Abstract: A modular enclosure for housing various computing devices is provided. The modular enclosure includes a platform and a housing module mounted on the base module. The housing module has lateral sides, a front side, a rear side and a roof defining an interior volume for receiving the various computing devices and fan cassettes. Each fan cassette is provided with its own controller which is configured to adjust the rotational speed of the fan based on the power consumption of the one or more computing devices. When connected in a cluster, the fan cassettes provide a N+1 redundancy, wherein each cassette as an adjacent fan cassette configured as an active backup. The fan cassettes of a cluster communicate via a communication bus. The fan cassettes may include dampers to redirect air drawn from the computing devices back toward them in cold whether conditions, or toward the outdoors, in hot weather conditions.

Abstract: Supplied humidification steam is dispersed through tubes and a header. Condensate is collected from the header into a tank. A controlled steam supply valve pumps condensate from the tank to a return line by application of sourced steam. A non-mechanical electronic level sensor (ELS, sensing temperature, resistance, capacitance, inductance, luminance or sonic condition of condensate) signals a controller using the ELS and/or a timed pumping/evacuation cycle to push condensate from the tank to the return. The method removes condensate by isolating the collection tank from the tubes and header and pumps condensate from the tank based upon a sensed conditions.

Abstract: The steam eyelet(s), mounted on steam dispersion tube(s), part of a steam dispersion system, has an interior cavity fed with steam, a through passage, a steam entry port and a steam exit port. The exit port is partly closed by a sloped throat which captures steam condensate and the steam entry port has a drain slot which drains condensate into the dispersion tube cavity. The eyelet's through passage progressively narrows at the exit with a shallow and then steep slope. A protruding lip reduces facial formation of condensate. A method reduces condensate spitting by accumulating condensate in the interior of the eyelet which, when it reaches a certain volume, drains the condensate bubble-droplet with an inboard interior eyelet surface disruption near the steam entry. Surface tension of the condensate bubble-droplet is used to drain the bubble-droplet at the disruption, causing an out-flow of the bubble-droplet in a direction contrary to steam flow.

Abstract: A steam distribution apparatus having a heat exchanger header defining a chamber; steam distribution apparatus communicating with the heat exchanger chamber; a source of steam at a pressure higher than atmospheric; a heat exchanger having one end communicating with the source of steam and another end for communicating with the chamber and steam dispersion apparatus; and a valve. The valve operates the heat exchanger in an open-loop configuration which supplies humidification steam to the steam distribution apparatus at atmospheric pressure and operates the heat exchanger in a closed-loop at the steam pressure higher than atmospheric for heating the heat exchanger chamber wherein condensate within the chamber or steam distribution apparatus can be converted back to humidification steam.

Abstract: The steam humidifier fed with a premix of natural gas and forced air under low pressure (less than 1 psi) includes a main frame, a movable lower frame, a two part evaporation canister, releasably sealed, for water, an immersible combustion chamber retaining a radiant gas burner and a heat exchanger coupled downstream thereto. The heat exchanger is a coil with an upstream end coupled to the combustion chamber and a downstream end mounted through the upper part of the canister. Maintenance is enhanced by having the lower part of the evaporation tank or canister move downwardly to expose the combustion chamber and the heat exchanger coils. The coils are subject to thermal shock or relatively rapid thermal expansion and contraction which causes scale, adhered thereon, to be released and broken off. A high degree of control and modulation is achieved because the radiant burner is configured for modulated operation from a blue flame mode through a radiant mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forced-air electric heater control system for HVAC systems. One embodiment utilizes two heat sensors which are positioned upstream and downstream, equidistant from the heating element(s). The control system, in this embodiment, takes the difference between the temperature signals, thereby eliminating any radiant heat factor, and the resulting signal is used to control the heater. In other embodiments, the method senses upstream and downstream temperatures, determines air velocity in the duct, determines the amount kilowatts (KW) or other heat per unit time or power based thereon, and enables the power control switch when the resultant is less than a predetermined value. Alternate systems initially test for air velocity by application of nominal power, and then use the measured velocity and the downstream temperature to obtain a control signal for the heater. A pressure differential may be used. The systems compensate for radiant heat factor.

Abstract: The steam humidifier fed with a premix of natural gas and forced air under low pressure (less than 1 psi) includes a main frame, a movable lower frame, a two part evaporation canister, releasably sealed, for water, an immersible combustion chamber retaining a radiant gas burner and a heat exchanger coupled downstream thereto. The heat exchanger is a coil with an upstream end coupled to the combustion chamber and a downstream end mounted through the upper part of the canister. Maintenance is enhanced by having the lower part of the evaporation tank or canister move downwardly to expose the combustion chamber and the heat exchanger coils. The coils are subject to thermal shock or relatively rapid thermal expansion and contraction which causes scale, adhered thereon, to be released and broken off. A high degree of control and modulation is achieved because the radiant burner is configured for modulated operation from a blue flame mode through a radiant mode.

Abstract: A hot water humidifier with an automatic siphon drain fed with cooler source water is flushed via a drain. The humidifier includes the humidifier tank and an inverted U-shaped siphon conduit having one end coupled to the tank and the other end coupled to the drain. A valve controlling the cooler source water feeds the water into the tank to maintain the temperature of an admixture of cooler source water and any preexisting tank water at or below a predetermined temperature during a flush cycle. The tank is flushed and drained via the automatic siphon based upon the level of the admixture in the tank and the level of admixture in the siphon. The source water may be coupled to the humidifier tank via the siphon conduit such that cooler source water may be added during the siphoning action. A method of flushing a hot water humidifier is also included.

Abstract: The control system for a humidifier, which is part of a heat, ventilation or air conditioning HVAC system, detects the level of water and generates control signals by detecting the capacitance of the water in the humidifier. These control signals are used to fill the humidifier with water and control heater elements and, to some degree, drain cycles. A capacitor is utilized to detect the change in capacitance as the water level changes. The control circuit, coupled to the capacitor, generates fill control signals based upon first and second predetermined capacitive levels. In one embodiment, the capacitor sensor includes an electrically conductive element extending into the water as a first electrode which is shielded by an insulating cover, where the water acts as a medium through which capacitance is measured and the humidifier casing or another electrically conductive element in the water functions as the second electrode for the capacitor.

Abstract: The microprocessor based controller for the fractional horsepower actuator motor includes a capacitive power backup system. The motor is used as an actuator and is coupled to an air damper or valve. In the event of a loss of power to the controller, the controller must drive the air damper or valve to a predetermined, failsafe position. The capacitive energy source stores sufficient power to drive the motor and the coupled air damper or valve to the predetermined failsafe position. The controller includes a sensor for determining the presence or absence of power and generating a failsafe control signal. A switch receives the failsafe control signal and passes power from either the main power supply or the capacitive energy storage unit. The controller includes a microprocessor and a memory. During a failsafe operation, the microprocessor drives the motor and hence the air damper or valve to the failsafe position at full power.

Abstract: The air velocity detector is used in combination with an air duct carrying heat, ventilation or air conditioned (HVAC) air therethrough. A rigid support subassembly is mounted in the HVAC air duct. At least a pair of ultrasonic transceivers are mounted in a spaced apart relationship facing each other on opposing end portions of the support subassembly. The acoustic, ultrasonic signal path from one transceiver to the other diagonally extends across a volume of duct covered by the rigid support subassembly. In one embodiment, the subassembly is a rigid sleeve mounted to the inboard, interior portions of the duct. In another embodiment, the subassembly is a rigid, substantially straight member diagonally extending through the duct volume. Electronic circuitry is connected to the transceivers which excites the transceivers, processes the received ultrasonic signal, and determines the phase difference or phase difference between the transmitted ultrasonic signal and the received ultrasonic signal.

Abstract: The emergency, fail safe capacitive energy source and circuit is used in conjunction with an air damper actuator or a valve actuator. In particular, the capacitive energy source and circuit powers a fractional horsepower motor and both the motor as well as the capacitive energy source and circuit are completely contained within an actuator container of a relatively small size. The capacitive energy source and circuit include at least one high storage capacitor (rated 0.047 farads or higher) having a volumetric size not exceeding 30 cubic inches. Preferably, a bank of high value capacitors are utilized wherein the capacitors are coupled in series or parallel to power the AC or DC motor and associated circuitry. The capacitive energy source and circuit also includes a charging circuit coupled between the motor drive power source and the capacitor or bank of capacitors. A sensor is coupled to the motor drive power source and generates a control signal in the absence of power from the motor drive power source.