Abstract: An interlock function block system, method, and apparatus that reduces the necessity for a building automation programmer to program low-level instructions using a complex series of ANDs, ORs, and arithmetic functions to protect such devices is provided.

Abstract: A method includes a step of obtaining in a processing circuit a sequence of elements between a first device and a supply air temperature sensor of an air handling unit. The processing circuit also obtains an estimate for time constants associated with each element of the sequence. The processing circuit adds the time constants to obtain a process time constant estimate. The method further includes controlling a device based at least in part on the process time constant estimate.

Abstract: A method includes a step of storing in a memory efficiency characteristic information for each of a plurality of air conditioning units in a location containing a plurality of server computers, the efficiency characteristic information including information representative of an efficiency performance curve for a range of variable cooling output. The method also includes identifying a current thermal load on each of the plurality air conditioning units. The method further includes employing the stored efficiency characteristic information and the current thermal load to identify a first air conditioning unit having a least additional power consumption required to increase cooling output. One or more processing units are employed to allocate one or more processing tasks to one of the plurality of server computers based on the identified first air conditioning unit.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a computer server management system, a data management station of a building environmental control system and a data interface therebetween. The computer server management system is configured to coordinate the usage of a plurality of server computers, the computer server management system executing virtualization software configured to manage application processing on the plurality of server computers located in at least one data center. The data management station is operably coupled to controllers, sensors and actuators of the building environmental control system. The data management station is configured to provide at least some data via the data interface to the computer server management data system.

Abstract: An environmental control device is disclosed and includes a temperature sensor, an audio module, an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system, a memory module, and a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, and the memory. The memory stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and an audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system. The processor executable instructions are configured to receive a current state signal corresponding to one of a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor and an environmental system output signal from the input/output module, determine whether the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event, and generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the audio file in response to determining that the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event.

Abstract: A method includes a step of storing in a memory efficiency characteristic information for each of a plurality of air conditioning units in a location containing a plurality of server computers, the efficiency characteristic information including information representative of an efficiency performance curve for a range of variable cooling output. The method also includes identifying a current thermal load on each of the plurality air conditioning units. The method further includes employing the stored efficiency characteristic information and the current thermal load to identify a first air conditioning unit having a least additional power consumption required to increase cooling output. One or more processing units are employed to allocate one or more processing tasks to one of the plurality of server computers based on the identified first air conditioning unit.

Abstract: A method includes a step of obtaining efficiency characteristic information for each of a plurality of air conditioning units in a location containing a plurality of server computers. The method also includes employing one or more processing units to allocate one or more processing tasks to one of the plurality of server computers based on the efficiency characteristic information.

Abstract: An interlock function block system, method, and apparatus that reduces the necessity for a building automation programmer to program low-level instructions using a complex series of ANDs, ORs, and arithmetic functions to protect such devices is provided.

Abstract: An environmental control device is disclosed and includes a temperature sensor, an audio module, an input/out module operatively connected to an environmental system, a memory module, and a processor in communication with the temperature sensor, the audio module, and the memory. The memory stores a control routine comprising processor executable instructions and an audio file associated with a predefined event related to the environmental system. The processor executable instructions are configured to receive a current state signal corresponding to one of a temperature sensor signal from the temperature sensor and an environmental system output signal from the input/output module, determine whether the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event, and generate, via the audio module, an audible signal based on the audio file in response to determining that the current state signal corresponds to the predefined event.

Abstract: A method includes a step of obtaining in a processing circuit a sequence of elements between a first device and a supply air temperature sensor of an air handling unit. The processing circuit also obtains an estimate for time constants associated with each element of the sequence. The processing circuit adds the time constants to obtain a process time constant estimate. The method further includes controlling a device based at least in part on the process time constant estimate.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods, circuits and devices for providing data center cooling while optimizing power usage effectiveness and/or compute power efficiency of the data center. The various embodiments can provide optimized thermal performance and can reduce power consumption of the data center by strategically locating sensor modules, preferably microsystems with MEMS technology, in the data center and using a processing circuit to acquire data from the sensors and to generate a control law for operating the air conditioning system efficiently. In particular the sensors are operable to measure and provide granular environmental data to further characterize the environmental conditions of the racks locally, and the data center as a whole. The processing circuit may also generate a profile of local racks and simulate a data center environment to develop and test control strategies for implementation in the actual data center.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in connection with an air handling unit includes a controller and a processing circuit. The controller is configured to control a device within an air handler unit, which includes at least a first coil. The processing circuit is configured to receive first information representative of a maximum liquid flow rate through the first coil and second information representative of a maximum air flow rate of the first coil. The processing circuit is further configured to generate a time constant estimate, based on the first information and second information, for use in the controller in performing control of the device.

Abstract: A method includes generating a space information value for each of a plurality of spaces based on at least one environmental condition measurement for the corresponding space. Each space includes one or more computing devices. The space information value includes information regarding the relative suitability of a corresponding space for accepting computing load. The method also includes determining an allocation of additional computing load based on the space information values.

Abstract: An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a multi-sensor package, a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component and the sensor package, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory configured to store sensor data provided by the sensor package and computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor, wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to receive status information related to sensor data in control at a second automation component in communication with the building automation system, and communicate a portion of the stored sensor data corresponding to the received status information to the second automation component.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods, circuits and devices for providing data center cooling while optimizing power usage effectiveness and/or compute power efficiency of the data center. The various embodiments can provide optimized thermal performance and can reduce power consumption of the data center by strategically locating sensor modules, preferably microsystems with MEMS technology, in the data center and using a processing circuit to acquire data from the sensors and to generate a control law for operating the air conditioning system efficiently. In particular the sensors are operable to measure and provide granular environmental data to further characterize the environmental conditions of the racks locally, and the data center as a whole. The processing circuit may also generate a profile of local racks and simulate a data center environment to develop and test control strategies for implementation in the actual data center.

Abstract: A method includes a step of obtaining efficiency characteristic information for each of a plurality of air conditioning units in a location containing a plurality of server computers. The method also includes employing one or more processing units to allocate one or more processing tasks to one of the plurality of server computers based on the efficiency characteristic information.

Abstract: A method includes generating a space information value for each of a plurality of spaces based on at least one environmental condition measurement for the corresponding space. Each space includes one or more computing devices. The space information value includes information regarding the relative suitability of a corresponding space for accepting computing load. The method also includes determining an allocation of additional computing load based on the space information values.

Abstract: An arrangement includes a computer server management system, a data management station of a building environmental control system and a data interface therebetween. The computer server management system is configured to coordinate the usage of a plurality of server computers, the computer server management system executing virtualization software configured to manage application processing on the plurality of server computers located in at least one data center. The data management station is operably coupled to controllers, sensors and actuators of the building environmental control system. The data management station is configured to provide at least some data via the data interface to the computer server management data system.

Abstract: An automation component configured for wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a multi-sensor package, a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component and the sensor package, and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory configured to store sensor data provided by the sensor package and computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor, wherein the computer readable instructions are programmed to receive status information related to sensor data in control at a second automation component in communication with the building automation system, and communicate a portion of the stored sensor data corresponding to the received status information to the second automation component.

Abstract: A line of sight temperature sensor in a thermostat allows placement at locations other than on a wall. For example, the thermostat is positioned in a ceiling, allowing easier wiring access. Wall placement may be used. By remotely sensing user selection associated with a remote location, control of the building automation is provided without requiring user contact. For example, the user places a finger or hand on a graphic for increasing or decreasing temperature set point. The placement is detected with an optical or other remote sensor. The set point for heating or cooling control is altered based on the remote sensing of the user selection.