Quotables
"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?"
David Sarnoff, American radio pioneer ; 1921
PatentStorm News
Make the Most of Our Site
See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.
Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.
Registered users: Manage your profile.
| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6028998 | Application framework for constructing building automation systems The building automation application framework defines an object-oriented class hierarchy in which a standard object superclass defines a plurality of different standard objects that may be assembled by a system designer into larger and more complex buildi... | 02/22/2000 |
| 5988319 | Transmission for a return-to-normal actuator An apparatus for effecting actuation of a device. The device has a home position and a set position and the apparatus returns the device to the home position upon loss of power to the apparatus. In its preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a drive ... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5970997 | Smart actuator control An apparatus for effecting actuation of a positioning member and a method for commissioning the apparatus wherein the apparatus includes a controller coupled to a drive motor and adapted to receive an input signal and to apply positioning signals to the d... | 10/26/1999 |
| 5887849 | Thermal release apparatus for coupling a damper actuator to a damper blade assembly A thermal release coupler is provided for use in a fire and smoke damper assembly. The fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame which are moveable between open and closed positions; a linkage joining the ... | 03/30/1999 |
| 5884072 | Networked facilities management system with updated data based on aging time A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processsing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for da... | 03/16/1999 |
| 5875109 | Adaptive flow controller for use with a flow control system An adaptive airflow control system for positioning damper systems or controlling air units utilized in an environment control system is provided. The system is based on a fixed-gain, proportional-only feedback design to provide stable operation given the ... | 02/23/1999 |
| 5867384 | Feedback controller A closed loop feedback control system that operates to maintain a process variable at or near a process variable setpoint. The system includes a setpoint regulator that adjusts the value of a process variable in response to a setpoint associated therewith... | 02/02/1999 |
| 5862982 | Optimal ventilation control strategy The present invention provides a method of modeling multi zone ventilation systems. The method integrates flow rate standards with the concept of age of air. The method serves as the basis for several different ventilation effectiveness calculation method... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5852333 | Electric actuator return-to-normal using capacitor energy storage with regulated output An electric actuator return-to-normal failsafe system that utilizes a bank of storage capacitors to store electrical energy for returning an electrical actuator to a safe position in the event of a power failure. The failsafe system includes a regulator c... | 12/22/1998 |
| 5841358 | Motor current status sensor A method and circuit design for establishing the operating status of a direct drive, multiple speed motor. More specifically, the invention furnishes a method for providing feedback to an air distribution system indicating first whether the system motor i... | 11/24/1998 |
| 5826336 | Process for the production of series-produced valves used in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems The invention relates to a process for the production of series-produced valves which are used in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems and which comprise a cast-iron valve body, at least one stainless steel valve seat disposed in a flow restr... | 10/27/1998 |
| 5820262 | Smart refrigerant sensor A Refrigerant Sensor is provided that provides within a common assembly pressure, temperature and superheat measurements and calculations with respect to a refrigerant material. The Refrigerant Sensor includes a pressure transducer for measuring the press... | 10/13/1998 |
| 5791408 | Air handling unit including control system that prevents outside air from entering the unit through an exhaust air damper A control system for controlling an air handling unit. The control system links the position of an exhaust air damper and a recirculation air damper so as the exhaust air damper is opened, the recirculation air damper is closed the same amount, and vice v... | 08/11/1998 |
| 5786525 | Method and apparatus for balancing an air distribution system A flow measurement device and a VAV device are adapted to be directly coupled. The flow measurement device is adapted to automatically make and record flow measurements and to communicate the measurements to a VAV controller. The VAV controller is adapted... | 07/28/1998 |
| 5769315 | Pressure dependent variable air volume control strategy A control strategy for rejecting supply air temperature disturbances in variable air volume air conditioning units using staged DX cooling. The strategy, and corresponding system, minimizes supply air temperature disturbances by controlling zone air dampe... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5769314 | Variable air volume HVAC system controller and method A variable air volume heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system controller with adaptive control architecture adjusts control parameters to provide for increased direct expansion coil air flow and reduced compressor cycling. The supply air t... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5768121 | Adaptive flow controller for use with a flow control system The present invention relates to an adaptive airflow control system for positioning damper systems or controlling air units utilized in an environment control system. The system is based on a conservative, fixed-gain, proportional-only feedback design to ... | 06/16/1998 |
| 5758684 | Return-to-normal modular actuator An apparatus for selectively effecting actuation of one of a rotatably driven device and a linearly driven device. The apparatus includes a frame, an output gear cluster coupled to the frame for rotation relative thereto and driving means for selectively ... | 06/02/1998 |
| 5754767 | Method for automatically determining the physical location of devices on a bus networked control system A method for determining the physical locations of devices located on a series connected network. A mapper routine located on the network severs a device from the network and then requests each device to respond with its respective node address to the map... | 05/19/1998 |
| 5715858 | Globe valve sticking prevention A control valve that minimizes sticking of the plug assembly by particles such as welding byproducts in the associated heating system. The valve port having a continuous decrease of diameter from the port opening toward the valve seat and an additional st... | 02/10/1998 |
| 5682329 | On-line monitoring of controllers in an environment control network The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze HVAC system or VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management... | 10/28/1997 |
| 5676343 | High pressure water regulating valve A high pressure water regulating valve is provided having a sealing means capable of withstanding greater interior pressure than previous designs. The valve comprises a base having a passage extending therethrough. The base includes a groove integrally fo... | 10/14/1997 |
| 5662542 | Actuating drive having a spring return feature An actuating drive with a spring return feature for valves in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems includes an electric drive (1), a reduction gearing (2) having a return spring tensionable by the actuating movement and serving for the spring... | 09/02/1997 |
| 5657664 | Transmission for an actuating drive having a spring return feature A transmission for an actuating drive having a spring return feature includes a drive pinion (2) associated with the actuating drive; an intermediate pinion (5) meshing with the drive pinion (2); an output shaft (3) having a clutch (4 for a final control ... | 08/19/1997 |
| 5598566 | Networked facilities management system having a node configured with distributed load management software to manipulate loads controlled by other nodes A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for dat... | 01/28/1997 |
| 5597354 | Indoor air quality control for constant volume heating, ventilating and air conditioning units A system for circulating ventilating air in a space includes a supply air chamber configured for communication with a supply duct, a return air chamber configured for communication with a return air duct, and an outside air chamber configured to receive o... | 01/28/1997 |
| 5596515 | Microprocessor control circuit with inverted reset and extendable runtime A microprocessor-based burner control apparatus for use in preventing incorrect ignition signals. An inverting circuit inverts and limits the magnitude of a periodic input supply voltage to create an activating signal. This activating signal is applied to... | 01/21/1997 |
| 5579568 | Method for mounting mechanical elements to a plate A method for installing and securing mechanical elements, such as standoffs and pins, in a plate includes the steps of forming suitable apertures for the elements as desired locations in the plate. First ends of each standoff and pin are inserted into the... | 12/03/1996 |
| 5577525 | Thermal release apparatus for coupling a damper actuator to a damper blade assembly A thermal release coupler employed in a fire and smoke damper assembly, in which the fire and smoke damper assembly includes an array of damper blades carried in a damper frame, movable between open and closed positions, with a linkage joining the damper ... | 11/26/1996 |
| 5572882 | Low pressure air cycle cooling device A low-pressure air cycle cooling device for cooling the air in a space. The invention includes a cooling chamber, generally drum-like in form, whose interior is defined by end caps and the chamber inner wall. A powered rotor assembly is carried in the cha... | 11/12/1996 |
| 5568377 | Fast automatic tuning of a feedback controller A feedback controller configured to automatically tune a control system by determining proportional gain, integral time and/or derivative time control parameters based on estimates of process time delay, process time constant and process gain values which... | 10/22/1996 |
| 5565666 | Trip free manual reset switch using an m-blade A switch for interrupting an electrical circuit in response to a mechanical interaction, such as an overpressure or underpressure condition. The switch includes an actuation arm electrically connected to a common terminal. The actuation arm is moveable be... | 10/15/1996 |
| 5558274 | Dual duct control system The present invention relates to a dual duct control system for use in an environmental control system. The dual duct control system is preferably utilized in a dual duct VAV box. The control system advantageously receives room temperature values, mixed a... | 09/24/1996 |
| 5555195 | Controller for use in an environment control network capable of storing diagnostic information The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The di... | 09/10/1996 |
| 5550980 | Networked facilities management system with optical coupling of local network devices A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for dat... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5549272 | Combination pressure pulsation damper and check valve depressor An apparatus for coupling a fluid-responsive device with a valve which includes an actuator. The valve responds to actuation of the actuator by opening a fluid path within the valve in response to the actuator being in a first position and by closing the ... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5550752 | Method and apparatus for estimating the rate at which a gas is generated within a plurality of zones An apparatus for estimating the rate at which gas is generated in a plurality of zones is disclosed. It includes at least one sensor to measure values of environmental variables of at least two of the zones. Signals representative of the values are genera... | 08/27/1996 |
| 5511188 | Networked facilities management system with time stamp comparison for data base updates A networked system having a wide variety of applications and particularly applicable to facilities management systems has multiple levels of software in processing nodes. The levels include a "features" processing level which communicates requests for dat... | 04/23/1996 |
| 5506768 | Pattern recognition adaptive controller and method used in HVAC control A pattern recognition adaptive controller configured to dynamically adjust proportional gain and integral time control parameters to minimize integrated absolute errors between a setpoint temperature and a monitored temperature in an HVAC system. The patt... | 04/09/1996 |
| 5467287 | Enthalpy calculator A method and apparatus for controlling an environmental parameter is disclosed. The apparatus includes a source of energy controlled air and a source of external air. A damper determines the amount of external air and energy controlled air provided to the... | 11/14/1995 |
