Abstract: A method for determining airflow through an evaporator coil in a vapor compression cycle by measuring the moist air conditions entering and leaving the coil, and various temperatures and pressures in the refrigerant of the vapor compression cycle. The mass airflow rate and the volumetric airflow rate are then determined.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention recites a temperature control subsystem for use with an air conditioning system. The temperature control subsystem comprises a temperature sensor located in proximity to a heat-generating device disposed within a housing, where the temperature sensor generates data corresponding to the temperature of the heat-generating device. The temperature control subsystem further comprises an air-flow control feature coupled to the housing, whereby the air-flow control feature is configured to regulate the delivery of cooling air to the housing. Cooling air is provided by the air conditioning system. A local control subsystem is coupled to the air-flow control feature to control the air flow of cooling air to the housing so that the air flow is adjustable to correspond to the temperature data received from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for thermal analysis are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention receive temperatures associated with elements of a system. The temperatures received are dependant upon airflow and heating patterns of the elements. Differences between the temperatures received and expected temperatures are detected. Potential airflow and heating patterns associated with a thermal problem are then determined, the potential airflow and heating patterns being substantially consistent with the temperatures received, to identify a root cause of the thermal problem as a probable source of the differences. More specifically, embodiments collect temperature readings from temperature sensors within an enclosure of the system; identify and upward temperature gradient or temperature that exceeds a threshold temperature; and select a failure scenario associated with a root cause of a thermal problem that is similar to the thermal problem described by the temperature readings collected.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing resolution of pulse width modulated (PWM) signal duty cycle calculations in a fan speed control system operating to control rotational speed of at least one fan. The method may comprise obtaining a temperature reading from a first temperature sensor in the fan speed control system during a first time period. The temperature reading has resolution of a first number of bits. A portion of the first number of bits is selected for calculating a PWM signal duty cycle with the resolution of the first number of bits in the temperature reading using only the portion of the first number of bits and zone parameters associated with the first temperature sensor. The PWM signal duty cycle may then be converted into a PWM signal that may be provided to the at least one fan.

Abstract: An apparatus controls cool air for directedly cooling a section which is weakly cooled or which stores new loads. The apparatus discharges the cool air by rotating a drive body in accordance with a variation of visual images taken by visual image generator before and after the load is stored. The cool air can also be discharged into a specific storage space by rotating cool air injection nozzles based upon the temperature variation of door baskets detected by temperature sensors. Therefore, a uniform temperature distribution can be maintained in the cooling device to substantially reduce an amount of power consumption.

Abstract: A temperature control system and method uses a market-based approach to control the temperature of regions within an unpartitioned space, such as a computer data center. Market agents may be associated with regions of the data center that may contain one or more heat-generating processor racks. Prices for the thermal resources may be established. The market agents may generate bids for thermal resources to be delivered to the respective regions. The bids may be based in part on differences between the measured temperatures and the target temperatures of the regions. Sets of the market agents are assigned to control of sets of thermal resources. Delivery of the thermal resources to the regions is controlled by the market agents.

Abstract: A vehicle air-conditioning device having at least one control element which supplies a prescribed value to the air-conditioning control unit, a state of flow being provided by an air speed and a degree of turbulence of the air, which can be influenced by the strength of the fan, distribution of air to the discharge nozzles, the discharge direction to the discharge nozzles and further actuators which have an effect on the state of flow, and a thermal state is provided by the temperature distribution and effect of radiation in the vehicle interior. Provision is made for the at least one control panel to be used to prescribed a state of flow desirable for the occupant and a thermal state.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling a room configured to house a plurality of computer systems. A heat exchanger unit is configured to receive air from the room and to deliver air to the room. The heat exchanger unit is supplied with cooling fluid operable to cool the received air in the heat exchanger unit. At least one of the temperature of the cooling fluid supplied to the heat exchanger unit and the air delivery to the room may be controlled in response to temperatures sensed at one or more locations in the room.

Abstract: A driving load of a cooling fan unit is selectively determined from a plurality of predetermined loads corresponding to vehicle parameters including a coolant temperature and a vehicle speed. Also, on the basis of a plurality of coolant temperature ranges and a plurality of vehicle speed ranges. The cooling fan unit is driven with the determined driving load. The vehicle parameters preferably further include a refrigerant pressure and a state of an air/con switch.

Abstract: A pressure and vacuum valve manifold system such as may be used, for example, to actuate pneumatic bladders controlling airflow in a forced air HVAC system to provide zone climate control. The valves are individually operable to connect a respective individual bladder to pressure or to vacuum. Two manifolds can be mated and commonly fed pressure and vacuum. The two manifolds can be of identical construction. One manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large pressure manifold, and another manifold chamber from each can be connected into a single large vacuum manifold. Such connections can be made with fittings which also serve as pressure and vacuum relief valves, respectively. The valve plungers are arranged in a grid, enabling a simple X-Y two-motor servo system to actuate all the valves, one at a time.

Abstract: A system for regulating the temperature of multiple areas within a facility using multiple energy savings devices (ESD) that each regulate the temperature of individual rooms or areas within a facility having a central heating and cooling plant. The device includes a fan and thermostats to control the temperature in each room. A first thermostat is located within the energy savings device to activate a fan only when a baseboard-heating element, cooling element or conduit provides a pre-selected sufficient temperature level range to activate a fan. Another thermostat is located remotely in each room and communicates to each ESD to deactivate the fan when the temperature in any room exceeds or is less than the desired temperature level. The desired temperature level may be higher or lower than a main thermostat setting that controls the central heating and cooling plant, in accordance with a heating or cooling mode, respectively.

Abstract: When a temperature of cooling water detected by a water temperature sensor is, for instance, higher than, or equal to degrees, and is smaller than degrees, an abnormal state judging unit judges that an engine is under semiwarming-up condition, and then forcibly drives an electric motor fan so as to forcibly cool cooling water contained in a radiator. After the abnormal state judging unit has forcibly driven the electric motor fan, this abnormal state judging unit calculates a difference between the cooling water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor and a predicted cooling water temperature. When the calculated temperature difference is smaller than a predetermined abnormal state judging value, the abnormal state judging unit judges that a thermostat provided in a cooling water circulating path is brought into an abnormal valve opening state.

Abstract: A method for improving system performance in a building environment according to the invention includes installing a temperature monitoring system for a refrigeration system, and performing a temperature audit on the refrigeration system. Temperature and pressure sensors are calibrated, and operating parameters of the refrigeration system are obtained. Pressure drop and efficiency tests are performed on at least one component of the refrigeration system, and operating pressures of at least one component are adjusted. System stability is tracked. In one embodiment, the building environment further includes an HVAC system and the method includes adjusting the HVAC system according to desired presets. In another embodiment, the building environment includes a lighting system and the method includes adjusting internal lighting levels of the lighting system to desired set points.

Abstract: In a cooling system for cooling racks in a data center, cooling fluid is circulated in the data center by a cooling device having a fan. In addition, this system includes a plenum having a plurality of returns and an outlet. The outlet of the plenum is in fluid communication with the fan and the plurality of returns are configured for removing the cooling fluid from the data center. Furthermore, the returns and are operable to vary a characteristic of the removal of the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A refrigerating cycle is capable of performing both an operation in which the maximum cooling power is desired to be unleashed and an operation in which the most excellent performance coefficient is attained. A refrigerating cycle is configured such that a differential pressure-regulating valve forming a pressure-reducing device is arranged between a condenser and a receiver. As a result, by setting the differential pressure regulated by the differential pressure-regulating valve 3 to 0, it is possible to cause the refrigerating cycle to perform an operation in which the maximum cooling power is desired to be unleashed, whereas by setting the same to a desired value, it is possible to cause the same to perform an operation in which an excellent performance coefficient is attained.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle automatic climate control methodology allows an occupant of the vehicle to select one of a number of automatic climate control settings that are calibrated to satisfy the comfort preferences of different types of occupants. In a first embodiment, the occupant selects one of a number of a pre-programmed control setting schedules that provide different HVAC power levels. In a second embodiment, the occupant first selects a desired HVAC power level, and then activates one of a number of control setting combinations that satisfy both the selected HVAC power level and his or her comfort preference.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle automatic climate control methodology individually develops climate control commands in response to ambient environmental conditions and a transient state estimator, and individually and adaptively adjusts the commands to improve driver comfort in response to driver override of respective automatic control settings. The adaptive adjustment of the climate control commands is carried by CMAC neural networks that take into account the environmental conditions and the dynamic state of the system when the respective overrides occur so as to minimize or eliminate the environmental state ambiguity and steady-state/transient coupling that occur in currently known control methodologies.

Abstract: An air handling system including at least one terminal unit for maintaining a serviced volume at a predetermined temperature with constant or variable volume control wherein a thermal energy wheel provides heat transfer between the outgoing and inflowing air streams provided by the air handling system via the terminal unit. The heat transfer between air streams is regulated as a function of air velocity and temperature differentials as measured at various points in system which are related specifically to the serviced volume. The regulation is exercised by controlling the angular velocity of the means for transferring thermal energy.

Abstract: A method of controlling supply air temperature in an enclosure refrigerated with a refrigeration cycle including an evaporator exhibiting a temperature differential, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of defining a supply temperature limit constant and a setpoint; sensing supply air temperature; sensing return air temperature; comparing supply air temperature to the supply temperature limit constant; increasing supply air temperature if supply air temperature drops below the constant and at least one of additional determinable factors is sensed, thereby reducing cooling capacity; and increasing cooling capacity without substantially effecting the temperature differential at the evaporator.

Abstract: A method for operating a blower of an vehicle air conditioning (a/c) system after ignition off for purging moisture from an evaporator core includes accumulating a/c system data while the a/c system is operating including a/c on time, duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. When the ignition switch is turned off terminating operation the a/c system, updated data is saved for use in a look up table. A moisture index is selected from the look up table after ignition off as a function of a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and mode of operation. The moisture index is a measure of the amount of moisture accumulated on the evaporator core which is a function of the a/c duty cycle, ambient temperature and fresh air or recirculated air mode of operation. The blower operates at a speed and for a duration dictated by the moisture index to purge moisture rather than simply operating for a set period of time regardless of moisture present.

Abstract: A controlled DC power supply for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed for reducing heat dissipation and power loss. The refrigeration appliance has AC-powered components, such as compressors and fans, and DC-powered components, such as relays and solenoids. The relays operate to supply AC power from an AC input to the AC-powered components. The relays are selectively activated or deactivated by the controller through enable signals in response to factors such as time and/or temperature. The power supply has an AC-to-DC power conversion circuit for converting AC power at an AC input to one or more DC power outputs for powering DC-powered components. When a group of DC-powered components powered by the same DC power output, such as a group of relays, do not require DC power, the controller selectively disables or reduces a portion of the AC-to-DC power conversion circuit to reduce power consumption and heat dissipation therein.

Abstract: An air conditioning system for vehicles has a cooling circuit and a radiator supplying cooling water to an engine. The cooling circuit includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator. The system includes a water temperature sensor for detecting a water temperature in the radiator, and a control device for selectively controlling the opening of ports to allow temperature controlled air to flow into an interior of a vehicle, in accordance with the water temperature, detected by the water temperature sensor, and a target conditioned air temperature. In the system, the power to an air conditioner may be appropriately restricted, and the amount of heat radiation at the condenser may also be appropriately restricted. Consequently, the water temperature in the radiator may be prevented from becoming too hot, thereby preventing instances of overheating and preventing a warning of a potential overheat.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus used, for instance, for a laser which is low in the consumption of energy and can be made small in size. The cooling apparatus includes: an outside air - water heat exchanger (or outside air cooler 15) as a first cooler; a refrigerant - water heat exchanger (or refrigerating cooler 27) as a second cooler; an outside air temperature sensor (22) for detecting an outside air temperature; and a control section (5) which, according to an outside air temperature, selects a refrigerator-cooler joint use mode for operating both the outside air cooler (15) and the refrigerating cooler (27), or an outside air cooler single use mode for operating only the outside air cooler (15) with the refrigerating cooler (27) stopped.

Abstract: The climate in one or more aircraft cabin zones is controlled to achieve a minimal use of fresh air and an optimal use of recirculation air while satisfying official regulation requirements and avoiding freeze-ups in the air duct system of commercial aircraft. For this purpose temperature sensors ascertain a plurality of different actual temperature informations at different locations in the air supply system. Valve position sensors provide actual flow volume information from one or more valve locations. An r.p.m., volumetric flow or differential pressure sensor provides actual blower r.p.m., volumetric flow or differential pressure information. A CPU compares the actual information with rated information stored in a memory or entered through a keyboard to provide control signals, including closed loop control and/or open loop control signals, to a blower or blowers, a valve or valves, and to at least one air conditioner.

Abstract: An air-conditioning unit is provided for a vehicle with an air-conditioning function depending on the outside dew point. The air-conditioning unit includes a device for determining the dew point temperature of the outside air, an air duct leading to a window of the vehicle and having a controllable closing device, a device for determining the temperature of the air blown through the ducts leading to the window of the vehicle and a control device for automatically opening and closing the air duct leading to a window of the vehicle by appropriately energizing the air duct closing device. The control device, in the cooling operation of the air conditioning unit, opens and closes this air duct automatically as a function of the dew point temperature determined for the outside air and as a function of the temperature determined for the air blown out through this air duct.

Abstract: A heating portion is cooled by a fluid, thereby effecting a temperature control. The temperature of the fluid is measured at the time of starting of a system, and the measured fluid temperature is compared with a set temperature. In accordance with the result of the comparison, the timing of starting the operation of LSI chips and the timing of starting the operation of a refrigerator are controlled.

Abstract: A water heating system comprising an outdoor heat exchanger including a heat collection chamber, solar collector panels, collector fins, an evaporator for passing refrigerant therethrough to perform the heat exchange between the refrigerant and the heat transferred from the panels and fins to evaporate the refrigerant. The panels, fins and evaporator are incorporated integrally in the heat collection chamber. A variable rotational speed compressor is connected to the outdoor heat exchanger for compressing the vaporized refrigerant from the evaporator. A heat exchanger disposed on the bottom side in the water storage tank passes the refrigerant vapor from the compressor to perform the heat exchange between the water in the tank and the refrigerant vapor to condense the refrigerant vapor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system for cooling beverages as they are drawn from a plurality of containers and dispensed through a plurality of faucets. A pair of beverage dispensing coils are centrally carried in a housing which is filled with water. A refrigeration coil encircles the housing causing a build up of ice to take place on the inner wall of the housing. A temperature sensor is carried within a helical coil provided between the beverage dispensing coil and the ice bank for operating a compressor associated with the refrigeration coil. A power-driven paddle is centrally carried within the container for circulating the water therein and a gentle, wiping motion. In order to selectively turn on and off the power paddle, a second temperature sensor is located in a junction provided between the inputs of the beverage dispensing coils.

Abstract: Modular apparatus for providing heating and cooling to large quantities of water used in a concrete batch plant prior to mixing water and concrete is disclosed. The system typically operates from a water source such as a deep well (10) which water source may serve as either a heat sink or a heat source. In addition, there is a water storage tank (34) which holds water (36) which water can be either heated or cooled as necessary for the best results in mixing concrete. There is a multiplicity (26) of modular reversable heat pumps each of which has its heat exchanger (78, 88) connected in parallel such that modular units may be added or removed without destroying the integrity of the refrigerant system. Each of the modular units includes a source heat exchanger (88) and a storage heat exchanger (78).

Abstract: Dry powder mix is mixed with water in accurate amounts on demand, the water and powder pass through an axial passage of a mixing rotor and must pass radially outward in a mixing bowl through a narrow gap to a tangential discharge opening. Demand is determined by startup and continuous operation level sensors arranged to maintain accurate and limited levels of mixed product in the freezing cylinder.