Abstract: A thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described, the thermostat having a user interface that is visually pleasing, approachable, and easy to use while also providing ready access to, and intuitive navigation within, a menuing system capable of receiving a variety of different types of user settings and/or control parameters. For some embodiments, the thermostat comprises a housing, a ring-shaped user-interface component configured to track a rotational input motion of a user, a processing system configured to identify a setpoint temperature value based on the tracked rotational input motion, and an electronic display coupled to the processing system. An interactive thermostat menuing system is accessible to the user by an inward pressing of the ring-shaped user interface component. User navigation within the interactive thermostat menuing system is achievable by virtue of respective rotational input motions and inward pressings of the ring-shaped user interface component.

Abstract: An energy management system includes a controller that receives a signal representative of current electrical generation. A storage source stores energy from the current electrical generation associated with the controller. The controller predicts the amount of storage of energy in said storage source over time, receives pricing information, includes a model of a temperature system of a building, and includes a comfort model of a user. The controller selects a desirable temperature based upon the current electrical generation, the stored energy, the pricing information, the building model, and the comfort model.

Abstract: Operating refrigeration systems is described herein. One method includes receiving operating information associated with a refrigeration system, and determining a probability of liquid slugging occurring in the refrigeration system before liquid slugging occurs in the refrigeration system based, at least in part, on the operating information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for controlling an environmental maintenance system that includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators. The operation levels of the actuators can be determined by optimizing a penalty function. As part of the penalty function, the sensor values can be compared to reference values. The optimized values of the operation levels can account for energy use of actuators at various operation levels and predicted differences of the sensor values relative to the reference values at various operation levels. The predicted difference can be determined using a transfer model. An accuracy of the transfer model can be determined by comparing predicted values to measured values. This accuracy can be used in determining new operational levels from an output of the transfer model (e.g., attenuating the output of the transfer model based on the accuracy).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and related computer program products for controlling one or more HVAC systems using a distributed arrangement of wirelessly connected sensing microsystems are described. A plurality of wirelessly communicating sensing microsystems is provided, each sensing microsystem including a temperature sensor and a processor, at least one of the sensing microsystems being coupled to an HVAC unit for control thereof. The plurality of sensing microsystems is configured to jointly carry out at least one shared computational task associated with control of the HVAC unit. Each sensing microsystem includes a power management circuit configured to determine an amount of electrical power available for dedication to the at least one shared computational task. The at least one shared computational task is apportioned among respective ones of the plurality of sensing microsystems according to the amount of electrical power determined to be available for dedication thereto at each respective sensing microsystem.

Abstract: A heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) module for a vehicle includes an HVAC structure to accommodate a plurality of HVAC system components, the HVAC structure configured to be installed in a host vehicle. The HVAC module also includes an interconnect network with a first group of the HVAC system components and a hub component, wherein the hub component is coupled to a second group of the HVAC system components. An HVAC module connector is coupled to the interconnect network to establish data connectivity between the interconnect network and an electronic control module of the host vehicle.

Abstract: A smoke ventilation system (1) comprising a system controller (2) connected to window actuators (3) of different building areas, and control points (5) associated with the window actuators (3) of different building areas, the system controller (2) as comprises a power supply module powering the window actuators (3) and the control points (5), wherein the control points (5) are connected to the system controller (2) by means of a common serial bus comprising power supply and communication lines (6) for communicating serial control signals to activate the associated window actuators (3) of a 1 building area.

Abstract: An electrical power grid includes multiple, networked buildings that receive electrical power from one or more power generation sources. A networking control system communicates with a utility control center to obtain information regarding the amount of power being supplied by the power generation sources. The networking control system further obtains information from one or more building automation controllers that are controllably associated with a plurality of networked buildings. The networking control system determines whether the total amount of power being supplied exceeds a total demand load for the plurality of buildings. And if so, the networking control system commands one or more of the building automation controllers to operate one or more of the buildings a reduced energy efficiency level, which may take the form of an optimization curve.

Abstract: Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation device having a damper and a controller are provided. The damper may have a range of damper positions for controlling a flow of outside air into the building. The controller controls the damper positions such that a desired flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building. A remote monitoring device may also be provided. The remote monitoring device may be located remotely from the demand control ventilation device, but in communication with or part of the controller. In some instances, the remote monitoring device may have a user interface for remotely monitoring and/or controlling at least certain aspects of the demand control ventilation system from the remote location.

Abstract: The systems, methods and devices disclosed herein provide for a field panel that includes a webserver. The field panel and webserver are arranged in communication with one or more automation components and/or field panels deployed for operation in connection with the building automation system. An information request may be directed to a master field panel for authorization. The master field panel may in turn query a node table containing address and/or communication information with the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the wired or wireless communication network. The information within the node table allows for direct communication to the other field panels and/or automation components operable on the network. In this way, authorized access to each of the field panels and/or automation components is achieved while any communications bottleneck at the master field panel may be significantly reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A user-friendly programmable thermostat is described that includes a central electronic display surrounded by a ring that can be rotated and pressed inwardly to provide user input in a simple and elegant fashion. The current temperature and setpoint are graphically displayed as prominent tick marks. Different colors and intensities can be displayed to indicate currently active HVAC functions and an amount of heating or cooling required to reach a target temperature. The setpoint can be altered by user rotation of the ring. The schedule can be displayed and altered by virtue of rotations and inward pressings of the ring. Initial device set up and installation, the viewing of device operation, the editing of various settings, and the viewing of historical energy usage information are made simple and elegant by virtue of the described form factor, display modalities, and user input modalities of the device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for controlling an environmental maintenance system that includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of actuators. The operation levels of the actuators can be determined by optimizing a cost function subject to a constraint, e.g., having no more than a certain number of sensors that are out of range. A predictor model can predict whether certain operation levels of the actuators violate the constraint. The search for acceptable operation levels (i.e., ones that do not violate constraints) can be performed by analyzing points on lines in an N-dimensional space, where N is the number of actuators. The subset of acceptable operation levels along with a cost function (e.g., that incorporates energy consumption information) can be used to change operation levels of the modules to keep the temperatures within a desired range while using minimal energy.

Abstract: Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

Abstract: A comfort controller in an HVAC system is provided. The comfort controller comprises a processor configured such that the comfort controller compares at least one of an actual run time of the HVAC system to a benchmark run time and an actual static pressure of the HVAC system to a benchmark static pressure. The processor is further configured such that, when at least one of the actual run time and the actual static pressure are outside a specified range of their associated benchmarks, the comfort controller determines that the HVAC system has an improper configuration. The processor is further configured such that the comfort controller displays the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a controller for use with a HVAC system that has a program stored therein that is configured to relate a torque of a fan motor of a HVAC system with an airflow rate of the HVAC system, such that a selected airflow rate will cause the fan motor to operate at a torque that will produced the selected airflow rate.

Abstract: Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

Abstract: A processor determines a target value of a temperature of a processing unit included in the information processing system on the basis of the temperature of the processing unit when first power consumption indicates a relatively low power consumption by referring to correlation information that indicates a change in the first power consumption, which is a total sum of second power consumption of the processing unit and third power consumption of an air-conditioning machine included in the information processing system, with respect to a change in the temperature of the processing unit. Then, the processor outputs a control signal for controlling the air-conditioning machine on the basis of the target value.

Abstract: A centrifugal compressor for compressing a refrigerant vapour in a refrigeration cycle. The compressor comprises an impeller drive shaft (28) supported by first and second radial bearings (32) for rotation within the compressor housing and an impeller assembly including at least one centrifugal impeller wheel mounted on the impeller drive shaft to rotate with the impeller drive shaft. The first and second radial bearings are hydrodynamic fluid bearings in which the bearing fluid is the refrigerant vapour. The compressor further comprising a conduit (36) for supplying a portion of the refrigerant vapour from the impeller assembly to the first and second fluid bearings.

Abstract: In a building, electric storage heaters (204) receive off peak electricity, generate thermal energy and store this thermal energy for later release. Each storage heater has a local control device (201) for controlling thermal energy generated during the reception of the off peak electricity. Each local control device receives a generation schedule from a building control device (207). Each building control device controls many local control devices and transmits information to a central control device (208). The central control device transmits generation schedules to many building control devices. Each schedule is constructed in response to room related data supplied by the local control devices, building related data supplied by the building control devices and regional data supplied to the central control device.

Abstract: A cloud server (104) receives environmental information of respective installation sites of a plurality of appliances (101a, 101b, 101c, 102a, 102b) via a network (1000), and determines one or more appliances that are installed in a same room among the plurality of appliances (101a, 101b, 101c, 102a, 102b), based on the received environmental information.

Abstract: Heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment in a building may be controlled to improve building performance and/or occupant comfort. For a building, such as a low-load building, with multiple sub-systems of an overall HVAC system that can be actuated to impact indoor environmental conditions, an operational mode used to control such HVAC equipment may be selected. The selection may be based on input data from sensors, including indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, and occupancy level in combination with multiple models. Data collected over time may be used to form multiple types of models, including predictive models of building performance, future indoor conditions, and occupancy levels, and/or energy usage. The models may be used to select a control strategy. Based on the selected strategy and user preferences, a set of rules may be applied to generate control signals that control operation of HVAC subsystems.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a motor-driven air conditioning system comprising a power control device for controlling the temperature in a space inside the vehicle, and an internal combustion engine equipped with a motor management system that is arranged for determining the energy expended by the internal combustion engine, which internal combustion engine is at the same time used for driving the air conditioning system, characterized in that the motor management system is connected to said power control device and arranged for adjusting the power supplied to the air conditioning system in dependence on the load on the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An HVAC control system is provided that is configured to prompt a user to indicate whether or not they are comfortable under current environmental conditions. In some instances the HVAC control system may be configured to prompt the user to provide additional information regarding other factors that may affect their comfort. The HVAC control system may use the information collected from the user to control an HVAC system to achieve and/or maintain an environmental condition within a building at a level at which the user is expected to be comfortable.

Abstract: Controlling the temperature gradient in an enclosed auditorium with positioned people by initially generating, by thermal input, a level selected base temperature plane coextensive with the plane of the enclosed room. Each of the positioned people is enabled to dynamically input a request for a temperature change in the base temperature plane at a position corresponding to the position of the person in the room plane. All of the input requests of positioned people may then be correlated with the base temperature plane to convert the base temperature plane into a base temperature curvature coextensive with the plane of the enclosed room. The thermal input may then be varied responsive to the sensed temperature variations to maintain the base temperature curvature.

Abstract: A thermostat user interface for a network-connected thermostat is described. The thermostat includes a frustum-shaped shell body having a circular cross-section and a sidewall extending between first and second ends, the second end being user-facing when the thermostat is wall-mounted; a circular rotatable ring being user rotatable for adjusting a setting of the thermostat; and a circular cover including a clear circular center portion surrounded by a painted outer portion. The clear circular center portion permits a corresponding circular portion of a non-circular dot-matrix color display element to be visible through the circular cover and the painted outer portion masks a remaining portion of the non-circular dot-matrix color display element so as to create a circular graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a unitary room air conditioner and for reducing peak loads can comprise a communications transceiver coupled to a relay or switch. This relay or switch can control the flow of electricity to a compressor of the air conditioner. The communications transceiver can receive signals which may direct the communications transceiver to open or close the relay or switch. In this way, the compressor can be controlled independent of the air conditioner's control logic. In other words, the operation of the compressor can be controlled with signals which originate outside of the unitary air conditioner and independent of the air conditioner's own internal control logic.

Abstract: Controllers and methods are disclosed for aiding a user in programming a schedule of a programmable controller. In an illustrative embodiment, a guided programming routine can be activated by a user, which then guides a user through two or more screens that are designed to collect sufficient information from the user to generate and/or update at least some of the schedule parameters of the controller.

Abstract: Improving the operating efficiency of a rear door heat exchanger, including: determining, by a ventilation management module, a temperature differential between two temperature sensors in the rear door heat exchanger, the temperature differential indicative of cooling efficiency in the rear door heat exchanger; determining, by the ventilation management module, whether the temperature differential is greater than a predetermined threshold; and responsive to determining that the temperature differential is greater than the predetermined threshold, taking corrective action by the ventilation management module.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure provides an HVAC system. In one embodiment, the HVAC system includes: (1) an air handler configured to condition and circulate air for the HVAC system, and (2) an air handler controller for the HVAC system configured to control operation of the air handler, the air handler controller including interface circuitry having a predetermined coupling impedance and configured to couple the air handler controller to components of the HVAC system via a communications network of the HVAC system, wherein a total of the predetermined coupling impedance and an end node coupling impedance at each of the components is substantially a defined maximum loading impedance for the communications network and wherein the end node coupling impedance of one of said plurality of end nodes is determined based on said predetermined coupling impedance and end node coupling impedances of remaining ones of the plurality of end nodes.

Abstract: A smart phone or a tablet may execute an application program code to identify a diagnostic status associated with a time-coded signal emitted by a low-cost user interface of a building appliance such as a furnace or water heater and suggest a recommended action to the user. The signal emitted by the low-cost user interface may be audio or a visual signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for facilitating installation and/or connection of controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for facilitating installation and/or connection of a controller in a climate control system generally includes a communication device configured to execute software instructions to receive user input describing a wire arrangement where the controller is to be installed for use in the climate control system. Based on the user input, the communication device identifies a configuration of the climate control system and specifies wiring connections between the wire arrangement and controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling energy consumption in a building having a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) which includes using an external application to perform HVAC energy consumption optimization algorithms and other external energy control functions and transmit application control data to a building automation system (BAS), which in turn provides hardware level equipment control for the HVAC system. The external application evaluates equipment data received from the HVAC system by way of the BAS and processes these equipment data to provide application control data back to the BAS. The application control data are calculated to achieve a desired operating efficiency for the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes receiving system demand data; processing the system demand data; defining a first value of a first system operating parameter; receiving system condition data; associating the first value of the first system operating parameter with a first operating map function; determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of the first operating map function; determining whether the system condition data exceeds a threshold of a second operating map function responsive to determining that the system condition data exceeds the threshold of the first operating map function; and changing the first value of the first system operating parameter to a second value associated with the second operating map function responsive to determining that the system condition data does not exceed the threshold of the second operating map function.

Abstract: A system and method of predicting items likely to appeal to a user, based on data received from a remote site. One or more local systems are provided, along with a remote system, said local systems communicating with said remote system over a network connection. Each local system maintains a set of characterized items. A local processor predicts an appeal of an item to a user based on the comparison with the set of characterized items with, e.g., user preferences. The user may interact through graphical user interface. At least one user-preference predictive algorithm may be employed to present items predicted to appeal to the user.

Abstract: An HVAC controller is configured to log one more user interactions into a user interaction log stored in its memory such that at least some of the user interactions may be recalled from the user interaction log and displayed on the user interface of the HVAC controller in response to a request by a user. The user may use the information contained in the user interaction log as an aid in troubleshooting an HVAC system.

Abstract: A method and a system for changing the power consumption value available for an HVAC unit of a vehicle when an available battery power for batteries of the vehicle is low. A method and a system for non-linearly changing the power consumption value available for the HVAC unit when the available battery power decreases to a power value less than a low power value. The system can be a vehicle including batteries, an HVAC unit, an ECU and a memory. The method may include setting an HVAC power consumption value to a relatively constant power value when the available battery power is greater than a low power value and decreasing the HVAC power consumption value by a non-linear rate of power reduction when the available battery power decreases to a power value less than the low power value.

Abstract: In the case where selection of a device icon representing an air conditioner among one or more target devices is sensed in a region corresponding to one room on a floor plan, an operation screen for operating the air conditioner corresponding to the selected device icon, is displayed on a display screen. This operation screen includes an image representing an air flow direction of air output from the air conditioner.

Abstract: A system calculates a first ratio of a prediction error variance of a model of a controller error, and the lesser of a variance of a prediction error of a naïve predictor model and a variance of a controller error. The system rates a process controller as a function of the first ratio. The system also calculates a second ratio of a variance of the controller error and a variance of the prediction error of the naïve predictor model. The system rates the process controller a function of the second ratio. The system uses the first ratio, second ratio, other ratios, and discrete indicators in determining an embedded fusion for loop performance monitoring in the process controller and for displaying a value as a measure of the loop performance.

Abstract: An air conditioning control system adjusts a consumed energy amount of air conditioners installed in a property in an adjustment time period. The air conditioning control system includes a control apparatus and an assessment apparatus. The control apparatus performs adjustment control of the air conditioners so that the consumed energy amount is adjusted in the adjustment time period. The assessment apparatus adjusts, after the adjustment time period, a possible amount of a next adjustment control based on an environmental parameter of an air conditioned space.

Abstract: Intelligent HVAC register is an HVAC register outlet which can control the temperature in a space by operating independently. The Intelligent HVAC register works in network with other vents within the system using low power wireless technology and a smart application so that the temperature of multiple individual spaces can be controlled while operating on a single HVAC system. Intelligent HVAC register uses a solar strip to charge the battery which runs each vent's hardware. This enables more efficient use of energy as airflow to unused spaces can be blocked therefore keeping air pressure and efficiency higher in the spaces where temperature adjustments are necessary. Intelligent HVAC register can be controlled using a learning application on a smart device. By setting the time & temperature needed in each space the Intelligent HVAC smart vane will automatically open or close to keep the room at the desired temperature.

Abstract: An HVAC controller is described that is configured to be more intuitive and user friendly to program and operate than convention HVAC controllers. In some instances, the HVAC controller may include a touch screen interface that provides greater flexibility in displaying information to the user and/or soliciting information from the user.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for controlling data center cooling. In an example embodiment the method includes calculating, using a processor, an over-provisioning factor, where the over-provisioning factor is a function of a ratio of a rated cooling power to a calculated cooling power of a set of cooling units, the set of cooing units comprising at least one cooling unit. The method proceeds by adjusting the data-center cooling until the over-provisioning factor is substantially equal to a target over-provisioning factor.

Abstract: An airflow managing system for monitoring airflow of a HVAC system, a HVAC system and a method of monitoring the airflow in a HVAC system is provided. In one embodiment, the airflow managing system includes: (1) an air pressure sensor configured to obtain an air pressure measurement directly from a scroll of an air blower of the HVAC system and (2) a HVAC controller configured to determine an airflow rate for the HVAC system based on the air pressure measurement and corresponding parameters associated with the air blower.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes a plurality of air conditioner bodies that perform air-conditioning operation, a plurality of remote controllers that operate each of the air conditioner bodies, and pairing-setting unit. The pairing-setting unit has a main machine registration function and a sub machine registration function. A mode of operating the main machine with the remote controller is defined as a main-machine operation mode, while a mode of operating the sub machine with the remote controller is defined as a sub-machine operation mode. When the main-machine operation mode is switched to the sub-machine operation mode, the remote controller acquires operation information of all the registered sub machines.

Abstract: An HVAC controller for providing control signals to one or more HVAC components to control one or more environmental parameters in an inside space. The HVAC Controller may include a housing for housing a controller, a wired control port, and a wireless interface for optionally wirelessly connecting the HVAC controller to HVAC components and for wirelessly providing control signals generated by the controller to the HVAC components. The wired control port may connect the HVAC controller to the HVAC components via one or more wires and for providing control signals generated by the controller to the HVAC components via the one or more wires. The controller may be programmable to include control configurations comprising controlling via only the wired control port, via only the wireless interface, or via the wired control port and the wireless interface.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may include a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. A first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. A second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display a list of one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user. At least one of the one or more programmable options may be used to set settings that are used for controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The first region of the display may simultaneously display in a vertical direction an integer number of programmable options plus a fraction of a programmable option.

Abstract: An HVAC control system for a household central air conditioning, including an HVAC system controller, a centrifugal blower motor, a compressor motor, and an axial fan motor. The HVAC system controller includes an HVAC microprocessor, a sensor, an interface unit for motor control, a power supply part, and a signal processing circuit. The interface unit for motor control includes an inverter unit and a rotor position detection unit. At least one of the centrifugal blower motor, the compressor motor, and the axial fan motor is a permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller. The HVAC microprocessor drives the permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller via the inverter unit. The rotor position detection unit sends a rotor position signal of the permanent magnet synchronous motor in the absence of a motor controller to the HVAC microprocessor.

Abstract: An HVAC controller including a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. The display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to sequentially display two or more installer set up items. Illustratively, each of the installer setup items may include an installer set up item number displayed in the second region of the display, an installer setup item name that may be displayed in the first region of the display, and an installer setup item value that may be displayed in the first region of the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for efficiently controlling energy-consuming systems, such as heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For example, an electronic device used to control an HVAC system may encourage a user to select energy-efficient temperature setpoints. Based on the selected temperature setpoints, the electronic device may generate or modify a schedule of temperature setpoints to control the HVAC system.