Abstract: A refrigeration system for controlling airflow around an air-cooled heat generating device having a plurality of components includes a refrigerant line split into second refrigerant lines, which are arranged in a parallel configuration with respect to each other. Evaporators are positioned along the second refrigerant lines and in the path of airflow supplied into the components or airflow exhausted from the components. The refrigeration system further includes a variable speed compressor and a controller for controlling the speed of the variable speed compressor. Furthermore, the refrigeration system includes a temperature sensor configured to transmit signals related to a detected temperature to the controller, and the controller is configured to vary the speed of the variable speed compressor based upon the detected temperature.

Abstract: A system for operating a cooling loop associated with a space and including at least one cooling coil and cooling fluid supply, the system including: a grain sensor positioned with respect to the space and providing a value indicative of the amount of moisture in the space; at least one pump fluidly coupled across the coil; at least one flow limiter fluidly coupled to the coil and limiting a flow of cooling fluid between the cooling fluid supply and the coil; and at least one controller electrically coupled to the flow limiter; wherein, the at least one controller selectively operates the flow limiter responsive to the value indicative of the amount of moisture in the space and the pump re-circulates cooling fluid independent of the cooling fluid supply dependently upon the flow limiter.

Abstract: Adaptive intelligent circulation control methods and systems are used to help increase the comfort and/or reduce energy usage and equipment wear. In one illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is adjusted based on one or more environmental conditions inside or outside the building structure. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time may be adjusted based on the current time of day, current time of year, and/or the current schedule period. In another illustrative embodiment, the circulation and/or ventilation time is randomized over time. The start time, end time, and/or length of a circulation and/or ventilation cycle may be randomly set.

Abstract: In an air-conditioning system for a motor vehicle, having a coolant circuit formed from a compressor for compressing the coolant, a condenser for cooling the compressed coolant, an expansion device for reducing the pressure of the coolant and an evaporator for evaporating the coolant, a control unit is provided which is connected to at least one of the coolant circuit components and which is set up to adapt an operating characteristic of the component to at least two different coolants.

Abstract: Modular data centers with modular components suitable for use with rack or shelf mount computing systems, for example, are disclosed. The modular center generally includes a modular computing module including an intermodal shipping container and computing systems mounted within the container and configured to be shipped and operated within the container and a temperature control system for maintaining the air temperature surrounding the computing systems. The intermodal shipping container may be configured in accordance to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) container manufacturing standards or otherwise configured with respect to height, length, width, weight, and/or lifting points of the container for transport via an intermodal transport infrastructure. The modular design enables the modules to be cost effectively built at a factory and easily transported to and deployed at a data center site.

Abstract: A programmable water heater thermostat controller that attaches over the temperature control unit of existing gas or electric water heaters. The user programs the temperature of water required at different times of the day. A microcontroller then compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using a geared electric motor. If vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting.

Abstract: Distributed nodes, such as intelligent register controllers, of a heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system wirelessly communicate with each other on a peer-to-peer basis, forming a network, and collectively control the HVAC system, without a central controller. The intelligent register controllers collectively control the amount of conditioned air introduced into each region. Each node may base its operation at least in part on information about one or more (ideally all) of the other nodes.

Abstract: An exhaust air removal system and method for use with a rack or enclosure containing equipment is provided. The system and method are configured for removal of exhaust air vented from equipment during operation to thereby remove heat from the equipment. In one aspect, the system includes a fan unit preferably configured to serve as a back door of an equipment rack or enclosure and configured to provide access to an interior of the rack or enclosure. The fan unit provides multiple fans coupled to internal exhaust ducts that are arranged to draw and to remove exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment. The fan unit is further configured to vent exhaust air to an area external to a rack or enclosure, such as an external exhaust duct or plenum. Removal of hot and warm exhaust air vented from rack-mounted equipment enables the equipment to operate effectively, drawing sufficient amounts of cooling air to meet its cooling requirements.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator energy management system removes condensation from glass refrigerator doors in an energy efficient manner by operating refrigerator frame heaters independently of refrigerator door heaters. Sensors for detecting humidity or condensation transmit data to a control unit that controls electrical current supplied to separate door and frame heater wires. Additional sensors for controlling the refrigerator lighting and monitoring the power consumption of refrigerator fans may transmit data to the control unit. A command unit may receive data from multiple control units, compile the data, and make it available over the internet to a shopkeeper monitoring the system from a remote location. The sensors, control unit, and command unit all communicate on a wireless peer-to-peer network using the ZigBee protocol.

Abstract: Adaptive structures, systems incorporating such adaptive structures and related methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an adaptive structure is provided that includes a first structure and at least one microstructure associated with the first structure. The at least one microstructure may include a microscale beam configured to be displaced relative to the first structure upon the adaptive structure being exposed to a specified temperature. The beam may be formed, for example, of a metallic material, of multiple different metallic materials, or of a shape memory alloy. In one embodiment, a plurality of the adaptive structures may be associated with micropores of a skin panel. The adaptive structures may be utilized to control the flow rate of a coolant or other fluid through the micropores responsive to a sensed environmental parameter such as, for example, temperature.

Abstract: An engine starter system that predicts when starter failure is imminent. The engine starter system monitors engine starter crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature. The crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature are communicated to a controller which compares the crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature to a predicted crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature. If the crank speed is lower than the predicted crank speed, a signal is sent to an alarm.

Abstract: In a cooling device for a vehicle having a main passage through which coolant water is circulated between the interior of an engine and a radiator 13, a heater passage through which the coolant water is circulated between the interior of the engine and a heater core 15, and a thermostat 18 that operates in response to the temperature of the coolant water and selectively permits and stops circulation of the coolant water in the main passage, the heater passage is used as a heater/bypass passage, which functions also as a bypass passage, through which the coolant medium is circulated without passing through the radiator 13 when the engine warms up. This makes it unnecessary to form a separate bypass passage, thus simplifying the passage configuration.

Abstract: An ice maker comprises a tray accommodating water to make ice, a first control box (200) installed at a side of the tray, the first control box (200) accommodating a predetermined part of a mechanism unit driving the ice maker; and a second control box (300) accommodating the other part of the mechanism unit which is electrically connected with the part of the mechanism unit accommodated in the first control part.

Abstract: An ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains generally to thermostats that are adapted to assist utilities in communicating with its customers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a thermostat having a display, a controller and a receiver that is coupled to the controller. The receiver is adapted to receive messages from a utility, and the controller is adapted to display one or more related display messages on the display.

Abstract: A heat exchange system for supplying air to a habitable space at a desired output condition includes a continuously variable mechanical cooler, an indirect evaporative cooler, an adiabatic cooler and a controller arranged to selectively supplement a cooling capacity of the indirect evaporative cooler, with a variable amount of cooling from the mechanical cooler in order to reach the desired output condition.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling operation of a vapor compression system (13) includes monitoring at least one component condition of the system (13), comparing a predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition, and loading or unloading at least one of a first compressor (18) or a second compressor (20) of the system (13) in response to the comparison of the predetermined setpoint to the at least one component condition.

Abstract: In order to extend the functionalities of a range hood, the range hood is provided with an oxygen sensor measuring the oxygen content in the ambient air. Alternatively or additionally, the range hood can be provided with a climate control device that regulates the air climate and/or room climate around the range hood and by which information about the climate below as well as around the range hood can be obtained and used or supplied for further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorption air conditioner that comprises a desorber (100), a condenser, an evaporator and an absorber, wherein the absorbing fluid may consist of lithium bromide. The method comprises the following steps: calculating the concentration of the absorbing fluid solution at the outlet of the desorber (100); and comparing the calculated concentration with a predetermined critical value and, if the calculated concentration gets closer to the predetermined critical value, increasing the charge loss in the duct (20) connecting the desorber (100) to the condenser, which interrupts the condensation in the condenser and results in a pressure increase in the desorber that stops the desorption and in a concentration increase, the charge loss being on the other hand reduced for resuming the desorption when the calculated concentration deviates from the predetermined critical value. The invention can be used in automobiles and absorption air-conditioners.

Abstract: The cooling chest for rapidly quenching beverages includes a quench tray for holding containers of beverage. The quench tray is lowered into salt-water or other cooling liquid which is cooled by a refrigeration unit. A processing device determines the temperature of the beverages within the containers within the quench tray and further activates a mechanism for removing the quench tray from the water or cooling liquid when the desired temperature is reached. The processing device can also activate the mechanism for removing the quench tray from the water or cooling liquid when the upper lid or access doors are opened.