Abstract: A fluid fill system includes at least one sensor for indicating whether a fluid level in a reservoir is equal to or greater than a predetermined fluid level and a process control. The process control obtains a reading from the at least one sensor at a predetermined interval and increments a counter if the reading indicates that the fluid level is equal to or greater than the predetermined fluid level and decrements the counter if the reading indicates that the fluid level is less than the predetermined fluid level. Process control operates a fluid supply mechanism when a value of the counter moves beyond a predetermined value.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner with an automatic control having a learning function of manual operation, when a passenger manually sets an air blowing amount in the automatic control, it is determined whether or not an air blowing amount after the manual operation is in a readily sensible area. When a change of the air amount due to the manual operation is in the readily sensible area, a reflecting degree of the manual operation reflected in an air amount control pattern is increased. For example, 100% of the manual operation is reflected in the air amount control pattern in the readily sensible area, while about tens % of manual operations is generally reflected in the air amount control pattern totally.

Abstract: A gas cooker comprises temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the bottom face of a pan and issuing a temperature signal and an heat control circuit for controlling the amount of heat issued from the gas burner based on said temperature signal. The temperature detection means is placed in a zone of the cooker around the burner and shielding means are provided in order to reduce the influence of the burner flame on the temperature detection means.

Abstract: An energy conservation moderating system has a DPDT switch (16) in switching communication intermediate a micro controller (8) and a temperature-difference generator (7). The micro controller is in switching control of the temperature-difference generator programmably through the DPDT switch in option to switching control of the temperature-difference generator by a conventional thermostat (1). The micro controller is preferably a Z 8 micro controller having a memory into which an application-specific program in the microcontroller is loaded for programmably plural-cycle short-time on-and-off switching for savings run times intermediate temperature-band on-call extremes and temperature-band mediums of a temperature-band fluctuation selectively.

Abstract: A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring® device, a Palmpilot® device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means. The system may be used to control an HVA system, for example.

Abstract: A device for controlling actuator includes a monitor for monitoring (1) the actuators (2) and a set of conductors (3,9) connected to the monitoring (1). The device includes a single physical support (5) for at least part of the monitoring (1) and the conductors (3,9).

Abstract: In a valve arrangement for closing off a working line in a refrigeration system, the working line includes a high and a low-pressure section. An expansion valve is coupled to the working line and has a working pressure chamber forming part of the valve. A control line system that includes a control device is coupled to the expansion valve and defines a connection that is in full communication with the high and low pressure sections of the working line. A closure element forming part of the control device is positioned in the connection line and arranged in the pressure equalizing configuration that couples the working pressure chamber of the expansion valve to the low-pressure section of the working line.

Abstract: The controller 70 of the brine supply device 10 performs the PID calculation of the manipulated variable MV of the valve 14, calculates the compensated manipulated variable MV′ by compensating the manipulated value MV, and controls the operation of the valve 14 based on the compensated manipulated variable MV′. The variation &Dgr;MV of the manipulated variable MV becomes proportional to the variation &Dgr;PV of the brine supply temperature Pt1 as the operation of the valve 14 is controlled with the compensated manipulated variable MV′. This makes it possible to control temperature with a high accuracy using only one set of PID constants.

Abstract: The air conditioner includes a surface temperature sensor for detecting a surface temperature of a clothes portion of a passenger. In the air conditioner, a thermal-feeling estimation value for the passenger is calculated based on the surface temperature of the clothes portion of the passenger, and air-conditioning operation of a passenger compartment is controlled based on the thermal-feeling estimation value. Accordingly, in the air conditioner, the thermal feeling can be always accurately estimated, and comfortable air-conditioning control can be performed using the thermal-feeling estimation value.

Abstract: An air conditioner controller comprises a supply air duct with an air inlet, an air outlet and a blower. An evaporator is within the duct adjacent to the inlet. A subcooling heat exchanger is within the duct between the evaporator and the outlet. A liquid line feeds coolant from a condenser. The liquid line has a primary outlet coupled to the subcooling heat exchanger and a secondary outlet coupled to a first valve. A coupling line feeds coolant from the subcooling heat exchanger to an evaporator. The coupling line has a second valve adjacent to the subcooling heat exchanger and an intermediate line. A humidistat, under the control of an operator, controls the first and second valve to thereby vary the operating parameters.

Abstract: A compressor includes a discharge chamber and a retaining passage, which is located downstream of the discharge chamber. A control valve controls the displacement of the compressor in relation to the pressure difference between a first pressure monitoring point in the discharge chamber and a second pressure monitoring point in the retaining passage. A pressure introducing passage connects the retaining passage to the control valve. The pressure introducing passage has an opening to the retaining passage. An inlet member is located in the retaining passage to cover the opening. The inlet member has a pressure introducing port that functions as the second pressure monitoring point. The pressure of the refrigerant in the retaining passage is supplied from the pressure introducing port to the control valve through the pressure introducing passage. The inlet member easily alters the position of the pressure introducing port in the retaining passage.

Abstract: A control method of a thermostatic system for a hot water heater is provided where when the water temperature in the hot water heater is too large, a first electromagnetic valve is controlled to be open and a second electromagnetic valve is controlled to be closed. Gas will be transferred via the first gas room to the second gas room. The control of the electromagnetic valves causes a decrease in gas outflow to the hot water heater. When the water temperature in the hot water heater is too small, the first electromagnetic valve is controlled to be closed and the second electromagnetic valve is controlled to be open. The further control of the electromagnet valves causes an increase in the open degree of a gas outlet valve, hence increasing gas outflow.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a space conditioning system having multi-stage cooling and dehumidification capability is provided. The system includes plural refrigeration circuits operable in a cooling mode to provide cooled air to an indoor space. At least one of the refrigeration circuits is also operable in a reheat mode, wherein air is dehumidified by cooling it and then reheating it before it is supplied to the space. A control system is provided for controlling the operation of the refrigeration circuits to satisfy both a demand for cooling and a demand for dehumidification. Depending upon the level of demand for cooling, the system is operated to satisfy the dehumidification demand and the cooling demand simultaneously. However, in response to a higher level of demand for cooling (e.g., a second stage demand, or in some cases, a higher demand), the demand for cooling takes priority over the dehumidification demand.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating gases cooled by an aftercooler that receives hot gases from a compressor. The method includes the steps of directing at least a portion of said hot gases to means for bypassing the aftercooler, and using the bypass means to direct hot gases to a location that receives cooled gases from the aftercooler. The hot gases are used at the location to heat the cooled gases when ambient temperature is at or below freezing, and are used downstream from the aftercooler when moisture freezes in the aftercooler.

Abstract: An electronic control for the operation of a beverage dispenser of the refrigerated ice bank type is shown. The control provides for reliable determinations of when ice production is needed and when it is not needed. A microprocessor receives information from an ice bank probe and from a temperature probe located within the ice bank. Data collected by the microprocessor from both the ice bank probe and the temperature probe is used to determine if the ice bank is either insufficient in size and should be increased or is of sufficient size such that the compressor can be turned off. A carbonator level probe is also shown and connected to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed whereby the carbonator probes are sampled in a manner to accurately determine the level of water in the carbonator and therefore the need for turning on or turning off any water pump connected thereto.

Abstract: A system for a user to control a thermostat temperature setting includes a master code by which an operator gains access to the system to set the parameters by which the general user can access the system and change the temperature setting. The general user gains access by keying in a password, which may be permanent or temporary, manipulating a key in a lock mechanism, or by providing a biometric reading through a biometric reading device. The biometric readings can include one or more characteristics including thumb print, finger print, retinal scan, iris scan, and facial image. The operator with the master code enables or disables the various means of access for the general user, and can also schedule automatic thermostat adjustments at various times and dates.

Abstract: Thermostats do not presently display the amount of stored heating fuel remaining. The replacement of a thermostat often requires the user to install a new backplate or goof plate because of the different size of the replacement thermostat. This invention provides a backplate or goof plate that displays the existing storage fuel level, and is for use with an existing or a replacement thermostat.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, a control unit includes determining means for determining a first start of a compressor for compressing refrigerant in a refrigerant cycle after being mounted on the vehicle, and control means for controlling operation of the compressor so that the compressor is operated for a predetermined time by a rotation speed equal to or lower than a predetermined rotation speed when the determining means determines the first start of the compressor. Accordingly, breaking-in operation of the compressor can be accurately performed for the predetermined time by an automatic control.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided with an image projection capability that allows images concerning the operation of the thermostat to be projected onto a surface in the vicinity of the thermostat. The image projection is preferably accomplished by directing an internally generated image to an image enlargement device which thereafter projects an enlarged image onto the surface in the vicinity of the thermostat. The surface that receives the projected image is preferably defined by a screen affixed to the wall that the thermostat is mounted to.

Abstract: An electronic control for an air conditioning system is provided. The system includes first and second air conditioning packs located in the air craft remote from one another. Each pack includes a pack controller in the same location as the pack. The pack controllers produce operating instruction signals to the packs for instructing the packs to produce conditioned air in response to a reference signal. A supervisory controller is centrally located in aircraft, preferably in the electronics equipment bay, and is connected to each of the pack controllers. The supervisory controller produces the reference signal to the pack controllers. In addition to controlling the operation of the packs, the pack controllers preferably include prognostics for monitoring the packs and diagnosing problems. The distributed electronic controllers of the present invention utilized for the packs may similarly be applied to the zone trim system and the engine air bleed valves.