Abstract: An electrically-powered zone condition control apparatus includes a first multiplexing means adapted for receiving analog status signals emanating from a plurality of passive signaling devices such as temperature or humidity sensors or potentiometers and transmitting these status signals in multiplex fashion to an analog-to-digital converter. The converter changes these analog status signals to digital data signals and directs them to a microcomputer. A second multiplexing means receives binary input signals which may indicate, for example, that an electrical contact is open or closed and also transmits these signals in multiplex fashion to the microcomputer. The microcomputer is adapted to perform algorithmic decisional functions relative to the signals received therein and is adaptable to periodically, selectively transmit digital output signals to one or more of a plurality of digitally-addressable load devices coupled to it by a two-wire communication bus.

Abstract: A stationary horizontal cylindrical reactor for the production of lead oxide comprises a series of horizontal rotating blades to promote and maintain the oxidation reaction, to provide a particle size reduction and to effect centrifugal classification of the lead oxide produced in the reaction. The reactor includes a chamber supplied with raw lead, air and water, and by the use of the entire reactor chamber-blade interface as a reaction zone results in a highly energy efficient and high rate production apparatus. The apparatus is extremely versatile and can be used to produce low free lead (less than 1%) litharge (PbO) and high free lead or leady litharge on a consistent high volume basis.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having one or more cells, a bipolar carbon-plastic electrode element providing in combination a separator, cathode and anode, the cathode and anode each having a space formed therebetween, catholyte and anolyte electrolytes circulated from and to reservoirs therefor via distribution connector means to or from a feed or discharge orifice in the appropriate cathode space or anode space. The distribution connector means is provided with at least a configured offset pathways interconnecting feed or discharge channels and the cathode or anode orifices. The pathways of a connector can be interconnected by a cross-channel having a varying area cross-section whereby shunt current protection capabilities are provided so as to reduce or eliminate detrimental orifice blocking depositions. In one embodiment the cross channel can be provided by means having a constant cross section, but variable length.

Abstract: An electrically-powered zone condition control apparatus includes a first multiplexing means adapted for receiving analog status signals emanating from a plurality of passive signaling devices such as temperature or humidity sensors or potentiometers and transmitting these status signals in multiplex fashion to an analog-to-digital converter. The converter changes these analog status signals to digital data signals and directs them to a microcomputer. A second multiplexing means receives binary input signals which may indicate, for example, that an electrical contact is open or closed and also transmits these signals in multiplex fashion to the microcomputer. The microcomputer is adapted to perform algorithmic decisional functions relative to the signals received therein and is adaptable to periodically, selectively transmit digital output signals to one or more of a plurality of digitally-addressable load devices coupled to it by a two-wire communication bus.

Abstract: A differential pressure transmitter includes a housing, a first chamber within the housing for receiving an input pressure to be sensed and a second chamber for receiving a transmitter adapted to generate an electrical signal representative of the input pressure. The chambers are separated by a continuously formed, highly resilient diaphragm. A reaction member embodied as a resilient spring is disposed in the second chamber for sensing a position of the diaphragm resulting from the magnitude of the differential pressure thereacross. The reaction member has a magnetized structure mounted thereon which coacts with a Hall effect transducer embodied in the transmitter for detecting the relative position of the magnetized structure and therefore of the diaphragm and responsively generating an electrical signal. The signal may be utilized for positioning actuator controlled dampers within a VAV system duct.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing relatively dry, oil free compressed instrument air includes a first compressor for receiving air at ambient temperature and pressure and compressing it to an elevated pressure. A cooler is provided for cooling the compressed air while a vortex directs its cold fraction discharge air to a second compressor. A heat exchanger is disposed intermediate the cooler and the vortex tube for transferring heat from the cooled, compressed air to the cold fraction discharge air. An air-water separator may be disposed between the vortex tube inlet and the heat exchanger for removing any condensed water from the compressed air. The second compressor receives the cold fraction discharge air and generates a supply of instrument air at a pressure not in excess of 25 p.s.i.g. and which has a dewpoint below the freezing temperature of water. A method for producing relatively dry, compressed instrument air is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques. A power transmission is coupled to the drive motor and includes a rotatable output shaft and drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the output shaft in response to digital command signals.

Abstract: A method for communicating binary data using modified frequency shift keying techniques generally includes the steps of selecting a first bit count representative of a first untranslated frequency denoting a data signal at a first logic state, selecting a second bit count representative of a second untranslated frequency denoting a data signal at a second logic state and computing a mean bit count intermediate the first and second bit counts.A signal is detected which has a first component at a first translated frequency and a second component at a second translated frequency and defines a first interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T0 and T1, a second interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T1 and T2, a third interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T2 and T3 and a fourth interval of time having boundaries identifiable as T3 and T4.

Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques. A power transmission is coupled to the drive motor and includes a rotatable output shaft and drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the output shaft in response to digital command signals.

Abstract: In general, a motorized valve actuator includes an electric drive motor having a rotatable shaft for providing an actuating torque. An output member is provided for operating a valve to be coupled thereto and a gear member is adapted to be mounted intermediate the shaft and the output member and in a first position or in a second position. The gear member includes first means for driving coupling of the motor shaft and the output member when the gear member is mounted in the first position and second means for decoupling the output member from the shaft when the gear member is mounted in the second position. In the latter position, the gear member permits the output member to be driven by a source of power external to the actuator.

Abstract: A control apparatus for repetitively verifying the integrity of a main fuel valve control circuit in a standing pilot burner system includes a probe circuit adapted to receive an electrical signal representative of the presence of a standing pilot flame and a first circuit which coacts with the probe circuit for energizing a first relay in response to the electrical signal. A second circuit is adapted to receive a heat demand signal and coacts with the first circuit for sequentially disabling the probe circuit, de-energizing the first relay, energizing a second relay, re-enabling the probe circuit and re-energizing the first relay to actuate a main fuel valve.

Abstract: The compressor motor controller of the present invention includes a hot motor detector adapted to be coupled to a plurality of temperature sensors for detecting an overtemperature condition of the compressor motor. The hot motor detector incorporates logic switching means for generating a motor control signal. A self diagnostic sensor is coupled to the hot motor detector for detecting an electrically shorted condition of the temperature sensors while a low voltage detector is coupled to the hot motor detector for sensing a low line voltage condition. Means are provided for protecting the compressor motor against the undesirable effects of short cycle operation while a lubricating oil pressure detector receives signals from a pressure transducer which are representative of oil pressure.

Abstract: The thermostat of the present invention includes a sensor for providing a signal representative of the actual temperature within a space. A microcomputer is coupled to the sensor and intermittently utilizes power at a first level when in an operating state for controllably generating output signals in response to the temperature signal. The microcomputer is adapted to be connected to a battery as a sole power source therefor. An isolating interface device such as an electromagnetic relay is coupled to the microcomputer and is adapted for connection to temperature-affecting equipment such as a heating or cooling system controller. The relay actuates the equipment in response to output signals from the microcomputer. A voltage detection circuit may optionally be provided for signalling a low battery voltage condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a relatively moist ambient gas in intimate contact with a humidity sensing element includes a control nozzle for flowing relatively dry pneumatic control gas therethrough. The nozzle is adapted to be modulated for controlling the humidity within a space. A rigid control cone is coupled to the nozzle for defining a cavity therebetween and having a fixed volume. The cone includes a pin member which is movable with respect to the cone for effecting nozzle modulation. A discharge spigot is disposed in fluid flow communication with the cavity, the spigot being arranged for exhausting the pneumatic control gas to a region remote from the humidity sensing element.

Abstract: A low level, microprocessor based direct digital system controller includes power supply means for providing a source of regulated electrical power to the controller. A field programmable processor means transfers selected data base information to and receives status signals from a field interface means, digitally executes control and energy management algorithms respecting those signals in accordance with computer program routines selected from a library of mnemonically identified routines residing in the read only memory (ROM) portion of the processor means. The processor means responsively directs programmed data and digital command signals to the field interface means which periodically updates the data base of the processor means, analyzes and conditions signals received therein from the processor means and from remote data points and selectively controls the data points.

Abstract: The hinge of the present invention comprises an I-shaped support bracket including an elongage body member and a plurality of laterally extending flanges. A panel bracket is adapted for attachment to a generally planar panel member and includes means for pivotably coupling the panel bracket to the flanges along a first pivot axis. A door bracket is provided for attachment to a generally planar door member and includes means for pivotably coupling the door member to the flanges along a second pivot axis. When closed, the supported door member is disposed in a reference plane and in generally normal, edgewise relationship to the panel member. The support bracket, panel bracket and door bracket cooperate during door opening and closing for permitting lateral door movement generally parallel to the reference plane. The panel bracket and the door bracket may optionally be configured to be interchangeable one with the other.

Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques and power transmission means including a rotatable output shaft. The transmission means is coupled to the drive motor and includes drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the actuator output shaft in response to analog command signals.

Abstract: An electronically controlled apparatus for controllably positioning pneumatic actuators includes, in a first embodiment, first means for selectively flowing compressed fluid to the actuator and valve means for selectively exhausting compressed fluid from the actuator. An electronic control panel is adapted to receive digital command signals from a computerized controller and is coupled to the first means and to the valve means for actuation thereof in response to the command signals. Means are included for isolating electrical switching transients from the controller.In a second preferred embodiment, the positioner also includes transducer means for generating a feedback signal representative of the position of the actuator piston assembly. A third preferred embodiment is similar to that of the second embodiment and incorporates a control adapted to receive analog rather than digital command signals. An optional high limit pressure switch may be used with any embodiment.

Abstract: A transducer for generating a feedback signal representative of the position of a movable member includes a signal generating mechanism for providing an electrical feedback signal representative of the position of the movable member. The signal generating mechanism includes a first shaft portion having a first longitudinal centerline and a drive mechanism having a shaft member coupled in driving engagement to the first shaft portion. The drive mechanism is adapted to be cable connected to one of a plurality of movable members having maximum travel spans different one from the other. The shaft member has a shaft longitudinal centerline which is concentric with the first centerline, the centerlines defining a first axis. An alignment mechanism is coupled to the drive mechanism and the signal generating mechanism and permits limited movement of the first axis with respect to a reference axis. The alignment mechanism thereby isolates the signal generating mechanism from misalignment reaction forces.