Abstract: Using thermal radiation to supply occupant comfort has long existed in the heating domain, and to a lesser scale in the cooling domain. Cooling power of radiant cooling systems is limited by the risk of condensation on the panel itself, as well as adjacent surfaces. Similarly, convective system losses to the ambient air prevent maintaining a large temperature difference from the surface and the surroundings. The disclosed approach combats these common pitfalls of radiant cooling systems in the building domain, increasing the power and therefore applicability of radiant cooling.

Abstract: A method and system for mass and heat exchange, where water is preferentially absorbed by a non-toxic, non-corrosive liquid desiccant after passing through a hydrophilic, non-porous membrane. Optionally, mixing stages are provided to reduce the surface concentration of water at the desiccant-membrane interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a spherical-motion average radiant temperature sensor (SMART Sensor) system which can be used in various applications, including but not limited to, informing or controlling HVAC systems in buildings, locating and tracking people or objects, and detecting the release of gases. The system may optionally include the use of sensors other than a non-contacting temperature sensor to improve calculations and determinations made by the system.

Abstract: In the present invention, a mass and heat exchange system and method are disclosed, wherein water is preferentially absorbed by a non-toxic, non-corrosive liquid desiccant after passing through a hydrophilic, non-porous membrane, and embodiments wherein mixing stages are provided to reduce the surface concentration of water at the desiccant-membrane interface are also provided.

Abstract: Occupancy detection is an increasingly important part of building control logic, as new systems and control logic greatly benefit from human-in-the-loop sensing. Current approaches such as CO2 monitoring, acoustic detection, and PIR based motion detection are limited in scope, as these variables are a proxy for occupancy, and at best can be roughly correlated to occupancy, and cannot reliably provide a count of the number of occupants. The disclosed sensor uses thermal information that is continually being emitted by human occupants and optical processing to count and spatially resolve the location of occupants in a room, allowing ventilation flow rates to be properly controlled and directed, if enabled. Occupant detection and counting cheaply and reliably without moving parts is the holy grail of building controls at the moment, which are the basic design principles behind the disclosed inexpensive, static, and stable thermographic occupancy detection sensor.

Abstract: A method and system for mass and heat exchange, where water is preferentially absorbed by a non-toxic, non-corrosive liquid desiccant after passing through a hydrophilic, non-porous membrane. Optionally, mixing stages are provided to reduce the surface concentration of water at the desiccant-membrane interface.

Abstract: Using thermal radiation to supply occupant comfort has long existed in the heating domain, and to a lesser scale in the cooling domain. Cooling power of radiant cooling systems is limited by the risk of condensation on the panel itself, as well as adjacent surfaces. Similarly, convective system losses to the ambient air prevent maintaining a large temperature difference from the surface and the surroundings. The disclosed approach combats these common pitfalls of radiant cooling systems in the building domain, increasing the power and therefore applicability of radiant cooling.

Abstract: A mean radiant temperature sensor is used to measure radiant heat exchange to determine comfort. Disclosed herein are a spherical-motion average radiant temperature sensor (SMART Sensor) device or system, and an associated method, for taking an average overall global reading while also being able to record weighting for different directions easily in spherical coordinates.

Abstract: In the present invention, a mass and heat exchange system and method are disclosed, wherein water is preferentially absorbed by a non-toxic, non-corrosive liquid desiccant after passing through a hydrophilic, non-porous membrane, and embodiments wherein mixing stages are provided to reduce the surface concentration of water at the desiccant-membrane interface are also provided.

Abstract: A mean radiant temperature sensor is used to measure radiant heat exchange to determine comfort. Disclosed herein are a spherical-motion average radiant temperature sensor (SMART Sensor) device or system, and an associated method, for taking an average overall global reading while also being able to record weighting for different directions easily in spherical coordinates.