Abstract: Air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, each zone having a thermostat, where each of multiple pump modules delivers chilled water to chilled beams in a plurality of zones and a chilled-water distribution system circulates chilled water through a chilled-water distribution loop to the multiple pump modules. Current dew points are determined in zones that call for cooling, and temperature of chilled water delivered to the chilled beams is maintained for each pump module at least a predetermined temperature differential above the highest dew point within the zones served by that pump module. Each zone has a zone control valve to shut off flow to that zone. Serving a plurality of zones from each pump module reduces how many pump modules are required. Zones served by one pump module may be selected to have similar thermal loads. Pump modules may supply hot water when heat is needed instead of cooling.

Abstract: Fire-retardant panels that include: a frame with multiple holes that reduce heat conduction through the panel; or a frame that includes two portions separated by a layer of fire-resistant material (e.g., gypsum, calcium silicate, or gypsum board). Some embodiments include skins (e.g., sheet metal) or insulation (e.g., between skin and fire-resistant material, for instance, within the frame). In particular embodiments, the fire-resistant material is (e.g., midway) between: two skins, two layers of insulation, two portions of the frame, or a combination thereof. The portions of the frame can be: sheet metal, attached (e.g., screwed) to the skin(s) or to each other, or extend around the perimeter. The frame can include: various elongated members, (e.g., parallel) bends, or holes that are: in at least one row, elongated, or slots (e.g., parallel to each other or to the skin).

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling temperature and humidity within a space in a building. Outdoor air and return air from the space are passed through particular equipment in a particular order. Equipment includes a secondary direct-expansion refrigeration circuit, a recovery wheel, a primary cooling coil or direct-expansion refrigeration circuit, secondary circuit coils, and a dehumidification wheel. Various embodiments include modulating the secondary circuit compressor to adjust reheat capacity at the secondary circuit condenser coil, a geothermal direct-expansion refrigeration circuit, a variable refrigerant flow subsystem, fan coil units, multiple zones, a dedicated outdoor air supply subsystem, an evaporative cooler, supplemental outdoor air, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, supply air passes first through the recovery wheel, then through the primary cooling coil, then through the dehumidification wheel, and then to the space.

Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An optimized thermocouple system and a method of optimizing a thermocouple system having a plurality of thermocouple probes and a junction box is provided and includes examining the thermocouple system to identify a first thermocouple probe of the plurality of thermocouple probes, wherein the first thermocouple probe includes a first positive leg and a first negative leg and is located electrically farthest from the junction box. The method includes calculating a first loop resistance between the first thermocouple probe and the junction box and configuring a second thermocouple probe of the plurality of thermocouple probes having a second positive leg, a second negative leg and a second loop resistance such that the second loop resistance is substantially equal to the first loop resistance.

Abstract: An energy harvester article configured to associate with a ferromagnetic flywheel having gear teeth is provided and includes a magnet, a first pole piece, wherein the first pole piece includes a first pole piece first end and a first pole piece second end, a second pole piece, wherein the second pole piece includes a first portion and a second portion configured into an “L” shape, and wherein the second portion is arranged to be substantially parallel with the first pole piece and separated from the first pole piece by a distance L, and a coil, wherein the coil is configured to be wrapped around the first pole piece proximate the first pole piece second end.

Abstract: Fire-retardant panels that include: a frame with multiple holes in at least two rows that reduce heat conduction through the panel; or a frame that includes two portions separated by a layer of fire-resistant material (e.g., gypsum, calcium silicate, or gypsum board). Some embodiments include layers of skin (e.g., sheet metal) or insulation (e.g., between skin and fire-resistant material). In particular embodiments, the fire-resistant material is (e.g., midway) between: two skins, two layers of insulation, two portions of the frame, or a combination thereof. The portions of the frame can be: sheet metal, attached (e.g., screwed) to the skin(s), or extend around the perimeter. The frame can include: various elongated members, one or two (e.g., parallel) bends, or holes that are: in at least three rows, staggered, elongated, or slots (e.g., parallel to each other or to the skin).

Abstract: Air conditioning systems and methods for cooling a space that include a chiller, a cooling coil, a heat sink, various water conduits, and a pump. Different modes of operation are used under different conditions and the water is routed differently in different modes. In a first mode, the chiller rejects heat to water returning from the cooling coil, and in a second mode, there are separate loops of chilled and heated water with separate pumps. In a third (economizer) mode of operation, the chiller is off and water from the heat sink is delivered to the cooling coil. Control valves, check valves, or both, are used to direct the flow of water, which are strategically placed in various water conduits.

Abstract: Air conditioning units, systems, and methods that control temperature and humidity within a space in a building, for example, using a recovery wheel, a desiccant-based or passive dehumidification wheel, a primary cooling coil; and a secondary direct-expansion refrigeration circuit that includes a secondary circuit compressor, a secondary circuit evaporator coil, and a secondary circuit condenser coil. In various embodiments, the system forms a supply airstream that passes outdoor air first through the recovery wheel, then through the primary cooling coil, then through the secondary circuit evaporator coil, then through the dehumidification wheel, and then to the space. Further, in many embodiments, the system forms an exhaust airstream that passes return air from the space first through the secondary circuit condenser coil, then through the dehumidification wheel, and then through the recovery wheel. In some embodiments, various quantities of heat and moisture are transferred between the two airstreams.

Abstract: Ventilating units that include a recovery wheel, a supply air outlet from the wheel, an outdoor air supply fan that moves outdoor air through the recovery wheel, an economizer damper that opens to bring outdoor air directly into the supply air outlet, and an exhaust air discharge fan that moves exhaust air through the recovery wheel and to outdoors; HVAC units that include air conditioning with an air handler supply fan, a recovery wheel, an economizer section, an outdoor air supply fan, and controls; and methods of controlling airflow in an HVAC unit that include controlling an economizer damper based on outdoor and return air temperature and enthalpy or dew point. Some ventilating units connect to a packaged air handler and other ventilating units include the air handler, cooling coil, and air handler supply fan. Some embodiments include another damper that opens to bypass the recovery wheel for power exhaust.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray head for effective fire fighting. The spray head according to the present invention provides a uniform distribution of a fluid, such as pressurized water, over a relatively large area. To achieve this, the spray head comprises a body defining a central axis and further comprising a fixation structure for fixing the spray head to a fluid supply system, a fluid inlet, directing fluid in a first direction, a plurality of outlet holes arranged around the central axis, and a flow path between the inlet and the holes, wherein a first set of holes are located in such a way, that the fluid is leaving the first set of holes in a second direction opposite to the first direction and wherein the body further comprises an arrangement for holding a fire actuation member.

Abstract: Multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems, and chilled-beam pump modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled water distribution system through one or more valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray head for effective fire fighting. The spray head according to the present invention provides a uniform distribution of a fluid, such as pressurized water, over a relatively large area. To achieve this the spray head comprises a body defining a center axis and further comprising a fixation structure for fixing the spray head to a fluid supply system, a fluid inlet, a plurality of outlet nozzles arranged around the center axis, and a flow path between the inlet and the nozzles, wherein a first set of nozzles are located at a larger radial distance from the center axis than a second set of nozzles, and wherein the second set of nozzles are located at a larger radial distance from the center axis than a third set of nozzles, and wherein the nozzles comprise an essentially identical expansion passage section. The present invention further relates to method for providing a uniform fluid distribution.

Abstract: Chilled-beam zone pump modules for controlling zones of a chilled-beam heating and air conditioning system, multiple-zone chilled beam air conditioning systems for cooling multiple-zone spaces, and methods of controlling chilled beams in multi-zone air conditioning systems. Embodiments include a pump serving each zone that both recirculates water within the module and chilled beam and circulates water in and out of a chilled or warm water distribution system through valves to control the temperature of the water delivered to the chilled beams. Different embodiments provide heating as well as cooling, use check valves to reduce the number of control valves required, adjust the temperature of the beam to avoid condensation, change pump speed to save energy or increase capacity, can be used in two- or four-pipe systems, or a combination thereof.