An environment detection system includes a sound wave transmitter, a sound wave receiver, and a control unit. The sound wave transmitter transmits a detection sound wave to a target space. The sound wave receiver receives the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter. The control unit controls the sound wave transmitter. The environment detection system detects at least either a temperature distribution or an air velocity distribution in the target space. The control unit executes a first control to regulate at least either a volume or a frequency of the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter so that a volume of the detection sound wave received by the sound wave receiver is higher than or equal to a predetermined reference reception volume.

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.

A control valve (2) for regulating a fluid flow in an HVAC comprises a valve body (21) and a temperature sensor (25) configured to measure the temperature of a fluid (24) flowing within the control valve (2). The temperature sensor (25) is arranged such that the temperature sensor (25) is essentially thermally decoupled from the valve body (21).

A closed-loop temperature controller employing at least two sensors: a control temperature sensor and a safety sensor at the heat-transfer element. The heat-generating element is separated from the controlled mass/volume by a transport delay so that the mass or volume that is being heated or cooled is located in a vessel which is located remotely from the heat-transfer unit. Thermally conducting fluid flows through a conduit that connects the heat-transfer unit to the vessel. Upon fluid flow interruption or control sensor removal, the temperature controller quickly detects thermal runaway before the safety sensor has reached the critical temperature. In heated systems, the temperature controller will therefore minimize direct damage and/or overshoot damage caused by excessive heat. It will also maintain the heater's output at an elevated, but non-damaging level to enable a fast recovery to the original setpoint temperature after the nonlinearity subsides.

An environment detection system includes a sound wave transmitter, a sound wave receiver, and a determination unit. The sound wave transmitter transmits a detection sound wave to a target space where an environment control device that conditions air in a space is installed. The sound wave receiver receives the detection sound wave transmitted by the sound wave transmitter. The determination unit determines a temperature or an air velocity in a first region near the environment control device, based on predetermined acquired information acquired from the environment control device. The environment detection system obtains a temperature or air velocity distribution in the target space, based on measured sound wave data. A temperature or air velocity distribution in a second region is obtained based on at least either the temperature or the air velocity in the first region determined by the determination unit and the measured sound wave data.

Sensor-mounting devices are disclosed. A sensor mounting device has a tubular body having a front end, a rear end, and a through hole that extends between the front and rear ends. The tubular body front end includes a flange with a perimeter that is larger than a perimeter of the tubular body. The flange may be positioned at a front face of a mounting structure. A sensor-attachment structure is located on at least one of the tubular body and the front flange. Further locking structure extends from the tubular body to couple the tubular body to the mounting structure. The locking structure is at least one item from the group consisting of: a rear flange, a barb, and threading.

A thermostat is disclosed. The thermostat can include one or more temperature sensors configured to measure a plurality of temperature values within a building. The thermostat can include a processing circuit coupled to the one or more temperature sensors. The processing circuit can receive the plurality of measured temperature values from the one or more temperature sensors. The processing circuit can determine, based on a time invariant Non-Linear Least Squares (NLSQ) technique and the plurality of measured temperature values, a compensated temperature value within the building, wherein the compensated temperature value accounts for an unknown temperature state of the thermostat when the thermostat is turned on.

Disclosed is an air conditioning system having: a first HVAC assembly comprising an indoor heat exchanger and a fan; a first sensor, configured to sense a first temperature reading, operably coupled to the indoor heat exchanger; a second sensor, configured to sense a second temperature reading, positioned downstream of the first sensor and detached from the indoor heat exchanger; and a system controller configured to activate the fan to deliver airflow across the indoor heat exchanger when the difference between the first temperature reading and the second temperature reading is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the temperate differing being checked when the first HVAC assembly is in an inactive mode and the fan and a compressor operably connected to the first HVAC assembly are in an inactive mode.

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.

A system and method for maintaining a temperature of a power system using a cooling system that includes an impeller and a phase change material. During normal operation of the cooling system, heat that is generated by the operation of an electronic device(s) of the power system can be transferred primarily by conduction through an upper base plate and fins of a heat sink, and dissipated via forced convection that is generated by the impeller. Additionally, the phase change material is positioned outside of a main heat flux path of the heat sink such that, during normal operation of the cooling system, the phase change material does not provide a heat flux obstruction. In the event of an impeller failure, the phase change material provides at least a temporary cooling source for an extended period of time via the relatively large latent heat capacity of the phase change material.