Abstract: A method and control apparatus are described for limiting peak-load contribution by HVAC systems and other systems, and for measuring the effect of energy-conservation expedients. The control apparatus reduces the percentage of on-time and thus fuel and power consumption and demand for utility capacity to a predetermined extent during peak-load periods, by inhibiting fuel-on signals from the thermostat of each HVAC system to the furnace, fuel-pump, or air conditioner of the HVAC system, or other system, so that the total on-time during a load-measuring interval is reduced to a predetermined amount. During non-peak periods, the control apparatus is inactive and the thermostat controls the HVAC system. The measurement aspect of the invention measures and records on and off state time intervals for the HVAC system, and temperatures associated with such intervals.

Abstract: A thermostat is disclosed for controlling a heating system, particularly a forced hot-air furnace, so as to improve fuel efficiency and decrease peak fuel load. The thermostat controls the length of fuel-on cycles, so that the heat exchanger of the furnace is not saturated. A wide deadband (approximately 3.degree. F.) for the thermostat further aids in lessening fuel usage. Forced air operation continues for a secondary-delivery period immediately after the thermostat turns the furnace off, thereby extracting additional heat from the heat exchanger and ductwork, but the length of the secondary-delivery period is limited so that the heat exchanger does not cool off beyond a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A thermostat is described for controlling a furnace for a hot air, hot water, or steam heating system which delivers heat to a heated space via a delivery system. The thermostat causes the system to conserve energy by limiting the "burn" or on-time cycle to a system-specific interval during which the heat exchanger of the furnace operates in its linear region. At the end of this interval (designated a "MAX.sub.-- ON" interval), the burn cycle is terminated, but delivery of heat to the heated space continues for a secondary-delivery interval during which the furnace's blower (or other delivery means) continues operation. The secondary-delivery interval ends when the residual heat has been extracted from the furnace and delivery system. The system then remains off until the next burn cycle begins. The duration of the off-time interval is such that heat input to the heated space and heat outflow to the ambient from the heated space are kept in equilibrium.

Abstract: An interactive electronic thermostat operates to communicate with an installer through an audible or visual display and keypad to instruct the installer to perform tasks and enter observations to effect proper connections at the thermostat of heater/air conditioner wires in spite of the absence of labels identifying the functions of those wires. The thermostat requires entry of coded indicia representing operator-observed conditions in the system in response to displayed instructions carried out by the operator. Control circuits are automatically assigned functional tasks in response to the operator-observed conditions entered into the system. Different program routines are invoked depending upon the number of system wires and the type of heater/air conditioner being controlled. Under appropriate circumstances, messages are displayed informing the operator/homeowner that the thermostat is incompatible, or has no advantageous use, with the heater/air conditioner.

Abstract: A heat curable material in the form of a moldable and extrudable paste comprises a mixture of inorganic fibers, an elastomer, silicone resin and various optional fillers, all mixed with a suitable solvent. The material cures into a durable solid having excellent physical properties and superior thermal insulating characteristics.

Abstract: A deep water explosive echo ranging system capable of detecting high perfance submarines by using favorable acoustic paths available at deep depths. An umbrella hydrophone array is deployed from a sonobuoy to deep depths; an electrical subsystem transmits data from the hydrophone array to a transmitter housed in a surface float unit; a multichannel receiver and signal processing and display apparatus in an aircraft receives and processes radio data signals sent from sonobuoy transmitters; and an explosive underwater charge package is remotely triggered by a command generator in the aircraft.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved three component promoter for enhancing the cure rate of a molding compound comprising an unsaturated polyester resin and an unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith. The presence of the three component promoter system substantially enhances the cure rate of the molding compound while at the same time substantially lengthening the shelf life of the prepromoted resin. The three component system comprises a cobalt salt in the plus 2 valence state with the cobalt being present in an amount to provide from about 0.0005-0.06 parts cobalt metal per 100 parts unsaturated polyester resin (including unsaturated monomer), a copper salt, the salt being present in an amount to provide from 0.01-1.times.10.sup.

Abstract: This invention relates to epoxy powder coatings which have excellent shelf life at ambient temperature (70.degree. F.) with excellent cure rates at curing temperatures, the epoxy resin containing a latent amine salt of bis-phenol A, the amine represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 2 or 3, and R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for curing unsaturated polyester resins, preferably chemically thickened with a Group II metal oxide or hydroxide, and to the resulting product. The improvement resides in the use of an acetylacetonate ligand of cobalt III, which is mono, di, or tri-substituted with an electron withdrawing group, e.g. a nitro, phenyl or halogen atom.