Abstract: Various embodiments include a site controller comprising: a processor; a memory storing a parametrized model for control of a HVAC system; a sensor interface connected to a first sensor; an actuator interface connected to a first actuator; and a cloud interface connected to a remote controller. The processor is configured to: read a first set of sensor signals from the first sensor; process the first set of signals into a set of measured values; transmit the measured values to the remote controller; in response, receive a set of model parameters from the remote controller; read the parametrized model from the memory; read an additional sensor signal from the first sensor; compute an actuator setting signal from the additional signal using the parametrized model and the set of model parameters; and transmit the actuator setting signal to the first actuator.

Abstract: A heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and/or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that integrates with a residential capacity air handling unit (AHU) is embodied in a small footprint HRV or ERV unit that connects directly to the return side of an AHU and to outdoor air inlet and exhaust ducts. The ventilator includes a control system incorporating a processor and sensors that control the operation of the system to provide desired ventilation flow rates under varying conditions.

Abstract: In order to efficiently exchange indoor air and outdoor air, to reduce power consumption, and to reduce discomfort to a user, damper, which switches between a heat exchange exhaust air path and a normal ventilation air path, is provided in an exhaust air path. In addition, a discomfort index is calculated from detection results of indoor temperature sensor provided on indoor-side inlet and outdoor temperature sensor provided on outdoor-side inlet. Further, controller, which switches between the heat exchange exhaust air path and the normal ventilation air path so as not to cause discomfort to the user, is provided to control damper.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and system for generating operational intelligence for a Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) device. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting, via a plurality of sensors, a plurality of ambient parameters with respect to a building at periodic intervals; computing, via a processor, a plurality of performance parameters at the periodic intervals based on the plurality of ambient parameters; determining, via the processor, a plurality of operation parameters during an unoccupied period based on the plurality of ambient parameters and the plurality of performance parameters; and dynamically providing, via the processor, a recommendation regarding optimum operation for the HVAC device during the unoccupied period based on the plurality of operation parameters during the unoccupied period.

Abstract: A system includes a condenser and an evaporator. The condenser is configured to condense a working fluid, and the evaporator is configured to evaporate the working fluid. The system also includes piping that is configured to circulate the working fluid between the condenser and the evaporator. In addition, the system includes a low point configured to collect condensed working fluid. A controller is configured to selectively enable heating of the condensed working fluid collected within the low point based on a working fluid pressure of the low point.

Abstract: A personal comfort system, for use with a bedding assembly having a mattress, includes an air conditioning system configured to condition air within an air flow and a delivery system to receive and provide the conditioned air to a mattress. The air conditioning system includes a housing coupled with a fan and a thermal transfer device having a thermoelectric engine operable for conditioning air within the air flow.

Abstract: An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a pump that sends, to an evaporator, a cooling fluid that exchanges heat with a refrigerant at the evaporator, and a first heat exchanger that exchanges heat between ambient air and the cooling fluid that has undergone the heat exchange at the evaporator. A sensible heat exchange cycle is formed by annularly connecting the evaporator, the heat exchanger, and the pump by using a pipe. This system is also includes an air-sending unit that sends air to a second heat exchanger, moisture absorbing-and-desorbing devices that are provided at a passage of the air sent by the air-sending unit and that are disposed in front of and behind the first heat exchanger, and an air-path switching device that reverses a passing direction of air passing through the moisture absorbing-and-desorbing device, the first heat exchanger, and the moisture absorbing-and-desorbing device.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes at least one outdoor unit including a compressor, a four-way valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger, at least one indoor unit including an indoor unit expansion valve and an indoor unit heat exchanger, and at least one humidity control device including a humidity control device expansion valve, a humidity control device heat exchanger, and first and second water adsorption/desorption devices. The compressor, the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit expansion valve, the indoor unit heat exchanger, the humidity control device expansion valve, and the humidity control device heat exchanger are connected to each other with pipes so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: An HVAC device including a compressor and a first blower disposed along ventilation pipes for taking in interior air of the vehicle through a duct in communication with the first blower. An evaporator and dehumidifying member may be disposed along the ventilation pipes and in communication with the first blower. The device includes a condenser and an electrical heating unit disposed along the ventilation pipes and in communication with the first blower, and a vehicle interior air reflux duct disposed along the ventilation pipes and in communication with first blower and the interior of the vehicle. A second blower disposed along the ventilation pipes for taking in air outside of the vehicle through another duct, and a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct disposed along the ventilation pipes and in communication with the second blower. The device includes several modes for creating different flow paths through the vehicle.

Abstract: A dehumidifier system has a solution, a refrigerant, a first heat exchanger cooperative with the solution so as to pass a warmed solution therefrom, a second heat exchanger cooperative with the warmed solution so as to increase in temperature of the warmed solution, a radiator, a fan cooperative with the radiator such that the fan blows air across the radiator as the warmed solution is passed through or along the radiator and such that the air absorbs moisture and increases in temperature is the air passes through the radiator, and an evaporator having the refrigerant passing along or through thereof. The evaporator cooperates with the increased temperature air such that heat from the increased temperature air is transferred to the refrigerant and such that moisture is created therefrom. A compressor is cooperative with the evaporator and with the second heat exchanger so as to pressurize the refrigerant passing into the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus captures and evacuates air from an area above a body of liquid, particularly a swimming pool. The apparatus exhausts the contaminants and water vapor to an area outside of an enclosure housing the swimming pool. A perimeter deck drain assembly extends around the pool and is connected to at least one conduit for collecting and draining deck water, at least one tray for directing the water in the conduit to a drain, a grating system for receiving water from the pool deck, at least one exhaust conduit, and at least one exhaust apparatus for directing the contaminants and water vapor to a desired area. The evacuation apparatus may be in the form of a bench positioned on a floor or deck surrounding a pool. The invention also provides an associated method for evacuating contaminants.

Abstract: A combined hot water supply and air-conditioning device heat source even in a case where the outside air temperature is high such as in summertime. In heating operation, a combined hot water supply and air-conditioning device controls the capacity of a heat source unit-side heat exchanger equipped to a heat source unit to thereby achieve a balance between the load of the heat source unit, and the total load of indoor units and a hot water supply unit.

Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a fracture plug used during a fracture operation, installs in a downhole tubular, such as casing. The tool has a mandrel with a sealing element disposed thereon between uphole and downhole ends. Slip assemblies on the mandrel can be moved to engage the downhole tubular. The uphole assembly has inserts composed of ceramic material, and the downhole assembly has inserts composed of a metallic material. When the tool is used as a bridge plug, the uphole assembly supports the sealing element compressed, and the downhole assembly supports fluid pressure downhole of the tool. In one particular embodiment, the metallic material is a powdered metal material, such as a sintered-hardened powdered metal steel having a balance of iron, an admixture of carbon, and alloy components of molybdenum, chromium, and manganese.

Abstract: An HVAC system for controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to a comfort zone includes a heater and a cooler operating concurrently. In response to a supply air temperature sensor, a PID control loop with substantially constant gain controls the cooler to maintain the zone air at a certain comfortable temperature. The heater, also under PID control, is controlled in response to a humidistat. To prevent the heater from overloading the cooler during periods of high cooling demand, a variable gain multiplier decreases the heater's gain when the cooler's output exceeds a predetermined limit; otherwise, the heater's gain remains substantially constant. When the cooler is operating above the predetermined limit, the multiplier varies linearly between positive-one and negative-one and does so inverse-proportionally with the cooling load to smoothly change the heater's PID control from direct acting to reverse acting as the cooler approaches its maximum capacity.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) monitoring and reporting system and a method of monitoring and reporting information on an ERV. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a processor configured to carry out a plurality of monitoring and reporting functions on the ERV based on a model, and types and locations of sensors, of the ERV, (2) a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store data gathered from the sensors and (3) a commissioning database associated with the memory and configured to contain commissioning data regarding the model of the ERV.

Abstract: A method for determining at least one control signal for controlling an air conditioning system for an interior space of a vehicle. Depending on measured state variables of the interior climate, an interior climate value is calculated from measurements of the interior temperature and from measurements of the interior air humidity by a signal-processing function. An air quality value describing the air quality is calculated from measurements of the percentage of volatile organic compounds in the internal atmosphere by a signal-processing function. A control signal for an air conditioning system is calculated from the interior climate value and the air quality value by at least one signal-processing function. Further, a device for performing the method as well as to a vehicle with the device.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the storage and preparation of a container of milk for feeding is disclosed. The system employs collected information associated with the infant or the caregiver to initiate controls of the temperature of the milk without the user's interaction.

Abstract: A data center cooling system includes an evaporative cooling system. The evaporative cooling system includes fans configured to circulate outside air at ambient conditions through an entry zone of a data center, and atomizers positioned upstream of the entry zone configured to spray atomized water into the circulating outside air. The atomized water evaporates in an evaporation zone and cools the outside air to produce cooled air, which is directed through racks of computers positioned downstream of the evaporation zone.

Abstract: An on-off valve and a bypass pipe which bypasses the on-off valve are connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of a humidity control circuit. A pressure-reducing valve is connected to the bypass pipe. Before switching a four-way valve, a degree of opening of the pressure-reducing valve is reduced to reduce a pressure difference between high and low pressure in the humidity control circuit. After that, the on-off valve is closed for pressure equalization between the high and low pressure in the humidity control circuit.

Abstract: An illustrative system including a hermetically sealable housing having a hermetically sealable satellite display unit and a drawer. The satellite display unit is configured for reversible engagement with the housing via a satellite receptacle and includes UV light reducing display unit walls and a means for becoming hermetically sealed. The drawer is configured for reversible engagement within a drawer receptacle of the housing and at least partially seals the housing when engaged with the receptacle. The housing further includes a desiccant unit in sealed communication with the satellite display unit and the drawer, thereby enabling alteration of climates therein.

Abstract: A temperature sensor assembly may include a thermally insulating body, a temperature sensing element within the body, and a thermally conductive element exposed externally of the body and in thermal communication with the temperature sensing element. The thermally conductive element may have a substantially planar exposed upper surface, with the temperature sensing element in thermal communication with a lower surface of the thermally conductive element. A thermally insulating housing assembly may have an upper end surrounding and supporting the temperature sensing element, with the housing assembly extending downwardly away from the lower surface of the thermally conductive element and having an internal air gap surrounding leads for the temperature sensing element. A mirror mounting system may include a mounting bracket adapted for releasable connection to a vehicle window, with the sensor assembly resiliently mounted to the bracket and urged against the window when the bracket is connected to the window.

Abstract: A control system for providing thermal management of electronic equipment housed in a cabinet enclosure. The system can include a plurality of sensors in proximity to the cabinet enclosure for monitoring a temperature, a pressure and a humidity associated with the electronic equipment; and a controller in communication with the sensors for receiving data from the sensors, where the controller adjusts the temperature, the pressure and the humidity associated with the electronic equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an environment in a green-house, the apparatus comprising: first and second heat exchangers, each comprising a radiator and a fan system for driving air through the radiator; a first refrigerant circulation system that circulates a refrigerant fluid between and through the radiators; a heater controllable to heat the refrigerant; a controller that controls the apparatus to operate selectively in a maintenance mode or a flush mode, wherein in the maintenance mode the heater heats the refrigerant and the first and second fan systems drive air from outside to inside the greenhouse and through the radiators to acquire heat from the refrigerant, and in the flush mode the first fan system vents air from inside to outside the greenhouse through its respective radiator to deposit heat in the refrigerant and the second fan system drives air from outside to inside the greenhouse and through its respective radiator to acquire the heat deposited in the refrigerant.

Abstract: A method of cooling inlet air to an engine includes pressurizing the inlet air during a first compression stage, and further pressurizing the inlet air during a second compression stage. Heat is transferred from the inlet air to a primary coolant liquid between the first compression stage and the second compression stage, and heat is transferred selectively, variably, or selectively and variably from the primary coolant liquid to a fuel of the engine.

Abstract: An air conditioner for an electric vehicle is provided, which may minimize both use of a battery and use of an engine to heat an interior space of the electric vehicle, thereby increasing mileage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which includes a dust detector, a voltage source, and a controller. The dust detector includes two opposing surfaces and a conductive dust sensor. The two opposing surfaces are disposed in spaced, opposing relation to allow for the passage of airflow between the surfaces, and the conductive dust sensor is disposed at a surface of the two opposing surfaces. The voltage source is configured and controlled to establish an electrostatic field at least partially between the two opposing surfaces to facilitate directing conductive particles in the airflow passing between the two opposing surfaces towards the dust sensor. The controller monitors for a leakage current within the conductive dust sensor and determines whether the leakage current exceeds a predetermined trigger level indicative of the presence of conductive dust, and if so, automatically indicates a conductive dust warning.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting low levels of humidity (i.e. less than 10%) inside an automotive vehicle is provided whereby the total absolute humidity inside the vehicle is determined by multiplying the number of occupants in the vehicle by an absolute humidity factor to obtain a total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants. The absolute humidity outside the vehicle is added to the total absolute humidity expelled by the vehicle occupants to arrive at a total vehicle cabin absolute humidity.

Abstract: A system for controlling air-conditioning of a vehicle includes an input, an offset generator module, and an evaporator temperature control module. The input receives an input temperature. The offset generator module receives a psychrometric parameter of air inside the vehicle and generates offsets based on the input temperature and the psychrometric parameter. The evaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporator temperature based on the offsets.

Abstract: A system and method for energy recovery and humidity control comprises an enclosure (12) with a plurality of ports (86,90,92,94,86) connected to a plurality of ducts (14,16,18,20,22) The system has an enthalpy exchange core (136) exchanging heat and humidity between first air stream (35) and a second air stream (37), and a heat exchange sub-core (134) exchanging heat between the first air stream (35) and a third air stream (39), and fans (34,38,36) for circulating the first air stream (35), the second air stream (37) and the third air stream (39) respectively, and a controller (40) for controlling the fans (34,36,38) and regulating the flows of the first air stream (35), the second air stream (37) and the third air stream (39).

Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling a humidity level within an enclosed volume storage device and methods for using same. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a container having outer walls defining an inner volume, at least one of the outer walls, preferably an lid wall, having perforations therein. The apparatus further comprises a composition capable of adsorbing and desorbing water and contained in the inner volume of the container. The composition is hydrated to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of the composition. The methods include a step of hydrating the composition in an apparatus of the invention to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of composition.

Abstract: A humidifier is provided and includes a membrane, which is permeable to water of a condensate supply but impermeable to acid of the condensate supply and a housing system to urge airflow across the membrane to humidify air with the water of the condensate supply.

Abstract: A humidifier (1), including at least one housing (2), in which multiple fibers (3) constructed as water-permeable hollow fiber membranes are arranged, wherein a first air stream (4) is passed inside the fibers (3) and a second air stream (5) is passed outside the fibers (3), and wherein the housing (2) is of flattened design.

Abstract: This invention is about a climate simulation system (10) which provides with minimum energy consumption, the growth under preferred climate conditions and monitoring of living species such as plant, bacteria and insects in research laboratories, which minimizes the temperature fluctuation within the air-conditioning chamber and which provides the cooling of air-conditioning chamber (20) by use of cold accumulation.

Abstract: A heat pump system for conditioning outside air supplied to a building is provided. The system includes a pre-processing module that receives and cools air when the system is operating in a summer mode. A supply air heat exchanger is in flow communication with the pre-processing module. The supply air heat exchanger receives and cools air from the pre-processing module in the summer mode. A processing module is in flow communication with the supply air heat exchanger. The processing module receives and dehumidifies saturated air from the supply air heat exchanger in the summer mode.

Abstract: An air conditioner control apparatus capable of suppressing electric power consumed by an air conditioner which is for cooling the interior of a room, as well as a cooling system and an air conditioner control program, are provided. An air conditioner control apparatus 13 according to a first embodiment makes control to carry out a dehumidifying operation for removing moisture present in the interior of a room prior to execution of a cooling operation for cooling the interior of the room in which an indoor unit 11 is installed.

Abstract: According to one example of the present invention, a cooling system is provided. The cooling system comprises a water-cooled air conditioning module for cooling air from a chamber. The chamber is arranged for receiving air to be cooled and hot humid air. The cooling system also comprises a control system for controlling the flow of hot humid air to the chamber such that the air input to the air conditioning module has a predetermined relative humidity level within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for performing a prioritized determining of a climate conditioning to be provided to a zone in a multiple zone structure. In one embodiment of the invention, the determining of a climate conditioning to be provided to a zone is to be a prioritized determining, where a climate control condition is determined to satisfy a priority condition of the first zone. In another embodiment, the first priority condition associated with the first zone is based at least in part on an assigning of a first priority to the first zone.

Abstract: A data center cooling system includes an evaporative cooling system. The evaporative cooling system includes fans configured to circulate outside air at ambient conditions through an entry zone of a data center, and atomizers positioned upstream of the entry zone configured to spray atomized water into the circulating outside air. The atomized water evaporates in an evaporation zone and cools the outside air to produce cooled air, which is directed through racks of computers positioned downstream of the evaporation zone.

Abstract: An HVAC system for controlling the temperature and humidity of air supplied to a comfort zone includes a heater and a cooler operating concurrently. In response to a supply air temperature sensor, a PID control loop with substantially constant gain controls the cooler to maintain the zone air at a certain comfortable temperature. The heater, also under PID control, is controlled in response to a humidistat. To prevent the heater from overloading the cooler during periods of high cooling demand, a variable gain multiplier decreases the heater's gain when the cooler's output exceeds a predetermined limit; otherwise, the heater's gain remains substantially constant. When the cooler is operating above the predetermined limit, the multiplier varies linearly between positive-one and negative-one and does so inverse-proportionally with the cooling load to smoothly change the heater's PID control from direct acting to reverse acting as the cooler approaches its maximum capacity.

Abstract: Between two heat exchangers of a first heat exchanger unit 41 and a second heat exchanger unit 42 included in an indoor heat exchanger 40, an opening 80 is arranged for introducing indoor air sucked from an air inlet 321 into an indoor blower 50 without being heat-exchanged. At the opening 80, a damper 91 is arranged for adjusting the opening rate of the opening 80, which is driven by a predetermined driving member 92. During a cooling cycle running of a freezing cycle, the opening rate of the opening 80 and/or the devices included in the freezing cycle such as a compressor, blower and expansion valve are controlled alone or in combination so that the temperature of the indoor heat exchanger 40 is lower than a dew point temperature of the indoor air.

Abstract: A dividing member (25) divides an inside of a storage tank (41) into a humidification region (31) and a supply region (32), and a space above the supply region (32) is covered with a covering member (26). In water, the dividing member (25) defines a communication path (33) through which the supply region (32) and the humidification region (31) communicate with each other. Active species generated in an electrical discharge unit (51) are supplied to the supply region (32) to purify the water. A release of the supplied active species to outside is reduced by the dividing member (25) and the covering member (26), and the water in the supply region (32), which is purified by the active species flows into the humidification region (31) through the communication path (33).

Abstract: The invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus which regulates at least the temperature of at least one room to a predetermined temperature desired value (TRAUM SOLL) by ventilation with heated or cooled supply air. The air-conditioning apparatus has a supply air motor (15) which feeds the supply air over a supply air channel (10) to the room (1) to be air-conditioned, a cooling and/or heating device (30, 40 33) for the cooling or warming of the supply air, and an exhaust air motor (16) which draws the exhaust air from the room (1) to be air-conditioned over an exhaust air channel (11). According to the invention, the desired value (PAB SOLL) for the regulator of the exhaust air motor (16) forms a room excess pressure established with respect to the outside pressure (PA).

Abstract: A microclimate management sheet, for placing against a person's body, includes a flexible generally fluid impermeable first layer, a flexible generally fluid impermeable second layer with a gas permeable region for facing a patient's body. The first layer is joined with the second layer in a manner to form a chamber between the first layer and the second layer. An inlet operative to be in fluid communication with a supply of gas and in fluid communication with the chamber is provided for delivering a gas to the chamber, with the gas permeable region for directing the gas the patient's body.

Abstract: An improved humidifier system for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system. The humidifier system includes an air path that is configured to accept air from a first HVAC duct and return air to a second HVAC duct. A damper is disposed in the air path to selectively substantially block the flow of air in the air path, or to substantially not block the flow of air in the air path. In some cases, the damper may be a motorized damper, and the humidifier system may include a controller that is configured to cause the motorized damper to not substantially block the flow of air in the air path during a call for humidifier operation, and to substantially block the flow of air in the air path after the call for humidifier operation ends. Alternatively, the damper may be manually actuated, and an HVAC controller may be configured to notify when the damper should be moved (e.g. between seasons).

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-channel air-conditioner (10) for the climate control of a number of rooms (44, 46, 48) and/or room zones, having an air inlet device (52) in every room (44, 46, 48) to be climate controlled, having at least one pair of supply air channels (20, 22) wherein at least one supply channel (20, 22) comprises a cooling and/or heating register (32, 34; 58, 60) having at least one temperature regulator for each room (44, 46, 48) to be climate controlled, which keeps the room (44, 46, 48) to be climate controlled at a room temperature (Troom target) which can be set, having valve units (54, 72), which connect the supply air channels (20, 22) to the air inlet device (52). The invention is characterized in that it allows switching, the cooling or heating register (32, 34; 58, 60) is only opened as needed if the temperature in at least on of the supply air channels (20,22) is insufficient for cooling or heating the room (44, 46, 48) to be climate controlled.

Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling a humidity level within an enclosed volume storage device and methods for using same. The apparatus, in one embodiment, comprises a container having outer walls defining an inner volume, at least one of the outer walls, preferably an lid wall, having perforations therein. The apparatus further comprises a composition capable of adsorbing and desorbing water and contained in the inner volume of the container. The composition is hydrated to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of the composition. The methods include a step of hydrating the composition in an apparatus of the invention to a hydration level less than about 0.13 mL water per gram of composition.

Abstract: The pre-cooler includes one or more cells which are oriented about an air stream to be cooled. A housing defines a perimeter of the cell with an inlet and outlet for air passing therethrough. Water outlet nozzles within the housing are preferably supported upon bars which orient the nozzles facing in a direction counter to flow of air through the housing. Each nozzle is coupled to a separate stage with multiple stages of nozzles coupled to separate valves. A controller opens or closes different valves. The controller measures ambient humidity and temperature conditions as well as air flow rates to calculate the amount of water to be added to the air and then opens appropriate numbers of stages of valves so that an appropriate number of nozzles spray water into the air to saturate the air. Flow rate control is thus provided without pressure variations, for optimal nozzle performance.

Abstract: A microclimate management system (10) comprises a mattress (16), a topper (18), and a control system (14). The topper (18) is coupled to the mattress (16) and is supported thereon. The topper (18) defines an interior region (42) and a person contacting surface (52).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for regulating environmental parameters and losses in premises for aging and preserving wine comprising an air treatment unit (3) connected to a cold energy source (7) and to a heat energy source (8), a control module (9) configured to regulate the losses of wine occurring in the casks (2) of the premises (1), acting on environmental parameters of the premises (1), such as temperature, relative humidity, speed of the air and generation of molds, without affecting the quality of the stored wine, while at the same time controlling and maintaining the environmental quality in the premises (1).