Abstract: Embodiments generally relate to reducing peak load consumption of energy. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of requests for energy consumption by a corresponding plurality of climate control appliances in a predetermined environment. The method further includes determining an energy consumption level for each request of the plurality of requests for a time period. The method further includes determining a schedule for granting the plurality of requests during the time period, where a difference between a highest aggregate energy consumption level and a lowest aggregate energy consumption level during the time period is minimized.

Abstract: A digital air flow detector that includes a pair of thermistors contained in a probe. When installed, an external thermistor is positioned in an air stream, while an insulated thermistor is not. When air is flowing, the air stream will change the temperature of the first thermistor more than the second thermistor. A microcontroller unit measures the temperature difference between the two thermistors and determines whether air is flowing based on the difference. The digital air flow detector outputs an accurate binary indication of whether the air is flowing or not flowing. An air flow detector includes a probe assembly and a printed circuit board assembly coupled to the probe assembly.

Abstract: A sensing device includes an enclosure, a sensor assembly with sensors, a PCB assembly, and a flexible jumper. The flexible jumper includes first and second ends. The first end couples to the sensor assembly. The second end couples to the PCB assembly. The sensor assembly is decoupled from the first end of the flexible jumper and removed from the enclosure without decoupling the second end from the PCB assembly and without removing the PCB assembly from the enclosure. The sensing device may be installed in a wall or utility box in a building, without the need to configure or modify the building infrastructure to replace sensors. This provides a practical way to enable sensors to be replaced for repair, to install new sensors as they are introduced to the market, or to change the sensors to meet changes in user needs or building use cases.

Abstract: A multi-function switch for controlling various functions of building systems includes a board stack with a plurality of PCBs configured to reside entirely within an off-the-shelf single gang wall switch box. The external components of the light switch have the appearance of a standard light switch familiar to the user. This reduces device clutter, complexity, user confusion, and expense by consolidating user-controlled building functions into a single device familiar to the user. By using an off-the-shelf switch box, the installation of the multi-function light switch avoids requirements of custom sized wall switch boxes. Given the relatively small dimensions of the switch box, the configuration and design of the board stack is non-trivial. The orientation of each PCB in the board stack, the connections between the PCBs in the stack, and the accommodation of any other components are such that the entirety of these components wholly reside within the switch box.