Abstract: In a thermal-environment sensor which detects thermal conditions in an indoor environment based on the surface temperature of a heating element supplied with a thermal quantity, the spectral emissivity of the outer surface of said heating element closely conforming to the spectral emissivity of the surface of the human skin or clothes thereon so as to bring the radiant heat transfer coefficient of the sensor remarkably near that of the human body.

Abstract: An outdoor temperature sensing assembly includes a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple having a given length mounted inside a thermal mass of low thermal conductivity. This thermal mass is mounted on a mounting plate and shielded by an upper wall, two side walls, and an end wall for free air circulation through the open bottom of the shield yet the shield protects the temperature sensor and thermal mass from sun, wind and rain.

Abstract: An operative temperature sensing system including a first circuit including an air temperature sensor for providing a first signal which is a function of the air temperature within a room, a second circuit which provides a second signal which is a function of the mean radiant temperature within a room, and a third circuit for providing an output signal which is a function of the average of the first and second signals which in turn is a direct function of the operative temperature.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based perimeter thermal energy control system regulates heating and cooling in the perimeter area of a building in accordance with instantaneous and integrated heat flow measurements and instantaneous temperature deviation measurements. Control of heat pumps and air conditioning units is provided as is automatic switching between heating and cooling. The inherent thermal parameters of the space are inductively determined and used by the system to continually self-adapt to the heat flow properties of the space. The gain of the heat flow based control system is varied automatically as a function of the deviation between the actual space temperature and the desired set point temperature. Morning recovery is initiated and regulated in response to instantaneous and integrated heat flow measurements and inductively determined thermal space parameters and produces a near linear stepwise change in the temperature of the space from night setback to occupancy temperature.

Abstract: In a thermal-environment sensor which detects thermal conditions in an indoor environment based on the surface temperature of a heating element supplied with a thermal quantity, the spectral emissivity of the outer surface of said heating element closely conforming to the spectral emissivity of the surface of the human skin or clothes thereon so as to bring the radiant heat transfer coefficient of the sensor remarkably near that of the human body.

Abstract: A meter for determining chill temperature and/or comfort index. This meter utilizes a composite sensor that is responsive to the environmental factors that produce a chill temperature as perceived by a person in that environment. Specifically, the sensor is responsive to the combined effects of wind velocity, real temperature, solar radiation and humidity. In the most general embodiment, the output signal from the sensor is fed to a programmed microprocessor wherein that signal is repetitively sampled, averaged and converted to an appropriate signal so as to be appropriately displayed. In order to prevent adverse affects upon the average by spurious large signals, the microprocessor is programmed to limit any sample signal to a value that differs from the average by only a selected amount. The normal signal from the sensor is proportional to the square root of the power, and the microprocessor first squares that signal prior to the averaging step.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer apparatus includes an indoor temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, a single display unit capable of displaying exchangeably and alternately the indoor and the outdoor temperatures, means for automatically displaying alternately the indoor and outdoor temperature in a normal mode, means responding to the closing of a change-over switch in the course of the alternate display to thereby display the temperature other than that displayed immediately before the closing of said switch continuously until the switch is again opened, and means for allowing the alternate display of the indoor and outdoor temperatures to be effected automatically in response to the opening of the change-over switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic thermometer which comprises a first and a second sensing portions for detecting temperature at different two positions and each producing an output corresponding to the detected temperature; a display for displaying a temperature in a mode selected from a first mode in which the temperature detected by the first temperature sensing portion is continuously displayed, a second mode in which the temperature detected by the second temperature sensing portion is continuously displayed, and a third mode in which the temperatures respectively detected by the first and second temperature sensing portions are alternately displayed; and a selector for selectively connecting the respective outputs of the first and second temperature sensing portions to the display; and a controller for selecting the display mode of the display.

Abstract: A thermometer includes a temperature transmitting unit and a temperature receiving unit which are disposed on opposite sides of an exterior wall or window. An outdoor temperature sensor is connected to the transmitting unit for modulating the transmitted radio waves. The transmitting unit and receiver unit communicate with each other via radio waves so that they are not in physical contact with each other.

Abstract: A heat stress monitor comprised of a thermometer tube having at least a black globe-bulb and a wet-bulb therein and adapted to provide a direct reading of wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT). The inclusion in the tube of a dry-bulb makes the monitor particularly adapted to measuring WBGT outdoors. The thermometer tube is in the form of a single tube and the bulbs are disposed in series therein with an extension part extending beyond the bulbs to permit a direct reading to be taken of the position of a thermally responsive medium in the tube.

Abstract: A meter for determining chill temperature and/or chill effect as a measure of comfort of an individual. This meter utilizes a sensor that is responsive to ambient temperature, wind velocity, humidity and/or solar effects. The sensor simulates a human body with normal covering for the prevailing real temperature, and electrical circuits are responsive to changes in effective temperatures due to these environmental factors. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the sensor is maintained at a selected constant temperature. The temperature associated therewith provides an error signal if a temperature differences is noted, this error signal causing current to flow to heat dissipaters to restore the select constant temperature. The amount of power required to maintain the selected temperature is a measure of the effect of the environmental factors and therefore relatable to chill temperature and/or chill effect.

Abstract: A temperature control cost monitor and method uses temperature responsive means with a visible display calibrated in terms of percentage savings or increased costs above and below a standard temperature. The display can be a temperature sensitive liquid crystal array and overlay with transparent percentage indicia, a liquid height thermometer with associated percentages indicated on or adjacent the thermometer, or another temperature indicator calibrated in this way. The calibrations are based on the climate in which the monitor is used. The monitor can indicate savings and excess cost of both heating in winter and air conditioning in summer.

Abstract: An operative temperature sensing system including an air temperature sensor, a globe-type temperature sensor and a circuit for modifying the air temperature signal and the globe temperature signal by predetermined factors whereby the modified signals are combined to generate a signal that is a function of operative temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and for optically indicating from afar the temperature condition of an upper layer of a road surface includes a thermally conductive temperature sensor positioned within the upper layer of the road surface to sense the temperature thereof. A temperature indicator is positioned on a post above the road surface. The temperature indicator includes a liquid crystal agent having a first optically perceivable condition substantially at a temperature above the freezing point of water and a second optically perceivable condition substantially at a temperature below the freezing point of water. A thermally conductive connector thermally connects the temperature sensor and the liquid crystal agent, such that the temperature sensed by the sensor is conveyed to the liquid crystal agent, whereby the liquid crystal agent exhibits the respective condition thereof representative of the temperature of the road surface.

Abstract: An electronic measuring device utilizes multiple different transducers for supplying signals exhibiting predetermined and typically nonlinear relationships to the multiple input variables sensed by the transducers. The measuring device includes a microcomputer containing stored linearizing information therein relating to the predetermined nonlinear relationship of the signals supplied by the transducers and the variables sensed by the transducers. The microcomputer linearizes each of the signals supplied by the transducers and thereby obtains highly accurate signals indicative of the variables sensed. Depending upon the ultimate determination to be obtained by the device, the linearized signals representative of the input variables may be employed in a polynomial equation calculation conducted by the computer to obtain the output determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the peak loading requirements of a gas utility allow the use of a unit rate structure which depends upon the ambient outside temperature. The apparatus employs an ambient temperature measuring device and a recording element responsive thereto for providing an output reading of gas consumption which takes into account the outside ambient temperature. Thereby, a differential rate structure dependent upon the measured ambient outside temperature can be implemented. In one embodiment, the recording element has a meter which provides an actuating signal for each occurrence of a measured volumetric consumption of gas. The actuating signal is directed to one of a plurality of counters depending upon the measured outside ambient temperature. The utility then uses a different rate for each of the several counters.