Abstract: A method and system for operating a modulating furnace from a single-stage thermostat. The furnace control system may include a processor, a gas valve, a variable-speed motor, and a thermostat. The furnace control may execute a thermostat algorithm comprising the steps of: determining if a heating load needs to be satisfied; running burners at an intermediate input rate, a modulated input rate, and a maximum input rate for each respective first, second, and third time intervals until the heating load is satisfied; calculating a heating load requirement as function of the time intervals; and determining an initial input rate for a next cycle based on the calculated heating load requirement.

Abstract: A pilot on-off valve in a refrigeration cycle device includes a main on-off valve that opens or closes a bypass passage through which a high-pressure side portion and a low-pressure side portion of a cycle communicate with each other, and a pilot valve that opens or closes a communication passage through which an inflow port and an outflow port of the pilot on-off valve communicate with each other. When the main on-off valve opens the bypass passage, the pilot valve opens the communication passage in a state where a refrigerant passage, in which a refrigerant flowing out of the pilot on-off valve flows, is closed.

Abstract: A data acquisition module is disclosed for use with electronic components such as superconductive magnets wherein the electronic components and the data acquisition module may reside inside a cryostat. The data acquisition module allows conventional electronic technologies to work inside cryostats at cryogenic temperatures as low as 4° K. This is achieved by management of heat inside the module to keep the module operating at a temperature above the cryogenic temperature. This approach avoids the difficulties that arise from changes in carrier mobility in semiconductors operating at deep cryogenic temperatures. A cryogenic system comprises a cryostat containing a cryogenic fluid and at least one sensor, and a data acquisition module located within the cryostat, the module in communication with the at least one sensor to acquire data, wherein the module comprises a thermal package, a conditioning and digitizing electronic module, a controller module, a power module, and a thermal management module.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may wirelessly communicate with a mobile wireless device that provides a user interface for interacting with the HVAC controller. In some cases, the communication module wirelessly receives a sensed parameter from a remote wireless sensor in a living space of the building and receives a wired input from a return air sensor. A controller may be operatively coupled to the communication module and may control the HVAC system based at least in part on the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor when the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor is available and, in some cases, control the HVAC system based at least in part on the return air parameter when the sensed parameter from the remote wireless sensor is not available.

Abstract: A power element has a closed space provided between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm. An interposing member is interposed between the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm. Accordingly, a size of the closed space can be optionally determined in accordance with a shape such as a thickness of the interposing member. Therefore, limitations on the size of the closed space due to a shape of the first diaphragm and the second diaphragm can be reduced. Accordingly, limitations on the size of a fluid enclosing space due to a shape of a diagram can be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for determining proper operation of an HVAC system by generating a test condition, operating the HVAC system in a heating or cooling mode for either an operational duration of time or until a first indoor air temperature change limit is achieved, if the test condition is satisfied, determining whether the HVAC system is performing at an operational tolerance level, and generating an alert signal if the HVAC system is not performing at the operational tolerance level.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus includes a refrigerant circuit having a compressor, a radiator, an upstream side expansion valve, a receiver, a downstream side expansion valve, an evaporator, and a receiver gas vent pipe. Gas vent control is performed so that gas refrigerant is led from a receiver to the suction side of a compressor via a receiver gas vent pipe by opening a receiver gas vent valve. Upstream side expansion valve subcooling control is performed so that the opening of an upstream side expansion valve is changed such that the subcooling of refrigerant is set to target subcooling at the outlet of a radiator. Downstream side expansion valve suction wetting control is performed so that the opening of a downstream side expansion valve is changed such that refrigerant is in a wetting state and the dryness is set to target dryness at the outlet of an evaporator.

Abstract: A moisture removal system and method employing air movers, dehumidifiers, heaters and attendant methods for reducing moisture in a construction project. The method and system include operating moisture removal equipment and testing moisture content levels sufficient to reduce the moisture content levels to a desired threshold to reduce the likelihood of mold growing or moisture damage in the construction after it is completed.

Abstract: Atmospheric water generators, systems and methods are presented involve user authentication, recording and tracking of water volumes dispensed by respective users over periods of various lengths, controlling component noise level and timing, and cleaning, heating and cooling the collected water more efficiently. The generators may be placed in network communication with other such generators to exchange water availability information therewith, or may communicate with a central server element by way of LAN, Internet, cell tower, peer-to-peer mesh or satellite. Information is conveyed to the user regarding the amount of water they consume from the water generators, and their resulting positive impact on the environment. Water dispensing data may be shared on the users' social media accounts, or used as inputs for competitions or games in order to further engage the user. User authentication may be accomplished by way of biometrics or an RFID/NFC tag embedded in the user's water vessel.

Abstract: A controller is configured to decide whether liquid refrigerant is unevenly distributed among a plurality of outdoor units and then adjust an outlet subcooling degree of an outdoor heat exchanger or an outlet sub cooling degree at a high-pressure outlet of a high-low pressure heat exchanger, and a discharge superheating degree of a compressor in a low capacity-side outdoor unit to match lower heat exchange capacity of the outdoor heat exchanger in the low capacity-side outdoor unit with higher heat exchange capacity of an outdoor heat exchanger in a high capacity-side outdoor unit, the low capacity-side outdoor unit being one of the plurality of outdoor units in which the outdoor heat exchanger has the lower heat exchange capacity, the high capacity-side outdoor unit being another of the plurality of outdoor units in which the outdoor heat exchanger has the higher heat exchange capacity.

Abstract: Provided are a refrigeration cycle that is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, expansion means, and an evaporator and that performs cooling operation; an evaporator heating device that heats the evaporator; a drain pan that receives drain-water from the evaporator and drains the drain-water; a drain-pan heating device that heats the drain pan; frost detecting means including a light-emitting element that emits light to the evaporator and a light-receiving element that receives reflected light from the evaporator and outputs a voltage according to the reflected light; and a control device that controls on-off operation of the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device. The control device determines a frosting condition on the evaporator from an output of the frost detecting means and individually controls the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device in accordance with the determination result.

Abstract: A method for pressure and temperature control of fluid in a series of cryogenic compressors. An actual speed for each compressor and an actual inlet pressure and actual inlet temperature at entry are determined. The maximum speed for each compressor and a desired inlet pressure for the first compressor is provided. A speed index for each compressor is determined from the maximum speed and actual speed of each compressor. A proportional value is determined from the deviation of the actual and desired inlet pressure. A priority value is determined from the smaller of the proportional value and the smallest speed index. A desired inlet temperature for the first compressor and a desired speed for each compressor are determined from the priority value. The actual inlet temperature is adjusted to the determined desired inlet temperature and the actual speed for each compressor is adjusted to the determined desired speed.

Abstract: A refrigerator, a sealed refrigerant system, and method are provided where the refrigerator includes at least a refrigerated compartment and a sealed refrigerant system including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a controller, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The method includes monitoring a frequency of the compressor, and identifying a fault condition in the at least one component of the refrigerant sealed system in response to the compressor frequency. The method may further comprise calculating a compressor frequency rate based upon the rate of change of the compressor frequency, wherein a fault in the condenser fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is positive and exceeds a condenser fan fault threshold rate, and wherein a fault in the evaporator fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is negative and exceeds an evaporator fan fault threshold rate.

Abstract: A system for heating or cooling a sample is disclosed, which includes an insulated chamber; at least one of a heater or a cooling pad disposed within the chamber; and at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow. The at least one compliant, fluid-filled pillow is disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the at least one thermal device while being heated or cooled to a desired temperature by the heater or the cooling pad, and upon reaching the desired temperature, the at least one compliant, fluid filled pillow substantially conforms to a container containing the sample.

Abstract: A thermostat method and apparatus has one or more demand circuits, an energy storage device; a DC regulator connected to the energy storage device, and a thermostat control connected to the DC regulator and to the energy storage device. Current is drawn from the one or more demand circuits when demand associated with the demand circuits is not active and the energy storage device is charged with the current drawn from the one or more demand circuits. If energy stored in the energy storage device is below the first predetermined threshold, activity in the thermostat is reduced and if energy stored in the energy storage device is above the second predetermined threshold, activity in the thermostat is allowed to increase.

Abstract: A method for controlling multi-stage centrifugal compressors is provided. The method includes, for each stage of the compressor, defining a Mach ratio and impeller diameter, calculating a minimum required motor drive frequency to operate free from surge conditions for a current head factor and flow reduction device position, and adjusting the flow reduction device position while maintaining an actual motor drive frequency at a acceptable level to achieve a leaving chilled water temperature set point. The method also includes measuring a suction pressure and a discharge pressure and calculating a saturated suction temperature and a saturated discharge temperature for each stage of the compressor. The method further includes calculating an actual minimum motor drive frequency that is the greater of a first actual minimum motor drive frequency and a second actual minimum motor drive frequency associated with a first compressor stage and a second compressor stage of the compressor, respectively.

Abstract: An air conditioning refrigerant circuit (6) includes an engine-driven compressor (7) and an electric compressor (11), which are arranged in parallel. When the engine is running, the engine-driven compressor (7) is used. When the engine stops, e.g., when idling stops, the electric compressor (11) is used. At the startup of the engine by a manual operation such as ignition by a key, the engine-driven compressor (7) is kept at rest and instead, the electric compressor (11) is operated for a predetermined time. After the predetermined time, the engine-driven compressor (7) is operated. In this way, the oil recovery to the electric compressor is promoted.

Abstract: A compressor system for compressing gases in a multistage compression includes a next-to-last compressor in a flow direction and a last compressor which are connected in series, one or more intercoolers between the next-to-last compressor and the last compressor, and an adsorption dryer connected downstream of the last compressor and designed as a rotation dryer having a rotating adsorption chamber. An inside of the adsorption chamber includes a regeneration sector and a drying sector. The regeneration sector is connected to the last compressor such that the compressed gas stream output from the last compressor is guided in a full stream principle through the regeneration sector. A bypass line which bypasses the intercoolers is situated between next-to-last compressor and last compressor, and includes a setting element to set the gas stream guided via the bypass line and therefore the regeneration entry temperature of the compressed gas in the regeneration sector appropriately.

Abstract: A system comprising an air conditioning unit operable to run at a capacity level determined by a difference between a temperature set-point and an actual temperature of an environment. The system comprises a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a controller. The controller comprises a memory and a microprocessor. The controller is operable to operate the air conditioning unit in a normal mode and a tracking mode comprising operating the air conditioning unit at a reduced capacity comprising setting the temperature set-point of the air conditioning unit as a tracked actual temperature of the environment. The controller is operable to terminate the tracking mode if the actual temperature of the environment either rises above the first temperature value or drops below the second temperature value, or if the humidity level of the environment drops below the humidity threshold.

Abstract: In certain example embodiments, moisture sensors, defoggers, etc., and/or related methods, are provided. More particularly, certain example embodiments relate to moisture sensors and/or defoggers that may be used in various applications such as, for example, refrigerator/freezer merchandisers, vehicle windows, building windows, etc. When condensation or moisture is detected, an appropriate action may be taken (e.g., actuating windshield wipers, turning on a defroster, triggering the heating of a merchandiser door or window, etc.). Bayesian approaches optionally may be implemented in certain example embodiments in an attempt to improve moisture detection accuracy. For instance, models of various types of disturbances may be developed and, based on live data and a priori information known about the model, a probability of the model being accurate is calculated. If a threshold value is met, the model may be considered a match and, optionally, a corresponding appropriate action may be taken.