Abstract: A dehumidifying system and method for reducing humidity in ambient air is disclosed. The system includes a circulation unit, a refrigeration unit, a condensate receptacle for receiving condensate generated by the refrigeration unit, a controller to control both the circulation and refrigeration units, and wherein the controller receives input from one or more ambient sensors configured to sense ambient conditions, and a user interface configured to receive input from a user. The system implements variable speed control within the circulation and/or refrigeration unit to maximize efficiency or capacity under a current threshold, and enables the system to delay the need for defrost cycling during low temperature operation.

Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can prioritize operating a consumption device in a manner that is efficient in terms of consumption of a resource over satisfying a specified demand assigned to the consumption device. This re-prioritizing can be performed in response to a price of the resource exceeding a threshold.

Abstract: A method for reducing peak electrical demand of a building includes generating a baseline electrical demand profile over a target time period from a model. The baseline electrical demand profile can be used to define a policy including a peak management period having at least a first sub-period and a subsequent second sub-period, the first sub-period having a first temperature set point for at least one air handling system of the building that is different from a normal operating temperature set point, the second sub-period having a second temperature set point different from both the normal operating temperature set point and the first temperature set point, and implementing the policy. The model can be generated from one or more of historical electrical data for the building, weather forecast data, building and equipment operating schedules, sales data, and data based on information received from a video camera located in the building.

Abstract: A control unit for a solenoid pump, the solenoid pump including: an inlet port, an outlet port, and a first through-bore connecting the inlet and outlet ports; a plunger disposed within the first through-bore and including a second through-bore; a spring arranged to urge the plunger toward the outlet port; a solenoid coil disposed about a portion of the plunger and arranged to displace the plunger toward the inlet port in response to direct current coil power applied to the solenoid coil, the control unit including a microcontroller operatively arranged to control the solenoid coil, a first transistor operatively arranged to receive an external signal and communicate the signal to the microcontroller to control the solenoid coil, and a second transistor, arranged between the microcontroller and the solenoid coil, the second transistor operatively arranged to energize and de-energize the solenoid coil in response to the microcontroller.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for purifying an environment may be provided. The system may include a first electrode which may be exposed to air. The system may include a first transducer which may be configured to apply a first energy to the first electrode and a second transducer which may be configured to apply a second energy to the first electrode. The system may be configured such that at a first time, the first transducer applies the first energy to the first electrode and the second transducer does not apply the second energy to the first electrode. The system may be further configured such that at a second time, the second transducer applies the second energy to the first electrode.

Abstract: An on-demand fluid transfer pump includes a power head removably connectable on top of a stem that is removably connectable to a fluid supply. The power head includes an electric pump and a flow control unit configured to automatically switch the electric pump on and off. The flow control unit includes a magnetic sensor and the stem includes a suction tube, a fluid chamber, a plunger chamber, and a magnetic plunger reciprocable within the plunger chamber in response to pressure changes in the fluid chamber. The magnetic plunger is biased to deactuate the magnetic sensor to switch on the electric pump to pressurize the fluid supply for delivery to the fluid dispenser. The magnetic plunger is pushed when pressure in the fluid chamber rises to thereby actuate the magnetic sensor to switch off the electric pump.

Abstract: An air conditioning control apparatus adjusts an amount of energy consumed by air conditioners installed in a property. The air conditioning control apparatus includes an adjustment control part that executes an adjustment control during a predetermined adjustment time period, a measurement acquisition part that acquires a measurement of the amount of energy consumed by the air conditioners, an effect estimation part that estimates an effect during the adjustment time period of the adjustment control executed, and an adjustment control content determining part that determines the adjustment control based on the estimated effect. The adjustment control is at least one of ventilation minimizing control reducing or stopping ventilation in order to minimize an accumulation of environmental loads, and sensible heat prioritizing control preferentially controlling sensible heat over latent heat in order to control a temperature of a room so that an accumulation of environmental loads is minimized.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing control of a heat pump of a motor vehicle are presented. In one operating mode, speed of a heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to an outlet pressure of the heat pump compressor. In a second operating mode, speed of the heat pump compressor is controlled responsive to a pressure ratio between an inlet and an outlet of the heat pump compressor.

Abstract: A vehicle heating and cooling system comprising an interior system, a compressor system, and primary working fluid configured to flow between the interior system and the compressor system, an auxiliary heating system, and at least one valve assembly. The auxiliary heating system comprises an auxiliary heat exchanger comprising at least one heating element and a voltage controller operatively connected between the vehicle battery and the at least one heating element. The at least one valve assembly configured to operate in a cooling mode, a standard heating mode, and an augmented heating mode in which the auxiliary heating system transfers heat from the at least one heating element to the primary working fluid.

Abstract: A HVAC system for a vehicle has a condenser, an evaporator, a compressor, a variable accumulator comprising a piston and an actuator, and a control system operatively connected to the actuator. Fluid flows in a circuit from the condenser, to the evaporator, to the compressor, and to the condenser. The variable accumulator is arranged between the evaporator and the compressor. The control system operates the actuator to displace the piston to alter at least one characteristic of the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method for testing a normal operation of a refrigerator, the method including allowing a user to implement an application of a terminal for testing the refrigerator; displaying a list of controllable loads on a display unit of the terminal; allowing the user to select a desired load and input a setting command for the load; implementing a controller of the refrigerator to operate the load according to the setting command received from the terminal via the tag unit; and implementing the terminal to display state information of the operated load on the display unit.

Abstract: An electric compressor comprises: a boost converter configured to boost a voltage output from a direct current power supply; an inverter configured to convert the power boosted by the boost converter to an alternating current power; and a motor configured to rotate the electric compressor using the AC power output from the inverter. In the electric compressor, the boost converter and the inverter are provided on the same circuit board, housed in the same inverter case, and cooled by a coolant flowing into the electric compressor. The electric compressor is thereby obtained in which the device size can be prevented from increasing even when the boost converter configured to boost a low voltage from the DC power supply is installed.

Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous motor includes at least two series-connected windings for each phase, and is configured to be driven by selecting the windings using a multi-inverter driving device configured to switch between an inverter for low-speed drive and an inverter for high-speed drive. A ratio of an induced voltage constant of at least one group of windings constituting the windings for the high-speed drive and a d-axis inductance is larger than a ratio of an induced voltage constant of all the series-connected windings to the d-axis inductance.

Abstract: A battery charger is configured to perform a battery charging method. The method includes determining a magnitude of a parasitic load on a battery. The method also includes adjusting an absorption stage of a multi-step charging process for the battery based on the determined magnitude of the parasitic load. The method further includes charging the battery using the multi-step charging process with the adjusted absorption stage.

Abstract: Provide are a household electric appliance, household electric system and server apparatus that perform operation start or stop at reserved set times and that are convenient with regard to reserving operation. A household electric appliance capable of a reserved operation of performing an operation start or stop at a set time comprises: a receiving unit that receives a setting signal indicative of an operation start time in the reserved operation of the household electric appliance from each of a remote controller and a mobile terminal; a storage unit that stores the setting signal; and a control unit that controls operation of the household electric appliance. The control unit, in the case of overlapping of an operation time zone defined by the setting signal from the remote controller and the operation time zone defined by the setting signal from the mobile terminal, selects the earlier time and performs the operation start.

Abstract: Construction machine capable of incorporating an engine and using an external power source. The construction machine includes an electrical storage device performing a charge with the external power source, uses the electrical storage device to provide assist when the power of the engine is insufficient, uses an electrical charge in the electrical storage device systematically in accordance with work time, and efficiently uses the electrical storage device by controlling its discharge amount in accordance with load status. The construction machine includes the engine, accessory loads connected to the engine, an assist electric motor driven by the engine, electrical power converters for converting an AC current, which is the output current of the assist electric motor, to a DC current, and the electrical storage device connected to the DC side of each electrical power converter. The electrical storage device becomes charged through a charging device from the external power source.

Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption of a compressor of an automotive vehicle climate system may include identifying an energy source providing energy to power the compressor and selecting an operating parameter of the climate system based on the identified energy source to control power consumption of the compressor.

Abstract: A climate control box for a motor vehicle has a heating device (18) and a cooling device. To increase the range of motor vehicles that have at least one electric drive device, an internal combustion engine (4) is arranged in the climate control box (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a compressor are provided. A motor current flowing in a compressor may be calculated from voltage values of a capacitor without using a sensor, and as a motor current value is calculated by changing voltage values of the capacitor according to voltage values of a drive and performing a definite integral thereon, the motor current value may be resistant to noise, and the compressor may be more stably controlled.

Abstract: An appliance includes an appliance housing, an interface adapted to receive power information, a plurality of sensors for sensing environmental conditions, a plurality of controls for controlling operations of the appliance, and an intelligent control. The intelligent control is disposed within the appliance housing and operatively connected to the interface and the plurality of sensors and adapted to dynamically select control values associated with the plurality of controls based on at least one of the power information, the environmental conditions, or a combination thereof to increase energy efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: A method for conditioning one or more aspects of a vehicle, where a user may customize their vehicle by providing desired departure times and conditioning preferences so that the vehicle automatically wakes up, performs the requested conditioning, and is ready for operation by the requested departure time. Some examples of potential conditioning events include activating: a heated or cooled seat, a heated steering wheel, a heated engine block, a heated mirror, a cabin heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a heating or cooling element for a battery pack, a heating or cooling element for a battery charger, and a heating or cooling element for a fuel cell, to name a few.

Abstract: Provided are apparatus, including electronic thermostats, for detecting temperatures and elapsed times and, in response to those temperatures and elapsed times, controlling the opening or closing of an electric circuit.

Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating an engine throttle position sensor operation of a refrigeration system powered by a fuel fired engine.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioning system includes an electric powered refrigerant compressing device, an evaporator, an electric heater, an air temperature determining component, a cabin interior temperature controlling component, an upper limit electric power setting component, and an electric power distribution controller. The evaporator receives refrigerant from the compressing device. The heater is downstream of the evaporator in an air passageway. The determining component determines a first air temperature upstream of the evaporator and a second air temperature between the evaporator and the heater. The controlling component sets a vehicle interior discharge air temperature at a position downstream of the heater to a target temperature. The power setting component sets an upper limit for power supplied to the compressing device and the heater.

Abstract: A bypass device of a refrigerator connected to an inrush current preventing device bypasses an input power when the input power is applied to the refrigerator, and a controller controls the input power input through the inrush current preventing device in response to a voltage measured by a voltage measuring device, recovers a function of the inrush current preventing device, and drives a compressor. Therefore, a standby time to re-drive the refrigerator is decreased and convenience is enhanced.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a fault condition in a compressor is provided. The current of a motor drive powering the compressor and the outdoor ambient temperature are measured and used to determine if a fault condition or a potential fault condition is present in the compressor. If a fault condition is determined to be present, the compressor can be shutdown to avoid damage to the compressor. If a potential fault condition is determined, remedial action can be taken to attempt to prevent the fault condition from occurring and shutting down the compressor.

Abstract: A controller which receives a signal from an external associated energy utility indicative of a forthcoming rate increase period, and controls the rate of temperature change of a refrigerator from a user selected setpoint to a first targeted setpoint below the user selected setpoint. During the rate increase the controller establishes a second target setpoint above the user selected setpoint. After the rate increase period the controller reduces the temperature to the user selected setpoint at a constant rate defined by a number of degrees per minute.

Abstract: A control apparatus, which controls a refrigerating apparatus including a compressor and a first circuit breaker that interrupts a current flowing through the compressor when the current, flowing from a power supply through the compressor to cause the compressor to work, becomes greater than a predetermined current and that is closed according to an operation by a user, includes: a voltage-measuring unit to measure a power-supply voltage a control unit to trip a second circuit breaker disposed in series with the first circuit breaker so that the current from the power supply flowing through the compressor is interrupted, when the measured power-supply voltage becomes lower than a predetermined voltage, and close the second circuit breaker after the power-supply voltage becomes higher than the predetermined voltage, the predetermined current corresponding to a current greater than the current flowing through the compressor when the power-supply voltage is equal to the predetermined voltage.

Abstract: An air-conditioning device includes a refrigerating cycle; a controller to control a refrigerant discharge capacity of a compressor of the cycle in a manner that a refrigerant evaporation temperature of an evaporator of the cycle approaches a target temperature; and a setting portion to set an upper limit for a fuel amount consumed by an engine based on at least the refrigerant evaporation temperature. The controller controls the refrigerant discharge capacity of the compressor in a manner that an actual fuel amount consumed by the engine is equal to or lower than the upper limit.

Abstract: Methods and devices that use an engine load condition of a vehicle, for example, the vehicle's engine intake manifold or plenum vacuum, to promote the efficiency of the engine. The methods and devices are operable to control the compressor of the vehicle's air-conditioning system, enabling the compressor to be shut off when the vehicle is under relatively high loads. The methods and devices operate by sensing a parameter indicative of an engine load condition of the vehicle, determining a difference between a reading of the parameter and an average based on multiple readings of the parameter, and then engaging and disengaging the compressor clutch depending on whether the reading of the parameter is above or below the average of the parameter. The compressor clutch is engaged if the engine operates under a high load for a duration that is dependent on the average of the parameter.

Abstract: A variable speed drive (VSD) can be used to vary the voltage-to-frequency ratio (V/f) supplied to a compressor motor of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning or refrigeration (HVAC&R) system to compensate for varying conditions in the HVAC&R system.

Abstract: A heat pump device includes an inverter control unit outputting PWM signals to an inverter; a current detection unit detecting a current value flowing in the inverter and outputting the current value after reducing a current value having a first frequency or higher in detected current value; and a drive-signal stop unit that, when the current value output from the current detection unit is equal to or larger than an interruption level, stops output of PWM signals to the inverter. Particularly, the inverter control unit generates a voltage command value such that the voltage command value becomes a value equal to or larger than a lower limit determined according to the first frequency and generates PWM signals based on generated voltage command value and a carrier signal, thereby causing a voltage output time to the motor to be a predetermined time or longer.

Abstract: An electric compressor 10 includes a compression mechanism 11, an electric motor 12 driving the compression mechanism 11, and a control portion 13 controlling to drive the electric motor 12, incorporated into a single casing, and further includes a temperature detector 14 detecting a temperature of one or more components constituting one or both of the control portion 13 and the electric motor 12, and a current detector 15 detecting a current flowing through the component. When the temperature detected by the temperature detector 14 is a temperature Td, the current detected by the current detector 15 is a current Id, and a current corresponding to the temperature Td at a temperature characteristic relating to the current specific to the component is a current Ia(Td), the control portion 13 stops driving the electric motor 12 on the basis of a result of comparison between Ia(Td) and Id.

Abstract: A transport refrigeration system has an engine driving an electric generator. A compressor is powered by the generator. At least one first electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat rejection heat exchanger. At least one second electric fan is positioned to drive an airflow across a heat absorption heat exchanger. A controller is coupled to the compressor and first and second fans. The controller is configured to: start the engine; engage the generator and at least one of the first fans before the engine has reached running speed; after the engine has reached running speed, start the compressor; and after starting the compressor, start at least one of the second fans.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing operation of refrigerating machines controls defrosting of evaporators of refrigeration cycles. Each of the refrigeration cycles uses a compressor, a condenser, a decompressor, and the evaporator, and is formed for a corresponding one of cooling/heating devices installed in a single store. The apparatus obtains a total estimated power consumption in a case of a pull-down operation using power consumptions necessary for the pull-down operation performed for the cooling/heating devices after defrosting is performed and using a power consumption of the store that includes at least the power consumptions of the refrigeration cycles and that is estimated for each of predetermined time periods. The apparatus changes defrosting start times or defrosting end times of the cooling/heating devices so that the total estimated power consumption does not exceed an upper limit value of a power consumption set in advance by the store.

Abstract: Airflow rates within a ventilation system are controlled using motor speed or torque and motor electric current or pressure. Fan speed or torque may be varied to compensate for differing restriction in ductwork, and may provide a constant airflow rate over a range of varying airflow restriction. Air handlers or air conditioning units may be mass produced in common configurations, and installed in different buildings or structures with different ductwork configurations. Methods operate a fan motor at a present speed or torque, sample speed or torque, sample current of the fan motor or pressure within the ventilation system, calculate a present airflow rate within the ventilation system, calculate a new input setting using the present airflow rate and a target airflow rate, change the speed or torque to the new input setting, and repeat these steps to converge on the target airflow rate, often avoiding overshoot.

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: In a computing system, key figures are made available for selection in an electronic data repository. The key figures are selectable by any of a plurality of distributed systems. A request for a key figure value calculation is received from one of the distributed systems, and request is made for an identifier of one of the key figures. Data is accessed for the key figure from at least one electronic data source, and the data is used to compute a value for the key figure. The value for the key figure is stored in an electronic storage location.

Abstract: A voltage-command correction-value computation unit outputs a correction value for correcting a voltage command value according to a bus voltage. A multiplier calculates a voltage command value acquired by correcting the voltage command value based on the correction value. A voltage-command generation unit generates and outputs three-phase voltage command values based on the corrected voltage command value calculated by the multiplier and a phase. A PWM-signal generation unit generates six drive signals corresponding to switching elements of an inverter based on the three-phase voltage command values outputted by the voltage-command generation unit and a carrier signal. The PWM-signal generation unit outputs the generated drive signals to the corresponding switching elements of the three-phase inverter, to cause the inerter to generate a high-frequency AC voltage.

Abstract: A system and a method for operating a variable-displacement compressor are provided wherein a volume of a compression chamber of at least one cylinder is varied during a compression cycle, wherein during the cycle the at least one cylinder is alternately coupled to a low pressure side and a high pressure side of the compressor. A first thermodynamic state of the low pressure side and a second thermodynamic state of the high pressure side can be estimated and a current compression ratio ( v in v out ) of the compressor can be estimated. Accordingly, a compressor displacement (D) as a function of the compression ratio ( v in v out ) can be calculated. From this, a compressor torque (M) depending on the calculated displacement (D) can be computed, and the compressor torque (M) can be provided to a control unit for operating the compressor or an engine coupled to the compressor.

Abstract: An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment and one or more power consuming features/functions including a refrigeration system for cooling the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A controller is operatively connected to the one or more power consuming features/functions. The controller is configured to receive and process a signal indicative of current state of an associated energy supplying utility. The controller operates the refrigerator in one of plurality of operating modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an energy savings mode, in response to the received signal. The controller is configured to at least one of selectively schedule, delay, adjust and deactivate at least one of the one or more power consuming features/functions to reduce power consumption of the refrigerator in the energy savings mode.

Abstract: A refrigerant system is provided that includes a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, a refrigerant system component, and a controller. The refrigerant system component can operate in a pulse width modulated mode having a loaded phase and an unloaded phase. The compressor motor is loaded in the loaded phase but unloaded in the unloaded phase. The controller applies a first voltage to the compressor motor in the loaded phase and a second voltage to the compressor motor in the unloaded phase. Here, the second voltage is less than the first voltage.

Abstract: There is provided a control device of a permanent-magnet type synchronous motor that sets a synchronous operation current at start-up in response to a current limiting value determined from the temperature of an inverter that supplies three-phase power to the permanent-magnet type synchronous motor, that monitors an output voltage or an output current of the inverter during a rotation stabilizing period after start-up, and that updates the synchronous operation current using this output voltage or output current.

Abstract: A controller for a vehicle includes an in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the air supplied to an evaporator by actuating a blower fan, an outside air temperature sensor, an evaporator temperature sensor which detects the temperature of the evaporator, and an engine stop duration determiner which determines an engine stop duration on the basis of the temperature detected by the evaporator temperature sensor immediately before an engine stops and the temperatures detected by the outside air temperature sensor and the in-passenger-compartment temperature sensor. An engine control unit continues the operation of the blower fan after a stop condition holds and the engine is stopped, and then restarts the engine and actuates a compressor when the engine stop duration has elapsed.

Abstract: A drive system for a compressor of a chiller system includes a variable speed drive. The variable speed drive receives an input AC power at a fixed input AC voltage and a fixed input frequency, and provides an output AC power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC power source. The converter is arranged to convert the input AC voltage to a DC voltage. A DC link is connected to the converter and configured to filter and store the DC voltage from the converter. An inverter is connected to the DC link. A motor is connectable to the compressor for powering the compressor. A controller is arranged to control switching in the converter and the inverter. The controller is arranged to apply randomized pulse width modulation to vary the switching frequency of transistors in the converter and the inverter at each switching cycle. The motor may be a permanent magnet synchronous motor.

Abstract: A vehicle air conditioner control system has an air conditioning device has a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator, a compressor running rate control device, a deceleration fuel cutoff executing device, and a fuel supply recovery executing device that cancels cutoff of fuel supply and recovers fuel supply at a higher vehicle speed during vehicle deceleration fuel cutoff period with air-conditioner ON than during vehicle deceleration fuel cutoff period with air-conditioner OFF. The compressor running rate control device increases the compressor running rate for a predetermined period just before a fuel supply recovery time with air-condition ON during the deceleration fuel cutoff period more than during non-execution of the deceleration fuel cutoff, and subsequently decreases the compressor running rate at or just before the fuel supply recovery time with air-condition ON equal to or less than during non-practice of the deceleration fuel cutoff.

Abstract: A heat source apparatus in which a control device of the heat source apparatus can ascertain a stoppage of an inverter device and in which a stable operating time of the heat source apparatus can be extended is provided. The heat source apparatus includes an electric compressor that is driven by an inverter device and that compresses a refrigerant, the inverter device having a protective function that performs stoppage for device protection on the basis of a predetermined calculation by an inverter control portion, and a control device that controls cold output and/or heat output. The control device includes an inverter-protective-function estimating unit that estimates a calculation result of the protective function of the inverter control portion.

Abstract: A motor controlling method and apparatus of an air conditioner are disclosed. It is checked whether or not an operation frequency of a compressor motor is the same as or greater than a certain frequency and it is also checked whether or not a detected velocity of a fan motor is the same as or lower than a certain velocity during a certain time period. If the operation frequency is the same as or greater than the certain frequency and the detected velocity is the same as or lower than the certain velocity during a certain time period, the compressor motor is temporarily stopped. Because the compressor motor operates according to operational conditions of the fan motor, an overload can be prevented.

Abstract: A compressor monitoring system includes current and voltage monitors, current and voltage averaging modules, a control module, and a switch. The current monitor measures a current drawn by a motor of a compressor. The current averaging module generates first and second average current values based on the current measured by the current monitor. The voltage monitor measures a utility power voltage. The voltage averaging module generates first and second average voltage values based on the voltage measured by the voltage monitor. The control module selectively generates a fault signal when a first ratio is greater than a first predetermined threshold and a second ratio is less than a second predetermined threshold. The first ratio is based on the first and second average current values. The second ratio is based on the first and second average voltage values. The switch deactivates the motor when the fault signal is generated.