Abstract: A controller assembly allows an adjusted flow of water through a hydronic emitter in order to heat or cool an environmental entity. The controller assembly operates in two phases: a calibration phase and an operational phase. During the calibration phase, the controller assembly discovers a valve position where water starts to flow through the hydronic emitter based on signals from a temperature sensor and/or a sound sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted in close proximity of the emitter inlet so that the controller assembly can detect when the temperature starts to change. The sound sensor may be mounted on the valve body to detect a rushing water sound that is associated with a start of the water flow. The discovered valve position is subsequently used by the controller assembly to adjust water flow between a minimum flow and a maximum flow.

Abstract: An underfloor heating (UFH) system limits the floor temperature of an environmental entity (for example, a room) by pulsing (pulse modulating) the flow rate through a hydronic emitter (circuit) heating the environmental entity. Once the heated water fills the circuit during time interval Ton, the flow is stopped for a fixed time Toff before allowing the cycle to repeat until a target temperature is reached. The ratio of flow/no flow (Ton/Toff) may be a proportional lower floor temperature compared to a traditional circuit supporting a constant water flow. The UFH system may heat a plurality of rooms, each having different floor temperature limitations. The floor temperatures may be limited differently by pulsing the hydronic emitters (circuits) rooms differently.

Abstract: A self-adjusting balance valve controller controls water flow through a hydronic emitter in a heating and/or cooling temperature control system. The valve controller obtains a measured temperature differential between an inlet and an outlet of the hydronic emitter and determines a displacement of a coupling pin from the measured temperature differential. The valve controller then instructs a driving mechanism to move, through a coupling mechanism, the coupling pin to adjust a valve that results in a desired water flow through the hydronic emitter. The valve controller may maintain a stable temperature differential at a desired differential value, which may be obtained through a user interface or from a memory device. Moreover, the desired differential value may vary with different times of operation or temperature control situations.

Abstract: A heating/cooling system modulates the temperature of water flowing through a hydronic emitter by mixing water flows through a mixing valve. The mixing valve has an inlet connect to a water flow pipe, an inlet connected to a water return pipe, and an outlet connected to the hydronic emitter. Water flows through the inlets are configured to obtain a desired mixed water flow at a targeted temperature through the outlet. A controller receives temperature information from a thermometer and then determines the targeted temperature of the outlet. The controller then determines an inlet ratio and configures the mixing valve based on the ratio. The heating/cooling system may support one or more heating/cooling zones and may operate either in a heating or a cooling mode.

Abstract: A heating system includes a single thermostat that controls multiple thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers that control heat transfer to radiators in a room. Each TRV controller has the capability to automatically detect the open/closing point and maximum heating point and to register corresponding pin positions of the valve. Each TRV controller is subsequently instructed by the thermostat to adjust the valve in relation to a determined percentage of the registered pin positions, thus accounting for the varying characteristics among the valves in the system. The TRV controller detects the maximum heating point by checking the rate of temperature rising and the open/closing point by sensing the temperature turning point through a temperature sensor situated appropriately in relation to the associated radiator.

Abstract: A controller assembly allows an adjusted flow of water through a hydronic emitter in order to heat or cool an environmental entity. The controller assembly operates in two phases: a calibration phase and an operational phase. During the calibration phase, the controller assembly discovers a valve position where water starts to flow through the hydronic emitter based on signals from a temperature sensor and/or a sound sensor. The temperature sensor may be mounted in close proximity of the emitter inlet so that the controller assembly can detect when the temperature starts to change. The sound sensor may be mounted on the valve body to detect a rushing water sound that is associated with a start of the water flow. The discovered valve position is subsequently used by the controller assembly to adjust water flow between a minimum flow and a maximum flow.

Abstract: A controller assembly controls water flow through individual emitters of a heating/cooling system based on a temperature setpoint and room temperature indicator obtained from an associated thermostat. The controller assembly provides delta temperature room control using a high precision movement actuator fitted with two pipe temperature sensors to power modulate individual radiators, underfloor heating circuits or fan-coils to provide energy efficiency for individual room heating/cooling control. Based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the setpoint the controller assembly controls water flow through the emitter by adjusting a valve to attain a target temperature delta between the inlet and outlet of the emitter. As the room temperature approaches the setpoint so that the temperature difference decreases, the power output of the emitter is modulated to achieve desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: An underfloor heating (UFH) system limits the floor temperature of an environmental entity (for example, a room) by pulsing (pulse modulating) the flow rate through a hydronic emitter (circuit) heating the environmental entity. Once the heated water fills the circuit during time interval Ton, the flow is stopped for a fixed time Toff before allowing the cycle to repeat until a target temperature is reached. The ratio of flow/no flow (Ton/Toff) may be a proportional lower floor temperature compared to a traditional circuit supporting a constant water flow. The UFH system may heat a plurality of rooms, each having different floor temperature limitations. The floor temperatures may be limited differently by pulsing the hydronic emitters (circuits) rooms differently.

Abstract: A controller assembly controls water flow through individual emitters of a heating/cooling system based on a temperature setpoint and room temperature indicator obtained from an associated thermostat. The controller assembly provides delta temperature room control using a high precision movement actuator fitted with two pipe temperature sensors to power modulate individual radiators, underfloor heating circuits or fan-coils to provide energy efficiency for individual room heating/cooling control. Based on the temperature difference between the room temperature and the setpoint the controller assembly controls water flow through the emitter by adjusting a valve to attain a target temperature delta between the inlet and outlet of the emitter. As the room temperature approaches the setpoint so that the temperature difference decreases, the power output of the emitter is modulated to achieve desirable performance characteristics.

Abstract: A heating system includes a single thermostat that controls multiple thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) controllers that control heat transfer to radiators in a room. Each TRV controller has the capability to automatically detect the open/closing point and maximum heating point and to register corresponding pin positions of the valve. Each TRV controller is subsequently instructed by the thermostat to adjust the valve in relation to a determined percentage of the registered pin positions, thus accounting for the varying characteristics among the valves in the system. The TRV controller detects the maximum heating point by checking the rate of temperature rising and the open/closing point by sensing the temperature turning point through a temperature sensor situated appropriately in relation to the associated radiator.

Abstract: A self-adjusting balance valve controller controls water flow through a hydronic emitter in a heating and/or cooling temperature control system. The valve controller obtains a measured temperature differential between an inlet and an outlet of the hydronic emitter and determines a displacement of a coupling pin from the measured temperature differential. The valve controller then instructs a driving mechanism to move, through a coupling mechanism, the coupling pin to adjust a valve that results in a desired water flow through the hydronic emitter. The valve controller may maintain a stable temperature differential at a desired differential value, which may be obtained through a user interface or from a memory device. Moreover, the desired differential value may vary with different times of operation or temperature control situations.

Abstract: A brake disk with enhanced cooling features. The brake disk defines a plurality of channels with ribs located within those channels. Two friction plates are connected together by way of a plurality of vanes. The vanes define channels through which cooling air travels. The ribs extend from the surface of friction plates and are chevron shaped. The channels extend between an inner diameter of the brake disk and an outer diameter and direct cooling air from radially inner regions of the brake disk. The ribs create increased air turbulence and flow features which provide greater heat transfer, thereby providing improved cooling.

Abstract: A burst mode optical digital receiver includes an opto-electronic detector up-converter for up-converting the frequency of the output of the opto-electronic detector, an amplifier for amplifying the up-converted signal, and down-converter for down-converting the frequency of the amplified signal.

Abstract: A telecommunications access network includes a plurality of customer terminals and a plurality of network nodes. Each network node is connected to a plurality of the customer terminals by respective local access lines, whereby each customer terminal is connectable to a switch of a telecommunications core network via one of the network nodes. At least one of the customer terminals is connected to two of the network nodes by respective local access lines.