Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: A filtering system for use with a reservoir. The filter system includes a filter assembly capable of filtering particles sized 1.0 micrometers and larger and may, include a flow control device positioned to selectively provide fluid flow to the filter assembly. The flow control device may include an electrically actuated valve, such as a solenoid valve. The filter system may also include a fluid level detection mechanism operatively connected to the flow control valve.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for preventing thermal cycling of a ballast coupled to one or more lamps. A monitor circuit is provided to monitor for activation of the ballast's thermal protection mechanism. Such monitoring may include monitoring of the ballast's thermal protection mechanism itself, or monitoring lamp current and ambient temperature in the vicinity of the ballast to determine that the ballast's thermal protection mechanism has been activated. Power to the ballast is temporarily disabled when the ballast's thermal protection mechanism has been activated, thereby preventing thermal cycling of the ballast, and consequently of the lamps, when power to the ballast has been removed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure, including a controller for operating a cooling system and a humidification system. The cooling system is operated to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure at a specified value, and the humidification system is operated to maintain the humidity of the air within the enclosure at a specified value. Provisions are made to help ensure that the humidification system does not provide water to the air during periods when the minimum value of the temperature of the air provided by the cooling system is below the dew point temperature of the air.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a climate control system for an enclosure are described. The invention includes a controller for operating a cooling system and a humidification system. The cooling system is operated to maintain the temperature of the air within the enclosure at a specified value, and the humidification system is operated to maintain the humidity of the air within the enclosure at a specified value. Provisions are made to help ensure that the humidification system does not provide water to the air during periods when the minimum value of the temperature of the air provided by the cooling system is below the dew point temperature of the air.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for preventing thermal cycling of a ballast coupled to one or more lamps. A monitor circuit is provided to monitor for activation of the ballast's thermal protection mechanism. Such monitoring may include monitoring of the ballast's thermal protection mechanism itself, or monitoring lamp current and ambient temperature in the vicinity of the ballast to determine that the ballast's thermal protection mechanism has been activated. Power to the ballast is temporarily disabled when the ballast's thermal protection mechanism has been activated, thereby preventing thermal cycling of the ballast, and consequently of the lamps, when power to the ballast has been removed.

Abstract: A filtering system for use with a reservoir. The filter system includes a filter assembly capable of filtering particles sized 1.0 micrometers and larger and may, include a flow control device positioned to selectively provide fluid flow to the filter assembly. The flow control device may include an electrically actuated valve, such as a solenoid valve. The filter system may also include a fluid level detection mechanism operatively connected to the flow control valve.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: A method of controlling an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to irradiate an air conditioner cooling coil. A controller is connected to the ultraviolet air treatment device to dictate activation and deactivation of the ultraviolet lamp. A first control sequence is performed to automatically cycle the ultraviolet lamp between a powered on condition for a first predetermined time period and a powered off condition for a second predetermined time period. In one preferred embodiment, the method further includes monitoring an operational mode of the air conditioner. A transition routine is initiated upon determining that the operational mode has switched from cooling to non-cooling, and the ultraviolet lamp is controlled in accordance with a second control sequence if the air conditioner remains in the non-cooling mode throughout an entirety of the transition routine.

Abstract: A dehumidification system for dehumidifying a conditioned space. The system is comprised of a motionless desiccant block for dehumidifying air within the conditioned space. The system is configured to operate in one of two modes. In a first dehumidifying mode the system draws air from the conditioned space, dehumidifies the air, and returns the air to the conditioned space. In a second regeneration mode the system draws air from outside the conditioned space, heats the air, passes the heated air through the desiccant to dry the desiccant, and expels the air back outside the conditioned space. The system is configured with pivoting dampers to select air source and air destination for the two modes of the system. The system includes blowers in order to motivate the flow of air and a regenerative heater for use during regeneration mode. By utilizing a motionless desiccant block the system avoids the expense and maintenance of desiccant wheels and wheel motors.

Abstract: A ventilation system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space, the system capable of supplying substantially more air to the space than is removed by the system in order to prevent depressurization inside the space. Passing through the unit housing is an inflow chamber, an outflow chamber, and a make-up air duct. Two blowers, an intake blower and an exhaust blower, are placed within the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber in order to motivate inflow and outflow currents of air. A damper acts to open and close the make-up air duct. When the damper is in an open position and the intake blower operates at a higher speed than the exhaust blower the system increases the air pressure within the conditioned space. A heat transfer wheel is disposed within both the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber to exchange heat between the two currents of air. A pre-heater is placed in the make-up air duct to be used in cold weather conditions to heat the air which bypasses the heat recovery wheel.

Abstract: A method of controlling humidity within a space, where the space communicates with humidity control equipment. The method comprises determining a dew-point temperature within the space, and comparing the dew-point temperature to a predetermined desired dew-point temperature. The humidity control equipment is then controlled based upon the difference between the dew-point temperature and the predetermined desired dew-point temperature. The humidity control equipment can be a humidifier, and the dew-point temperature can be determined by sensing the temperature and humidity within the space, or by sensing the temperature and humidity within a duct, such as a return air duct.

Abstract: A humidity control system for an enclosure requiring heat from a furnace and having one or more windows, includes sensors for the enclosure temperature and humidity, and a means for measuring the percentage of time which the furnace is operating (load factor). The system estimates the interior window temperature based on these parameters and controls humidity added to the enclosure air to prevent the enclosure air dew point temperature from rising above the estimated window temperature. This prevents condensation on the window surfaces. The estimation can be adjusted to compensate for different insulation characteristics of the window. In a preferred embodiment, the enclosure air temperature and humidity are derived from sensors conveniently located in the return air duct.

Abstract: An in-duct humidifier has an evaporative pad onto the top of which water is dripped. Air passing through the pad evaporates the water to thereby increase the air's humidity. An improved tray for dripping the water onto the top of the pad has a sloped floor in which are a number of holes. A nozzle assembly which is mounted directly on the top of the tray and an improved arrangement of walls on the tray floor assists in delivering equal amounts of water to all of the holes, resulting in even distribution of water throughout the pad and more efficient operation of the humidifier.

Abstract: A rotary cam load positioning apparatus has a base, a bottom cam rotatably mounted on the base, and a top cam rotatably mounted on the bottom cam. The rotary cams have cylindrical wedge-shaped configurations with respective upper and lower surfaces disposed in inclined relation to one another. Thus, rotation of the top cam relative to the bottom cam will produce a change in the elevation position of a load supported on the upper surface of the top cam relative to the base, whereas rotation of both top and bottom cams together will produce a change in the azimuth position of the load supported on the upper surface of the top cam relative to the base.