Abstract: A brokering architecture is disclosed. The brokering architecture focuses on storing changes to the building system. Measurements are quantized to an integer representation and encoded so that time series data is stored in a series of changes of value. The encoded timeseries may be compressed using compression schemes that advantageously make use of small changes between adjacent stored values of the timeseries. Compressed timeseries values allow more data to be stored in RAM or other short-term storage and provide a more responsive system to control physical systems like buildings. Timeseries compression may be provided through extensions accessed through a structured data format on the message bus. Extensions can cause the execution of certain instructions based on the fields in the structured data and may be used to provide functionality in addition to timeseries compression including BACnet communications, predictions, and simulations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that create a deployment package for commissioning of a building control system. The deployment package may include a series of automated validation sequences that ensure each equipment and/or device is properly configured and installed. A validation sequence is performed, and the behavior is compared to expected behavior for the sequence. A brokering architecture facilitates the commissioning by providing a fixed schema to all applications communicating over the message bus, thus standardizing the deployment package and the validation sequences. Correlations between data may be found and used when data is missing in the same or similar equipment.

Abstract: A distributed control system is provided by a brokering architecture. Message brokers running within multiple compute environments coordinate communication and data storage for control applications. Control applications run in one compute environment send the results to the message broker which may store the data for future calculations and/or send the data to a remote data base. Control applications may be state-less and store all information in the message brokers. Data from one environment may be sent over a message bus to other environments to be used as inputs to calculations. The distributed control system is used to provide responsive control to various building equipment.

Abstract: A brokering system used in distributed building controls provides multiple tiers of storage. Data can be requested at any time during the processing of new data received from a building device. Complex event processors, low latency control, and/or display interfaces may request and be provided data from memory (e.g., tier one storage) of a message broker. Digital twins and/or optimization algorithms may wait until data is stored to local disk before information is obtained. Other applications may wait until data is saved in the remote database before using the data to perform calculations. Data may be compressed and stored in timeseries that are accessed by a single requested to the message broker.

Abstract: A distributed control system with bump-less failover and replay capability is disclosed. The distributed control system stores the state of each control application in a separate storage system. Each time the control applications runs it can store the results of the calculations required for a subsequent calculation. When a compute environment running the control applications fails another environment can begin performing the same operations. Replay capability is provided to facilitate the investigation of the control application's execution.

Abstract: A brokering architecture is disclosed. The brokering architecture focuses on storing changes to the building system. Measurements are quantized to an integer representation and encoded so that time series data is stored in a series of changes of value. The encoded timeseries may be compressed using compression schemes that advantageously make use of small changes between adjacent stored values of the timeseries. Compressed timeseries values allow more data to be stored in RAM or other short-term storage and provide a more responsive system to control physical systems like buildings. Timeseries compression may be provided through extensions accessed through a structured data format on the message bus. Extensions can cause the execution of certain instructions based on the fields in the structured data and may be used to provide functionality in addition to timeseries compression including BACnet communications, predictions, and simulations.

Abstract: A marine battery pack including an enclosure defining a cavity, a plurality of cell modules within the cavity, each comprising a plurality of battery cells, and at least one sensor configured to sense at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a presence of water, and a gas content within the cavity. A controller is configured to detect an event warranting decommission of the battery pack based on the temperature, the pressure, the presence of water, and/or the gas content within the cavity, and then to automatically operate a pump to intake water from outside of the enclosure and pump water through the cavity from an inlet port in the enclosure to an outlet port in the enclosure so as to cool the plurality of battery cells.

Abstract: An air operated grease gun has an air bleed valve comprising a threaded stem with a longitudinal groove operable to allow air to bleed from a grease pumping chamber and a grease supply passage. Grease from a cartridge flows through the grease supply passage into the pumping chamber when air is bled from the gun whereby a plunger reciprocating in the grease pumping chamber pumps grease past a check valve into a grease dispensing tube.

Abstract: A refillable dispenser of fluid material includes a flexible container having a fluid dispensing portion and a displacement fluid receiving portion spaced from the fluid dispensing portion. A cap is removably fastened to the container for closing an opening at the displacement fluid receiving portion. A cartridge is disposed in the container and contains fluid material to be dispensed. The cartridge includes an expansible bladder and may include a collar member connected to the bladder. A support post may be supported in the container and received by the collar member. A first flow restrictor allow flow of displacment fluid only from outside the container into an interior of the bladder. A second flow restrictor allows flow of material only from within an interior portion of the container external to the bladder to outside the container. Another feature is a cartridge for refilling a dispenser of fluid material.

Abstract: A dispenser for fluid material includes a flexible container. A piston is adapted for movement within the container. An expansible bladder is connected to the piston. A first flow restrictor allows flow of displacement fluid only from outside the container into the interior of the bladder. A second flow restrictor allows flow of material only from within an interior portion of the container external to the bladder to outside the container. The container also preferably includes a rod supported in the container, the piston being movable on the rod. In another embodiment the bladder is connected to a collar movable on the rod.

Abstract: A method of producing a sputter target assembly including a tungsten-titanium target attached to a titanium backing plate. The method includes consolidating a tungsten-titanium powder composition to form a target while simultaneously bonding the powder composition to the titanium backing plate to form an interdiffusion-type bond between the target and the backing plate such that the target assembly possesses extremely high temperature operating capability.

Abstract: Tungsten-titanium sputter targets of at least 95% theoretical density are provided with little or no .beta.(Ti, W) phase constituent. Such targets will minimize troublesome particulate emissions during sputter coating conditions.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a sputter target/backing plate assembly and assemblies so prepared are disclosed. The methods comprise forming a plurality of grooves in one of the metal surfaces to be joined in the bonding process. The grooves are each provided in a closed, loop configuration or pattern. The target and backing plate to be bonded are adjacently positioned to form an assembly with the grooved surface forming one of the interfacial joint surfaces. The assembly is then placed in a controlled atmosphere, such as a vacuum, heated to a temperature just below the melting point of the lower melting metal to be joined, and pressed until the grooves are substantially filled with metal or alloy from the other, non-grooved interfacial surface.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for a flexible container, including a closure for the container and an expansible bladder associated with the closure and adapted to fit within the container to expand and displace the dispensed contents. The closure has two openings, one at which it is attached to the container and the other forming an outlet for dispensing. A conduit extends from the bladder into the closure and communicates to the exterior of the closure and container through one of the two openings. The outlet opening is constructed to allow the contents to flow only in a direction from the container during use and a check valve allows flow through the conduit only into the bladder.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus for a flexible container, including a closure for the container and an expansible bladder associated with the closure and adapted to fit within the container to expand and displace the dispensed contents. The closure has two openings, one at which it is attached to the container and the other forming an outlet for dispensing. A conduit extends from the bladder into the closure and communicates to the exterior of the closure and container through one of the two openings. The outlet opening is constructed to allow the contents to flow only in a direction from the container during use and a check valve allows flow through the conduit only into the bladder.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module containing lead telluride as the thermoelectric mrial is encapsulated as tightly as possible in a stainless steel canister to provide minimum void volume in the canister. The lead telluride thermoelectric elements are pressure-contacted to a tungsten hot strap and metallurgically bonded at the cold junction to iron shoes with a barrier layer of tin telluride between the iron shoe and the p-type lead telluride element.