Abstract: A computer-implemented method for collecting, analyzing and displaying energy consumption data associated with a facility includes collecting operational data corresponding to building equipment from the facility. The operational data is fed into a cell among a matrix of cells for intensity transform analysis. The operational data may be ascribed a visual indicator based on one or more predetermined threshold operational data values, thereby generating visual indicators associated with the operational data. The visual indicators may be overlaid on the matrix of cells. The operational data may be correlated with one or more factors internal or external to the facility.

Abstract: A noise-reducing substrate for use in a flooring system which ha a subfloor and a floating floor upper layer. The substrate comprises a series of edge butted panels, each having a bottom surface, a top surface and side surfaces. A profile in the bottom surface of the substrate changes the substrate's effective stiffness improving the noise isolation of the substrate compared to the stiffness and noise isolation of the panel without the profile. Additionally, the profile reduces the weight of the panel, thereby reducing manufacturing and installation costs. Material hardness and profile flatness of the upper surface provide the strength and texture required to allow for installation of the floating floor layer without the need for an additional rigid backing material. Such a system greatly improves the impact noise reduction on floor/ceiling systems while keeping the installation cost low and adding little to the total system thickness.

Abstract: Laminated structures for use in building construction are fabricated by a manufacturing process such that the laminating steps to not require elevated drying temperatures or an extended dwell time at any point. The process employs stock materials that simultaneously reduce cost and improve performance. This is accomplished using a specially formulated viscoelastic glue and ambient temperature drying apparatus. As a result, the production capacity of the manufacturing facility, cost of goods, and delivered performance are greatly improved over existing methods.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multilayer dielectric optical structure wherein one of the optical materials in the multilayer structure shows an optically isotropic state above and a birefringent state below a characteristic temperature Tc near the room temperature. The optical structure reflects a predetermined wavelength range of electromagnetic radiation above the Tc but allow the same to transmit through below the Tc. The predetermined wavelength can be the near infrared radiation from 700 nm to 2500 nm, and the optical structure rejects solar heat in warm summer days but admits the same to interior on a colder winter day.

Abstract: An insulating spacer for creating a thermally insulating bridge between spaced apart panes of a multiple pane window unit comprises in one embodiment, a solid profile of fiber-stabilized aerogel insulation material, treated to be non-porous along its exposed surface. The spacer defines a thermally insulated space between the panes. The result is higher thermal performance for insulated glass units and windows employing these insulated glass units.

Abstract: An improved acoustical floor/ceiling, or wall assembly affixed to a support structure, the assembly using laminar panels. A first one of the laminar panels includes a constraining layer of material with a layer viscoelastic glue on the constraining layer and a layer of material of a first composition on the layer of viscoelastic glue. A second one of the laminar panels includes a constraining layer of material with a layer of viscoelastic glue on the constraining layer of material and a layer of material of a composition different than that of the layer of material in the other laminar panel. In one assembly the material in the first laminar panel is cellulose-based material or wood, and the material in the second laminar panel is gypsum board. Constraining layers of material of metal, cellulose-based material, wood and petroleum-based products such as plastic, vinyl or rubber, ceramic, composite are employed.

Abstract: Sheathing panels are produced by methods which do not require natural resources such as wood and use significantly reduced embodied energy when compared with the energy used to fabricate gypsum sheathing panels. A novel binder, consisting in one embodiment of monopotassium phosphate and magnesium oxide, and combined with various fillers, is incorporated with hollow tubes or water soluble fibers to create a gypsum board-like core which can be formed into a suitable sheathing panel handled and installed in a typical manner. The panel is manufactured to have a desirable shear resistance and water vapor permeability, important performance elements in building envelope design. The manufacturing process results in a panel that does not require mature trees as source material, does not off gas, and involves much lower greenhouse gas emissions than the processes used to make traditional wood or gypsum-based sheathing panels.

Abstract: A soundproof assembly having front and rear panels with one or both of the front and rear panels having a laminar structure. In one embodiment the front and rear panels are spaced apart by a spacer structure and a covering structure is attached around the periphery to provide an enclosed air space between the front and rear panels. In another embodiment the front and rear panels are affixed to each other. In another embodiment front and rear panels are separated by an interior panel.

Abstract: Laminated structures for use in building construction are fabricated by a manufacturing process such that the laminating steps to not require elevated drying temperatures or an extended dwell time at any point. The process employs stock materials that simultaneously reduce cost and improve performance. This is accomplished using a specially formulated viscoelastic glue and ambient temperature drying apparatus. As a result, the production capacity of the manufacturing facility, cost of goods, and delivered performance are greatly improved over existing methods.

Abstract: A laminated structure appropriate for use in constructing walls, floors, ceilings or doors, has a selected area and in one embodiment comprises two external layers of one or more materials such as, but not limited to, gypsum, at least one internal constraining layer having less than said selected area, and two or more internal layers of a viscoelastic glue separated by said at least one internal constraining layer, wherein each of said layers of viscoelastic glue is patterned to cover a selected percentage, but not all, of said area of said laminated structure thereby to allow moisture to pass through said structure.

Abstract: Panels for use in building construction (partitions, walls, ceilings, floors or doors) which exhibit improved acoustical sound proofing in multiple specific frequency ranges comprise laminated structures having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material of varied shear moduli which also function as a glue and energy dissipating layer; and, in some embodiments, one or more constraining layers, such as gypsum, cement, metal, cellulose, wood, or petroleum-based products such as plastic, vinyl, plastic or rubber. In one embodiment, standard wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminated structure.

Abstract: A ceiling panel assembly is provided, including: a sound damping layer including a constraining layer and a first viscoelastic layer; and an acoustical absorption layer coupled to the sound damping layer. A suspended ceiling assembly is provided, including: a support structure attached to a structural ceiling of a room, the support structure including a plurality of support flanges; and a plurality of ceiling panel assemblies, each ceiling panel assembly positioned on the support flanges and comprising a sound damping layer including a constraining layer and a first viscoelastic layer. A method of manufacturing a ceiling panel assembly is provided, the method including: providing a sound damping layer including a constraining layer and a viscoelastic layer; and applying an acoustical absorption layer to the sound damping layer.

Abstract: A laminated panel is provided including a first layer of material having external and internal surfaces; a second layer of material having external and internal surfaces; a layer of viscoelastic glue in contact with the internal surface of said first layer of material and with the internal surface of said second layer of material; said glue including an acrylic polymer in a concentration between 10% and 60% by weight, or a tackifier in a concentration between 1% and 70%; or a plasticizing compound in a concentration between 0% and 15%; or a material with Tg greater than 0° C. in a concentration between 0% and 30%. A soundproof assembly is also provided including a first and second panel; at least one spacer between the panels, and a gap between the panels, wherein at least one of the panels comprises a laminated panel as provided above.

Abstract: Panels for use in building construction (partitions, walls, ceilings, floors or doors) which exhibit improved acoustical sound proofing in multiple specific frequency ranges comprise laminated structures having as an integral part thereof one or more layers of viscoelastic material of varied shear moduli which also function as a glue and energy dissipating layer; and, in some embodiments, one or more constraining layers, such as gypsum, cement, metal, cellulose, wood, or petroleum-based products such as plastic, vinyl, plastic or rubber. In one embodiment, standard wallboard, typically gypsum, comprises the external surfaces of the laminated structure.