Abstract: A method for controlling an air handler includes providing a temperature setpoint to a smart valve in fluid communication with one or more coils of the air handler, providing to the smart valve an air temperature of air conditioned by the air handler, and modulating a valve position of the smart valve using the temperature setpoint, and the air temperature.

Abstract: A chilled water distribution system includes a chilled water loop in fluid communication with a plurality of buildings and also in fluid communication with a plurality of chiller stations. A monitoring and control system communicates with one of the chiller stations, hereinafter referred to as a “controlled” chiller station because it is configured with one or more variable frequency drives that are controlled by the monitoring and control system to modulate the speed of at least one chiller station component such as, but not limited to, a pump or a fan. By way of this modulation process, a differential pressure of the chilled water loop may be maintained in a “sweet spot” so as to optimize chiller station output while minimizing chiller station energy consumption.

Abstract: A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.

Abstract: A method of assembling a watercraft of a family of watercraft includes, when assembling a first watercraft, attaching a front hull panel to a rear hull panel such that the front hull panel extends forwardly of the rear hull panel. The front hull panel and the rear hull panel form a hull of the first watercraft. The method also includes, when assembling the second watercraft: attaching a hull extension panel to the rear hull panel such that the hull extension panel extends forwardly of the rear hull panel; and attaching the front hull panel to the hull extension panel such that the front hull panel extends forwardly of the hull extension panel. The front hull panel, the hull extension panel and the rear hull panel form a hull of the second watercraft. The second watercraft has a second hull length greater than a first hull length of the first watercraft.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A watercraft includes: a central frame; a deck supported by the central frame; and first and second lateral hulls laterally spaced apart from one another, the central frame being disposed at least in part laterally between the first and second lateral hulls. Each of the lateral hulls includes: a plurality of lower hull panels mounted to the central frame, at least part of an outer surface of each lower hull panel forming a running surface of the watercraft; a plurality of braces connected between the central frame, the plurality of lower hull panels and the deck; and at least one buoyant element received in and substantially filling a space defined between the lower hull panels and the deck. Each brace includes: an inner mount connected to the central frame, a lower mount connected to at least one lower hull panel, and an upper mount connected to the deck.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a flow restriction in an air handler is provided. The system includes a coil, air and liquid temperature sensors, a smart valve and a notification device. The coil is located in an air stream of the air handler. The air temperature sensors are located in the air stream, one sensor determining an air temperature of air upstream of the coil and another determines an air temperature downstream of the coil. The liquid temperature sensors determine a liquid temperature entering the coil and exiting the coil. The smart valve includes a controller in communication with the liquid temperature sensors and at least one of the air temperature sensors that uses the measured air temperature downstream of the coil and a valve actuator position to determine whether the coil is operating at a reduced capacity. The notification device communicates with the controller of the smart valve.

Abstract: An environmental control system for a building in a geographic location and having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system includes at least one computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processing device in communication with the external application, enables the at least one processing device to receive weather data characterizing a weather forecast over a predetermined time period for the geographic location, receive free-cooling window data, determine, based on the weather data and free-cooling window data, an available free-cooling time window, and issue to the external application an executable command to the HVAC system to enter free-cooling mode during the available free-cooling time window.

Abstract: A system, according to one embodiment, includes: a plurality of tape reels; and a tape drive configured for reading data from tape stored on at least one of the plurality of tape reels. At least some of the tape reels have a tape wound thereon and a spring-like clip coupled to a free end of the tape. Moreover, the clip is selectively positionable in a wrapped position where the clip wraps around a portion of the tape when the tape is wound onto the reel, thereby holding the portion of the tape in place on the reel.

Abstract: An air handler unit (AHU) in communication with a building automation system (BAS) or through direct programming of one or more smart valves within the AHU operates to meter an amount of water that flows through a coil in the AHU. In one embodiment, the BAS transmits a temperature setpoint signal to the smart valve and allows the smart valve to control its valve position without additional input from the BAS. In another embodiment, the AHU includes a master smart valve and a second valve. The BAS provides the temperature setpoint signal to the master smart valve, which in turn provides another temperature setpoint signal to the second valve. The second valve may take the form of a slave smart valve or a slave non-smart valve.

Abstract: A photoacoustic medical-imaging device includes a wavelength conversion assembly (108) configured for outputting laser pulses at a targeted wavelength. It also includes a photoacoustic probe configured for acoustic coupling to a patient, for directing the pulses, and for acquiring, in response, radiofrequency data for photoacoustic imaging. It may include an optical fiber bundle (120) that comprises an optical fiber having an input end, and be configured for illuminating, with a homogenous beam, so as to conform to an acceptance angle (160) of the fiber at that end. It may also include a light collimator, and a diffuser for receiving the outputted laser pulses from the collimator. The diffuser may be configured for spreading a focus of the pulsed light (148) over an input aperture of the bundle to equalize the light received by different constituent optical fibers of the bundle. The assembly may include a dye cell (132), and may reside in the device.

Abstract: An air handler unit (AHU) in communication with a building automation system (BAS) or through direct programming of one or more smart valves within the AHU operates to meter an amount of water that flows through a coil in the AHU. In one embodiment, the BAS transmits a temperature setpoint signal to the smart valve and allows the smart valve to control its valve position without additional input from the BAS. In another embodiment, the AHU includes a master smart valve and a second valve. The BAS provides the temperature setpoint signal to the master smart valve, which in turn provides another temperature setpoint signal to the second valve. The second valve may take the form of a slave smart valve or a slave non-smart valve.

Abstract: A chilled water distribution system includes a chilled water loop in fluid communication with a plurality of buildings and also in fluid communication with a plurality of chiller stations. A monitoring and control system communicates with one of the chiller stations, hereinafter referred to as a “controlled” chiller station because it is configured with one or more variable frequency drives that are controlled by the monitoring and control system to modulate the speed of at least one chiller station component such as, but not limited to, a pump or a fan. By way of this modulation process, a differential pressure of the chilled water loop may be maintained in a “sweet spot” so as to optimize chiller station output while minimizing chiller station energy consumption.

Abstract: A support structure for mounting an accessory assembly to a vehicle having a mounting surface defining a base mount and at least one brace mount includes a base having a connection portion being selectively connectable to the vehicle, and a support portion. The base is connectable to the accessory assembly. The support structure further includes a brace having a mating portion for engaging the support portion, and at least one arm extending from the mating portion toward the connection portion and away from the base when the mating portion engages the support portion. The at least one arm has a proximal end connected to the mating portion, and a distal end being spaced from the connection portion and being selectively engageable to the vehicle. The support structure further includes a lock selectively locking the mating portion to the base.

Abstract: A disc cassette includes a curved portion. The curved portion includes multiple ribs that define multiple disc slots. The disc slots are configured to hold multiple discs that are spaced apart by the ribs. The disc cassette further includes multiple index features positioned on an inside edge of the curved portion. The index features are configured to allow alignment of a kicker device of a disc retrieval unit (DRU) to a disc of the disc cassette to lift the disc into a disc gripper device without disturbing one or more other discs of the disc cassette that are adjacent to the disc.

Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting a flow restriction in an air handler is provided. The system includes a coil, air and liquid temperature sensors, a smart valve and a notification device. The coil is located in an air stream of the air handler. The air temperature sensors are located in the air stream, one sensor determining an air temperature of air upstream of the coil and another determines an air temperature downstream of the coil. The liquid temperature sensors determine a liquid temperature entering the coil and exiting the coil. The smart valve includes a controller in communication with the liquid temperature sensors and at least one of the air temperature sensors that uses the measured air temperature downstream of the coil and a valve actuator position to determine whether the coil is operating at a reduced capacity. The notification device communicates with the controller of the smart valve.

Abstract: An example method for operating a plant, which has at least one assembly with a rotating surface that wears to an increasing extent during the operation of the plant, may involve evaluating a wear state of the rotating surface of the assembly. Based on the wear state of the rotating surface, a manner in which the plant is operated may be modified to prolong the running time of the assembly until, for instance, a next-scheduled service or maintenance interval. The modified manner of operating the plant may be adapted to the wear state of the rotating surface. Several examples of such modifications include changing a quantity of water sprayed onto material to be comminuted, changing a quantity of grinding additive added to material to be comminuted, and/or changing a contact pressure of a grinding roll of the assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A controller is configured to exchange information with a building automation system and includes various executable programs for determining a real time operating efficiency, simulating a predicted or theoretical operating efficiency, comparing the same, and then adjusting one or more operating parameters on equipment utilized by a building's HVAC system. The controller operates to adjust an operating efficiency of the HVAC system. An adjustment module utilized by the controller may modify the HVAC equipment parameters based on the likelihood that various HVAC equipment operates in parallel and on-line near its natural operating curve. In addition, the adjustment module may include a self-learning aspect that permits the controller to more efficiently make similar, future adjustments as needed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a point of return device can be configured to gather information related to a return request and a returning customer. Upon providing the information to an authorization server, the server can identify historical transaction data of the returning customer from data stored in a repository. Based on the historical transaction data and on the return request, the authorization server determines a return authorization decision based on an item-level return policy, another decision based on customer-specific return privileges, and optionally, another authorization decision based on registry-related return privileges. Upon processing the return request based on a selected return authorization decision, data representative of the processed return request is optionally stored in the repository to update the previously identified customer transaction data.