplished by changing the power continuously dissipated by the first heater. The greatest heating control is obtained by defining the first and second heaters as subsets from a bank of selectable heater elements. A method of minimizing fluctuations in the loading of a high-wattage electrical device is also provided.

Abstract: The apparatus and method control preheating temperature of equipment having a device to be preheated and a preheating device for start-up which includes a heat source and a heat source control device which has a plurality of heating patterns to control said heat source. The apparatus includes a temperature measuring device for measuring current temperature of the device to be preheated within the equipment, a computing device for calculating a predicted time that is required by the preheating device to preheat the device from the current temperature to a preset temperature, a comparison device by which the predicted time as calculated by the computing device is compared with a specified start-up time and a selecting device for selecting from the plurality of heating patterns within the heat source control device a heating pattern that makes the predicted time shorter than the start-up time.

Abstract: A substantially constant load impedance electrical heater has been provided. The heater is comprised of two sections, a first heater and a second heater. The first heater is continuously “on” to provide the bulk of the heat. A second heater is selectively engaged to provide slightly more heat to the medium, heating the medium to the desired temperature. The output temperature of the heated medium is maintained by controlling the duty cycle of the second heater. More drastic changes in temperature are accomplished by changing the power continuously dissipated by the first heater. The greatest heating control is obtained by defining the first and second heaters as subsets from a bank of selectable heater elements. A method of minimizing fluctuations in the loading of a high-wattage electrical device is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic cooker time switch (1) having a display panel, input elements for time data and switching times, a control circuit, a relay for automatically switching an electric load on and off, and a change-over switching device for switching over from an automatic to a manual mode, wherein there are provided a display portion (2) which has a time switch with digital display and a circuit board (15) with mains unit and control electronics, and an operating portion (3) which is arranged separately from the display portion. This modular design unit that it is possible to use different kinds of operating portions (3) with one and the same display portion (2).

Abstract: A low cost toaster having a metal body and plastic end panels. The end panels have cooling inlet vents near their lower ends and the top wall of the metal body has air outlet vents. Ambient air admitted through the inlet vents flows upwardly through the toaster and outwardly through the outlet vents to provide a cooling effect sufficient to allow the use of inexpensive plastic material for molding the end panels. The toaster has a bread lifter made entirely from a wire rod, a bread lifter extension made entirely from a wire rod, and a toast color cam made entirely from a single piece of sheet metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for signal control of a switch which outputs a first signal in response to a turning operation thereof and outputs a second signal in response to a depressing operation thereof. If one of the first and second signals is outputted in response to a corresponding one of the switch turning operation and the switch depressing operation and the other signal is thereafter outputted in response to the other operation within a predetermined period, the control device nullifies the other signal. With this arrangement, a heating cooker provided with the switch is prevented from performing an under-heat or over-heat cooking operation on the basis of a misoperation of the switch. Further, the need for resetting a cooking period is obviated which may otherwise arise from the misoperation of the switch.

Abstract: A toaster having a base and at least two substantially vertical heating elements defining a cooking space that is open at least at the upper part of the toaster, the heating elements being in the form of transparent glass walls composed of a glass substrate covered, on one of its faces, with a layer of metal oxide or oxides, the layer being connected to an electric supply circuit for supplying heating current. At least two of the glass walls have an upper rim, or lip, the rim or lip being made of a transparent material.

Abstract: A thermal compensation system for an oven including at least one visible light cooking element includes a thermistor in thermal communication with an oven cavity, and a microcomputer coupled to the thermistor and operatively connected to the cooking element from control thereof. When the oven cavity temperature exceeds a minimum threshold prior to cooking operation, the microcomputer reduces a power level of the cooking unit to compensate for latent heat in the oven cavity and avoid overcooking the food.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has an oscillator for generating an oscillating signal whose frequency is dependent on temperature, a frequency tester for determining whether or not the frequency of the oscillating signal is normal, a heater for generating heat if the frequency tester determines that the frequency is abnormal, and a first hard macro core that is shifted to a normal operation mode if the frequency tester determines that the frequency is normal. The oscillator, heater, and first hard macro core are put under the same temperature condition. The frequency tester employs a lower limit of an operating temperature range of the first hard macro core as a reference to determine whether or not the frequency of the oscillating signal is normal.

Abstract: A system for controlling power applied to a resistor array within a heating pad is provided. The system includes a power supply for connecting the system to a power source, a resistor array positioned within a heating pad for generating heat based on a selected heat level, and a control unit for determining the level of heat to be generated and the duration of time power is applied to the resistor array. In an embodiment, the control unit includes a timing device for generating one of an initial set time period and a shortened time period, at the expiration of either of which the supply of power to the system is terminated. The control unit further includes a mechanism which can initiate the shortened time period in place of the initial set time period. The mechanism may be used to reset the shortened time period to its full duration, after an elapsed period, each time the mechanism is activated.

Abstract: In a sake/milk heating process, the field of view of an infrared sensor is moved by a predetermined pattern in a heating chamber as an initial search. When the field of view is fixed after the initial search, if the temperature variation of an object within the field of view after a predetermined time has passed is equal to or lower than a specified value, various determinations are made, and the field of view of the infrared sensor is again moved in the heating chamber as a re-search. Thus, even if the field of view is fixed at a position where no food item is placed for some reason in the initial search, the field of view will not be fixed in the incorrect position and can be moved again.

Abstract: A toaster includes a housing having an upper wall with bagel half shaped openings; toasting chambers in the housing accessible through the openings and having bagel half shapes; a bread rack in each toasting chamber; inner/outer heating coils surrounding each toasting chamber; electric contacts in the housing for activation of the heating coils; a raising/lowering mechanism connected with the bread racks for moving the bread racks up and down, and including first and second lateral portions connected to opposite ends of the bread racks; first and second guides mounted to the housing for guiding the first and second lateral portions with a small tolerance, a yoke housing connected with the first lateral portion and slidably movable relative to the housing, a lever slidably moving the yoke housing; a yoke slidably movable relative to the yoke housing and closing the electric contacts when the bread racks and yoke are lowered, and a first spring biasing the yoke upwardly; an electromagnet holding the yoke in the

Abstract: A toaster having a ferromagnetic armature movable between an engaged position adjacent to a solenoid and closing a switch and a disengaged position away from the solenoid and opening the switch. A displacement assembly is adapted to move from an up position through a toasting position to a down position, whereupon the displacement assembly displaces the armature from the disengaged position to the engaged position, closing the switch and energizing a heating element and the solenoid, thus retaining the armature in the engaged position. The armature engages the displacement assembly when the armature is in its engaged position to retain the displacement assembly in the intermediate toasting position. A timer de-energizes the solenoid upon completion of toasting, releasing the armature to return to the disengaged position, thus opening the switch and causing de-energization of the heating element independently of the displacement assembly returning to the up position.

Abstract: The method for detecting a boil dry condition of a cooking utensil or vessel placed on a glass-ceramic cooking surface of a cooking unit having at least one cooking zone includes determination of definite criteria for occurrence of the boil dry condition based on the first and second derivatives of the cooking zone temperature, on detection of operation of the heating element power control device and the power input to the heating element in accordance with a three stage comparison of the cooking zone temperature and the shutoff temperature. When the measured cooking zone temperature is well below the shutoff temperature and after a predetermined time interval from last operation of the heating element control device by an operator, the occurrence of positive first and second derivatives signals the boil dry condition.

Abstract: An electro-welding device for electrically welding plastic elements together, comprising: a power source for having an AC current in circulation, an electrical converter AC/DC, heating means electrically connected to the converter for heating the weldable elements, electrical regulating means interposed between the electrical converter and the heating means, the electrical regulating means comprising switching means having successive electrically passing and electrically non-passing phases, the electrical regulating means being subjected to the switch-over rhythm of said switching means for generating a switched over electrical signal.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for automatically controlling the heating element(s) of an electric hot water heater to minimize electric energy consumption over a prolonged time period by projecting the future need for hot water based on it's use in prior time periods as well as by monitoring the use of hot water during current periods. The device saves energy by switching the heater “off” during times when the projected and current need for hot water is low or nonexistent thereby reducing the tank temperature and therefore energy losses to the ambient, while detecting the instantaneous requirement for hot water through utilization of a flow sensor arrangement, one of which is the utilization of thermistors on the exit pipe and on the tank or body of the heater. The device leaves all existing controls intact and may be adapted by end users to existing heaters or by manufacturers of original equipment (OEMs).