Abstract: The invention concerns a ventilation unit comprising an electrically driven ventilator (3), mounted inside a plenum chamber (2) wherein emerge several ducts (7) connected to one or several rooms. Said unit further comprises orifices with specific cross-section (21, 22, 23), and a differential pressure sensor (9) measuring the difference in pressure between two predetermined points, said value being transmitted to an analyzing and control device (10), which compares the differential pressure value to a reference value and controls the ventilator (3), such that it accelerates or slows down it rotational speed, so as to maintain the differential pressure constant and equal to the reference value, to maintain the desired flow rate at said orifices.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and containing chemical or biological contaminants. The invention includes one or more optical contaminant detectors, capable of detecting chemical and biological agents. A containment assembly is installed in the duct work of a building, just downstream from the main intake. Air flows linearly through the containment assembly. The air first flows through a first damper, then through the contamination sensor or sensors, and then through a second damper. If a sensor senses a contaminant, a controller shuts off the HVAC system, while simultaneously closing the first and second dampers. The containment assembly is thereby hermetically sealed—trapping any contaminants inside. The sensors and second damper are spaced sufficiently far apart so that no contaminant will flow through the second damper before its closure. The controller can also be configured to alert authorized personnel as to the potential contamination.

Abstract: The modular timer for an air circulator comprises a timer for energizing an air circulator motor for a predetermined amount of time. A first connector connects the timer to an air circulator motor while a second connector connects the timer to a power switch. A selection switch controls the timer setting of the timer such that the time period corresponds to at least one time period of a work shift. A housing limits access to the selection switch and protects it.

Abstract: A control system for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit having a heating stage, a cooling stage, and an economizer is provided. The system includes a memory configured to store a first predetermined temperature range and a second predetermined temperature range. The system also includes a control having an input device configured to receive an indoor air temperature representative of the air in one or more zones and a supply air temperature representative of the air entering the one or more zones. The control selectively activates at least one of the heating stage, the cooling stage, and the economizer when the indoor air temperature is outside of the first predetermined temperature range. The control also selectively activates at least one of the heating stage, the cooling stage, and the economizer when the indoor air temperature is within the first predetermined temperature range and the sensed temperature of the supply air is outside of the second predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: A method for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit is provided. A conditioning unit having a heating stage, a cooling stage, a fan, and an economizer is operated to provide supply air to one or more zones. The temperature of air in the one or more zones and the temperature of air supplied to the one or more zones from the conditioning unit is sensed. At least one of the heating stage, the cooling stage, and the economizer is activated when the sensed temperature in at least one of the one or more zones is outside of a first predetermined temperature range. At least one of the heating stage, the cooling stage, and the economizer is activated when the sensed temperature of the air in the at least one of the one or more zones is within the first predetermined temperature range and the sensed temperature of the supply air is outside of a second predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: The modular timer for an air circulator comprises a timer for energizing an air circulator motor for a predetermined amount of time. A first connector connects the timer to an air circulator motor while a second connector connects the timer to a power switch. A selection switch controls the timer setting of the timer such that the time period corresponds to at least one time period of a work shift. A housing limits access to the selection switch and protects it.

Abstract: A system for controlling the opening and closing of vents within a structure. The system includes a plurality of vents positioned around the structure and a control panel is centrally positioned in a readily accessible position within the structure. The vents each include a cover plate having a recess extending therethrough a plurality of louvers positioned in spaced parallel relationship within the recess and a device for automatically pivoting the plurality of louvers between an open position and closed position. The control panel includes a plurality of control buttons, each control button controlling pivoting a respective one of the plurality of louvers between the open and closed positions. A lever connects the plurality of louvers within each vent together causing the louvers to move together. The pivoting device for each vent includes first and second solenoids and a latch and spring device connected between both the first and second solenoids and the lever.

Abstract: A pager system for monitoring the operation of a plurality of controllers in each one of a plurality of agricultural field equipment in a group. A plurality of sensors are provided at each location of agricultural field equipment wherein a sensor connects through an isolation device to one of the controllers for issuing a status signal corresponding to the present status of the connected controller. Whenever the status of a controller changes, the remote terminal unit immediately transmits the changed status symbol as well as the status of the other sensors to a central control computer. The central control computer analyzes the transmitted status signals for generating a changed status paging message and delivers the changed status paging message, identifying the agricultural field equipment having the changed status, as well as the unchanged status messages from all remaining agricultural field equipment in the group.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a ventilation device. When the power switch of a room is turned on, the light of the room is turned on and the fan of the room is also turned on. When the power switch is turned off the light goes off, the automatic controlled fan still works for a predetermined amount of time (say, 5 minutes) and then shuts off automatically. If later the room is not being used, the automatic controlled fan will automatically repeat turning on and off (only turned on for a short time say, 5 minutes) periodically according to a set interval (say, repeat every 30 minutes). By the above automatic control of the ventilation fan, the bad odors or humid air in the room can be removed. If the room is not used for a longer period of time (say, 12 hours), the automatic controller enters sleep mode and the sleep timer will shut off the automatic repeat on/off function.

Abstract: An adaptive control device (77) and method (102-108) for control of the operation of an actuator (72), and particularly thermally-powered actuator (72) of the type used in a variable-air-volume diffuser (71). The preferred adaptive control device is an expert system circuit which controls a heater (74) provided on a thermally-powered actuator (72) to implement an adaptive process (102-108) in which a sensed variable, such as room air temperature, is driven toward a target temperature control range (±0.25° F.). Most preferably, the process steps (106) include driving the room air temperature toward a gross (broader) temperature control range (±1.0° F.) by moving a diffuser damper assembly (80) to a substantially fully open or substantially fully closed position.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling the temperature of air returned to a conditioning unit in a zoned system is disclosed. The system includes a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit that has an economizer. The HVAC unit is connected to a plurality of zones by a supply duct and a return duct. A temperature sensor is provided to sense the temperature of air returning to the HVAC unit. A main control increases the amount of outdoor air entering the system through the economizer when the temperature of the returned air is excessively warm or excessively cold.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity of a conditioned space uses an outside air cooling coil circuit in fluid communication with coolant from a cooling supply. Outside air is introduced over the outside air cooling coil circuit through a damper having open and closed positions. A valve in fluid communication with the coolant supply and the outside air cooling coil circuit has an open setting for permitting and a closed setting for preventing the circulation of coolant through the outside air cooling coil circuit. An HVAC unit control is operatively associated with the valve and the damper for controlling their operation. An occupancy control generates a signal indicating the presence of a human within the conditioned space and is operatively associated with the HVAC unit control.

Abstract: A system for controlling make-up air apparatus for a controlled building space includes a first sensor for sensing the operation of a first appliance within a building space. The appliance causes the air to be exhausted from the controlled building space. There is a controller which receives a first signal from the appliance indicating that the appliance is activated. This signal is used to determine the air flow requirements between the controlled building space and an environment outside of the controlled building space such as to ensure a predetermined balance of the pressure of air within the controlled building space and the environment outside of the controlled building space. An air temperature sensor monitors the outside temperature. A back-flow damper and a preheater are also associated with the make-up air apparatus. A switch activates the preheater in the event that the temperature of outside air is below a predetermined level. The motor of a blower causes air to be drawn into the building space.

Abstract: A gas fireplace is provided having a plenum formed around at least a portion of the fireplace firebox. Room air enters the plenum and is heated by the firebox prior to venting back into the room. Two openings are provided from the outside of the fireplace housing to the plenum. The first opening allows heated air to exit the plenum, while the second opening allows cool outside air to enter the plenum. a mechanism is provided to control the amount of heated air exiting the first opening and the amount of cool air entering the second opening. By controlling the inflow and outflow through the first and second openings, respectively, the amount of the fireplace by-products generated into the room where the fireplace is located such as carbon-monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, heat and moisture are reduced.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning unit is provided. The system includes a conditioning unit having a heating stage, a cooling stage, and a fan. The conditioning unit operates in an active mode where one of the heating stage and the cooling stage is activated to condition air in an enclosure. The conditioning unit also operates in a ventilation mode to provide supply air to the enclosure. A supply temperature sensor is provided to sense the temperature of the supply air. A central control operates to activate one of the heating stage and the cooling stage when the conditioning unit is operating in the ventilation mode and the temperature of the supply air is outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling air moisture utilises a humidity sensor to produce an electrical signal indicative of air humidity. The signal provides input to a microprocessor which stores humidity values indicated by the signal and also uses the signal to compile a humidity reference base which may be derived from a time average of the relative humidity and, optionally, the current value thereof. The microprocessor further provides an output air moisture control signal when the sensed humidity exceeds the reference base by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A gas fireplace is provided having a plenum formed around at least a portion of the fireplace firebox. Room air enters the plenum and is heated by the firebox prior to venting back into the room. Two openings are provided from the outside of the fireplace housing to the plenum. The first opening allows heated air to exit the plenum, while the second opening allows cool outside air to enter the plenum. a mechanism is provided to control the amount of heated air exiting the first opening and the amount of cool air entering the second opening. By controlling the inflow and outflow through the first and second openings, respectively, the amount of the fireplace by-products generated into the room where the fireplace is located such as carbon-monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, heat and moisture are reduced.

Abstract: A fan unit has inlet and outlet ducts facing in the same direction. A reversing shuttle is connected to the inlet and outlet ducts of the fan unit and includes a diverter damper and two opposing dampers. The reversing shuttle further includes an outlet that is connectable to a duct network that is under a sports field or portions of a golf course. When the fan unit is running, depending on how the opposing dampers and diverter damper are positioned, air is either blown into the duct network, thereby causing air and possibly other additives to enter the soil profile of the field, or sucked (vacuumed) from the duct network, thereby draining moisture through the soil profile and into the duct network. Moving the diverter damper from a first position to a second position while changing which of the opposing dampers is open and which is closed reverses the air flow in the duct network.

Abstract: An apparatus for increasing ventilation of heated and/or moisture-laden air from an attic or roof crawl space (12) in a dwelling or the like, a soffit fan (30) acts to accelerate natural convection by creating an air flow (16) from pulling cooler, denser outside air into attic space (12). The cooler air flow (16) displaces the heated and/or moisture-laden attic air; the attic air rises and is expelled through an opening at or near the top of a roof, preferably through a ridge opening (20) in a roof ridge ventilator (18).

Abstract: A system for sealing a building air duct in response to a chemical or biological attack to prevent the building HVAC system from delivering the chemical or biological agent throughout the building. The system can include an inflatable bladder for disposition within an air duct, a source of gas for expanding the bladder, an initiator for initiating the gas expansion, and a detector for detecting the agent. One bladder is formed of a resilient material suitable for extending into duct corners. Another bladder is larger than the duct to be sealed and is formed of a non-resilient material capable of inflating and bunching into duct corners. One source of gas is a gas canister while another source of gas is a chemical composition capable of reacting and forming the gas. One bladder includes a foaming agent which can expand and solidify within the bladder. One initiator utilizes an electronic signal to initiate the gas expansion. Another initiator includes use of an RF signal to initiate the gas expansion.

Abstract: Ceiling fan operation control for tuning the fan on and off based on a passive infrared sensor, combined with a temperature sensor to regulate the speed of the fan. The passive infrared sensor, the temperature sensor and controls for both are in a housing directly mounted to the fan motor of the ceiling fan. The controls can be set screws covered by a removable cap. The passive infrared sensor can include a fresnal lens for sensing a 360 degree circumference beneath the fan, and a photo-optical sensor such as a photocell, which suspends ceiling fan control changes for allowing the fan to continue operation when the room is dark and occupants may be sleeping.

Abstract: A self-modulating diffuser for regulating the volume flow of conditioned air from a duct to a selected space, affording a high level of air mixing and sound performance combined with ready control of the space temperature comprises an adjustable square cone plaque-type ceiling diffuser with an outer cone for developing horizontal air flow, a square plaque for attachment to the outer cone and an inner dampening cone positioned intermediate the outer cone and square plaque. Separate first and second sensor means measure the temperature in the duct and in the room space, respectively, and direct digital control means respond to signals from the sensors to produce a control signal which operates an actuator mechanism for adjusting the position of the inner dampening cone.

Abstract: An enhanced controller for an air conditioning system incorporating mechanical cooling equipment and an economizer, the enhanced controller including circuits for producing signals indicative of commanded changes in temperature of air admitted into the air conditioned space and of a non-temperature parameter, such as carbon dioxide concentration, of air within the space. The signals are supplied to a logic circuit which produces a ventilation damper control signal based on which of the temperature and non-temperature parameters requires greater change. Freeze protection, and maximum and minimum damper position circuits override the basic damper control signal to avoid excessively low space temperatures and to provide air exchange limits.

Abstract: An apparatus for ventilating the crawl space of a structure, comprising an exhaust fan adapted to at least partially occlude an aperture in a structure and oriented to, upon receiving an appropriate stumulus, exhaust crawl space air through said aperture to outside the structure, a temperature sensor and a relative humidity sensor for sensing the respective temperatures and relative humidities of crawl space air and of outside air, and for transmitting respective stimulus dependent thereon to a programmed computer, said computer determining the absolute moisture differential therebetween and comparing said differential to a pre-set minimum absolute moisture differential parameter for ventilation activation, said computer also functionally connected to said fan for controlling the activation thereof, said computer also programmed to discriminatorily activate either a humidity decreasing or a humidity increasing mode depending upon a maximum or minimum inside RH parameter, and to deactivate said mode at a break

Abstract: A fan convector for heating air enclosed environments, comprising a fan, an intake opening with an air filter, a heat-exchanger for heating the air, and an air outlet; the fan is driven by a first electric motor which is controlled by a thermostat for switching it on/off, the fan convector also comprising a set of elements for deflecting the air flow through the air outlet, the elements being orientable on an axle moved angularly by a second electric motor to a plurality of positions between a closed position and a fully-open position, and the second electric motor being controlled by the thermostat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature and ventilation in an animal confinement building comprising a series of semi-rigid panels that are suspended in cascading arrangement along a flexible cable. The cable is connected to a mechanism for extending and retracting the cable so as to cause the panels to be lowered to open the aperture or raised to close the aperture according to sensed temperature and pressure conditions within the animal confinement building.

Abstract: An apparatus for the prevention of ice dams on roofs of edifices comprising a ventilator, a first and second outdoor temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor is located outside where snow will not collect. The second outdoor temperature sensor is located on the roof of the edifice where snow will collect. Both sensors are housed to protect the sensors from extreme weather conditions, such as sun and wind. The apparatus also comprises a thermostat for receiving the temperature readings from the first and second temperature sensors and manipulating the ventilator. The apparatus also provides a method of preventing ice dam formation on roofs of edifices, comprising the steps of detecting a first temperature reading of the ambient atmosphere, detecting a second temperature reading of the roof of the edifice, comparing the readings to determine whether conditions exist for ice dam formation, ventilating an air space below the roof of the edifice to cool the roof if ice dam conditions are present.

Abstract: Ceiling fan operation control for turning the fan on and off based on a passive infrared sensor, combined with a temperature sensor to regulate the speed of the fan. The passive infrared sensor, the temperature sensor and controls for both are in a housing directly mounted to the fan motor of the ceiling fan. The controls can be set screws covered by a removable cap. The passive infrared sensor can include a fresnal lens for sensing a 360 degree circumference beneath the fan, and a photo-optical sensor such as a photocell, which suspends ceiling fan control changes for allowing the fan to continue operation when the room is dark and occupants may be sleeping.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for controlling the quality of air in a building. The system includes a sensor disposed for sensing the air quality in a building. Upon a sensing of an air quality problem, the system issues a command to draw in additional outside air into the building to alleviate the problem. The issuing of such command can be made conditional on a measurement of outside air temperature. The flow of additional outside air may be limited or avoided altogether where drawing in additional outside air would adversely affect the inside air temperature. Additional air can be drawn into a building, for example, by opening an economizer, activating a fan system, or by increasing a pressure setpoint in a supply air duct.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a manual control panel for enabling a user to select from among a number of operating modes, including respective areas of a room to receive discharged air from the air conditioner. In accordance with the selected mode, there occurs an automatic adjustment of the orientation of air-directing vanes and the speed of an air discharge fan. The vanes can be adjusted to stationary positions, or can be oscillated.

Abstract: Constant volume multizone heating/air conditioning systems are converted to variable volume air conditioning systems. Energy conservation is achieved by converting the fan drive from one requiring constant volume air flow. Instead, the volume of air flow is governed by relative heating or cooling needs. Further, mixture of heated and cooled air to achieve the desired temperature is no longer required. Temperature sensors in a zone being heated/cooled detect actual temperature there. When the actual temperature indicates a need for cooling, the vent vanes of the system are opened and the heating vent vanes are closed. The fan speed and volume of air flow are then controlled to provide the required amounts of cooled air. Conversely, when heating is sensed to be needed, the heating and cooling air vent vanes positions are reversed and the fan speed regulated to supply the requisite amount of heated air.

Abstract: Normally closed ventilating elements of a livestock building or the like are opened in response to failure of the supply of electrical power to the building ventilating system, an undesired increased temperature within the building or other undesireable conditions such as the inadvertent opening of one or more of the ventilating elements by a control system which includes a source of direct current electricity arranged so as normallly to energize electromagnets and thereby secure their armatures to the electromagnets. The armatures are secured to the handles of winches which are arranged to operate the building curtains or louvers. Power to the electromagnets is controlled through a semiconductor device acting as a switch which is controlled by monitoring circuits and a time delay network. When a response is required the control system deenergizes the electromagnets so as to free their armatures to rotate with the winch handles to open the building emergency ventilating elements.

Abstract: A ceiling ventilation inlet includes a housing having an air inlet aperture, an air outlet aperture, and a baffle supported for linear movement adjacent the air outlet aperture. A spring is positioned such that the baffle moves dependant upon air pressure difference between the confinement space and the external environment. Air entering the housing opens the baffle and enters the livestock confinement building in a 360 degree dispersion pattern. The spring causes the baffle to direct the flow of air into the confinement space at a near constant rate so as to optimize ventilation. The greater the air pressure difference between the confinement space and the external environment the greater the air outlet area becomes. Since the inlet is responsive to the pressure difference and the air outlet area increases or decreases in size, the airflow velocity entering the confinement space may be optimized at a near constant rate.

Abstract: An air conditioner indoor unit comprising: a housing; an impeller arranged in the housing and forming a cross flow fan; a rear side plate arranged downstream the impeller and forming a rear side of a diffused air path; a front side plate forming a front side of the diffused air path and including a first air outlet surface, a second air outlet surface and a third air outlet surface; the first air outlet surface arranged near to the impeller and having a portion on a side of an air outlet of the diffused air path slanted in a direction away from a reference surface defined by the rear side plate; the second air outlet surface arranged next to the first air outlet surface on the side of the air outlet and having a portion on the side of the air outlet slanted in a direction away from the reference surface; and the third air outlet surface arranged next to the second air outlet surface on the side of the air outlet end and having a portion on the side of the air outlet slanted at 20.degree.-30.degree.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for selectively dispensing oxygen into an enclosed space is provided. The apparatus includes a pressurized container comprising oxygen and an actuator which can be moved between discharging and non-discharging positions, a means for mounting the pressurized container such that upon discharge the container will dispense oxygen into the enclosed space, an electrically-operable actuating means which effects movement of the pressurized container actuator between the discharging and non-discharging positions, and a sensor disposed in the enclosed space and in electrical connection with the actuating means for detecting a preselected property of the atmosphere in the enclosed space, wherein when the sensor detects the certain preselected property, the actuating means moves the aerosol container actuator into the discharging position, thereby providing for oxygen to be discharged into the enclosed space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind direction control method for an airconditioner which effectively controls a wind direction of discharge air according to a position of the air-conditioner. In the air-conditioner which divides the room into a plurality of zones and has a human body sensor for sensing a human body position in each divided zone, the present invention senses whether a human body is present in each zone by using the plurality of human body sensors, calculates a time ratio every zone according to the human body presence time, compares the time ratio with first and second proportional constants, varies a driving range of a louver according to a compared result, and controls a wind direction of the discharge air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modeling multi zone ventilation systems. The method integrates flow rate standards with the concept of age of air. The method serves as the basis for several different ventilation effectiveness calculation methods, and for translating outdoor air requirements to age of air requirements, and vice versa. The method also serves as the basis for the development of new ventilation strategies for multi zone systems that minimizes the amount of outdoor air required to maintain the age of the zone air at or below a maximum acceptable level. Preferably, the ventilation control strategy of the present invention allows age of air in each of a plurality of zones in a multi-zone system to conform to ASHRAE Standard 62 requirements.

Abstract: A ventilator control device has a hollow lower seat, a hollow upper seat disposed on the hollow lower seat, and a block disk disposed between the hollow lower seat and the hollow upper seat. The hollow lower seat has a top flange and a top notch. A lower cushion surrounds the hollow lower seat and is blocked by the top flange. The upper seat has a bottom flange, a bottom notch, and a protrusion. An upper cushion surrounds the hollow upper seat and is blocked by the bottom flange. The block disk has an axle and an opposite block seat. The axle and the opposite block seat are arranged along an axis. A motor seat is inserted in the top notch. The motor seat receives a motor. The motor has a block inserted in the block seat. A controller is disposed on the hollow lower seat to control a rotation of the motor and a vibration of the block disk.

Abstract: A room air conditioner includes an air inlet, an air outlet, a heat exchanger disposed between the inlet and outlet, and an air circulation fan. The inlet is opened and closed by motor-driven inlet vanes. The outlet is opened and closed by a vertically slidable motor-driven door. Air direction control vanes extend across the outlet for varying the direction of discharged air. Before the door is either opened or closed, the air control vanes are automatically swung upwardly to a clearance position to avoid interfering with movement of the door. When the inlet and outlet are to be closed, the inlet vane motor is actuated prior the door motor to ensure that the inlet and outlet are fully closed simultaneously, even though it takes longer for the inlet vanes to travel to their fully closed state. A sensor determines when the door reaches an almost-closed state, and the door motor continues to operate for a set period thereafter to ensure that the door becomes fully closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for venting, which is used with a door such as a sectional garage door, which permits the top door section to pivot inwardly a controlled distance, by a mechanical opener or an electrically controlled solenoid opener, which permits venting of a space.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the discharge flow in an air conditioner, and a method therefor. The discharged air flow rate is adjusted in many ways, and at the same time, the air flow rate is increased or decreased in accordance with the air discharge direction so as to form a helical wind, thereby maintaining the room temperature at a constant level. An operation manipulating means inputs key signals to make the discharged air form a helical flow. A control means controls the blow direction of the blow direction vanes and the flow rate of the indoor fan to make the discharged air form a helical blow in accordance with the key signals. A blow direction adjusting means adjusts the blow direction of the discharged air by shifting the blow direction angle of the blow direction vanes under the control of the control means. A flow rate adjusting means adjusts the flow rate of the discharged air by varying the flow rate of the indoor fan under the control of the control means.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes an air outlet for discharging temperature-conditioned air. Horizontal and vertical blades extend across the air outlet and are pivotably adjustable for controlling the up/down and right/left directions of air flow, respectively. The blades are pivotable by means of motors. A manually manipulable control panel enables a user to select between automatic and manual control over the positions of the blades. If automatic control is selected, then the horizontal and/or vertical blades are continuously pivoted within a predetermined angle. If manual control is selected, a target position for the horizontal and/or vertical blades is chosen, wherein a detector senses a current position of the blades and stops the motor(s) when the target position has been reached.

Abstract: Air quality in a interior space is monitored by a sensor and, to determine air renewal demand, the sensor signal is compared with a normal or reference value. For demand controlled ventilation, a switching signal is triggered for changing the amount of outside air supplied when air renewal demand changes. A reference ventilation is performed daily, at a time of day when outside air quality is satisfactory, typically in the early morning hours. Measured quality of the air from the reference ventilation is used in setting or resetting the reference value, e.g. adaptively.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the flow direction of a fluid from an apparatus or between two apparatuses such as a biohoods, fume cabinets, or filters. The device includes a conduit horizontal plane and adapted to receive the fluid. A detecting element is disposed within the conduit and is movable in the direction of fluid flow, the detecting element being in direct contact with the fluid. A sensing element may be coupled to the conduit for determining when the detecting element reaches a predetermined position within the conduit. The circuitry coupled to the sensing element enables selection of a desired flow direction and actuates an alarm when the detected flow direction is other than the one selected.

Abstract: According to this method, the number of movements of the occupants of each premises is counted for a given time, a datum related to the activity of the occupants and to their number is deduced from this, and this datum is used directly to vary the air flow cross section and consequently the flow rate of the ventilation device of the relevant premises, in the same direction as the measured activity.

Abstract: A ventilation inlet includes a housing having two air inlets apertures, a solid wind-deflecting rear wall, and a baffle supported for pivotal movement about a pivot point. A spring or other biasing mechanism is operatively connected to the baffle. Air entering the housing opens the baffle and enters the livestock confinement building. The baffle, positioned responsive to the amount and pressure of air entering the housing, directs the flow of air into the confinement space so as to optimize the speed and direction of the external fresh air entering the confinement space. The design of the ventilation inlet is optimized by calculating the necessary operators required to enable the baffle to properly respond to the incoming air.

Abstract: A room air conditioner includes a body having an air inlet, an air outlet, a heat exchanger, and a fan. The fan draws-in air from the room and directs the air through the heat exchanger (to be selectively heated or cooled therein) before returning the air to the room. At the air outlet a louver is provided for directing the flow of air being returned to the room. A motor is connected to the louver for vertically oscillating the louver so that the air can be returned sequentially to upper and lower portions of the room. The speed of movement of the louver is constantly varied, the pattern of variance being dependent upon whether heated or cooled air is being discharged, in order to achieve a more uniform room temperature, by taking advantage of the fact that hot air in a room tends to rise. If cooled air is being discharged, the louver travels faster at its lower range of movement so that more cooled air is discharged into an upper portion of the room.

Abstract: An indoor environmental conditioning system and a method for controlling the circulation of non-conditioned air. The system comprises a conditioning source, air distribution source and air distribution conduit. The air may be propelled at at least two different flow rates.

Abstract: A monitoring device system and a method for controlling ventilation in an enclosed or confined environment by regulating the effective ventilation rate, air exchange rate, mixing factors, stratification of air within the confined area, the percentage of outside air which is introduced (when possible), the percentage of recirculated air, mean air life, air half-life are described. The device may be used for controlling an HVAC system so that air quality conforms to predetermined air quality standards. The monitoring device consists of a multiport sample collection system and one or more sensors to detect determinants of air quality. The method of control uses a CPU to regulate fans, dampers, and other systems to maintain the air quality within predetermined ranges, based upon the monitoring data. A tracer gas, preferably CO.sub.2, is used to determine system parameters.

Abstract: An automatic programmed ventilation control system for operating a fan includes a fan drive circuit; a duty, cycle control circuit including means for selecting a duty cycle and means for setting the selected duty cycle; a timing circuit including means for selecting the time of day and means for setting the selected time of day; a fan speed control circuit including means for selecting a fan speed and means for setting the selected fan speed; and a manual override switch circuit for overriding the set duty cycle and fan speed for operating the fan at a predetermined speed for a preselected period of time.