Abstract: A method for monitoring automatic mechanical devices selected from at least one of automatic doors and automatic dock equipment located at a commercial site. The method may include installing, at the commercial site, a plurality of internet-of-things (IoT) monitoring devices. Each of the IoT monitoring devices may include a plurality of connectors corresponding to respective data communication standards, and a wireless transceiver configured to transmit operational information. Electronic communication between each automatic mechanical device and one of the IoT monitoring devices may be established via one of the connectors. A device profile may be assigned for each of the automatic mechanical devices. Each device profiles defines a respective connector and combination of manufacturer and device model.

Abstract: A sheet metal construction system is provided with a support strut having an elongated channel. A piece of sheet metal having an aperture is positioned on the strut with the aperture positioned over a portion of the channel. A rivet is received within the aperture and extends into the channel where it grips the strut. In this way, the aperture in the sheet metal can be positioned anywhere along the length of the channel and there is much greater freedom in the placement of rivets. The strut is also provided with channels for receiving braces and hangers for suspending a finished sheet metal product, such as a plenum for a clean room.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan is provided with an inlet cone that serves to measure air flow through the fan. The inlet cone has a flared inlet for receiving air, a narrow throat, and a flared outlet for expelling air into the center of a rotating fan wheel. Pressure taps are provided to measure the static pressure at the inlet and the throat. The difference between these pressures, adjusted for the empirically determined characteristics of the inlet cone, can be used as an indication of air flow. In one aspect of the invention, a controller monitors the pressure differential, calculates a flow rate based on the characteristics of the cone, and adjusts the fan speed to maintain a desired air flow.

Abstract: A clean room ventilation system having a diffuser panel attached to a ceiling grid, with a filter element positioned well above the panel. The diffuser panel is perforated throughout its area with increased size and/or density of perforations in a peripheral region to provide increased airflow beneath the ceiling grid. The peripheral regions may further be angled to create a lateral airflow beneath the ceiling grid.

Abstract: A clean room is supplied with air at a controllable velocity from a blower with a variable damper mechanism. The ceiling of the clean room is comprised of a plurality of panels of particulate filter material Associated with at least some of the panels are air dampers comprised of first, second, and third adjacent perforated plates. The first plate is fixed and the second plate is mounted for translational movement relative to the first. The third plate is interposed between the first and second plates as a gasket to reduce air flow between the plates. By moving the second plate relative to the first, the perforations therein are selectably opened or occluded, permitting the air passing through each panel to be regulated. Air flow through the room as a whole is controlled by the variable air flow feature of the blower.