Abstract: A fully integrated electronic appliance controller for controlling the operation of a appliance (e.g., a gas-fired water heater or boiler). The controller includes an integrated intelligent control system; enhanced safety features including an igniter current proving circuit, a flame detection circuit, a safety limit string and an energy cut-out (ECO) control; an intelligent user interface including a display unit and a communications system; and an adaptive control feature. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to receive as many as four temperature probes (e.g., thermistors). The first probe senses the water temperature at the outlet of a water heater, the second probe senses the water temperature at the inlet of the water heater, the optional third probe senses the temperature at a first location in an associated remote water storage tank, and the optional fourth probe senses the temperature at a second location in the associated remote water storage tank.

Abstract: A fluid tempering system for supplying tempered fluid to hot fluid distribution system, for example water at a constant temperature by controlling the amount of cold water from the cold water supply mixing with hot water from the water heater, to control the temperature of water in the hot water distribution system. The higher temperature water mixed with cold water reduces scalding hazard and also increases the volume of hot water, at a tampered temperature, within the hot water distribution system. The system also eliminates the slug in the tempering system.

Abstract: A heater control system, parts therefor, and methods of making them are disclosed. The heater control system includes a fuel control unit having a thermocouple operated unit in the housing thereof, which has an opening therein leading to the thermocouple operated unit. The tip or end of the thermocouple device is secured in the opening for operative connection to the thermocouple operated unit. The thermocouple device has a unique securing structure which permits the end thereof to be axially moved from outside the housing to a certain desired axial position within the opening and cooperates with a unique securing structure on the housing to secure the end of the thermocouple device in the certain desired axial position.

Abstract: An apparatus for the controlled heating of a process fluid has a heater, a process fluid vessel containing the process fluid, and a bundle of thermosyphons extending between a burner chamber of the heater and the process fluid inside the vessel for transferring heat from the heater to the process fluid. Burners in the burner chamber are controlled to maintain the bulk temperature of the process fluid T.sub.BULK substantially within an operating range defined by preset upper T.sub.HIGH and lower T.sub.LOW temperature setpoints. The burners can be turned on to maintain an outside metal temperature T.sub.EVAP of the evaporator ends of the thermosyphons above a preset dew point temperature T.sub.DEW to prevent corrosion. The burners can also be shut down if an outside surface temperature T.sub.OD of at least one of the condenser ends of the thermosyphons extending into the vessel exceeds a predetermined setpoint temperature T.sub.ALARM.

Abstract: In a vehicle heating appliance, an overhead state is detected by an overheating temperature sensor by means of a microprocessor. The overheating temperature sensor supplies a signal (UTF) to the microprocessor, and when the signal (UTF) exceeds a threshold value, the microprocessor blocks the transmission of driving signals to a driving transistor (Tr) for the fuel dosing pump. A circuit connected in parallel to the microprocessor with a threshold value switch acts as a redundant switching-off device. The output signal of the threshold value switch is applied to an AND-gate whose output is connected to the base of the driving transistor (Tr) and whose other input receives the driving signals from the microprocessor. When the signal UFT exceeds the threshold value of the threshold switch, the AND-gate blocks all signal transmission from the microprocessor to the driving transistor, so that the fuel dosing pump is stopped.

Abstract: A trip-free high limit control for a water heater having a source of heat to heat the water. A switch arm is mounted in a control housing for movement in the housing. The switch arm has a first contact portion at one end thereof. A second stationary contact is mounted in the housing. The contact portion on the switch arm is movable relative to the stationary contact between closed and open positions to control the energization and de-energization of the source of heat for the water heater. A bi-metallic snap disk is mounted in the housing and is movable with snap action between first and second positions of stability at a predetermined overheat temperature. A switch arm actuating plunger is mounted in the housing for movement by the snap disk to open the switch contacts at a predetermined overheat temperature. A reset mechanism is provided which includes a reset spring mounted in the housing in operable engagement with the plunger.

Abstract: A control system for a hot water tank construction, control device therefor and methods of making the same are provided, the control system comprising a switch unit that has a portion thereof disposed remote from a housing of a control device and in a position to sense the temperature of an adverse heat roll out from the combustion chamber of the hot water tank construction and thereby be in an operating condition thereof that prevents an electromagnetic unit carried by the housing of the control device from being in an open condition thereof if the sensed temperature of the heat roll out is above a certain temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides an instantaneous water heater which includes safety devices separately or in combination to prevent the explosion of the heat exchanger in the event of an excessive heating of the water in the heating coil and to shut-off the flow of gas to the burner in the event the atmosphere surrounding the water heater presents a dangerous decrease of its oxygen content or an excess CO/CO.sub.2 content, thus avoiding the risk of asphixiation or intoxication to the user. Additionally, the main gas flow control valve includes a settling chamber for separating the solid particles entrained in the combustible gas and preventing the obstruction of the internal gas passages in the gas control valve, as well as the plugging of the gas injectors of the pilot flame and/or burner nozzles.

Abstract: A safety device for a combustion apparatus comprises a continuous, linear temperature-sensing element formed of a material which is electrically conductive and melts, or breaks, at a relatively low temperature and located along at least one side of a combustion chamber of a combustion apparatus and one side of a heat exchanger thereof. The temperature-sensing element is electrically connected to a combustion control circuit such that, if and when the combustion chamber or the heat exchanger has reached an extremely high temperature, the temperature-sensing element melts, or breaks to cause said combustion control circuit to stop a combustion in said combustion chamber. Lead, tin, or an alloy of lead and tin may be employed as the material of the temperature-sensing element.

Abstract: A temperature control device for a fluid heating vessel senses ambient temperature and controls or adjusts the set point at which power is reduced to an element for heating the fluid in the heating vessel, in order to prevent boil-over of the fluid. The The point is increased for an ambient temperature higher than a predetermined ambient temperature and is decreased for an ambient temperature lower than said predetermined ambient temperature.

Abstract: A control system for a gas water heater including a fuel rate control valve, a water flow switch to control the fuel rate valve, an inlet water temperature switch to reduce fuel flow when inlet temperature is high, a temperature switch at the water outlet to shut off fuel at a high temperature and a temperature sensor at the water outlet to regulate the fuel valve.

Abstract: A hot water heater control device and method for a building such as a home will allow the consumer user maximum savings with a modest investment by allowing the user to program into a control module a particular living cycle and assign a desired temperature to each of a predetermined number of heating start/stop times within the cycle. A means exists for the user to program a desired high, medium, low and off temperature into a control module. Also, any one of several special condition modes may be activated as needed in order to provide maximum flexibility and savings.

Abstract: An instantaneous hot water heater having a coiled heat exchanger (4) through which water to be heated passes. A fuel supply assembly (22) is provided for supplying air and gas to the interior of the exchanger for combustion in such a way that combustion occurs as a series of rapidly occuring pulses at a rate of typically 50 to 100 ignitions per second. There is considerable turbulence in the combustion products whereby good heat exchange takes place enabling very efficient operation.

Abstract: An integrated oil burner control and hydronic limit control arrangement is disclosed. A single transformer energizes the oil burner control and all of the equipment necessary to both operate an oil burner and a circulator pump. This type of device can be implemented in either a simple hydronic type system or in a more complex hydronic system in which domestic hot water is also supplied.

Abstract: A hot water heating system for a building has a hot water storage tank, a combustor, a burner for firing the combustor, a plurality of radiators, a pump for circulating hot water to and from the plurality of radiators, a first thermostat for measuring the temperature of the hot water in the storage tank and for controlling the burner in response to such temperature, a heat exchanger in the storage tank, a cold water inlet line, and a hot water outlet line. The improvement comprises a cold water heating element arranged around a portion of the inlet line, a temperature sensing element arranged in close proximity to the heating element, and a second thermostat for anticipatorily controlling firing of the combustor by the burner via the first thermostat. Also, the second thermostat, via an electrical line, shuts off the pump when the second thermostat is causing firing of the combustor by the burner.

Abstract: A combination refrigeration circuit and hot water preheater is disclosed. Specific temperature sensing arrangements in combination with a bypass circuit and a continually operating pump are disclosed to obtain effective control of the hot water preheating system in combination with a refrigeration circuit. Additionally disclosed is an air conditioning system having a combination desuperheater hot water preheater built into a compressor section thereof to eliminate field connections to a hot water preheater.

Abstract: A control system for a low mass hydronic boiler is disclosed which includes a sensor for measuring the temperature of the fluid exiting the boiler. The level of fuel flow provided to the boiler is reduced when the water temperature exceeds a predetermined high temperature limit. The level of fuel flow provided to the boiler is increased only after the water temperature has decreased below a predetermined reset temperature limit and a predetermined interval of time has elapsed.

Abstract: An electronic temperature control circuit is disclosed for use with swimming pool and spa heaters. The circuit employs a thermistor for sensing water temperature, and provides temperature control with a narrow differential. Safety circuits are also employed to prevent injury to the user or to the heater in the event of a component failure. The temperature control circuit is provided with means for presetting two desired temperature settings and for selecting one of the preset temperature settings for control. Remote control circuits are also disclosed for use with the temperature control circuit which permit temperature selection, temperature setting and a visual indication of heater status from a location remote from the heater.

Abstract: A device for limiting the temperature and pressure of a fluid by controlling the electric current to a heating element. The device includes a cylinder connected with a tank in which the fluid is heated and includes a pressure responsive piston movable within a cylinder against a compression spring opposing movement of the piston. The piston is tapered to a conical or somewhat pointed shape at its lower end to allow a faster escape of fluid from the tank and to guide the piston into an opening in the tank to achieve a thorough seal when the pressure in the tank has been relieved. The cylinder has a discharge opening threaded externally to which is attached an internally threaded discharge pipe, the threading being such that the installer cannot jam the pipe against the piston and thus stop its movement. When the pressure exceeds that for which the spring is designed, the piston compresses the spring and operates an actuator for a microswitch to break the electric circuit to the heating element.

Abstract: A safety shut down warning assembly of the manual reset or recycling type installed at the lower section of a water heater storage vessel inside or outside the wall of the storage tank of the vessel to sense a predetermined increase in temperature above the normal operating temperature in the lower portion of the tank as the result of buildup of lime or other sediment in the bottom of the tank of the storage vessel. The sensing device is then activated by the increase in temperature to shut down the heating unit employed with the storage vessel to heat the water stored therein and/or turn on a warning light or other signal.