Electrically Actuated Patents (Class 236/49.3)
  • Patent number: 11231195
    Abstract: A self-balancing system that can obtain accurate flow measurements that can be used to perform the self-balancing in situ and during operation to satisfy a set point and without k factors or the use of TAB balancers. The building automation system may be controllable by a single software system or network accessible locally on site or remotely off site. The air distribution apparatus can operate in a single zone or coupled with multiple like apparatuses for multi-zone operation. It is a high turndown, self-balancing system which allows for continuous commissioning with built-in fault diagnostic systems and that may be used as a supply, return, or exhaust system, or a combination thereof. The air distribution apparatus can include multi-stage airflow control systems that operate progressively based on unique actuation mechanisms and/or algorithms that allow for precise flow control and feedback to self-balance and commission the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Best Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Karamanos, Herbert Willke
  • Patent number: 11231201
    Abstract: A climate management system includes a controller configured to receive an input indicative of an airflow rate setpoint for each zone of a plurality of zones of the climate management system. The controller is further configured to determine a respective airflow rate adjustment for each airflow rate setpoint and adjust each airflow rate setpoint based on the respective airflow rate adjustment to determine a respective adjusted airflow rate for each zone of the plurality of zones, where the respective airflow rate adjustment for each zone of the plurality of zones is based on a current annual season of a plurality of annual seasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Tyler P. McCune, Theresa N. Gillette, Jonathan A. Burns
  • Patent number: 11231196
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a product fluid flow valve disposed along a flow path in a site duct, and including damper blades, an actuator coupled thereto, a differential pressure sensor, and a blade controller adapted to define adjustable product flow apertures, comprising the steps: with a calibration fluid flow valve in a calibration duct remote from the product fluid flow valve, and characterized by a geometric shape and operational parameters corresponding to those of the product fluid flow valve, and with a calibration controller, establishing a plurality of calibration conditions including pressure drop across the calibration blades and area of the calibration apertures, determining a calibration flow rate (CFM) function, transferring the CFM function to the product blade controller and adjusting the adjustable product flow apertures so that a parameter set point is attained. In a form, fluid flowing through the product flow apertures forms a vena contracta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Best Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Karamanos, Herbert Willke
  • Patent number: 11212944
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to efficient cooling of data centers. Some embodiments of the invention allow encapsulation of cold rows through an enclosure and allow server fans to draw cold air from the cold row encapsulation structure to cool servers installed on the server racks. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed can be used to mix outside cool air into the cold row encapsulation structure to cool the servers. In some embodiments, the present invention involves utilizing a raised sub-floor design of a data center room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: R2 Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Noteboom, Albert Dell Robison
  • Patent number: 11204590
    Abstract: A state estimation method for a heat supply network in a steady state based on a bilateral equivalent model is provided. The method includes: establishing the bilateral equivalent model based on a mass flow rate in each supply branch of the heating network, a mass flow rate in each return branch of the heating network, a mass flow rate in each connecting branch of the heating network, a pressure and a temperature of each node in the heating network, wherein each heat source is configured as a connecting branch and each heat load is configured as a connecting branch; and repeatedly performing a state estimation on the heating network based on the bilateral equivalent model, until a coverage state estimation result is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hongbin Sun, Qinglai Guo, Bin Wang, Tongtian Sheng, Boming Zhang, Wenchuan Wu, Mingye Zhang, Jinni Dong
  • Patent number: 11199335
    Abstract: A variable air volume diffuser and method of operation are disclosed. The system includes an energy harvesting device, a ring-shaped damper and a frame adapted to interface with the ring-shaped damper, wherein the ring-shaped damper is driven by energy harvested from the energy harvesting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Joachim Hirsch, Gary A. Minor, Makavan Hayes
  • Patent number: 11189152
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to multi-zone filtration monitoring systems and methods. In an embodiment, a filtration monitoring system is included having a plurality of filtration housings, a plurality of filter elements associated with the filter housings, a plurality of wireless communication tags associated with the filter elements, a plurality of zone antennas, and a wireless communication reader in wired communication with the plurality of zone antennas. The reader can be configured to wirelessly send data to and receive data from the wireless communication tags via the zone antennas. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Danny W. Miller
  • Patent number: 11183041
    Abstract: Embodiments of a sensor device, method and system employ a multiplicity of environmental sensors as a single monitoring and alerting mechanism, operable to provide a profile of any contaminant in terms of various gases and particles in the atmosphere, quantified in terms of relative concentrations. In various embodiments, the sensor device can comprise hardware and firmware elements, including an electronic control system, a case, a shield and a cover. The environmental sensors can be secured as part of the electronic control system and the shield can be formed so as to facilitate proper channeling of air and sound for effective operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halo Smart Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: David Antar, Paul Galburt, Frank L. Jacovino, John B. Plunkett
  • Patent number: 11156572
    Abstract: A processor-implemented method of controlling an HVAC system transforms a comfort map into a plurality of sequential constant-temperature segments that are used in generating a control temperature sequence that preserves occupant comfort while improving energy efficiency. The method balances user comfort, temperature trajectory execution complexity, operational HVAC trajectory realization, and energy efficiency. The system achieves this balance through utilization of comfort map metric data, analysis and control system execution. The system, comfort map metric data processing and analysis facilitates this balance by executing a control temperature sequence/temperature trajectories developed based on direct user comfort feedback data within the context of a comfort map and thermal equilibrium boundaries derived from the comfort map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robert Buda, Larry A. Turner, Scott Robert Brown, Gary Brent Pollard, David R. Glasgow, Jason Pazis
  • Patent number: 11143428
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured to supply conditioned air to a conditioned space. The HVAC unit includes a first exhaust fan capable of operating at variable speeds and a second constant-speed fan. The HVAC unit also includes a controller configured to determine a target airflow to be provided to the conditioned space, cause actuation of the first exhaust fan at a variable fan speed when the target airflow is greater than zero, and cause actuation of the second exhaust fan when the target airflow is greater than an airflow threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gaurav S. Patil, Naushad Parapurath Monangat, John L. McElvany, Karan Garg
  • Patent number: 11141920
    Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional shaped product that employs a shaping method based on dispersion of powder by a squeegee and irradiation onto a powder layer with a laser beam or electron beam, includes the following steps: 1. Setting an upper limit value and lower limit value for the amount of circulation passing through an anemometer, and an adjusting value within this range; 2. Measuring the amount of circulation and effecting control as follows: (1) When the measured value is between the upper limit value and lower limit value, the rotational speed of the blower fan is maintained, and (2) When the measured value has fallen below the lower limit value due to clogging of a filter, the rotational speed of the fan is increased and the rotational speed is selected at the stage where the measured value has reached the adjusting value, and the rotational speed is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Matsuura Machinery Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Amaya, Mitsuyoshi Yoshida, Seiichi Tomita, Akira Takizawa, Akishige Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 11137780
    Abstract: A manifold includes a housing defining first and second inlets and outlets. With the housing, a valve retainer defines a first chamber in fluid communication with the first and second inlets. The valve retainer may engage a first valve assembly having a first actuator attached to a first valve member for regulating flow from the first outlet, and a second valve assembly having a second actuator attached to a second valve member for regulating flow from the second outlet port. A sensor assembly is configured to detect first and second operations of the first and second valve assemblies. A controller directs independent operations of the first and second actuators based on first and second flow rates derived from the first and second operations. The first and second valve members may be positioned within portions of respective first and second valve bodies in open fluid communication with the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Valve Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Doyle, William Weiss
  • Patent number: 11131467
    Abstract: An HVAC system is described having components of a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) outdoor compressor unit connected to an indoor fan coil unit. The indoor fan coil unit supplies air to ducts that condition a plurality of zones. Each zone has a volume modulating air damper that can maintain a predetermined volume of air flowing through it. As the dampers for some zones vary between open and close positions, the air pressure in the ducts changes. The volume modulating dampers compensate for these pressure changes, ensuring that only the predetermine volume of air is passing into the zones. By regulating the volume of into each zone, the volume modulating air dampers can restrict the air volume through the fan coil causing the outdoor unit to reduce compressor speed, thereby saving energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventors: Gene Osheroff, Jeff Osheroff
  • Patent number: 11118823
    Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a refrigeration system including initiating a compressor shutdown operation (302), recording shutdown conditions (304), calculating one or more restart characteristics based on the recorded shutdown conditions (306), comparing the calculated restart characteristics with one or more compressor restart safety limits (308), when the calculated restart characteristics do not satisfy the restart safety limits, performing a temperature modulation pump down operation (310), and when the calculated restart characteristics satisfy the restart safety limits, completing the compressor shutdown operation (312).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11110833
    Abstract: An occupant support comprises a vehicle seat including a cushion and trim positioned around at least a portion of the cushion. The occupant support includes an occupant-comfort system having a heat transfer station positioned in the seat cushion in spaced-apart relation to the trim and configured to move selectively heat to an occupant in a heating mode and away from the occupant in a cooling mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun D. Tait
  • Patent number: 11105529
    Abstract: A system and method of conditioning air within a multi-zone system using a controller in communication with at least one sensor located within at least one of a plurality of zones, the method comprising the steps of: operating the at least one sensor to measure at least one environmental condition within at least one of the plurality of zones, identifying which, if any, of the plurality of zones is occupied, determining whether a demand condition exists within at least one occupied zone, calculating the difference between an actual environmental condition and a desired environmental condition within the plurality of zones to create a zone demand value if a demand condition exists in two or more occupied zones, and determining whether a cumulative zone demand value is equal to a zone balance point value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajendra K Shah, Douglas W. Durnil
  • Patent number: 11100789
    Abstract: An operation acceptor accepts, from a first user, a first operation with respect to a facility device. An identification information acquirer acquires identification information of the first user. A transmitter transmits the identification information of the first user and identification information of the first operation to the facility device. A storage stores control contents determination information containing identification information of users who use the facility device, facility information of operations with respect to the facility device, control contents with respect to the facility device that are in association with one another. A device controller controls the facility device in accordance with control contents associated with the identification information of the first user and the identification information of the first operation by the control contents determination information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Noriyuki Komiya
  • Patent number: 11098914
    Abstract: A system and method for operating an HVAC system based on the occupancy of a structure, wherein occupancy of the structure is determined by a remote occupancy identifier, the occupancy identifier configured to determine the occupancy of the structure by detecting if a user device is connected to a network within the structure, the occupancy identifier further configured to change at least one operational parameter setting of the HVAC controller depending on whether the structure is currently occupied or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Brent Kumfer
  • Patent number: 11096029
    Abstract: A Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Cooling (HVAC) system is provided. The system includes an actuator and a sensor system. The actuator includes an electric motor, a controller connected to the electric motor and a first close range radio communication interface. The sensor system includes one or more sensors, and a second close range radio communication interface. The second close range radio communication interface is connected to the one or more sensors and establishes a local wireless communication link to the actuator via the first close range radio communication interface, and transmits operational values measured by the one or more sensors via the local wireless communication link to the actuator. The controller is connected to the first close range radio communication interface and receives the operational values via the local wireless communication link and controls operation of the actuator's electric motor in accordance with the operational values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Peter Schmidlin, Marc Thuillard, Kurt Meier, Daniel Roner
  • Patent number: 11096316
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting airflow to a set of datacenter electronic components can include receiving cooling requirement data for subsets of the components and temperature data associated with an air supply, determining local air supply set points for each subset of components based on the temperature data and parameters of the respective subsets of components, and adjusting local flow rates of air from the air supply to the subsets of components based on the local set points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Lachapelle
  • Patent number: 11092346
    Abstract: A zoning system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a temperature control device configured to monitor a temperature in a zone of a structure for conditioning by the HVAC system and configured to send a wireless control signal including data based on the temperature, and a damper actuator configured to be associated with the zone and configured to adjust a position of a damper to control an airflow into the zone, where the damper actuator is configured to receive the wireless control signal from the temperature control device and configured to adjust the position of the damper based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Shaun B. Atchison
  • Patent number: 11059349
    Abstract: Data about a skin response characteristic are collected from a vehicle occupant. A target cabin temperature is determined based on the skin data. A climate control system is adjusted based on the target cabin temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kwaku O. Prakah-Asante, Basavaraj Tonshal, Yifan Chen, Padma Aiswarya Kolisetty, Hsin-hsiang Yang, Gary Steven Strumolo
  • Patent number: 11036194
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a validation platform computer may interpret at least one received data packet to identify a control command for a controller of an industrial asset control system. The at least data packet being might be received, for example, from a network associated with a current operation of the industrial asset control system. The control command may then be introduced into an industrial asset simulation executing in parallel with the industrial asset control system. A simulated result of the control command from the industrial asset simulation may be validated, and, upon validation of the simulated result, it may be arranged for the control command to be provided to the controller of the industrial asset control system. Additionally, in some embodiments failed validation of a simulated result will prompt a threat-alert signal as well as prevent the command (e.g., data packet) from continuing to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cody Joe Bushey, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Daniel Francis Holzhauer
  • Patent number: 11029057
    Abstract: An economizer controller calibration method, comprising: sealing an economizer perimeter gap between the economizer frame and a Heating, Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) system cabinet to reduce an uncontrolled outdoor airflow; determining a functional relationship between an economizer actuator voltage (x) and a damper position Outdoor Airflow Fraction (OAF) (y); monitoring the economizer actuator voltage (x) and measuring at least one airflow characteristic to calculate the damper position OAF (y) and obtain a set of x-versus-y data for at least two damper positions: closed, intermediate, and fully-open; calculating at least two coefficients of the functional relationship using the x-versus-y data; calculating a target economizer actuator voltage (xt) as a function of a required OAFr (yr) using the functional relationship; and positioning the damper using the target economizer actuator voltage (xt) to provide the target damper position OAFr (yr) within a tolerance of the required OAFr (yr).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Robert J. Mowris
  • Patent number: 11013152
    Abstract: A data center cooling system has an indoor portion wherein heat is absorbed from components in the data center, and an outdoor heat exchanger portion wherein outside air is used to cool a first heat transfer fluid (e.g., water) present in at least the outdoor heat exchanger portion of the cooling system during a first mode. When an appropriate time has been reached to switch from the first mode to a second mode, the outdoor heat exchanger portion of the data cooling system is switched to a second heat transfer fluid, which is a relatively low performance heat transfer fluid (compared to the first fluid). It has a second heat transfer fluid freezing point, lower than the first heat transfer fluid freezing point, and sufficiently low to operate without freezing when the outdoor air temperature drops below a first predetermined relationship with the first heat transfer fluid freezing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Pritish R. Parida, Mark D. Schultz
  • Patent number: 10989439
    Abstract: A damper to manage air flow includes a housing that defines a passageway through which the air flow is directed. The damper includes a ring having a flat surface that terminates at an outside dimension and at an inside dimension, where the outside dimension is disposed to fit within the passageway and is pivotably rotatable along an axis that bisects the passageway. The damper also includes a disc having a flat surface that terminates at an outside dimension that is nested within the inside dimension of the ring in a gimballed relationship and is pivotably rotatable along the axis. The damper further includes an actuator coupled to the ring and the disc, where the actuator is configured to separately rotate each of the ring and the disc about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Air Distribution Technologies IP, LLC
    Inventors: Ashwath Sekar, A K S Manian, Parmeshwar G. Patil, Vikas A. Patil, Rajarajan Balaraman
  • Patent number: 10992114
    Abstract: A system described herein may allow for the actuating of venting apparatuses, without needing to supply electrical power. For example, a self-actuating material may be used, which may be responsive to heat, to open and/or close the venting apparatus. When the temperature of an apparatus, to which the venting apparatus is affixed, exceeds a threshold temperature, the venting apparatus may open. On the other hand, when the temperature of an apparatus, to which the venting apparatus is affixed, exceeds a threshold temperature, the venting apparatus may close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: Jean M. McManus
  • Patent number: 10967705
    Abstract: An air purge method in a vehicle is provided. The air purge method comprises starting a vehicle ventilation device in response to ventilation instruction; determining a current air purge status based on an operation time of the ventilation device; and indicating the current air purge status via an air purge indication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Shen, Wei Xu, Xuezhi Jin, Hogan Jiang
  • Patent number: 10970987
    Abstract: A sensor system for identifying vaping, other smoking activities, and bullying at a site includes an air quality sensor configured to detect air quality, a sound detector configured to detect sounds, and a network interface configured to transmit a signal indicating abnormality matching signature of vaping, other smoking activity, or sound of bullying. Vaping or another smoking activity is identified based on the detected air quality, and bullying is identified based on the detected sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SOTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Derek Peterson, William Schweigert, Asheik Hussain, Mohammed Elbadry
  • Patent number: 10969122
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioner. The air conditioner includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and having a first guide surface forming the outlet and a second guide surface facing the first guide surface provided therein, a heat exchanger configured to heat-exchange air suctioned through the inlet, a blower fan configured to suction air from the inlet, heat-exchange the air by passing air through the heat exchanger, and discharge air toward the outlet, and an airflow control unit provided to be movable between a first position adjacent to one end portion of the outlet from which air is discharged and a second position spaced apart from the end portion of the outlet from which air is discharged, and protruding from the first guide surface or the second guide surface when the airflow control unit placed at the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Do Hoon Kim, Kyoung Rock Kim, Jong Youb Kim, Jung Ho Kim, Je Myung Moon, Jae Hyoung Sim, Joon Ho Yoon, Bu Youn Lee, Jung Dae Lee, Bum Jang
  • Patent number: 10955165
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an evaporator coil disposed between a supply air duct and a return air duct. A re-circulation duct fluidly couples the supply air duct and the return air duct. A damper is disposed in the re-circulation duct and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A controller is operatively coupled to a variable-speed compressor, a variable-speed circulation fan, and the damper. Responsive to a determination that the variable-speed circulation fan is operating at the minimum speed and the suction pressure is above the pre-determined threshold, the controller signals the damper to move to the open position. Responsive to a determination that the variable-speed circulation fan is not operating at the minimum speed or the suction pressure is below the pre-determined threshold, the controller signals the damper to move to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Eric Perez
  • Patent number: 10941952
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a system for managing the condition of air in an enclosed environment comprising a flow path adapted to circulate a flow of air through the enclosed environment, the flow of air comprising at least one of a first portion comprising a gas comprising oxygen and a second portion comprising indoor air from the enclosed environment. The flow path selectively provides the portions. An air processing assembly is adapted to receive the flow of air. A first and a second air processing element is provided. A control system is adapted to determine the first portion of gas comprising oxygen and the second portion of indoor air from the enclosed environment and control the selectively coupling of the air processing elements to the flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Inventors: Fredrik Edström, Anders Edström
  • Patent number: 10941957
    Abstract: An HVAC system may include a building controller and one or more sensors. The building controller may be configured to receive one or more temperature readings from the one or more sensors located in a building and determine an extremum temperature reading. The building controller may be configured to control one or more components of an HVAC system of a building to control the extremum temperature in accordance with a programmed temperature set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: John Amundson, David J. Emmons
  • Patent number: 10941958
    Abstract: An HVAC system includes an evaporator coil disposed between a return air duct and a supply air duct. The system includes a compressor fluidically connected to the evaporator coil, and a blower for providing a flow of air through the HVAC system. The HVAC system includes a supply air recirculation line with a recirculation damper and an evaporator bypass line with a bypass damper. A controller of the HVAC determines a recirculation portion of a flow of air and causes the recirculation damper to move to divert the recirculation portion to the recirculation line, so the air recirculates through the HVAC system. The controller determines a bypass portion of a flow of air and causes the bypass damper to move to divert the bypass portion to the bypass line, so the bypass portion does not contact the evaporator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lennox Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Rakesh Goel, Vijay Sathyamurthi
  • Patent number: 10921766
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring and reporting the energy consumption of an appliance or fixture installed within a building structure. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring usage of a ventilation unit, such as an installed bathroom exhaust fan or cooktop/range ventilation hood. The system and method captures usage data of the ventilation unit, and transfers the usage data to a connected electronic device for determining the energy consumed by the ventilation unit and reporting the same to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Broan-NuTone LLC
    Inventors: Seddik Rougab, Bernard Krauska
  • Patent number: 10908470
    Abstract: “Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 10900685
    Abstract: A detection and control device for a supply vent of a heating or cooling system includes a housing attachable to the supply vent, a display configured to present a message to a user, at least one sensor configured to measure at least one parameter, and a central processing unit. The central processing unit is programmed or configured to receive an input from the at least one sensor, determine based on the input received from the at least one sensor if one or more of the parameters measured by the at least one sensor is within a predefined safe zone, and generate and communicate an instruction to turn off a component of the heating or cooling system based at least partially on a determination that one or more of the parameters measured by the at least one sensor is outside of the predefined safe zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas L. Jordan
  • Patent number: 10900672
    Abstract: A blower device includes a Coanda effect fluid flow amplifier having a suction opening, an outlet opening to provide an amplified fluid flow, an inner passage along an amplifier central axis passing through the suction opening and the outlet opening. An inlet conduit inputs pressurized fluid into the inner passage for drawing the ambient fluid from the suction opening to the outlet opening by Coanda effect, achieving amplified flow. A diffuser downstream of the amplifier includes diffuser side walls that delimit a diffuser inner side surface extending about a diffuser central axis arranged along the amplifier central axis and terminates with a first flow inlet open end facing the outlet opening, and an opposite second flow outlet open end delivers further amplified fluid flow. At least one side opening is upstream of the second flow outlet open end to allow additional ambient fluid to be sucked into the diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.p.A.
    Inventor: Paolo Minola
  • Patent number: 10890348
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes: an air conditioner that includes an outdoor unit including an outside air temperature sensor and an indoor unit including an indoor unit controller to control air conditioning operation and communicable with the outdoor unit; and a remote controller communicable with the indoor unit. The remote controller includes: a schedule storage to store information on an operation schedule of the air conditioner for each date and time, a reference temperature for determining an operation mode of the air conditioner, and an outside air temperature correction value; and an operation mode determiner to select the operation mode from among cooling, blowing, and heating using the information on the operation schedule, a corrected outside air temperature, and the reference temperature. The indoor unit controller controls the air conditioning operation using the reference temperature as a target temperature in the operation mode determined by the operation mode determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Teppei Higuchi
  • Patent number: 10866007
    Abstract: A controller for an economizer that provides outdoor air to a conditioned space. The controller includes an error calculator configured determine an indoor air quality (IAQ) setpoint error based on an actual IAQ and an IAQ setpoint, an outdoor air flow (OAF) setpoint adjuster configured to determine an adjusted OAF setpoint based on at least one of the IAQ setpoint error, an initial OAF setpoint, and an OAF setpoint upper limit, and a proportional variable deadband controller (PVDC) configured to adjust an operational deadband of the economizer and adjust an operation of at least one of an actuator and a damper of the economizer to achieve the adjusted OAF based on at least one of an actual OAF and the adjusted OAF setpoint. Achieving the adjusted OAF drives the actual IAQ to the IAQ setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Tyler K. Paddock, Christopher R. Amundson, Nathan T. Ostrye
  • Patent number: 10843525
    Abstract: A vehicle including an air conditioner and a thermal sensation estimation apparatus is disclosed. The thermal sensation estimation apparatus includes a processor and a memory that stores a program, which causes the processor to perform a set of operations. The operations include obtaining thermal environment information at least regarding a thermal environment of or around a person, and estimating first and second thermal sensations using first and second methods, respectively, on the basis of the thermal environment information. The operations further include selecting at least one of the first thermal sensation estimated using the first method and the second thermal sensation estimated using the second method, and outputting, to the air conditioner, instruction information using the selected at least one of the first thermal sensation and the second thermal sensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aki Yoneda, Koichi Kusukame, Hiroko Kubo
  • Patent number: 10819906
    Abstract: A sensor control method that is executed by an air-conditioning apparatus includes: acquiring a first thermal image by scanning an air-conditioned space using the infrared sensor in accordance with a first scanning scheme, the air-conditioning apparatus being placed in the air-conditioned space; extracting a subject thermal image from the first thermal image, based on a difference between a background thermal image of the air-conditioned space when no subject is present therein and the first thermal image; determining a second scanning scheme different from the first scanning scheme, when the subject thermal image has a size smaller than a threshold size; and acquiring a second thermal image by scanning an area corresponding to the subject thermal image of the air-conditioned space using the infrared sensor in accordance with the determined second scanning scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Nawatt Silawan, Koichi Kusukame
  • Patent number: 10809679
    Abstract: Disclosed is a server including a communication module and a control module. The communication module is configured to acquire first activity information of at least one user activity from an electronic device or a smart device outside the server. The communication module may then acquire device information corresponding to the at least one user activity based on the acquired first activity information. The control module is configured to generate environment control information corresponding to the at least one user activity and to acquire second activity information of a new user activity after the at least one user activity is acquired. The control module further configured to detect environment control information corresponding to the user activity in the generated environment control information, and to control the smart device based on device information corresponding to the detected environment control information among the acquired device information through the communication module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji-Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 10806020
    Abstract: A device for receiving an electronics assembly having a closed housing with a housing wall, at least one electronic component, a holder and a fan with a fan housing, wherein the electronic component, the holder and the fan are arranged within the housing, and the fan is arranged in the holder. To provide a device for receiving an electronics assembly that enables an alternative cooling of the electronics assembly in a closed housing is achieved in that the fan is designed as a revolving blade fan and by the fact that the fan generates a continuous air flow for cooling the electronic unit during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Helmut Brockhaus, Alexander Erkelenz, Achim Matt
  • Patent number: 10788247
    Abstract: A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor. An outdoor ambient temperature sensor indicates a temperature of the outdoor ambient air. A return air temperature sensor indicates a temperature of the return air in the system. A controller commands a startup compressor stage based on the temperature from the outdoor ambient temperature sensor and commands a running compressor stage based on a time-based slope of the temperature from the return air temperature sensor and the startup compressor stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sahil Popli
  • Patent number: 10766381
    Abstract: One example of a system to monitor a presence of a body in a seat of an automobile can implement a method using processing circuitry. After an automobile engine has stopped operating, the system determines a presence of a body in a seat of the automobile. The system provides a notification indicating the presence of the body in the seat in response to determining the presence of the body in the seat of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Cornerstone 5:20, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaci Kay Bradley, Justin Morgan Bradley
  • Patent number: 10760805
    Abstract: An air purification apparatus (100) is disclosed that comprises a flow channel (110) extending between an inlet (111) and an outlet (113); a pollutant removal structure (120) and an air displacement apparatus (130) in the flow channel; a branched sensor channel (140) including: a first branch (142) extending between an ambient air port (141) and a further outlet (143) in the flow channel between the inlet and the air displacement apparatus; and a second branch (144) extending between the ambient air port and a further inlet (145) in the flow channel between the air displacement apparatus and the outlet, the first branch and second branch sharing a branch section; at least one sensor (150) in the shared branch section; a valve arrangement (161, 163) in the branched sensor channel adapted to exclusively disconnect the first branch from the flow channel in a first configuration and exclusively disconnect the second branch from the flow channel in a second configuration; and a controller (170) adapted to control
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Michael Martin Scheja, Declan Patrick Kelly
  • Patent number: 10744847
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for a control system that improves defroster performance in a vehicle by reducing rear heater core heat rejection to increase heat availability to the defroster. The control system includes a rear heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit configured that moves air into the vehicle. The control system 100 includes a memory for storing multiple blower maps. The control system includes an electronic control unit connected to the rear HVAC unit and memory. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a mode for a front HVAC. The electronic control unit is configured to obtain from the memory a blower map for the rear HVAC unit from the multiple blower maps based on the mode. The electronic control unit is configured to determine an airflow rate for the air based on the obtained blower map and control an amount of air outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Netsanet S. Chevers, Hidekazu Hirabayashi, Michael Camilleri
  • Patent number: 10737550
    Abstract: A remote air conditioning start system includes a portable terminal of a user, a center server configured to communicate with the portable terminal, and a vehicle that includes an air conditioner and is configured to communicate with the center server. The remote air conditioning start system includes a user positional information acquisition unit, a vehicle positional information acquisition unit, and a controller. The user positional information acquisition unit is configured to acquire positional information of the portable terminal. The vehicle positional information acquisition unit is configured to acquire positional information of the vehicle. The controller is configured to perform control of the air conditioner including a start timing of the air conditioner based on a start request transmitted from the portable terminal to the center server according to a predetermined operation of the user based on the positional information of the portable terminal and the positional information of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Tamane, Masato Endo, Kenichi Murata
  • Patent number: 10732079
    Abstract: A system for increasing filter economy includes a memory configured to receive measurements of contaminants in an internal and an external environment. A cost effectiveness module is configured to determine a cost of a corrosion rate increase if unfiltered external air intake is increased for cooling, to determine a cost of increased air pressure to filter external air, and to determine if the cost of filtering external air exceeds the cost of the corrosion rate increase. An air intake module is configured to increase an intake of unfiltered external air if it is determined that the cost of filtering external air exceeds the cost of the corrosion rate increase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hendrik F. Hamann, Levente I. Klein, Dennis G. Manzer, Fernando J. Marianno