Abstract: An apparatus for draining condensate accumulated by an air handling unit element, the element presenting a footprint area, includes: a substantially unitary plurality of surfaces oriented between a first level and a second level and bounded by a peripheral wall. The first level is generally higher than the second level in an installed orientation. A first surface is situated substantially at the first level and is generally horizontal and presents a generally planar expanse generally coextensive with the footprint area in the installed orientation. A second surface generally extends from the second level at a first end of the apparatus to the first level at two loci separated by the first surface at a second end of the apparatus opposite the first end to orient the first surface in a generally nested relationship with respect to the second surface. At least one third surface joins the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing event information relating to operation of an HVAC system includes: (a) at least one memory controller coupled with the HVAC system for receiving the event information; and (b) at least one memory unit coupled with the at least one memory controller. A first memory unit of the at least one memory unit is configured for receiving first selected information of the event information for accessing by at least one of a first party and a second party. A second memory unit of the at least one memory unit is configured for receiving second selected information of the event information for accessing by the second party.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing dehumidification of a conditioned space, while optimizing the effectiveness of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) devices that are present in the HVAC system. After the system compressor is shut off, the actual space humidity is compared to the desired humidity. If the actual humidity is very close to or lower than the desired level the indoor blower (air handler) is allowed to continue running. However, if the actual humidity is greater than the desired level by a specified amount, the blower is forced off for a period of time proportional to the difference between the actual and desired humidity. At the next compressor activation, the blower is allowed to run as normal.

Abstract: A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating addresses employed in an environmental control network that involves at least one control unit communicating with a plurality of components, each respective component of the plurality of components having an address selected from a predetermined number of address values, includes: an address extending unit coupled with the at least one control unit and with at least one coupled component of the plurality of components. The address extending unit treats each address for each coupled component to establish a respective unique treated address for each coupled component. The at least one control unit identifies each respective component by the respective treated address.

Abstract: A programmable controller includes a user interface which includes a default interface, a home screen, an indoor settings interface and one or more tab interfaces. As the home screen covers a predominant portion of the default interface and is associated with the indoor settings interface, the home screen enables an operator of the programmable thermostat to intuitively transition from the home screen to the indoor settings and one or more tab interfaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an environmental conditioning system serving an indoor space and having at least one environmental conditioning device coupled with a communication bus structure includes: (a) at least one user interface coupled with the communication bus structure for effecting access to the system by a user; and (b) at least one controller coupled with the communication bus structure for effecting operational control of the system. The at least one controller communicates on the communication bus structure with the at least one environmental conditioning device, the at least one user interface and any other devices coupled with the communication bus structure. The at least one user interface communicates on the communication bus structure with the at least one environmental conditioning device, the at least one controller and any other devices coupled with the communication bus structure.

Abstract: A lamp holder comprising a lamp holder base, a lamp holder housing and a microswitch. In a preferred embodiment, the lamp holder base is substantially cup-shaped around a longitudinal axis and has an arcuate actuator finger coupled to and shielded within the lamp holder base. The lamp holder housing is removably coupleable to the lamp holder base, and the microswitch is mounted within the lamp holder housing, wherein the microswitch is activated by the arcuate actuator finger when the lamp holder housing is coupled to the lamp holder base.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a control unit in an environmental control system includes: a display area presenting a plurality of first loci, a plurality of second loci and at least one third locus; each respective first locus of the plurality of first loci being responsive to pressure for effecting a respective response; each respective second locus of the plurality of second loci presenting information using a fixed segment data format; at least one third locus of the at least one third locus presenting information using a dot matrix data format.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a control unit in an environmental control system; the display apparatus including: a display area presenting a plurality of first loci, a plurality of second loci and at least one third locus; each respective first locus of the plurality of first loci being responsive to pressure for effecting a respective response; each respective second locus of the plurality of second loci presenting information using a fixed segment data format; at least one third locus of the at least one third locus presenting information using a dot matrix data format.

Abstract: A dual-powered airflow generator comprising: a primary fan motor powered from a primary power source and an auxiliary fan motor powered from a secondary power source. In one embodiment, the primary fan motor has a first drive shaft wherein operation of the primary fan motor causes a desired airflow at a design power of the primary power source. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary fan motor is powered from a secondary power source and has a second drive shaft mechanically coupled to the primary fan motor, wherein the auxiliary fan motor is configured to assist the primary fan motor in causing the desired airflow while the primary fan motor operates from the primary power source at a reduced power. In a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary fan motor is powered by a solar power generating device or other alternative energy source.

Abstract: An apparatus for draining condensate accumulated by an air handling unit element, the element presenting a footprint area, includes: a substantially unitary plurality of surfaces oriented between a first level and a second level and bounded by a peripheral wall. The first level is generally higher than the second level in an installed orientation. A first surface is situated substantially at the first level and is generally horizontal and presents a generally planar expanse generally coextensive with the footprint area in the installed orientation. A second surface generally extends from the second level at a first end of the apparatus to the first level at two loci separated by the first surface at a second end of the apparatus opposite the first end to orient the first surface in a generally nested relationship with respect to the second surface. At least one third surface joins the first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A method for configuring a communicating environmental conditioning network having a plurality of environmental interactive units communicatingly coupled with a plurality of space interactive units, each respective space interactive unit presenting a conditioned output when engaged with a particular environmental interactive unit, includes: (a) turning on selected delivery elements associated with selected space interactive units; (b) establishing baseline data indicating conditioned outputs of the selected space interactive units; (c) engaging at least one respective space interactive unit with at least one respective environmental interactive unit; (d) waiting a predetermined time interval; (e) measuring a conditioned output associated with each the selected delivery element; and (f) selecting the respective selected space interactive unit associated with the largest change in the conditioned output as assigned to the respective environmental interactive unit.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising a heat exchanger plenum having a surface located therein that is susceptible to degradation upon exposure to light, and a light bulb located within the plenum. In one embodiment, the light bulb has a side directed toward the surface and a light-absorptive barrier coupled to the side. The light-absorptive barrier is configured to reduce direct light transmission from the light bulb to the surface to thereby inhibit degradation of the surface. The invention further provides an HVAC system comprising a light bulb configured to emit photonic energy, and an absorptive barrier coupled to at least a portion of an outside of the bulb. The absorptive barrier is configured to substantially reduce transmission of the emitted photonic energy beyond the portion of the bulb.

Abstract: A housing cooperates with an air mover rotating about a rotation axis to move air received from an approach to an exhaust. The approach is generally oriented about a direction intersecting the housing at upstream and downstream limits. The housing presents an interior surface establishing radii between the axis and the surface. The radii have a generally constant radial value across a width in planes containing the axis in a first zone between the downstream limit and a first locus, and in a second zone between a second locus and the exhaust. The radii vary between a smallest and a largest radius across the width in planes containing the axis in a variance zone upstream of the axis. The smallest radius is less than the radial value at the first and second loci. The largest radius is larger than the radial value at one of the first and second loci.

Abstract: A method for effecting cooperation between a modulating air conditioning system and a two-stage thermostat for satisfying an air conditioning load demand in a conditioned space includes: (a) operating the thermostat in a plurality of succeeding operating cycles to issue a first call signal or a second call signal indicating a first or second stage operation by the air conditioning system; the first and second stage operation being effected according to a first operating regimen to satisfy the air conditioning load demand; (b) operating the air conditioning system in response to the first and second call signals; the air conditioning system operating at a first power level when receiving the first call signal and operating at a predetermined second power level when receiving the second call signal; the first power level being established by the air conditioning system according a second operating regimen.

Abstract: A water distribution tray having an improvement comprising a first downwardly inclined surface therein commencing at a base of a water impingement pedestal within a first of a plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding first of a plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the first downwardly inclined surface has a first declension angle associated therewith, and a second downwardly inclined surface commencing at the base within a second of the plurality of channels and ending at a corresponding second of the plurality of discharge apertures, wherein the second downwardly inclined surface has a second declension angle associated therewith different from the first declension angle. A method of manufacturing is also provided.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a frame and a combustion tube mounted to the frame wherein the combustion tube is configured to contain a flame produced from a fuel/air mixture introduced therein, and the combustion tube is configured to exhaust combustion products of the fuel/air mixture, the improvement comprising an insert coupled to the frame and having a longitudinal axis extending along and within the combustion tube wherein the insert has a triangular cross-section normal the longitudinal axis and configured to intersect a periphery of the flame. A method of manufacturing a heat exchanger is also provided.

Abstract: A method for configuring a communicating environmental conditioning network having a plurality of environmental interactive units communicatingly coupled with a plurality of space interactive units, each respective space interactive unit presenting a conditioned output when engaged with a particular environmental interactive unit, includes: (a) turning on selected delivery elements associated with selected space interactive units; (b) establishing baseline data indicating conditioned outputs of the selected space interactive units; (c) engaging at least one respective space interactive unit with at least one respective environmental interactive unit; (d) waiting a predetermined time interval; (e) measuring a conditioned output associated with each the selected delivery element; and (f) selecting the respective selected space interactive unit associated with the largest change in the conditioned output as assigned to the respective environmental interactive unit.

Abstract: An apparatus situated in a space for controlling an air terminal device to affect at least one environmental condition in the space includes: (a) at least one sensor unit for presenting at least one sensed indication related with at least one respective environmental condition of the at least one environmental condition; and (b) a local control unit coupled with the air terminal device and coupled with at least one respective sensor unit of the at least one sensor unit. The local control unit responds to a relationship of at least one predetermined requirement with the at least one sensed indication to effect the controlling.