Abstract: A testing device characterizes a damper/valve in situ in a HVAC system. It comprises a controller including a processor and a memory and circuitry. The testing device is mounted on a damper assembly having a control shaft and a damper rotatably coupled to the control shaft such that the control shaft is activated by the circuitry of the testing device. The testing device further comprises computer-readable logic code to: open and close the damper by actuating the control shaft, detect a rotational position of the damper and a torque required to move the damper to the rotational position, characterize a plurality of torques required to drive the damper to a plurality of pre-determined rotational positions of the damper when subjected to a fluid flow to generate damper rotational position data vs. torque data, and store the damper rotational position data vs. torque data to produce damper characteristic graphs.

Abstract: Methods and systems include an actuator adapted to provide drive power and hold power to an external device. A motor provides for driving the external device to a determined position when the motor is energized. A switching circuit is configured to energize the motor with a high voltage to drive the external device to the determined position and energize the motor with a low voltage to hold the external device in the determined position.

Abstract: Methods and systems include an actuator 40 adapted to provide drive power and hold power to an external device. A motor 34 provides for driving the external device to a determined position when the motor 34 is energized. A switching circuit is configured to energize the motor 34 with a high voltage to drive the external device to the determined position and energize the motor 34 with a low voltage to hold the external device in the determined position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for attaching flexible conduit to an adapter. A pin is inserted opposite a retention rib molded into an aperture of the adapter. Due to the geometry of the flexible conduit and the location of the pin and the retention rib, once inserted, the pin secures the flexible conduit and prevents the flexible conduit from coming loose.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for attaching flexible conduit to a fitting. Prongs of a conduit retention clip contact opposite sides of the flexible conduit in an aperture of the fitting. By aligning the prongs in grooves of the flexible conduit, the flexible conduit is held in place in the aperture of the fitting without sufficient compression to surpass the structural limits of the fitting.

Abstract: A system for determining a sash panel position. An example system includes a linear array of light emitting elements spaced at equal distances from one another mounted on a fume hood frame. The light emitting elements generate a light path towards a sash panel such that the sash panel blocks the light path when positioned at the light emitting element. A linear array of light sensing elements is spaced at equal distances from one another on a side opposite the sash panel. The light sensing elements receive the light path generated by corresponding light emitting elements when the sash panel does not block the light path. The light sensing elements may be on modules having shift registers with bits corresponding to the light sensing elements. The shift register stores a state of the light sensing element and outputs a series of bits indicating the state of each light sensing element.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement having a rotational output includes a power input, a motor, at least an intermediate gear, a solenoid and an output. The power input connects to a source of electrical power. The motor has an output shaft including a worm gear. The motor is operably connected to the power input. The motor and output shaft are rotatably connected to a housing of the actuator. The output gear generates a rotational output at an axis thereof, and is operably coupled to be driven by the at least one intermediate gear. The solenoid is operably connected to the power input, and includes a piston member. The piston member has an actuated and a non-actuated position. The piston member in the actuated position urges the worm gear and the at least one intermediate gear into meshing connection.

Abstract: A system for determining a sash panel position. An example system includes a linear array of light emitting elements spaced at equal distances from one another mounted on a fume hood frame. The light emitting elements generate a light path towards a sash panel such that the sash panel blocks the light path when positioned at the light emitting element. A linear array of light sensing elements is spaced at equal distances from one another on a side opposite the sash panel. The light sensing elements receive the light path generated by corresponding light emitting elements when the sash panel does not block the light path. The light sensing elements may be on modules having shift registers with bits corresponding to the light sensing elements. The shift register stores a state of the light sensing element and outputs a series of bits indicating the state of each light sensing element.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement having a rotational output includes a power input, a motor, at least an intermediate gear, a solenoid and an output. The power input connects to a source of electrical power. The motor has an output shaft including a worm gear. The motor is operably connected to the power input. The motor and output shaft are rotatably connected to a housing of the actuator. The output gear generates a rotational output at an axis thereof, and is operably coupled to be driven by the at least one intermediate gear. The solenoid is operably connected to the power input, and includes a piston member. The piston member has an actuated and a non-actuated position. The piston member in the actuated position urges the worm gear and the at least one intermediate gear into meshing connection.

Abstract: A first embodiment is an actuator arrangement having a rotational output and a motor. The actuator arrangement further includes at least one intermediate gear, an output gear, and an encoding detector. The motor has an output shaft that includes a worm gear. The output gear generates a rotational output at an axis thereof. Position encoding indicia are fixedly arranged on the output gear. The encoding detector is disposed in position to detect the position encoding indicia.

Abstract: A damper actuator assembly comprises an actuator and an electronic fusible link (EFL) connected by at least one wire. The actuator comprises an actuator housing with actuator leads extending from the actuator housing. The actuator leads include a first quick connect positioned on an end of the actuator lead. A flexible conduit material covers the actuator lead. The EFL comprises an EFL housing which is separate from the actuator housing. The EFL housing includes a quick connect seat and an integral conduit adaptor. A second quick connect is positioned on an end of the EFL lead. When the end of the flexible conduit material that includes the actuator lead and first quick connect is inserted into the integral conduit adaptor of the EFL housing, the first quick connect is coupled to the second quick connect and an electrical connection is established between the actuator and the EFL.

Abstract: A first embodiment is an actuator arrangement having a rotational output and a motor. The actuator arrangement further includes at least one intermediate gear, an output gear, and an encoding detector. The motor has an output shaft that includes a worm gear. The output gear generates a rotational output at an axis thereof. Position encoding indicia are fixedly arranged on the output gear. The encoding detector is disposed in position to detect the position encoding indicia.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator is adapted to be connected to an external device for displacing the external device to a predetermined position and maintaining the external device at that position. The actuator includes a housing which holds a drive motor for driving the external device to the predetermined position when the motor is energized and a brake mechanism for maintaining the external device at the predetermined position when the brake mechanism is activated. A switching device generates switching signals for energizing the motor to drive the external device to the predetermined position and for de-energizing the motor and activating the brake mechanism when a predetermined time has passed from a moment the drive motor is energized, to maintain the external device at the predetermined position.

Abstract: An electromechanical actuator maintains an external device to which the actuator is connected at an operating position when power is applied to the actuator, and allows the external device to return to a default position when the power is removed. Included in the actuator is a housing and an output coupling rotatably mounted thereon. The output coupling is configured to be connected to the external device and displaces the external device between the operating position and the default position. A driving device is mounted in the housing for providing a torque to the output coupling to displace the external device between the default position and the operating position when the driving device is energized. Also provided is a torque transmitting device for transmitting and changing the torque from the driving device to the output coupling. The torque transmitting device is cooperatively engaged to and is located between the driving device and the output coupling.

Abstract: A three-way valve having a valve body with an internal output chamber. A supply means is in fluid communication with the output chamber for providing a source of fluid to pressurize the output chamber and thereby obtain a desired device output signal. An exhaust means in fluid communication with the output chamber provides a passage for the fluid to vent from the output chamber out to atmosphere. An output means, also in fluid communication with the output chamber, is included for directing the device output signal from the output chamber to a pneumatic device. A single bending element selectively actuates the supply means or the exhaust means to obtain a predetermined pressure value to be maintained by the valve. The bending element is positioned adjacent and between the supply and exhaust means.

Abstract: An electro-pneumatic pressure transducer is provided with a valve body assembly having a supply chamber, an exhaust chamber and an intake assembly to provide a source of fluid to the transducer. The transducer also has an output assembly directing the fluid to a pneumatic actuator. The valve body further includes a supply valve assembly and an exhaust valve assembly having bender elements adjustably mounted to the valve body with respect to nozzles. A manifold structure is included for fluidly connecting the supply valve, the exhaust valve and the output assemblies. A pressure sensor is used to measure the pressure in the valve body and is responsive to increases or decreases of the pneumatic pressure in the valve body. A monitor is used to monitor the power source and to generate a failure mode signal when the power source fails to supply a predetermined level of power.