Abstract: The present invention provides an internal braking system for use with electric motors, particularly electric motors used with rotary actuators. The braking system includes a brake which has a spindle disposed at least partially between the rotor and a shaft. An annular engagement portion of the brake is integrally connected to the spindle through a conical portion. The brake is forced against a stationary friction member when the motor is de-energized. The brake is preferably made from a polymeric alloy having self-lubrication properties.

Abstract: A wall-mounted enclosure for mounting electrical and electronic equipment and the like, in modular form. The enclosure body takes the form of a mounting assembly, including mounting modules, with each module including a backbone element and a cover element. The backbone element has a horizontally extending backplane bordered by two upstanding side portions, with an interassembly connecting mechanism for joining one backbone element to an adjacent backbone element. The backplane includes a flat mounting surface, with a pattern of preformed pilot holes, and two recessed wiring channels. Interconnection is provided by interlocks and screw anchor points. The cover element includes a horizontally extending cover plate with coverwalls and a cover assembly connecting mechanism for joining one cover element to another cover element. Adjacent cover elements are joined by mutual engagement of a mating tab and slot, and by screw anchor points.

Abstract: A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for data to a software object level containing databases of processes and attributes and database managers. The database managers in the software object level operate to provide data to the high level features in the same format. The software object level communicates with a hardware object level which also contains databases and database managers to mask differences between operational hardware units. By categorizing operational units by type, additional units of a known type can be added with only low level hardware object database changes. Adding units of a new type is facilitated by software changes confined to the lower level hardware and software objects, avoiding software changes at high level features.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composition useful, for example, in screen printing applications, includes a thermoplastic resin binder, electrically conductive particles and a solvent. The preferred composition includes a polysulfone thermoplastic resin, silver flakes or carbon black as the conductive particles and butyrophenone as the solvent. The preferred manufacturing process includes adding the resin in two batches at separate time periods during the mixing of the components. The composition is particularly suitable for fusion at high temperatures, such as in screen printed electrical contacts for use in capacitance humidity sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a temperature control system for multi-zone temperature control with setback control. The system includes a thermostat associated with each zone of a building, and a central control unit which communicates with each thermostat to send temperature setpoint values to each thermostat for the purpose of conserving energy and reducing energy consumption during certain times of the day. Each thermostat is associated with either a heating or cooling device, where setup temperature values are sent from the central control unit to the thermostats where cooling devices are used in place of heating devices. The thermostats are designed to operate as stand-alone units which control the temperature within a zone based upon a temperature setpoint stored at the unit. The temperature setpoint values are replaced by the higher or lower temperature setpoint values transmitted to the thermostats by the control units during setback or setup time periods.

Abstract: A pattern recognition adaptive controller configured to dynamically adjust proportional gain and integral time control parameters to minimize integrated absolute errors between a setpoint and a monitored controlled variable. The pattern recognition adaptive controller receives a sampled signal representative of the controlled variable, and determines a smoothed signal based on the sampled signal. The controller characterizes a disturbance in the smoothed signal by a damping factor and a closed loop response time. When a significant load disturbance or setpoint change occurs, the controller estimates an optimal gain based on the damping factor, and an optimal integral time based on the response time. The estimated optimal gain and estimated optimal integral time are used to determining a new gain and a new integral time values, to which the control parameters of the controller are then set.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing seal members for use in an oxygen-rich environment. The test apparatus operates and is constructed to replicate the service environment as closely as possible. The test unit includes a hull with an interior test portion, with connections for gaseous or liquid oxygen and nitrogen and having a reciprocating actuator shaft extending into the hull interior. A valve seal member is carried on a retainer and bears against sealing surfaces on a nozzle to test valve sealing operations, while a dynamic O-ring bears against a liner element carried within the hull. Pressure sensors determine whether an effective seal is maintained, while a temperature sensor insures that the dynamic O-ring temperature does not exceed specifications. The retainer and the nozzle can be changed to permit testing a variety of valve seals.

Abstract: An enclosure for a film-type humidity sensing element includes identical enclosure members which snap together to form an enclosure with the humidity sensing element sandwiched between the members, each of the members including a lead mounting area on its inner surface for mounting the mounting ends of electrical leads, the leads being connected to contact portions of the humidity sensing element interiorly of the enclosure by a metal-filled conductive adhesive which is introduced into the enclosure through access openings after the enclosure members have been assembled together. The enclosure is adapted for mounting on a circuit board in both horizontal and vertical orientations and independently of the lead structure of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a perimeter induction unit, in which the perimeter induction unit is replaced by an emulation unit carried in a plenum above the space to be heated or cooled. A temperature sensor is mounted within the space, and a computer provides programmed control, either centrally or locally. The emulation unit is connected to the primary air ducts and secondary liquid source formerly used for the perimeter induction unit. It includes a primary air inlet for accepting and regulating a flow of ventilated, preconditioned primary air from the primary air ducts, and a secondary air inlet for accepting a flow of return air from the space as well as filtering the return air and passing it over a heat exchanger carrying secondary cooling liquid at a preselected temperature. Primary and secondary air is mixed within a mixing chamber and delivered to the space by a blower at a preselected combined air volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A twinning controller or control circuit for use in an HVAC system is coupled between a system thermostat and at least two HVAC units coupled to a common duct. The HVAC units are heating, cooling or heating and cooling appliances such as heating furnaces, air conditioners, fans, other forced air systems, or other devices for heating and/or cooling an environment. The twinning controller is capable of operating in a single-stage mode (single mode) or a double-stage mode (dual mode). When operating in the double-stage mode, the twinning controller alternately operates the first HVAC unit and the second HVAC unit in order to extend the operating life of the HVAC units. The twinning controller includes a microcomputer which receives inputs from the system thermostat and provides outputs to the first and second HVAC units in order to efficiently control the temperature in an environment such as a living space.

Abstract: A pneumatic controller configured to regulate the opening and closing of a controlled device in response to a measured variable, such as temperature. The pneumatic controller includes a sensor providing an output proportional to the measured variable as well as a gas supply inlet and a gas outlet. A pneumatic relay is disposed between the inlet and the outlet for regulating the pressure of gas passing through the inlet to the outlet to the controlled device. A pneumatic actuator system is connected to the relay and regulates the relay via cooperation between an inflatable bladder and a pneumatic pilot circuit in the relay. The pneumatic actuator system includes a first electric microvalve which selectively permits passage of a gas into the inflatable bladder and a second electric microvalve which selectively permits passage of a gas out of the inflatable bladder in response to a digital controller connected to the sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an internal braking system for use with electric motors, particularly electric motors used with rotary actuators. The braking system includes a brake which has a spindle disposed at least partially between the rotor and a shaft. An annular engagement portion of the brake is integrally connected to the spindle through a conical portion. The brake is forced against a stationary friction member when the motor is de-energized. The brake is preferably made from a polymeric alloy having self-lubrication properties.

Abstract: A pressure control for use in applications such as refrigeration, air conditioning and ice generating machinery includes a highly accurate snap acting switch, field adjustable trip points and reset points and a reference scale. The trip point is adjusted by means of an adjustment screw, while the reset point is adjusted by changing the differential, or the difference between the trip point and reset point. The differential is adjusted by adjusting the amount of "lost motion" within the control by employing an actuator which includes a cam surface and means for changing the position of the cam surface.

Abstract: A proportional plus integral controller operates an actuator in an HVAC system. The controller includes a setpoint circuit for providing a setpoint signal representative of a desired room temperature, a sensor circuit for providing a sensor signal representative of the actual room temperature, an error generator for generating an error signal proportional to the difference between the setpoint signal and the sensor signal, and an integrator for generating a control signal related to the time integral of the error signal. The setpoint and sensor signals are derived from a common voltage reference, so that accuracy of the controller is substantially independent of fluctuations of that reference. The integrator includes a capacitance multiplier that provides highly accurate integration of the error signal and a switch for selecting either proportional plus integral or proportional only control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centrifugal brake which, according to one aspect of the invention, has a center hub from which extend flex members terminating in tabs extending from the flex members. Disposed on the opposite side of each flex member from the tab, is a friction portion. The friction portion is brought into contact with a braking surface when the centrifugal brake is rotated at sufficient speeds so that the centrifugal force acting on the tabs causes the flex members to bend and bring the friction portions into contact with the braking surface thereby resisting further acceleration of the centrifugal brake.

Abstract: A stack damper control apparatus for positioning a stack damper and controlling a fuel source in response to closing of a temperature sensitive switch. Limit switches comprising drop cams are coupled to the drive shaft of the damper. In response to a call for heat, a motor turns the damper, coupling a source of energy to a fuel source when the damper is open and the limit switches transfer. A relay coil is energized to hold open a switch providing a parallel energization path for the motor. When the call for heat has been met and the temperature sensitive switch opens, the relay de-energizes closing the parallel energizing path and allowing the motor to close the damper. Provision is made for a safety interlock to ensure the fuel source is not activated when the damper is closed. Provision is also made for interface to a blocked vent shutoff system.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a climate control device, such as an HVAC device within a premise, utilizes real time price tier data supplied by the utility company to achieve economical temperature regulation of the premise. The control system regulates temperature based on time of day data and desired temperature data supplied by the user wherein the user may program different desired temperatures depending upon the relative cost of electricity. The system also provides billing information to the user for current usage and projected usage. The control system additionally controls appliance modules and regulates operation of the hot water heater.

Abstract: An apparatus and method indirectly determines the amount of outside air introduced into the ventilation system of a structure. Carbon dioxide concentrations are measured for return air, outside air and mixed air. The flow rate of mixed air is measured. The volume of outside air introduced into the system is determined without directly measuring the volume or flow rate of outside air. For calibrating the apparatus, a return air sensor is calibrated to the outside air and a mixed air sensor is calibrated to the outside air or the return air to eliminate inaccuracy due to sensor drift.