20862results about "Efficient regulation technologies" patented technology

An apparatus for controlling the speed of an AC motor comprising a switch adapted to be coupled in parallel with power terminals for the AC motor; a capacitor coupled in series with the parallel combination of the switch and the motor; the capacitor adapted to provide an AC supply voltage from an AC source to the parallel circuit comprising the motor and the switch; and a control circuit for controlling the conduction time of the switch in order to vary the speed of the motor. The switch is preferably pulse-width modulated at a frequency twice the line frequency of the AC supply voltage, and the switch is turned on when the voltage across the AC motor is zero volts. The apparatus is operable to provide for continuously variable control of the motor speed while minimizing acoustic noise in the motor.

A novel massively parallel supercomputer of hundreds of teraOPS-scale includes node architectures based upon System-On-a-Chip technology, i.e., each processing node comprises a single Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Within each ASIC node is a plurality of processing elements each of which consists of a central processing unit (CPU) and plurality of floating point processors to enable optimal balance of computational performance, packaging density, low cost, and power and cooling requirements. The plurality of processors within a single node may be used individually or simultaneously to work on any combination of computation or communication as required by the particular algorithm being solved or executed at any point in time. The system-on-a-chip ASIC nodes are interconnected by multiple independent networks that optimally maximizes packet communications throughput and minimizes latency. In the preferred embodiment, the multiple networks include three high-speed networks for parallel algorithm message passing including a Torus, Global Tree, and a Global Asynchronous network that provides global barrier and notification functions. These multiple independent networks may be collaboratively or independently utilized according to the needs or phases of an algorithm for optimizing algorithm processing performance. For particular classes of parallel algorithms, or parts of parallel calculations, this architecture exhibits exceptional computational performance, and may be enabled to perform calculations for new classes of parallel algorithms. Additional networks are provided for external connectivity and used for Input / Output, System Management and Configuration, and Debug and Monitoring functions. Special node packaging techniques implementing midplane and other hardware devices facilitates partitioning of the supercomputer in multiple networks for optimizing supercomputing resources.

Humidifying apparatus includes a humidifier for emitting moist air into an external environment, and a fan assembly for generating an air current within the external environment for conveying the emitted moist air away from the humidifier. The fan assembly includes a device for creating an air flow and a nozzle comprising an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The humidifier is located behind nozzle, the nozzle extending about and defining an opening through which both air from outside the nozzle and the moist air emitted from the humidifier are drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth.

A double-ended variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the double-ended blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.

A system for monitoring air quality conditions, comprising, a multi-point air monitoring system comprising, a plurality of sensors for collecting air quality data from a plurality of at least partially enclosed areas; one or more data processing units for processing one or more air quality parameters based on the collected air quality data; and one or more communication devices for communicating the data from the sensor to the processing unit; and a signal processing controller that generates one or more blended air quality parameter signals via the multi-point air monitoring system based at least in part on one or more of the processed air quality parameters representative of data from a plurality of the sensors.

A system for monitoring and modifying the quality and temperature of air within a conditioned space includes a blower unit, a damper unit for selectively admitting outside air into the conditioned space, a temperature moderating unit and a control unit. The control unit includes a thermostat and conventional temperature control apparatus for selectively activating the temperature moderating unit to maintain the desired temperature in the conditioned space. The control unit also incorporates CO2 concentration measuring and control apparatus which includes a small CO2 sensor. The CO2 sensor includes a cathode, an anode and a solid electrolyte disposed intermediate and electrically in contact with each of the cathode and the anode to effect a primary electrical cell. A heater and a heater thermostat serve to maintain the temperature of the cell at about 250° C. The cathode and anode materials and the chemical composition of the electrolyte are further selected such that the voltage generated across the heated cell varies in accordance with the CO2 concentration. CO2 concentration modifying apparatus is responsive to sensing a first predetermined CO2 concentration for turning on the blower unit and to sensing a second, higher, predetermined CO2 concentration for actuating the damper unit to admit outside air.

An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit. The indoor blower controller responsively controls the operation of the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the outdoor unit controller, and the outdoor unit controller responsively controls the operation of the compressor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the indoor blower controller.

A double-ended variable speed blower for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation of patients includes two impellers in the gas flow path that cooperatively pressurize gas to desired pressure and flow characteristics. Thus, the double-ended blower can provide faster pressure response and desired flow characteristics over a narrower range of motor speeds, resulting in greater reliability and less acoustic noise.

A motor drive system for a sensorless motor includes a catch start sequencer that controls the motor drive system to robustly start the motor in the event the motor rotor is rotating in forward or reverse direction prior to activating the motor drive system. In particular, the catch start sequencer causes the motor drive system to initially find and track the rotor position, and then determines the speed and possibly the direction of rotation of the rotor. If the rotor is rotating in the reverse direction, the catch start sequencer controls the motor drive system to slow the speed of rotation and to then start the rotor rotating in the forward direction.

An interactive system for controlling the operation of an HVAC system is provide that comprises a thermostat for initiating the operation of the HVAC system in either a full capacity mode of operation or at least one reduced capacity mode of operation, and a controller for an outside condenser unit having a condenser fan motor and a compressor motor, the controller being capable of operating the compressor in a full capacity mode and at least one reduced capacity mode. The system also comprises a controller for an indoor blower unit having a blower fan motor, the controller being capable of operating the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode an at least one reduced capacity mode. The system further includes a communication means for transmitting information between the outside condenser unit controller and at least the indoor blower controller, where the information relates to the operation of the indoor blower and the outdoor condenser unit. The indoor blower controller responsively controls the operation of the blower fan motor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the outdoor unit controller, and the outdoor unit controller responsively controls the operation of the compressor in a full capacity mode or a reduced capacity mode based on the information received from the indoor blower controller.

An arrangement is disclosed for controlling fan motors in fan-powered terminal units which permit the air flow of the terminal units to be factory preset and reset using a voltmeter. The fan motor is responsive to the pulse width of pulses of a pulse width modulated signal to provide an air flow which is proportional to the pulse width. By adjusting the pulse width, the air flow may be set as desired. A pulse width modulated signal having pulses with a set amplitude and frequency is generated. The dc voltage of the pulse width modulated signal is measured using a voltmeter. As the pulses have a set amplitude and frequency, the pulse width of the pulses may be adjusted by controlling the dc voltage of the pulse width modulated signal. The fan motor is programmed to deliver the set air flow over a range of static pressures.

An apparatus, system, and methods for measuring environmental parameters are disclosed. The apparatus, system, and methods can be used for a variety of applications, including HVAC air balancing and building commissioning. The system includes a variety of wireless sensing modules and wearable modules for control, display, and storage. Parameters measured include air and water temperature, pressure, velocity, and flow. Also included are sensors for light intensity, CO concentrations, and CO2 concentrations.

A fan assembly for creating an air current includes an air inlet, an air outlet, an impeller and a motor for rotating the impeller to create an air flow passing from the air inlet to the air outlet. The air outlet includes an interior passage for receiving the air flow and a mouth for emitting the air flow. The air outlet defines an opening through which air from outside the fan assembly is drawn by the air flow emitted from the mouth. The motor has a rotor which, in use, is capable of rotating at a speed of at least 5,000 rpm.

A method and system are disclosed for cooling a room having one or more heat generating objects. A number of heat exchangers are disposed adjacent a floor or ceiling and extends substantially entirely or partially between the walls of the room. A fan unit is disposed adjacent the heat exchanger and draws or blows cooled air from the heat exchanger and directs the drawn air into the room. The fan unit is capable of being repositioned along a different portion of the heat exchanger so as to redefine the flow of cooled air into the room. The cooling system components are modularized enabling configuration of a number of components to cool a room.

An intelligent thermostat communicates with threat detectors to allow periodic remote testing of the detector. The real-time clock and calendar functions of the thermostat allow the consumer to program the day, time, and frequency of the testing. The thermostat then communicates a test control signal to each of the detectors to initiate the self-test. The communication may be wired or wireless. During testing the thermostat displays a detector test screen. Upon completion of the self-test, the thermostat displays a test results screen for user confirmation. This results screen will indicate that the test passed or failed along with any diagnostic information provided by the detector. The thermostat also provides a test initiation screen from which the consumer may initiate a detector self-test manually. Loss of communications with a detector is also communicated to the user, as is the location of the detector that first identified a threat.

In an ejector cycle system using carbon dioxide as refrigerant, an ejector decompresses and expands refrigerant from a radiator to suck gas refrigerant evaporated in an evaporator, and converts an expansion energy to a pressure energy to increase a refrigerant pressure to be sucked into a compressor. Because refrigerant is decompressed and expanded in a super-critical area, a pressure difference during the decompression operation becomes larger, and a specific enthalpy difference becomes larger. Accordingly, energy converting efficiency in the ejector becomes higher, and efficiency of the ejector cycle system is improved.

A control is functional to perform a method of determining a maximum desired airflow for each of a plurality of zones in a multi-zone HVAC system, and an expected airflow to those zones. In part, these determinations are based upon an algorithm that calculates the relative size of the ducts leading to each of the zones. The expected and maximum airflows are compared for each of the zones, and if any zone has an expected airflow that exceeds its maximum airflow, certain steps are taken to reduce airflow to that zone.