Abstract: A tank monitoring apparatus, having an externally protruding antenna, has the externally protruding antenna to a monitor housing with a liquid-tight compression fitting which provides a fluid-tight seal between the antenna and the housing.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a level of product in a tank to detect one of a delivery and a drain operation is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operably coupled to the tank and adapted to detect the level of product in the tank at a first rate and at a second rate. The data center is in communication with the monitor and adapted to receive a user inputtable threshold level of change. The monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the first rate until the threshold level of change is detected. Thereafter, the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the second rate. The data center generates an alarm signal to indicate that one of the delivery and the drain has occurred.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for remotely monitoring a liquid level in a tank are provided by broadcasting a signal indicative of the liquid level in the tank directly to a cellular communication network from a stand-alone liquid level monitor operatively attached to the tank. The stand-alone monitor is battery powered and includes a processor configured for conserving power by operating the monitor according to a periodic sampling and broadcast schedule, which may be modified by signals received at the monitor directly from the cellular communications network.

Abstract: A system and method of verifying the installation and data path used by a tank level monitor is provided. Once an installer completes the installation of the tank level monitor, the monitor is activated. The monitor performs a self test and transmits information to a data center. Preferably, the transmission is via a cellular communication network. Once the data center receives the information from the newly installed tank level monitor, the data center generates a text based message that is sent to the installer to verify that the installation was successful. The message from the data center is preferably an email message that can be delivered to a wireless messaging device held by the installer. The generation and transmission of the verification message should be approximately immediate, and certainly within five minutes to provide rapid feed back to the installer.

Abstract: A tank level monitoring system is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively connected to the tank to periodically monitor a level of product stored in the tank. The monitor includes a user-defined reporting schedule programmed therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor via a data channel. The monitor transmits level measurement information to the data center over the communication channel based on the user-defined reporting schedule.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve portion having an inlet port for receiving fluid into the valve, a second valve portion having an outlet port for dispensing fluid from the valve, a third valve portion located between the first valve portion and the second valve portion, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, and a second member, having a first portion and a second portion, which engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor to block fluid flow when the second member is located in the first position and allow fluid flow when the second member is located in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for visually displaying the present room temperature of a space, through the use of a thermostatic controller adapted for receiving a temperature input indicative of a temperature in a space, and having a housing that includes an illuminated portion thereof emitting a light having a characteristic of the light that changes as a function of the temperature in the space. In various forms of the invention characteristics of the light, such as the color or the intensity of the light, are changed as a function of the temperature in the space, to provide a visual indication indicative of the present room temperature of the space. The characteristic of the light may be changed as a function of the present room temperature, or as the difference between the present room temperature and a desired room temperature, or for other purposes.

Abstract: An analog flame sense circuit is provided that utilizes the flame rectification method of sensing flame. The circuit uses an AC voltage source and discrete components to provide the sensing of the flame current. Either a single-pole or a two-pole filter may be used to smooth the generated sense voltage. A DC bias is provided to the filter to ensure a positive voltage. The circuit also includes a high-gain, high-impedance amplifier to translate the high impedance voltage of the sensing portion of the circuit to a relatively low impedance voltage for use by an electronic control circuit. In one embodiment, a high-gain emitter-follower amplifier constructed from two bi-polar junction transistors (BJTs) is used. An integrated Darlington configuration may be used, as well as a single BJT having a high gain, and an integrated operational amplifier.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve currently used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve chamber having an inlet port, a second valve chamber having an outlet port, wherein the first valve chamber includes an opening between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, a second member that engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor, and a sealing mechanism that is operatively attached to the second member, wherein the sealing mechanism can move adjacent to the opening when the second member is in the first position and the sealing mechanism can move away from the opening when the second member is in the second position.

Abstract: A field programmable or configurable thermostat for an HVAC system is provided. The configurable thermostat allows field programmability of service contact information, including name and contact telephone number information for the installer or service person. The system reminders and service intervals may be provided based upon calendar time or run time, and may be adjusted to particular periods by the service person in the field. Soft keys whose function is described on various changing menus allow service person to navigate through the various display and information entry screens. Scrolling or selection keys are used in one embodiment to vary the information on appropriate screens. Alternate embodiments utilize touch screens, alphanumeric keypads, etc., for the entry and editing of such information.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve chamber having an inlet port, a second valve chamber having an outlet port, wherein the first valve chamber includes an opening between the first valve chamber and the second valve chamber, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, a second member that engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor, and a sealing mechanism that is operatively attached to the second member, wherein the sealing mechanism can move adjacent to the opening when the second member is in the first position and the sealing mechanism can move away from the opening when the second member is in the second position.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve portion having an inlet port for receiving fluid into the valve, a second valve portion having an outlet port for dispensing fluid from the valve, a third valve portion located between the first valve portion and the second valve portion, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, and a second member, having a first portion and a second portion, which engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor to block fluid flow when the second member is located in the first position and allow fluid flow when the second member is located in the second position.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant multi-point flame sense circuit utilizes a single electronic switch to signal the presence or absence of flame to an electronic controller. Multiple flame sense electrodes may be input to this circuit. By configuring these electrodes in accordance with the present invention, cross-contamination of a single failed flame sense electrode will not affect the other flame sense electrodes' ability to sense a flame at their associated burner. The circuit provides inputs for a number of flame sense electrodes via input channels that are capacitively coupled to the line voltage and resistively coupled to an RC network that controls the state of an electronic switch. When a flame is present at any one of the electrodes, the resulting unbalance current flow through the RC network turns the switch off to indicate the presence of flame. This operation is not affected by a short on any other electrode in the circuit.

Abstract: An analog flame sense circuit is provided that utilizes the flame rectification method of sensing flame. The circuit uses an AC voltage source and discrete components to provide the sensing of the flame current. Either a single-pole or a two-pole filter may be used to smooth the generated sense voltage. A DC bias is provided to the filter to ensure a positive voltage. The circuit also includes a high-gain, high-impedance amplifier to translate the high impedance voltage of the sensing portion of the circuit to a relatively low impedance voltage for use by an electronic control circuit. In one embodiment, a high-gain emitter-follower amplifier constructed from two bi-polar junction transistors (BJTs) is used. An integrated Darlington configuration may be used, as well as a single BJT having a high gain, and an integrated operational amplifier.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) device (104) which includes both heating and cooling operating modes provides an easy-to-use interface (110) for selecting the operating parameters of the device (104). The interface (110) allows the input of a setpoint temperature at which the HVAC device (104) conditions the ambient temperature of a space (102). A mode switch-over algorithm (200) uses the setpoint temperature, the sensed temperature from the conditioned space, and prestored threshold values that depend on the device's operating capacities, to determine when to change the device between heating and cooling modes. Also, within each of the respective modes, a heating (300) or cooling (400) algorithm controls the engaging and disengaging of the heating and cooling elements of the device (104) to maintain the temperature of the conditioned space (102) within a desired comfort zone.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve currently used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve currently used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.

Abstract: A time control unit having both a time base dial that allows the user to set the cycle time duration and a duty cycle dial that allows the user to set the percentage of time a load connected to the time control unit in activated during each cycle time. The time base dial includes a series of discrete time base settings that increase non-linearly from a minimum setting to a maximum setting. The duty cycle dial also includes a series of discrete duty cycle settings ranging between a maximum and a minimum duty cycle value. The amount of increase in the percentage of the cycle time between successive duty cycle settings is smaller near the minimum (0%) and maximum (100%) settings and larger near the midpoint between the minimum and the maximum settings such that the duty cycle dial has greater resolution near the maximum and minimum settings.