1094results about "Temperature control using digital means" patented technology

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

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.

Systems and methods for modeling the behavior of an enclosure for use by a control system of an HVAC system are described. A model for the enclosure that describes the behavior of the enclosure for use by the control system is updated based on a weather forecast data. The weather forecast data can include predictions more than 24 hours in the future, and can include predictions such as temperature, humidity and / or dew point, solar output, precipitation. The model for the enclosure can also be updated based on additional information and data such as historical weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind, solar output and precipitation, occupancy data, such as predicted and / or detected occupancy data, calendar data, and data from the one or more weather condition sensors that sense current parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and / or solar output. The model for the enclosure can be updated based also on an enclosure model stored in a database, and / or on enclosure information from a user. The model can be updated based on active testing of the enclosure which can be performed automatically or in response to user input. The testing can include heating and / or cooling the enclosure at times when the enclosure is not likely to be occupied.

A controller and a method of programming a schedule of a controller having a user interface, the schedule having a number of schedule parameters, the method including the steps of: providing one or more interview questions to a user via the user interface; accepting one or more user responses to the one or more interview questions from the user via the user interface; and modifying one or more of the schedule parameters based on the user responses provided by the user interface.

A method for controlling temperature in a thermal zone within a building, comprising: using a processor, receiving a desired temperature range for the thermal zone; determining a forecast ambient temperature value for an external surface of the building proximate the thermal zone; using a predictive model for the building, determining set points for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system associated with the thermal zone that minimize energy use by the building; the desired temperature range and the forecast ambient temperature value being inputs to the predictive model; the predictive model being trained using respective historical measured value data for at least one of the inputs; and, controlling the HVAC system with the set points to maintain an actual temperature value of the thermal zone within the desired temperature range for the thermal zone.

Low temperature electronic vaporization devices and method are described herein for emulating smoking wherein the devices generate an aerosol for inhalation by a subject by heating a viscous material that can have a tactile response in the mouth or respiratory tract.

The present invention provides a method and system for optimizing building energy usage. The method comprising receiving a plurality of input values associated with a building or plurality of buildings. The method then constructs a thermal and an electrical load model based on the inputs and constructs an overall energy model, the overall energy model being based on the thermal and electrical load models. The method next generates a plurality of demand models and optimizes the demand models using complex multivariate optimization techniques, wherein optimizing is based on usage data and energy rules. Finally, the method displays recommendations based on the optimized model or generating real-time, complementary control instructions based on the optimized model, the determination based on client preferences.

A device and method is provided for automatically controlling the heating element(s) of an electric hot water heater to minimize electric energy consumption over a prolonged time period by projecting the future need for hot water based on it's use in prior time periods as well as by monitoring the use of hot water during current periods. The device saves energy by switching the heater "off" during times when the projected and current need for hot water is low or nonexistent thereby reducing the tank temperature and therefore energy losses to the ambient, while detecting the instantaneous requirement for hot water through utilization of a flow sensor arrangement, one of which is the utilization of thermistors on the exit pipe and on the tank or body of the heater. The device leaves all existing controls intact and may be adapted by end users to existing heaters or by manufacturers of original equipment (OEMs).

The current application is directed to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system in which computational tasks and subcomponents with associated intelligent-thermostat functionalities are distributed to one or more of concealed and visible portions of one or more intelligent thermostats and, in certain implementations, to one or more intermediate boxes. The intelligent thermostats are interconnected to intermediate boxes by wired and / or wireless interfaces and intelligent thermostats intercommunicate with one another by wireless communications. Wireless communications include communications through a local router and an ISP, 3G and 4G wireless communications through a mobile service provider. Components of the intelligent-thermostat-controlled thermostat-controlled environmental-conditioning system may also be connected by wireless communications to remote computing facilities.

A real-time monitoring system that monitors various aspects of the operation of a refrigerant-cycle system is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a processor that measures power provided to the refrigerant-cycle system and that gathers data from one or more sensors and uses the sensor data to calculate a figure of merit related to the efficiency of the system. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of the following sensors: a suction line temperature sensor, a suction line pressure sensor, a suction line flow sensor, a hot gas line temperature sensor, a hot gas line pressure sensor, a hot gas line flow sensor, a liquid line temperature sensor, a liquid line pressure sensor, a liquid line flow sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an evaporator air temperature input sensor, an evaporator air temperature output sensor, an evaporator air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor, and a differential pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of a condenser air temperature input sensor, a condenser air temperature output sensor, and a condenser air flow sensor, an evaporator air humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensors include one or more of an ambient air sensor and an ambient humidity sensor.

Described herein are methods and systems, including computer program products, for optimizing and controlling the energy consumption of a building. A first computing device generates a set of thermal response coefficients for the building based on energy characteristics of the building and weather data associated with the location of the building. The first computing device predicts an energy response of the building based on the set of thermal response coefficients and forecasted weather associated with the location of the building. The first computing device selects minimal energy requirements of the building based on an energy consumption cost associated with the building. The first computing device determines one or more temperature set points for the building based on the energy response and the minimal energy requirements. The first computing device transmits the one or more temperature set points to a thermostat of the building.

The current application is related to environmental-conditioning systems controlled by intelligent controllers and, in particular, to an intelligent-thermostat-controlled HVAC system that detects and ameliorates control coupling between intelligent thermostats. Control coupling can lead to inefficient HVAC operation. When control coupling is detected, a settings-adjustment directive is sent to at least one intelligent thermostat to adjust one or more intelligent-thermostat settings, including an HVAC-cycle-initiation delay parameter, swing parameter, and a parameter that indicates whether or not an intelligent thermostat should first obtain confirmation or permission before initiating an HVAC cycle.

HVAC schedules may be programmed for a thermostat using a combination of pre-existing schedules or templates and automated schedule learning. For example, a pre-existing schedule may be initiated on the thermostat and the automated schedule learning may be used to update the pre-existing schedule based on users' interactions with the thermostat. The preexisting HVAC schedules may be stored on a device or received from a social networking service or another online service that includes shared HVAC schedules.

An improved spa control system is disclosed. The invention describes a spa control system which calculates the time required to heat the water in the spa system to a desired temperature. From that information, the heating rate of the spa system can be determined, and the heating element of the spa system can be activated at the proper time to raise the temperature of the water to a selected temperature by a desired time. The spa system also monitors information which might show errors in the operation of the spa system such as a blockage in the flow of water over the heating element in the spa system.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a configurable thermostat including a thermostat core having a user interface. The user interface includes a plurality of user interface keys, a display, a temperature sensor, and a temperature control. The configurable thermostat also includes a universal thermostat expansion port. The universal thermostat expansion port is disposed on the thermostat core. The universal thermostat expansion port includes at least one electrical connector. The electrical connector electrically couples a daughter board to the thermostat core, wherein the daughter board is communicately coupled to the thermostat core by an ASCII communications protocol. According to another aspect of the invention, a method for configuring a thermostat uses a personal computer with a thermostat having a user removable memory. Yet another aspect of the invention is a method for rapidly producing a thermostat having new features without needing to redesign the entire thermostat.

An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing a sample block in microtiter tray format. The sample block has local balance and local symmetry. A three zone film heater controlled by a computer and ramp cooling solenoid valves also controlled by the computer for gating coolant flow through the block controls the block temperature. Constant bias cooling is used for small changes. Sample temperature is calculated instead of measured. A platen deforms plastic caps to apply a minimum acceptable threshold force for seating the tubes and thermally isolates them. A cover isolates the block. The control software includes diagnostics. An install program tests and characterizes the instrument. A new user interface is used. Disposable, multipiece plastic microtiter trays to give individual freedom to sample tubes are taught.

The present invention provides a thermostat with GFCI which includes control module, keyboard module, communication module and display module, and it further includes a leakage detection module, and the control module includes the temperature sensor, and the leakage detection module is connected with the control module, keyboard module and display module respectively. The control module is connected with the controlled device by the leakage detection module. The thermostat monitors current status of output circuit while adjusting the temperature of room, so that it can ensure the safety of the output circuit in use. If leakage occurs to the controlled device, the thermostat can cut off the power and stop power supplying at once, and the alarm light illuminates in the meantime. After manual reset, the alarm light goes out. It works with a wide input voltage range and makes the thermostat normally work at multistage voltage, and it can detect the leakage current accurately, and cut off power in time and report to the system.

Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for optimizing a schedule of setpoint temperatures used in the control of an HVAC system. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat includes a schedule of setpoint temperatures that is used to control an HVAC system associated with a structure in which the thermostat is located. The schedule of setpoint temperatures is continually adjusted by small, unnoticeable amounts so that the schedule migrates from the original schedule to an optimal schedule. The optimal schedule may be optimal in terms of energy consumption or some other terms.

Devices for generating and releasing vapor. In particular, described herein are portable devices for generating a low-temperature inhalable vapor having an elongated tubular body containing a vaporization chamber and a battery-powered heater, a removable mouthpiece covering the vaporization chamber, a display configured to indicate the temperature of the vaporization chamber; a microcontroller configured to regulate the temperature of the vaporization chamber, and a control to select from among a variety of temperature settings.

A programmable controller for homes and / or buildings and their related grounds, such as thermostat, that has a display and an external interface. The external interface may be use for uploading electronic images and / or other information from an external data source, and may use the uploaded electronic images and / or other information for programming and / or updating the controller and / or for viewing the electronic images and / or other information on the display of the controller.

Systems and methods for modeling the behavior of an enclosure for use by a control system of an HVAC system are described. A model for the enclosure that describes the behavior of the enclosure for use by the control system is updated based on a weather forecast data. The weather forecast data can include predictions more than 24 hours in the future, and can include predictions such as temperature, humidity and / or dew point, solar output, precipitation. The model for the enclosure can also be updated based on additional information and data such as historical weather data such as temperature, humidity, wind, solar output and precipitation, occupancy data, such as predicted and / or detected occupancy data, calendar data, and data from the one or more weather condition sensors that sense current parameters such as temperature, humidity, wind, precipitation, and / or solar output. The model for the enclosure can be updated based also on an enclosure model stored in a database, and / or on enclosure information from a user. The model can be updated based on active testing of the enclosure which can be performed automatically or in response to user input. The testing can include heating and / or cooling the enclosure at times when the enclosure is not likely to be occupied.

The invention concerns a window including a window pane with one or more glass panes, a window frame in which the window pane is provided, at least one temperature sensor arranged in or at the periphery of the window pane, and an electric circuit connected to the temperature sensor mounted on or in the window frame. The electric circuit is configured to be connected to an operation unit which is configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane. The invention furthermore concerns a method for controlling a window wherein the electric circuit controls the means configured to regulate the incident light through the window pane based on a set of parameters. The parameters are determined on the basis of the orientation and geographical position of the window whereby the supply of free energy is optimised and the amount of energy supplied from energy sources in the room is reduced. In an embodiment the window can be controlled by means of an application configured to run on a mobile communication unit.

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling fan speed. A power sensing module senses input voltage and current of a power supply. The power supply includes one or more stages and regulates at least one output bus. A power calculation module calculates input power from the input voltage and the input current. A temperature sensing module senses an ambient temperature and / or a temperature at a component cooled by a fan. A fan speed calculation module calculates a fan speed signal for the fan. The fan speed signal is a function of the input power calculated by the power calculation module and the sensed temperature sensed by the temperature sensing module for at least a portion of a fan speed range. A fan speed transmission module transmits the fan speed signal to the fan and adjusts a fan speed based on the fan speed signal.

A multimedia controller, based on a general purpose computer, which is capable of interfacing with, controlling or managing a wide variety of audio, video, telecommunications, data communications or other devices. A configuration tool, based on a graphical user interface, provides a simple, schematic way to configure even highly complex systems having numerous components or devices which are to be interconnected with or interfaced to the multimedia controller. A user interface programming tool enables a user to customize the appearance and functionality of a graphical user interface to the multimedia controller. A metadata manager automatically collects metadata that is available within the multimedia controller, automatically detects the presence of new media and collects metadata from it, and may also access web resources to locate additional pertinent metadata.

A thermostat includes a housing, a user interface, and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system using setpoint temperature values. The thermostat may also include a plurality of HVAC connectors configured to receive corresponding HVAC control wires, and a connection sensing module configured to determine the identities of HVAC connectors into which corresponding wires have been inserted. The processing system may be further configured to identify, based on the subset of HVAC connectors, whether (i) only a single possible HVAC system configuration is indicated thereby, or (ii) multiple possible HVAC system configurations are indicated thereby, resolve a particular one of the multiple possible HVAC system configurations that is applicable based on a user response to an inquiry presented on the user interface, and operate the HVAC system according to the HVAC system configuration.

A liquid-based cooling system provides a method of supplying a heated coolant fluid at a relatively constant temperature and pressure to one or more heat driven engines, such as adsorption chillers or heat pumps, by utilizing a proportional flow control device in association with each of a plurality of heat-producing electronic components to optimize the output of a plurality of liquid-cooled cold plates operatively mounted on such plurality of heat-producing electronic components. The proportional flow control devices may be electro-mechanical or solid state proportional control valves for water flow control. The proportion flow control devices are operatively connected to be actuated based upon the electrical signals typically generated to control the variable cooling fans of the electronic components.

Embodiments of the invention describe thermostats that are configured to precondition an enclosure and methods for performing the same. According to one embodiment, a method of preconditioning an enclosure includes providing a thermostat and computing a set of preconditioning criteria information (PCI) with said thermostat. The computed PCI is typically representative of time and ambient temperature conditions for which preconditioning should be performed. The PCI may be stored in memory and used to compare against a current time and current ambient temperature condition of the enclosure to determine whether to enter the thermostat into a preconditioning state. If a determination is made that the PCI criteria are satisfied, the thermostat may be entered into the preconditioning state to heat or cool the enclosure. One or more of these processes may be performed while a processor of the thermostat is in a relatively high power mode or relatively low power mode.

A commercial refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a valve, and an evaporator coil, all of which are in fluid communication. The refrigeration system further including a fixture adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, a system controller operable to control operation of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller being operable to monitor at least one parameter of a subsystem having at least one of the compressor, condenser, valve, and fixture, and being further operable to execute a command from the system controller to affect the operation of the subsystem.

A water heater includes combustion means (burner) that combusts fuel and generates exhaust; heat exchange means (primary heat exchanger and secondary heat exchanger) that exchanges heat of the exhaust for supplied water; bypassing means (bypass pipe) that makes the supplied water flow to an outlet of the heat exchange means; exchanged heat temperature detection means (exchanged heat temperature sensor) that detects temperature of the supplied water after heat exchange; flow rate adjustment means (bypass valve) that adjusts a volume of the supplied water flowing into the bypassing means and the heat exchange means; and a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment means so as to make a predetermined volume of the supplied water or over flow to the heat exchange means.

Air conditioning system including a temperature sensor for sensing a room temperature, an MET (metabolic) sensor for sensing an activity amount of people in a room, a dust sensor for sensing a dust amount, a gas sensor for sensing an intensity of smell, a VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) sensor for sensing a compound amount, a fan driving unit for controlling an air flow rate, a heater for raising a room temperature, an anion generating unit for generating anion, and a control unit for controlling the fan driving unit and the heater according to an operation condition preset with reference to a sensed room temperature and the activity amount of people in the room, and controlling the fan driving unit and the anion generating unit according to an operation condition preset with reference to a sensed dust amount, the intensity of smell, and the VOC amount, thereby enhancing comfortability, and performing effective cleaning function, and displaying room cleanliness in real time on a screen, to improve a product reliability.