Abstract: A maintenance system for maintaining a lighting system is provided. The maintenance system comprises at least one performance sensor for detecting a performance parameter of a lighting device in the lighting system. A data acquisition module receives performance data from the performance sensor, with the performance data corresponding to the performance parameter. A maintenance server receives the performance data from the data acquisition module. A user device is provided whereby the maintenance server sends an open maintenance request to the user device when the performance data reaches a predetermined deficiency threshold. The user device is adapted to receive a user input to indicate an acceptance of the open maintenance request and to send the acceptance to the maintenance server. The maintenance server then changes the open maintenance request to a closed maintenance request and sends the closed maintenance request to the user device.

Abstract: A controller (1) for an HVAC unit (2) for an indoor space (3) separated from an outdoor space (4) by a building envelope (5). The controller (1) comprises a power measurement device (6) for measuring an input power being delivered to the HVAC unit (2). The input power corresponds to a nominal heat transfer provided by the HVAC unit (2). An estimation module (7) calculates a target heat transfer between the HVAC unit (2) and the indoor space (3). The target heat transfer is calculated based on a heat transfer load comprising an external heat transfer between the indoor space (3) and outdoor space(4) calculated in accordance with an ambient indoor temperature of the indoor space (3), an ambient outdoor temperature of the outdoor space (4), and a thermal model (8) of the building envelope (5). A control unit (9) monitors or controls the HVAC unit (2) based on one or both of the input power and the target heat transfer.

Abstract: A water supply management system for managing a water supply having one or more water processing or control devices is disclosed. The system comprises: one or more sensors (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206), each sensor taking measurements of one or more parameters of a water supply passing through the water supply system; a communication module (103) connected to the sensors (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206) to receive the measurements in the form of data from the sensors (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206); and at least one computing device (106) remotely connected to the communication module (103) to receive the data from the communication module (103), thereby to allow a user to use the computing device (106) to remotely monitor in real-time a status of one or more of the processing or control devices based on the data. Also disclosed is a water processing or control device for use in such a system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of reading and verifying a tag based on inherent disorder during a manufacturing process. The method includes using a first reader to take a first reading of an inherent disorder feature of the tag, and using a second reader to take a second reading of the inherent disorder feature of the tag. The method further includes matching the first reading with the second reading, and determining one or more acceptance criteria, wherein at least one of the acceptance criteria is based on whether the first reading and the second reading match within a predetermined threshold. If the acceptance criteria are met, then the tag is accepted, and a fingerprint for the tag is recorded. The invention further provides a method of testing and characterizing a reader of inherent disorder tags during a manufacturing process.

Abstract: There is provided an energy management system comprising a server, and one or more network devices communicatively connectable to the server. At least one of the network devices is a power measurement device for connection with an electrical device to collect real-time power data from the electrical device. The server compares the real-time power data with a corresponding power profile of the electrical device to determine whether preset trigger criteria has been met, and initiates a predetermined action when the preset trigger criteria has been met. An associated method of managing energy is also provided.

Abstract: An expansion hose adapted for smoothing pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic system having an inner tube, a textile reinforcement, and an outer cover. The reinforcement includes a plurality of yarns, which in turn have a plurality of filaments of first fiber material type and a plurality of filaments of second fiber material type, with first fiber type having elongation at break higher than the second fiber type by at least about 4% elongation. The expansion hose may be part of an assembly including at least one fitting, coupling, bracket, hose clamp, or other hose.

Abstract: An expansion hose adapted for smoothing pressure fluctuations in a hydraulic system having an inner tube, a textile reinforcement, and an outer cover. The reinforcement includes a plurality of yarns, which in turn have a plurality of filaments of first fiber material type and a plurality of filaments of second fiber material type, with first fiber type having elongation at break higher than the second fiber type by at least about 4% elongation. The expansion hose may be part of an assembly including at least one fitting, coupling, bracket, hose clamp, or other hose.