Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.

Abstract: A system and methods providing real-time monitoring, management and control of a variable frequency drive retrofit to a constant volume air handling unit without making significant mechanical or control system changes. Customers and vendors are provided with a more informative and economically attractive air handling unit. The system also provides a finer granularity of control over conditioned air properties such as temperature, humidity and air quality.

Abstract: A position and a speed of a stacker crane, and a position and a speed of an elevation frame are inputted to a clean room controller to correct an amount of supplied clean air, and an amount of discharged air around the stacker crane.

Abstract: The invention involves an air distributing apparatus for installation in a diffuser. The apparatus includes a first damper positioned within the diffuser. The first damper also has an open mode where a stream of air can exit the diffuser to a space. The first damper has a closed mode where the damper inhibits the stream of air from exiting the diffuser. The apparatus includes an actuator operatively connected to the first damper. There is an occupancy sensor positioned and configured to distinguish whether the space is occupied or unoccupied by a person. The occupancy sensor is in communication with the actuator. When the space is occupied by the person, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the open mode. When the space is unoccupied, the occupancy sensor communicates with the actuator to thereby cause the first damper to be positioned in the closed mode.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer program are provided for adjusting venting of an enclosure. According to an example aspect of the invention the method adjusts venting in an enclosure enclosing heat generating equipment. The enclosure has at least one ventilation surface having at least one aperture formed therein. The method includes attaching at least one part of at least one cover to the enclosure, and positioning the cover in a selected orientation facing the ventilation surface of the enclosure. The cover may be placed substantially flush with the ventilation surface or may be positioned so that it forms an acute angle relative to the ventilation surface. In addition, the method may also include detecting at least one predetermined condition and varying the orientation of the cover with respect to the ventilation surface in response to detecting the condition.

Abstract: A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant I·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition.

Abstract: The invention presents a ventilator capable of obtaining an optimum flow rate required in ordinary ventilation. The ventilator comprises an exhaust fan motor for exhausting room air by force, and a human sensor for detecting the presence of human body. It further comprises a control unit for controlling the fan motor by receiving a signal from the human sensor, and a flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the ventilation flow rate by the exhaust fan motor. The control unit, when detecting a signal from the human sensor, operates the exhaust fan motor for a specified time at fixed flow rate, and while not detecting, it operates the exhaust fan motor all the time at ventilated flow rate adjusted by the flow rate adjusting unit. During this ordinary operation, the flow rate may be adjusted by the flow rate adjusting unit either steplessly or in multiple steps at small intervals, and thereby a ventilator capable of obtaining an optimum flow rate required in ordinary ventilation can be presented.

Abstract: A sensor module includes a MEMs sensor device and a processing circuit. The MEMs sensor device is operable to determine a fluid flow induced mechanical force on a first flow control device connective element. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive fluid flow induced mechanical force information based on the determined fluid flow induced mechanical force. The processing circuit is configured to generate a fluid flow measurement value based on the fluid flow induced mechanical force information and position information representative of a position of a flow control device coupled to the first flow control connective element.

Abstract: Methods for preventing exhaust backflow into a blower are disclosed. Embodiments may include a blower system with an invertible blower chassis having a blower exhaust to direct airflow from the blower chassis at an airflow angle. The system may also include a backflow damper frame attached to the blower chassis and positioned to receive airflow from the blower chassis and one or more vertical damper vanes rotatably attached to the backflow damper frame. Each damper vane may freely rotate between a first, closed position and a second, open position. The damper vanes may block airflow into the blower exhaust when in the closed position and may freely rotate to a position where the damper vanes are substantially parallel to the airflow from the blower exhaust. The damper vanes may each include a vane pin to rotatably attach to frame holes of the backflow damper frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is an exhaust hood (10) comprising a drive unit (20) for generating an air flow, a control device or control circuit for controlling the drive unit (20), and a measurement section comprising a transmitter device (22) and a receiver device (24). The control device or control circuit is configured so as to control the drive unit (20) in accordance with a signal generated by the receiver device (24). The transmitter device (22) is provided with a laser module that is aimed directly at the receiver device (24). Said laser module generates a laser beam (25) which is deflected in accordance with the presence of cooking vapors such as steam. The respective deflection influences the signal generated by the receiver device (24) such that the signal allows the control device or control circuit to draw conclusions about the presence of cooking vapors such as steam or movements of air and thus automatically control the drive unit (20) as needed.

Abstract: A ceiling embedded type air conditioner is embedded in a ceiling surface and includes an outlet that blows out air conditioned air toward an indoor space, and a louver capable of changing a blow-out vertical direction of the air conditioned air at the outlet. If a state in which a wind direction position of the louver is set so that it is oriented to a wind direction position continues for a first prescribed time or longer, then the louver is temporarily changed to a wind direction position more downward than the wind direction position, and once again changed to the wind direction position.

Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

Abstract: A ventilation system for providing fresh outdoor directly to each floor through an intake damper on the floor and for admitting only as much air as is required to meet the required outdoor air requirements when the temperature of the outdoor is at extreme ambient temperatures. The system utilizes a compartment unit on each floor and a plurality of VAV's which are located in zones on the floor for achieving desired temperatures in each zone by combining the recirculating air with the outdoor fresh air for delivering to the VAV's at about 55° F.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air distribution system for maintaining a rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target air flow rate, wherein the apparatus comprises: means for detecting current speed and torque of said motor and generating said current speed signal and torque signal after detection; means for receiving current speed signal and torque signal and calculating current air flow rate in the air distribution system wherein the calculated current air flow rate is being compared to the target speed signal of the air flow rate and the current air flow rate is adjusted according to the target speed signal of the air flow by generating a control signal; and means for controlling the motor speed in response to the control signal for maintaining the rate of air flow in the system at substantially the target speed signal of the airflow rate.

Abstract: A kit for identifying and controlling an air register in response to a user-set program is disclosed. The kit contains at least one of a remote control programmable air register capable of vent open, vent close, partial open, wake, leave, arrive, sleep and revert 24 hours settings and memory operations. The kit contains at least one of a remote control device that communicates commands to the programmable air register.

Abstract: An arrangement for use in an occupancy-based ventilation system includes a plurality of CO2 sensors and a processing circuit. The plurality of CO2 sensors are disbursed throughout a plurality of spaces in a building. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive information representative of CO2 measurements generated by the plurality of CO2 sensors. The processing circuit is operable to determine a value corresponding to occupancy, based on information from the CO2 sensors, and to control the flow of fresh supply air into the building ventilation system based on the determined value.

Abstract: A method of restricting fluid flow through a passageway can include inserting a device comprising memory foam into the passageway. The expanded memory foam can have a cross-sectional profile with a shape and size to securely fit within the passageway so as to restrict fluid flow through the passageway. Additionally, the memory foam can have a receiving portion that extends from the first end to the second end that is configured for receiving an object that extends from the first end to the second end. The receiving portion can have various configurations and can include internal portions and external portions of the memory foam. The receiving portion can self-form a conduit around the object by expanding the memory foam around the object.

Abstract: An air vent control system. The system has a top plate with a number of vent openings. The vent openings allow ventilated air to exit from an air duct port. An air flow control system which has a first control element arranged with the top plate. The first control element has a user interface which allows the user to operate the controller to regulate air flow out of the air duct port.

Abstract: A damper actuator motor device includes a fan brake device which is secured to a motor rotor shaft and is configured to reduce motor rotation speed in a preferential direction. Preferably, the fan brake device has an asymmetric configuration, and is adapted to gather air radially in an enclosed cavity and discharge it axially in one direction. The fan device preferably is adapted to project a size that takes up more than half of the space of the cavity. When the motor is back driven, the fan brake device causes differentially pressure and air resistance in a confined area, producing a drag and braking force that increases with motor speed. The invention can be applied to motor actuators used to control air dampers and other valves in gas or fluid delivery systems. The invention can also be used to reduce water hammer in water delivery systems.

Abstract: A programmable vent for a duct used with a building environmental air temperature control system. The programmable vent includes a vent housing with a front face which has an inset, where the vent housing is configured to allow air flow from the duct. At least one louver is movably connected to the vent housing, an actuator is connected to the at least one louver, a controller module is removably attached to the vent housing and positioned in the inset, the controller module being connected to the actuator when positioned in the inset.

Abstract: An amount of time that air has been delivered from an air handler to a space is tracked, and based on the tracked amount of time, at least one turn-on time or one turn-off time of the delivery of air from the air handler to the space is controlled. Other features relate, among other things, to controlling a replacement air vent, and to user interfaces.

Abstract: A greenhouse has an exterior curtain wall structure formed by spaced tubular posts carrying external transparent panels and bottom non-transparent wall panels below a sill with the panels spanning the posts. A plurality of elongate benches is located within the interior at spaced positions along one side wall with the width of the benches being equal to the post spacing to form an expandable construction. Each bench has associated with it a respective air handling system for conditioning including a duct which is located partly under the respective bench and a fan in a fan housing at the side wall. From the fan a vertical duct section extends to a flexible tube extending over the bench. Air dehumidification, fogging, heating and cooling are provided in the duct under the bench. An alley is arranged along the opposite wall containing electrical controls mounted in cabinets forming panels for mounting in the span between posts.

Abstract: An airflow shutdown system that includes an air distribution system and an air duct closure device. The air duct closure device is adapted to substantially instantaneously block airflow in the air distribution system when activated. The system also includes an integrated control system coupled to the air distribution system and adapted to activate the air duct closure device and stop an operation of other air distribution devices in the air distribution system in order to prevent migration of air through the system.

Abstract: An elevator cabin with an integrated ventilation system. A fan is attached to the elevator cabin and a vertical side wall of the elevator cabin has a plurality of distributed ventilation holes. At least one air channel element is attached to the side wall, so that the air channel element together with the adjacent portion of the side wall forms an air channel. An adapter element is situated between the fan and an inlet opening of the air channel for guiding air from the fan into the air channel so that the air travels from the fan through the adapter element into the air channel and through the ventilation holes into the elevator cabin.

Abstract: A damper unit for an air circulation system. The damper unit includes an air flow opening, a damper vane for opening and closing the air flow opening, and a motor for moving the damper vane between the open and closed positions. The damper also includes at least two ports, each port being operable in an input and an output mode. When a control signal is received on one port, the signal is sent out on the other port, and vice versa. The ports can be identical in shape to receive the same shaped plug.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining static air pressure in an HVAC system are provided. Static air pressure is mathematically determined as a function of system parameters, such as blower speed, blower diameter, system volume airflow rate, and/or blower motor torque. The determined static pressure can be used during HVAC installation and during HVAC monitoring and maintenance.

Abstract: A device to prevent indoor release of carbon monoxide and smoke from indoor combustors (stoves, furnaces, fireplaces, etc.). The device is based on a discovery that safe operation of indoor burners requires the air pressure in the room housing the burner to be relatively high in order to prevent generation of reverse chimney flow and indoor release of exhaust gas (smoke and carbon monoxide), which are dangerous to building occupants. This device solves the problem by increasing the building internal pressure.

Abstract: The invention is an air handling system that is shared between a laboratory and offices within the same building. The normally separate office and lab systems have been combined by way of an air return system that draws air from the offices and feeds into both the office and lab air supplies. The re-circulation of the office air draws more fresh outside air into and lessens requirements for the heating and cooling systems for the offices.

Abstract: A fan unit centrally located within a crawl space includes a fan, a fan motor, an inlet grill, and an outlet grill. A timer connected in the power supply activates the fan motor at periodic predetermined time intervals to move the crawl space air through the fan unit. The fan unit is located and orientated to create a negative pressure to pull air into the crawl space through wall inlet vents and to also create a positive pressure to force air out of the crawl space through wall outlet vents. An outside humidity sensor can be used to insure the outside air has a lower percent humidity than that desired in the crawl space and an inside humidity sensor is used to turn the fan unit off if the crawl space humidity is below an acceptable limit. A temperature sensor is used to turn the fan unit off when the crawl space air temperature gets too low.

Abstract: A camouflaged outdoor fan system includes a housing, a fan inserted into the housing, and a camouflaged lid removably connected to the housing. The housing is buried in the ground, or in alternative embodiment, mounted to the underside of a deck, the fan is inserted into the housing, and the camouflaged lid is placed over the fan to hide the fan and housing from view. The fan is operable to generate and propel an air stream out of the housing that can be used for cooling purposes. The system also may include optional features, such as a water-misting device, a heater, motion detectors, an evaporative cooling assembly, a temperature switch, a humidity switch, a rain gauge switch, a wind sensor switch, a dc power source, solar cells, or a remote control system.

Abstract: In a deodorizing apparatus for a vehicular passenger compartment, when an ignition key is off and it is determined that a density of odor components in the passenger compartment is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, it is determined whether an inside temperature inside the passenger compartment measured by a temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, which is suitable for separating odor components adhered to the passenger compartment. When it is determined that the inside temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, a deodorizing operation is performed by a deodorizing means. When it is determined that the inside temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature and it is not assumed that the inside temperature naturally increases to the predetermined temperature, the passenger compartment is heated by a compartment heating device so that the inside temperature reaches the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Air quality within a building is controlled by maintaining a count of people in the building and by ventilating the building with an amount of air dependent on the count. The count may be determined in accordance with an access control system and/or entry and exit sensors, such as infrared sensors.

Abstract: This invention provides systems and methods of supplying oxygen-enriched air to an enclosed space or compartment. The systems and methods may distill oxygen from ambient air by a molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism, such as a pressure swing absorption, may generate oxygen from water using electricity or may use oxygen enriched air produced by membrane filtration. The invention helps people improve their wellness, productivity and comfort, improve performance of mental and/or physical tasks, increase their alertness, quality of life and pleasure, reduce their drowsiness, and aid in curing and preventing disease by increasing the percentage of oxygen in the enclosed space to a beneficial and safe level.

Abstract: A programmable remote-control motion vent outlet includes an air vent arrangement and a control device. The air vent arrangement includes a ventilating guide adapted for mounting at a ventilating air outlet, wherein the ventilating guide has a ventilating slot for guiding an airflow passing from the ventilating air outlet to outside, a plurality of vent blades rotatably mounted to the ventilating guide for selectively allowing the airflow passing through the ventilating slot. The control device is adapted for remotely switching the vent blades between an air passage position and an air blockage position. In which, at the air passage position, the vent blades are rotated to open the ventilating slot respectively for allowing the airflow passing therethrough, and at the air blockage position, the vent blades are rotated to close the ventilating slot respectively for blocking the airflow passing through.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining static air pressure in an HVAC system are provided. Static air pressure is mathematically determined as a function of system parameters, such as blower speed, blower diameter, system volume airflow rate, and/or blower motor torque. The determined static pressure can be used during HVAC installation and during HVAC monitoring and maintenance.

Abstract: A fan array fan section in an air-handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air-handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller programmed to operate the plurality of fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a spaced pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset array configuration, columns slightly offset array configuration, or a staggered array configuration.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a fluid conveying conduit and a plurality of heat exchange elements thermally coupled with the conduit. The heat exchange elements have heat transfer surfaces that define at least one air flow passage through the heat exchanger that is non-perpendicularly aligned with the conduit. An air blower is operatively associated with the heat exchanger and generates airflow in a direction that is non-perpendicular to the heat exchanger conduit. The air flow direction generated by the blower and the air flow passage defined by the heat transfer surfaces through the heat exchanger may be substantially parallel or form an angle of no greater than approximately 30 degrees.

Abstract: The invention teaches systems, devices and methods for controlling the automation of ventilation registers. In one embodiment, the invention is a system for articulating a register for a heating or air-conditioning system. The system generally includes a means for receiving a wireless signal, a means for switching a drive means on, a drive means, and a movable member.

Abstract: A system for detection and treatment of chemical weapons and/or biological pathogens uses a detector system, an electrostatic precipitator or scrubber, a circulation system, and a control. The precipitator or scrubber is activated in response to a signal from the detector upon the detection of chemical weapons and/or biological pathogens.

Abstract: This invention provides systems and methods of supplying oxygen-enriched air to an enclosed space or compartment. The systems and methods may distill oxygen from ambient air by a molecular sieve pressure cycle mechanism, such as a pressure swing absorption, may generate oxygen from water using electricity or may use oxygen enriched air produced by membrane filtration. The invention helps people improve their wellness, productivity and comfort, improve performance of mental and/or physical tasks, increase their alertness, quality of life and pleasure, reduce their drowsiness, and aid in curing and preventing disease by increasing the percentage of oxygen in the enclosed space to a beneficial and safe level.

Abstract: Confinement houses such as those housing poultry or hogs are artificially ventilated. To provide fresh air, there are openings along the walls. To control the amount of effective opening, fabric curtains are provided to cover the openings to varying degrees, depending on the inside conditions. The curtain opening is manipulated by a linear actuator and a manual hand-crank. When the power grid is interrupted for more than a moment, ventilation fans stop and the livestock become in danger of asphyxiation. As a fallback strategy, the curtains are opened fully by releasing the manual hand-crank, permitting it to spin as the curtains fall open under their own weight. A tension device such as a cord, chain, cable, string or wire runs between the manual hand-crank and a safety ventilation curtain release device. The safety ventilation curtain release device will release the tension device when the power grid has been off for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A control strategy for supply fans in variable-air-volume heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems that reduces the static pressure at part-load conditions. The invention consists of a static pressure sensor, an airflow sensor, a supply fan, a fan modulating device, and a controller coupled to the static pressure sensor and the airflow sensor. The controller includes a calculator that calculates the static pressure setpoint as a function of the airflow rate. The static pressure setpoint is lower when the airflow rate is lower. The controller compares the static pressure setpoint with the static pressure, and it commands the fan modulating device so that the static pressure remains close to the static pressure setpoint. Alternatively, the controller includes a calculator that calculates a loss coefficient as a function of the static pressure and the supply rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermally regulating a computing system responsive to a sensor failure is envisioned. The system has a fan. The system also has a sensor placed in the casing that is responsive to an environmental condition. A first circuit is coupled to the sensor and the fan, and is able to regulate the rotational speed at which the fan operates. The first circuit operates the fan at an increased rotational speed upon an indication of a failure of the sensor.

Abstract: Internal climate comfort in a living room occupied by human users is controlled by natural ventilation, through at least two external adjustable openings and at least one internal opening, said natural ventilation being determined from a constant physical parameter of said living room and measured parameters relating to wind load and temperature difference to approximate a target air exchange rate for the room. An adjustment parameter (S1, S2) for each external opening is determined to provide air exchange (Qf) to the room on the basis of said target air exchange rate and is modified by application of a set of individual comfort functions (&mgr;) for each opening, taking account at least of outside and inside temperature, air exchange and wind speed and direction. The individual comfort functions (&mgr;) of said set are weighed by fuzzy optimization to produce optimized and substantially equally distributed comfort conditions in positions in the living room adjacent each opening.

Abstract: A computer-controlled air vent and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the computer-controlled air vent includes: a top plate; a base connected to the top plate; a component housing connected to the top plate and to the base; a plurality of louvers rotatably positioned within the base; a force generating means connected to the louvers to rotate them between an open position and a closed position; a temperature sensor to sense an indoor temperature; a computer processor; a memory; a wireless transceiver; a bus to connect the processor and the memory; and a remote control device to control the opening and closing of the louvers.

Abstract: A method and system for staging the cooling effect of an air conditioning unit in which outside air is substantially prevented from passing through the cooling unit for a prescribed time after the cooling function has been initiated.

Abstract: A module for use as a part of an outlet for conditioned air and to support, be supported by, or connected to another part of the outlet. The module comprises a module frame and at least one deflection damper pivotally mounted vertically within the module frame. At least one trajectory vane is pivotally mounted horizontally within the module frame. An adjusting mechanism is secured within each trajectory vane for adjusting the angle of each trajectory vane relative to the module frame responding to the temperature of the supply conditioned air.

Abstract: A camouflaged outdoor fan system includes a housing, a fan inserted into the housing, and a camouflaged lid removably connected to the housing. The housing is buried in the ground, or in alternative embodiment, mounted to the underside of a deck, the fan is inserted into the enclosure, and the camouflaged lid is placed over the fan to hide the fan and enclosure from view. The fan is operable to generate and propel an air stream out of the housing that can be used for cooling purposes. The system also may include optional features, such as a water-misting device, a heater, motion detectors, an evaporative cooling assembly, a temperature switch, a humidity switch, a rain gauge switch, a wind sensor switch, a dc power source, solar cells, or a remote control system.

Abstract: Air quality within a building is controlled by maintaining a count of people in the building and by ventilating the building with an amount of air dependent on the count. The count may be determined in accordance with an access control system and/or entry and exit sensors, such as infrared sensors.

Abstract: A method of controlling an economizer is provided. A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit is operated in one of a heating mode and a cooling mode to provide conditioned air to a plurality of zones. A first temperature representative of air returned to the unit from the plurality of zones is sensed and a second temperature representative of the outdoor air is sensed. An economizer is modulated to increase the amount of outdoor air entering the unit when the first temperature falls below a cooling setpoint, the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and the unit is operating in the cooling mode. The economizer is also modulated to increase the amount of outdoor air entering the unit when the first temperature rises above a heating setpoint, the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, and the unit is operating in the heating mode.