A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer coupled to a conduit to increase a speed of the motor from a stopped condition in response to a call for heat, and receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer responsive to pressure in the conduit. Signals indicating whether a pressure switch responsive to pressure in the conduit is in a first state or a second state are received. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer and the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state. The method includes continuing to operate the motor when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and stopping the motor when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.

An Organic Rankine Cycle power generation system includes: a first heat storage tank having a closed cylindrical shape and including a first internal heat exchanger therein; a second heat storage tank including a second internal heat exchanger therein; a first circulating pipe branched from a high temperature water supply pipe; a second circulation pipe branched from the high temperature water supply pipe; a first cold water supply pipe supplying cold water from the outside to the inside of the first heat storage tank; a second cold water supply pipe supplying cold water from the outside to the inside of the second heat storage tank; and an opening and closing unit selectively opening and closing the first circulation pipe and the second circulation pipe, and the first cold water supply pipe and the second cold water supply pipe.

A residential and commercial sewerage and water drainage safety system and device that includes at least one hollow pipe, with a plugged or sealed top end and a fitting on the bottom end for connecting the pipe in a substantially vertical mounting position into the sewerage or water drainage system, and at least one float switch disposed in the pipe and electrically connected with a water shut off valve, where the pipe is adopted for the flow and accumulation of fluid, so that the float switch activates as the pipe fills with fluid and shuts off the water valve, promoting safer sewerage and water drainage system operation. Additional float switches positioned above or below in the hollow pipe may provide additional functions, such as a warning light and sound to the owner, or a notification via a telephone or cell phone system or through the home network or Wi-Fi system.

A residential and commercial sewerage and water drainage safety system and device that includes at least one hollow pipe, with a plugged or sealed top end and a fitting on the bottom end for connecting the pipe in a substantially vertical mounting position into the sewerage or water drainage system, and at least one float switch disposed in the pipe and electrically connected with a water shut off valve, where the pipe is adopted for the flow and accumulation of fluid, so that the float switch activates as the pipe fills with fluid and shuts off the water valve, promoting safer sewerage and water drainage system operation. Additional float switches positioned above or below in the hollow pipe may provide additional functions, such as a warning light and sound to the owner, or a notification via a telephone or cell phone system or through the home network or Wi-Fi system.

A residential and commercial hot water and steam boiler safety system and device that includes at least one hollow pipe, with one plugged or sealed end and a fitting on the other end for connecting the pipe in a substantially vertical mounting position, and at least one two float switch disposed in the pipe and electrically connected in series with a limit switch in the boiler, where the pipe is adopted for the flow and accumulation of water, so that float switch activates as the pipe fills with water and shuts off the boiler by turning off the gas valve, promoting safer boiler and steam boiler operation. Additional float switches positioned above or below in the hollow pipe may provide additional functions, such as a warning light and sound to the owner, or a notification via a telephone or cell phone system or through the home network or Wi-Fi system.

The present invention relates to a distribution pump arrangement for a bi-directional hydraulic distribution grid (10). The distribution pump arrangement comprising: a hot conduit control valve (20) in a hot conduit (12); a first distribution pump (22) having an inlet (22a) connected to the hot conduit (12) at a first side (20a) of the hot conduit control valve, and an outlet (22b) connected to the hot conduit (12) at a second side (20b), opposite the first side (20a), of the hot conduit control valve (20); a pressure difference determining device (80, 80′) arranged beyond the second side of the hot conduit control valve (20) and configured to determine a local pressure difference, Δp, between a local pressure, p.sub.hot, of heat transfer liquid in the hot conduit (12) and a local pressure, p.sub.cold, of heat transfer liquid in the cold conduit (14); and a controller (90) configured to: while Δp<a threshold value, set the distribution pump arrangement in a flowing mode, wherein: the first distribution pump (22) is set to be inactive, and the hot conduit control valve (20) is set to be open, while Δp≥the threshold value and p.sub.cold>p.sub.hot, set the distribution pump arrangement in a hot conduit pumping mode, wherein: the hot conduit control valve (20) is set to be closed, and the first distribution pump (22) is set to be active, thereby reduce the local pressure difference.

Setting and maintaining proper pre-charge air pressure in a diaphragm or bladder-type expansion tank of any fluid system is essential for safe and efficient operation of that system. In usual practice, pre-charge air pressure checks are done by emptying the system of fluid and connecting an analog air gauge to the air input of the expansion tank. In this invention a pressure sensor that is permanently coupled to the fluid volume of the expansion tank is used to also evaluate the pre-charge air pressure in the tank. By employing a single sensor for both fluid and pre-charge air pressure evaluation, the problem of inconsistent calibration between fluid sensing and air pre-charge measuring devices is eliminated. Using the same permanently installed sensor for every test or adjustment in a given system eliminates the problem of variations in calibration between different sensors or gauges used at different testing times.

A method of controlling a gas furnace system includes controlling a motor of a draft inducer coupled to a conduit to increase a speed of the motor from a stopped condition in response to a call for heat, and receiving pressure signals output by a pressure transducer responsive to pressure in the conduit. Signals indicating whether a pressure switch responsive to pressure in the conduit is in a first state or a second state are received. A first status of the pressure transducer is determined based on the received pressure signals from the pressure transducer and the signals indicating whether the pressure switch is in the first state or the second state. The method includes continuing to operate the motor when the first status does not indicate that the pressure transducer is unreliable, and stopping the motor when the first status indicates that the pressure transducer is unreliable.

A water heater including a cabinet having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path disposed between the inlet and the outlet and having a plurality of upper and lower junctions to redirect the flow path. Each lower junction includes a drain port. A flow rate sensor measures the flow rate of the fluid through the flow path, an inlet temperature sensor measures an inlet temperature, an and outlet temperature sensor measures the outlet temperature. Heating elements are disposed along the flow path between the inlet and outlet temperature sensors, and intermediate temperature sensors are disposed adjacent respective heating elements to measure an intermediate temperature within the flow path. A controller operates the heating elements to heat a fluid within the flow path to a predetermined set point temperature based on the measurements of the flow rate sensor and temperature sensors.

In order to control the temperature of a covering, the process of laying a heating line under the individual covering elements is known. However, this leads to various disadvantages. A functional body for a covering is provided which can be temperature-controlled, has an increased stability and is inexpensive to produce. This is achieved in that a bottom side of the functional body can be deposited on a substrate and a top side thereof can be joined together with the covering. The covering may for example be a floor covering, but may also be a wall covering or a cover element, in particular a tile, a glazed tile, a panel or the like for applications for indoor and outdoor regions. A temperature-control means is arranged on or in the top side of the functional body.