A manually controlled and operable self-propelled seed bed sterilization system and method is provided for preventing undesirable weeds from growth in the seed bed. The system includes a wheel driven shuttle vehicle having a hot water reservoir, a hot water applicator manifold housing, a dual-function pump and a controllable valve. A self-contained mobile hot water supply vehicle is further provided for use in combination with the shuttle vehicle and has a water heater with inlet and outlet hose connections to permit water flow from the reservoir of the shuttle vehicle to the water heater and back to the reservoir in a continuous flow path. The burner of the water heater is controlled to heat the water to a high temperature in the range of about 205-207 degrees F. but below the boiling point of water not to create steam. The shuttle vehicle is self-contained and is displaced over the seed bed at a constant drive speed by an electric motor driven by a gas generator. One operator guides the shuttle vehicle over the seed bed and displaces the vehicle when required to be positioned over other seed beds by the use of handle bars.

A manually controlled and operable self-propelled seed bed sterilization system and method is provided for preventing undesirable weeds from growth in the seed bed. The system includes a wheel driven shuttle vehicle having a hot water reservoir, a hot water applicator manifold housing, a dual-function pump and a controllable valve. A self-contained mobile hot water supply vehicle is further provided for use in combination with the shuttle vehicle and has a water heater with inlet and outlet hose connections to permit water flow from the reservoir of the shuttle vehicle to the water heater and back to the reservoir in a continuous flow path. The burner of the water heater is controlled to heat the water to a high temperature in the range of about 205-207 degrees F. but below the boiling point of water not to create steam. The shuttle vehicle is self-contained and is displaced over the seed bed at a constant drive speed by an electric motor driven by a gas generator. One operator guides the shuttle vehicle over the seed bed and displaces the vehicle when required to be positioned over other seed beds by the use of handle bars.

A mobile heating system includes an enclosure defining a plenum that houses a fan and an internal combustion engine. The heating system also includes a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pump operably coupled to the internal combustion engine and a first heat exchanger located in the plenum and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic circuit also includes a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the fan wherein the hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and driven by the hydraulic pump. A first valve is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the heat exchanger and is configured to restrict fluid flow and to increase a fluid pumping pressure of the hydraulic pump. A second valve is located upstream of the first valve and is configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid between the first valve and the hydraulic motor.

A mobile heating system includes an enclosure defining a plenum that houses a fan and an internal combustion engine. The heating system also includes a hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic pump operably coupled to the internal combustion engine and a first heat exchanger located in the plenum and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump. The hydraulic circuit also includes a hydraulic motor operably coupled to the fan wherein the hydraulic motor is in fluid communication with and driven by the hydraulic pump. A first valve is disposed between the hydraulic pump and the heat exchanger and is configured to restrict fluid flow and to increase a fluid pumping pressure of the hydraulic pump. A second valve is located upstream of the first valve and is configured to selectively direct hydraulic fluid between the first valve and the hydraulic motor.

A tankless electric water heater system including a heating chamber having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a heating element connected to the heating chamber, a first temperature sensor disposed near the first end of the heating chamber, a second temperature sensor disposed near the second end of the heating chamber, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow of water and disposed near the heating chamber, and a controller connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the flow sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to have a set point temperature, to detect temperature and flow data from the first and second temperature sensors, and the flow sensor, and to provide as output a power setting to the heating element.

A tankless electric water heater system including a heating chamber having an inlet at a first end and an outlet at a second end, a heating element connected to the heating chamber, a first temperature sensor disposed near the first end of the heating chamber, a second temperature sensor disposed near the second end of the heating chamber, a flow sensor configured to detect a flow of water and disposed near the heating chamber, and a controller connected to the first and second temperature sensors, the flow sensor, and the heating element. The controller is configured to have a set point temperature, to detect temperature and flow data from the first and second temperature sensors, and the flow sensor, and to provide as output a power setting to the heating element.

A processor for a controller of a water heater is configured to receive water heater control parameters and an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater. The processor is also configured to determine whether to enter an anti-stacking control mode or to enter a demand anticipation control mode. In the anti-stacking control mode the processor is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, calculate a burner on delay value and set a second timer with the calculated value, and calculate a reduced activation time. In the demand anticipation control mode the processor is configured to increase the variable offset based on a frequency of the demand anticipation control mode being activated, initiate a call for heat, and control, based on the reduced activation time or the increased offset value, the burner.

A processor for a controller of a water heater is configured to receive water heater control parameters and an output from a sensor indicating a measured temperature of water in the water heater. The processor is also configured to determine whether to enter an anti-stacking control mode or to enter a demand anticipation control mode. In the anti-stacking control mode the processor is configured to initiate a call for heat when the measured temperature reaches a trigger temperature, calculate a burner on delay value and set a second timer with the calculated value, and calculate a reduced activation time. In the demand anticipation control mode the processor is configured to increase the variable offset based on a frequency of the demand anticipation control mode being activated, initiate a call for heat, and control, based on the reduced activation time or the increased offset value, the burner.

A method of controlling a gas powered water heater includes attempting to pick a main gas valve of the main burner using a first pick method. The first pick method includes closing a switch of a valve pick system to couple a capacitor of the valve pick system to the main gas valve for a first length of time to discharge energy stored in the capacitor to the main gas valve, and opening the switch of the valve pick system after the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged to the main gas valve. The controller determines if the main gas valve is open after using the first pick method. When the controller determines the main gas valve is not open, the controller attempts to pick the main gas valve using a second pick method different than the first pick method.

A method of controlling a gas powered water heater includes attempting to pick a main gas valve of the main burner using a first pick method. The first pick method includes closing a switch of a valve pick system to couple a capacitor of the valve pick system to the main gas valve for a first length of time to discharge energy stored in the capacitor to the main gas valve, and opening the switch of the valve pick system after the energy stored in the capacitor is discharged to the main gas valve. The controller determines if the main gas valve is open after using the first pick method. When the controller determines the main gas valve is not open, the controller attempts to pick the main gas valve using a second pick method different than the first pick method.