Robertshaw Controls Company

Ranco Inc. of Delaware

Maple Chase Company

Kirby W Cartwright

Scott Young

Methods of determining the likelihood of the existence of a dry fire condition in a hot water heater without requiring energization of any of the heating elements are presented. Such methods utilize only the sensor inputs required for normal operation of the hot water heater. Such sensory inputs are characterized in a process of fuzzification to enable the utilization of fuzzy logic rules to determine the likelihood of a dry fire condition before any energization of a heating element occurs. Alternatively, the sensory inputs are assigned logical values and are processed using Boolean logic to determine if a dry fire condition exists, prior to the energization of any electrical heating element within the hot water heater. Upon the determination that a dry fire condition is likely, the controller may perform a soft or hard lockout, may allow reset(s), and may provide an indication to the user of the condition.

Methods for preventing a dry fire condition and a water heater incorporating same

A line-powered module that is selectively operable in one of a plurality of modes of operation based upon the value of a selection signal. The line-powered module includes a control unit that selectively operates the module in one of the plurality of modes of operation based upon the value of a selection signal received by the control unit. The line-powered module includes a selection input that is coupled to the control unit such that the selection signal can be received at the selection input. Preferably, the selection input receives a selection wire that can be moved between different points of connection to define the plurality of states of the selection signal. Based upon the connection of the selection wire, the control unit operates the line-powered module in one of the plurality of modes of operation.

Method of selecting operation in a line-powered module

A multi-function relay module for use with a series of hazardous condition detectors that are interconnected by an interconnect line. The relay module is positioned between the interconnected hazardous condition detectors and one or more auxiliary devices such that the relay module can selectively activate each of the auxiliary devices. The relay module receives the interconnect signal and determines whether the interconnect signal is indicating a first sensed condition or a second sensed condition. A selection signal having multiple states is received by the control unit. The control unit is programmed to respond to the type of sensed condition indicated by the interconnect signal based upon the state of the selection signal. Thus, the relay module can selectively respond to either the first sensed condition, the second sensed condition or either of the first or second sensed conditions.

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Dublin, OH, United States of America

Kirby W Cartwright