A fluid discharge event detection apparatus measures a change in capacitance to detect the presence of a fluid in a sensing conduit where the presence of fluid indicates a discharge event. The apparatus includes a first conduit, the sensing conduit and a control valve, coupled between the first conduit and the sensing conduit. The control valve is configured to activate and fluidly couple the first conduit and the sensing conduit to one another when the control valve detects at least one predetermined condition of a fluid within the first conduit. A sensor, configured to measure a capacitance value, is disposed about the sensing conduit. A controller, coupled to the sensor, is configured to detect a change in the sensing conduit capacitance value and assert an alarm condition upon detection of the change in the sensing conduit capacitance value.

Disclosed herein are heat pump systems for water heaters. The heat pump systems can comprise a housing defining an interior chamber, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet can form an air flow path through the interior chamber, and an evaporator unit can be positioned within the interior chamber such that the air flow path contacts the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a flue pipe having a cross-section to encourage aerodynamic flow and/or side baffles to encourage air flow into the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a second air inlet to increase air flow and a curved elbow around the first air inlet to direct the air flow path. The air flow path can flow from a top side of the housing to a side of the housing, and the air flow path can be reversible.

Disclosed herein are heat pump systems for water heaters. The heat pump systems can comprise a housing defining an interior chamber, an air inlet, and an air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet can form an air flow path through the interior chamber, and an evaporator unit can be positioned within the interior chamber such that the air flow path contacts the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a flue pipe having a cross-section to encourage aerodynamic flow and/or side baffles to encourage air flow into the evaporator unit. The housing can also have a second air inlet to increase air flow and a curved elbow around the first air inlet to direct the air flow path. The air flow path can flow from a top side of the housing to a side of the housing, and the air flow path can be reversible.

A water circuit purging system for purging water from a water circuit, comprising: a water discharge line; a flow directing device coupling a main water line to a water source and to the water discharge line, and movable between an operative configuration in which the main water line is in fluid communication with the water source, and a discharge configuration in which the main water line is in fluid communication with the water discharge line; a pump for pumping water from the water discharge line when the flow directing device is in the discharge configuration; a condition sensor for sensing a condition of the main water line; and a controller for receiving an indication of the sensed condition and to move the flow directing device from the operative configuration to the discharge configuration upon determination that the main water line is in a predetermined condition based on the sensed condition.

Certain examples of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses and methods for treating a fluid, such as water, when initially introduced into an empty fluid circuit (such as a heating and/or cooling system) via a temporary fluid connection 602 from a fluid supply connector 601; and also for treating existing fluid in a fluid circuit of a heating and/or cooling system. Certain examples provide an apparatus 101 comprising a vessel 102 having an open upper end 103 and a removable lid 108. The vessel includes: a circulating fluid inlet port 104 in a side wall 105 thereof, a circulating fluid outlet port 106 in a lower end 107 thereof, and a combined drain and water inlet port 600 in the lower end 107 thereof.

A tank-style residential and light commercial hot water heater is provided. The tank-style residential and light commercial hot water heater can include a tank, an intake nipple for receiving a liquid into the tank, an outflow nipple for dispensing the liquid from the tank after heating, and a dedicated return nipple having a valve. The dedicated return nipple is configured to couple to a hot water recirculating system, and the valve is configured to open when the dedicated return nipple is coupled to the hot water recirculating system to allow the dedicated return nipple to receive a recirculated form of the liquid dispensed from the outflow nipple back into the tank. When not in use with a hot water recirculating system, the valve may be closed.

A fluid discharge event detection apparatus measures a change in capacitance to detect the presence of a fluid in a sensing conduit where the presence of fluid indicates a discharge event. The apparatus includes a first conduit, the sensing conduit and a control valve, coupled between the first conduit and the sensing conduit. The control valve is configured to activate and fluidly couple the first conduit and the sensing conduit to one another when the control valve detects at least one predetermined condition of a fluid within the first conduit. A sensor, configured to measure a capacitance value, is disposed about the sensing conduit. A controller, coupled to the sensor, is configured to detect a change in the sensing conduit capacitance value and assert an alarm condition upon detection of the change in the sensing conduit capacitance value.

A flushing bypass system, particularly for use in a district or communal heating system, has a primary circuit 2 capable of supplying heat to a secondary circuit 10, the secondary circuit normally supplying heating through radiators 11 and/or hot water from tank 14 for occupants. The primary circuit has a furcated strainer 3 upstream from at least one heat exchanger and a limb of the furcated strainer is connected to a heat exchanger bypass assembly. The bypass assembly comprises a valve 21, which may be a timer valve, a manual valve or a smart valve, having an input 20 connected to the furcated strainer and an output 24 connected back into the primary circuit downstream of the heat exchanger. When the valve 21 is closed fluid passes through the furcated strainer to the heat exchanger and when the valve is open, fluid bypasses the heat exchanger and flushes contaminants from the furcated strainer back to the primary circuit downstream of the heat exchanger.

An electric boiler device based on utilization of residual energy of an elevator includes a heat storage module, an electric heating module and a control module. A heat storage water tank of the heat storage module is replenished with water from a tap water pipe network, and a preheating unit of the heat storage module converts the residual energy of the elevator into heat energy of the heat storage water tank by using an energy consumption resistor. The control module replenishes a heating water tank with water by delivering preheated water to the electric heating module according to a water level of the heating water tank, and controls a heating unit of the electric heat module to heat the heating water tank according to a user-set temperature, and heated hot water is provided through a user water supply pipe network.

A safety valve comprising a valve housing (8) with an inlet and an outlet and a membrane gasket (7) to seal off the fluid connection between said inlet and said outlet. The membrane gasket (7) is adjustably influenced to cushioned closure of the connection against a seat (21) in the inlet. An upper part (20) comprises a stem housing (4), having a stem (1) to which the membrane gasket (7) is connected, a spring (2) acting towards the stem. A control wheel (5), adapted to pull the stem out of the valve seat (21), is connected to the valve housing (8). The spring housing (4) has an integrated buffer (3) with the same internal diameter as the spring housing (4). The buffer (3) and the spring housing forms a continuous guide for the spring (2) and stem (1), and said buffer (3) has a lower surface adapted to form a contact surface for the membrane gasket (7) when the valve is in the fully open position. Also disclosed is a click-fixation for the assembling of the wheel to the stem.