Accessing an energy management policy for a plurality of devices is described, wherein the devices are coupled with a first structure. The energy usage of the devices is monitored. An energy usage rule and energy usage is then compared. The energy management policy and energy usage is also compared. Based on the comparing, an instruction is generated to modify an energy usage profile of said device to correlate with the energy usage rule associated with the devices and the energy management policy, thereby enabling efficient energy management.

A method for controlling a district thermal energy distribution system is presented. The method comprises: determining whether a local pressure difference between a feed line (111) and a return line (112) of a distribution grid (110) is below a predetermined threshold; upon the local pressure difference is determined to be below the predetermined threshold, generating a control signal comprising information instructing a local distribution system (150) to reduce outtake of heat or cold from the distribution grid (110); sending the control signal to a local control unit (140) of the local distribution system (150); and reducing, in response to the control signal, the outtake of heat or cold of the local distribution system (150) from the distribution grid (110). The distribution grid (110) may be a district heating grid or a district cooling grid. Also, a control server and a district thermal energy distribution system is presented.

This disclosure relates to a water-cooled and flow-controlled heat dissipation system used in a cabinet and a control method thereof. The heat dissipation system includes a water supply apparatus, multiple water blocks, a pipe assembly, multiple throttles, and a control unit. The pipe assembly has a distribution pipe, a converging pipe, multiple inlet pipes, and multiple outlet pipes. One end of the distribution pipe and one end of the converging pipe are communicated with the water supply apparatus. Each inlet pipe has two ends communicated with the distribution pipe and to each water block respectively. Each outlet pipe has two ends communicated with the converging pipe and to each water blocks. Each throttle is installed in each inlet pipe, each outlet pipe, or each water block. The control unit is electrically connected to the throttles and controls the opening degree of each throttle.

An intelligent water outlet device includes a water-temperature regulating valve, a water-output control valve, a power source unit, an input unit, a motor drive unit, a first step motor, a second step motor and a control unit. The power source unit energizes the water outlet device. The input unit selects a temperature value for the water output. The motor drive unit drives the first step motor and second step motor, to rotate an adjusting bar of the water-temperature regulating valve and to push a valve bar of the water-output control valve, respectively. The control unit receives a temperature option and an expected water volume from the input unit, and then controls the first step motor and the second step motor to output warm water with the inputted temperature value and the expected water volume.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an electronic cigarette. The method can include determining a total amount of vaporization energy required to vaporize an amount of liquid stored in a reservoir of an electronic cigarette. The method can include determining a total amount of atomizer power that is delivered to an atomizer associated with the electronic cigarette over a period of time. The method can include determining an amount of liquid remaining in the reservoir of the electronic cigarette, based on a comparison between the total amount of vaporization energy and the total amount of atomizer power delivered to the atomizer over the period of time.

An integrated circuit that controls distributed temperature sensors in a semiconductor die is described. This integrated circuit may include: memory; a controller (such as a PTAT controller) coupled to the memory; temperature sensors distributed at measurement locations in the semiconductor die (such as remote locations from the controller), where a given temperature sensor includes building blocks (or components) that are common to the temperature sensors; and routing between the controller and the building blocks over an addressable bus, where signal lines for analog signals in the addressable bus are reused when communicating between the controller and different temperature sensors.

A water heater including a cabinet having an inlet, an outlet, and a flow path disposed between the inlet and the outlet and having a plurality of upper and lower junctions to redirect the flow path. Each lower junction includes a drain port. A flow rate sensor measures the flow rate of the fluid through the flow path, an inlet temperature sensor measures an inlet temperature, an and outlet temperature sensor measures the outlet temperature. Heating elements are disposed along the flow path between the inlet and outlet temperature sensors, and intermediate temperature sensors are disposed adjacent respective heating elements to measure an intermediate temperature within the flow path. A controller operates the heating elements to heat a fluid within the flow path to a predetermined set point temperature based on the measurements of the flow rate sensor and temperature sensors.

A heater unit includes a metal plate, a pipe and a linear heater. The pipe comes into contact with one surface of the metal plate, and a fluid to be heated is passed through the pipe. The linear heater comes into contact with the other surface of the metal plate and is disposed along the pipe.

Apparatus and methods are described for use with a vaporizer that vaporizes at least one active ingredient of a plant material. In response to receiving a first input to the vaporizer, the plant material is heated, in a first heating step. An indication of the temperature of the plant material is detected, and, in response to detecting an indication that the temperature of the plant material is at a first temperature, the first heating step is terminated, by withholding causing further temperature increase of the plant material. The first temperature is less than 95 percent of the vaporization temperature of the active ingredient. Subsequently, a second input is received at the vaporizer. In response thereto, the plant material is heated to the vaporization temperature, in a second heating step. Other applications are also described.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for controlling an operation of an electronic cigarette. The method can include determining a total amount of vaporization energy required to vaporize an amount of liquid stored in a reservoir of an electronic cigarette. The method can include determining a total amount of atomizer power that is delivered to an atomizer associated with the electronic cigarette over a period of time. The method can include determining an amount of liquid remaining in the reservoir of the electronic cigarette, based on a comparison between the total amount of vaporization energy and the total amount of atomizer power delivered to the atomizer over the period of time.