Abstract: A gas flow controller for use in a gas-fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner is provided. The controller includes a housing defining a diaphragm chamber, a pilot valve operable to open and close a first fluid flow path between a gas supply inlet of the gas flow controller and the diaphragm chamber, and a main burner valve operable to open and close a second fluid flow path between the gas supply inlet and the main burner. The main burner valve includes a diaphragm that is disposed within the diaphragm chamber and includes a central portion and an annular outer portion. The outer portion is configured to deflect into engagement with the housing to close a third fluid flow path in response to an over-pressure condition at the gas supply inlet.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for connecting split HVAC systems (and/or for providing such connectivity) to networks and/or smart meters, thereby allowing a split HVAC system to be controllable via the Internet and/or a smart meter. An exemplary embodiment includes a system for use with a split HVAC system having at least one outdoor unit and at least one indoor unit having a receiver. In this exemplary embodiment, the system comprises a control having connectivity to a network and/or a smart utility meter. An equipment interface module is configured for wireless communication with the receiver of the at least one indoor unit and the control. The equipment interface module is operable for communicating instructions from the control to the receiver of the at least one indoor unit, thereby allowing operation of the at least one indoor unit to be controllable via the network and/or smart utility meter.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for slow-opening and fast-closing of a gas valve. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas valve generally includes an inlet, and at least one bi-directional metering orifice configured to discharge gas from the inlet in a first direction in the gas valve to provide a slow opening of the gas valve, and to discharge gas in a second direction in the gas valve to provide a fast closing of the gas valve.

Abstract: Various thermostat embodiment are provided that includes at least a first sensor configured to communicate information indicative of the temperature within the space, and at least a second sensor configured to communicate information indicative of the humidity within the space. The thermostat further includes a controller in communication with the at least first and second sensors, for controlling the thermostat's operation. The controller is configured to operate in a first mode in which the controller operates the air conditioner when the sensed temperature of the space is above a temperature set-point or when the sensed humidity level is above the humidity set-point. The controller is further configured to operate in a second mode in which the controller operates the air conditioner when the sensed temperature is below a set-back temperature set-point, or when the sensed humidity is above a set-back humidity set-point.

Abstract: A hermetic power terminal feed-through for use in high-pressure applications is disclosed as including a fused pin subassembly includes a tubular reinforcing member and a current-conducting pin. The pin passes through the tubular reinforcing member and is fixed thereto by a fusible sealing material to create a hermetic seal. The fused pin subassembly is then joined and hermetically sealed to a terminal body. A method for manufacturing the high-pressure hermetic power terminal feed-through is also disclosed.

Abstract: A food waste disposer system has a food waste disposer and a rechargeable power source that provides power to a motor of the food waste disposer. In an aspect, the motor is a permanent magnet DC motor having a nominal no-load speed in the range of 15,000 revolutions per minute to 30,000 revolutions per minute and the motor section includes a gear reduction mechanism. In an aspect, the food waste disposer system includes a power module that communicates wirelessly with a wireless activator. In an aspect, a stopper receivable in an inlet of the food waste disposer includes or is couplable to a power source which in an aspect is a rechargeable power source and in an aspect, is disposed in a housing of the stopper. In an aspect, the stopper includes a cord for coupling the stopper to the power source which is a source of AC power.

Abstract: A vacuum accessory having an elongated axis, the accessory comprising an adapter configured to provide fluid communication with a vacuum appliance, at least first and second air outlet ports spaced along the elongated axis of the accessory. The ports are configured to balance airflow along the elongated axis of the accessory.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) monitoring system includes, at a remote monitoring apparatus, receiving and storing frames of data from a local monitoring device installed at a building. Each of the frames includes time domain current data based on a measured aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of an HVAC system of the building and frequency domain data based on the measured aggregate current. The method includes, based on the frequency domain current data and exclusive of individual current data from a plurality of individual current sensors, determining an individual contribution of a first component of the HVAC system to the measured aggregate current. The method includes transmitting information based on the stored current data to an HVAC manufacturer. The method includes, if a problem is identified with the first component using the determined individual contribution, transmitting an alert message.

Abstract: A heat pump controller for use in a heat exchange system includes a computing device and a user interface coupled to the computing device. The computing device is configured to initiate a defrost cycle based on one of a plurality of user-selectable defrost modes, and the user interface is configured to display the user-selectable defrost modes and receive a user selection corresponding to one of the user-selectable defrost modes.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for adjusting controller set points based on outdoor temperature. In an exemplary embodiment, a climate control system controller for providing climate control in a structure includes a processor and memory configured to obtain adjusted heating and cooling set point values determined by combining adjustment amounts with heating and cooling set points set for the climate control system. The adjustment amounts are determined in accordance with deviations of sensed outdoor ambient temperature (OAT) values from an intermediate OAT value predefined in a range of OAT values. The controller, in response to sensed outdoor temperatures in the range of OAT values, controls heating and cooling in the structure in accordance with the adjusted heating and cooling set point values.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, wiring harness assemblies for electrical equipment and related methods are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wiring harness assembly for electrical equipment generally includes a first connector configured for connecting to a wiring harness, a second connector configured for mounting to a panel, and one or more conductors connecting the first connector with the second connector.

Abstract: Gas flow controllers for use in gas fired apparatus including a pilot burner and a main burner are described. A controller includes a pilot valve moveable between a closed position and an open position to provide selective fluid communication between a gas inlet and the pilot burner, a main burner valve providing selective fluid communication between the gas inlet and the main burner, an actuator configured to open the pilot valve, a flow controller valve operable to open and close a fluid flow path between the gas inlet and a back side of the main burner valve upon actuation of the actuator, and a decoupling mechanism. The decoupling mechanism is configured to connect the actuator to the pilot valve and to selectively disconnect the actuator from the pilot valve when the actuator is actuated and a pressure differential across the pilot valve exceeds a threshold pressure limit.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, methods for operating driving controls for communicating motors are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method generally includes controlling a transmit circuit of the driving control to generate an expected transmit signal for sending to the communicating motor, and detecting, using a transmit sense circuit in the driving control, the actual resulting signal generated by the transmit circuit signal before the actual resulting signal leaves the driving control and is transmitted to the communicating motor. The method also includes analyzing the detected signal to verify whether the transmit circuit in the driving control is working properly, by comparing the expected transmit signal to the detected actual resulting signal. Exemplary methods are also disclosed of analyzing receive circuits of driving controls to verify whether the receive circuits are working properly.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for provisioning a wireless-capable climate control system device for a wireless network. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of provisioning a wireless-capable target device for a wireless network includes providing, to the target device, wireless network authentication data for joining the wireless network. The providing is performed using a user-interface-equipped device. The target device attempts to join the wireless network using the wireless network authentication data. In some embodiments the user-interface-equipped device receives a signal from the target device indicating whether the attempt to join the wireless network was successful.

Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an electric appliance is provided. The control system includes a correlator digital filter configured to receive input signals including at least one target signal associated with operation of the electric appliance and extract the target signal from the input signal. The control system also includes a controller operatively coupled with the correlator digital filter and the electric appliance, where the controller is configured to receive the extracted target signal from the correlator digital filter.

Abstract: A rotor for a dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor core having an outer periphery and at least a first set of magnets positioned within the outer periphery of the rotor core. The first set of magnets includes at least two block magnets and an arc magnet. The block magnets have a substantially parallel magnetization pattern and the arc magnet has a substantially radial magnetization pattern. The arc magnet has a concave surface facing the outer periphery of the rotor core. The first set of magnets defines a pole of the rotor. Rotors with other magnet configurations, and dynamoelectric machines and compressors incorporating such rotors, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor having a rotor core and permanent magnets, and a stator having teeth. The permanent magnets are arranged in magnet sets. Each magnet set includes one or more of the permanent magnets. The rotor core has a cylindrical periphery and slits. Each of the slits is positioned radially between one of the magnet sets and the cylindrical periphery. Each tooth includes a tooth surface facing the cylindrical periphery. The tooth surface includes an inner portion extending substantially parallel to the cylindrical periphery of the rotor core, and beveled portions positioned on opposing sides of the inner portion of the tooth surface. An air gap between each beveled portion of the tooth surface and the cylindrical periphery of the rotor core is greater than an air gap between the inner portion of the tooth surface and the cylindrical periphery of the rotor core.