8629results about "Refrigeration components" patented technology

Electrical appliance energy consumption control methods and electrical energy consumption systems are described. In one aspect, an electrical appliance energy consumption control method includes providing an electrical appliance coupled with a power distribution system, receiving electrical energy within the appliance from the power distribution system, consuming the received electrical energy using a plurality of loads of the appliance, monitoring electrical energy of the power distribution system, and adjusting an amount of consumption of the received electrical energy via one of the loads of the appliance from an initial level of consumption to an other level of consumption different than the initial level of consumption responsive to the monitoring.

Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.

Single-channel thin film devices and methods for using the same are provided. The subject devices comprise cis and trans chambers connected by an electrical communication means. At the cis end of the electrical communication means is a horizontal conical aperture sealed with a thin film that includes a single nanopore or channel. The devices further include a means for applying an electric field between the cis and trans chambers. The subject devices find use in applications in which the ionic current through a nanopore or channel is monitored where such applications include the characterization of naturally occurring ion channels, the characterization of polymeric compounds, and the like.

Disclosed is a system and method for providing power generation and distribution with on-site energy storage and power input controlled by a utility or a third party manager. The system allows a utility manager to decide and direct how energy is delivered to a customer on both sides of the power meter, while the customer directs and controls when and how much energy is needed. In the disclosed embodiments, the utility controls the supply (either transmitted or stored) and makes power decisions on a system that acts as a virtual power plant, while the end-user retains control of the on-site aggregated power consumption assets. The disclosed systems act to broker the needs of the utility and end-user by creating, managing and controlling the interface between these two entities.

The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises a fluoroolefin and at least one other component. The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and fire suppression and fire extinguishing agents.

A cup or plate for heating food or beverages is disclosed. The cup / plate contains a heating component, which may keep consumable goods, such as food and beverages at a desired temperature. An insulated external layer may be placed between the heating component and the external portion of the cup / plate. A wireless power receiver may be coupled to the heater component to receive an electrical power source and transfer it to the heater component. A transmitter element may form pockets of energy at the location of the different receivers to be used as power sources.

The present invention is directed to a mathematical approach to detect faults by reconciling known data driven techniques with a physical understanding of the HVAC system and providing a direct linkage between model parameters and physical system quantities to arrive at classification rules that are easy to interpret, calibrate and implement. The fault modes of interest are low system refrigerant charge and air filter plugging. System data from standard sensors is analyzed under no-fault and full-fault conditions. The data is screened to uncover patterns though which the faults of interest manifest in sensor data and the patterns are analyzed and combined with available physical system information to develop an underlying principle that links failures to measured sensor responses. These principles are then translated into online algorithms for failure detection.

Systems and methods are described for interactively and graphically interfacing with a user on an HVAC system controlled by a thermostat. The user interface is implemented on a touch screen display on a remote wirelessly connected device such as smartphone or a tablet PC. The interface displays a screen that mimics the display on the thermostat including allowing one or more input methods that are analogous to input methods used on the thermostat. Touch screen gestures such as touch and drag, touch and hold and tapping are used in an intuitive way. The user experience is enhanced by allowing large-scale changes while reducing the risk of sudden unintended changes. The control signals are judiciously tailored to protect the HVAC equipment from unwarranted over-controlling, reduce unnecessary network traffic, and prevent the waste of energy.

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 dialysis device for operation in multiple modes and for maintaining a known gradient of potassium ion or other electrolyte between the blood of a patient and a dialysate fluid is described. The dialysis device is capable of being used for hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, and the dialysis device is capable of operation with a dialysate purification unit outside of a clinical setting or with a supply of water that can be supplied in a clinical setting. The dialysis device has a composition sensor containing a potassium-sensitive electrode for measuring a potassium ion concentration in one or more of the patient's blood and the dialysate fluid and an infusate pump operated to adjust a potassium ion concentration in the dialysate fluid based at least in part on data from the composition sensor.

In a data center, a plurality of racks are cooled by activating a cooling device and opening a controllable partition configured to vary a supply of cooling fluid within a zone of the data center. The zone includes at least one associated rack of the plurality of racks. In addition, the temperature of at least one associated rack is sensed and it is determined whether the sensed temperature is within a predetermined temperature range. Furthermore, the controllable partition is manipulated to vary the supply of the cooling fluid to the zone in response to the sensed temperature being outside the predetermined temperature range.

An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided that allows operation during both engine on and engine off conditions. The system utilizes a variable speed, motor driven compressor controlled by an intelligent power generation management controller. This controller selects from one of the available sources of power on the vehicle to drive the compressor, and modulates the compressor speed and capacity based on operational parameters and source availability and depletion. The controller may also operate a coolant or air heater to provide heating to the interior compartments.

A method and system to monitor and determine energy consumption and energy efficiency of devices that use electrical and / or gas power is described. In one embodiment, a power monitoring system is configured to monitor electrical and / or gas power consumption of devices such as refrigerators, air-conditioners, washers, dryers, hot tubs, etc. Power consumption of the device is processed by the power monitoring system to determine the amount of power the device is consuming and the device's energy efficiency. In one embodiment, the power monitoring system transmits data associated with the device's power consumption, such as power efficiency, power cost, power usage, etc., to the device user and / or to a power supplier such as a utility company supplying the gas and / or electricity to the device. In one configuration, when the power efficiency of the device exceeds a predefined threshold, the user and / or power supplier is notified. The power monitoring system may be configured to be integral with and / or attached to the device being measured. The power monitoring system may provide an output on a display apparatus associated with the power monitoring system attached to the device being monitored and / or the output may be part of a graphics display on a computer monitor, for example.

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.

A method and apparatus for controlling power consumption of a facility, building or simply a collection of one or more devices, by load shedding when power consumption is above, or is predicted to be above, a preselected setpoint, but only if electrical power on the spot market cannot be purchased at or below a preselected price. The apparatus and method of the invention optimizes power usage by taking advantage of the buying of electricity as a commodity on the spot market. As a further aspect of the invention, in the situation of a supermarket for example, which refrigerates food products, artificial product core temperature sensors or direct insertion product sensors can be used to continuously monitor the refrigerated temperature of perishable products. A controller would constantly monitor these temperatures to allow a precise load shedding routine to be implemented.

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.

Air conditioning chiller operating efficiency is evaluated in response to chiller operating parameters input to a computing device which calculates separately the efficiencies of the condenser and evaporator components of the chiller. Additional efficiency calculations are performed to identify specific causes of inefficiency in the condenser and evaporator. The computing device also adjusts the efficiency calculations as appropriate to account for actual compressor current load conditions. The device determines whether chiller efficiency is being compromised by poor performance of one or more chiller components, calculates inefficiency values, estimates the cost of the inefficiency, identifies specific causes of the inefficiency, and suggests appropriate remedial actions to restore maximum efficiency of the chiller.

A refrigerated truck has a power management system for optimally distributing power between one or more energy sources, energy sinks, or energy storage components on the refrigerated truck. One such power consuming component includes a refrigeration unit that cools a refrigerated compartment of the refrigerated truck. Particularly with regard to this refrigeration unit, the power management system is operative to direct power from multiple power sources to the refrigeration unit so as to efficiently use available power. To do so, the power management system dynamically determines the availability of certain power sources and selects a preferred power source based on availability and a defined order of power source preference. For example, one defined order of power source preference may include, in order of preference upon availability, a shore power source, a truck engine generator drivingly connected to the refrigerated truck's engine, one or more auxiliary power sources, and a stand alone refrigerator unit engine.

A self-contained environmental control and power system (ECAPS) unit including an HVAC system with at least one variable-speed compressor driven by a DC motor, wherein the HVAC system is adapted to condition air and output the conditioned air and a variable-speed diesel engine connected to a generator. The generator is configured to vary in speed so as to output AC power at a variable frequency. The unit includes a rectification assembly which transforms the AC power from the generator and / or external AC power to DC power, and an inverter assembly which transforms the DC power to an export AC power. The ECAPS unit directs the DC power to the DC motor to drive the variable speed compressor and varies, in a controlled manner, at least one parameter of the outputted conditioned air from the HVAC system.

Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.

In a method of operating an air conditioning unit to reduce moisture varying operations, psychrometric chart data is accessed. In addition, a constraint is set on the relationship between the temperature of air supplied by the air conditioning unit and the relative humidity of the air supplied based upon information contained in the psychrometric chart data. The air conditioning unit is controlled based upon the constraint to thereby reduce moisture varying operations of the air conditioning unit.

An actively heated mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container is provided. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating or cooling system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating or cooling system can include one or more heating or cooling elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating or cooling system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and / or operate the heating or cooling element to actively heat or cool at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated or cooled state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug, travel mug, baby bottle, water bottle or liquid container can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.

A heat exchanger 17 for an electronic heat pump 11 includes a thermally conductive base plate 18 having first and second surfaces, the first surface being flat and adapted to make intimate surface contact with a surface of the electronic heat pump and the second surface being obverse to the first surface and supporting an array of thermally conductive fins 21. The adjacent fins 21 define there between a plurality of micro channels.

A mounting arrangement for a refrigerator fan, comprising an electric motor (11) to whose shaft is affixed a propeller (12) with an axial flow passing through a refrigerated air outlet (4b) provided through an internal divisional wall (6) of the refrigerator; a support frame (20) having a marginal portion (21) and incorporating a central hub (22) in which is affixed the electric motor (11); a flexible support (30) in the form of an annular flange presenting an outer portion (31), which is peripherally and removably affixed to the contour of the refrigerated air outlet (4b), an inner portion (32) provided with a central opening (35) and with retaining means (36), which are removably locked to the marginal portion (21) of the support frame (20); and an annular membrane portion (33) interconnecting the outer portion (31) and the inner portion (32), in order to allow for small relative axial and radial displacements therebetween.

A remotely or locally actuable refrigerator door lock has a body portion that is attached to the cabinet and a door portion that is attached to an edge of the door. A latch in the body portion engages a strike plate in the door portion and can be lifted out of engagement to open the refrigerator. The door lock assembly may be connected to a touch-screen device or via a USB or ethernet connection to a remote host computer. The host computer keeps an audit trail of the times and personnel accessing each refrigerator, and a temperature audit trail. The system may be used in hospital for controlling access to pharmaceuticals or may be used in a weight loss program. Temperature and humidity sensors are positioned within the refrigerator cabinet. The door lock may have battery power for portable or mobile applications.

A remotely or locally actuable refrigerator door lock has a body portion that is attached to the cabinet and a door portion that is attached to an edge of the door. A latch in the body portion engages a strike plate in the door portion and can be lifted out of engagement to open the refrigerator. The door lock assembly may be connected to a touch-screen device or via a USB or ethernet connection to a remote host computer. The host computer keeps an audit trail of the times and personnel accessing each refrigerator, and a temperature audit trail. The system may be used in hospital for controlling access to pharmaceuticals or may be used in a weight loss program. Temperature and humidity sensors are positioned within the refrigerator cabinet. The door lock may have battery power for portable or mobile applications.

PCT No. PCT / US95 / 04262 Sec. 371 Date Sep. 21, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Sep. 21, 1995 PCT Filed Apr. 6, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 07088 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 7, 1996A method of introducing a leak detection dye into a closed refrigeration system through circulation of the refrigerant. A predetermined amount of the leak detection dye, which is soluble in the refrigerant and the system lubricant, is installed in a component of the refrigeration system, such as in a desiccant bag placed in a dehydrator. The leak detection dye may come in various forms including as a leak detection additive having the leak detection dye implanted on and absorbed into a host swatch of a substrate material, as a powder, as a solid pellet of powdered dye concentrate and inert ingredients, or as a slurry. The refrigeration system is assembled, charged and operated, by which the refrigerant and system lubricant flowing through the component, such as a desiccant bag in the dehydrator, and mixes the dye with the refrigerant and system lubricant.

An HVAC system includes a central controller which communicates with a multiple of HVAC components over a digital communication bus. The central controller maintains an ordered fault list that includes the source of a fault, a description of the fault, the last occurrence of the fault, and the number of sequential occurrences, or repetitions across the entire HVAC system.

The invention provides an electrophoresis cassette, methods for making the electrophoresis cassette, and method of fractionating analytes from a sample based upon electrophoretic mobility in a single application of the sample to an electrophoretic system.