Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a flow of fluid includes a first and a second element that form an exponentially changing restriction between them for a flow of a fluid. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to move in response to changing pressures to change the restriction. One of the first and second elements includes a wall with one or more cutouts that have an admittance that changes exponentially with respect to the movement of the first or second element.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a retrofit for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy in a system that utilizes a thermostat to regulate a temperature associated with a terminal is provided. The retrofit includes a return line temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid leaving a terminal; and a circuit. The circuit is configured to: receive a signal from a thermostat, the signal commanding a modulated valve to open or close; receive a temperature from the return line temperature sensor; determine whether the temperature is either greater than a maximum set point or less than a minimum set point; and modify the signal from the thermostat if the temperature is either greater than the set point or less than set point.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for a flow of fluid includes a first and a second element that form an exponentially changing restriction between them for a flow of a fluid. At least one of the first and second elements is configured to move in response to changing pressures to change the restriction. One of the first and second elements includes a wall with one or more cutouts that have an admittance that changes exponentially with respect to the movement of the first or second element.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a retrofit for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy in a system that utilizes a thermostat to regulate a temperature associated with a terminal is provided. The retrofit includes a return line temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid leaving a terminal; and a circuit. The circuit is configured to: receive a signal from a thermostat, the signal commanding a modulated valve to open or close; receive a temperature from the return line temperature sensor; determine whether the temperature is either greater than a maximum set point or less than a minimum set point; and modify the signal from the thermostat if the temperature is either greater than the set point or less than set point.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a retrofit for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy in a system that utilizes a thermostat to regulate a temperature associated with a terminal is provided. The retrofit includes a return line temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid leaving a terminal; and a circuit. The circuit is configured to: receive a signal from a thermostat, the signal commanding a modulated valve to open or close; receive a temperature from the return line temperature sensor; determine whether the temperature is either greater than a maximum set point or less than a minimum set point; and modify the signal from the thermostat if the temperature is either greater than the set point or less than set point.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a system for regulating a pressure differential includes a plurality of valving elements and a valve activation system. Each of the plurality of valving elements are configured to selectively allow and restrict at least a portion of a flow of fluid between an inlet and an outlet of a conduit through a respective opening and closing of each respective valving element. The valve activation system is configured to supply a common driving pressure to the plurality of valving elements. The common driving pressure is configured to initiate at least one of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements or to initiate the other of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a retrofit for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy in a system that utilizes a thermostat to regulate a temperature associated with a terminal is provided. The retrofit includes a return line temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of a fluid leaving a terminal; and a circuit. The circuit is configured to: receive a signal from a thermostat, the signal commanding a modulated valve to open or close; receive a temperature from the return line temperature sensor; determine whether the temperature is either greater than a maximum set point or less than a minimum set point; and modify the signal from the thermostat if the temperature is either greater than the set point or less than set point.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a system for regulating a pressure differential includes a plurality of valving elements and a valve activation system. Each of the plurality of valving elements are configured to selectively allow and restrict at least a portion of a flow of fluid between an inlet and an outlet of a conduit through a respective opening and closing of each respective valving element. The valve activation system is configured to supply a common driving pressure to the plurality of valving elements. The common driving pressure is configured to initiate at least one of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements or to initiate the other of the opening or closing of the plurality of valving elements.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a control valve for regulating temperature comprises a conduit, a fluid limiter, a restoring actuator, an opening actuator, and a restoring actuator chamber. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to receive fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to dispense of fluid out of the conduit. The fluid limiter is operable to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the opening. The restoring actuator is operable to provide a force that moves the fluid limiter toward the opening to resist flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is operable to provide a second force that moves the fluid limiter away from the opening to allow the flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is activated based on a temperature of fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for regulating temperature in a system comprises receiving, at a building management system, information concerning a degree of opening of a plurality of control valves. Each of the plurality of control valves is associated with at least one terminal that is in communication with a supply header line of a system, and is operable to open or close according to its own logic based on the demand of the associated terminal or terminals. A determination is made, based on the degree of opening of the plurality of control valves, as to whether changes need to be made to the operating parameters of production equipment of the system. The changes to the production equipment operation of the system are operable to change at least one parameter of a fluid being supplied to the supply header line of the system. An initiation of changes is made if it is determined that the change needs to be made.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for regulating a temperature of a fluid through a conduit comprises a conduit, a moveable obstruction, an actuator, and a pressure generator. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to receive fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to dispense of fluid out of the conduit. The moveable obstruction is operable to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the opening. The actuator has a chamber with a heat sensitive substance. The heat sensitive substance is operable to change a characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy from fluid traveling through the conduit. The actuator is additionally operable to move the obstruction upon the change in characteristic of the heat sensitive substance. The pressure generator is operable to apply pressure to the chamber to change a property of the heat sensitive substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, designed to regulate the flow of a medium in a heating or cooling system, and it relates to a regulating valve (51) with a fastened mounted veil (14), which cooperates with a rotatable cone (11), which is machined and profiled, the complete valve obtaining a function, which implies, that its Kv-value can be changed within the same valve dimension, and that the flow characteristic is maintained irrespective of the changed Kv-value. The Kv-value of the valve can be changed or adjusted also subsequent to the mounting of the valve in an installation.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a control valve for regulating temperature comprises a conduit, a fluid limiter, a restoring actuator, an opening actuator, and a restoring actuator chamber. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to receive fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to dispense of fluid out of the conduit. The fluid limiter is operable to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the opening. The restoring actuator is operable to provide a force that moves the fluid limiter toward the opening to resist flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is operable to provide a second force that moves the fluid limiter away from the opening to allow the flow of fluid through the opening. The opening actuator is activated based on a temperature of fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for regulating temperature in a system comprises receiving, at a building management system, information concerning a degree of opening of a plurality of control valves. Each of the plurality of control valves is associated with at least one terminal that is in communication with a supply header line of a system, and is operable to open or close according to its own logic based on the demand of the associated terminal or terminals. A determination is made, based on the degree of opening of the plurality of control valves, as to whether changes need to be made to the operating parameters of production equipment of the system. The changes to the production equipment operation of the system are operable to change at least one parameter of a fluid being supplied to the supply header line of the system. An initiation of changes is made if it is determined that the change needs to be made.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for regulating a temperature of a fluid through a conduit comprises a conduit, a moveable obstruction, an actuator, and a pressure generator. The conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and an opening between the inlet and the outlet. The inlet is operable to receive fluid into the conduit and the outlet is operable to dispense of fluid out of the conduit. The moveable obstruction is operable to at least partially cover the opening and thereby resist flow of fluid through the opening. The actuator has a chamber with a heat sensitive substance. The heat sensitive substance is operable to change a characteristic upon receipt of thermal energy from fluid traveling through the conduit. The actuator is additionally operable to move the obstruction upon the change in characteristic of the heat sensitive substance. The pressure generator is operable to apply pressure to the chamber to change a property of the heat sensitive substance.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid regulating control valve includes a housing having an upstream region and a downstream region and having a control orifice formed therein adjacent the downstream region and a piston slidably disposed within the housing. The piston has a fluid passage defining an intermediate region disposed between the upstream region and the downstream region and an edge adjacent the downstream region. The valve also includes an elastic member disposed within the housing for opposing translation of the piston within the housing and a throttling element adjacent the upstream region. The throttling element has a throttling surface adjacent the edge of the piston, in which the throttling surface and the edge define a throttling orifice therebetween.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid regulating control valve includes a housing having an upstream region and a downstream region and having a control orifice formed therein adjacent the downstream region and a piston slidably disposed within the housing. The piston has a fluid passage defining an intermediate region disposed between the upstream region and the downstream region and an edge adjacent the downstream region. The valve also includes an elastic member disposed within the housing for opposing translation of the piston within the housing and a throttling element adjacent the upstream region. The throttling element has a throttling surface adjacent the edge of the piston, in which the throttling surface and the edge define a throttling orifice therebetween.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a combination air vent/probe port includes an outer body adapted to couple to a conduit, the outer body formed with a longitudinal bore defining an inner wall, the longitudinal bore having a seating surface. The combination air vent/probe port also includes an inner sleeve adapted to adjustably engage the outer body, the inner sleeve having an outer diameter and formed with an inner chamber. Furthermore, a resilient member is disposed within the inner chamber, the resilient member operable to allow a probe to be inserted therethrough when the inner sleeve is adjustably engaged with the outer body and an end of the inner sleeve is engaged with the seating surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping fluid flow comprises a body having upstream and downstream ends and formed with a characterizing channel. The characterizing channel has a first cross-section adjacent the upstream end that gradually changes to a second cross-section adjacent the downstream end that is different in configuration from the first cross-section.

Abstract: A flow control valve (10) is provided including a valve body (20) and a piston (16). The valve body (20) has extending therethrough a longitudinal bore (18) defining a fluid passage (32). The piston (16) is slidably disposed within the bore (18) to vary the flow area of a fluid flow through the control valve (10). The piston (16) has a generally cylindrical body formed from a solid piece of material. The piston (16) contains a longitudinal flow channel (24). The longitudinal flow channel (24) has a varying depth. The piston (16) preferably slides within the longitudinal bore (18) to vary the flow area of the fluid passage (32) such that the fluid flow through the control valve (10) is substantially constant over a selected range of pressure differentials across the control valve (10).