Abstract: A thermal bridge utilizes a piping and operational strategy to provide chilled water to meet chiller plant demand during both thermal storage charge and discharge modes of operation. The thermal storage comprises a thermal storage device, such as a thermal storage tank. The thermal bridge includes a loop comprising one or more chillers and chilled water pumps that generate chilled water flow. Multiple operating modes for nominal, thermal storage charging, thermal storage charging and discharge, or thermal storage discharge are provided.

Abstract: A Step Flow control device and methods therefore provide instructions to control operation of various absorption chiller components based on measured load or temperature information. Operating an absorption chiller according to Step Flow balances the flow of heat energy through the absorption chiller to increase efficiency and prevent crystallization. The control device may be integrated into various components of an absorption chiller or may be remote therefrom. In this manner, Step Flow can be used in new absorption chiller installations or be used to retrofit existing installations.

Abstract: A Step Flow control device and methods therefore provide instructions to control operation of various absorption chiller components based on measured load or temperature information. Operating an absorption chiller according to Step Flow balances the flow of heat energy through the absorption chiller to increase efficiency and prevent crystallization. The control device may be integrated into various components of an absorption chiller or may be remote therefrom. In this manner, Step Flow can be used in new absorption chiller installations or be used to retrofit existing installations.

Abstract: A demand flow device configured to interface with a chilled water plant controller to optimize performance of one or more chilled water plant components over a range of demand conditions is disclosed. The demand flow device includes a communication device configured to receive sensor data associated with the one or more chilled water plant components, wherein the sensor data measures operational variables of the chilled water plant. The demand flow device further includes a demand flow controller in communication with the communication device.

Abstract: Demand Flow operates chilled water plants at substantially improved efficiency, regardless of plant load conditions. In general, Demand Flow utilizes an operating strategy which controls chilled and condenser water pumping according to a constant Delta T line, which is typically near or at design Delta T. This reduces or eliminates Low Delta T Syndrome and reduces energy usage by chilled and condenser water pumps for given load conditions. Operation of chilled water pumps in this manner creates a synergy which generally balances flow rates throughout the plant, reducing undesirable bypass mixing and energy usage at air handler fans and other components of the chilled water plant. At plant chillers, application of Demand Flow increases the refrigeration effect through refrigerant sub-cooling and superheating, while preventing stacking. Demand Flow includes a critical zone reset feature which allows the constant Delta T line to be reset to adjust to changing load conditions.

Abstract: A qualification system for determining the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications to a chilled water plant is disclosed herein. The qualification system my collect various data from operating logs of a chilled water plant. The data may be collected in stages, where at least one first stage may be used to collect data used to identify representative log data. The representative log data may then be used to perform an accurate analysis to determine the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications. In this manner, the qualification system provides accurate analysis while reducing data entry. In addition, the qualification system may accept varying amounts of data such as to reduce percentage error or the like in its analysis.

Abstract: Demand Flow operates chilled water plants at substantially improved efficiency, regardless of plant load conditions. In general, Demand Flow utilizes an operating strategy which controls chilled and condenser water pumping according to a constant Delta T line, which is typically near or at design Delta T. This reduces or eliminates Low Delta T Syndrome and reduces energy usage by chilled and condenser water pumps for given load conditions. Operation of chilled water pumps in this manner creates a synergy which generally balances flow rates throughout the plant, reducing undesirable bypass mixing and energy usage at air handler fans and other components of the chilled water plant. At plant chillers, application of Demand Flow increases the refrigeration effect through refrigerant sub-cooling and superheating, while preventing stacking. Demand Flow includes a critical zone reset feature which allows the constant Delta T line to be reset to adjust to changing load conditions.

Abstract: Demand Flow operates chilled water plants at substantially improved efficiency, regardless of plant load conditions. In general, Demand Flow utilizes an operating strategy which controls chilled and condenser water pumping according to a constant Delta T line, which is typically near or at design Delta T. This reduces or eliminates Low Delta T Syndrome and reduces energy usage by chilled and condenser water pumps for given load conditions. Operation of chilled water pumps in this manner creates a synergy which generally balances flow rates throughout the plant, reducing undesirable bypass mixing and energy usage at air handler fans and other components of the chilled water plant. At plant chillers, application of Demand Flow increases the refrigeration effect through refrigerant sub-cooling and superheating, while preventing stacking. Demand Flow includes a critical zone reset feature which allows the constant Delta T line to be reset to adjust to changing load conditions.

Abstract: A demand flow device configured to interface with a chilled water plant controller to optimize performance of one or more chilled water plant components over a range of demand conditions is disclosed. The demand flow device includes a communication device configured to receive sensor data associated with the one or more chilled water plant components, wherein the sensor data measures operational variables of the chilled water plant. The demand flow device further includes a demand flow controller in communication with the communication device.

Abstract: A qualification system for determining the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications to a chilled water plant is disclosed herein. The qualification system my collect various data from operating logs of a chilled water plant. The data may be collected in stages, where at least one first stage may be used to collect data used to identify representative log data. The representative log data may then be used to perform an accurate analysis to determine the effects of one or more upgrades or modifications. In this manner, the qualification system provides accurate analysis while reducing data entry. In addition, the qualification system may accept varying amounts of data such as to reduce percentage error or the like in its analysis.

Abstract: Demand Flow operates chilled water plants at substantially improved efficiency, regardless of plant load conditions. In general, Demand Flow utilizes an operating strategy which controls chilled and condenser water pumping according to a constant Delta T line, which is typically near or at design Delta T. This reduces or eliminates Low Delta T Syndrome and reduces energy usage by chilled and condenser water pumps for given load conditions. Operation of chilled water pumps in this manner creates a synergy which generally balances flow rates throughout the plant, reducing undesirable bypass mixing and energy usage at air handler fans and other components of the chilled water plant. At plant chillers, application of Demand Flow increases the refrigeration effect through refrigerant sub-cooling and superheating, while preventing stacking. Demand Flow includes a critical zone reset feature which allows the constant Delta T line to be reset to adjust to changing load conditions.

Abstract: In an AC magnetic tracker one or more multi-axis field sources, each operating at a different frequency, or frequency set, are detected and tracked in three-dimensional space, even when wireless or otherwise not physically connected to the tracking system. Multiple sources can be tracked simultaneously as they each operate with their own unique detectable set of parameters. The invention not only provides the ability to uniquely identify one or more sources by their frequencies, but also to synchronize with these frequencies in order to measure signals that then allow tracking the position and orientation (P&O) of the source(s). Further, these sources need not be present at the time of system start-up but can come and go while being detected, discriminated and tracked. It also should be noted that application of such systems in multiples with more sensors not synchronized to a source or sources also could be employed to give the reverse appearance of a known source phase and incoherency with the sensors.

Abstract: A system (100) and method (400) for unambiguous wireless accessory association between a host device (102) having an optional transceiver (202) and a wireless accessory (110) can include a wireless adaptor (104), a transducer (103 or 106 or 114), and a processor (200) coupled to the wireless adaptor. The processor can be programmed to cause the wireless adaptor to selectively enter (402) a discovery mode, temporarily select (406) a first accessory that responds to the discovery mode, cause (408) the transducer to emit an identity signal detectable only within an unambiguous range, examine (412) a sensed incoming signal to confirm the first accessory is within the unambiguous range, and discontinue discovery (414) and select the first accessory if the sensed incoming signal is determined by the processor to have high similarity to the identity signal.

Abstract: A configurable interface system (100) couples an accessory (102) to a communication device (104). The interface system utilizes a memory device (120) embedded in the accessory (102) that stores physical configuration and event mapping descriptors (114, 122) pertaining to the accessory. The communication device (104) reads the physical configuration and event mapping descriptors and configures its external interface (112) in response thereto, preferably through the use of bi-directional GPIO lines (110).

Abstract: A method for adaptive video processing includes identifying an object in a frame of video data, determining an object confidence value associated with the identified object, and determining if the object confidence value meets a predefined threshold object confidence value. If not, the method can further include repeatedly processing the frame of video data with additional processing algorithms, and again identifying the object, determining an updated object confidence value, and determining if the updated object confidence value meets the predefined threshold object confidence value, until the updated object confidence value meets the predefined threshold object confidence value. Thereafter, an event can be identified based upon the identified object and an object primitive defining a relationship between the identified object and one or more other objects in the frame of video data, where the events can be identified in accordance with a hierarchical event structure.

Abstract: The 3-axis field source coils and 3-axis sensor coils derived from off-the-shelf suppliers in a magnetic tracker are integrated with driving and sensing circuitry to provide a complete six-degree-of-freedom tracker in only two modules: a sensor module and a source module plus being able also to track with at least a second sensor of identical design. One or both of the basic tracker modules may be mounted on respective single printed-circuit boards, and the source module may take advantage of digital wave generation and tuned coil drivers for reduced hardware. One or both of the coil sets may be non-concentric, and the output for providing P&O updates to a host computer may take advantage of a connector that receives electrical power from the host computer, such as a USB/USB-2 connector. To further reduce system cost, the circuitry used to amplify the signals received by the sensor coils may be multiplexed under control of the processor on the source board.

Abstract: Magnetic tracking systems and methods confine source(s)/sensor(s) to a compact region, thereby facilitating enhanced precision without the need for distortion compensation or mapping. Several sensors placed in accurately known (or determined through algorithms within the tracker processor) locations allow a single small magnetic field source to be tracked by all of them simultaneously. Such a configuration allows an operator's head to be tracked accurately, as in a flight simulator, where coupling between field source and sensors is kept short, thereby eliminating the need for distortion mapping.

Abstract: Equipment that enables people to carry substantial pack loads have the problems that the body is under load from the shoulders down and packs bearing against the body prevent evaporation of perspiration which generates discomfort and fatigue. An eccentric backpack load exacerbates these problems. The subject invention is a wearable harness that transfers pack loads directly to the person's hips, bypassing the shoulders and upper body. Two over-the-shoulder, inverted “U” beams have attachment points for back and front packs and maintain a ventilation space beneath both. Balanced front and back packs can eliminate load eccentricity. Each beam is supported at the bottom (front and back) by a wide belt that goes over the hip. The harness is kept in place circumferentially at the waist by an ordinary belt around the waist. A distinctive hip is an important advantage; therefore, the invention is applicable mostly to women.

Abstract: Self-calibrating AC magnetic tracking systems and combination “outside-in” and “inside-out” architectures offer unique motion tracking capabilities. More area is covered with minimal distortion using the tracking system itself to determine overall P&O based on the P&O of an initial, reference marker. The output as anticipated and needed by the user is output without confusion and without costly and time-consuming metrology while covering a large region when distance from the reference may be great. A method according to the invention includes the steps of positioning a plurality of stationary AC magnetic “markers” in a tracking volume and moving a mobile AC magnetic marker proximate to a first one of the stationary markers designated as a reference marker. The position and orientation (P&O) of the mobile marker is determined relative to the reference marker, then moved so as to be proximate to a second one of the stationary markers.