Abstract: A foreign substance trap device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first member in which at least one fluid intake hole is formed; a second member in which at least a portion of an exhaust channel, through which gas in liquid flowing inside through the fluid intake hole is discharged, is formed; and a movable member movably disposed between the first member and the second member and closing the exhaust channel by being moved by liquid in fluid flowing inside through the fluid intake hole.

Abstract: A method of controlling a steam heating system on a zone by zone, and radiator by radiator basis, through the electromechanically controlled release of air from radiators. A programmable set of target temperatures for each zone is stored in a microprocessor module. The microprocessor monitors the air temperature of each zone through probes. The microprocessor can selectively open and close the electromechanical air vent valves installed on each radiator's vent port. When one of the vent valves is caused to be opened, the steam boiler is triggered to start producing steam pressure; steam displaces the air in the radiators, out the vent valves, heating them up. Each zone's temperature is achieved and maintained by controlling the associated radiators' output through modulating their air vent valves. Through the microprocessor's adjustment of the vent valves' temperatures and cycle timing, optimal energy efficiency across multiple zone control is achieved.

Abstract: A system for setting vehicle operator preferences is provided. The system includes a vehicle control module for controlling a vehicle component such as an HVAC unit. A data link is connected to the vehicle control module and may be an infrared signal receiver, a radio frequency signal receiver, a vehicle communications bus, or any other suitable data link. A portable handheld computing device includes a program having vehicle preferences stored in a memory. Preferably, the vehicle preferences may be input by the operator into the portable handheld computing device. The portable handheld computing device may be a Handspring® device, a Palmpilot® device, or any other suitable portable computing device. The portable handheld computing device sends the vehicle preferences to the vehicle control module through the data link to control the vehicle component. The vehicle preferences are sent by IR, RF, or any other suitable means. The system may be used to control an HVA system, for example.

Abstract: A float vent is described for automatically venting gas from liquid, such as air from water in a domestic radiator system. In addition to a float valve (2), a subsidiary valve (6) is provided that can seal the vent path and displace the float valve from its closed position. The subsidiary valve may be a thermostatic or hygroscopic valve, for example.

Abstract: An improved radiator vent valve includes a freely movable float in a cylindrical casing. The float is formed from a solid sphere of polypropylene. The float normally rests on a bimetallic thermostatic strip which has its ends folded under. The thermostatic strip rests on the bottom wall of the casing and is held in place by gravity, i.e., no fasteners or mechanical connection is made to the thermostatic strip.