A mattress assembly includes: multiple gas-filled chambers each having a top surface, the top surfaces of the chambers collectively composing a top surface of the mattress assembly; multiple composite sensors each associated with a corresponding chamber. Each composite sensor includes a pressure sensor to measure a pressure at a wall of the corresponding chamber and a temperature sensor to measure a temperature of the corresponding chamber. The assembly includes chamber regulators each in communication with a corresponding chamber, each regulator configured to pump gas at a first, higher temperature and gas at a second temperature to the corresponding chamber. The assembly includes a controller in communication with the composite sensors and chamber regulators, programmed to: receive, from composite sensor(s), state data including pressure and temperature information for the chamber corresponding to the composite sensor; determine, based upon the received state data, information about a patient's position relative to the corresponding chamber; and based on the patient's position, control the chamber regulator for the chamber to modify a pressure and/or a temperature of the chamber.

The present disclosure relates to a directional heat transfer using thermal control devices, including a dual phase change thermal diode and an active contact-based thermal switch. The thermal diode includes a positive temperature coefficient switching material and a negative temperature coefficient switching material arranged in series. The thermal switch includes two thermally conducting surfaces which may be moved to contact (i.e., having a distance between them of substantially zero) creating minimal thermal contact resistance. Both thermal control devices may be used to control heat flow into and/or out of a building.

A thermal relief valve, comprising a housing having a channel, a first aperture, and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture are arranged symmetrically about a central axis, an actuator within the housing arranged about the axis, a first seal secured to the actuator, the first seal comprising a plurality of apertures, and having a first upwardly facing surface, and a second downwardly facing surface, a first spring arranged between the second surface of the first seal and the housing component, a second seal comprising a first upwardly facing surface and a second downwardly facing surface, the first surface of the second seal positioned on the second surface of the first seal and, a second spring arranged between the second surface of the second seal and the housing, wherein the first seal and the second seal are axially movable by the actuator along the central axis.

Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes are provided. In some embodiments, systems for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes that carry a liquid used to heat a heated space and that are exposed to freezing temperatures outside of the heated space are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware controller that causes the liquid to be circulated through the heating system pipes irrespective of the air temperature in the heated space.

An internal combustion engine cooling device includes a piston fixedly mounted within a device housing coupled to a plurality of flow paths through which cooling water flows, the piston disposed facing the interior of the device housing; a cylinder container that advances and retreats relative to the piston and has a flange valve that opens and closes a main flow path of the cooling water; a thermal expansion unit provided within the cylinder container that causes the cylinder container to advance and retreat due to volumetric changes attendant upon temperature changes; and a heat-emitting element provided within a piston casing that heats the thermal expansion unit when supplied with electricity. An insulating cover is provided to the exterior of the cylinder container at a portion of the cylinder container disposed facing the cooling water.

The invention relates to a thermostatic mixing valve with integrated flow diverter provided with a first coupling for a control lever for the flow rate adjustment and the flow diversion through a valve group that is housed between a base and a cylindrical body, and with a second coupling for a knob for the temperature adjustment through a thermostatic device, said valve including a member for the transmission of the flow rate adjustment and flow diversion control that directly connects the control lever to the valve group passing through the cylindrical body without moving it, the latter being also enclosed within an external casing secured to the base and achieving a watertight sealing with the base.

A valve includes an outer structure. The valve includes a hollow shaft that includes holes formed therein, the shaft disposed within the outer structure and translatable from a first position to a second position. A memory metal alloy (MMA) spring is coupled to the shaft and the outer structure, the MMA spring expanding and moving the shaft from the first position to the second position in response to a temperature of a fluid. A valve head is coupled to the shaft and adapted to be biased within the outer structure, the valve head closing a bypass inlet in the first position and allowing fluid to enter the bypass inlet in the second position, and transferring fluid from the bypass inlet into the hollow shaft so that the fluid can exit the valve via an outlet. A pressure relief mechanism may be included.

A fluid valve is provided including an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell includes a sidewall having a first opening and an interior surface defining an inner chamber. The outer shell includes a sidewall having a second opening and an exterior surface defining an outer chamber. The inner shell is positioned within the outer shell and the inner shell is movable relative to the outer chamber between a first position and a second position by a change in fluid conditions of a fluid supplied to the fluid valve. The first opening and the second opening overlap to define a passageway extending from the interior surface of the inner shell to the exterior surface of the outer shell. Relative movement of the inner shell from the first position toward the second position reduces a cross-sectional area of the passageway.

A modified cooler bypass manifold includes a manifold body having an inlet conduit, an outlet conduit, a return conduit, a thermal valve bore, a pressure valve bore and an intermediate conduit. A plug may be installed in the thermal valve bore. In another embodiment, a modified cooler bypass manifold includes an OE manifold body, a first inlet conduit, a second inlet conduit, a first outlet conduit, a second outlet conduit and a valve bore. The modified cooler bypass manifold may also include a pressure bypass valve assembly disposed in the valve bore. An OE end cap and retaining ring may be disposed in the valve bore and operably connected to the pressure bypass valve assembly and the OE manifold body.

A method can include obtaining a set of images of a set of occupants located in an interior environment. The interior environment can have a first temperature. The method can include identifying, based on the set of images, a set of occupant characteristics corresponding to the set of occupants. The method can include obtaining a second temperature of an external environment. The method can include generating, by comparing the set of occupant characteristics to the second temperature, a discrepancy factor. The method can include determining that the discrepancy factor exceeds a threshold. The method can include initiating, in response to the determining that the discrepancy factor exceeds the threshold, a modification of the first temperature.