Abstract: A semiconductor processing system processes semiconductor wafers in a process chamber. The process chamber includes semiconductor process equipment for performing semiconductor processes within the chamber. The process chamber includes a heat pipe integrated with one or more components of the process chamber. The heat pipe effectively transfers heat from within the chamber to an exterior of the chamber.

Abstract: A thermostat and related methods are described for controlling one or more functions, such as heating and cooling in an HVAC. According to some embodiments the thermostat includes a switching circuit for controlling an HVAC function, where closing the switching circuit activates the HVAC function. The thermostat may also include power harvesting circuitry adapted and arranged to harvest power from the HVAC system, where during times when the HVAC function is active the switching circuit opens for a time interval. The power harvesting circuitry may harvest power from the HVAC system during the time interval, and the time interval may be short enough that the HVAC function remains activated without interruption during the time interval.

Abstract: A thermostat and related methods is provided for controlling an HVAC system having one or two separate transformers for supplying power to the HVAC system. The thermostat includes isolation circuitry housed within the thermostat to safely connect to the HVAC control wires and power wire(s) whether the HVAC system has one or two separate transformers without the use of removable jumpers or manual rewiring. The thermostat can include a processor that sends DC signals for turning on and turning off each of the HVAC functions, and an isolator adapted to electrically isolate the processor from the control wires and power wire(s). The isolator can include a transformer, such as a low cost Ethernet transformer. The circuitry can include one or more field effect transistors adapted and arranged so as to open or close an electrical connections between the control and power wires, thereby turning on or off the associated HVAC function.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a setback mode of a power-consuming device, and for controlling setback recovery of power-consuming devices, in order to make setback and setback recovery more dynamic based on current environmental parameters and previous observed operating parameters, in order to enable more efficient operation of power-consuming devices resulting in reduced energy costs and increased power efficiency.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning system, during precooling or preheating control, a setting temperature is controlled such that a first temperature difference between the setting temperature and an indoor temperature is not less than a temperature difference at which a compressor performs operation, and the setting temperature is controlled to be changed to a target temperature when a second temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the target temperature is less than the first temperature difference. Since the compressor can be operated in the range from a low capacity to a medium capacity, operation efficiency of the air-conditioning apparatus can be increased, and the energy-saving operation with less power consumption can be realized. Since the operation capacity of the compressor can be readily suppressed with adjustment of the setting temperature, control is facilitated and the precooling control can be incorporated in various types of air-conditioning apparatuses.

Abstract: A temperature control system includes a heat transfer medium supply configured to supply a first heat transfer medium of a first temperature into a heat transfer medium path; at least one heat transfer medium storage provided between the heat transfer medium path and the heat transfer medium supply and configured to store a second heat transfer medium of a second temperature higher than the first temperature; a heat transfer medium supply control device provided between the heat transfer medium supply and the heat transfer medium path and between the heat transfer medium storage and the heat transfer medium path and configured to stop a supply of the first heat transfer medium into the heat transfer medium path from the heat transfer medium supply and to supply the second heat transfer medium into the heat transfer medium path from the heat transfer medium storage when a heating unit generates heat.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a temperature of a device by circulating fluid through a heat sink in thermal contact with the device. The apparatus includes a first fluid source (505) including a first fluid having a first temperature, a second fluid source (510) including a second fluid having a second temperature, and a thermal chuck (500) operably connected to the first fluid source and the second fluid source, wherein the thermal chuck is configured to receive the first fluid and the second fluid to be circulated through the heat sink (555). A method is also provided for controlling a temperature of a device in contact with a heat sink. The method includes determining a target temperature (S602), initiating a flow of a fluid from a fluid source (S604, S702), determining temperature data (S606, S704) of the device and the heat sink, and variably adjusting a flow rate (S710, S712) of the fluid to generally maintain the device at the target temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for limiting power consumption by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem of a building are shown and described. A mathematical linear operator is found that transforms the unused or deferred cooling power usage of the HVAC system based on pre-determined temperature settings to a target cooling power usage. The mathematical operator is applied to the temperature settings to create a temperature setpoint trajectory expected to provide the target cooling power usage.

Abstract: A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the vehicle engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold.

Abstract: A method and a correspondingly designed motor vehicle are provided for pre-climatizing the motor vehicle when shut-off by way of a heating and/or cooling unit, which draws its energy for heating and/or cooling from an electric storage unit. When the heating and/or cooling unit is activated by a vehicle external operator control element, the heating and/or cooling unit is initially activated in a first output stage. Then, the heating and/or cooling unit is switched from the first output stage to a second output stage as a function of predetermined conditions.

Abstract: An electric vehicle battery heater includes a housing having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet. A heating element is positioned within the housing in a heat transfer relationship with coolant for transferring heat to an electric vehicle battery. A thermistor is positioned in the housing to output a signal indicative of a temperature of the battery coolant. A controller energizes the heating element when the signal represents that the coolant temperature is less than a predetermined lower limit.

Abstract: An exhaust heat recovery system (EHRS) for a vehicle is provided that is operable to direct coolant heated by exhaust heat to a vehicle transmission under certain operating conditions after the engine is adequately heated by the exhaust heat and without further heating the engine with the exhaust heat. Thus, recovery of exhaust heat is increased as the transmission is heated to a higher operating temperature than the engine using the heated coolant. The EHRS may also operate in a bypass mode during which exhaust heat is not directed to the engine or the transmission. A method of managing exhaust heat is also provided.

Abstract: A temperature control system for an internal combustion engine, to which a block heater for warming a coolant and keeping the coolant warm is attachable, the temperature control system includes a coolant circulating apparatus circulating the coolant, a fluid temperature detecting device detecting a fluid temperature of the coolant, a block heater disuse estimating portion estimating a possibility of disuse of the block heater under a condition that a circulation of the coolant is stopped, and a block heater usage determining portion determining whether or not the block heater is used on the basis of changes in the fluid temperature under a condition that the coolant is circulated in a case where the block heater disuse estimating portion does not estimate the disuse of the block heater.

Abstract: An air conditioner for a vehicle includes a main heater for heating air in a vehicle compartment using coolant of an engine of the vehicle as a heat source, and an auxiliary heater for heating air in the vehicle compartment using a heat source other than exhaust heat of the engine. In the air conditioner, a requirement signal for requiring startup of the engine is output when a temperature of the coolant of the engine is determined to be lower than a threshold, and the threshold is adjusted based on an operating state of the auxiliary heater such that as an amount of heat generated by the auxiliary heater increases, the threshold decreases. Accordingly, as the heating capacity of the auxiliary heater is increased, the startup of the engine becomes more difficult.

Abstract: The start control is repeatedly performed for an oil pump that pressure feeds the flow of oil in a motor cooling system. This control is repeated for every specified rise in motor temperature (e.g., every 10° C.) from an initial starting temperature. This arrangement increases the potential for a successful start-up of the oil pump even when the oil has a high viscosity due to a relatively low outside air temperature. In the event of a failed start-up of the oil pump by repeated starting, the start control determines an abnormality exists in the oil pump or its power supply if an outside air temperature is greater than a reference temperature. This arrangement effectively eliminates incorrect detection of an abnormality in the oil pump or its power supply.

Abstract: A cryostat comprises a cryogen vessel housed within an outer vacuum container (OVC), a thermal radiation shield being located between an external surface of the cryogen vessel and an internal surface of the OVC. A decouplable thermal link arrangement is provided between an external surface of the cryogen vessel and an internal surface of the thermal radiation shield, being decoupled by action of an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A spray cooling system for extreme environments for providing a desired enclosed environment for electronic devices regardless of external environmental conditions. The spray cooling system for extreme environments includes an enclosure that isolates the electronic components from the external environment, a spray unit within the enclosure for thermally managing one or more electronic devices, a pump unit fluidly connected to the spray unit, a heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to the pump, and a control valve fluidly connected between the heat exchanger unit and the pump. An independent chamber preferably houses a heater unit, a first power supply and a control unit, whereby the heater unit initially heats the coolant within the independent chamber to a minimum operating temperature prior to operation of the electronic components.

Abstract: A spray cooling system for extreme environments for providing a desired enclosed environment for electronic devices regardless of external environmental conditions. The spray cooling system for extreme environments includes an enclosure that isolates the electronic components from the external environment, a spray unit within the enclosure for thermally managing one or more electronic devices, a pump unit fluidly connected to the spray unit, a heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to the pump, and a control valve fluidly connected between the heat exchanger unit and the pump. An independent chamber preferably houses a heater unit, a first power supply and a control unit, whereby the heater unit initially heats the coolant within the independent chamber to a minimum operating temperature prior to operation of the electronic components.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner is controlled to directly lower the temperature of the interior equipment before a driver enters a vehicle, using an airflow from an air outlet. The air outlet can be placed on and/or against the interior equipment. The interior equipment can be an instrument panel, a steering wheel or a seat.

Abstract: An evaporator unit for use in the air conditioning system of a mass transit vehicle that includes a housing mounted inside the air conditioned section of the vehicle having a return air inlet connected to a supply air outlet by a flow passage. The evaporator coil of the air conditioner is mounted in the flow passage to cool the air moving through the passage. A heater coil is mounted behind the evaporator coil to selectively heat the air moving through the passage. A dehumidifying coil is mounted in front of the evaporator coil that utilizes ambient air to dehumidify the indoor air when the ambient air temperature is at a temperature below that at which the air conditioner cannot reliably operate.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner is controlled to directly lower the temperature of the interior equipment before a driver enters a vehicle, using an airflow from an air outlet. The air outlet can be placed on and/or against the interior equipment. The interior equipment can be an instrument panel, a steering wheel or a seat.

Abstract: A method and system for staging the cooling effect of an air conditioning unit in which outside air is substantially prevented from passing through the cooling unit for a prescribed time after the cooling function has been initiated.

Abstract: A vehicle heater of the type that uses diverted engine coolant is provided with an accelerated warm up process that takes the coolant to a temperature suitable for passenger space heating more quickly. The fan that normally pulls outside air through the front end grill is, after vehicle start up, run in reverse, so as to actually retard the flow of air through the grill. The net effect of a separate structure that physically blocks air flow is achieved merely by using existing components in a new way.

Abstract: An air conditioning control system for vehicles for common use, includes: a reservation unit for reserving a rentals of the vehicles for common use with corresponding delivery times therefor; and an activating unit for activating an air conditioner of each of the vehicles so reserved when the corresponding delivery time therefor approaches so that a comfortable condition is produced in the passenger compartment of the vehicle when it is rented out a user who has reserved it.

Abstract: A remote and programmable indash defrost/cooling system includes a processing unit coupled to the vehicle's ignition system, heating system, and cooling system. A memory coupled to the processing unit stores a computer readable program which is designed to direct operation of the vehicle's ignition, heating, and cooling systems to allow preprogrammed warming or cooling of the vehicle. The processing unit may also cause the windows of the vehicle to be defrosted and cleaned by starting front and rear defrost systems and then activating the front and/or rear windshield wipers to clear the defrosted ice from the windows.