Abstract: A system and method for determining whether an article is new or used; and if used, the extent of usage. A smart tag, or smart tag, integrates into the article. The smart tag has integrated therein, data, which related to the article. A tag reader communicates a query to the smart tag to obtain the data. A non-volatile memory contains the item manufacturer, a serial number, and an item identity. A one-time-activation circuit determines if the article is ‘NEW’ or ‘USED’. A sensing element contains a ‘wakeup’ process to respond to a query, or, to monitor and log usage. Usage is categorized to a density, a sequence, an interval, and an amplitude algorithm of movement as being representative of the scale of usage. This data stores in the non-volatile memory. A tag reader, or tag reader queries the smart tag to access the logged data.

Abstract: Drying compressed air while utilizing a method for preemptive overload avoidance of moisture to a desiccant bed, including a recovery control process. The method may include a purge means, an initialization period for pre-learning to develop usage-profile log performance summary to compare against real-time data and a protocol for a normal state, a recovery state and a supplemental purge state and means to reestablish normal operations. A procedure for standby and overload alarm alerting states are also described. The purge means may be fixed rate or modulating. The system may have cycle times decrementing or incrementing stepwise in a predetermined or varying time frame to respond to on-going trending data in order to correct imbalance loading conditions by adjusting drying and regenerating cycle times, thus affording a stable delivery of quality dewpoint compressed air to the dryer output.

Abstract: Drying compressed air while utilizing a method for preemptive overload avoidance of moisture to a desiccant bed, including a recovery control process. The method may include a purge means, an initialization period for pre-learning to develop usage-profile log performance summary to compare against real-time data and a protocol for a normal state, a recovery state and a supplemental purge state and means to reestablish normal operations. A procedure for standby and overload alarm alerting states are also described. The purge means may be fixed rate or modulating. The system may have cycle times decrementing or incrementing stepwise in a predetermined or varying time frame to respond to on-going trending data in order to correct imbalance loading conditions by adjusting drying and regenerating cycle times, thus affording a stable delivery of quality dewpoint compressed air to the dryer output.

Abstract: A networked visual and audible alarm apparatus with base station provides audible and visual alerts upon detection of smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas. The apparatus adapts to a light bulb socket to provide normal lighting when no event is detected. Multiple apparatuses are systematically disposed through different sections of a structure. Each apparatus independently emits an audible signal, dependent on the type of event detected in the respective section for the apparatus. Each alarm apparatus provides a colored high strobe light that illuminates at a color and intensity that varies, dependent on type of event detected. A microphone initiates the audible signal and the high strobe light upon detecting an audible signal from an adjacent alarm apparatus. Voice commands power off the alarming apparatus. A base station controls and monitors a network of apparatuses, and is programmable based on a code that is assigned to each alarm apparatus.

Abstract: A networked visual and audible alarm light system and method with voice command control and base station having alarm for smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas provides illuminating LEDs, audible alerts, a base control, and a voice command control. The system detects and alerts to smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas. Multiple light fixtures audibly and visually alert in different colors, patterns, and intensities, dependent on the type of event detected. A network of systems are monitored and controlled from a base station that facilitates communication therebetween. The system provides speech recognition for powering on and off, dimming, brightening, and adjusting the lighting; including presets and emergency situations. The voice recognition command controls lighting choices, and can silence or suspend alarm-state by verbally commanding SHUT OFF. The base station monitors and programs individual LED and detecting devices that create a network within a home or structure to manage lighting and security.

Abstract: A networked light for illumination and intercom for communications in a single housing, with voice command and control, hands-free. The system in a housing configured to conventional looking lamp, bulb, fixture, lighting devices, suitable for a direct replacement of conventional illuminating devices typical found in homes or buildings. A network of such voice command and control systems may be further monitored and controlled from a base station that facilitates programming, communications, and higher functionality therebetween. The system provides speech recognition for powering on and off, dimming, brightening, and adjusting the lighting to preset, night and emergency settings.

Abstract: A networked visual and audible alarm light system and method with voice command control and base station having alarm for smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas provides illuminating LEDs, audible alerts, a base control, and a voice command control. The system detects and alerts to smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas. Multiple light fixtures audibly and visually alert in different colors, patterns, and intensities, dependent on the type of event detected. A network of systems are monitored and controlled from a base station that facilitates communication therebetween. The system provides speech recognition for powering on and off, dimming, brightening, and adjusting the lighting; including presets and emergency situations. The voice recognition command controls lighting choices, and can silence or suspend alarm-state by verbally commanding SHUT OFF. The base station monitors and programs individual LED and detecting devices that create a network within a home or structure to manage lighting and security.

Abstract: A networked light for illumination and intercom for communications in a single housing, with voice command and control, hands-free. The system in a housing configured to conventional looking lamp, bulb, fixture, lighting devices, suitable for a direct replacement of conventional illuminating devices typical found in homes or buildings. A network of such voice command and control systems may be further monitored and controlled from a base station that facilitates programming, communications, and higher functionality therebetween. The system provides speech recognition for powering on and off, dimming, brightening, and adjusting the lighting to preset, night and emergency settings.

Abstract: A networked visual and audible alarm apparatus with base station provides audible and visual alerts upon detection of smoke, carbon monoxide, and gas. The apparatus adapts to a light bulb socket to provide normal lighting when no event is detected. Multiple apparatuses are systematically disposed through different sections of a structure. Each apparatus independently emits an audible signal, dependent on the type of event detected in the respective section for the apparatus. Each alarm apparatus provides a colored high strobe light that illuminates at a color and intensity that varies, dependent on type of event detected. A microphone initiates the audible signal and the high strobe light upon detecting an audible signal from an adjacent alarm apparatus. Voice commands power off the alarming apparatus. A base station controls and monitors a network of apparatuses, and is programmable based on a code that is assigned to each alarm apparatus.

Abstract: A networked visual and audible alarm apparatus and method of synchronized alerting provides audible and visual alerts upon detection of events, such as smoke, carbon monoxide and gas. The apparatus adapts to a light bulb socket to provide normal lighting when no event is detected. The apparatuses are systematically disposed through different sections of a structure. Each apparatus independently emits an audible signal, dependent on the type of event detected in the respective section for the apparatus. Further, each alarm apparatus provides a colored high strobe light that illuminates at a color and intensity that varies, dependent on the type of event detected in the section of the alarm apparatus. A microphone enables the alarm apparatus to initiate the audible signal and the high strobe light upon detecting an audible signal from an adjacent alarm apparatus. Also, voice commands can be used to power off the alarming apparatus.

Abstract: A monolithic compressed-gas dryer including in series: an inlet chamber, a precooler/reheater chamber, an evaporator chamber, and a sump chamber. The chambers are welded together to form columns where at least one column has a filtration chamber. Further provided is a gas outlet. The system creates a first and second set of heat transfer passages where refrigerant passes through the second set in a heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to incoming gas passing in the first set. The filtration chamber conducts chilled gas from the first set to a third set of heat transfer passages. The third set extends through the precooler/reheater in heat exchange relationship with the first set. Chilled gas passes in heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to the incoming gas so that the incoming gas chilled in the evaporator exchanges heat with the incoming gas in the precooler/reheater.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and process for effectively purging desiccant air dryer systems from moisture load, by a ‘deep cooling’ regeneration means with the use of a primary high heating and a secondary low heating blower purge air flows, a heater discharge temperature set point, and a bottom area bed temperature of a vessel containing desiccant. The system of an improved heat regenerating desiccant compressed air dryer having means to terminate heating operations as well as cooling and dry purge operations allowing for the newly regenerated tower vessel to come back on-line for a compressed air drying cycle without negative effects of dew point bumps and outlet heat spike. Such dryer system delivers a high confidence of dried compressed air while saving energy, unnecessary cycling of heater and contactors and time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, process and apparatus for effectively draining liquid condensate from compressed air/gas systems. The draining apparatus having a means to evacuate collected condensate from a chamber reservoir without a loss of system compressed air or gas in its discharge of the drainage to assure that contaminates and particulates in the liquid condensate do not collect and build-up in its inner chambers and orifices. The device reduces energy consumption as it relates to wasted compressed air/gas in the purging of liquid condensate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and process for effectively purging desiccant air dryer systems from moisture load, by a ‘deep cooling’ regeneration means with the use of a primary high heating and a secondary low heating blower purge air flows, a heater discharge temperature set point, and a bottom area bed temperature of a vessel containing desiccant. The system of an improved heat regenerating desiccant compressed air dryer having means to terminate heating operations as well as cooling and dry purge operations allowing for the newly regenerated tower vessel to come back on-line for a compressed air drying cycle without negative effects of dew point bumps and outlet heat spike. Such dryer system delivers a high confidence of dried compressed air while saving energy, unnecessary cycling of heater and contactors and time.

Abstract: A monolithic compressed-gas dryer including in series: an inlet chamber, a precooler/reheater chamber, an evaporator chamber, and a sump chamber. The chambers are welded together to form columns where at least one column has a filtration chamber. Further provided is a gas outlet. The system creates a first and second set of heat transfer passages where refrigerant passes through the second set in a heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to incoming gas passing in the first set. The filtration chamber conducts chilled gas from the first set to a third set of heat transfer passages. The third set extends through the precooler/reheater in heat exchange relationship with the first set. Chilled gas passes in heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to the incoming gas so that the incoming gas chilled in the evaporator exchanges heat with the incoming gas in the precooler/reheater.

Abstract: A modular compressed-gas dryer including in series: an inlet module, a precooler/reheater module, an evaporator module, and a sump module. The modules form columns where at least one column has a filtration chamber. Further provided are a gas outlet and gastight seals between modules. The system creates a first and second set of heat transfer passages where refrigerant passes through the second set in a heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to incoming gas passing in the first set. The filtration chamber conducts chilled gas from the first set to a third set of heat transfer passages. The third set extends through the precooler/reheater in heat exchange relationship with the first set. Chilled gas passes in heat exchange relationship in a direction perpendicular to the incoming gas so that the incoming gas chilled in the evaporator exchanges heat with the incoming gas in the precooler/reheater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for effectively reducing/eliminating oscillation of over and under shoot of superheat and refrigerant feed in an evaporator of compressed refrigerant of a gas/air dryer system. The feed makes use of a plurality of refrigerant expansion valves, sized in scaled manner, and adjusted inversely to the size of each, affording exact feed requirements to the evaporating vessel heat exchange. The system uses superheat feedback to respond rapidly or slowly to fill need for large or modest injections leading to stable, balanced operations. The operations ‘level-out’ to a smooth, even output of the gas/air dryer dew point temperature, relatively close to the dew point seat point without falling into an endless loop oscillation. The feed delivery of staged injection meters expanded refrigerant to demand while tracking superheat.

Abstract: A system for modulating refrigerant flow from an evaporator of an air or gas drying apparatus wherein the air or gas drying apparatus has an evaporator shell with at least one exit orifice for return of refrigerant to an accumulator or compressor. The system comprising a flow metering structure connected to the at least one exit orifice, the structure having an internal tube with a vertical rise from an evaporator shell end to an accumulator or compressor end, the internal tube having at least one return orifice (a) which allows passage of liquid refrigerant outside the internal tube into the internal tube, and at least one return orifice (b) which allows passage of gas outside the internal tube into the internal tube.

Abstract: A disposable dryer cartridge for an air/gas dryer apparatus for installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. The cartridge includes a flexible elongated casing having a drying composition therein. The casing has an air/gas inlet and an air/gas outlet thereon. A handle is also provided on the casing. The casing is self-configurable into a cross-sectionally contracted configuration when lifted by the handle to facilitate insertion in or removal from an air/gas dryer apparatus. Following insertion of the casing in an air/gas dryer, it is manipulated as necessary to reconfigure the casing from the contracted configuration to an operational configuration wherein the casing is not cross-sectionally contracted and wherein the drying composition is compacted. When the casing needs replacement, it can be grasped by the handle and lifted to re-effect the contracted configuration and thereby removed from the dryer.

Abstract: A disposable dryer for point-of-use installation in an air/gas line delivering compressed air or gas to an air/gas-driven tool. A generally tubular main body has first and second main body sections, each having a generally tubular wall and an integral end closure. A coupling member interconnects the main body sections. Loose desiccant beads are retained by and substantially fill the main body from one end closure to the other. Inlet and outlet connectors are respectively provided on the main body sections for connection to a compressed air/gas line. The inlet and outlet connectors have air/gas passages in fluid communication with the drying composition. The dryer can be fabricated by molding the first and second main body sections, substantially filling the first main body section with the drying composition, locating the first and second main body sections in mutual adjacent relationship inside a mold cavity, and molding the coupling member thereon.