Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for temperature regulation of a medium to be circulated through a plurality of zones of a facility. In this method, a call for heat is received. The method identifies a zone within the plurality of zones from which the call for heat originated. The medium is then heated to a first temperature range if the identified zone is a first zone within the facility and is heated to a second temperature range if the identified zone is a second zone within the facility. The first and second temperature ranges differ from one another. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a multi-sensor component for an HVAC system. The multi-sensor component comprises a sensor assembly, having a temperature detector for measuring a temperature of an object or medium, a presence detector to detect the presence of the object or medium against the sensor, and a pressure detector for measuring a pressure of the medium. The temperature, presence and pressure detectors may also be affixed within a single sensor housing. In a heating mode the multi-sensor component is heated by a heater, and in a cooling mode the multi-sensor component cools toward a temperature of the object or medium, and the temperature detector provides temperature data indicative of a temperature response comprising one of a temperature change, a rate of change and a time constant of a thermal decay rate of the multi-sensor component and the presence of the object or medium.

Abstract: An economizer component of a controller used for fuel efficient temperature regulation of a medium circulated through a zone within a hydronic and steam heating system is disclosed. The controller component includes an input interface adapted to determine if the system requires heat based on receiving one or more of a call for heat from the zone, or an indication that a burner of the system is active. The component further includes a dynamic adaptation module configured to provide a burner control signal for heating the system if required. The control signal has an adjustable high limit, and the dynamic adaptation module is configured to increment the adjustable high limit by an increment value, to a value no greater than a maximum high limit, if it is determined that the system requires heat, and decrement the adjustable high limit by a decrement value, to a value no lower than a minimum high limit, if it is determined that the system does not require heat.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a multi-sensor component for an HVAC system. The multi-sensor component includes a sensor assembly, having one or more detectors, including a plurality of temperature detectors operable to measure a temperature of an object or a medium, a presence detector operable to detect the presence of the object or medium, and a pressure detector operable to measure a pressure of the medium. The multi-sensor component also includes a sensor monitor operably coupled to the detectors of the sensor assembly and configured to use a detection algorithm operable to detect one or more of the temperature, pressure and presence of the object or medium, the sensor monitor configured to verify a health of the one or more detectors of the sensor assembly, and also includes a sensor housing or thermo-well or combination thereof having the sensor assembly and the sensor monitor affixed therein.

Abstract: An economizer component of a controller used for fuel efficient temperature regulation of a medium circulated through a zone within a hydronic and steam heating system is disclosed. The controller component includes an input interface adapted to determine if the system requires heat based on receiving one or more of a call for heat from the zone, or an indication that a burner of the system is active. The component further includes a dynamic adaptation module configured to provide a burner control signal for heating the system if required. The control signal has an adjustable high limit, and the dynamic adaptation module is configured to increment the adjustable high limit by an increment value, to a value no greater than a maximum high limit, if it is determined that the system requires heat, and decrement the adjustable high limit by a decrement value, to a value no lower than a minimum high limit, if it is determined that the system does not require heat.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a multi-sensor component for an HVAC system. The multi-sensor component comprises a sensor assembly, having one or more detectors, comprising a plurality of temperature detectors operable to measure a temperature of an object or a medium, a presence detector operable to detect the presence of the object or medium, and a pressure detector operable to measure a pressure of the medium. The multi-sensor component also comprises a sensor monitor operably coupled to the detectors of the sensor assembly and configured to use a detection algorithm operable to detect one or more of the temperature, pressure and presence of the object or medium, the sensor monitor configured to verify a health of the one or more detectors of the sensor assembly, and also comprises a sensor housing or thermo-well or combination thereof having the sensor assembly and the sensor monitor affixed therein.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for temperature regulation of a medium to be circulated through a plurality of zones of a facility. In this method, a call for heat is received. The method identifies a zone within the plurality of zones from which the call for heat originated. The medium is then heated to a first temperature range if the identified zone is a first zone within the facility and is heated to a second temperature range if the identified zone is a second zone within the facility. The first and second temperature ranges differ from one another. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a multi-sensor component for an HVAC system. The multi-sensor component comprises a sensor assembly, having a temperature detector for measuring a temperature of an object or medium, a presence detector to detect the presence of the object or medium against the sensor, and a pressure detector for measuring a pressure of the medium. The temperature, presence and pressure detectors may also be affixed within a single sensor housing. In a heating mode the multi-sensor component is heated by a heater, and in a cooling mode the multi-sensor component cools toward a temperature of the object or medium, and the temperature detector provides temperature data indicative of a temperature response comprising one of a temperature change, a rate of change and a time constant of a thermal decay rate of the multi-sensor component and the presence of the object or medium.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a boiler controller for a boiler system. The boiler controller comprises a sensor monitoring component, operably coupled to a temperature detector operable to measure a temperature of a medium within the boiler, and a pressure detector operable to measure a pressure of the medium. The boiler controller also comprises a burner controller coupled to a burner. The burner controller is operable to control the burner to heat the boiler based upon at least one of the temperature of the medium measured by the temperature detector compared to a range of temperature setpoints, results of an energy efficiency calculation, a presence of the medium, and the pressure of the medium.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a fail-safe sensor for an HVAC system. The sensor comprises a temperature detector operable to measure a temperature of a component or a medium present at the sensor, a PTC heater operable to heat the sensor to a self-regulating temperature, the heater comprising a resistive element having an electrical impedance which increases with increasing temperature in accordance with a positive temperature coefficient characteristic, and a sensor housing comprising the PTC heater and the temperature detector provided within a single housing. An algorithm is provided for HVAC systems, wherein the sensor is heated to the self-regulating temperature by the PTC heater and is then measured by the temperature detector to confirm that the temperature detector is operating properly. Further, the sensor may be allowed to cool to a temperature of the surrounding medium or the component for sensing the temperature thereof.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for a fail-safe sensor for an HVAC system. The sensor comprises a temperature detector operable to measure a temperature of a component or a medium present at the sensor, a PTC heater operable to heat the sensor to a self-regulating temperature, the heater comprising a resistive element having an electrical impedance which increases with increasing temperature in accordance with a positive temperature coefficient characteristic, and a sensor housing comprising the PTC heater and the temperature detector provided within a single housing. An algorithm is provided for HVAC systems, wherein the sensor is heated to the self-regulating temperature by the PTC heater and is then measured by the temperature detector to confirm that the temperature detector is operating properly. Further, the sensor may be allowed to cool to a temperature of the surrounding medium or the component for sensing the temperature thereof.