Abstract: A method for providing a variable fan-off delay after a thermostat call for cooling or after a heating on cycle for a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The variable fan-off delay may be ended based on comparing a measurement of a Conditioned Space Temperature (CST) to a CST threshold. The CST threshold may be based on a previous measurement of the CST monitored during the current variable fan-off delay. The CST threshold may be an inflection point where the rate of change of the CST with respect to time equals zero plus or minus a confidence interval tolerance. The CST threshold may also be a fan-off delay differential offset or a thermostat setpoint differential where the variable fan-off delay is ended when the measurement of the CST during the variable fan-off delay crosses the differential at least once after the cooling or heating on cycle.

Abstract: A lock includes an electrically powered locking mechanism operable between locked and unlocked positions, a power supply, and a controller for operating the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The controller regulates the amount of electric power supplied to the electrically powered locking mechanism and determines temperature in the vicinity of the locking mechanism, and is capable of supplying first and second levels of electric power to the electrically powered locking mechanism in accordance with the temperature in the vicinity of the locking mechanism. If the temperature in the vicinity of the locking mechanism is within a predetermined temperature range, a first level of electric power is supplied to the electrically powered locking mechanism to operate between locked and unlocked positions. If the temperature is below the predetermined temperature range, a second, lower level of electric power is supplied to the electrically powered locking mechanism.

Abstract: A balanced bipolar ionizer that generates zero or nearly-zero ozone concentration by providing a bipolar ion concentration ratio greater than 80 percent based on a high-voltage output ratio less than 80 percent over a range of electric signal inputs. A signal-conditioning element provides an excitation signal to a step-up transformer which provides an output voltage to a positive and a negative voltage multiplier which provide a positive high-voltage output greater than an absolute value of a negative high-voltage output or vice versa. The high-voltage output ratio is equal to a minimum of an absolute value of a negative and positive high-voltage output divided by a maximum of the absolute value of the negative and positive high-voltage output. The bipolar ion-concentration ratio is equal to a minimum of an absolute value of a negative-ion and positive-ion concentration divided by a maximum of the absolute value of the negative-ion and positive-ion concentration.

Abstract: A method for sealing an economizer perimeter gap to reduce an uncontrolled excess outdoor airflow by applying a sealing material over or into the economizer perimeter gap between the economizer frame and a Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system cabinet comprising: locating the economizer perimeter gap between the economizer frame and the HVAC system cabinet and applying a sealing material over or into the economizer perimeter gap. The sealing material is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive tape sealant, an adhesive sealant, a mastic sealant, a caulking material, and a weatherstripping. The method comprises: disconnecting an electrical power to the HVAC system, removing an economizer hood, locating and cleaning the metal services on both sides of the gap between the economizer frame and the HVAC cabinet, applying the sealing material over or into the gap, reinstalling the economizer hood, and reconnecting the electrical power to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) fan based on at least one Fault Detection Diagnostic (FDD) output wherein a previously monitored HVAC parameter is compared to a current HVAC parameter, and if a fault is detected, and impacts energy efficiency performance, then the FDD output is used to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: turning off a fan accidentally left on, and determining and providing a variable fan-off delay at the end of a heating or cooling cycle to improve energy efficiency, where both actions are based on HVAC parameters including, for example: a heating cycle duration, a cooling cycle duration, a conditioned space temperature and the rate of change of the HVAC parameters with respect to time. The method may be embodied in a fan controller, forced air unit control board, thermostat, or fan motor.

Abstract: A system, method, mobile communication device and one or more computer programs for an access control system for controlling access to a restricted area. In one form, the restricted area is a parking station. In one aspect, the system includes: a communication system; and a computer program executable by a mobile communication device configured to: receive one or more entry signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an entry point of a restricted area; transfer, to the communication system, an entry request; receive, from the communication system, authorisation data indicative of the entity being granted access to enter the restricted area by an access control system; receive one or more exit signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an exit point of the restricted area; and transfer, to the communication system, an exit request indicative of the authorisation data in order to exit the restricted area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to flame resistant fabrics formed of a combination of filament and long staple yarns that exhibit excellent physical and thermal properties at relatively light weights.

Abstract: A method for sealing an economizer perimeter gap to reduce an uncontrolled excess outdoor airflow by applying a sealing material over or into the economizer perimeter gap between the economizer frame and a Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system cabinet comprising: locating the economizer perimeter gap between the economizer frame and the HVAC system cabinet and applying a sealing material over or into the economizer perimeter gap. The sealing material is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive tape sealant, an adhesive sealant, a mastic sealant, a caulking material, and a weatherstripping. The method comprises: disconnecting an electrical power to the HVAC system, removing an economizer hood, locating and cleaning the metal services on both sides of the gap between the economizer frame and the HVAC cabinet, applying the sealing material over or into the gap, reinstalling the economizer hood, and reconnecting the electrical power to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A Fault Detection Diagnostic (FDD) correction method for increasing the cooling capacity delivered by an Air-Conditioning (AC) system with an economizer comprising: correcting/superseding at least one cooling fault/delay, the correcting/superseding selected from the group consisting of: correcting/superseding a High-limit-Shut-off-Temperature (HST) fault/delay based on detecting an Outdoor Air Temperature (OAT) is less than or equal to a High-limit-Control Temperature (HCT) during a thermostat call for cooling to enable economizer cooling otherwise delayed by the at least one HST fault/delay, superseding a thermostat second-stage time/temperature-deadband delay based on detecting an OAT is greater than or equal to an AC Control Temperature (ACT) during a call for cooling and energizing an AC compressor otherwise delayed by a thermostat second-stage time/temperature-deadband delay, superseding at least one economizer second-stage time/temperature delay based on detecting a thermostat second-stage cooling signa

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relates to a system and method for growing ultrasmooth and high quantum efficiency photocathodes. The method includes exposing a substrate of Si wafer to an alkali source; controlling co-evaporating growth and co-deposition forming a growth including Te; and monitoring a stoichiometry of the growth, forming the photocathodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a client-side configurable graphical control element framework are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system may include a client device that may execute a user interface and a data services component in communication with the client device and a data source. The user interface may retrieve a graphical control element configuration file and may transmit a request for data, including a metric identifier, to the data services component. The data services component may retrieve a data services configuration file for the metric identifier, and may request data from the data source based on the data services configuration file. The data services component receives data from the data source and formats the data according to the data services configuration file. The user interface may receive the formatted data and represent the data as a graphical control element according to the graphical control element configuration file.

Abstract: A method for controlling a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) fan based on at least one Fault Detection Diagnostic (FDD) output wherein a previously monitored HVAC parameter is compared to a current HVAC parameter, and if a fault is detected, and impacts energy efficiency performance, then the FDD output is used to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: turning off a fan accidentally left on, and determining and providing a variable fan-off delay at the end of a heating or cooling cycle to improve energy efficiency, where both actions are based on HVAC parameters including, for example: a heating cycle duration, a cooling cycle duration, a conditioned space temperature and the rate of change of the HVAC parameters with respect to time. The method may be embodied in a fan controller, forced air unit control board, thermostat, or fan motor.

Abstract: A system, method, mobile communication device and one or more computer programs for an access control system for controlling access to a restricted area. In one form, the restricted area is a parking station. In one aspect, the system includes: a communication system; and a computer program executable by a mobile communication device configured to: receive one or more entry signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an entry point of a restricted area; transfer, to the communication system, an entry request; receive, from the communication system, authorisation data indicative of the entity being granted access to enter the restricted area by an access control system; receive one or more exit signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an exit point of the restricted area; and transfer, to the communication system, an exit request indicative of the authorisation data in order to exit the restricted area.

Abstract: Apparatus to continuously charge a smart thermostat battery and enable control of a 2-wire millivolt gas fireplace/heating system or a Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system with at least one 24 VAC control voltage signal. The apparatus comprises one diode in a thermostat element or at least one terminal with a diode and a switch in the smart thermostat, and two diodes and a switch device in a switch element. The apparatus is configured to conduct a rectified current signal to charge the smart thermostat battery, and the at least one rectified 24 VAC control voltage signal to energize the switch device to control a HVAC system. The apparatus may be integrated into a smart thermostat with a graphical display to provide simple instructions to easily install the apparatus and the smart thermostat for a HVAC system without a common wire or a 2-wire millivolt gas fireplace/heating system.

Abstract: A solid-state common-wire adapter combines two Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) control signals on a single pre-existing wire to allow another pre-existing wire to be used as a common-wire to provide reliable power to a Smart Communicating Thermostat. The solid-state common-wire adapter may comprise a thermostat element with at least one diode and an HVAC element with at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a solid-state TRIode for Alternating Current (TRIAC), a capacitor, a microprocessor, a power supply, an optoisolator, and a load resistor. Smart Communicating Thermostats require continuous power for communicating with a wireless network, providing a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display, and controlling an HVAC system. Some Smart Communicating Thermostats use power stealing which is unreliable. The solid-state common-wire adapter is reliable, small, low-cost, and easy to install.

Abstract: A Fault Detection Diagnostic (FDD) correction method for increasing the cooling capacity delivered by an Air-Conditioning (AC) system with an economizer comprising: correcting/superseding at least one cooling fault/delay, the correcting/superseding selected from the group consisting of: correcting/superseding a High-limit-Shut-off-Temperature (HST) fault/delay based on detecting an Outdoor Air Temperature (OAT) is less than or equal to a High-limit-Control Temperature (HCT) during a thermostat call for cooling to enable economizer cooling otherwise delayed by the at least one HST fault/delay, superseding a thermostat second-stage time/temperature-deadband delay based on detecting an OAT is greater than or equal to an AC Control Temperature (ACT) during a call for cooling and energizing an AC compressor otherwise delayed by a thermostat second-stage time/temperature-deadband delay, superseding at least one economizer second-stage time/temperature delay based on detecting a thermostat second-stage cooling signa

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, mobile communication device and one or more computer programs for a monitoring system. In one aspect, the system includes a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter having associated therewith a reflector antenna configured to substantially reflect signal transmission toward a detection area; and a mobile device configured to: receive transmitter signals from at least two transmitters from the plurality of transmitters; and determine that the mobile device is located within the detection area based on received signal strengths of the at least some of the transmitter signals.

Abstract: A Fault Detection Diagnostic (FDD) variable differential and variable fan-off delay Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) thermostat control method. The FDD method detects a fan-on setting, reports a FDD fan-on alarm, overrides a fan-on setting, and turns off an HVAC fan. The FDD method detects, reports, and corrects a short-cycle by providing a variable differential based on: a cooling or heating cycle duration, or an off-cycle time. The variable fan-off delay is based on: a Conditioned Space Temperature (CST), comparing a current CST to the CST measured during the fan-off delay, a rate of change of CST with respect to time (dT/dt), dT/dt reaches an inflection point, the CST crosses a fan-off-delay differential, a cooling cycle duration, a heating cycle duration, a cooling temperature split, a heating temperature rise, an outdoor air temperature, a supply air temperature, or the rate of change with respect to time of these HVAC parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus providing Fault Detection Diagnostics (FDD) for a Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) system comprising a permanent magnet attached to a movable damper and a magnetometer attached to a stationary frame to provide a magnetic field measurement of the permanent magnet. The apparatus converts the magnetic field measurement into a damper position measurement and determines a difference between the damper position measurement and a damper position actuator voltage command, and if the difference is greater than a damper actuator voltage tolerance, then the apparatus generates a FDD alarm signal. The apparatus calculates a com puted Outdoor Air Fraction (OAF) damper position based on a measured HVAC parameter, and if the difference between the computed OAF damper position and the OAF damper position command is greater than a damper position tolerance, then the apparatus generates a FDD alarm signal or an actuator voltage signal to correct the movable damper position.