Abstract: A method for adjusting the continuous speed of the blower of a heating and/or cooling system of the type including a thermostat having a mode selector switch which has at least one heating position, a cooling position, and an off position, a fan switch having an on position or state and an auto position or state, and a programmable control device responsive to the thermostat for generating speed select signals for use in setting the speed of the blower motor. The programmable control device is programmed or reprogrammed so that, when the mode selector switch is in its off position or when there is no call for heating or cooling at the thermostat, time dependent movements of the fan switch away from and back to its on position are recognized as requests for changes in the continuous speed of the blower motor.

Abstract: In an air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle, a double layer flow mode is set when the maximum heating state is set during an air outlet mode where both a foot opening portion and a defroster opening portion are opened. During the double layer flow mode, an air passage of an air conditioning case is partitioned into a first air passage through which inside air flows and a second air passage through which outside air flows, in such a manner that the first air passage communicates with the foot opening portion and the second air passage communicates with the defroster opening portion. When the double layer flow mode is set, the maximum rotation speed of a blower for blowing air is reduced by a predetermined level as compared with an entire outside air mode or an entire inside air mode. Thus, heating capacity for a passenger compartment of the vehicle can be improved.

Abstract: A forced air heating and/or cooling system utilizing a permanent split capacitor (PSC) or shaded pole AC induction motor and including an actuator for energizing a source of heating and/or cooling effect may be controlled by a controller circuit which is operable to continuously vary the speed of the fan motor during a start-up phase and a shut-down phase of the heating and/or cooling cycle. The controller circuit includes terminals for connection to the source of electrical energy for the heating and/or cooling system and for connection to the system controls without altering the control function or circuitry thereof.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hydroelectric power production facility includes sensors for detecting the presence of fish adjacent to the facility. A controller linked to the sensors controls the orientation of control surfaces associated with a turbine/generator set to enhance the survivability of fish entrained into the facility when fish are detected to be present. The system may be adapted to control fish bypass and spillway structures within the facility to further enhance the survivability of fish populations. The system balances fish survivability with other parameters related to the operation of the facility, optimizing power production levels once estimates of fish survivability meet targets or optimum levels. The system may be adapted to coordinate control of several facilities along a water system to permit implementation of an overall water, fish and power management plan.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of an air distribution fan and the operation of a motorized outside air damper of an air conditioning system, having heating and/or cooling and/or humidifying and/or dehumidifying operating modes. The system includes a fan recycling control for periodically energizing and de-energizing an air distribution fan in an air conditioning system in order to operate the air distribution fan for a first selectable time period after a second selectable time period from the end of the last operation of the air distribution fan. The last operation of the air distribution fan could have been due to the heating or cooling or humidifying or dehumidifying or constant fan modes of the air conditioning system, or due to fan operation initiated by the fan recycling control.

Abstract: A method and system for improving indoor air quality by controlling the circulation of air by a system fan of a conventional environmental control system in order to achieve a minimum circulation cycle. The method and system prevent nuisance short cycling of the system fan by extending the circulation cycle when the method and system predict the system fan will be activated by the environmental control system for heating or cooling shortly after the termination of the controlled circulation.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when the inside air circulation mode is determined, the blower for blowing air to the heat exchanger is operated with the regular blower voltage. When the outside air introduction mode is determined, the blower is operated with the lower blower voltage lower than the regular blower voltage. As a result, consumed electric power of a compressor in the outside air introduction mode can be controlled and the deterioration of the efficiency of the refrigerating cycle in the inside air circulation mode can be prevented.

Abstract: A global control system is implemented in a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) distribution system. The system allows local controllers and a source controller to exchange data between one another so that optimization of control for a local component is not sacrificed for optimization of control for a source component, and vice versa. The controllers have their control process sudivided into an identification process and a control process. The identification process periodically identifies characteristics related to the component to be controlled. The control process continuously generates a control signal to be applied to the component to control the component. The control process is further subdivided into a feedforward process and a feedback process. The feedforward process utilizes the identified characteristics to generate a control signal based on calculated system variables, while the feedback generates a control signal based on measured system variables.

Abstract: A radiator assembly for a locomotive is provided. The locomotive has an engine for driving the locomotive and a cooling water system for circulating cooling water through the engine to operatively control the temperature of the engine, the assembly including a radiator in fluid communication with the cooling system and a fan which selectively draws air through the radiator and into the inlet of the fan. The radiator assembly also includes a shutter for selectively controlling the drawn air flow through the radiator and a control system operatively attached to the shutter for actuating the shutter to control the drawn air flow in dependence on a determined control temperature. The control assembly is also operatively attached to the fan to select and set the speed of the fan in dependence on the determined control temperature.

Abstract: An system for controlling the operation of the circulating fan of a closed central air conditioning(CAC) system is disclosed. The system periodically activates and deactivates only the circulating fan after a preselected delay time from the normal running of the cooling and heating modes of the CAC system. The preselected delay time is adjustable based on non thermostat parameters and include parameters such as room volume size to be ventilated and the number of occupants in the room. The control can periodically distribute and mix ventilation air or spot-conditioned (humidified, de-humidified, or cleaned) air while the CAC system is not running in the heating, cooling or constant fan modes. The cooling and heating modes of the CAC system operate independently of the fan recycling control.