3668results about "Air-treatment apparatus arrangements" patented technology

An operation unit for a vehicle air conditioner includes a display device, a setting input portion of a control parameter of the air conditioner other than a set temperature, an obtaining portion configured to obtain a present set value of the control parameter, and an operating state identification portion configured to identify whether an air-conditioning operating state is in a plurality of predetermined operating states of the air conditioner. In the operation unit, a moving pattern of a pointer of the display device is changed according to the operating state of the air conditioner. For example, a pointer operation control portion can be configured to control an operation of a pointer driving motor such that the pointer moves on a dial of the display device at different moving speeds according to the air-conditioning operating state.

A thermostat may be placed in a heating mode when the sensed temperature is less than the lowest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a first amount and may be placed in a cooling mode when the sensed temperature is greater than the highest of the heating and cooling target temperatures by a second amount. The presence or absence of a user may be monitored. If the thermostat is in a user absent mode, a cool setback amount may be added to the cooling target temperature and a heat setback amount may be subtracted from the heating target temperature to arrive at setback cooling and setback heating target temperatures, respectively. The thermostat may comprise a touch-sensitive screen having various display areas.

An thermostat 10 includes an improved user interface, including automatic scheduling, remote control, system failure warning messages, and Energy Star compliance messages. Diagnostics can be provided without additional communication links to the thermostat. A sub-base accepts multiple thermostats and uses color coded terminals to ease installation. Glow-in-the-dark features reduce power needs. In one embodiment, thermostats are coupled to AC power sources and communicate using wireless communications to control an HVAC system. A dampered system can be effected through a thermostat that communicates directly with zoned dampers.

An HVAC system includes a portable controller unit which communicates with an indoor HVAC component and an outdoor HVAC component over a digital communication bus. A multiple of docking stations each in communication with the data bus are located at a multiple of locations throughout the system such that the portable controller unit may be selectively connected to any of the ports and moved therebetween. By moving the portable controller unit, the technician is then physically present at the HVAC component while exercising the system to obtain additional information and measurements directly from the HVAC component.

The graphic user interface of an HVAC thermostat displays the programming and status information for remote devices in communication with the thermostat, such as various home sensors and appliances. In an embodiment, the thermostat includes a touch screen display to present the user with a plurality of user interface screens. The monthly calendar interface screen includes a calendar graphic area comprising a matrix display of dates for a full month. The user selects a programming interval for which to enter the thermostat programming events from the calendar graphic area. The user interface includes a clock face interface screen for entry of thermostat programming events. The clock face screen includes a pair of clock face graphic areas for each daily thermostat programming event. The user interface also includes a screen for displaying the programming and status information for remote devices selected from a list of devices in communication with the thermostat.

A hybrid manual / programmable thermostat for a furnace or air conditioner offers the simplicity of a manual thermostat while providing the convenience and versatility of a programmable one. Initially, the hybrid thermostat appears to function as an ordinary manual thermostat; however, it privately observes and learns a user's manual temperature setting habits and eventually programs itself accordingly. If users begin changing their preferred temperature settings due to seasonal changes or other reasons, the thermostat continues learning and will adapt to those changes as well. For ease of use, the thermostat does not require an onscreen menu as a user interface. In some embodiments, the thermostat can effectively program itself for temperature settings that are set to occur at particular times daily or just on weekends, yet the user is not required to enter the time of day or the day of the week.

A controller includes a programmable schedule and a user interface, adapted and configured to illustratively display at least a portion of the programmable schedule along a time axis and a current time indicator positioned to indicate the current time along the time axis. A method is also described including the steps of: operating a programmable controller having a scheduled current set point and a scheduled future set point; and providing a message indicating a time of the scheduled future set point change.

A visual display system for use with a menu driven digital thermostat is provided. The visual display system provides a relative indication of the total number of menu items in the displayed menu on the thermostat's user interface display. A relatively sized and positioned scroll bar is utilized in one embodiment to provide such relative visual cue to a user of the position of the currently selected menu item and the total number of menu items available in the list. Directional icons may also be utilized to provide as visual cue regarding which way within the list the user is able to maneuver during operation. Both vertical and horizontal scroll bars and / or directional icons may be provided.

A visual display system and method for a digital thermostat having a user display screen to provide operational status information of the heating and / or cooling equipment controlled by the thermostat is provided. This visual display system utilizes animated icons to show operational status of the heating and / or cooling equipment. Static icons may also be used in one embodiment to indicate the current mode of the thermostat. Animated icons for the heating system, the cooling system, and fan operation are provided. The illusion of animation is provided by overwriting or replacing a displayed image with another image at a predetermined frequency. This predetermined frequency may be changed programmatically, and varied to provide different visual effects.

A HVAC and battery thermal management system for a vehicle having a HVAC portion and a battery portion, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The HVAC portion may include a main chamber, an evaporator located in the main chamber, a heater extending across a portion of the main chamber downstream of the evaporator, a battery duct extending from the main chamber adjacent to the heater and in fluid communication with the main chamber both upstream and downstream of the heater. The battery portion may include a battery pack in fluid communication with the battery duct, a battery cooling valve located in the battery duct and configured to selectively allow fluid flow from the main chamber between the evaporator and the heater, and a battery heating valve located in the battery duct and configured to selectively allow fluid flow from the main chamber downstream of the heater.

An air conditioning apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a seat blower unit disposed in a lower side of the seat, and a seat duct for leading air from an air conditioning unit to the seat through the seat blower unit. In the air conditioning apparatus, it can be determined that heat load of a passenger compartment is decreased to a predetermined value based on an operation state of a unit blower of the air conditioning unit, and the seat blower is stopped when the heat load is decreased to the predetermined value. Further, the seat blower is turned on or off according to the heat load of the passenger compartment, so that temperature of the seat can be controlled within a predetermined range. On the other hand, even when the unit blower is stopped when a water temperature of a heating unit of the air conditioning unit is lower than a set temperature, the seat blower unit and an electrical heater disposed in the seat duct are operated so that air passing through the heating unit is heated by the electrical unit and is blown into the seat by the seat blower unit.

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.

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for controlling a speech recognition system on board an automobile. The automobile has one or more voice activated accessories and a passenger cabin with a number of seating locations. The speech recognition system has a plurality of microphones and push-to-talk controls corresponding to the seating locations for inputting speech commands and location identifying signals, respectively. The speech recognition system also includes multiple speech engines recognizing speech commands for operating the voice activated accessories. A selector is coupled to the speech engines and push-to-talk controls for selecting the speech engine best suited for the current speaking location. A speech processor coupled to the speech engine selector is used to recognize the speech commands and transmit the commands to the voice activated accessory.

An aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage and a central monitoring system positioned within the fuselage. A plurality of seating elements is also positioned within said fuselage. Each of the plurality of seating elements includes a plurality of seat options integrated into the seating element and an electronics control system integrated into the seating element. The electronics control system includes a seat processor having logic adapted to monitor an operational status of each of the seat options and communicate the operational status to the central monitoring system via wireless communication.

A lighting fixture and lighting system for a transportation vehicle is disclosed that provides color variations for lighting the passenger cabin of an airplane, train, bus or other type of transportation vehicle. The lighting fixture and system further provide ultraviolet light that helps to disinfect the circulating air in the passenger cabin. A fixture in an exemplary lighting system provides visible light for lighting up the passenger cabin and germicidal ultraviolet light directed toward or into an output vent(s) of the air circulation system of the passenger vehicle. The ultraviolet light is segregated from the visible light such that ultraviolet light is only directed toward or into the circulation vents of the vehicle's air circulation system.

An exemplary refrigeration system for cooling food or beverages may use a liquid cooling system of a vehicle. The refrigeration system may include a compartment in which the food or beverages may be placed and removed, a chilled liquid coolant system having a connection through which liquid coolant is received from the liquid cooling system of the vehicle, and a heat exchanger operationally coupled with the chilled liquid coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment into the liquid coolant. The refrigeration system may also include a second chilled coolant system through which a second coolant flows and a second heat exchanger operationally coupled with the second chilled coolant system and the compartment to transfer heat from the compartment. The chilled liquid coolant system and the second chilled coolant system may operate together as a cascade cooling system.

In the improved cooling system for a commercial aircraft galley, heat is transferred from a galley food cart by a point-of-use heat exchange system to a liquid cooled condenser. Liquid coolant for the liquid cooled condenser is circulated in a liquid coolant loop to a heat exchanger expelling heat for cooling the liquid coolant. The liquid coolant may be water or a mixture of water and glycol. A flow of cooling air from a heat exchanger cooled by the liquid cooled condenser is cycled through an air over system, through an air through system, or from a thermal convection air cooling system providing at least one cooled galley food cart surface to provide cooling. Heat may be transferred from a plurality of galley food carts to the circulating liquid coolant.

In an anti-hijacking system for autopilot equipped aircraft, a transceiver communicates with at least one remote guidance facility. A panic button is activated by flight crew in case of hijacking. A manager is coupled to the transceiver and the panic button, as well as existing avionics including the aircraft's master computer and autopilot. Optionally, a relay is coupled between the pilot controls and selected aircraft flight systems. The manager recognizes predetermined override inputs, such as activation of the panic button or receipt of override signals from the remote guidance facility. Responsive to the override input, the manager deactivates on-board control of selected aircraft flight systems and the autopilot system, and directs the autopilot to fly the aircraft to a safe landing. Flight routing and landing instructions are obtained from the remote guidance facility, or by self-evaluating nearby airports in view of the aircraft's position and various preestablished criteria.

An air conditioning (HVAC) system for a residential dwelling or other building with enclosed spaces includes multiple thermostats hard wire interconnected or communicating via radio frequency transceivers. The thermostats each include control circuits for adjusting the setpoint temperature at any one thermostat and displaying the set temperature at all thermostats, setting the time at any one thermostat and displaying the time at all thermostats, controlling the thermostat temperature setting from a selected one of the thermostats and providing a setpoint for control of the air conditioning system based on an average temperature sensed by all of the thermostats. A method for correctly setting a thermostat time display to one of Daylight Saving Time or Standard Time and displaying an icon identifying one or the other is disclosed.

The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art mobile oil field heat exchange systems by providing an oil-fired heat exchange system. The present invention is a self-contained unit which is easily transported to remote locations. The present invention includes a single-pass tubular coil heat exchanger contained within a closed-bottom firebox having a forced-air combustion and cooling system. The rig also includes integral fuel tanks, hydraulic and pneumatic systems for operating the rig at remote operations in ail weather environments. In a preferred embodiment, the oil-fired heat exchanger system is used to heat water on-the-fly (i.e., directly from the supply source to the well head) to complete hydraulic fracturing operations. The present invention also includes systems for regulating and adjusting the fuel / air mixture within the firebox to maximize the combustion efficiency. The system includes a novel hood opening mechanism attached to the exhaust stack of the firebox.

A system for self-configuring complex HVAC systems has each of several units provided with a microprocessor control. The several units are each available in various optional styles, sizes, etc. The microprocessors provide information to a central control of the particular characteristic of the particular unit. Thus, when the HVAC system is initially assembled, the microprocessors associated with the individual units report these characteristics to the control. The control then determines the characteristics of each of the individual units, and accesses control strategies for the combination of individual units that are being utilized in the particular HVAC system.

Apparatus for maintaining the temperature of a component of a gas turbine engine below a predetermined maximum working temperature comprises a reservoir for a cooling fluid having a boiling point below the working temperature and in which the component is immersed or with which it is in contact. At least two heat exchangers are associated with the reservoir and operable to effect condensation of vaporized cooling fluid and return of same to the reservoir. Preferably the apparatus is a closed system incorporating three heat exchangers respectively adapted to effect heat exchange with engine fuel, compressed air derived from a fan or low pressure compressor of the engine and ambient air. Means may advantageously be provided to ensure return of condensed cooling fluid to the reservoir when the attitude of the reservoir is altered as a result of aircraft maneuvers.

A passenger cabin of a passenger transport vehicle such as an aircraft includes single passenger seats arranged between an aisle and an outside cabin wall. Each seat is tiltably adjustable between an upright seating configuration and a reclined lying configuration, and is rotatable between a forward-facing orientation facing 0 to 18° relative to the cabin longitudinal axis, and an inwardly-turned orientation facing 50 to 600 relative to the longitudinal axis. The forward-facing orientation is for upright seating during take-off and landing. The inwardly-turned orientation provides additional leg room and sufficient space for the reclined lying configuration. The pitch spacing between seats can be minimized, and total seating capacity is high, while providing substantial space and comfort for each passenger. Screening partitions adjacent to the cabin wall and the aisle provide privacy screening and define a personal space allocated to each seat.

A passenger seating arrangement includes a first seat unit, facing in a first direction; a first ottoman having a first support surface positioned to receive the feet of a passenger seated in the first seat unit; a second seat unit facing in a second direction generally opposite to the first direction; and a second ottoman disposed laterally adjacent to the first ottoman and having a second support surface positioned to receive the feet of a passenger seated in the second seat unit.

Interior architectural structures and lighting for aircraft, particularly commercial passenger airplanes. Light diffusers and ceiling panels in a “wing-shape” and other secondary panels are utilized to create different interior designs and structures. A permeable secondary panel is utilized in one passenger cabin in order to provide a more private-type space. An enlarged ceiling arch with blended curves forming a “wing-type” configuration provides a more spacious cabin arrangement. Other features include air and light diffusers, passenger service modules, a “shelf”-like configuration and lighting above the airplane entrance / exit door, and bulkheads and monuments positioned at various positions in the cabin.

A vehicle seating arrangement can comprise a fore-facing lower seating assembly, an aft-facing lower assembly, and an upper seating assembly positioned between the fore-facing and aft-facing lower assemblies. The lower and upper assemblies can be configured to form a 3-seat unit in which a portion of a seat of said fore-facing and aft-facing lower seat assemblies underlaps a portion of an upper seating assembly. At least one of the fore-facing and aft-facing lower assemblies can be angled with respect to the upper seating assembly to shorten the overall linear dimension of the 3-seat unit and provide egress areas for lower passengers to aisle access. A vertical member can be configured to attach to the upper seating assembly and to a ceiling structure to reduce the load on the floor.

The present invention provides an aircraft passenger seat assembly that includes: (a) first and second seats selectively movable between upright and reclined positions and adapted for being positioned beside and at inwardly-facing angles relative to each other; (b) a center console having a relatively wide aft end and a relatively narrow forward end for being positioned between the first and second seats; and (c) the relatively wide aft end of the center console including first and second foot wells therein adapted to permit the feet of a passenger seated in an aft-positioned first or second seat to extend therein when the aft-positioned first or second seat is in the recline position.