A combination air and ground source heating and/or cooling system. The system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit and an in-ground unit, each of which has a coil, an inlet line and an outlet line. The system also comprises a flow connector, a coupling and a controller. The controller is configured to control the flow connector and coupling so that the system is selectively operable in three different modes. In the first mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the outdoor unit, while, in the second mode, refrigerant bypasses the coil of the in-ground unit. In the third mode, refrigerant flows through the coils of the in-ground and outdoor units.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for low temperature waste heat utilization. In the scope of the cogeneration unit (CHP) there are few low temperature sources, which cannot be used by heat consumer (HC) directly. Hence, the method and apparatus for cogeneration power plant waste heat recovery comprise at least one, preferably condensing type heat exchanger (HE2), which collects the waste heat for water source high temperature heat pump (HP) employment, wherein its hot water outlet is fed to the internal combustion engine (ICE) cooling system, i.e. cooling jacket type heat exchanger, wherein the maximum allowed coolant inlet temperature is achieved and maintained by automated control system (i.e. control unit with motorized control valves (V1-V3)). It is important to notice, that low temperature sources are herein represented by the exhaust gas in the scope of exhaust system, the charging air in the scope of the intercooler or turbo-supercharger, and lubrication oil cooling system in the scope of internal combustion engine (ICE) or heat pump (HP).

A system, apparatus, and method for a differential temperature managed integral, free standing, hydronic heating appliance uses a high-mass heat source coupled to a single, highly-efficient, variable speed, Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM)-driven Delta-T stand-alone system circulator which feeds one or more zone valves governing flow to one or more hydronic zones. Components are integrated into simplified, compact, assemblies. Zone valve packaging of a compact header improves hydronic performance (head pressure reduction and increased flow), complementing zone valve performance and reducing zone valve wiring labor and material content. Returns have full port valves and the boiler includes isolation valves. All manually activated valves are full port. This can include full port boiler isolation valves, circulator isolation valves and return valves. Paralleled, ganged, alignment of state-indicating-lamped zone valves provides rapid, functional indication of component and system performance while the need for a zone valve panel commonly found on hydronic heating systems is negated.

A waterproof passive wireless controller includes at least one waterproof assembly, at least one driver assembly, at least one power generator, at least one communication module, and at least one housing. The waterproof assembly and the housing form at least one waterproof chamber, wherein the power generator and the communication module are disposed in the waterproof chamber. In response to an external force applied on the driver assembly, the power generator is enclosed in a waterproof manner and is driven to actuate by the driver assembly to converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the communication module, such that the communication module is activated for sending out a control signal.

A waterproof passive wireless controller includes at least one waterproof assembly, at least one driver assembly, at least one power generator, at least one communication module, and at least one housing. The waterproof assembly and the housing form at least one waterproof chamber, wherein the power generator and the communication module are disposed in the waterproof chamber. In response to an external force applied on the driver assembly, the power generator is enclosed in a waterproof manner and is driven to actuate by the driver assembly to converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the communication module, such that the communication module is activated for sending out a control signal.

The present invention relates to a flow control system for controlling a flow of a medium passing through a pipe part of a pipe system via which the medium is distributed from a common source to a plurality of consumer devices. The flow control system comprises a flow sensor for sensing an actual medium flow through the pipe part, a controller in communicative connection with the flow sensor and provided for evaluating the electrical signal indicative of the sensed actual medium flow with a value representing a set medium flow and an orifice adjusting system in communicative connection with the controller and provided for adjusting the adjustable orifice in response to the control signal received from the controller. The flow sensor is arranged outside the flow chamber and has a static measurement principle based on a wave propagating in the medium.

A thermostat device may include a processing system configured to learn a heating schedule at a first location according to an automated schedule learning algorithm that processes inputs including user inputs and occupancy sensing inputs and derives schedule-affecting parameters therefrom that are processed to compute the heating schedule. The processing system may also be configured to determine whether the thermostat has been moved to a new location, and if it is determined that the thermostat has been moved to the new location, then determine one or more parameters associated with the new location and establish a new heating schedule for the new location, and where zero or more of the previously measured schedule-affecting parameters are re-used based on the one or more parameters associated with the new location.

Apparatus and method for heating/cooling buildings and other facilities. An elongate pipe filled with water or other fluid medium forms a thermal gradient header having temperature zones that are progressively warmer towards one end and cooler towards the other. Multiple heating/cooling systems are connected to the header so as to draw fluid from zones that are closest in temperature to the optimal intake temperature of each system, and to discharge fluid back to the header at zones that are closest to the temperature to the optimal output temperature of each system, allowing each heating/cooling system to take advantage of the thermal output of other systems. The pipe forming the thermal gradient header may be routed back and forth in the facility to define a series of legs containing the different temperature zones. A boiler or other source may supply makeup heat to the thermal gradient header, and excess heat may be sent from the header to a ground field or other thermal reservoir for later use.

An environmental control system includes at least one of a security monitoring system or a building automation control system. A thermostat is coupled to the at least one system, wherein the thermostat provides feedback as to output signals therefrom to evaluate functioning of the thermostat. The output signals would be coupled to a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.

An environmental control system includes at least one of a security monitoring system or a building automation control system. A thermostat is coupled to the at least one system, wherein the thermostat provides feedback as to output signals therefrom to evaluate functioning of the thermostat. The output signals would be coupled to a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.