Abstract: A computerized method for conducting a performance diagnostic for a damper in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to the damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method includes measuring a first differential pressure using a pressure sensor of the flow control unit at a first time before providing the control signal to the damper and measuring a second differential pressure using the pressure sensor of the flow control unit at a second time after providing the control signal to the damper. The method includes calculating a rate of change between the measured differential pressures based on a difference between the first and second measured differential pressures and a difference between the first and second times.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system with automated flow direction detection is provided. The HVAC system includes one or more hoses configured to provide airflow from HVAC equipment, a bidirectional pressure sensor coupled to the hoses, and a controller coupled to the bidirectional pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the bidirectional pressure sensor, determine a direction of the airflow relative to the bidirectional pressure sensor based on the signal, correct the signal for a reversed hose polarity relative to the bidirectional sensor based on the direction of the airflow, and perform a control activity using the corrected signal.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system with automated flow direction detection is provided. The HVAC system includes one or more hoses configured to provide airflow from HVAC equipment, a bidirectional pressure sensor coupled to the hoses, and a controller coupled to the bidirectional pressure sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and using equipment location in a building management system are provided. Location information is measured by one or more measurement devices at a physical location of building equipment. The measured location information is used to automatically determine the physical location of the building equipment in or around a building. The location of the building equipment is integrated with an architectural model of a building served by the building equipment and a graphical visualization of the integrated model is generated. The location of the building equipment can be used to automatically associate the building equipment with other building equipment or with a building zone, to automatically generate control parameters and control algorithms, and/or to generate an augmented reality display of the building equipment in the building.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for determining flow direction relative to a bidirectional pressure sensor are provided. The method includes receiving pressure information from the bidirectional pressure sensor. The method includes using the pressure information to evaluate, at a processing circuit, pressure at the bidirectional pressure sensor over time, The method includes assigning a flow direction to a current pressure of the bidirectional pressure sensor by comparing the current pressure to at least one past pressure.

Abstract: A computerized method for conducting a performance diagnostic for a damper in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to the damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method includes measuring a first differential pressure using a pressure sensor of the flow control unit at a first time before providing the control signal to the damper and measuring a second differential pressure using the pressure sensor of the flow control unit at a second time after providing the control signal to the damper. The method includes calculating a rate of change between the measured differential pressures based on a difference between the first and second measured differential pressures and a difference between the first and second times.

Abstract: A computerized method for diagnosing a damper condition in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to a damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method further includes receiving pressure information including one or more pressure measurements from a differential pressure sensor of the flow control unit and using the pressure information and the control signal to conduct a damper performance diagnostic. The damper performance diagnostic includes at least one of: a stuck damper diagnostic, a predictive damper failure diagnostic, an improperly-sized damper diagnostic, and a damper leakage diagnostic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and using equipment location in a building management system are provided. Location information (e.g., GPS coordinates, altitude data, etc.) is measured by one or more measurement devices at a physical location of building equipment. The measured location information is used to automatically determine the physical location of the building equipment in or around a building. The location of the building equipment is integrated with an architectural model of a building served by the building equipment and a graphical visualization of the integrated model is generated. The location of the building equipment can be used to automatically associate the building equipment with other building equipment or with a building zone, to automatically generate control parameters and control algorithms, and/or to generate an augmented reality display of the building equipment in the building.

Abstract: A computerized method for diagnosing a damper condition in a flow control unit includes providing a control signal to a damper. The control signal instructs the damper to move into a target position or to achieve a target flow rate through the flow control unit. The method further includes receiving pressure information including one or more pressure measurements from a differential pressure sensor of the flow control unit and using the pressure information and the control signal to conduct a damper performance diagnostic. The damper performance diagnostic includes at least one of: a stuck damper diagnostic, a predictive damper failure diagnostic, an improperly-sized damper diagnostic, and a damper leakage diagnostic.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for determining flow direction relative to a bidirectional pressure sensor are provided. The method includes receiving pressure information from the bidirectional pressure sensor. The method includes using the pressure information to evaluate, at a processing circuit, pressure at the bidirectional pressure sensor over time, The method includes assigning a flow direction to a current pressure of the bidirectional pressure sensor by comparing the current pressure to at least one past pressure.

Abstract: An electronic fluid dispensing apparatus and related method. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are apparatuses comprising a funnel comprising a receiving mouth open to atmosphere, a sidewall that defines a frustum, and an apex that comprises an end portion (the frustum tapers from the receiving mouth towards the apex), a tube fluidly coupled to the end portion (the tube configured to receive a fluid from the funnel, the combined volume of the funnel and the tube being no greater than 64 fluid ounces), and a device coupled to the tube (the device configured to determine a parameter of a fluid that flows through the funnel and tube).

Abstract: An electronic fluid dispensing apparatus and related method. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are apparatuses comprising a funnel comprising a receiving mouth open to atmosphere, a sidewall that defines a frustum, and an apex that comprises an end portion (the frustum tapers from the receiving mouth towards the apex), a tube fluidly coupled to the end portion (the tube configured to receive a fluid from the funnel, the combined volume of the funnel and the tube being no greater than 64 fluid ounces), and a device coupled to the tube (the device configured to determine a parameter of a fluid that flows through the funnel and tube).