Abstract: A method for determining the physical locations of devices located on a series connected network. A mapper routine located on the network severs a device from the network and then requests each device to respond with its respective node address to the mapper. Upon receiving the responses, the severed device is reattached to the network. This severing, requesting, and reattaching is performed for each remaining device on the network. The mapper routine determines the physical location of each device by correlating what responses from the devices were generated for which severed devices.

Abstract: A control valve that minimizes sticking of the plug assembly by particles such as welding byproducts in the associated heating system. The valve port having a continuous decrease of diameter from the port opening toward the valve seat and an additional stepped decrease in diameter adjacent to the valve seat, which enables particles wedged in the clearance between the plug and port to be released and guided away from the port.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze HVAC system or VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously records temperature, air flow, and actuator position data in the controller associated with the VAV box and calculates an exponentially weighted moving average value. The exponentially weighted moving average value may be related to error values, process output values, change in actuator position, actuator position, duty cycle of the actuator, or starts, stops and reversals of the actuator. Such a system allows a person to analyze VAV boxes and controller performance over a particular timely period and the lifetime of the system. Box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system when the EWMA values are over or under particular threshold values.

Abstract: A high pressure water regulating valve is provided having a sealing means capable of withstanding greater interior pressure than previous designs. The valve comprises a base having a passage extending therethrough. The base includes a groove integrally formed in a top surface thereof. An O-ring is situated in the groove and at least one diaphragm is located over the O-ring and the top surface of the base. A pressure plate having a ridge-like clamping bead projecting therefrom is secured to the base such that the diaphragm and O-ring form a seal between the pressure plate and the base.

Abstract: An actuating drive with a spring return feature for valves in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems includes an electric drive (1), a reduction gearing (2) having a return spring tensionable by the actuating movement and serving for the spring return movement, a clutch (3) between the electric drive (1) and the reduction gearing (2) and a brake device (4) actuated during the spring return movement. The brake device (4) takes the form of a centrifugal brake having a fixed brake drum (7) and a rotatably mounted brake shoe carrier (6) on which brake shoes (8) movable radially by centrifugal force are disposed. The brake shoe carrier (6) serves as the clutch member on the gearing side and has a journal (9) having an end pinion (10) engaging in the reduction gearing. The clutch member (5, 11) on the drive side is rotatably mounted on the journal (9) of the brake shoe carrier (6).

Abstract: A transmission for an actuating drive having a spring return feature includes a drive pinion (2) associated with the actuating drive; an intermediate pinion (5) meshing with the drive pinion (2); an output shaft (3) having a clutch (4 for a final control element, and two gears (6, 7) rotatably mounted within the transmission housing (1). Each gear (6, 7) has an external toothing (8, 9) and a rotatably mounted hub (10, 11) so extending around the output shaft (3) as to leave an annular gap between the same and the hub. The drive gear (2) meshes with the external toothing (8) of one of the two gears. The intermediate pinion (5) meshes with the external toothing (9) of the other gear. A coupling sleeve (14) is disposed in the annular gap between the output shaft (3) and the gears (6, 7), is releasably connected to the output shaft (3) and is coupled positively with the hub (10, 11) of one of the gears. The direction of rotation of the output shaft (3) is variable by changing the coupling sleeve (14).

Abstract: A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for data to a software object level containing databases of processes and attributes and database managers. The database managers in the software object level operate to provide data to the high level features in the same format. The software object level communicates with a hardware object level which also contains databases and database managers to mask differences between operational hardware units. By categorizing operational units by type, additional units of a known type can be added with only low level hardware object database changes. Adding units of a new type is facilitated by software changes confined to the lower level hardware and software objects, avoiding software changes at high level features.

Abstract: A system for circulating ventilating air in a space includes a supply air chamber configured for communication with a supply duct, a return air chamber configured for communication with a return air duct, and an outside air chamber configured to receive outside air from an outside air intake. The outside air chamber includes an outside air damper having a plurality of settings for varying outside air flow volume in the outside air chamber. The outside air damper establishes a predetermined relationship between each outside air damper setting and the outside air flow volume. The outside air damper establishes each setting in response to a damper control signal. The system further includes a mixed air plenum in communication with the return air chamber and the outside air chamber and a fan positioned between the mixed air plenum and the supply air chamber, the fan supplying a constant volume of air to the supply air chamber in response to a fan control signal.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based burner control apparatus for use in preventing incorrect ignition signals. An inverting circuit inverts and limits the magnitude of a periodic input supply voltage to create an activating signal. This activating signal is applied to the reset terminal of the microprocessor, which enters an active state during the logic high level of the activating signal and enters an inactive state during the logic low level of the activating signal. The processor is connected to the output circuits, which can only be operated during the positive half-cycle of the input supply voltage. During initial operation of the system, the microprocessor is only active during the negative half-cycle, at which time the outputs cannot be activated. The microprocessor then performs a series of tests on the system, and if all the tests are passed, the microprocessor generates an output signal.

Abstract: A method for installing and securing mechanical elements, such as standoffs and pins, in a plate includes the steps of forming suitable apertures for the elements as desired locations in the plate. First ends of each standoff and pin are inserted into their respective apertures with a portion of each standoff and pin extending through the plate. Pressure is applied to the plate, the standoff and the pin to simultaneously secure the elements to the plate. In a preferred embodiment, the end of each standoff extending through the plate is stamped or rolled over to form a retaining flange. The pins are preferably clenched to the plate by pressing an inverted V-shaped ring into the surface of the plate surrounding each pin. An apparatus for installing standoffs and pins in a plate is also provided.

Abstract: A thermal release coupler employed in a fire and smoke damper assembly, in which the fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame, movable between open and closed positions, with a linkage joining the damper blades. A damper actuator operatively connected to the linkage drives the damper blade array between the open and closed positions. A drive coupler and a connecting coupler are formed from identical coupler units, carried respectively on a drive shaft from the actuator, and a connecting shaft that connects to the damper blade linkage. The connecting shaft is hollow and rotates on the drive shaft. Each coupler unit has a generally circular coupler body, with two connecting, circumferentially opposed ears. A drive post extends from one connecting ear, and a connecting post extends from the other ear.

Abstract: A low-pressure air cycle cooling device for cooling the air in a space. The invention includes a cooling chamber, generally drum-like in form, whose interior is defined by end caps and the chamber inner wall. A powered rotor assembly is carried in the chamber, with rotor vanes carried in slots formed in the rotor. The vanes move outward as the rotor rotates, extending to the vicinity of the chamber wall. Vane tips interact with the air in the vicinity of the chamber wall, producing an air bearing effect that minimizes friction while substantially sealing the volume between adjacent vanes. The chamber is generally ovoid in shape, with the long axis being pinched to produce a waist, demarked by pinch points. In the vicinity of such pinch points the chamber wall is curved inwardly concave, while the remainder of the chamber is curved outwardly convex. Four ports are formed in the chamber wall, two of which communicate with the cooled space and two connect with a heat exchanger.

Abstract: A feedback controller configured to automatically tune a control system by determining proportional gain, integral time and/or derivative time control parameters based on estimates of process time delay, process time constant and process gain values which are monitored by the feedback controller. The feedback controller further determines control limits for estimating the process time delay based on the resolution of the sampled values of the process output and the standard deviation of the process output during the initial steady-state condition. The feedback controller also estimates characteristic areas for a first-order response based on a first-order plus time-delay model to determine process time constant and process gain values. These process time constant, process gain and process delay estimates are translated into proportional gain, integral time and/or derivative time control parameters based on design relations of the particular feedback controller.

Abstract: A switch for interrupting an electrical circuit in response to a mechanical interaction, such as an overpressure or underpressure condition. The switch includes an actuation arm electrically connected to a common terminal. The actuation arm is moveable between a first position and a second position in response to the mechanical condition. The switch further includes an M-blade operatively connected to the actuation arm. The M-blade levers from a first configuration to a second configuration when the actuation arm moves from the first position to the second position. The M-blade completes the electrical circuit in the first configuration and interrupts the electrical circuit in the second configuration. The switch further includes a reset actuator disposed to engage the M-blade in response to a reset actuation. The M-blade levers from the second configuration to the first configuration when the reset actuator engages the M-blade and the actuation arm is not in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual duct control system for use in an environmental control system. The dual duct control system is preferably utilized in a dual duct VAV box. The control system advantageously receives room temperature values, mixed air flow values, and positions the actuators in response to temperature values and flow values. The dual duct control system preferably executes a shower algorithm implemented in software to position the actuators. The shower algorithm provides a scheme for incrementally adjusting the hot and cold air flow setpoints for the VAV box so the internal environment reaches a comfortable temperature within a minimum amount of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously records temperature, airflow, and actuator position data in the controller associated with the VAV box. Such a system allows person to analyze VAV boxes and controller performance over a particular timely period and the lifetime of the system. Box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system when the box or damper is operating below particular performance levels. Preferably, the diagnostic system formats the air flow actuator positions and temperature data so that it can be displayed for graphing. The diagnostic data is advantageously stored in the individual controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus for estimating the rate at which gas is generated in a plurality of zones is disclosed. It includes at least one sensor to measure values of environmental variables of at least two of the zones. Signals representative of the values are generated and provided to a gas flow model circuit. The circuit generates an estimated gas generation value, preferably of carbon dioxide, as a function of the values. The sensor preferably measures the concentration of the gas in the incoming air of the at least two zones and the concentration of the gas in the at least two zones, and may measure the concentration of the gas in the outgoing air of the at least two zones, the aggregate mass of the air in the at least two zones, or the aggregate flow of the incoming air of the at least two zones.

Abstract: A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for data to a software object level containing databases of processes and attributes and database managers. The database managers in the software object level operate to provide data to the high level features in the same format. The software object level communicates with a hardware object level which also contains databases and database managers to mask differences between operational hardware units. By categorizing operational units by type, additional units of a known type can be added with only low level hardware object database changes. Adding units of a new type is facilitated by software changes confined to the lower level hardware and software objects, avoiding software changes at high level features.

Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a fluid-responsive device with a valve which includes an actuator. The valve responds to actuation of the actuator by opening a fluid path within the valve in response to the actuator being in a first position and by closing the fluid path in response to the actuator being in a second position. The apparatus comprises a coupler having a first engagement structure for fixedly engaging the fluid-responsive device at a first end, a second engagement structure for fixedly engaging the valve at a second end, and a passage between the first end and the second end. The apparatus further comprises a damper fixedly situated substantially blocking the passage. The damper is generally capillarized to establish a network of capillary vias through the damper. Still further, the apparatus comprises an extension formed integrally with the damper and proportioned to move the actuator when the valve is fixedly engaged at the second end.