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 a plurality of control components. The method comprises integrating a control device into the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system such that the control device is in communication with the terminal box and terminal box interface, as well as with the control components of the existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. The control device collects a plurality of zone characteristics, a plurality of airflow measurements, and a plurality of occupancy variables.

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: 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.

Abstract: An air property measurement apparatus comprising a probe and controller. The probe houses a plurality of filters, a temperature sensor, a heating element, and an integrated temperature and relative humidity sensor. In one embodiment, air that enters the probe flows through the temperature sensor, heating element, and integrated temperature and relative humidity sensor, then exits through at least one of the plurality of filters. The controller-determines the air/gas property relationships, allows input of actual ambient pressure and/or atmospheric pressure values, and ascertains the dew point using temperature and relative humidity values as measured by the integrated sensor. Air property values are based on the dew point and temperature as measured by the temperature sensor. The apparatus is suitable for but not limited to relative humidity measurements as well as industrial applications where high humidity conditions exist.

Abstract: A method for diagnostically evaluating energy consumption of a facility includes receiving energy consumption data associated with the facility, generating facility data associated with the facility, and receiving external variable data associated with the facility corresponding to the energy consumption data. The method also includes generating a first energy consumption model for the facility using the facility data, the energy consumption data, and the external variable data. The first energy consumption model corresponds to actual energy consumption of the facility. The method further includes generating a second energy consumption model for the facility using the facility data and the external variable data. The second energy consumption model corresponds to expected energy consumption of the facility. The method also includes diagnostically evaluating the energy consumption of the facility using the first and second energy consumption models.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature of industrial processing devices includes a central liquid supply having a supply section and a return section and at least one processing device temperature control subsystem in liquid transmission connection with the central liquid supply for generally maintaining the temperature and pressure of liquid being circulated around an industrial processing device at a designated liquid temperature set point which includes a variable-speed pump, control valve and control device which controls the temperature of the liquid in the subsystem by speeding up, slowing down or shutting off the pump to ensure that the subsystem liquid temperature remains approximately equal to the designated liquid temperature set point as determined by the processing device associated with the subsystem and opens or closes the control valve to add or release liquid from the subsystem to maintain the desired pressure within the system.

Abstract: A method for improving efficiency in heating and cooling systems which includes the steps of providing speed and pressure monitoring devices for monitoring and measuring the operational speed (OS) and the head (HR) of the fan or pump and providing a flow rate monitoring device for monitoring and measuring the fluid flow rate (Q) for fluid flowing through the fan or pump. The OS, HR and Q for the fan or pump would be periodically obtained from the speed and pressure monitoring devices and the flow rate monitoring device, and the operating S-value of the heating and cooling system would be determined by applying the formula S-value=HR/(QR)2, thereby obtaining a measurable single value representative of the overall efficiency of the heating and cooling system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temperature of one or more zones using a fan. In one embodiment, the method includes inputting a temperature set point and a temperature control band for the one or more zones, initializing the fan to operate at a first speed setting, and determining a relationship between the temperature of the one or more zones, the temperature set point, and the temperature control band. The method also includes modulating a speed of the fan between the first speed setting and at least one second speed setting based at least partially on the determined relationship.

Abstract: A method of controlling airflow in a room using an airflow system including a fan, a compressor subsystem, a heating device, an outdoor temperature sensor, and a room temperature sensor associated with the room. The method includes determining an outdoor temperature using the outdoor temperature sensor and a room temperature using the room temperature sensor. The method also includes selectively activating the heating device or the compressor subsystem, determining a fan speed when one of the heating device and the compressor subsystem has been activated, and modulating the fan at the determined fan speed.

Abstract: An air handling system for supplying one or more zones with airflow. The air handling system generally includes a cold air damper, a hot air damper, a fan, and a controller. The cold air damper is associated with the one or more zones, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The hot air damper is also associated with the one or more zones, and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The fan is positioned upstream of the cold air damper and the hot air damper and operates at varying speeds to generate the airflow for the one or more zones. The controller modulates the speed of the fan to maintain the cold air damper in an approximately fully open position or an approximately fully closed position.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a supply fan and a return fan of an air handling unit (AHU). The supply fan has an associated design supply airflow, and the return fan has an associated design return airflow. In one embodiment, the method includes calculating an actual supply airflow, generating a supply fan speed set point based on the design supply airflow and the actual supply airflow, and modulating the speed of the supply fan based on the supply fan speed set point. The method also includes calculating an actual return airflow, generating a return airflow set point based on the actual supply airflow, and modulating the speed of the return fan based on a comparison of the return airflow set point and the actual return airflow.

Abstract: A method and system of dynamically controlling a water pump system that includes a water pump. The method includes determining a pressure differential at the water pump, determining a water flow rate based on the pressure differential, and determining a speed set point for the water pump. The method also includes sensing a water flow speed at the water pump, generating a pump speed control signal based on the speed set point and the water flow speed, and modulating a speed of the water pump based on the pump speed control signal.

Abstract: A method and system of dynamically controlling a temperature control system that has at least one compressor and is operable in a plurality of stages. The method includes iteratively determining, for each of the plurality of stages, a plurality of intermediate air-related conditions and system operating conditions based on sensed conditions. The method also includes identifying a stage among the plurality of stages, and updating an initial supply air temperature set point with a supply air temperature set point corresponding to the identified stage.

Abstract: A fume exhaust stack system that includes an exhaust stack, at least one fume hood, a plurality of stack pieces, a retractable expander, a sensor, and a controller. The exhaust stack is coupled to the at least one fume hood and is adapted to emit exhaust conveyed by the at least one fume hood. The retractable expander is positioned at the exhaust stack, and is moveable between a first position in which the retractable expander is extended and a second position in which the retractable expander is retracted relative to the first position. Movement of the retractable expander between the first and second positions is operable to adjust a cross-sectional area of the exhaust stack. Based on an output signal from the sensor, the controller outputs a control signal to move the retractable expander into one of the first and second positions.

Abstract: A system and method for use with a cooling unit including a condenser. In one embodiment, the system comprises a fog creator and a residue collection component. The fog creator includes water-emitting components and a control device. The water-emitting components are configured to be positioned proximate to the cooling unit and to emit water that produces a fog zone external to the cooling unit. The control device is configured to control a supply of water to the water-emitting components. The residue collection component is configured to be positioned proximate to coils of the condenser, to protect the condenser coils from residue buildup, and to allow outside air cooled by the fog zone to flow to the condenser coils.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a water heat pump system. The water heat pump system includes a fan, a water pump, and a boiler. The method includes determining a system time characteristic, determining a heat rejection rate based on the system time characteristic, and determining a loop flow rate based on the heat rejection rate. The method also includes sensing a loop flow rate of the water heat pump system, comparing the sensed loop flow rate with the determined loop flow rate, and modulating a speed of the water pump based on the comparing.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling the temperature of a zone with airflow. In one embodiment, the method includes entering a first temperature control mode that modulates airflow to the zone between a maximum airflow set point and a minimum airflow set point to maintain the temperature of the zone between a zone cooling temperature set point and a zone heating temperature set point. The method also includes switching to a second temperature control mode upon the airflow reaching the maximum airflow set point and the temperature of the zone reaching the zone cooling temperature set point; and switching to a third temperature control mode upon the airflow reaching the minimum airflow set point and the temperature of the zone reaching the zone heating temperature set point.

Abstract: The invention is an air handling system that is shared between a laboratory and offices within the same building. The normally separate office and lab systems have been combined by way of an air return system that draws air from the offices and feeds into both the office and lab air supplies. The re-circulation of the office air draws more fresh outside air into and lessens requirements for the heating and cooling systems for the offices.

Abstract: A fume hood exhaust stack system (10) and method utilize a variable speed fan (24) and an exhaust stack (28) having an adjustable cross-sectional area. Toxic exhaust from one or more fume hoods (12) is conveyed through a header (16) to the fan. The fan forces the exhaust through the exhaust stack, and the exhaust is then discharged into the atmosphere at a sufficient velocity and momentum to ensure that the exhaust reaches an environmentally sound altitude. A variable speed drive (36), programmable controller (34), flow signals (26), and static pressure and total pressure signals (20) are utilized to modulate the speed of the fan and the area of the exhaust stack to maintain the desired fan inlet pressure and exhaust velocity.

Abstract: The invention is an air handling system that is shared between a laboratory and offices within the same building. The normally separate office and lab systems have been combined by way of an air return system that draws air from the offices and feeds into both the office and lab air supplies. The re-circulation of the office air draws more fresh outside air into and lessens requirements for the heating and cooling systems for the offices.