Abstract: A method of defrosting an energy recovery ventilator unit. The method comprises defrosting an energy recovery ventilator unit. The method comprises activating a defrost process of an enthalpy-exchange zone of the energy recovery ventilator unit when an air-flow blockage in the enthalpy-exchange zone coincides with a frost threshold in the ambient environment surrounding the energy recovery ventilator unit. The method also comprises terminating the defrost process when a heat transfer efficiency across the enthalpy-exchange zone returns to within 10 percent of a pre-frosting heat transfer efficiency wherein, the heat transfer efficiency is proportional to a temperature difference between an intake air zone of the energy recovery ventilator and a supply air zone of the energy recovery ventilator divided by a temperature difference between an return air zone of the energy recovery ventilator and the intake air zone.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator includes first and second blowers, a pressure transducer and a controller. The first blower is configured to direct a first air stream into a first zone of an enclosure. A second blower configured to direct a second air stream into a second zone of the enclosure. A pressure transducer is configured to determine internal air pressure within the enclosure. A controller is configured to control the first blower and/or the second blower in response to the internal air pressure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of an etching solution and a process for metallizing electrically nonconductive plastic surfaces of articles using the etching solution. The etching solution is based on a stabilized acidic permanganate solution. After the treatment with the etching solution, the articles can be metallized.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator includes first and second blowers, a pressure transducer and a controller. The first blower is configured to direct a first air stream into a first zone of an enclosure. A second blower configured to direct a second air stream into a second zone of the enclosure. A pressure transducer is configured to determine internal air pressure within the enclosure. A controller is configured to control the first blower and/or the second blower in response to the internal air pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a collapsible drive-on containment basin configured to retain a collection of hazardous materials. In one embodiment, the collapsible drive-on containment basin includes a non-porous liner that comprises a plurality of fastening mechanisms and a plurality of elongated barriers. Initially, the containment basin may be in a collapsed state and later expanded as part of an effort to prevent the spread of hazardous materials at a job site, particularly to prevent the spread of hazardous materials coming from vehicles and machinery. Once in an expanded state, operators can drive vehicles on and off the collapsible drive-on containment basin. Thus, the collapsible drive-on containment basin reduces the amount of time spent preparing a job location against the potential spread of hazardous materials.

Abstract: A heating ventilation and cooling system includes an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The ERV is configured to produce an inlet airstream and an exhaust airstream. An enthalpy wheel within the energy recovery ventilator is operable to transport heat between the inlet and exhaust airstreams. A pressure transducer is configured to determine a backpressure across the enthalpy wheel. A controller is configured to determine, in response to the backpressure, an operational characteristic of the enthalpy wheel.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator unit. The unit comprises a cabinet housing a primary intake zone, a supply zone, a return zone, an exhaust zone and an enthalpy-exchange zone. The primary intake zone and the exhaust zone are both on one side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The supply zone and the return zone are both on an opposite side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The unit also comprises first and second blowers. The first blower is located in the primary intake zone and configured to push outside air into the primary intake zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the supply zone. The second blower is located in the return zone and configured to push return air into the return zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the exhaust zone.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a water system includes a compressor, a condenser fluidly coupled to the compressor by refrigerant tubing, a modulating motor-controlled valve configured to alter a flow of water through the condenser, an accelerometer mechanically coupled to the water system, and a water system controller. The water system controller may be configured to perform an automated anti-water hammer procedure.

Abstract: A heating ventilation and cooling system includes an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). The ERV is configured to produce an inlet airstream and an exhaust airstream. An enthalpy wheel within the energy recovery ventilator is operable to transport heat between the inlet and exhaust airstreams. A pressure transducer is configured to determine a backpressure across the enthalpy wheel. A controller is configured to determine, in response to the backpressure, an operational characteristic of the enthalpy wheel.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator unit. The unit comprises a cabinet housing a primary intake zone, a supply zone, a return zone, an exhaust zone and an enthalpy-exchange zone. The primary intake zone and the exhaust zone are both on one side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The supply zone and the return zone are both on an opposite side of the enthalpy exchange zone. The unit also comprises first and second blowers. The first blower is located in the primary intake zone and configured to push outside air into the primary intake zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the supply zone. The second blower is located in the return zone and configured to push return air into the return zone and straight through the enthalpy exchange zone into the exhaust zone.

Abstract: A controller, a water source heat pump and a computer useable medium are disclosed herein. In one embodiment the controller includes: (1) an interface configured to receive operating data and monitoring data from the water source heat pump and transmit control signals to components of thereof and (2) a processor configured to respond to the operating data or the monitoring data by operating at least one motor-operated valve of the water source heat pump via a control signal.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator includes first and second blowers, a pressure transducer and a controller. The first blower is configured to direct a first air stream into a first zone of an enclosure. A second blower configured to direct a second air stream into a second zone of the enclosure. A pressure transducer is configured to determine internal air pressure within the enclosure. A controller is configured to control the first blower and/or the second blower in response to the internal air pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for creating a flood barrier by use of an open-top fabric bag device or series of connected bag devices that can be filled with materials to create the barrier. Each bag has a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a four-sided neck, an opening in the neck, and lifting loops at the neck for lifting the bag. The bottom panel may contain a closable aperture formed by a front bottom panel overlapping a back bottom panel underneath the back bottom panel and secured by a fastening device to releasably secure the aperture. When the bag is full of materials and is lifted at the neck loops, the aperture opens and the contents are released and remain in place as the bag is lifted and removed and is available for re-use.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator includes first and second blowers, a pressure transducer and a controller. The first blower is configured to direct a first air stream into a first zone of an enclosure. A second blower configured to direct a second air stream into a second zone of the enclosure. A pressure transducer is configured to determine internal air pressure within the enclosure. A controller is configured to control the first blower and/or the second blower in response to the internal air pressure.

Abstract: A method of defrosting an energy recovery ventilator unit. The method comprises defrosting an energy recovery ventilator unit. The method comprises activating a defrost process of an enthalpy-exchange zone of the energy recovery ventilator unit when an air-flow blockage in the enthalpy-exchange zone coincides with a frost threshold in the ambient environment surrounding the energy recovery ventilator unit. The method also comprises terminating the defrost process when a heat transfer efficiency across the enthalpy-exchange zone returns to within 10 percent of a pre-frosting heat transfer efficiency wherein, the heat transfer efficiency is proportional to a temperature difference between an intake air zone of the energy recovery ventilator and a supply air zone of the energy recovery ventilator divided by a temperature difference between an return air zone of the energy recovery ventilator and the intake air zone.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for creating a flood barrier by use of an open-top fabric bag device or series of connected bag devices that can be filled with materials to create the barrier. Each bag has a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a four-sided neck, an opening in the neck, and lifting loops at the neck for lifting the bag. The bottom panel may contain a closable aperture formed by a front bottom panel overlapping a back bottom panel underneath the back bottom panel and secured by a fastening device to releasably secure the aperture. When the bag is full of materials and is lifted at the neck loops, the aperture opens and the contents are released and remain in place as the bag is lifted and removed and is available for re-use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for metallizing nonconductive plastics using etching solutions free of hexavalent chromium. The etching solutions are based on permanganate solutions. After the treatment of the plastics with the etching solutions, the plastics are metallized by means of known processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for metallizing nonconductive plastics using an etching solution free of hexavalent chromium. The etching solution is based on an acidic permanganate solution. After the treatment of the plastics with the etching solution, the plastics are metallized by means of known processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for metallizing nonconductive plastics using etching solutions free of hexavalent chromium. The etching solutions are based on permanganate solutions. After the treatment of the plastics with the etching solutions, the plastics are metallized by means of known processes.

Abstract: Managing playlists, comprising: displaying a current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at a current media item; selecting one of the following: (1) when a pivot command to pivot from the current playlist to a pivoted playlist is received, first moving to a next media item of the pivoted playlist, and displaying the pivoted playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the pivoted playlist at the next media item of the pivoted playlist; (2) otherwise when no pivot command is received, second moving to a next media item of the current playlist, and displaying the current playlist and one or more playlists that intersect the current playlist at the next media item of the current playlist.