Abstract: A method of determining a temperature and a pressure in a tank is provided. The method comprises the steps of obtaining sensor data and calculating coefficients. Then, a bridge resistance is ratiometrically determined from a bridge voltage. A temperature is calculated with the coefficients and the bridge resistance. Thereafter, a transition from a temperature measurement mode to a pressure measurement mode is made. A voltage per resistance is calculated with the coefficients and a differential voltage. Then, a normalized voltage is calculated using the voltage per resistance, the differential voltage, and the bridge resistance to indirectly compensating for temperature. A pressure is calculated with the coefficients and the normalized voltage.

Abstract: An energy saving control for appliances via an intelligent thermostat is provided. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system, and provides coordinated control over the appliances. This control over the appliances is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the appliances. The appliances include occupancy sensors and transmit usage and occupancy information to the intelligent thermostat. The intelligent thermostat processes this information to determine the occupancy of the dwelling. The thermostat controls the HVAC system and the appliances according to the determined occupancy of the dwelling.

Abstract: A one time high fill pressure switch providing energy savings operation for use in a commercial or consumer appliance such as a clothes washing machine is provided. The one time high fill pressure switch provides multiple water level settings that may be selected by a user, including a maximum fill energy savings setting. Operation in the maximum fill energy savings setting allows a maximum fill level upon the first fill cycle of the programmed washing cycle. In subsequent fill cycles during the washing cycle, the one time high fill pressure switch limits the water level to a setting below the initial fill level setting. This operation is provided through the use of a hook feature on the pressure switch program cam that traps a reset spring support and is controlled by a cam follower in the pressure switch.

Abstract: A system and method for refrigeration timer control having an energy efficient defrost cycle are provided. The system and method provide a delay time after the refrigeration cycle and prior to the defrost cycle. During this delay period the evaporator fan may run. The fan circulation and the heat from the fan coil provide a pre-warm cycle to the evaporator prior to the defrost cycle. To further enhance energy efficiency, the system and method may also provide a pre-refrigeration cycle after the defrost cycle. During this pre-refrigeration cycle only the compressor is energized. This prevents warm moist air from being circulated until the evaporator coils are cooled.

Abstract: A fluid valve has a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. A fluid flow path extends between the inlet port and the outlet port. A valve member is located in the housing in the fluid flow path. The valve member is moveable among a series of positions. The valve member and the housing have a plurality of apertures arranged such that a varied selection of the apertures is in the fluid flow path according to the indexed position of the valve member. In at least one indexed position of the valve member no apertures are in the flow path.

Abstract: A timer is provided. The timer includes a rotatable electrically non-conducting ratchet gear, an electrically conducting pawl mechanism, and an electronic drive circuit. The ratchet gear has a plurality of teeth. The electrically conducting pawl mechanism includes a pawl configured to engage one of the plurality of teeth on the ratchet gear. The an electronic drive circuit is electrically coupled to the pawl mechanism. The electronic drive circuit passes a current through the pawl mechanism such that the pawl advances the ratchet gear by one tooth pitch.

Abstract: A wireless tank level monitoring system is provided. The system includes a transmitter that is located in close proximity to the storage tank. The transmitter is coupled to a remote-ready tank level gauge, which provides a ratio-metric voltage output proportional to the liquid volume inside the tank. The transmitter periodically monitors the output from the level gauge and transmits the information to a base station located remotely from the storage tank. The base station displays the tank level numerically in percent full, graphically with a bar chart, or both. A conspicuous visual indication is provided by the base station when the tank level drops below a predetermined set point. In battery powered applications, the base station also reads and provides a visual indication of a low battery condition for both the transmitter and base station.

Abstract: A tamper resistant temperature dial and associated method of use is disclosed. This includes a temperature adjustment device associated with a controller for a heating device that includes a rotatable dial for setting temperature in the heating device, a ring that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial or the controller, wherein the ring includes a plurality of notched portions, and a resilient detent having a first portion engagable with at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring, a second portion for releasably applying pressure to the resilient detent for disengaging the first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring and having a third portion that is operatively attached to the attached to the controller or the rotatable dial. The heating device can be either electric or gas.

Abstract: A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor. The data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage has been detected.

Abstract: A system and method manage delivery of energy from a distribution network to one or more sites. Each site has at least one device couple to the distribution network. The at least one device controllably consumes energy. The system includes a node and a control system. The node is coupled to the at least one device for sensing and controlling energy delivered to the device. A control system is coupled to the node and distribution network for delivering to the node at least one characteristic of the distribution network. The node for controls the supply of energy to the device as a function of the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method manage delivery of energy from a distribution network to one or more sites. Each site has at least one device couple to the distribution network. The at least one device controllably consumes energy. The system includes a node and a control system. The node is coupled to the at least one device for sensing and controlling energy delivered to the device. A control system is coupled to the node and distribution network for delivering to the node at least one characteristic of the distribution network. The node for controls the supply of energy to the device as a function of the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A dryer for drying moist goods is provided. The dryer reduces the amount of conditioned air used during the drying cycle by drawing drying air from the exterior of the building rather than the interior of the building thereby reducing the overall energy efficiency of the building. The dryer includes an air flow passage extending between a fresh air inlet and an exhaust air outlet. A drying chamber forms a portion of the air flow passage and is interposed between the fresh air inlet and the exhaust air outlet. A blower moves air through the air flow passage. The fresh air inlet and exhaust air outlet are separated from one another by a common wall and are positioned adjacent to one another. The fresh air inlet and exhaust air outlet are configured to attach to a combined supply and exhaust duct such that exhaust air and fresh air are passed between the dryer and the exterior of the building through the combined supply and exhaust duct.

Abstract: A method for drying moist goods is provided. The method uses a dryer positioned within a building connected to a dual flow duct that includes a fresh air passage and an exhaust air passage. The method includes the steps of supplying drying air to the dryer through the fresh air passage, passing air through the moist goods, and exhausting the air from the building through the exhaust air passage of the dual flow duct. The method may include the steps of transferring heat energy from the exhausted air to the drying air. Also, the flow of supplied air and exhaust air may flow concentrically relative one another or in side-by-side relation. Furthermore, the method may include sensing characteristics of the air and controlling the dryer according to the sensed characteristics.

Abstract: A combined supply and exhaust apparatus for an air using appliance is provided. The combined supply and exhaust apparatus includes air supply and air exhaust passages. The air supply and air exhaust passages extend between inlets and outlets. A common wall separates the air supply passage from the air exhaust passage. The air supply passage supplies air to the appliance and the air exhaust passage exhausts air from the appliance.

Abstract: An integrated lighting control and threat detection system is provided. Once one of the threat detectors determines that a hazardous condition exists, it transmits a threat message to the lighting control system. The lighting control system then operates to turn on illumination within the dwelling to aid in an occupant's safe exiting from the dwelling. The lighting control system operates to illuminate all lights within a dwelling upon detection of a hazardous condition. Alternatively, the lighting control system operates to illuminate preselected paths of lighting as programmed by a user. Still further, coordinated illuminated control may be provided based upon the location of the detected hazardous condition and the fixed and portable lights within a dwelling. Both fixed and adaptive illumination control are provided as is a fail safe illumination of all lights within a dwelling should each of the pre-selected exit paths contain a hazardous condition.

Abstract: A system and method manage delivery of energy from a distribution network to one or more sites. Each site has at least one device coupled to the distribution network. The at least one device controllably consumes energy. The system includes a node and a control system. The node is coupled to the at least one device for sensing and controlling energy delivered to the device. A control system is coupled to the node and distribution network for delivery to the node at least one characteristic of the distribution network. The node controls the supply of energy to the device as a function of the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A one time high fill pressure switch providing energy savings operation for use in a commercial or consumer appliance such as a clothes washing machine is provided. The one time high fill pressure switch provides multiple water level settings that may be selected by a user, including a maximum fill energy savings setting. Operation in the maximum fill energy savings setting allows a maximum fill level upon the first fill cycle of the programmed washing cycle. In subsequent fill cycles during the washing cycle, the one time high fill pressure switch limits the water level to a setting below the initial fill level setting. This operation is provided through the use of a hook feature on the pressure switch program cam that traps a reset spring support and is controlled by a cam follower in the pressure switch.

Abstract: A valve incorporates a device causing turbulents in the water stream just before passing over the turbine fins of the flow sensor. The device actually increases the Reynolds number or turbulence of the water stream increasing the contact of the water on the turbine. This causes the turbine to rotate more efficiently for the given flow volume passing over the flow measuring device. The improved efficiency results in better accuracy and performance over the entire flow range. In one embodiment the turbulent device forces the flow stream to rotate counter clockwise and hit the turbine fins causing higher force which makes the turbine turn more efficiently. The turbine is designed such that the major portion of the fin surface area is perpendicular to the turbulent flow stream. This opposed direction causes more force to be placed on the turbine fin by the water stream.

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 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.