Abstract: The heat index thermostat is an electronic, programmable thermostat having a microcontroller or microprocessor programmed to regulate the temperature of an enclosed space, such as a room or building. The thermostat has a user interface that permits the user to select a mode of operation and to enter a set temperature, and input terminals for receiving signals from relative humidity, indoor temperature, and other sensors. In a heat index mode of operation, the temperature is regulated by reference to a lookup table based on a heat index equation. The microcontroller uses the table inversely by using the set temperature as the heat index temperature, looking up the room temperature that would result in that heat index temperature given the measured relative humidity in the room. The thermostat then turns the cooling/heating unit on or off until the measured room temperature is equal to the temperature determined from the lookup table.

Abstract: The heat index thermostat is an electronic, programmable thermostat having a microcontroller or microprocessor programmed to regulate the temperature of an enclosed space, such as a room or building. The thermostat has a user interface that permits the user to select a mode of operation and to enter a set temperature, and input terminals for receiving signals from relative humidity, indoor temperature, and other sensors. In a heat index mode of operation, the temperature is regulated by reference to a lookup table based on a heat index equation. The microcontroller uses the table inversely by using the set temperature as the heat index temperature, looking up the room temperature that would result in that heat index temperature given the measured relative humidity in the room. The thermostat then turns the cooling/heating unit on or off until the measured room temperature is equal to the temperature determined from the lookup table.

Abstract: A computing apparatus is configured to operate under multiple operational policies. In a method for controlling the computing apparatus, a plurality of sensors are correlated with a plurality of actuators. An operational policy of the multiple operational policies is selected to implement and input from the plurality of sensors is received. The inputs are analyzed to identify at least one of the plurality of actuators to be manipulated based upon the correlation and the selected operational policy to implement. In addition, at least one of the identified plurality of actuators is manipulated based upon the selected operational policy.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device having a plurality of components includes a refrigerant line split into second refrigerant lines, which are arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other. Evaporators are positioned along the second refrigerant lines and in the path of airflow supplied into the components or airflow exhausted from the components. The refrigeration system further includes a variable speed compressor and a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a temperature sensor configured to transmit signals related to a detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the detected temperature.

Abstract: A device for sensing at least one environmental condition in a data center. The device includes a chassis, a propelling mechanism, a power supply, a steering mechanism, and a controller supported on the chassis. The chassis also supports at least one environmental condition sensor and is operable to travel through the data center and sense at least one environmental condition at various locations throughout the data center.

Abstract: A device for sensing at least one environmental condition in a data center. The device includes a chassis, a propelling mechanism, a power supply, a steering mechanism, and a controller supported on the chassis. The chassis also supports at least one environmental condition sensor and is operable to travel through the data center and sense at least one environmental condition at various locations throughout the data center.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device having a plurality of components includes a refrigerant line split into second refrigerant lines, which are arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other. Evaporators are positioned along the second refrigerant lines and in the path of airflow supplied into the components or airflow exhausted from the components. The refrigeration system further includes a variable speed compressor and a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a temperature sensor configured to transmit signals related to a detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the detected temperature.

Abstract: A microcontroller for controlling an actuator includes a single wire controller configured to receive data and power from a base station through a single wire bus, where the single wire bus is part of a power and signal cable configured to connect the microcontroller to the base station. The microcontroller also includes a peripheral interface controller (PIC) microcontroller configured to transmit data signals to and receive data signals from the single wire controller, where the PIC microcontroller is configured to receive reduced voltage level from a power wire of the power and signal cable, to measure the voltage level and to communicate the measured voltage level to the base station through the single wire bus.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device having a plurality of components includes a refrigerant line split into second refrigerant lines, which are arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other. Evaporators are positioned along the second refrigerant lines and in the path of airflow supplied into the components or airflow exhausted from the components. The refrigeration system further includes a variable speed compressor and a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a temperature sensor configured to transmit signals related to a detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the detected temperature.

Abstract: In a method for predicting an airflow rate of at least one air delivery device, a plurality of airflow rates through the at least one air delivery device at a plurality of airflow rates of at least one air moving device are received. A conditional probabilistic model is generated with the air moving device flow rates as inputs and the airflow rates through the at least one air delivery device as outputs. Moreover, the airflow rate of the at least one air delivery device is predicted from the conditional probabilistic model.

Abstract: An enclosure forms a plurality of tiers vertically stacked in a longitudinal dimension. Each tier is a 1U modular computer system having a computer chassis configured for mounting in the multi-tiered support, and computer components that need cooling within the computer chassis. A cooling system is formed by a plenum pressurized by a blower. The plenum defines a plurality of configurable orifices in the chassis, each directing pressurized air toward a component. The plenum includes adjustable valves to controllably limit airflow through the orifices, and a controller to control the air pressure within the plenum and the orifice flow rates through the valves.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a vent for a data center cooling system the vent has a body that has a fluid outlet. The body of the vent also has a member that can be adjusted to obstruct the fluid outlet. Mounted to the body of the vent is an electromechanical assembly for effecting an adjustment of the member. The body also has a battery for powering the electromechanical assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device includes a cooling fluid line and heat exchangers positioned along the cooling fluid line to cool airflow around components in the heat generating device. The heat exchangers are positioned adjacent to the heat generating device such that the heat exchangers are directly in the path of at least one of airflow supplied into the components and airflow exhausted from the components. The system also includes valves positioned along the cooling fluid line to control cooling fluid flow through respective heat exchangers. The system further includes a secondary heat exchanger configured to absorb heat from the cooling fluid and a controller configured to control the valves to thereby control the cooling fluid flow through the heat exchangers.

Abstract: A cooling system for an electronic system having at least one heat-generating component includes at least one fan and an operation level setting mechanism. The at least one fan is configured to blow air through the electronic system to thereby dissipate heat generated by the heat-generating component. The operation level setting mechanism is configured to set maximum operation level of the at least one fan, wherein the maximum operation level is based on one or more characteristics of the at least one heat-generating component.

Abstract: In a method for thermally managing a room with at least one air moving device having a temperature actuator and an airflow rate actuator, a temperature of airflow at a first location in the room is received and compared with a first predetermined temperature range and a second predetermined temperature range. In the method, one of the temperature actuator and the airflow rate actuator is varied when the received temperature of the airflow is outside of the first predetermined temperature range and the other of the temperature actuator and the airflow rate actuator is varied when the received temperature of the airflow is within the first predetermined temperature range and outside of the second predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A device for sensing at least one environmental condition in a data center. The device includes a chassis, a propelling mechanism, a power supply, a steering mechanism, and a controller supported on the chassis. The chassis also supports at least one environmental condition sensor and is operable to travel through the data center and sense at least one environmental condition at various locations throughout the data center.

Abstract: A cooling system is configured to supply individually metered amounts of cooling fluid to heat generating components, e.g., processors, micro-controllers, high speed video cards, disk drives, semi-conductor devices, and the like, of an electronic system. The cooling system includes at least one variable speed fan, e.g., blower, configured to supply fluid through a centralized plenum and thereafter through a plurality of nozzles to the components of the electronic system. Each of the nozzles contains a valve to control the amount of fluid flow through the each of the nozzles. A controller is provided to control the operation of the variable speed fan and the operation of each of the valves is also controlled by a controller.

Abstract: A method for operating a data center with a robotic device. In the method, a condition is detected in a location of the data center. The robotic device, which includes a camera and a manipulator, is maneuvered to travel to the location of the data center. The location of the data center is imaged with the camera of the robotic device and an object is manipulated with the manipulator of the robotic device.

Abstract: A cooling system is configured to supply individually metered amounts of cooling fluid to heat generating components, e.g., processors, micro-controllers, high speed video cards, disk drives, semi-conductor devices, and the like, of an electronic system. The cooling system includes at least one variable speed fan, e.g., blower, configured to supply fluid through a centralized plenum and thereafter through a plurality of nozzles to the components of the electronic system. Each of the nozzles contains a valve to control the amount of fluid flow through the each of the nozzles. A controller is provided to control the operation of the variable speed fan and the operation of each of the valves is also controlled by a controller.

Abstract: System and method for reducing temperature variation among components in a multi-component system. In this respect, component temperatures are controlled to remain relatively constant (approximately within 5° C.) with respect to other components, while allowing for multiple fluctuating heat loads between components. A refrigeration system possessing a variable capacity (speed) compressor and an electronic valve is utilized to control the flow of refrigerant through the refrigeration system. The temperature of the components is reduced by metering the mass flow rate of the refrigerant cooling the components to compensate for the heat load applied to the refrigeration system.