Abstract: A security panel for controlling home automation devices via a voice assistant device is provided, in which the security panel includes a processor, a memory, a microphone, and a speaker. In one example implementation, the security panel is configured to receive a text input from a user, convert the text input into an audio format via a text-to-speech engine to generate a first voice command for controlling one or more home automation devices via a voice assistant device, and to output the first voice command via the speaker of the security panel, in which the first voice command is received by the voice assistant device via a microphone of the voice assistant device, in which the voice assistant device is configured to control the one or more home automation devices based on the first voice command.

Abstract: A coupler for connecting to a port, and a method for connecting a coupler to a port are provided. The coupler includes a body, a plunger needle, and a threaded portion. The body includes a radially outward facing surface, a radially inward facing surface, a proximal end, and a distal end. The plunger needle is fixed to the body, and extends in parallel with the body toward the distal end of the body. The threaded portion extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the radially outward facing surface of the body toward the distal end of the body, the threaded portion configured to receive a threaded portion of the port.

Abstract: A zone board for a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system including: a controller connector configured to electrically connect a controller to the zone board, the controller being configured to control operation of the HVAC system; a unit connector configured to electrically connect an indoor air handler to the zone board; and a thermostat connector configured to electrically connect a thermostat in a first zone to the zone board, wherein the thermostat connector is a 24-volt printed circuit board connector.

Abstract: A shield for controlling the cooling within a hermetically cooled motor, and a compressor incorporating the shield are provided. The shield includes an insulator, at least one fastener, and a venting aperture. The insulator restricts the flow of a working fluid between a first side and a second side. The at least one fastener secures the insulator. The venting aperture controls a pressure differential between the first side and the second side. The venting aperture may include at least one hole through the insulator. The venting aperture may be provided as a hole through the insulator for the rotating shaft of the compressor.

Abstract: A heat pump system includes a first unit; a second unit connected to a first flow path of the first unit; and a third unit connected to a second flow path of the first unit and connected to the second unit. The heat pump system can operate in a cooling and water heating mode and a heating and water heating mode, wherein, in the cooling and water heating mode, the heat pump system is configured to switch a switching assembly to a first position and connect the at least one first heat exchangers and the second heat exchanger in series; in the heating and water heating mode, the heat pump system is configured to switch the switching assembly to a second position and connect the second heat exchanger and the at least one third heat exchangers in parallel.

Abstract: An optical smoke detector 1 includes an ultrasonic transducer 4 configured to cause oscillations in its housing 2 so as to dislodge accumulated particulate matter from the walls of a sensor chamber or a labyrinth of the smoke detector 1. Additionally or alternatively, the ultrasonic transducer 4 may be configured to cause oscillations that dislodge accumulated particulate matter from a light source or a light receiver of the smoke detector 1.

Abstract: A method of purging contaminants from a refrigerant of a heat pump via a purge system includes generating a driving force across a separator, providing refrigerant including contaminants to the separator, separating the contaminants from the refrigerant within the separator, monitoring one or more parameters of the purge system and the heat pump, and actively controlling an operational parameter of the purge system in response to monitoring one or more parameters of the purge system and the heat pump.

Abstract: A method of operating a refrigeration system (20) includes operating the refrigeration system in refrigeration mode. A current access condition into a refrigerated cargo space (22) is detected. At least one heat exchanger (32) in the refrigerated cargo space (22) is directed into a defrost mode during the current access condition. The refrigeration system (20) is directed into a refrigeration mode when the current access condition is no longer detected.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system and a method for sensing temperature of an item and displaying temperature thereof. One or more embodiments of the invention describe the method comprising steps of sensing, by a metal crimp coupled with a sensor, a temperature of content inside an item and determine a value of the temperature. The method further describes step of displaying an indication of the temperature value on an electrochromic strip coupled with the sensor.

Abstract: A method for communicating amongst a plurality of peripherals within a mesh network including a first subnet and a second subnet including: receiving an advertisement from one or more peripherals of the plurality of peripherals, the advertisement including a hop count, a subnet identifier, and a unique subnet device identifier, the subnet identifier indicating the first subnet or the second subnet and the unique subnet device identifier indicating a specific peripheral of the plurality of peripherals within the mesh network; triggering a message send event; determining a desired stream direction within the mesh network; determining a desired subnet of the mesh network; determining a destination peripheral of the one or more peripherals within the desired subnet and in the desired stream direction in response to the hop count, the subnet identifier, and the unique subnet device identifier; connecting to the destination peripheral; and sending the message to the destination peripheral.

Abstract: Cooling systems are provided. The cooling systems include a plurality of cooling units. Each cooling unit has a base having a housing with control components, a cooling tower attached to the base at a first end of the cooling tower, with an inner flow path and an exterior surface, and an air distribution system attached to the cooling tower at a second end. The air distribution system includes an air distribution chamber between first and second enclosures, cool and warm air dispensers are configured in the first enclosure, and a cover is disposed on an exterior of the enclosures. The control components are configured to convey air through the base, the cooling tower, and the air distribution system to dispense air through the air dispensers. At least two of the cooling units of the plurality of cooling units are arranged in a linear arrangement.

Abstract: A wireless key device including a wireless transceiver and antenna configured to communicate with an access terminal, and a processor configured to execute instructions to implement a method of managing digital credentials for a wireless key device. The method includes authenticating the key device with a server, retrieving a plurality of digital credentials from a server, the plurality of digital credentials associated with a plurality of access terminals within a selected geographic proximity to the key device, polling an access terminal of the plurality of access terminals via the wireless transceiver and antenna for an access terminal identification which uniquely identifies the access terminal, identifying a digital credential of the plurality of digital credentials associated with the access terminal based on the access terminal identification, and transmitting the selected digital credential to the access terminal.

Abstract: A heat pump includes a vapor compression system and a cooling unit thermally coupled to the vapor compression system. A purge system is arranged in fluid communication with the vapor compression system. The purge system includes at least one separator operable to separate contaminants from a refrigerant purge gas provided to the purge system from the vapor compression system.

Abstract: A vapor compression system (20; 120; 220; 320) has: first (22A; 122A; 222A) and second (22B; 122B; 222B) compressors; first (40) and second (46) heat exchangers; and one or more expansion devices (52; 52A, 52B). Means (32A, 32B; 32A, 32B, 126A, 126B; 32A, 32B, 232A, 232B) are provided for switching the system between operation in first and second modes using the respective first and second compressors. In the first mode: the first compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the first heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the second heat exchanger. In the second mode: the second compressor compresses refrigerant; the compressed refrigerant is cooled in the second heat exchanger; the cooled refrigerant is expanded in at least one of the one or more expansion devices; and the expanded refrigerant absorbs heat in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of controlling access of a person (101) to an area that is accessed via an access point having an associated set of access rights, the method including: measuring a characteristic of a person; and based at least in part on the measured characteristic, classifying the person (101) as being in a high risk category of persons, wherein the associated set of access rights of the access point deny permission for the high risk category of persons to access the area.