Patents by Inventor Gangyi Zhou
Gangyi Zhou has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240118430Abstract: A GNSS emergency monitoring error suppression method for an alpine canyon complex environment is provided. Through three steps of GNSS optimization design of the alpine canyon complex environment, derived error suppression of emergency monitoring criteria in the alpine canyon complex environment, and error suppression measurement and result correction, GNSS measurement errors in the alpine canyons can be effectively suppressed. Through improving measurement accuracy, GNSS technology can be widely applied to the alpine canyons, outstanding advantages of high efficiency and high accuracy in a coordinate transmission process of the GNSS technology are brought into full play, and a cost is effectively reduced. Meanwhile, by processing the errors of the emergency monitoring criteria, it is possible to protect workers from on-site operation risks.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Zufeng Li, Heng Zhou, Shuwen Yang, Haixing Shang, Gangyi Zhao, Zhixuan Miao, Qun Zhang, Guangjun Yi, Wei Ren, ShengXue Ke, Ruixue Li
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Patent number: 11692728Abstract: Systems and methods for air flow circulation are described which utilize one or more air conditioning units as well as transfer grilles to move cooler air from one space to another. The transfer grilles can include bi-directional in-line fans to move air between spaces in discrete ducts located between the spaces. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting, and use of the air conditioning unit can be avoided when a cool air source is present in another space.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Innovative Building Energy ControlInventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Publication number: 20230047686Abstract: A composite structural beam includes a metal frame including frame members extending along at least three axes. The metal frame defines an interior cavity. An internal wood member is located within the interior cavity and is configured to provide structural support to the metal frame. At least one external wood member is connected to the metal frame such that at least a portion of the metal frame is captured between the at least one external wood member and the internal wood member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Patent number: 11137167Abstract: Devices for retrofitting existing, manual airflow registers are described that convert a manual register with blades into a motorized damper. The devices include a support structure attached to the register and having a motor that moves a linking apparatus. The linking apparatus is coupled with a lever of the register that itself is coupled with the blades such that movement of the lever rotates the blades and therefore control the amount of airflow through the register. By moving the linking apparatus via a motor, the lever can also be moved allowing the manual airflow register to be automatically controlled with the need to replace the existing register.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Innovative Building Energy ControlInventors: Gangyi Zhou, Ruijun Tian
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Publication number: 20200400328Abstract: Systems and methods for air flow circulation are described which utilize one or more air conditioning units as well as transfer grilles to move cooler air from one space to another. The transfer grilles can include bi-directional in-line fans to move air between spaces in discrete ducts located between the spaces. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting, and use of the air conditioning unit can be avoided when a cool air source is present in another space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Patent number: 10806008Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a system and a method for automatically controlling appliances via a mechanical or digital controller. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a first circuitry communicatively coupled with one or more sensors and configured to generate a pulse-width modulation signal based in part on a reading from the sensor. The system also includes a dimming module configured to control a lighting device or other external device as a function of the signal. The dimming module can include a micro controller unit that receives the signal as well as a synchronized signal from a circuit that receives sampling information from a driving circuit, and generates a second pulse-width modulation signal that is sent to the driving circuit to control the external device.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Innovative Building Energy ControlInventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Patent number: 10788232Abstract: Systems and methods for air flow circulation are described which utilize one or more air conditioning units as well as transfer grilles to move cooler air from one space to another. The transfer grilles can include bi-directional in-line fans to move air between spaces in discrete ducts located between the spaces. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting, and use of the air conditioning unit can be avoided when a cool air source is present in another space.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Innovative Building Energy ControlInventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Patent number: 10555404Abstract: Systems and methods for managing one or more light sources or other devices are disclosed that utilize a dimmer and demodulator. The systems and methods can be used to modulate light from light sources having four-wire drivers. Each dimmer and demodulator follow a protocol of a lighting control system, and permit use of the lighting control system with lighting fixtures having 0-10 VDC dimming drivers. The dimmer and demodulator preferably communicate via a power line carrier method, which delivers the A/C electrical power and the lighting demand simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: INNOVATIVE BUILDING ENERGY CONTROLInventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Publication number: 20190313514Abstract: Systems and methods for managing one or more light sources or other devices are disclosed that utilize a dimmer and demodulator. The systems and methods can be used to modulate light from light sources having four-wire drivers. Each dimmer and demodulator follow a protocol of a lighting control system, and permit use of the lighting control system with lighting fixtures having 0-10 VDC dimming drivers. The dimmer and demodulator preferably communicate via a power line carrier method, which delivers the A/C electrical power and the lighting demand simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: October 10, 2019Applicant: Innovative Building Energy ControlInventor: Gangyi ZHOU
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Publication number: 20190137129Abstract: Systems and methods for modulation of airflow within an existing air conditioning system are described. The existing system includes an air conditioning or HVAC unit coupled with air supply and return ducts. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Publication number: 20190128559Abstract: Devices for retrofitting existing, manual airflow registers are described that convert a manual register with blades into a motorized damper. The devices include a support structure attached to the register and having a motor that moves a linking apparatus. The linking apparatus is coupled with a lever of the register that itself is coupled with the blades such that movement of the lever rotates the blades and therefore control the amount of airflow through the register. By moving the linking apparatus via a motor, the lever can also be moved allowing the manual airflow register to be automatically controlled with the need to replace the existing register.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Gangyi Zhou, Ruijun Tian
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Publication number: 20180249551Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a system and a method for automatically controlling appliances via a mechanical or digital controller. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a first circuitry communicatively coupled with one or more sensors and configured to generate a pulse-width modulation signal based in part on a reading from the sensor. The system also includes a dimming module configured to control a lighting device or other external device as a function of the signal. The dimming module can include a micro controller unit that receives the signal as well as a synchronized signal from a circuit that receives sampling information from a driving circuit, and generates a second pulse-width modulation signal that is sent to the driving circuit to control the external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Publication number: 20180216843Abstract: Systems and methods for air flow circulation are described which utilize one or more air conditioning units as well as transfer grilles to move cooler air from one space to another. The transfer grilles can include bi-directional in-line fans to move air between spaces in discrete ducts located between the spaces. Motorized dampers can be controlled by a controller that receives information about various rooms and areas from temperature and occupancy sensors within those rooms or areas. In this manner, conditioned air can be directed to those rooms that are occupied and whose temperature needs correction based on a thermostat setting, and use of the air conditioning unit can be avoided when a cool air source is present in another space.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: August 2, 2018Inventor: Gangyi ZHOU
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Patent number: 9927821Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a system and a method for automatically controlling appliances via a mechanical controller. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a first circuitry communicatively coupled with one or more sensors and configured to generate a motor controlling signal based in part on a reading from the sensor. The system also includes a mechanical device in contact with a lever of the mechanical controller. The system also includes a second circuitry configured to cause the mechanical device to move the lever as a function of the signal received from the first circuitry to control the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: INNOVATIVE BUILDING ENERGY CONTROLInventor: Gangyi Zhou
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Publication number: 20170344038Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides a system and a method for automatically controlling appliances via a mechanical controller. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a first circuitry communicatively coupled with one or more sensors and configured to generate a motor controlling signal based in part on a reading from the sensor. The system also includes a mechanical device in contact with a lever of the mechanical controller. The system also includes a second circuitry configured to cause the mechanical device to move the lever as a function of the signal received from the first circuitry to control the appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventor: Gangyi ZHOU
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Patent number: 8317002Abstract: An apparatus includes a damper, a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper, a colloidal ferro-fluidic damping medium disposed in the damper, a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations, and a vibration control circuit. The output of the sensor is fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Gangyi Zhou, Lizhi Sun
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Publication number: 20080135361Abstract: An apparatus includes a damper, a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper, a colloidal ferro-fluidic damping medium disposed in the damper, a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations, and a vibration control circuit. The output of the sensor is fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Gangyi Zhou, Lizhi Sun