Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7278587 | Thermal treatment apparatus and thermal treatment method A thermal treatment apparatus and method of thermal treatment are provided wherein the apparatus includes a treatment chamber used to thermally treat an object material held therein, fluid passages formed so as to extend along an outer surface of the treatment chamb... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7252502 | Method and system for combined standing pilot safety and temperature setting The method and apparatus provides a controller (which might comprise a microprocessor) that can control gas flow to a pilot burner in fluid communication with a manual pilot valve and an automatic pilot valve. The exemplary embodiments can comprise a selectable inpu... | 08/07/2007 |
| 6939412 | Method and apparatus for sensing water flow through a dishwasher including a thermal sensor A dishwasher includes a water inlet connectable to a water source. A dishwasher element is operable on water received through the inlet. A flow sensor is in fluid communication with the inlet and is operable to generate a control signal indicative of water flow thro... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6212894 | Microprocessor control for a heat pump water heater A microprocessor based control system monitors and controls a heat pump water heater system and interfaces the water heating system with an external centralized control system. The microprocessor control system includes sensors, safety switches, device in... | 04/10/2001 |
| 6158231 | Temperature regulating system employing thermostatic switching devices to assure safe operation of the system in both hazardous and non-hazardous applications An energy control and transmission system which monitors temperature in piping systems, electronic systems and the like. Energy in the form of a heated or chilled fluid is delivered to the devices and/or regions of interest to maintain temperature conditi... | 12/12/2000 |
| 5322216 | System and method for controlling outlet water temperature of an instantaneous water heater An apparatus accurately controls output water temperature of an instantaneous water heater to maintain a desired outlet temperature. A first electronic sensing device senses a flow of water through the heater, and an ignition sequence commences when flow ... | 06/21/1994 |
| 5056712 | Water heater controller A water heater controller including hot water supply temperature sensor, a return water temperature sensor, a cold water flow sensor, a recirculation loop ambient temperature sensor, and a processor and control unit for controlling the heating of water an... | 10/15/1991 |
| 4880157 | Capacity control for integrated furnace A method and control system are disclosed for operating an integrated heating system for space heating and tankless domestic hot water heating utilizing an infrared burner module and heat exchanger coil. When the system is below 100% capacity, the burner ... | 11/14/1989 |
| 4848655 | Dual heating system A heating system providing an instantaneous source of hot water to either a water sink or to a source of heat or to both. The system includes means for receiving cold water and converting it to hot water where the cold water is converted to hot water esse... | 07/18/1989 |
| 4781324 | Preheat temperature balancing control A supervisory computer automatically equalizes the temperature of effluent streams of a multipass heating system to maximize heat transfer, without substantially disturbing a desired total flow through the heating system. Temperature control is achieved b... | 11/01/1988 |
| 4738394 | Integral liquid-backed gas-fired space heating and hot water system Domestic tankless water heating is incorporated into a space heating system. The space heating system includes a fluid flow loop with a fluid pump for circulating the fluid in the loop and a remote fan coil for transferring heat to the air in the space to... | 04/19/1988 |
| 4700886 | Integrated, usage-dependent temperature control for gas water heaters The control utilizes sensed gas pressure downstream of the thermostat controlled valve as an indication of heat demand. A low limit transducer is placed at 50 to 90 percent of the tank height to maintain adequate heated water for casual uses without exces... | 10/20/1987 |
| 4664096 | Oil and gas water heater An oil and gas fueled hot water heater system having improved efficiency and performance embodies air and fuel regulator valves, water and air supply jackets, cold and hot water insulating check valves, and flow directors and restrictors for the hot combu... | 05/12/1987 |
| 4593654 | Combustion and feedwater controller for a flash boiler A feedwater controller for a flash type water tube boiler wherein feedwater flow through steam generating coils heated by combustion gases is compensated and adjusted, in order to provide proper combustion heat input over a broad range of boiler operating... | 06/10/1986 |
| 4558818 | Batch-type water heating apparatus Batch-type water heating apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which water is heated as it is circulated therethrough, a water storage zone, a flow control device, a water pump, and associated water lines connecting these components to form a closed wate... | 12/17/1985 |
| 4515307 | Hot water control system A hot water control system, for providing unlimited domestic hot water upon demand and for conserving fuel, comprises first temperature control means responsive to temperature in the input conduit to a boiler for controlling the firing of the boiler, and ... | 05/07/1985 |
| 4498622 | Quick recovery heat pump water heater A quick recovery heat pump water heater includes a water storage tank with first and second tank portions, and sensing means for indicating the demand for hot water in the tank portions. A water pump and an external heat source are provided. Control means... | 02/12/1985 |
| 4371779 | Energy saving water heater control circuit An energy saving control circuit for a water heater having a hot water storage tank provided with an electrically operated heater, i.e., an electric heater or an electrically controlled combustion burner, includes a water flow detection device associated ... | 02/01/1983 |
| 4364512 | Zone heat control Each heating zone in a structure includes a thermostat controlling a valve feeding one or more heat delivering devices in a heat controlled zone in a structure. A controller periodically attempts to flow a fluid through the control valves and a flow senso... | 12/21/1982 |
| 4127085 | Automatic hot water heater In an automatic water heater having a casing, a support base, a water tank with an outlet in its top wall, and a hot water intake in its bottom wall, a combustion chamber in said base including a bonnet having an exhaust outlet, and a flue pipe axially di... | 11/28/1978 |
