Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing operational modes of a transport refrigeration unit, where the unit is capable of operating in a continuous heating/cooling mode or an automatic start/stop heating/cooling mode. A supply air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air exiting the unit, a return air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air returning to the unit, and an ambient air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the ambient air outside the unit. A controller electrically connected to the sensors determines if the ambient air temperature is above or below a pre-determined setpoint temperature, determines if the temperature differential across the return and supply air sensors is above or below a pre-determined upper threshold or a pre-determined lower threshold, and then changes the operational mode of the unit based upon such determinations and the prior operational mode of the unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing operational modes of a transport refrigeration unit, where the unit is capable of operating in a continuous heating/cooling mode or an automatic start/stop heating/cooling mode. A supply air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air exiting the unit, a return air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the air returning to the unit, and an ambient air temperature sensor measures the temperature of the ambient air outside the unit. A controller electrically connected to the sensors determines if the ambient air temperature is above or below a pre-determined setpoint temperature, determines if the temperature differential across the return and supply air sensors is above or below a pre-determined upper threshold or a pre-determined lower threshold, and then changes the operational mode of the unit based upon such determinations and the prior operational mode of the unit.

Abstract: Complaint rate calculation means for calculating complaint rates in consideration of thermal feeling entered from vote value input means, a data storage unit for storing complaint rates together with indoor thermal conditions, updating means for calculating a function representing the relationship between thermal conditions and complaint rates in accordance with stored data, and predicted thermal condition calculation means for calculating thermal setting values by substituting entered control information into the function representing the relationship between thermal conditions and complaint rates, can convert a complaint vote of each inhabitant to a characteristic thermal feeling of a group so as to directly reflect the feeling on air-conditioning control.

Abstract: A temperature controlling method for a refrigerator and an apparatus therefor are provided, in which a sensing error between temperature sensors is corrected, thereby maintaining the interior temperature of the refrigeration compartment in equilibrium.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for regulating or controlling the temperature of an interior, especially for a motor vehicle. An interior temperature regulation mode is provided if an interior temperature sensor and a blowing-out temperature sensor have been connected such that they can operate. A blowing-out temperature regulation mode is provided if only the blowing-out temperature sensor has been connected such that it can operate. Or, a reversionary control mode is provided if no temperature sensor which can operate is present, for which purpose a control and regulating device is correspondingly configured. The control and regulating device can be used for various types of vehicles. A blowing-out temperature regulation mode is also implemented if an open roof is identified in the case of a convertible vehicle.

Abstract: A poultry house controller (14) situated within a poultry house (12) regulates the relative humidity and temperature within the poultry house (12) via actuation of fans (22) and heaters (24) in response to temperature and humidity feedback signals from temperature sensors (16) and humidity sensors (18), respectively. The controller (14) can communicate with a host computer (16) and other controllers (14) situated at other houses (12). The controller (14) comprises an integrity check means (234) for checking temperature and humidity values detected by these sensors (16, 18). The integrity check means (234) ensures the accuracy of values by eliminating a value from consideration if it falls outside predefined range of the average of the other values received from other sensors. Additionally, the controller (14) utilizes watchdog timing signals (100) for ensuring continuous operation. The watchdog timing signals (100) are generated by a control program (108) and are sent to an alarm system (92).

Abstract: An automobile air-conditioner wherein a controlled variable used to determine the control mode of a component of the air-conditioner is corrected or restricted according to the amount of shifting of the head part setting temperature for driving the component of the air-conditioner based on the corrected or restricted controlled variable. With this arrangement, an occupant of the automobile senses an enhanced change of the air-conditioning operation when the head part setting temperature is changed.

Abstract: A valve controller for a hot water heating system having a water heating device, a water circulating device, and heater device. The Controller operates a water control valve between an open and a closed position, the valve controller comprising, a flow timer for variably establishing flow periodicity between a minimum flow time and a maximum flow time, a base cycle timer for variably establishing base cycle periodicity between a minimum base time and a maximum flow time. The base timer variably establishes a base cycle periodicity between a minimum base time and a maximum base time. A selector responsive to heat requirements for select a flow time and base cycle time.

Abstract: An automobile air-conditioner wherein a controlled variable used to determine the control mode of a component of the air-conditioner is corrected or restricted according to the amount of shifting of the head part setting temperature for driving the component of the air-conditioner based on the corrected or restricted controlled variable. With this arrangement, an occupant of the automobile senses an enhanced change of the air-conditioning operation when the head part setting temperature is changed.

Abstract: An automatic air conditioner for an automotive vehicle is arranged to be controlled by a control system and comprised of a heater unit disposed within an air conditioner duct to heat air inducted through an air inlet. A bypass air passage is provided to fluidly connect a first duct part upstream of the heater unit and a second duct part downstream of the heater unit, so that cool air can be introduced to the second duct part immediately upstream of an air outlet having a plurality of outlet openings. The bypass air passage is closable with a door movably disposed in the bypass air passage. The door is closed in response to a closing command generated by a manual switch. The control system is adapted to close the bypass air passage regardless of generation of the closing command when at least an air outlet for air-conditioning a passenger compartment is selected, thereby preventing temperatures of air streams blown out through a plurality of outlet openings of the air outlet from becoming nonuniform.

Abstract: An automobile air conditioning system has a bypass air passage for directing air, before it is heated, to a car interior via a vent outlet. A bypass door is disposed in the bypass air passage, which has an opening which is automatically controlled according to a desired air conditioning temperature in an automatic air conditioning mode. The bypass door control can be intentionally changed to a mild control mode, in which the opening of the bypass door is automatically controlled to become smaller as the temperature of air, which either is in the bypass passage or is to be introduced into the bypass passage, becomes lower in a predetermined range of temperatures.

Abstract: A hot water heat control system for a building having a given boundary layer heat loss characteristic is described. The heating system, which includes a water heating device, a water circulation loop, and a mechanism for varying the amount of heat to the loop, is controlled by a unique valve arrangement. In the best mode, the valve arrangement controls the water temperature supplied to the perimeter heater in response sensed changes of ambient environmental conditions. In one system configuration, a controller is used to control the flow of heated circulating water in response to the sensed weather parameters. The valve controller has a flow timer for variably establishing flow periodicity between a minimum flow time and a maximum flow time. The valve controller also has a base cycle timer for variably establishing base cycle periodicity between a minimum base time and a maximum base time.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system controls the temperature of the air flow such that a deviation of an interior temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle determined by an interior temperature sensor from a givable desired temperature becomes minimal (interior temperature control). In the case of vehicles with closable vehicle body openings, such as a convertible, a switching device is provided which detects the condition of the vehicle body opening and, when the vehicle is open, causes a switching-over of the air-conditioning system from interior temperature control mode to a blow-out temperature control mode.

Abstract: In an air-conditioner for automobiles, cooled air having passed through an evaporator is immediately introduced through a cooled air bypass passage into the vehicle passenger compartment. The opening of a bypass door disposed in the bypass passage is adjusted based on a head part total signal corresponding to a thermal load in the vicinity of the head of an occupant which is obtained in view of the current discharge mode, or an auxiliary total signal corresponding to a thermal load in the vehicle passenger compartment which is obtained in view of the current discharge mode. With this arrangement, the occupant does never feel excess cold when the discharge mode is changed and hence a feeling of comfortableness toward the air-conditioning can be maintained.

Abstract: An automobile air-conditioner wherein a total signal corresponding to a thermal load in the passenger compartment of an automobile and a head part total signal corresponding to a thermal load in the vicinity of the head of an occupant of the passenger compartment, then the thus obtained two total signals are used to determine two corresponding states of operation of a component involved in air-conditioning operation, and operation of the air-conditioning component is controlled based on one of the two total signals which is capable of providing an enhanced coolness to the occupant. According to a preferred embodiment, all the components involved in the air-conditioning operation are controlled based on the head part total signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an automobile airconditioner includes a discharge mode selection device for selecting a discharge mode depending on the magnitude of a discharge mode changeover criterion signal calculated based on at least a vehicle compartment temperature and a setting temperature, and a correction device for correcting a discharge mode selection criterion based on the temperature of an upper-part of the vehicle compartment and a set upperpart temperature. With this arrangement, the discharge mode selection is carried out with due consideration on the occupant's sense of comfortableness in the vicinity of its head.

Abstract: In a system for controlling a number of central heating boilers of large capacity having means for switching-off each boiler when the flow temperature reaches a predetermined maximum, the temperature at which each boiler is switched on again can be automatically varied in dependence upon the outside temperature in such a manner that as the outside temperature rises the boiler is switched on at progressively lower boiler flow temperatures, thus increasing the length of the boiler cycles. This is achieved by a boiler cycling controller which receives signals from temperature detecting devices located externally of the building and in the water flow and return lines and is operable automatically to vary the point at which the boiler is switched on.

Abstract: In a heating and/or air-conditioning system for motor vehicles with a temperature sensor in the head space and a temperature sensor in the leg space as component parts of an interior space temperature regulating installation, the temperature sensors are so connected to the regulating installation in dependence on the outside temperature that at low, respectively, high outside temperatures, the influence of the leg space, respectively, of the head space temperature sensor on the regulating installation dominates.

Abstract: A variable volume multizone unit is disclosed for simultaneously supplying variable amounts of cool, warm or neutral air to each zone, as required. The unit is under the overall control of a computer and controls dampers located at the unit to regulate the flow of cool and neutral or warm air to each zone individually and to control the total amount of air supplied to all of the zone.

Abstract: A variable volume multizone unit is disclosed for simultaneously supplying variable amounts of cool, warm or neutral air to each zone, as required. The unit is under the overall control of a computer and controls dampers located at the unit to regulate the flow of cool and neutral or warm air to each zone individually and to control the total amount of air supplied to all of the zone.

Abstract: An air-conditioning method and system controls the temperature of air outputted from an air conditioner outlet duct into the passenger compartment of a vehicle at a constant level, with a small time constant of recovery, by adjusting the air mix door opening percentage. The air-conditioning method comprises the steps of calculating a target outlet duct air temperature on the basis of a preset passenger compartment air temperature, a detected outside-air temperature, and a detected passenger compartment air temperature in accordance with a heat equilibrium equation and calculating an air mix door opening percentage on the basis of the calculated target outlet duct air temperature in accordance with a linear interpolation between two endpoints of a selected one of three characteristics representative of relationships between outlet duct air temperature and air mix door opening percentage respectively stored for outside-air introduction mode, inside-air recirculation mode, and cooler compressor operation mode.

Abstract: An air conditioning economizer control method and apparatus for integrating the operation of the economizer with an air conditioning system is disclosed. An economizer position control arrangement is further disclosed incorporating a rotor locking circuit for maintaining the damper in position against a bias applied by mechanical means such as a spring. A multiple position indicator or multiple temperature sensor is utilized to modulate the position of the damper utilizing the motor for opening the damper, a spring for returning the damper and a rotor locking circuit for maintaining the damper in position. Multiple temperature sensors are also disclosed for making effective use of outdoor air when cooling through economizer operation is available. Staged cooling loads relative to outdoor ambient temperatures are utilized to select the appropriate mode of operation.

Abstract: A multistage timer control setback thermostat control system maintaining a normal temperature in a space and during selected time periods a reduced temperature wherein a first stage is a refrigeration heat pump, the operation of which is affected by outdoor temperature, and a second stage is an auxiliary electrical heating source. An outdoor temperature responsive means is connected in the control system to maintain the heat pump energized during the space temperature setback period if the outdoor temperature is below some predetermined value. Additionally, the indoor thermostat has a high limit temperature responsive means for terminating the operation of the heat pump should the space temperature exceed some predetermined value during the space temperature setback period.

Abstract: A novel fluid-flow control damper is disclosed. The damper comprises a freely pivotable closure situated in a fluid-flow conduit, such as an air duct. The closure is maintained in a closed position by a simple latching means, and may be maintained in an open condition by means of fluid flow through the conduit. Several of these dampers may be used in combination with a single fluid temperature control device, resulting in a simple, low-cost multizone heating or cooling system.

Abstract: The control system permits limiting the electrical demand of a distribution network to a desired maximum value by regulating the temperature of one or more thermal loads with heating or cooling elements; this system includes: means for measuring the instantaneous demand of the network; means for measuring the instantaneous temperature of each of the thermal loads; means for comparing the demand of the network to the desired maximum value; means for comparing the measured temperature to the desired temperature for each of the thermal loads; and means for disconnecting or for connecting in response to the information obtained by the comparison, a fraction of the elements which is proportional to the difference between the measured temperature and the desired temperature.