Abstract: A system for forecasting predicted thermal loads for a building comprises a thermal condition forecaster for forecasting weather conditions to be compensated by a building environmental control system and a thermal load predictor for modeling building environmental management system components to generate a predicted thermal load for a building for maintaining a set of environmental conditions. The thermal load predictor of the present invention is a neural network and, preferably, the neural network is a recurrent neural network that generates the predicted thermal load from short-term data. The recurrent neural network is trained by inputting building thermal mass data and building occupancy data for actual weather conditions and comparing the predicted thermal load generated by the recurrent neural network to the actual thermal load measured at the building. Training error is attributed to weights of the neurons processing the building thermal mass data and building occupancy data.

Abstract: A directional evacuation lighting apparatus used during an emergency evacuation situation for a building where an emergency sign with direction is projected on the floor to help direct and locate closest safety exit.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying event information from a building system includes a display device coupled to a processing circuit. The processing circuit is operable to cause the display to display information regarding a first building system in a first portion of the display, the information being selectable and changeable by a user. The processing circuit is further operable to cause the display to display, independent of the displayed information in the first portion, an alarm graphic element in a second portion of the display, the alarm graphic element including building system event information regarding a second building system.

Abstract: A damper assembly includes a damper frame, at least one damper blade, an actuator and a sensor module. The damper blade(s) is/are movably attached to the damper frame to at least partially regulate air flow proximate the damper frame. The actuator is configured to control a position of the at least one damper blade. The sensor module is coupled to a first damper blade and includes a sensor device operable to determine position information regarding the position of the damper blade. The sensor module further includes a wireless communication circuit that is operable to communicate the position information to a second wireless communication circuit disposed off of or away from the damper blade.

Abstract: The fire detector comprises an insertable detector assembly which includes a sensor arrangement, an electronic evaluation system and a housing which surrounds the sensor arrangement and has openings to provide access by air and, when applicable, smoke to the sensor arrangement. The detector is of modular construction and is configured to accommodate detection modules having sensors for different fire parameters, all detection modules being compatible with a single housing. The detection module may be configured for optical, thermal or optical-thermal fire detection and/or for detecting combustion gases. The sensor arrangement and the above-mentioned access openings are arranged substantially in one plane, whereby a shallow construction is achieved even in the case of a multi-criterion detector. The detection modules have a carrier plate which is identical for all detector types and is insertable in the detector, which carrier plate is configured to accommodate the sensors for the different fire parameters.

Abstract: An integration tool is presented for integrating and/or commissioning a new device or system into a building control system. The integration tool is incorporated into the building control system and is operative to create one or more databases and/or applications for the new device that is then flashed to an appropriate building system controller. In one form, the present invention is a software tool for integrating a building control device into the building control system. In another form, the present invention is an integration tool for defining applications for new devices. In yet another form, the present invention is a seamless software tool that allows field personnel to create databases and define applications by simply following the defined point structure.

Abstract: A method and system transfer, cool, store, and load an ash waste product of a gasification process. Hot ash is moved toward a storage silo via one or more augers and/or conveyors. Ash may be sent through a means for reducing the size of any ash chucks, such as roller crushers. The ash may be transferred via a first auger affixed with a glycol/water indirect cooling means. The ash may then be transferred to a second auger, also having a glycol/water indirect cooling means, but further being operable to blanket the ash with an inert gas, such as slightly pressurized nitrogen. Then, the ash may be transferred to a storage silo via a continuous flow bucket conveyor. The silo and conveyor may be operable to maintain the ash blanketed with inert gas. Subsequently, the ash may be unloaded from the silo, such as into a vehicle, via a retractable spout.

Abstract: An Energy and Cost Savings Calculation System is provided that automates the determination of energy and cost savings due to energy conservation measures. The system provides Multi-Variant, Non-Linear (MVNL) load forecasting techniques, energy and cost savings calculations, and Weather Ranking. The load forecasting technique may accept numerous external parameters as input. The technique may use multiple Baselines. It may also use multiple Basic Reference Periods to reduce the load forecasting error. The load forecasting technique may utilize external parameters that are updated on a daily basis, such as dry bulb temperature, dew point temperature, solar condition, and interval meter data. The technique may use Baseline Extensions to perform forecasts and Reference Period Modifications to enhance accuracy. The system may calculate energy and cost savings using Complex Rates and time-of-use (TOU) energy data.

Abstract: The smoke detector contains an optical measuring chamber, having a sensor arrangement with at least one light source and one light receiver, and a labyrinth system with screens arranged on the periphery of the measuring chamber. The light source and the light receiver are each arranged in a housing. The housings have an elongated shape and a small window opening The at least one light source and light receiver are arranged in the rear part of their housings, so that between the window openings of the housings and the light-penetrated optical surfaces of the at least one light source and/or the lens of the light receiver a relatively large gap is formed. This gap is preferably greater than the diameter of the above-mentioned optical surfaces, or of the lens. In the measuring chamber between the light exit and entry side of the housings and the screens opposite them, a compact, open scattering space is formed.

Abstract: In building automation architectures, components may be associated through physical communications paths and at a different level through building automation applications. Building automation applications implement control processes for a building function. Due to changing needs, such as a failure of a physical communications path or the addition or removal of components, the building automation application may be more appropriately performed in a different device. By dynamically positioning or determining a processor for implementing a building automation application, an architecture or network may more optimally control building functions, such as by requiring less user input, more rapid response and/or avoiding building function failures.

Abstract: An automation component configured for optimized wireless communication within a building automation system is disclosed. The automation component includes a wireless communications component, a processor in communication with the wireless communications component, a memory in communication with the processor, the memory configured to store computer readable instructions which are executable by the processor. The computer readable instructions being programmed to process at least one communication variable received via the wireless communications component; to optimize a communication or radio transmit power level associated with the wireless communication component, wherein the optimized communication power level is a function of the at least one communication variable; and an adjustment of the communication power level associated with the wireless communication component based on the optimized communication power level.

Abstract: In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with a time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices. Communication between devices allows a controller to coordinate the determination of distances associated with different devices within a network, such as through transmission of a test signal and assigning distance measurement operations to devices that receive the test signal with sufficient strength or other characteristics.

Abstract: In a building environment, a coordinate location or local position of various automation devices is determined. The location or position may be determined using a wireless distance measurement. Applications, associations, and utilizations for wireless building automation devices are developed according to location and/or positions of the devices. The position may be determined based on techniques for determining a relative distance of device from other devices and/or a reference point. The position may be mapped to the coordinate location within the building. Devices may be grouped, a commissioning table of binding associations between devices may be created, and addresses assigned to the building automation devices according to the location, the position and/or distances between the devices. Associations between devices may be established and updated based on proximity of the devices. Device communication also may be controlled according to position and distance information.

Abstract: A capacitor connected to a voltage source is charged during a charging phase up to a voltage value, and during a discharging phase the capacitor is discharged via a coupling element connected to the flame sensor. The period for the charging or discharging phase of the capacitor respectively is selected in this case as a function of the characteristics of the flame sensor, especially of its impedance. For flame monitoring the charging and discharging of the capacitor is repeated cyclically, with the voltage signal obtained in this way being evaluated in single-channel mode with the aid of a threshold value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus uses a stored three dimensional model of an object to render an image showing a condition sensed by a building control system. The building condition may be sensed by a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) network that is wirelessly integrated into the building control system. The three dimensional model may include structural components, ventilation equipment, safety equipment, furniture and machinery and allow a user to navigate through the rendered image by varying the viewpoint of the rendered image.

Abstract: In a building environment, a distance associated with a building automation device is determined as a function of an inserted time delay between a wireless transmission of a signal and wireless reception of another signal. For example, a two-way communication is provided with a time delay inserted before responding to a received transmission. By using two-way transmissions, the building automation devices may be free of clock synchronization. Acoustic signals may be used in a building environment to determine a distance. The building automation device may also use radio frequency information for communicating with other devices. Communication between devices allows a controller to coordinate the determination of distances associated with different devices within a network, such as through transmission of a test signal and assigning distance measurement operations to devices that receive the test signal with sufficient strength or other characteristics.

Abstract: A user interface is provided having a display for displaying information about a system, wherein said system is comprised of a plurality of elements. The user interface is provided with a plurality of modes of user operation, including an installment mode which allows the user to configure the user interface to perform in a desired manner while the element is being installed.

Abstract: In a building environment, coordinate locations for building automation devices is determined. The location may be based on triangulation methods for determining coordinate locations from wireless distance information for the building automation devices. Erroneous determinations for coordinate location are identified and a corrected coordinate location determined according to distance determinations.

Abstract: An arrangement in a building control system includes a plurality of field panel devices. Each field panel device is configured to receive control inputs and further configured to provide control outputs to at least one building control device. Each field panel device includes a data store, a communication circuit, and a processing circuit. The data store maintains a set of global data that is shared by all field panel devices. The communication circuit is operably connected to others of the plurality of field panel devices via a logical network. The processing circuit is operable to communicate changes of any of the set of global data to at least one other field panel device via the communication circuit.

Abstract: A method for radio transmission in a radio cell of an alarm system uses a time slot for communication between users or with a radio cell central unit that is subdivided into a first main area and a second main area. At least two of the users send routine signals to the radio cell central unit within the first main area, before detector data is transferred to the radio cell central unit or to another user in the second main area. This enables more users to be operated in the radio cell, with the reaction time remaining the same and lower power consumption of the peripheral elements.