A multi-curtain assembly includes: first and second curtain segments, each having a leading edge and side edge; an edge fastener having first and second fastener portions proximate the side edge of the first and second curtain segments, respectively, the first fastener portion of the first curtain segment being connectable to the second fastener portion of the second curtain segment to produce a seam as the curtain segments are moved to their closed positions; a motor driving one or more of the barrel assemblies; a synchronizing mechanism synchronizing the barrel assemblies. An overlap fastener, arranged proximate edges of the curtain segments in an overlap region, has aligning portions that align as the side edges are brought into alignment by the edge fastener, to mask at least one side of the fastener seam as the fastener portions are connected to each other.

A door operator with high-speed operation and fire escape functions comprises a motor, a high-speed centrifugal brake module, a centrifugal reduction module, a central shaft locking module and a first and second clutch module. In the stationary state, the high-speed centrifugal brake module, centrifugal reduction module and central shaft locking module are connected to each other, and the drive shaft of the motor is locked by the central shaft locking module. In the normal operation, the first clutch module disengages the high-speed centrifugal brake module from the centrifugal reduction module, and the drive shaft is rotatable at high speed. In the event of fire escape, the second clutch module disengages centrifugal reduction module from central shaft locking module, and the drive shaft rotates at a lower speed. The device will provide high-speed rotation under normal operation, and automatically close the door panel at a gradually lowered speed in the event of fire escape.

A storage system is described where goods are stored in containers and the containers are stored in stacks. Above the stacks runs a grid network of tracks on which load handling devices run. The load handling devices take containers from the stacks and deposit then at alternative locations in the stacks or deposit then at stations where goods may be picked out. The framework may be provided with one or more of the following services: power, power control, heating, lighting, cooling, sensing, and data logging. The provision of these services within the framework rather than across the system as a whole, allows for flexibility in storage whilst reducing cost and inefficiency.

A modular building system or storage system is disclosed with a number of stacks of containers as shown in FIG. 2, the stacks being positioned within a frame structure having uprights and a horizontal grid disposed above the stacks, the grid having substantially perpendicular rails on which load handling devices can run. Containers having functions associated with a number of residential or commercial uses are moved in to and out of the stacks by the robotic handling devices running on the grid. The containers disposed in the stacks are selected by function on demand by a user. In this way the building is reconfigurable to take in to account required uses.

A generator enclosure for an engine-generator includes multiple walls defining at least one air path. In one example, a first wall includes an exhaust path for the engine-generator, and a second wall includes an intake path for the engine-generator. The generator enclosure may include at least one air flow frame associated with the exhaust path or the intake path and at least one movable wall supported by the at least one air flow frame, At least one thermal fuse may be coupled to the at least one movable wall and configured to release the at least one movable wall to block the exhaust path or the intake path.

There is described an actuator for a damper comprising an electrical circuit, a cable coupled to the electrical circuit, a lower housing supporting the electrical circuit, and an upper housing coupled to the lower housing. The electrical circuit controls positions of the damper. The cable provides power and control to the electrical circuit. The lower housing includes a first trough and a second trough to provide support for the cable in a first direction. The upper housing includes a first protuberance and a second protuberance to provide support for the cable in a second direction. The first and second protuberances are positioned offset from the first and second troughs of the lower housing.

A smart duct comprises an inlet, an outlet, a damper positioned between the inlet and the outlet, an electromechanical actuator configured to open and close the damper, and a controller configured to operate the electromechanical actuator and retrieve measurements from the sensor and to receive instructions from a central HVAC controller via a communication channel.

An intelligent air management system comprises an HVAC unit, a smart duct comprising an electromechanically actuated damper, a power supply connected to the smart duct, a controller communicatively connected to the smart duct and at least one room sensor positioned in a room, and a vent fluidly connected to the smart duct and positioned in the room, wherein the controller is configured to open and close the electromechanically actuated damper in response to measurements from the at least one room sensor. A method of controlling room temperature in a multi-room structure is also described.

A bin is described for use on a robotic picking system grid. The bin is capable of removing liquids from beneath a robotic picking system following spillages or sprinkler deployments.

An automated and remotely-controllable wildfire ember misting-type suppression system and method that employs an electronic wildfire ember detection device using infra-red (IR) and other thermal-imaging sensors, and relative humidity sensors, to automatically detect the presence of a wildfire in the vicinity of the wood-framed building and automatically generate a cloud of wildfire ember suppressing mist consisting of microscopic droplets of clean anti-fire (AF) liquid that (i) instantly evaporates into vapor when contacting a flying wildfire ember and (ii) breaks and/or interferes with free-radical chemical reactions supported on the surface of each combusting wildfire ember flying in the wildfire storm moving about the wood-framed building.