Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for neural network pruning. The method includes the steps of receiving first-order gradients of a cost function relative to layer parameters for a trained neural network and computing a pruning criterion for each layer parameter based on the first-order gradient corresponding to the layer parameter, where the pruning criterion indicates an importance of each neuron that is included in the trained neural network and is associated with the layer parameter. The method includes the additional steps of identifying at least one neuron having a lowest importance and removing the at least one neuron from the trained neural network to produce a pruned neural network.

Abstract: An HVAC controller, a method of operating an HVAC controller and an HVAC system employing the controller or the method. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes: (1) a processor couplable to at least two refrigerant pressure sensors via separate data paths to receive input signals therefrom and further couplable to a compressor stage and a condenser fan to provide output signals thereto, and (2) memory coupled to the processor and storing a software program having program instructions capable of causing the processor to command the compressor stage or the condenser fan to turn on irrespective of a state of an input signal generated by either of the at least two refrigerant pressure sensors, and generate an error message at least partially depending upon whether or not a high pressure shutdown occurs after the processor commands the compressor stage or the fan to turn on.

Abstract: An easy to use test device for the testing of liquids comprising a primary chamber to receive an initial liquid sample and a multiplicity of secondary regions arranged to each receive an aliquot of the initial liquid sample from the primary chamber, wherein the test device is movable in use between two positions, a first position and a second position. The device is especially suitable for carrying out on-site microbial assays with a minimal requirement for user expertise and additional apparatus. The invention also provides related methods and apparatus.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system are disclosed for detecting and classifying hand gestures. The method includes the steps of receiving an unsegmented stream of data associated with a hand gesture, extracting spatio-temporal features from the unsegmented stream by a three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3DCNN), and producing a class label for the hand gesture based on the spatio-temporal features.

Abstract: Systems and methods involve controlling a variable-speed blower in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure the setting of a blower-proving switch to confirm airflow in a building. In one instance, a method involves ramping up the variable-speed blower so that the associated static pressure reaches a making point pressure of the blower-proving switch and then reducing the power to a desired power level. The method may also include maintaining the power level above a breaking point pressure. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.

Abstract: A sensor system for deployment on or close to the seabed in marine seismic surveys includes a central hub, and a plurality of arms coupled to the central hub. Each arm has a degree of freedom of movement with respect to the central hub. The system further includes at least one seismic sensor mounted to each of said arms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure describes a controller for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes an interface and a processor. In this embodiment, the interface is configured to receive a delay originating signal. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to: (1) automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal; (2) apply the offset delay value based on an offset enabled configurable parameter; and (3) delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a thermally reactive thermoplastic intermediate product, in the form of a shaped body, wherein the intermediate comprises a composition, wherein the composition comprises a purified or optionally unpurified softwood lignin and at least a first additive.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to using web resources to determine an answer for a query. Some implementations are directed generally to determining answers to interrogative queries that are submitted by users via computing devices of the users, such as typed or spoken queries submitted via a search engine interface. Some implementations are directed to determining answers to interrogative queries that are automatically formulated to identify missing information, verify existing information, and/or update existing information in a structured entity database.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.

Abstract: An HVAC unit includes an HVAC motor and a system controller. The HVAC motor is coupled to a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to receive a command signal bearing a digitally encoded operating level of the HVAC motor. The system controller is coupled to the motor controller, and is configured to transmit the command signal to the motor controller. The system controller modulates the command signal with the digitally encoded operating level in response to a service demand.

Abstract: A packer assembly constructed of individual slip segments which interlock to permit radial expansion and restrict axial movement. The slip segments are moved outwardly to set the packer by an actuator. Individual slip segments are easily and inexpensively manufactured.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that involve controlling a variable-speed blower in a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to ensure the setting of a blower-proving switch to confirm airflow in a building. In one instance, a method involves ramping up the variable-speed blower so that the associated static pressure reaches a making point pressure of the blower-proving switch and then reducing the power to a desired power level. The method may also include maintaining the power level above a breaking point pressure. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least partly inverting an object. The apparatus having a support for supporting the object, a first guide, a pivotally mounted second guide, and a first and second tracking device each positioned in fixed location relative to the support. In operation, a drive unit moves the first tracking device in a first direction along or within the first guide and continued operation of the drive unit in the first direction causes the second tracking device to enter the second guide, and further continued operation of the drive unit in the first direction causes the first tracking device to continue moving in the first guide in the first direction and causes the second tracking device to move along the second guide and to cause pivotal movement of the second guide to thereby tilt the support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling a supply of air is provided. A unit controller receives a cooling demand signal. In response to the cooling demand signal, the unit controller adjusts an economizer according to an economizing function. The economizing function is configured to achieve an initial free cooling target temperature as a discharge air temperature. The unit controller receives an additional cooling demand signal. In response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller reduces the free cooling target temperature. The unit controller adjusts the economizer according to the economizing function, with the economizing function configured to achieve the reduced free cooling target temperature as the discharge air temperature. Additionally in response to the additional cooling demand signal, the unit controller signals a unit to perform mechanical cooling on a supply of air received from the economizer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of testing a HVAC unit for a disconnected damper motor is provided. An outside air section of a damper assembly is closed and air is circulated through the unit. If a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to a return air temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected. Otherwise, an economizing function having a free cooling target temperature is started. An outside air temperature is compared to the free cooling target temperature. If the outside air temperature is less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if the damper motor has been commanded to fully open the outside air section. If the outside air temperature is not less than the free cooling target temperature, the damper motor is determined to be disconnected if a discharge air temperature is not substantially equal to an outside air temperature.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure describes a controller for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. In one embodiment, the HVAC controller includes an interface and a processor. In this embodiment, the interface is configured to receive a delay originating signal. In one embodiment, the processor is configured to: (1) automatically generate an offset delay value for the HVAC unit upon receipt of the delay originating signal; (2) apply the offset delay value based on an offset enabled configurable parameter; and (3) delay starting identified components of the HVAC unit based on the offset delay value.