Abstract: A system and method are provided and include an infrared emitter that emits a predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light after the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light reflect off of a container. A proximity detection module is configured to determine a transmission time when the infrared emitter emits the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light, a detection time when the infrared receiver detects the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light, an elapsed time between the transmission time and the detection time, and a distance to the container based on the elapsed time. A control module for a dispenser is configured to receive the determined distance from the proximity detection module and to activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are provided and include an infrared emitter that emits a predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light after the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light reflect off of a container. A proximity detection module is configured to determine a transmission time when the infrared emitter emits the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light, a detection time when the infrared receiver detects the predetermined pattern of pulses of infrared light, an elapsed time between the transmission time and the detection time, and a distance to the container based on the elapsed time. A control module for a dispenser is configured to receive the determined distance from the proximity detection module and to activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are provided and include a sensor module and a control module for a dispenser. The sensor module has an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container. The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determines a distance to the container based on the determined time period. The control module is configured to receive the determined distance from the sensor module, activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than the predetermined threshold, and deactivate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.

Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.

Abstract: A system and method are provided and include a sensor module and a control module for a dispenser. The sensor module has an infrared emitter that emits infrared light and an infrared receiver that detects the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter and reflected off of a container. The sensor module determines a time period between emission of the infrared light by the infrared emitter and detection of the infrared light by the infrared receiver and determines a distance to the container based on the determined time period. The control module is configured to receive the determined distance from the sensor module, activate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is less than the predetermined threshold, and deactivate the dispenser when the determined distance to the container is greater than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.

Abstract: Controlling an exhaust hood system having multiple hood sections each with an exhaust output having an associated damper, each exhaust output feeding to a common downstream fan, where damper position and fan speed control an exhaust flow rate through each hood section, involves monitoring at least one condition of each hood section and, based upon the monitoring, establishing a target flow rate for each hood section; based upon a sum of the target flow rates, establishing a fan speed; and monitoring an actual flow rate through each hood section and responsively controlling damper position to achieve the target flow rate for the hood section. Adjusting fan speed and damper position until damper position for at least one hood section achieves a predetermined open position, while at the same time each hood section satisfies its associated target flow rate, can reduce energy costs associated with system operation.