Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to receive a temperature value and determine a load demand value based on the temperature value. The device is further configured to determine the load demand value is greater than the load capacity value for the HVAC system and, in response, identify a first setting from among a first plurality of settings for the HVAC system. By default, access to the first plurality of setting for the HVAC system is restricted for a user. The device is further configured to receive a response approving permission to operate the HVAC system using the first setting to the user and send a trigger signal to an HVAC controller to operate the one or more components of the HVAC system using the first setting.

Abstract: A method for performing a pump down cycle to isolate an indoor section of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) from an indoor section of the HVAC system is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a first control signal to a compressor of the HVAC system. The first control signal causes the compressor to turn on or stay turned on. The method further includes transmitting a second control signal to a vapor line isolation valve. The second control signal causes the vapor line isolation valve to open. The method further includes transmitting a third control signal to a liquid line isolation valve. The third control signal causes the liquid line isolation valve to close. The method further comprises determining that a refrigerant charge in the indoor section has become less than a threshold value. In response, the compressor is turned off and the vapor line isolation valve is closed.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a high-pressure subsystem and a low-pressure subsystem. After determining that refrigerant leak diagnostics should be performed, a controllable valve is closed between a condenser and compressor of the HVAC system. The compressor then operates until a predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached. After the predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached, operation of the compressor is stopped. After stopping operation of the compressor and waiting at least a predetermined wait time, the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem of the HVAC system is monitored. A rate of change of the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem is determined. If the rate of change is negative and a magnitude of the rate of change is greater than a threshold value, a leak location is determined to be in the low-pressure subsystem.

Abstract: An herbicide is disclosed that allows an increase in the concentration of two types of glyphosate herbicide, monoisopropylamine (MIPA) and Potassium (K Salt) while maintaining efficacy without reliance on surfactants. The process and formulation produce a bioefficacy of a glyphosate composition that is significantly improved using specific combinations of natural inert ingredients, yielding higher concentrations of glyphosate salts while minimizing viscosity. That is, a formulation of a higher concentration product in a ready-to-sell form that has the same efficacy when diluted as less concentrated products currently available. This invention is more cost-effective to ship and takes up less storage space while requiring less manufacturing steps and cost associated.

Abstract: A method for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system diagnostics includes sending a first instruction to a thermostat to shut down an HVAC system. A user is instructed to minimize background noise. A second instruction is sent to the thermostat to turn on the HVAC system. A third instruction is sent to the thermostat to set a temperature setpoint below or above a value of a room temperature. Indoor unit sound data is captured for a second time period. The baseline sound data is subtracted from the indoor unit sound data to determine normalized indoor unit sound data. Expected sound signatures of the indoor unit are identified. The normalized indoor unit sound data is compared to the expected sound signatures. In response to determining that an expected sound signature for a blower is missing from the normalized indoor unit sound data, it is determined that the blower has failed.

Abstract: A method for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system diagnostics includes sending a first instruction to a thermostat to shut down an HVAC system. A user is instructed to minimize background noise. A second instruction is sent to the thermostat to turn on the HVAC system. A third instruction is sent to the thermostat to set a temperature setpoint below or above a value of a room temperature. Outdoor unit sound data is captured for a second time period. The baseline sound data is subtracted from the outdoor unit sound data to determine normalized outdoor unit sound data. Expected sound signatures of the outdoor unit are identified. The normalized outdoor unit sound data is compared to the expected sound signatures. In response to determining that an expected sound signature for a compressor is missing from the normalized outdoor unit sound data, it is determined that the compressor has failed.

Abstract: A method for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system diagnostics includes, in response to determining that a triggering event has occurred, entering a filter diagnostics mode. A first instruction is sent to a thermostat to shut down an HVAC system. A user is instructed to locate and remove a filter. The filter is classified as acceptable or dirty. In response to classifying the filter as acceptable, the user is instructed to the turn on the HVAC system. In response to determining based on the triggering event that a desired mode is a cooling mode, a first value of a room temperature is determined. The user is instructed to set a temperature setpoint below the first value. A second value of the room temperature is determined. In response to determining that the second value is less than the first value, it is determined that the HVAC system operates properly.

Abstract: A multifunctional scooping and scraping device for removing and scraping all material from the internal volume of a bucket, bag, or other container. The device has a concave shaped curved base having a pair of side edges and a scooping bottom edge, a top edge has a lip, and a pair of notches are positioned on the opposite ends of the top edge. The scooping bottom edge is designed to effectively scrape the walls and base of the container, ensuring that all material is removed. The lip portion is configured for easy maneuvering, and notches on opposite ends enable for attachment to the rim of a container for easy accessibility.

Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to receive a temperature value and determine a load demand value based on the temperature value. The device is further configured to determine the load demand value is greater than the load capacity value for the HVAC system and, in response, identify a first setting from among a first plurality of settings for the HVAC system. By default, access to the first plurality of setting for the HVAC system is restricted for a user. The device is further configured to receive a response approving permission to operate the HVAC system using the first setting to the user and send a trigger signal to an HVAC controller to operate the one or more components of the HVAC system using the first setting.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid fertilizer comprising a calcium cyanamide component that is dissolved, co-applied, dispersed, or suspended in a solution of aqueous triazone urea. The combination of calcium cyanamide and triazone urea produces a slow release of nitrogen that requires fewer reapplications and is more effective than heretofore fertilizers. In one preferred embodiment, the fertilizer or plant treatment is further combined with a soil treatment including polycarboxylate acids and polyaliphatic acid salts in combination with potash to further enhance the properties of the fertilizer.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes an indoor heat-exchange coil disposed between a supply air duct and a return air duct. A damper is disposed in a re-circulation duct and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A controller is configured to determine if the HVAC system is operating in a heating mode or an air-conditioning mode. Responsive to a determination that the HVAC system is operating in the air-conditioning mode, the controller is configured to determine if the variable-speed indoor circulation fan is operating at a minimum speed and if the relative humidity measured by the humidity sensor is above a pre-determined threshold. Responsive to a determination that the variable-speed indoor circulation fan is operating at the minimum speed and the relative humidity of the enclosed space is above the pre-determined threshold, the controller signals the damper to move to the open position.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a high-pressure subsystem and a low-pressure subsystem. After determining that refrigerant leak diagnostics should be performed, a controllable valve is closed between a condenser and compressor of the HVAC system. The compressor then operates until a predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached. After the predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached, operation of the compressor is stopped. After stopping operation of the compressor and waiting at least a predetermined wait time, the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem of the HVAC system is monitored. A rate of change of the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem is determined. If the rate of change is negative and a magnitude of the rate of change is greater than a threshold value, a leak location is determined to be in the low-pressure subsystem.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a high-pressure subsystem and a low-pressure subsystem. After determining that refrigerant leak diagnostics should be performed, a controllable valve is closed between a condenser and compressor of the HVAC system. The compressor then operates until a predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached. After the predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached, operation of the compressor is stopped. After stopping operation of the compressor and waiting at least a predetermined wait time, the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem of the HVAC system is monitored. A rate of change of the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem is determined. If the rate of change is negative and a magnitude of the rate of change is greater than a threshold value, a leak location is determined to be in the low-pressure subsystem.

Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to receive a temperature value and determine a load demand value based on the temperature value. The device is further configured to determine the load demand value is greater than the load capacity value for the HVAC system and, in response, identify a first setting from among a first plurality of settings for the HVAC system. By default, access to the first plurality of setting for the HVAC system is restricted for a user. The device is further configured to receive a response approving permission to operate the HVAC system using the first setting to the user and send a trigger signal to an HVAC controller to operate the one or more components of the HVAC system using the first setting.

Abstract: The present invention is a liquid fertilizer comprising a calcium cyanamide component that is dissolved, co-applied, dispersed, or suspended in a solution of aqueous triazone urea. The combination of calcium cyanamide and triazone urea produces a slow release of nitrogen that requires fewer reapplications and is more effective than heretofore fertilizers. In one preferred embodiment, the fertilizer or plant treatment is further combined with a soil treatment including polycarboxylate acids and polyaliphatic acid salts in combination with potash to further enhance the properties of the fertilizer.

Abstract: A method of minimizing components of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system from malfunctioning, the method includes measuring, by an accelerometer associated with at least one component of the HVAC system, vibration of the at least one component and receiving, by a controller, actual vibration data reflective of the measured vibration. The method further includes determining, using the controller, whether the actual vibration data is greater than pre-defined acceptable baseline vibration data by more than a pre-defined acceptable amount and responsive to a positive determination in the determining step, adding, by the controller, as a deadband frequency, an operational frequency of the at least one component corresponding to the actual vibration data.

Abstract: A method of mitigating liquid-refrigerant migration includes comparing a requested compressor speed of a variable-speed compressor to a pre-defined threshold and, responsive to a determination that the requested compressor speed is greater than the pre-defined threshold, operating the variable-speed compressor at a first compressor speed that is less than the requested compressor speed.

Abstract: A device is configured to operate a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The device is further configured to receive a temperature value and determine a load demand value based on the temperature value. The device is further configured to determine the load demand value is greater than the load capacity value for the HVAC system and, in response, identify a first setting from among a first plurality of settings for the HVAC system. By default, access to the first plurality of setting for the HVAC system is restricted for a user. The device is further configured to receive a response approving permission to operate the HVAC system using the first setting to the user and send a trigger signal to an HVAC controller to operate the one or more components of the HVAC system using the first setting.

Abstract: A method of mitigating liquid-refrigerant migration includes comparing a requested compressor speed of a variable-speed compressor to a pre-defined threshold and, responsive to a determination that the requested compressor speed is greater than the pre-defined threshold, operating the variable-speed compressor at a first compressor speed that is less than the requested compressor speed.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a high-pressure subsystem and a low-pressure subsystem. After determining that refrigerant leak diagnostics should be performed, a controllable valve is closed between a condenser and compressor of the HVAC system. The compressor then operates until a predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached. After the predetermined input refrigerant pressure is reached, operation of the compressor is stopped. After stopping operation of the compressor and waiting at least a predetermined wait time, the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem of the HVAC system is monitored. A rate of change of the pressure in the low-pressure subsystem is determined. If the rate of change is negative and a magnitude of the rate of change is greater than a threshold value, a leak location is determined to be in the low-pressure subsystem.