Abstract: A method of detecting an operating condition of a controllable flow regulator in a fluid flow channel of an HVAC system, comprising transmitting a sonic signal, from a sonic transmitter, directly or indirectly to the flow regulator, the sonic signal being distinguished from background noise by being at least one of: (i) modulated according to a modulation schema, (ii) an ultrasonic signal, (iii) a frequency selected to be away from background noise, receiving a signal from a sonic receiver for detecting the transmitted signal after interacting with the flow regulator; and determining, in an electronic signal processor, the operating condition of the flow regulator on the basis of the signal received.

Abstract: An air treatment device is disclosed. The air treatment device includes an air duct configured to deliver an air flow. A first filter stage is included and comprises at least one air filter arranged in the air duct for filtering the air flow. At least a second filter stage is also included and comprises at least one further air filter and is arranged downstream of the first filter stage (for filtering the air flow after having passed the first filter stage. The second filter stage is controllable between at least two states with different filtration efficiencies, whereby, with respect to a filtration efficiency in the first state, a filtration efficiency in the second state is lower, in particular the filtration efficiency in the second state is essentially zero. An air quality sensor is also present, the sensor allowing for measuring the air quality of the air flow in between the first and the second air filter stages.

Abstract: A method for operating a control valve using an HVAC actuator is described, the method comprises a circuit of the HVAC actuator executing the steps of: monitoring (S1) a rotation angle (?) associated with a drive torque (Mdrive) applied by the HVAC actuator for moving the valve member; detecting (S2) a blocking of the control valve, if the applied drive torque (Mdrive) effects a change of the rotation angle (??) which is smaller than a threshold angle (?th); upon detection of the blocking, controlling the HVAC actuator to repeatedly change the applied drive torque (Mdrive) between a first torque value (M1) and a second torque value (M2); and controlling the HVAC actuator to periodically modulate (S4) the first torque value (M1) between a third torque value and a fourth torque.

Abstract: The invention relates to an HVAC field device comprising a plurality of HVAC device blocks. The HVAC field device comprises: a) a base HVAC device block comprising: a base housing; an electric motor configured to drive an actuated part, and/or a sensor for the measurement of operational parameters of an HVAC system; a base control module connected to the electric motor, and/or the sensors; a base near field communication (NFC) circuit connected to the base control module; and b) a first add-on HVAC device block comprising: an add-on housing and a first add-on NFC antenna, wherein the base HVAC device block and the first add-on HVAC device block are mechanically connected, and wherein the first NFC antenna is electrically connected to the base HVAC device block.

Abstract: For monitoring and controlling an HVAC system which comprises one or more fluid transportation systems with a plurality of parallel zones, a plurality of operating variables of the fluid transportation systems are received (S1) from devices of the HVAC system. Temporal courses are determined (S3) for the operating variables. Interdependencies are determined (S4) between the temporal courses of the operating variables. Depending on the interdependencies, the operating variables and their associated devices are grouped (S5) into different sets which each relates to a different section of the HVAC system and includes the related operating variables and associated devices. The sets are used (S6) to control the devices of a particular section of the HVAC system and/or to generate a fault detection message regarding one or more of the devices of the particular section of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A motor protection device (1) that includes an interrupter unit (11, Q1, Q2) for electrically connecting a power supply (Vcc) and an electric motor (M) in an operation mode and electrically disconnecting the power supply (Vcc) and the electric motor in an alternative overload mode. The motor protection device further includes an overload detection unit (12) that is configured to monitor a motor current and to control the interrupter unit (11, Q1, Q2) to switch from the operation mode into the overload mode if the motor current indicates an overload condition of the electric motor (M) in the operation mode. The motor protection device (1) further includes a recovery detection unit (13) that is configured to monitor a motor temperature and to control the interrupter unit (11, Q1, Q2) to switch from the overload mode back into the operation mode if the motor temperature indicates a recovery from the overload condition.

Abstract: An anti-rotation connector for releasable coupling a field device with an inner room of a fluidic component via an anti-rotation counter-connector includes a connector stub, an access channel, and a first connector-sided anti-rotation structure. The connector stub has a stub body that extends along a connector axis. The access channel is coaxial with respect to the connector axis and extends through the stub body. The first connector-sided anti-rotation structure is arranged at a lateral stub body surface and is rotationally symmetric of order two with respect to the connector axis. The first connector-sided anti-rotation structure is engageable with a first counter-connector-sided anti-rotation structure of the anti-rotation counter-connector by relatively displacing the connector and the counter-connector towards each other. A locking connector for the releasable coupling includes the connector stub, the access channel, and a circumferential locking structure that is arranged at a lateral stub body surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system including a fluid transportation network that includes one or more network sections, each network section being connected to a fluid transportation circuit through respective supply lines and return lines, each network section including plural parallel zones, includes arranging a pressure regulating device in the supply lines and/or respective return lines of the network sections, arranging flow regulating devices in the zones of the network sections, measuring a remote differential pressure of the fluid in a first zone of the plurality of zones of each of the network sections, and controlling, by a controller, the pressure regulating devices of each network section to maintain the measured remote differential pressure within a specified differential pressure range.

Abstract: For controlling an electric motor to maintain a current motor position, a motor controller determines the current motor position of the electric motor and selects (S41) from a set of stable positions, defined by cogging torque of the electric motor, a selected stable position closest to the current motor position. The controller controls the motor torque of the electric motor to maintain the motor position (S4) within a defined range around the selected stable position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way valve (1) with an A-port (1A), a B-port (1B), and an AB-port (1AB), a valve body (11) and a regulation body (12). The three-way valve (1) further includes an A-sided valve seat (3A), an AB-sided valve seat (3AB) and an auxiliary valve seat (3?), wherein the A-sided valve seat (3A), the AB-sided valve seat (3AB) and the auxiliary valve seat (3?) are each arranged inside the valve body (11) and contact the regulation body (12) in a sealing manner. The A-sided valve seat (3A) is arranged at the A-port (1A), the AB-sided valve seat (3AB) is arranged at the AB-port, and the auxiliary valve seat (3?) is arranged opposite to the B-port (1B), with the regulation body (12) between the B-port (1B) and the auxiliary valve seat (3?).

Abstract: A method of controlling a thermal power transfer of a thermal energy exchanger (80) of an HVAC system (1), the method comprising: receiving, by a controller (10), a setpoint thermal power transfer (Power SP); measuring, by a flow sensor (52), a measured flow of fluid (?act) through the thermal energy exchanger (80); determining, by the controller (10), an estimated thermal power transfer (Power EST), using the measured flow of fluid (?act) and a defined flow rate to delta-T mapping; comparing, by the controller (10), the setpoint thermal power transfer (Power SP) and the estimated thermal power transfer (Power EST); and regulating, by the controller (10), the flow (?act) of the fluid (W) through the thermal energy exchanger (80) based on the comparing.

Abstract: A flow control device for an HVAC fluid transportation system includes a sensor module and a logic module. The sensor module includes a flow measurement system to be connected with a flow tube and measures a volumetric flow of a fluid through the flow tube. The sensor module further includes a first electronic circuit connected electrically to the flow measurement system. The logic module is connected to the sensor module and includes a control signal output terminal and a second electronic circuit connected to the first electronic circuit. The second electronic circuit generates and applies on the control signal output terminal an actuator control signal, using the volumetric flow of the fluid measured by the flow measurement system, for an actuator, arranged outside the flow tube of the flow control device, to actuate a valve of the HVAC fluid transportation system.

Abstract: An electronic access control device for controlling data access to Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) devices of an HVAC system includes electronic communication circuits and a processor connected to the electronic communication circuits. An electronic communication circuit communicates via a first communication link with an external computing device, separate from the HVAC system. An electronic communication circuit communicates with one or more of the HVAC devices via a second communication link.

Abstract: An HVAC actuator (10), comprising: an electric motor (20) configured to move an actuated part (40) coupled to the electric motor (20); an electronic circuit (12) connected to the electric motor (20) and configured to control the electric motor (20); and an energy storage element (22) configured to provide electrical energy to the HVAC actuator (20) in absence of external power supply, wherein the electronic circuit (12) is further configured to receive operating commands directed to the actuated part (40), and to control the electric motor (20) to move the actuated part (40), responsive to the operating commands received in absence of external power supply.

Abstract: A flow control device (1) for an HVAC fluid transportation system comprises a flow tube (10) formed in one piece, a flow measurement system (11) integrated with the flow tube (10) and configured to measure a volumetric flow of fluid (?) through the flow tube (10), and an electronic circuit (12) arranged in a fixed fashion on the flow tube (10) and connected electrically to the flow measurement system (11). The flow control device (1) further comprises a control signal output terminal (13) attached to the flow tube (10) and connected to the electronic circuit (12). The electronic circuit (12) is configured to generate and apply on the control signal output terminal (13) an actuator control signal, using the volumetric flow of fluid (?) measured by the flow measurement system (11), for an actuator actuating a valve of the HVAC fluid transportation system (2) arranged outside the flow tube (10) of the flow control device (1).

Abstract: A control valve (2) for regulating a fluid flow in an HVAC comprises a valve body (21) and a temperature sensor (25) configured to measure the temperature of a fluid (24) flowing within the control valve (2). The temperature sensor (25) is arranged such that the temperature sensor (25) is essentially thermally decoupled from the valve body (21).

Abstract: A method for controlling an air handler includes providing a temperature setpoint to a smart valve in fluid communication with one or more coils of the air handler, providing to the smart valve an air temperature of air conditioned by the air handler, and modulating a valve position of the smart valve using the temperature setpoint, and the air temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining antifreeze content in a fluid of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes receiving, in a processor, measurement data of the fluid, the measurement data comprising a measured temperature of the fluid and a measured speed of sound in the fluid, calculating, in the processor, for each of a plurality of antifreeze concentration values a fitting parameter, using the measurement data and one or more of previous measurement data or previous antifreeze concentration data, and determining, in the processor, an antifreeze concentration in the fluid by selecting the antifreeze concentration value with an optimal fitting parameter.

Abstract: For controlling an orifice of a valve (10) in an HVAC system (100) to regulate the flow (?) of a fluid through a thermal energy exchanger (2) of the HVAC system (100) and adjust the energy transfer rate ({dot over (Q)}) of the thermal energy exchanger (2) in response to a demand value (d), the orifice of the valve (10) is controlled in a first mode of operation where the flow (?) of the fluid through the thermal energy exchanger (2) is regulated within efficiency constraints on the energy transfer rate ({dot over (Q)}) with respect to an efficiency threshold value. Upon receiving an override signal (OS), the orifice of the valve (10) is controlled in a second mode of operation where the flow (?) of the fluid through the thermal energy exchanger (2) is not regulated with respect to the first efficiency threshold value.

Abstract: An HVAC actuator (1) comprises a motor (12), a motor controller (13) coupled to the motor (12), and a heating apparatus (14) thermally coupled to the HVAC actuator (1). The HVAC actuator (1) further comprises a condensation controller (15) coupled to the heating apparatus (14). The condensation controller (15) is configured to monitor at least one condensation parameter, and to control the heating apparatus (14) using the at least one condensation parameter.