Abstract: An integrated sensor for automated systems includes a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and a network interface. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the flow sensor includes a temperature sensor (26) which determines the temperature of the fluid flowing in a flow path (12). A heater (18) is coupled to the flow path, and is energized by a controller (20) with sufficient electrical power to raise the temperature of the heater above the measured fluid temperature by a fixed temperature difference. In order to aid in determining the temperature difference, a sensor (24) may be associated with the heater (18). The amount of power required to maintain the temperature difference is a measure of the flow velocity. The volumetric flow rate is the product of the flow velocity multiplied by the area of the flow sensor. The mass flow rate is the product of the volumetric flow rate multiplied by the mass density of the fluid. In a particular embodiment, the pressure sensor is ratiometric.

Abstract: A current sensor arrangement for measuring electrical current flow (subject flow) includes an elongated conductor for carrying the subject flow through a region. A magnetic field sensing device is located in the region, and produces a sensed voltage representative of the magnitude of the magnetic field in the region. A test generator generates a magnetic field component having “known” magnitude in the spatial region. The test generator is gated, so that the magnetic field changes when the test generator is ON. If the test generator generates its magnetic field by passing a test current through the spatial region, the change in the magnetic field, which is expressed in the sensed voltage, is related to the test current. Simple control circuit processing determines the subject current from the sensed magnetic field and the known magnitude of the test current.

Abstract: Current is sensed in a physically large conductor by a pair of noncontacting, magnetically responsive corrected current sensors. The sensors each have a preferred magnetic sensing axis. A holding arrangement, which may be a printed-circuit board, holds the two current sensors with their axes spaced apart and parallel, to thereby define a sensing plane. The holding arrangement is placed near the conductor in which current is to be sensed, with the sensing plane parallel to a tangent to outer surface of the conductor. The current in the conductor is represented by the sum of the signals of the sensors. In the case of alternating current and sensors responsive to the absolute value of magnetic field, the summing includes subtraction.

Abstract: A bidirectional flow sensor (800) for automated systems includes a heater (18) which is maintained at a constant temperature above the temperature of the fluid flowing past the heater. A pair of temperature sensors (26a,26b) is located to either side of the heater (18). The temperature sensors may be two-terminal constant-current devices, electrically connected in series, so that the current is controlled by the sensor sensing the lower temperature, which is on the upstream side of the heater. In one embodiment, a processor (1010) processes the signals produced by the temperature sensors to produce a flow-direction indicating signal. The bidirectional sensor is adapted for interfacing with a digital network.

Abstract: A plurality of autonomously controlled valves and pumps in a fluid distribution system are interconnected by a data communication network. The system also includes fluid flow sensors which report to the system by way of the network. The autonomous controllers include information as to their neighbors or environment sufficient to determine malfunctions such as a leak or break in an associated path, or flow-related problems, and can take autonomous action. The actions are established by the autonomous controllers regardless of the existence of a connection to the network, so that even if the network connection fails or is damaged, the valve or pump can still respond with predetermined “intelligent” actions.

Abstract: An integrated sensor for automated systems includes a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, and a network interface. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the flow sensor includes a temperature sensor (26) which determines the temperature of the fluid flowing in a flow path (12). A heater (18) is coupled to the flow path, and is energized by a controller (20) with sufficient electrical power to raise the temperature of the heater above the measured fluid temperature by a fixed temperature difference. In order to aid in determining the temperature difference, a sensor (24) may be associated with the heater (18). The amount of power required to maintain the temperature difference is a measure of the flow velocity. The volumetric flow rate is the product of the flow velocity multiplied by the area of the flow sensor. The mass flow rate is the product of the volumetric flow rate multiplied by the mass density of the fluid.

Abstract: A plurality of autonomously controlled valves in a fluid distribution system are interconnected by a data communication network. The system also includes fluid flow sensors which report to the system by way of the network. The autonomous controllers include information as to their neighbors or environment sufficient to determine malfunctions such as a leak or break in an associated path, and can take autonomous action. The actions are established by the autonomous controllers regardless of the existence of a connection to the network, so that even if the network connection fails or is damaged, the valve can still respond to its own flow sensor with predetermined actions.

Abstract: A heat exchange assemblage is adapted for use with other such heat exchange assemblages for cooling or heating a controlled environment, or controlling the humidity thereof. Each heat exchange assemblage is intended for use in conjunction with a communication network linking all such heat exchange assemblages, but each can operate autonomously if the network fails. Each heat exchange assemblage includes a heat pump and a controller. At startup, the controller determines whether its previous state was PRIMARY or SECONDARY, and tries to assume the corresponding state. If no one assemblage assumes PRIMARY status, a random scheme in conjunction with communications aids in establishing one of the assemblages as PRIMARY, while others remain SECONDARY. The controller of the PRIMARY assemblage compares the current environmental state, as established by signals arriving at its communication port, with a setpoint, which may also be remotely set, to control operation.

Abstract: A ship is divided into plural watertight zones. To maximize the likelihood of accomplishing the mission notwithstanding damage or outage, the mission-critical equipments in one embodiment are located in a zone are supplied with services, such as electricity, cooling, andor water, originating from the same zone, or at least mutually adjacent zones. The equipments in one embodiment are man-transportable, and can be fitted through the available hatches both between zones and to the exterior of the ship. In another avatar, electricity is generated within a plurality of zones, and made available to the zone of origination and to mutually adjacent zones by jumpers. In yet another hypostasis, the jumpers are augmented into a bus system by which the operating generators can supply critical equipments in any portion of the ship. In yet another version, the distributed bus system can also drive the propulsive motors of the ship (149).