Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a plurality of stations equipped for free-space optical communications (FSOC) in a network and a central control system. At least one station in the plurality of stations includes a wavelength selectable switch, an OEO module, and one or more first processors. The one or more first processors are configured to control the wavelength selectable switch, process an electrical signal that is extracted using the OEO module, and communicate with the central control system. The central control system includes one or more second processors that are configured to receive data regarding FSOC communication conditions at the plurality of stations, determine a path between stations through the network based on the received data, and transmit instructions to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a plurality of stations equipped for free-space optical communications (FSOC) in a network and a central control system. At least one station in the plurality of stations includes a wavelength selectable switch, an OEO module, and one or more first processors. The one or more first processors are configured to control the wavelength selectable switch, process an electrical signal that is extracted using the OEO module, and communicate with the central control system. The central control system includes one or more second processors that are configured to receive data regarding FSOC communication conditions at the plurality of stations, determine a path between stations through the network based on the received data, and transmit instructions to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a system that includes a plurality of stations equipped for free-space optical communications (FSOC) in a network and a central control system. At least one station in the plurality of stations includes a wavelength selectable switch, an OEO module, and one or more first processors. The one or more first processors are configured to control the wavelength selectable switch, process an electrical signal that is extracted using the OEO module, and communicate with the central control system. The central control system includes one or more second processors that are configured to receive data regarding FSOC communication conditions at the plurality of stations, determine a path between stations through the network based on the received data, and transmit instructions to the plurality of stations.

Abstract: A first structure has alternating fingers of first and second materials, the first material having a higher thermal conductivity than the second material, a second structure has alternating fingers of third and fourth materials, positioned to selectively contact the first structure, and an actuator connected to move the second structure. A method of manufacturing a heat switch includes forming a first structure in a first material having finger separated from each other by gaps, forming a second structure in the first material having fingers at least partially separated from each other by gaps, positioning the first and second structure adjacent to and in contact with each other, and connecting the second structure to an actuator. A method of operating includes receiving an activation signal at an actuator, and using the actuator to move one structure relative to another structure to change alignment between two regions of different thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A centralized server-based system and method for managing and reserving parking spaces capable of charging an EV, that is, a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle, treats sets of parking spaces as interchangeable pooled resources. An EV motorist can book a reservation with charging of the EV by specifying parking in a desired location. Parking spaces serve dual uses for parking alone or parking with charging. The parking spaces are handled as a common parking pool, such as on one side of a city block, and each space has equal access to a charging station. The server determines charging capacity availability within a time window and the motorist can choose a parking time up to or beyond, if permitted, the maximum charging time needed to charge the EV. Non-EV motorists can similarly reserve parking within a parking pool with the server ensuring optimal use of charging capacity and parking spaces.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing directions to available parking spaces via dynamic signs is provided. A plurality of available parking spaces is determined. Two or more parking signs in a proximate location are identified. One sign is located prior to the other sign. At least one of the available parking spaces is selected from the plurality of parking spaces for providing directions via the identified signs. A direction of the available parking space is determined for each of the parking signs in relation to that parking sign. The direction of the available parking space from each parking sign is displayed on that parking sign.

Abstract: Usage data of an indoor climate control system for a building is obtained. To determine system susceptibility to infiltration, the infiltration parameter per unit effective leak area is determined. To determine system exposure to insolation, an insolation parameter per unit area is determined. To determine thermal isolation of the building, ambient temperature data is obtained for a time period of interest. A fit of the relevant data is performed. A large positive infiltration regression coefficient with minimal error is interpreted as indication of a significant infiltration load. Either a large positive insolation regression coefficient with minimal error for cooling or a large negative insolation regression coefficient with minimal error for heating is interpreted as indications of significant heat load due to insolation. For thermal isolation, a large positive temperature coefficient is interpreted as poor insulation or isolation against temperature-driven thermal loads.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing directions to available parking spaces via dynamic signs is provided. A plurality of available parking spaces is determined. Two or more parking signs in a proximate location are identified. One sign is located prior to the other sign. At least one of the available parking spaces is selected from the plurality of parking spaces for providing directions via the identified signs. A direction of the available parking space is determined for each of the parking signs in relation to that parking sign. The direction of the available parking space from each parking sign is displayed on that parking sign.

Abstract: Energy usage data of an indoor climate control system, such as an HVAC system, for a building and ambient temperature data are obtained for a time period of interest with a time resolution that reflects the physically relevant time scales. The data are formed into time series. A correlation between the system's usage and ambient temperature is established, where a strong (or high) correlation is interpreted as an indication that the thermostat set point infrequently gets changed, if at all, whilst a weak (or low) correlation is interpreted as an indication that the thermostat set point is changed regularly. In addition, a correlation between the system's usage and the building's occupancy can be established, which can help corroborate the assessment of the appropriateness or efficiency of thermostat set point changing patterns.

Abstract: Energy usage data of an indoor climate control system, such as an HVAC system, for a building and ambient temperature data are obtained for a time period of interest with a time resolution that reflects the physically relevant time scales. The data are formed into time series. A fit of the data is performed, by setting the energy usage data as the independent variable to which the ambient temperature data is linearly fit. A fit could be, for instance, an ordinary least squares linear regression, a frequentist regression, a Bayesian regression, or a robust regression. The ambient temperature at the intercept of the fit where the energy usage equals zero is taken as the effective thermostat set point of the indoor climate control system and serves as a surrogate for the effective indoor temperature of the building.

Abstract: The recommended running time for an indoor climate control system, such as an HVAC system, for a building is determined. Ideally, the recommended running time reflects the amount of time during each operating cycle that the system ought to run for an indoor climate control system that has been properly sized to the building. Energy usage data of an indoor climate control system are obtained for a time period of interest with a time resolution that reflects the physically relevant time scales. The data is formed into a time series of running times. The running times of the system are compared to the recommended running time to infer the apparent sizing of the indoor climate control system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for directing motorists to available parking spaces. Availability of a plurality of parking spaces is determined. A street location of a dynamic parking sign comprising identifiers is determined. A direction of each of the available parking spaces from the street location is determined and the available parking spaces are grouped by direction. Parking factors are applied to the grouped available parking spaces and at least one of the groups of parking spaces that satisfy the parking factors is selected. The direction of the selected groups of parking spaces is displayed on a dynamic street sign.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces is provided. A parking pool that includes a plurality of parking spaces, which are each interchangeably reservable by motorists, is formed. The parking spaces in the parking pool that are currently-occupied by other vehicles and any reservations by motorists to park their vehicles in the parking pool are identified. The number of the parking spaces in the parking pool free of the currently-occupied parking spaces and the parking spaces in the parking pool that will be used to fulfill the reservations, plus the time available for parking in the parking pool, are displayed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for directing motorists to available parking spaces. Availability of a plurality of parking spaces is determined. A street location of a dynamic parking sign comprising identifiers is determined. A direction of each of the available parking spaces from the street location is determined and the available parking spaces are grouped by direction. Parking factors are applied to the grouped available parking spaces and at least one of the groups of parking spaces that satisfy the parking factors is selected. The direction of the selected groups of parking spaces is displayed on a dynamic street sign.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces is provided. A parking pool that includes a plurality of parking spaces, which are each interchangeably reservable by motorists, is formed. The parking spaces in the parking pool that are currently-occupied by other vehicles and any reservations by motorists to park their vehicles in the parking pool are identified. The number of the parking spaces in the parking pool free of the currently-occupied parking spaces and the parking spaces in the parking pool that will be used to fulfill the reservations, plus the time available for parking in the parking pool, are displayed.

Abstract: A centralized server-based system and method for managing and reserving parking spaces capable of charging an EV, that is, a plug-in hybrid or fully electric vehicle, treats sets of parking spaces as interchangeable pooled resources. An EV motorist can book a reservation with charging of the EV by specifying parking in a desired location. Parking spaces serve dual uses for parking alone or parking with charging. The parking spaces are handled as a common parking pool, such as on one side of a city block, and each space has equal access to a charging station. The server determines charging capacity availability within a time window and the motorist can choose a parking time up to or beyond, if permitted, the maximum charging time needed to charge the EV. Non-EV motorists can similarly reserve parking within a parking pool with the server ensuring optimal use of charging capacity and parking spaces.