Abstract: In order to adjust the firmness of a shaped product in a targeted way, it is proposed to provide at least one section made of a thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic, a temperature-regulating device placed in thermal contact with the at least one section made of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic, and a control device for the temperature-regulating device configured to adjust the firmness of the at least one section made of thermoelastic and viscoelastic plastic by changing the temperature. Such a shaped product can be used as a seat base or bed support.

Abstract: A system for reducing fouling and improving efficiency in a coal-fired power plant that may include: 1) an analyzer grid, the analyzer grid including a plurality of sensors that measure gas characteristics through an approximate cross section of a flow through a boiler of the coal-fired power plant; 2) a plurality of air injectors with enhanced controllability; 3) means for analyzing the measurements of the gas characteristics; and 4) means for controlling the air injectors with enhanced controllability. The analysis of the measurements of the gas characteristics may include analyzing the measurements to determine zones of non-homogeneous flow.

Abstract: At least one aspect of the invention is directed to a method of monitoring operation of devices in a facility. The method includes controlling a plurality of computing devices in the facility to operate at a controlled power level, where the controlled power level is a predetermined percentage of a maximum power level, measuring air temperature at one or more locations in the facility, and controlling at least one air conditioning unit in the facility based on the air temperature at the one or more locations in the facility.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that enable the regulation of the temperature of transmission equipment connected to a generating plant. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a temperature of transmission equipment connected to a generating plant and regulating the output of the generating plant in response to the temperature exceeding a threshold level to reduce the temperature of the transmission equipment to below the threshold level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus for a fuel reformer, which enables control with consideration of the nonlinearity of the thermal model of a reforming catalyst.

Abstract: A microprocessor including a temperature sensor that monitors a temperature of core logic of the microprocessor during operation thereof, and operating point information from which may be determined N operating points at which the microprocessor core may reliably operate at a first temperature. Each of the N operating points has a different combination of operating frequency and voltage. The N operating points comprise a highest operating point, a lowest operating point, and a plurality of operating points intermediate the highest and lowest operating points. The microprocessor also includes a control circuit that transitions operation of the core logic among the N operating points to attempt to keep the operating temperature of the core logic provided by the temperature sensor within a temperature range whose upper bound is the first temperature.

Abstract: In a vehicle air conditioner, when a passenger set temperature of a vehicle compartment is changed through an operation portion by a passenger, a storage portion updates a value of a control set temperature corresponding to a predetermined point of a detection area at a time of the changing operation to a value of the changed passenger set temperature, and stores therein the value of the updated temperature. Furthermore, when the detection point is not any one of the predetermined points, a control portion interpolates and calculates a control set temperature corresponding to the detection point from the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of the detection area and the control set temperature stored in the predetermined point of a surrounding area around the detection area, and then controls the air-conditioning state in the vehicle compartment based on the interpolated and calculated control set temperature.

Abstract: A heat pump system is disclosed that utilizes a variable speed hydronics pump to selectively divert heat energy from a forced air heating system to a hydronics radiant heating system. By actively controlling the speed of the withdrawal of heat, the temperature of the forced air output may be maintained while maximizing the amount of heat delivered by the efficient hydronics system. The heat pump system also actively controls the blower of the forced air system. To reduce the frequency of the compressors cycling on and off, a tank may be used to store and dispense heat if the hydronics system is not of sufficient size.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a computer-implemented method for enforcing a temperature limit of a client computer. The method includes receiving a request for computer-executable work to be executed on a client computer. If executing all of the requested work on the client computer would cause the client computer to exceed the temperature limit, a portion of the requested work may be selectively redirected to a remote computer in an amount selected to enforce the temperature limit of the client computer. Simultaneously, the remainder of the requested work may be executed on the client computer. The output of the redirected work may be communicated from the remote computer back to the client computer over a network.

Abstract: A vent tile includes at least one louver, an actuator configured to control the at least one louver, a thermal imaging sensor configured to monitor temperature of a remotely located apparatus through thermal imaging of a surface of the apparatus, and a controller configured to control the actuator based upon the monitored temperature.

Abstract: In some embodiments the continuous measuring of temperature in remote memory devices operating within an electrically noisy environment is facilitated by coordinating the progressive approximation of temperature within quiescent periods of non-activity as known by a memory controller.

Abstract: An appliance with a rear wall section, a first side wall section, and a second side wall section, defining an interior. The appliance includes a refrigerator section within the appliance interior and the refrigerator section has the same or a smaller volume than the appliance interior. The appliance also includes a door with an exterior surface and an interior surface with a door liner. Further included is a module removably engaged with the appliance. Yet further included is a resealable comestible dry goods container having a defined interior volume, an exterior, and a bottom portion where the container is removably engaged within the module.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method for temperature regulation of a medium to be circulated through a plurality of zones of a facility. In this method, a call for heat is received. The method identifies a zone within the plurality of zones from which the call for heat originated. The medium is then heated to a first temperature range if the identified zone is a first zone within the facility and is heated to a second temperature range if the identified zone is a second zone within the facility. The first and second temperature ranges differ from one another. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a first time that is associated with a first demand amount for a resource. The method also includes providing the resource to a device such that the device changes an area temperature from a first temperature to approximately a second temperature that is reached at approximately the first time. The resource is withheld from the device when the second temperature is approximately reached at approximately the first time.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a pair of two-stage air conditioners. The method monitors a temperature of an area served by the air conditioners; activates a first stage of a first or lead air conditioner when the temperature rises above a first set point temperature; activates a first stage of a second or lag air conditioner when the temperature rises above a second set point temperature; activates a second stage of the first air conditioner only if the temperature remains above the second set point temperature beyond a first selected time period; and activates a second stage of the second air conditioner only if the temperature remains above the second set point temperature beyond a second selected time period.

Abstract: A fuel cell system including a fuel cell stack is capable of raising the temperature of a fuel cell stack to a predetermined temperature within a short time without decreasing methanol fuel utilization efficiency. During system startup, the concentration of methanol aqueous solution which is to be supplied to the fuel cell stack is detected by a concentration sensor, and the temperature of the fuel cell stack is detected by a temperature sensor. A target concentration of methanol aqueous solution is determined by making reference to data stored in a memory, which indicates correspondence between the temperature of the fuel cell stack and the target concentration of methanol aqueous solution, and based on the temperature of the fuel cell stack detected by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for controlling and optimizing production operations oil and/or gas production wells and facilities, which are equipped with sensors that generate raw reservoir, production and/or production equipment performance data. This system collects raw data processes it in a central data center to produce component data and system performance data.

Abstract: Fluid regulation control may be accomplished by a variety of systems, devices, and techniques. In one application, a fluid regulation control device may include a processor, a fluid control assembly, and a power source. The processor may be adapted to generate a command for controlling a fluid regulator and to adjust a power condition of the device, which may include a low power mode and a high power mode. The device may consume substantially less power in the low power mode than in the high power mode. The fluid control assembly may include a transducer, which may receive a control fluid and adjust it in response to the command during the high power mode. The fluid control assembly may also maintain the adjusted control fluid at a substantially constant value during the low power mode.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and a system in a paper machine, and also a software product, allowing one or more tools to be generated for indicating the state of the paper production process in terms of energy consumption to the operating staff of the paper machine. This allows continual monitoring of the state of the paper production process and/or its energy efficiency combined with efforts to develop the manners of running the paper machine and its dryer section in a more favourable direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the dry solids content DSC of the press section can be calculated by means of the evaporation amount of the dryer section, the production of finished paper and the final paper moisture as follows: DSC=mpap,d/(mpap,d+mH2O), in which mpap,d is the dry mass flow of the paper web to the dryer section and mH2O is the water mass flow to the dryer section. mH2O is obtained by summing up the mass flow of the water discharged from the dryer section and the evaporated water mass flow.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for marking a presence or absence of an underground facility. Marking material is dispensed, via actuation of an actuation system of a marking device, onto a target surface. Environmental information regarding at least one environmental condition of an environment in which the marking device is located is received via at least one communication interface of the marking device, and marking information is logged into local memory of the marking device. In one aspect, the stored marking information includes at least some of the environmental information.

Abstract: Soldering can be performed in a state where the temperature in an object zone is stable, regardless of the heat capacity of a soldering object. A soldering device includes: a position calculation unit which calculates the position of a heated object according to operational information of a conveyer which sequentially transfers the heated object into a plurality of zones for heat processing communicated with each other; a heat capacity calculation unit which calculates the heat capacity of the heated object; and a temperature management unit which controls the temperature in an object zone into which the heated object is carried, upon receiving positional information from the position calculation unit. The temperature management unit feedforward-controls the temperature in the object zone by adjusting the heat capacity of the object zone according to the heat capacity calculated by the heat capacity calculation unit.

Abstract: A method for starting up a wind energy plant after an operation stoppage, wherein the wind energy plant has a gearbox in the drive train and an operation management which can control at least one operational variable significant for the strain of the gearbox B of the wind energy plant to a desired value BSoll, wherein after the operation stoppage, the desired value BSoll is limited by a maximum value BMax, which is preset depending on a measured temperature of a gearbox component and/or of a lubricant for the gearbox.

Abstract: Information handling system thermal parameters applied by a thermal manager to manage cooling are adjusted based on whether or not a thermal barrier is coupled to the information handling system. The presence of a thermal barrier allows higher operating temperatures without exposing an end user to excessive thermal energy. The thermal barrier couples to the bottom of the chassis of a portable information handling system and may provide additional features, such as additional battery power storage or an optical drive.

Abstract: A method for controlling a boiler includes firing a boiler, and monitoring a temperature deviation between a boiler temperature and a heating temperature profile over time. If the temperature deviation exceeds an allowable deviation, the boiler is shut off.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to automatically adjust a thermal requirement of a data processing system are described. One or more conditions associated with a data processing system are detected. A temperature requirement for the data processing system is determined based on the one or more conditions. The performance of the data processing system may be throttled to maintain a temperature of the data processing system below the temperature requirement. Detecting the one or more conditions associated with the data processing system may include determining a location of the data processing system based on a measured motion, a state of a peripheral device, a position of one portion of the data processing system (e.g., a lid) relative another portion of the data processing system (e.g., a bottom portion), a type of application operating on the data processing system, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control system supports an unlimited number of feedback control loops all sharing control of a component. A component performance rate or “speed” is used as a common metric for negotiating control of the component. Each control loop continuously monitors a system parameter it is tasked with regulating, compares it to a setpoint for that system parameter, and “requests” a speed in relation to the deviation of the associated system parameter from the corresponding setpoint. A controller receives the requested speeds as dynamic inputs and selects one of the requested speeds according to predefined selection logic. The controller communicates the selected speed to an actuator, which causes the component to operate at the selected speed. In this manner, the control system in effect negotiates control of the component in a way that ensures that all of the system parameters are being managed within safe limits.

Abstract: A system, methods, and user-friendly program product to optimize energy recovery or a process or cluster of processes under all possible process changes and stream-specific minimum temperature approach values without enumeration, are provided. The program product can utilize stream-specific minimum temperature approach values ?Tmini, where the superscript i represents the specific hot stream, as the optimization parameters instead of the single global ?Tmin currently used, in addition to identifying the optimal operating conditions. The program product can determine optimal global minimum energy utility values and define optimal process conditions and an optimal driving force distribution in heat recovery systems, and can produce an optimal Pareto-curve that shows the rigorous trade off between energy cost and capital cost for any energy recovery system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively cooling the battery pack of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off, thereby limiting the adverse effects of temperature on battery life, are provided. Different battery pack cooling techniques are provided, thus allowing the cooling technique used in a particular instance to be selected not only based on the thermal needs of the battery pack, but also on the thermal capacity and energy requirements of the selected approach.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the adverse effects of temperature on the electrical energy storage system (ESS) of an electric vehicle after the vehicle has been turned off are provided. In general, whether or not coolant is circulated through a coolant loop coupled to the ESS depends on the difference between the ambient temperature and a preset temperature, the preset temperature typically corresponding to the temperature of the ESS.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a heat pump water heater (HPWH) are disclosed. The systems include an interface for accepting a user input and configured to indicate a mode of operation, and indicate at least one error condition when an error condition exists. The systems are operative to diagnose various failure conditions and as advise a user that maintenance may be needed and to adjust operation for varying environmental or other external conditions.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat is disclosed having a continuously movable indexing mechanism, such as a rotatable wheel, that allows a user to scroll or cycle through sequential time intervals ranging over a complete week to view currently programmed time intervals and to select periods of time during the week that the user wishes to program or reprogram. Such a design allows a user to easily program different temperature settings during different time intervals during the week and allows the user to easily view the programmed settings.

Abstract: A system and method for thermal management of a memory device is described. In an embodiment, one or more thermal sensors sends a signal to a thermal control module indicating that a pre-determined temperature threshold for a memory device or devices has been reached. The thermal control module may then begin tracking memory thermals or initiate thermal management operations based on the signal and history of memory device temperatures over time.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments that may facilitate management of operation of an integrated circuit (IC) including adjustment of the IC. The adjustment may be based at least in part on a proximity of a temperature of the IC relative to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An air conditioning monitoring and control system includes an air conditioner, a first air conditioning monitoring and control device and a second air conditioning monitoring and control device. The first air conditioning monitoring and control device communicates with the air conditioner via a first communication line. The first air conditioning monitoring and control device includes a first monitoring and control function and a second monitoring and control function. The second air conditioning monitoring and control device communicates with the air conditioner via a second communication line. The second air conditioning monitoring and control device includes the first monitoring and control function and a third monitoring and control function.

Abstract: A thermal process system. The thermal process system comprises a thermal processor, a metrology tool, and a controller. The thermal processor performs a thermal process as defined by a heating model to form a film on a wafer surface. The metrology tool, interfaced with the thermal processor, inspects thickness of the film. The controller, coupled with the thermal processor and the metrology tool, generates the heating model of the thermal processor and calibrates the heating model according to a preset slope coefficient matrix and the measured thickness.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus includes a treating unit for treating substrates, a piping for supplying a treating liquid to the treating unit, a heater mounted on the piping, an electronic thermal unit mounted on the piping in series with the heater, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the treating liquid, and a controller for controlling the heater and the electronic thermal unit. The controller sets a first temperature control mode for performing a room temperature control using the electronic thermal unit when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is below a predetermined boundary temperature between room temperature and high temperature, and for performing a high temperature control with the heater when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor is above the predetermined boundary temperature between room temperature and high temperature.

Abstract: A method and device for managing the operating conditions of a refrigerator unit using a single sensor are disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a sensor temperature of a refrigerator unit, determining to which a plurality of disjoint temperatures regions the temperature lies within and setting an operating condition of each of a plurality of components of the refrigerator unit based on the determined temperature region.

Abstract: A method for structured application of a laminatable intermediate layer (9) to a substrate (1) for a semiconductor module, wherein a separating layer is indirectly or directly applied to the substrate (1) over a large surface, the intermediate layer (9) is applied to the substrate (1), including the separating layer(s), by lamination, over a large surface, the intermediate layer (9) is opened in places on the substrate (1), where recesses are provided for the intermediate layer (9), and the separating layer (8) is removed in these places.

Abstract: Sensors, apparatus and methods are disclosed for detecting airflow direction between two volumes. The preferred airflow sensor includes a tube for conducting an airflow stream between the volumes, a first temperature sensor sensing ambient temperature in the first volume and a second temperature sensor sensing temperature of the airflow stream in the tube. A heat source heats air in the tube adjacent the end thereof communicating with the second volume and a comparator receives and compares output signals from the temperature sensors, providing an output indicative thereof. Various means are provided responsive to the output advancing appropriate response thereto. The disclosed sensors, apparatus and methods are particularly well adapted for indicating positive and negative pressure differentials at flues associated with combustion appliances.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature in a compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. During a normal operation of the refrigerator, the compartment is cooled by a temperature control circuit operated in accordance with a predetermined thermodynamic cycle. The method includes the steps of measuring a variable parameter of the compartment, and comparing the variable parameter with a threshold, and if the variable parameter is greater than the threshold, continuing to operate the temperature control circuit in accordance with the predetermined thermodynamic cycle.

Abstract: A supplemental heating apparatus for use in conjunction with the coolant system of a truck engine provides a supplemental source of heat energy to the heat exchanger within a tanker trailer. The supplemental heating apparatus is activated when the truck engine is shut-off. A control system undertakes a testing cycle in which a circulator pulls coolant out of the tanker trailer and the temperature of the coolant is sensed after a delay of time so that the coolant from within the heat exchanger is tested. The burner draws fuel from the truck's fuel tanks to provide heat energy when the sensed temperature is below a threshold. The coolant is circulated between the boiler associated with the burner and the heat exchanger until the return coolant is raised above a second threshold. The testing cycle continues through a loop of a predetermined duration independent of the activation of the heating cycle.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and program product to calculate global energy utility targets and to model and determine an optimal solution for a non-thermodynamically constrained process or cluster of processes subject to non-thermodynamic constraints under all possible process changes and streams specific minimum temperature approaches, are provided. An exemplary system can utilize thermodynamic constraints exhibited in stream-specific minimum temperature approach values ?Tmini as optimization parameters, in addition to other process conditions degrees of freedom including the addition of new waste heat carrier streams to target for minimizing energy consumption of the non-thermodynamic constrained waste heat recovery problem and to identify the optimal operating conditions that result in desired minimum energy consumption subject to the non-thermodynamic constraints.

Abstract: During a telephony session, a determination is made on a mobile computing device that one or more designated conditions exist by which radio interference generated from the mobile computing device is to be reduced. In response, a power state of a set of one or more components of the mobile computing device is lowered. This reduces radio interference from those components. The set of components are ancillary to the mobile computing device's ability to maintain the telephony session, so that the telephony session is not affected by the reduction of power to the components.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling fan operation in a system having a fan are provided. The apparatus includes a temperature sensor configured to detect at least one internal temperature of the system as a whole or component devices thereof, a power supply configured to convert one or more different input powers into predetermined voltage levels and supply the voltage levels to the fan, and a controller connected to the temperature sensor and the power supply and configured to control operation of the fan, wherein the controller controls fan operation based on a fan control mode selected by a user and the sensed at least one internal temperature.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a fan and a fan controller connected to the fan to control a speed of the fan. The fan controller has storage locations for storing thermal data used by the fan controller to control the speed of the fan. A thermal sensor generates a first portion of the thermal data, which is readable by the fan controller, and which the fan controller stores in a first portion of the storage locations. A device generates a second portion of the thermal data, which is not readable by the fan controller. An agent writes the second portion of the thermal data to a second portion of the storage locations.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and processor are provided for implementation of thermal throttling logic. A sensed temperature value is received from a digital thermal sensor representing a current temperature of a unit associated with the digital thermal sensor in the integrated circuit. The sensed temperature is reported as the current temperature in a status register. The unit in the integrated circuit is throttled in response to the current temperature exceeding a first predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and device, wherein the following steps are carried out: measurement or determination of waste gas concentration parameters, waste gas temperature, outside temperature, fuel power during a limited observation period; determination of the efficiency of the heating system in the area of observation over a period of time; determination of the average outside temperature in the area of observation; determination of heating performance produced in accordance with an average outside temperature on the basis of fuel power over a period of time and the efficiency of the heating system over a period of time in the area of observation; determination of maximum heating performance which is to be obtained in accordance with a minimum outside temperature from the average heating performance, minimum outside temperature, average inside temperature and average outside temperature in the area of observation; determination of the heat contact value of the heating system from the maximum heating performance and durati

Abstract: A building system includes a communication network, a plurality of wireless nodes, a plurality of passive wireless devices, a plurality of sensors, and a processing circuit. The wireless nodes are disposed within a building and are operably coupled to the communication network. Each passive wireless device is affixed to an object within the building, and contains first information regarding at least one property of the object. Each the passive wireless device is configured to communicate wirelessly to the wireless nodes using power derived from communication signals detected in the passive wireless device. The sensors are configured to generate second information representative of sensed temperature throughout the building, each sensor operably connected to the communication network. The processing circuit is operably coupled to receive the first information from the wireless devices and the second information from the sensors.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor speed for a fan assembly includes receiving a duty cycle value at a microcontroller. The microcontroller receives a measured fan speed from a speed sensor. An expected fan speed is determined, where the expected fan speed corresponds to the duty cycle value. The measured fan speed is compared with the expected fan speed. A duty cycle of a motor driving signal is reduced if the measured fan speed is less than a predetermined fraction of the expected fan speed.

Abstract: A fan controlling system and method is applicable to an electronic device with a fan for adjusting a temperature of the electronic device. The fan controlling system includes a plurality of temperature sensors installed in different regions inside of the electronic device for sensing temperatures around the regions, a mapping table for mapping a plurality of temperature ranges onto a plurality of rotation speeds, and a processing module for comparing the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensors and controlling the fan to rotate according to one of the rotation speeds onto which the mapping table maps one of the temperature ranges within which a highest one of the sensed temperatures is. Therefore, the fan can operate stably and does not generate a loud noise even when its rotation speed is changing, and has a longer lifespan.