Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room for food in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the food stuff being aged, thereby controlling the “aging” of the food stuff and its quality.

Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room, also known as a conditioned space, for products in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the products being dried, thereby controlling the amount of and rate of water or water vapor loss of the products and, therefore controlling its quality, the system also including target controls, a thermoelectric cooler and lighting controls.

Abstract: A system to control the conditions of an aging room for food in which independent feedback loops control the dry bulb temperature and the dew point while controlling the difference between the vapor pressure in the room and the vapor pressure of the food stuff being aged, thereby controlling the “aging” of the food stuff and its quality.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit from a variety of different data transports. When a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message.

Abstract: A system for routing messages electronically is provided. A sensor is in communication with a central computer server. The server is adapted to receive and preferably store information detected by the sensors from a variety of different data transports. When a sensor detects an exception condition , the server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on and in accordance with a user-defined message profile. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment are provided. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit from a variety of different data transports. If a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message. The interface unit may in addition or instead transmit normal status messages if the equipment and/or interface unit is functioning properly. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit from a variety of different data transports. When a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message.

Abstract: A system for routing messages electronically is provided. A sensor is in communication with a central computer server. The server is adapted to receive and preferably store information detected by the sensors from a variety of different data transports. When a sensor detects an exception condition , the server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on and in accordance with a user-defined message profile. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

Abstract: A system for identifying smart appliances in a given family of home automation. The system includes an inductive transceiver connected to an address register of an appliance and a portable inductive data holder also having an address register. The portable data holder is designed to be placed near one appliance having a transmitter so that the identification information of the first appliance may be inductively received into the address register of the portable device. When a new smart appliance is brought home and it is desired to incorporate the new appliance into the existing home automation system, the portable device is then held near the new device so that the address stored in the portable device's address registered is inductively transmitted to the address register in the new appliance. The portable device acts like a “syringe” which “injects” the identification code of the first appliance into the second appliance.

Abstract: A control system for a cooling system for reducing humidity levels in a gas such as ambient air is provided. The cooling unit includes at least one of a compressor and a chiller, and cooling coils are connected to the cooling unit. A fan blows the gas onto the cooling coils. A fan speed controller is connected to the fan and variably controls the speed of the fan. A dry bulb temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the gas and connected to the controller, and a moisture sensor is in communication with the gas and connected to the controller. The speed of the fan is determined by the controller based on signals received from the dry bulb temperature sensor and the moisture sensor. By varying the speed of the fan, the moisture content of the gas can be modified much more precisely than by conventional air conditioning methods.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors. The interface unit is provided with a programmable logic controller which performs Boolean operations or expressions on the signals received by the sensors. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit. When a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment such as HVAC equipment, are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment, and a local transmitter is connected to the sensor. An interface unit, having a message generating mechanism and an antenna, is capable of receiving signals from the sensors of several pieces of equipment, forming a local network. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive and preferably store messages generated by the interface unit. When a sensor detects an exception condition in a piece of remote equipment, the sensor transmits a signal to the interface unit, and the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message.

Abstract: A valve modulation method and a system utilizing the method is provided. In a hydronic heating system having primary and secondary loops, a simple two-position valve is powered on an intermittent duty cycle to regulate the amount of flow of boiler water from the primary loop to a radiation system in the secondary loop. The actuator of the valve is pre-powered so that it is fully responsive to this intermittent duty cycle. By only supplying power to the actuator of the valve intermittently, the piston of the valve remains in a partially open position, and allows some flow to pass from the primary loop to the secondary loop. The position of the valve remains constant, owing to the duty cycle being shorter than the response time of the valve. By pre-powering the valve, the lag time it takes for the valve to become responsive to changes in the duty cycle is significantly reduced or eliminated. In this fashion, the temperature of the water in the secondary loop may be controlled.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring remote equipment are provided. A sensor is in communication with a piece of remote equipment, and an interface unit, having a message generating mechanism, is connected to the sensor. A central computer server is in communication with the interface unit and is adapted to receive messages generated by the interface unit. When the sensor detects an exception condition in the piece of remote equipment, the interface unit generates an incoming exception message and forwards the message to the server. The server forwards at least one outgoing exception message to at least one predetermined user-defined communication device based on the incoming exception message. Multiple outgoing exception messages may be forwarded to multiple communication devices in accordance with a user-defined message profile, or a single outgoing exception message may be forwarded in response to receipt of multiple incoming exception messages. The message profile is remotely configurable by the user.

Abstract: A remote controlled system for remotely controlling a high load device, such as the defrosting cycle of a self-defrosting refrigerator, is provided. The system includes a data interface to receive commands from an electricity supplier and to transmit those commands via the power line to the refrigerator. The refrigerator is equipped with a power line interface to receive the commands from the power line and transmit the commands to a defrost sequencer. Between the power line interface and the defrost sequencer may be provided another interface that converts the commands into a digital signal more suitable for the defrost sequencer, which is typically a microprocessor.

Abstract: A passive injection system for a hydronic heating system having a primary loop and a secondary loop is described. The passive injection system establishes a secondary temperature in the secondary loop significantly different from the temperature of the primary or boiler loop. A Venturi tee passively induces flow from the primary loop to the secondary loop. A valve is provided in the flow path of the Venturi tee between the primary and secondary loops and allows some flow or no flow from the primary loop to enter and mix with the secondary loop, depending upon whether the valve is open, closed, or partially open. A return leg is provided at a tee connection for returning flow from the secondary loop to the primary loop. In this way, the temperature of the secondary loop can be set well below the temperature of the primary loop and can be controlled without changing the flow rate of the secondary loop.

Abstract: A snow and ice melt control system is provided to melt snow and ice from a slab, a temperature sensor means are provided at the input and output from the slab, and a differential temperature is generated reflecting the condition of the slab in respect to the ambient temperature. A controller is provided to adjust the amount of heat and heated fluid flowing to the slab to actively respond to environmental conditions to more efficiently melt snow and ice on the slab.