Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an aerosolized sealant particle injection system. The system includes sealant injection stations and a combustion-type heater to generate heat for heating an enclosure. Each of the sealant injection stations includes a supply reservoir to store a fluid and a sealant, and a sprayer assembly to aerosolize the fluid and the sealant within the enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one leak opening. During operation, the heating of the enclosure causes solidification of aerosolized particles of the fluid and the sealant in the enclosure to seal the at least one leak opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the drying cycle in a clothes dryer. The dryer controller measures differences between air inlet temperature and temperature of an air outlet, drum, and/or drum contents, from which it first estimates water weight of original drum contents based on changes in this temperature differential over a first period of time. A first dryness threshold is later reached when the amount of remaining water estimated by the temperature difference profiling reaches a threshold. A cooling cycle is then performed, followed by an estimation of remaining drying cycle time from estimating remaining water based on temperature differentials. The heater is then switched back on for the remaining time, after which a cooling cycle is preferably performed before ending the dryer cycle.

Abstract: A gas injector apparatus and method for use with a tracer gas airflow measurement system that allows for large, continuous tracer gas flow rates while avoiding operation at very cold temperatures that will damage equipment. The controlled and variable heating of high pressure tracer gas flow before a gas regulator allows all points in the system to remain above freezing, and within a safe temperature range. The system has a tracer gas source and a heater that heats the gas isobarically at high pressure (>100 psi) and the hot gas is expanded across a pressure regulator to a lower working pressure to ˜30 psi. The gas flow is modulated using a mass flow controller with a high turndown ratio and injected into a bulk fluid flow with an injector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, marking and/or sealing building envelope leaks in buildings or any enclosed structure. Fogs of aerosolized sealant particles that have a surface tackiness that diminishes over time are introduced into the interior of prepared rooms. The surface properties of the aerosol particles can be controlled with the selection of sealant composition, including the presence and concentration of solvents, the range of produced particle sizes, and the relative humidity and temperature within the enclosure. A pressure differential is created and the micron scale particles adhere to the leak edges and to other particles as they are brought to the leaks and then leave the gas streamlines. Control of particle size, drying rate and particle residence time in the building interior allows control over the treatment area so that leaks are sealed without leaving a tacky residue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing system efficiency and demand response performance for variable-fan-speed and variable-capacity air handling systems. A controller is provided selectively controlling building-zone dampers in response to acquired operational parameters, such that air flows through selected duct sections and not through the entire duct system simultaneously, wherein design velocity in each duct section is roughly maintained whenever the duct section is being used. Exemplary operational parameters include compressor speed, cooling capacity, heating capacity, fan speed, duct-section air flow, zone air flow, duct-inlet temperature, duct-outlet temperature, and duct-zone temperature.

Abstract: A system and method for remote detection, marking and/or sealing leaks in pipe or duct networks are provided. Aerosolized sealant particles that have a surface tackiness that diminishes over time are introduced into the pipe interior. A pressure differential is created and the micron scale particles adhere to the leak edges and to other particles as they are brought to the leaks and then leave the gas streamlines. Control of particle size, drying rate and particle residence time in the pipe interior allows control over the treatment area so that leaks are sealed in the pipes without sealing purposeful openings such as pilot lights or gas valves. This control also produces seals in duct systems with minimal tack at the time the duct systems are returned to service. Particles that do not participate in the formation of a seal can be collected or flushed through the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the drying cycle in a clothes dryer. The dryer controller measures differences between air inlet temperature and temperature of an air outlet, drum, and/or drum contents, from which it first estimates water weight of original drum contents based on changes in this temperature differential over a first period of time. A first dryness threshold is later reached when the amount of remaining water estimated by the temperature difference profiling reaches a threshold. A cooling cycle is then performed, followed by an estimation of remaining drying cycle time from estimating remaining water based on temperature differentials. The heater is then switched back on for the remaining time, after which a cooling cycle is preferably performed before ending the dryer cycle.

Abstract: A gas injector apparatus and method for use with a tracer gas airflow measurement system that allows for large, continuous tracer gas flow rates while avoiding operation at very cold temperatures that will damage equipment. The controlled and variable heating of high pressure tracer gas flow before a gas regulator allows all points in the system to remain above freezing, and within a safe temperature range. The system has a tracer gas source and a heater that heats the gas isobarically at high pressure (>100 psi) and the hot gas is expanded across a pressure regulator to a lower working pressure to ˜30 psi. The gas flow is modulated using a mass flow controller with a high turndown ratio and injected into a bulk fluid flow with an injector.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting, marking and/or sealing building envelope leaks in buildings or any enclosed structure. Fogs of aerosolized sealant particles that have a surface tackiness that diminishes over time are introduced into the interior of prepared rooms. The surface properties of the aerosol particles can be controlled with the selection of sealant composition, including the presence and concentration of solvents, the range of produced particle sizes, and the relative humidity and temperature within the enclosure. A pressure differential is created and the micron scale particles adhere to the leak edges and to other particles as they are brought to the leaks and then leave the gas streamlines. Control of particle size, drying rate and particle residence time in the building interior allows control over the treatment area so that leaks are sealed without leaving a tacky residue.

Abstract: A system and method for remote detection, marking and/or sealing leaks in pipe or duct networks are provided. Aerosolized sealant particles that have a surface tackiness that diminishes over time are introduced into the pipe interior. A pressure differential is created and the micron scale particles adhere to the leak edges and to other particles as they are brought to the leaks and then leave the gas streamlines. Control of particle size, drying rate and particle residence time in the pipe interior allows control over the treatment area so that leaks are sealed in the pipes without sealing purposeful openings such as pilot lights or gas valves. This control also produces seals in duct systems with minimal tack at the time the duct systems are returned to service. Particles that do not participate in the formation of a seal can be collected or flushed through the system.

Abstract: A clog-resistant injector spray nozzle allows relatively unobtrusive insertion through a small access aperture into existing ductwork in occupied buildings for atomized particulate sealing of a ductwork. The spray nozzle comprises an easily cleaned and easily replaced straight liquid tube whose liquid contents are principally propelled by a heated propellant gas, such as heated air. Heat transfer is minimized from the heated propellant gas to the liquid tube until they both exit the injector, thereby greatly reducing the likelihood of nozzle clogging. A method of duct sealing using particles driven by heated propellant gas is described, whereby duct-sealing operations become both faster, and commercially practicable in inhabited commercial and residential buildings.

Abstract: A fan powered by a controlled external energy source and a flow measurement device measure the airflow exiting or entering grilles/registers of an HVAC system without impeding the airflow being measured. A flow straightening element is preferably employed to overcome any effects of a non-uniform or swirled airflow profile on the fan. Preferably, the RPM of the fan is measured to determine the airflow. The RPM/flow calibration of the fan is insensitive to pressure differentials or the fan is a pressure-sensitive fan submitted to appropriate pressure differentials. Alternatively, the voltage or current supplied to the external energy source is used to determine the airflow. Finally, the pressure differential across the flow straightening element can be measured to determine airflow, eliminating the impact of pressure differential across the flow measurement device and fan.