The invention involves the automated testing of HVAC units using an energy management system. The automated HVAC test is performed to understand if one or more HVAC units are operational across one or more locations. If an HVAC unit is not operational, HVAC testing could be performed to understand which component or stage of the HVAC unit is not working as designed. The automated HVAC test is also used to calculate the efficiency of the HVAC unit(s) being tested. The various HVAC tests are performed on all HVAC units as a form of preventative maintenance and diagnostics. These tests can be scheduled on-demand, for a future date and time, or on a recurring schedule (monthly or quarterly). A report is generated for each HVAC test and can be viewed and exported from a cloud-based energy management platform.

An electronic device may include: a first temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of body skin; a second temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature at a position spaced apart from the body skin; and a processor configured to estimate skin heat loss based on the first temperature and the second temperature, and to determine a target ambient temperature for controlling an ambient temperature based on the first temperature and the skin heat loss.

A system for monitoring a junction temperature of a semiconductor device includes a sensing resistor electrically coupled to a source terminal of the semiconductor device in a gate loop of the semiconductor device. The system includes a detection circuit electrically coupled to the gate loop of the semiconductor device and configured to measure a voltage difference across the sensing resistor. The system also includes an electronic control unit electrically coupled to the gate loop and the detection circuit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine a first gate current peak during a switching process of the semiconductor device, wherein the first gate current peak is determined based on the voltage detected by the detection circuit. The electronic control unit is configured to determine the junction temperature based on the first gate current peak.

A monitoring system that is configured to monitor a property is disclosed. In one aspect, the monitoring system includes a sensor that is located in a room of the property and that is configured to generate sensor data. The monitoring system further includes a monitor control unit that is configured to receive the sensor data; based on the sensor data, determine environmental conditions of the room; determine whether the environmental conditions of the room are conducive to a baby sleeping; and, based on determining whether the environmental conditions of the room are conducive to a baby sleeping, perform a monitoring system action.

A method for measuring temperature is used to obtain a room temperature of a room. The method for measuring temperature includes: obtaining a first temperature inside an operating area in a portable electronic device in the room; obtaining a second temperature outside the operating area in the portable electronic device by a first temperature sensor; calculating a temperature difference between the first temperature and the second temperature; obtaining a compensation temperature according to the temperature difference and a compensation temperature table; and calculating the room temperature according to the second temperature and the compensation temperature.

According to some embodiments, a thermostat obtains real-time energy prices from a electricity grid. It may also obtain additional data from external data sources, such as predicted energy prices or weather predictions. The thermostat attempts to find a control strategy for when to switch available aggregates that may include furnaces and air conditioners on and off. In order to solve this integer programming problem, the thermostat uses a random search algorithm. According to some embodiments, various data sources, such as day-ahead prices and real-time prices, are combined into forecasts of electricity prices for the present and future time periods. In some embodiments, a thermostat selects predictively between heating or cooling by letting outside air in or by using heating and cooling aggregates. Additional embodiments are discussed and shown.

A sensor device including a housing and a number of sensors. The housing includes a back plate including a mounting surface, a middle plate attached to the back plate, and a face plate attached to the middle plate, wherein the face plate is formed from a clear material and has a back surface and a front surface with the back surface positioned toward the middle plate and wherein a design is applied to the back surface of the face plate and is visible through the front surface of the face plate. The housing defines an interior housing volume and the number of sensors is positioned within the interior housing volume.

The embodiments described herein include sensor mounting clamps configured to lock a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, in place relative to a structure, such as a pipe or tube, of a heating, ventilating, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit. More specifically, the sensor mounting clamps described herein include sensor mounting portions configured to receive a sensor, and to hold the sensor in place relative to a structure of an HVAC unit. In addition, the sensor mounting clamps described herein include locking mechanisms having interlocking pockets configured to lock the sensor mounting clamps in place around a structure of an HVAC unit. For example, the sensor mounting clamps described herein may include interlocking pockets having interior passages configured to receive a retention piece, such as a cotter pin, cylindrical pin, or screw, to lock the interlocking pockets in place relative to each other, or may include interlocking pockets configured to directly engage with each other. In addition, the sensor mounting clamps described herein may include a flange configured to constrain longitudinal motion of a sensor.

A monitoring system is disclosed for a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) system of a residential or commercial building. The monitoring system includes an evaporator unit device including a first current sensor that measures current supplied to a circulator blower. The measured current from the first current sensor is used to diagnose a problem with the circulator blower. The monitoring system includes a first temperature sensor that measures refrigerant temperature between a condenser and an expansion valve. The monitoring system includes a second temperature sensor that measures refrigerant temperature between an evaporator and a compressor. The monitoring system includes a condenser unit device that communicates with the evaporator unit device. The condenser unit device includes a second current sensor that measures current supplied to the compressor. The evaporator unit device transmits sensor data to a remote monitoring service over a data network.

A method for air conditioning a vehicle seat that is occupied by a person and that comprises at least one seat ventilation system, wherein at least one humidity sensor is arranged in a seat part and/or a backrest part of the vehicle seat as an actual humidity value transmitter for the absolute air humidity within the cushion part of the at least one seat part and/or backrest part so that a target state of comfort for a person seated on the vehicle seat can be accomplished via a control and regulating device through engagement of the seat ventilation system, wherein the target state of comfort can be controlled to a specifiable target humidity limit value through variation of the air flow of the seat ventilation system as a function of at least one control algorithm that evaluates the detected actual measured humidity value.