Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention are a novel flat heat absorber for solar tower power generation and a system using same. The system comprises a windshield, a flat heat absorber, and a circulation pipeline, wherein the flat heat absorber is a main element for photothermal conversion and heat energy transfer, the windshield prevents heat loss of the heat absorber, and the circulation pipeline ensures the circulation of a working fluid. In a working process, a heat transfer fluid in the flat heat absorber absorbs heat and evaporates from an evaporation surface, releases heat and condenses on a condensation surface, the condensed heat transfer fluid flows back to the evaporation surface to enter circulation work of a next round, and heat is transferred to the working fluid by means of a gas-liquid phase change process.

Abstract: A connection mechanism includes fixing seats, rotary seats, and transmission gears. Each of the fixing seats includes base and shaft holes provided at two sides of the arc-shaped base. The rotary seats and the transmission gears are clamped between two adjacent fixing seats. Each of the rotary seats includes a seat body, an arc-shaped groove longitudinally penetrating through the seat body, and a teeth structure formed by laterally extending from a middle portion of the seat body below the arc-shaped groove. Each of the two transmission gears includes a rotation shaft and a gear fixed onto the rotation shaft and engaged with the teeth structure, wherein the rotation shaft passes through the arc-shaped groove and includes two ends respectively limited inside the shaft holes of two adjacent fixing seats.

Abstract: A connection mechanism includes fixing seats, rotary seats, and transmission gears. Each of the fixing seats includes base and shaft holes provided at two sides of the arc-shaped base. The rotary seats and the transmission gears are clamped between two adjacent fixing seats. Each of the rotary seats includes a seat body, an arc-shaped groove longitudinally penetrating through the seat body, and a teeth structure formed by laterally extending from a middle portion of the seat body below the arc-shaped groove. Each of the two transmission gears includes a rotation shaft and a gear fixed onto the rotation shaft and engaged with the teeth structure, wherein the rotation shaft passes through the arc-shaped groove and includes two ends respectively limited inside the shaft holes of two adjacent fixing seats.

Abstract: A four-way modulation valve device to reverse, to block, and to control/modulate air, water, and liquid flow in pipelines. The valve and device involves the use air, water, and liquid back flushing the systems (filter, heat exchangers, and others), reversing flow (heat pump and others), and flow modulation (heat exchangers and other industrial devices). In an embodiment, the four-way modulation valve consists of X-shape plug, cylindrical enclosure, four ports for primary and secondary system connection, and four pressure ports for sensors and actuator connection. The four-way modulation valve has both traditional four way valve and control valve function. Replacing existing control valve with the four-way modulation valve will add back flushing and system isolation function to the existing system. Installing four-way modulation valve in a system will eliminate the need of control valve.

Abstract: A pilot assisted self-powered valve actuator for vertical action valves (global valve, gate valves, and others), rotation action valves (ball valves, butterfly valves, and other plug valves), and four-way modulation valves to control flow from 0% to 100%. It consists of actuator chamber which is connected to both valve inlet and outlet, an actuator plug which is positioned by one or two coil springs and is driven under the pressure difference from inlet and outlet of the valve, and a pilot valve and bleeding hole(s) which control and adjust the pressure on one side of the actuator plug. The pilot assisted self-powered valve provides superior control performance and costs a fraction of the pneumatic and/or electrical control actuators.

Abstract: A device and principal method for measuring flow through a pipe for liquid and compressed gas. In an embodiment, the device is comprised of eccentric disk, rotation sensor, torque/stress sensor, coil spring, track rod, supports, and a digital processor. The processor determines the flow based on measured torque/stress, rotation, and other pre-determined parameters and relationship equations. The processor also provides data communication with other controllers and human-machine interface devices. In one simplified option, the arm may be fixed in one position and the rotation sensor is eliminated. In another simplified option, the torque sensor is removed. The compression of coil spring is measured by the rotation sensor. The torque is then determined using the coil spring performance and measured coil spring compression. The torque based flowmeter can be implemented to any industrial corrosive liquids, water, and gas with or without suspended solids.

Abstract: A method of controlling a condenser fan of a heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system based on a comparison of a refrigerant flow rate to maintain a valve position of an expansion valve. In the method, a controller modulates the condenser fan to maintain the valve position of the expansion valve at a valve position setpoint when the refrigerant flow rate is higher than the critical flow rate. The method also comprises controlling the speed of the condenser fan of the HVAC system to maintain a condensing measurement at a plurality of condensing measurement setpoints when the refrigerant flow rate is higher than the critical flow rate. The method also comprises controlling the speed of the condenser fan to maintain a condensing measurement at a plurality of condensing measurement setpoints when the condensing temperature measurement is higher than an ambient air temperature value plus at or around 5° F.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one fan or pump of a system having at least one variable frequency speed drive. The method comprises inputting into a controller a plurality of design conditions and VFD operating variables. The controller determines a plurality of measured conditions based on the design conditions and operating variables including a measured head value, efficiency value, and flow rate value. The controller activates or deactivates the at least one fan or pump based on a comparison of a pump or fan performance curve working point and an efficiency value and a comparison of a ratio of the measured head value over a square of the measured flow rate to a ratio of a design head value over a square of a design flow rate, and modulates the speed of at least one fan and pump based on a comparison of the measured and design flow rates.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling a temperature setpoint offset value over a period of time for either optimizing a total energy consumption rate or controlling peak demand during a peak demand time period in a facility having an existing HVAC system. The method comprises providing a control device in signal communication with said existing HVAC system. The method further comprises selecting, by a user, a plurality of parameters comprising at least a thermal capacity parameter corresponding to said facility, and a control schedule parameter configured to control the temperature setpoint offset value during the peak demand time period. During the peak demand period, the control device is configured to modulate the room temperature setpoint offset value from a low limit to a high limit based on the user selected control schedule parameter.

Abstract: A system and method for modulating the speed of a fan over a period of time to maintain the space temperature of a room. The system and method involves the use of a CRAC unit or a fan coil unit. In an embodiment, the system is comprised of said CRAC or fan coil unit, a variable frequency drive, fan motor, fan, room temperature sensor, and supply air temperature sensor. Based on the collected room and supply air temperature values, a novel control sequence determines how to best modulate the speed of the fan motor over a period of time. Using this system and control method, the space temperature can be controlled at the desired temperature.

Abstract: An integrated absorption refrigeration and air compressor system comprising an air compressor system for compressing air and an absorption system for cooling air. The air compressor system comprises at least one air filter for cleaning entering air, a shut-off valve and plurality of bypass valves for blocking air from entering the absorption system, a compressor for increasing the pressure of the air, an after-cooler for cooling the air, a receiver for storing the air, and a pressure regulation valve for delivering the compressed air to end users. The integrated system also comprises an absorption system for cooling air. The absorption system comprises an evaporator for vaporizing air, an absorber for creating a strong absorbent solution, a pump for pumping the solution through the system, an economizer for heating the solution, a generator for creating steam and weakening the solution, a condenser for condensing the steam into a liquid.

Abstract: A system and method for compressing a quantity of air is proposed. The air compressor system and method comprises an air compressor for compressing a quantity of air, a supply air fan for supplying air to maintain a pressure set point at the inlet of the compressor, and a static pressure sensor configured to detect the static pressure of the inlet of the compressor. The embodiment also includes a variable frequency drive serving the supply air fan and operable to modulate the speed of the fan to maintain the static pressure at the inlet of the compressor at a set point. An air pressure regulator valve is provided in connection with and operable to regulate the air pressure of the quantity of air. An air pressure receiver stores air to minimize pressure fluctuations. A dryer and air filter are located upstream of said air compressor in embodiments to save energy.

Abstract: A system for and method of controlling the air temperature in a cabinet housing electrical equipment including an air conditioning unit having at least one fan and compressor, at least one supply air temperature sensor and room air temperature sensor. The method comprises providing a speed modulation device operable to control a speed of the at least one compressor, and providing a controller operable to control the speed modulation device and the fan and compressor. The controller controls the speed modulation device and the fan and compressor based on a selection of a plurality of operating modes. The method comprises selecting an initial operating mode, controlling the air conditioning unit based on the selection, determining a relationship between a plurality of temperature parameters, selecting at least one additional operating mode based on the relationship, and controlling the speed modulation device and the fan and compressor based on that additional selection.

Abstract: A conveyor oven for heating and cooling a material at varying air temperatures is proposed. The conveyor oven houses a conveyor and a plurality of climate controlled heating and cooling zones through which the material is transported. In a preheating zone, the material is heated to a desired temperature by at least one cooling fan system that provides exhaust air to the zone. In a heating zone, the material is heated by a heating system cycle comprising an air compressor, a turbine combustor, a turbine preheater, a turbine, a generator, a turbine combustor, and a combustor. In a cooling zone, the material is cooled to a desired temperature by at least one air fan system. Material that has been heated and cooled in the conveyor oven exists via the conveyor belt where it is removed by human and/or machine means.

Abstract: A system and method for modulating the speed of a fan over a period of time to maintain the space temperature of a room. The system and method involves the use of a CRAC unit or a fan coil unit. In an embodiment, the system is comprised of said CRAC or fan coil unit, a variable frequency drive, fan motor, fan, room temperature sensor, and supply air temperature sensor. Based on the collected room and supply air temperature values, a novel control sequence determines how to best modulate the speed of the fan motor over a period of time. Using this system and control method, the space temperature can be controlled at the desired temperature.

Abstract: An optimizer for modulating the speed of an indoor fan and first and second stage compressors of a two staged refrigeration system with a plurality of relays and an already existing power source. The optimizer is comprised of a speed modulation device, a supply air temperature sensor, and a controller. The speed modulation device is located in proximity to the existing power source and configured to collect current and power related information from the refrigeration system and power source to send to the controller. The supply air temperature sensor is linked to the indoor fan of the two staged refrigeration system and operable to obtain supply air temperature values. The controller is linked in communication with the speed modulation device and supply air temperature sensor and is operable to generate a system mode based on the power, current, and supply air temperature information. Speed commands are then sent to the speed modulation device to modulate the speed.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating the weight of a load over a conveyor belt system. The method comprises placing a material that has a weight onto a conveyor belt, moving the conveyor belt at a desired speed, and calibrating a weight meter to solve for the coefficients of a polynomial equation. The method then comprises operating the motor drive to send a desired power supply signal to the motor. The motor drive sends command signals to the motor to move the conveyor belt at the desired speed. The weight meter inputs the power supply and speed signal data as well as the coefficients calculated in the calibration into a polynomial regression formula to calculate for the mass of a load on the conveyor belt in which mass is a function of the power and speed. The weight meter outputs the mass calculation to the other system components.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically controlling heaters and compressors of multiple zone heating and cooling systems to modulate supply air temperature values to within a predetermined range and operable in a plurality of stages. The system includes a supply air temperature sensor operable to determine the supply air temperature values. The system also includes a control device configured to determine a plurality of system status conditions and activates and inactivates the heaters and compressors in a plurality of stages based on at least some of the plurality of system status conditions.

Abstract: A method of controlling an existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system that is configured to condition at least one zone and includes at least one terminal box having a terminal box interface and plurality of control components. The method comprises integrating a control device into said system such that the control device is in communication with the terminal box, terminal box interface, and control components of said system. The control device collects a plurality of zone characteristics, airflow measurements, and occupancy variables, calculates for a primary air freshness based on the plurality of airflow measurements, an outside air requirement based on some of the plurality of zone characteristics and occupancy variables, and a minimum airflow set point by dividing the calculated outside air requirement by the primary air freshness. The control components of said system are modulated based on the calculated minimum airflow set point.

Abstract: An optimizer for a single staged refrigeration system comprising a speed modulation device, controller, and supply air temperature sensor. The optimizer is intended for modulating the speed of the indoor fan and compressor in existing or new refrigeration systems in settings including but not limited to residential houses/buildings, residential heat pump systems, commercial heat pumps systems, water source heat pumps, and roof top units. The optimizer solves humidity and noise problems in existing systems, reduces peak demand, increases energy efficiency, reduces energy consumption rates, and minimizes compressor failure rates and O&M costs.