Abstract:
Embodiments of a piping stick and methods of manufacturing and using a piping stick are disclosed herein. The piping stick can define a scalable volume including a plurality of piping sections and a plurality of control sections. The non-connected in his of the piping sections of the piping stick can be capped. The piping stick can be assembled by assembling the plurality of control sections and the plurality of piping sections, pressurizing, the piping stick at a first time, and determining the integrity of the piping stick by evaluating the pressure in the piping stick at a second time.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to integrated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and methods, and in particular to approaches that include embedded coils and other heat exchangers. 
         [0002]    In general, HVAC systems control the temperature and humidity of indoor air. In most HVAC systems, air is drawn in, filtered, cooled and dehumidified or heated and humidified, and then delivered to an air conditioned space. The greatest portion of incoming air is drawn from the air conditioned space for recirculation through the HVAC system. HVAC system includes fans and ductwork for moving conditioned air to where it is needed while passing it through cooling and/or a heating sections of the ductwork. 
         [0003]    HVAC systems in residential, commercial, education and research buildings usually include metallic pipes, hollow composite materials such as tubes, and the like. The systems are typically supported from and between floor or ceiling joists. The HVAC system typically includes a primary or main duct. A series of smaller branch ducts which extend from the main duct are mounted between adjacent floor or ceiling joists. Such main and branch ducts are normally supported by metal hangers located between the joists. Often the branch ducts include pipes and conduit lines for transporting liquid or gas which are suspended from ceiling joists or an adjacent wall typically with Unistrut®, threaded rod, couplings, and various hanger brackets. 
         [0004]    Piping and conduits that supply gas and/or liquids within buildings benefit from careful preparation. Builders or contractors typically use ladders or scaffolding to reach areas where piping is routed so installation may be cumbersome. Occasionally the pipe or conduits are prepared on the ground and installed by ladder as more complete assemblies. Pipe and conduit assemblies prepared on the ground or a floor of a building under construction are more unwieldy than the unassembled components, but pre-assembly is often more practical. Furthermore, conditions existing at construction sites and the number of differing types of components used in assembling a HVAC system render cataloging known HVAC components a challenge. 
         [0005]    Generically, a terminal unit, also sometimes referred to as an air handling unit, is a HVAC system component that is located near an air conditioned space that regulates the temperature and/or volume of air supplied to the space. When providing air to a more critical environment such as a laboratory, an almost identical ductwork section is frequently referred to as a lab valve damper rather than as a terminal unit, with the distinction generally relating to the precision with which the unit controls the temperature and humidity of conditioned air. As used throughout this document, the phrase terminal unit encompasses either a terminal unit or a lab valve damper. 
         [0006]    A HVAC system may be assembled using any one of several different, types of terminal units. Generally, the mechanical portion of a terminal unit includes a casing through which air flows during operation of a HVAC system. Accordingly, the casing includes an inlet for receiving air from ductwork of a HVAC system, and an outlet for supplying air to a space in a building. Casings are usually fabricated from 22 gauge galvanized sheet steel. Due to the use of such light material, casings are easily damaged during shipping to a building site and during installation into the HVAC system. Those familiar with such damage to terminal unit casings frequently refer to it as “oil canning” because it resembles how a light gauge oil can collapses as the liquid flows out. 
         [0007]    in a typical hydronic (all-water) HVAC system, the mechanical portion of a terminal unit includes a heat exchanging coil. Heated, and/or cooled water is pumped from a central plant through pipes to the coil. Air from the HVAC system&#39;s ductwork passes through the coil after entering and before leaving the casing. Usually, a single terminal unit is dedicated for heating and/or cooling each air conditioned space. Air from the duct connected to the terminal unit passes through the coil to be heated and/or cooled by water flowing through the coil before the air enters the air conditioned space. 
         [0008]    A Variable Air Volume (“VAV”) HVAC system, in response to a control signal from a thermostat or room sensor, supplies only that volume of hot and/or cold air to an air conditioned space needed to satisfy the space&#39;s thermal load. A VAV HVAC system meets-changing cooling and/or heating requirements by adjusting the amount, rather than the temperature, of air that flows to a space. For most buildings, a VAV HVAC system yields the best combination of comfort, first cost, and life cycle cost. 
         [0009]    A VAV terminal unit is a relatively complex assembly which includes sheet metal, plumbing, electrical and pneumatic components. For example, a VAV terminal unit includes an airflow sensor that senses the velocity of air entering the terminal unit. To adjust the volume of cold air, a VAV terminal unit frequently includes a damper which automatically opens and closes as needed. 
         [0010]    As a thermal load of a space decreases, the damper starts closing thereby reducing the amount of heated or cooled air supplied to the space. Alternatively, the volume of air entering a space may be controlled by varying the speed of a fan included in the terminal unit. For either type of VAV terminal unit, VAV HVAC systems save energy consumed by fans in comparison with alternative HVAC systems by continually adjusting airflow to the heating, and/or cooling required. 
         [0011]    To be operable and fully-functional, terminal units for a hydronic HVAC system often include a coil, ductwork for supplying air to the coil and receiving air from the coil, plumbing for supplying water into and receiving water from the coil, and a control valve for regulating the amount of water flowing through the coil. 
         [0012]    To match the flow of air through the terminal unit&#39;s ductwork to the profile of the coil, the terminal unit&#39;s ductwork-may include transition sections both for air entering the coil and for air leaving the coil. In addition, a terminal unit may also include a re-heat coil, and/or a sound attenuator. In a terminal unit adapted for use in a VAV HVAC system, the terminal unit&#39;s ductwork may also include a damper and a damper actuator or variable speed fan for controlling the volume of air supplied by the terminal unit, and an airflow sensor for sensing the volume of air passing through the terminal unit. 
         [0013]    Usually, all of the various parts needed to assemble a fully-functional VAV HVAC system&#39;s terminal unit arrive at building construction sites as separate components. Generally, these components are then assembled into a fully functional terminal unit at the construction site. Due to cluttered working conditions usually existing at a construction site where workers skilled in different crafts, e.g. plumbing, electrical, structural, etc., must concurrently collaborate to complete the building project, assembling the various components into a fully functional terminal unit may occupy the better part of a day. Furthermore, present practices and equipment are poorly adapted for swiftly constructing a high quality HVAC system that is easily commissioned. 
         [0014]    For example, because it is less expensive to wire a HVAC system&#39;s terminal units with 24 volt low voltage electrical power rather than 220 or 110 volt power, presently sections of buildings include transformer trees which an electrician generally assembles by installing multiple step down transformers on an electrical panel. This technique permits wiring 220 or 110 volt electrical power to the transformer tree on each panel, with the 24 volt low voltage electrical power then being wired individually from a transformer on the panel over distances of five (5) to one, hundred (100) feel to a terminal units for energizing its Direct Digital Control (“DDC”) controller, and 2 way or 3 way automatic temperature, control (“ATC”) control valve. 
         [0015]    Usually, terminal units are supported from a building using angle brackets, straps, or thread rod. Usually these support devices are attached directly to the terminal unit. Terminal unit casings are usually made using 22 gauge sheet metal. Due to the use of this light material, casings are easily dented or bent during installation. 
         [0016]    With current construction site labor costing up to $80.00/hour or more, assembling a terminal unit at a construction site may cost $500.00 to $1,000.00 for labor alone. Furthermore, terminal units assembled at a construction site generally differ from one another due to assembly by different craftsmen, and insufficient use of identical components in assembling each terminal unit. Due to conditions existing at construction sites and the number of differing types of components used in assembling a HVAC system, cataloging the components used in assembling the system is impractical. Lastly, construction sites generally lack any facilities for individually pre-testing building components, such as terminal units, assembled on-site. 
         [0017]    Alter assembling a HVAC system, it should be activated, tested and commissioned to ensure IAQ. Testing a HVAC system only after it is completely assembled inevitably results in many hours of problem-solving and leak-hunting. Usually, mere are leaky joints, broken valves, damaged pipes, leaky coils and improperly assembled components that must be tracked down which further increases building costs. After finding a faulty component, it must be identified, ordered and replaced which takes time and delays completion of the building project, furthermore, years after a building project is complete to maintain IAQ a building manager responsible for the HVAC system&#39;s maintenance will often have to identify and replace broken components. 
         [0018]    The preceding considerations arising from construction site assembly of fully functional terminal units slows construction, increase building costs, requires rework when a terminal unit experiences an initial failure, and ultimately makes more difficult and expensive maintaining a building&#39;s HVAC system, years after those responsible for its assembly are no longer available. 
         [0019]    Current techniques for implementing HVAC systems often required ancillary components such as flow controls, ATC valves, and the like to be added to HVAC piping structures in the field or at a jobsite construction location. Relatedly, such ancillary components, piping structures, and the like may be susceptible to damage during transport. What is needed are improved HVAC systems and methods that allow HVAC components to be configured prior to shipping, and to be shipped without risk of damage. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions for at least some of these needs. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing an HVAC system. The method includes obtaining a piping stick that has a first tubular end section, a second tubular end section, a sealed and pressurized interior lumen defined at least in part by the first and second tubular end sections, a pressure gauge in fluid communication with the interior lumen and indicating a non-atmospheric pressure therein, a first valve coupled with the first end section, and a second valve coupled with the second end section, reading the pressure gauge to verify that the sealed interior lumen of the piping stick is pressurized to the non-atmospheric pressure, cutting the piping stick to create a first portion including the first valve and the first tubular end section and a second portion including the second valve and the second tubular end section, and incorporating the first and second portions into the HVAC system. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the first tubular end section can include a sealed end and a non-sealed end connecting to the first valve. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the method can include cutting the first tubular end section between the sealed end and the non-sealed end so as to separate the sealed end from the first valve. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the second tubular end section can include a sealed end and a non-sealed end connecting to the first valve. In some embodiments, the method can include cutting the second tubular end section between the sealed end and the non-sealed end so as to separate the sealed end from the second valve. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the piping stick can include an indicator of the location for cutting the piping stick to create a first portion and a second portion, and in some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, cutting the piping stick to create a first portion and a second portion can include cutting the piping stick at the indicated location. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the non-atmospheric pressure can be a superatmospheric pressure, and in some embodiments of the method, of manufacturing an HVAC system, the non-atmospheric pressure can be a subatmospheric pressure. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the first valve and the second valve are open. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, includes reading the pressure gauge to verify the sealed interior lumen of the piping stick is pressurized to the non-atmospheric pressure can verify that the first: tubular end section and the second tubular end section are pressurized to she non-atmospheric pressure. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the first control section comprises a single flow assembly that can be, for example, an inlet piping section assembly, and the second control section comprises a single flow assembly that can be, for example, an outlet piping section. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the first control section can comprise a plurality of flow assemblies which can be, for example, a plurality of inlet piping sections, a plurality of outlet piping sections, or a plurality of both inlet and outlet piping sections. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing an HVAC system, the second control section can comprise a plurality of flow assemblies which can be, for example, a plurality of inlet piping sections, a plurality of outlet piping sections, or a plurality of both inlet and outlet piping sections. In some embodiments in which one or both of the first and/or second control sections comprises a plurality of flow assemblies, the flow assemblies in the plurality of flow assemblies can be connected to each other by piping sections. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of manufacturing a piping stick. The method includes, connecting a first hydronic unit to a first tubular end section and a tubular interior section, connecting a second hydronic unit to a second tubular end section and the tubular interior section, the second hydronic unit including a pressure gauge, sealing a first end of the first tubular end section and a first end of the second tubular end section, pressurizing the tubular interior section to a non-atmospheric pressure, and validating the pressure of the tubular interior section. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing a piping stick includes adding an indicator of a location along the tubular interior section. In some embodiments of the method of manufacturing a piping stick, the indicator of the location along the tubular interior section comprises an adhered indicator. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing a piping stick includes adding an indicator of a location along the first tubular end section, and in some embodiments, the method of manufacturing a piping stick includes adding an indicator of a location along the second tubular end section. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing a piping stick includes validating the pressure in the first tubular end section and the second tubular end section. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a piping stick. The piping stick includes a first pipe having a first sealed end and a second open end, a first control section attached to the second open end of the first pipe, a second pipe including a first open end attached to the first control section and a second open end, a second control section attached to the second open end of the second pipe, and a third pipe having a first open end attached to the second control section and a second sealed end. In some embodiments, the piping stick is pressurized to a non-atmospheric pressure. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments of the piping stick, the control section includes a pressure gauge, and in some embodiments, the piping stick includes an indicator located along one of the first pipe, the second pipe, and the third pipe, and indicating the location for the placement of a cut. In some embodiments, the piping stick can include a first flow direction indicator associated with the first control section and a second flow direction indicator associated with the second control section, and in some embodiments, the first flow direction indicator can be distinguishable from the second flow direction indicator. 
         [0030]    Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter, ft should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating various embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a piping stick according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a two piece piping stick according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a fully-functional zone-control unit ready for installation in a HVAC system, the zone-control unit includes a casing from which a pair of handles project that can receive and/or retain the piping stick, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fully-functional zone-control unit ready for installation in a HVAC system, the zone-control unit includes a easing from which a pair of handles project, the handles include a cut out section for supporting the piping stick, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a plurality of assembly portions created from a single piping stick, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a fully-functional zone-control unit ready for installation in a HVAC system, the zone-control unit includes a casing from which a pair of handles project, and control sections connected to inlet and outlet assemblies. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a process for creating a piping stick. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a process for assembling a piping stick, which process can be performed as part of the process for creating a piping slick depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a process for pressurizing a piping stick, which process can be performed as part of the process for creating a piping stick depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a process for validating a piping stick, which process can be performed as part of the process for creating a piping stick depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for assembling an HVAC unit and/or a zone-control unit. 
           [0042]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart, illustrating one embodiment of a process for verifying a piping stick, which, process can be performed as part of the process for assembling an HVAC unit and/or a zone-control unit as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for creating assembly portions from a piping stick, which process can be performed as part of the process for assembling an HVAC unit and/or a zone-control unit as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for creating assembly portions by cutting a piping stick, which process can be performed as part of the process for assembly and HVAC unit and/or zone-control unit as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process for preparing an HVAC unit and/or zone-control unit, which process can be performed as part of the process for assembling an HVAC unit and/or zone-control unit as depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0046]    In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Where the reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same, reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    The ensuing description provides preferred exemplary embodiment(s) only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the preferred exemplary embodiments) will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment. It is understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without, departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0048]    Attached are pictures of various bracketing devices in addition to handles that can be used with the piping stick, also referred to as the Koil Pak. The piping stick can ship in one piece with, or without brackets installed tor mounting on to sheetmetal duct/casing, or as an individual set with brackets. 
         [0049]    In describing the background, focus is on terminal units with hot water re-heat. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the piping stick can be used with any fluid coil/thermal transfer device including thermal transfer devices configured to heating, cooling, and/or for steam. In some embodiments, the fluid coil/thermal transfer device can include and/or be associated with, for example, fan coils, one or several air handling units (AHU), one or several chilled beams, one or several water source heat pumps, one or several radiant panels, one or several fin tubes, one or several convectors, etc. 
         [0050]    The perspective view of  FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a piping stick  100 . The piping stick can be made from a variety of components, including, for example, components used in completing a zone-control unit. The piping stick can include a plurality of control sections and a plurality of piping sections, and can define a scalable volume including, for example, an interior lumen, including a sealed interior lumen. 
         [0051]    The piping stick  100  depicted in the embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes a first control section  102  such as, for example, a first hydronic unit, and a second control section  104  such as, for example, a second hydronic unit. In some embodiments, for example, the control sections  102 ,  104  can include components configured to allow a user and/or Contractor of the zone-control unit to control, adjust, and/or otherwise affect the operation of the zone-control unit. In one embodiment, for example, and as depicted in  FIG. 1 , the first control section  102  can be an inlet assembly, and the second control section  104  can be an outlet assembly, which inlet and outlet piping assemblies can be referred to as flow assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, the first control section  102  can comprise plurality of flow assemblies, including, for example, a plurality of inlet piping assemblies, a plurality of outlet piping assemblies, and/or a mixture of inlet and outlet piping assemblies. In one embodiment, for example, the second control section  104  can comprise plurality of flow assemblies, including, for example, a plurality of inlet piping assemblies, a plurality of outlet piping assemblies, and/or a mixture of inlet and outlet piping assemblies. In some embodiments in which one or both of the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  comprise a plurality of flow assemblies, the plurality of flow assemblies can be connected to each other via a plurality of piping sections in the same manner, as the first control section  102  is connected to the second control section  104  via a piping section discussed below. 
         [0052]    As further seen in  FIG. 4 , the number of control sections  102 ,  104  in the piping stick  100  can be represented by the integer N. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , N=2. In some embodiments, N can be, for example, 1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 50, 100, or any other or intermediate number. In some embodiments, the control sections  102 ,  104  in a piping stick  100  can include any combination, permutation, or sequence of control sections  102 ,  104 , of inlet and/or outlet piping assemblies, and/or flow assemblies. 
         [0053]    The piping stick  100  includes a first piping section  106 , a second piping section  108 , and a third piping section  110 . The piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can mechanically and fluidly connect to the control sections  102 ,  104  and connect the control sections  102 ,  104 . In some embodiments, for example, the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can, in connection with the control sections  102 ,  104  define and enclose a volume of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0054]    The piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be made of pipe that can have any desired shape and/or dimensional properties. In some embodiments, for example, the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be tubular. In some embodiments, for example the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be made from a variety of materials including, for example, a natural and/or man-made material including, for example, metal such as copper, aluminum, brass, steel, and/or iron, plastic, polymer, composite, or any other desired material. In some embodiments, the shape and/or dimensional properties and material used in the construction of the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be based on the specific application in which the piping slick  100  will be used. 
         [0055]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the first piping section  106  includes a first end connecting to the first control section  102  and a second end that is unconnected to another component of the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the second end of the first piping section  106  can comprise a first cap  112 . In some embodiments, for example, the first cap  112  can comprise a spun cap that can, for example, have a thickness that is equal to, less than, and/or greater than the thickness of the wall of the first piping section  106 . In one embodiment, for example, the first cap  112  can comprise a thickness that is five times greater than the thickness of the wall of the first piping section  106 . The spun cap can comprise the same material and/or a different, material from that used in the other portions of the first piping section  106 . In one embodiment in which the first piping section  106  is made of copper, the spun cap can comprise a spun copper cap. 
         [0056]    As further seen in  FIG. 1 , the second piping section  108  includes a first end that is connected to the first control section  102  and a second end that is connected to the second control section  104 , and the third piping section  110  includes a first end that is connected to the second control section  104  and a second end that is unconnected to another component of the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the second end of the third piping stick  110  can comprise a second cap  114 . In some embodiments, for example, the second cap  114  can comprise a spun cap that can, for example, have a thickness that is equal to, less than, and/or greater than the thickness of the wall of the second piping section  108 , hi one embodiment, for example, the second cap  114  can comprise a thickness that is five times greater than the thickness of the wall of the second piping section  108 . The spun cap can comprise the same material and/or a different material from that used in the other portions of the first piping section  106 . In one embodiment in which the second piping section  108  is made of copper, the spun cap can comprise a spun copper cap. 
         [0057]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the first end of the first piping section  106  connects to the first control section  102  via a first union  116 . In one embodiment, and as depicted in  FIG. 1 , a first portion of the first union  116  engages with the first end of the first piping section  106  and the second portion of the first union  116  engages with a portion of a first valve  118 . In one embodiment, for example, the first valve  118  can regulate, and direct, and/or control the How of fluid by opening, closing, and/or partially obstructing passageways connected to the first valve  118 . The first valve  118  can include a body and a bonnet that together form a casing that hold the fluid that passes through the first valve  118 . The first valve  118  can comprise any desired valve type such as, for example, a ball valve, a choke valve, a check valve, a gate valve, a glow valve, or a needle valve. 
         [0058]    In one embodiment, the valve  118  can be formed as a portion of a Y-piece  120  including, which can be, a Y-strainer. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the Y-piece  120  can include a drain  122  located, at one of the ends of the Y-piece  120 . In some embodiments, for example, the drain  122  can comprise a drain valve. The drain valve can allow fluid to be drained from the Y-piece  120 . In some embodiments, for example, the drain valve can be sealed so as to prevent fluid from draining from and to prevent fluid from entering into the Y-piece  120 . 
         [0059]    As also seen in  FIG. 1 , the Y-piece  120  can comprise one or several ports  124 . In some embodiments, for example, the ports  124  can be sealed to prevent fluid from draining from and/or from entering into the Y-piece  120 . In some embodiments, for example, the one or several ports  124  can be sealed with the corresponding number of plugs. In some embodiments, one or several of these plugs can be removed from one or several of the ports  124  to allow placement of instrumentation so as to access the contents of the Y-piece  120 . In some embodiments, for example, this instrumentation can measure the pressure, temperature, or flow rate, of the fluid passing through the Y-piece  120 . In one specific embodiment, the ports  124  can include a pressure and temperature (PT) port connected to instrumentation configured to measure the pressure and temperature of the fluid within the Y-piece  120 . 
         [0060]    The Y-piece  120 , and the first control section  102 , connect to the second piping section  108  via the second union  126 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , one portion of the second union  126  connects to the Y-piece  120  of the first control unit  102 , and the second portion of the second union  126  connects to the second piping section  108 . 
         [0061]    As further seen in  FIG. 1 , the second end of the second piping section  108  connects to the second control section  104  via a third union  128 . In some embodiments, a portion of the third union  128  connects to the second and of the second piping section  108  and another portion of the third union  128  connects to the second control section  104 . 
         [0062]    The second control section  104  comprises a variety of components, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the second control section  104  includes a first pressure and temperature (PT) port  130 . Like the PT port discussed above, the first PT port  130  can allow instrumentation to access the fluid contained within and/or passing through the second control section  104  to determine the pressure and/or temperature of that fluid. In some embodiments, for example, the first PT port can be sealed and/or scalable. 
         [0063]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the second control section  104  can further include, for example, a pressure gauge  132 . In some embodiments, the pressure gauge can provide a visual indication of the pressure within the second control section  104  and/or within the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, the pressure gauge  132  can comprise a digital and/or analog pressure gauge, and can provide pressure readings over any desired pressure range and to any desired level of accuracy. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure range and level of accuracy provided by the pressure gauge  132  can correspond to the specific application for which the piping stick  100  is being used. 
         [0064]    The second control section  104  can further include a control valve  134  such as, for example, an ATC control valve. In some embodiments, for example, the control valve  134  can comprise a two and or three-way ATC control valve. The ATC control valve may either be of a type that provides only on-off control, or be of type that provides proportional control. An electrical signal can be supplied to the ATC control valve from a controller such as, for example, a DDC controller, via a control signal cable and can energize and control the operation of the ATC control valve. In some embodiments, and as seen in  FIG. 1 , the control valve  134  can be connected to the second control section  104  via a tailpiece  136 . 
         [0065]    The second control section  104  can, in some embodiments, include a second pressure and temperature (PT) port  138 . The second PT port  138  can allow instrumentation to access the fluid contained within and/or passing through the second control section  104  to determine the pressure and/or temperature of that fluid. In some embodiments, for example, the second PT port can be sealed and or scalable. 
         [0066]    The second control section  104  can, in some embodiments, include a second valve  140  which can be, for example, a manual balancing valve, lire manual balancing valve can be provided with various features, such as manually adjustable stems tor valve port opening or a combination of a venturi or orifice and an adjustable valve, a stem indicator and/or scale to indicate the relative amount of valve opening, pressure taps to provide readout of the pressure difference across the valve port or the venture/orifice, the capability to be used as a shutoff for future service of the heat transfer terminal, a locking device for field setting the maximum opening of a valve, or a body tapped for attaching drain hose. 
         [0067]    Balancing valves, including automatic type (pressure independent) and manual balancing valves are supplied by a water side sales representative and sold directly to the Piping Contractor. There are several manufacturers of balancing valves such as Griswold, Flow design. Nexus, and the like. Isolation valves, drains, air vents and other ancillary piping components are supplied by a water side sales representative and sold directly to the Piping Contractor. There are several manufacturers of these types of products such as Nibco, Gerhard, and the like. 
         [0068]    Manual balancing valves can be, for example, field adjusted by water balancing technicians. Automatic/pressure independent balancing valves can maintain the specified GPM regardless of the pressure drop across the coil. Some manual balancing valves are referred to as “circuit setters” which are a type of balancing valve that involves manual balancing. When balancing a system, once a valve is set and the next valve is set, the preceding valve(s) are revisited to adjust the settings again. This is due to the fact that a manual valve involves an adjustable orifice, not a flow controller. Once pressure changes in the system after the initial setting, the flow rate also changes. Such devices typically limit flow when the system is operating at the exact same level as when it was originally set up. In most systems this flow condition typically does not occur because of variable speed pumps and drives. Static, dynamic, and automatic balancing (e.g. Total Authority) valves often require at least 50% less cost in balancing/commissioning as the manual valve. Once set, they may be set forever if no changes have to be made to the flow and system. These types of valves allow for 20 to 30% fewer balancing valves on a project thus reducing static pressure in the system as a whole. Energy consumption over the manual system may be considerable and a consideration in applying these valves. Generally speaking, a 20% savings can be claimed with static and dynamic and potentially larger savings with Total Authority Valves. 
         [0069]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the second valve  140  can be attached to and/or integrally formed in Y-piece  142  which can be, for example, a Y-strainer. The Y-piece  142  can connect to the first end of the third piping section  110  via a fourth union  144 . A portion of the fourth union  144  can connect to the Y-piece  142  and another portion of the union  144  can connect to the first end of the third piping section  110 . 
         [0070]    In some embodiments, for example, the piping stick  100  can include one or several flow direction indicators  146 . In some embodiments, the flow direction indicators  146  can include a first set of flow direction indicators  146  associated with the first control section  102  and the second set of flow direction indicators  146  associated with the second control section  104 . In some embodiments, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  associated with the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  can indicate the direction of fluid flow through the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  when the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  are installed into a zone-control unit. Thus, the flow direction indicators  146  can facilitate the proper attachment of the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  to the zone-control unit. 
         [0071]    In some embodiments, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can be specific to the control section  102 ,  104  with which they are associated. Thus, for example, in some embodiments the flow direction indicators  146  associated with the first control section  102  can include features distinguishing them from flow direction indicators  146  associated with the second control section  104 . These distinguishing features can be any feature capable of allowing differentiation between the first control section  102  and the second control section  104 . In some embodiments, these features can include, for example, a human and/or computer readable code, pattern, indicia, and/or text-string. 
         [0072]    These distinguishing features can include, for example, an indicator of the function of the control section  102 ,  104 , and/or an indicator of the type of fluid traveling through the control section  102 ,  104 . In some embodiments, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can include one or several characters indicating the function of the control section  102 ,  104  and/or the type of fluid traveling through the control section  102 ,  104  such as, for example, indicating that, the first control section  102  is an inlet and/or indicating that the second control section  104  is an outlet and/or indicating that the fluid passing through the first control section  102  is supply thud and/or indicating that the fluid passing. Through the second control section  104  is return fluid. 
         [0073]    In one embodiment, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can include coloration and/or a color scheme to indicate the function of the control section  102 ,  104  and/or to indicate the type of fluid traveling through the control section  102 ,  104  with which the flow direction indicators  146  are associated. In one embodiment, for example, the flow direction indicator  146  associated with the first control section  102  can comprise a first color and the flow direction indicator  146  associated with the second control section  104  can comprise a second color. In some embodiments, for example, the first color can be different from the second color. In one embodiment, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  associated with the first control section  102  can include red features such as, for example, one or several red characters, and the flow direction indicators  146  associated with the second control section  104  can include black features such as, for example, one or several black characters. 
         [0074]    The flow direction indicators  146  can comprise any feature configured to indicate the desired direction of fluid flow through the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104 . In one embodiment, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can be formed into the first and/or second control sections.  102 ,  104  and/or the first, second, and/or third piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110 . In one embodiment, for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can be attached to the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  and/or the first, second, and/or third piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  and can be, for example, adhered to one or several of those components  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . In one specific embodiment for example, the flow direction indicators  146  can include an indicator of the desired fluid flow direction such as, for example, an arrow, and/or an indicator of a property of the fluid or the type of fluid desire to flow through the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104 . 
         [0075]    In some embodiments, for example, the piping stick  100  can comprise one or several cutting indicators. In some embodiments, cutting indicators can indicate how assembly portions can be created from the piping stick  100 . Specifically, in some embodiments, the cutting indicators can indicate where a cut should be made on one of the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  to separate the piping stick  100  into assembly portions. In one embodiment, for example, the cutting indicators can be formed into the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  and/or the first, second, and/or third piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110 . In one embodiment, for example, the cutting indicators can be attached to the first and/or second control sections  102 ,  104  and/or the first, second, and/or third piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  and can be, for example, adhered to one or several of those components  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . In one specific embodiment, for example, the cutting indicators can include an indicator of the desired location for a cut such as, for example, an arrow. 
         [0076]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the piping stick  100  includes a plurality of first cutting indicators  148  and a plurality of second cutting indicators  150 . As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of first, cut indicators  148  indicates a direction in which a cut is desired to be placed, which direction is indicated by a first arrow, and the plurality of second cutting indicators  150  indicates a second direction in which a cut is desired to be placed, which direction is indicated by a second arrow. As further seen in  FIG. 1 , the first cutting indicators  148  are paired with the second cutting indicators  150  such that the cutting indicators  148 ,  150  define a region in which each cut can be placed. 
         [0077]    The perspective view of  FIG. 1A  illustrates one embodiment of a piping stick assembly  100 -A. In contrast to the piping stick  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the piping stick assembly  100 -A comprises a two-piece piping stick assembly  100 -A. Specifically, the piping stick assembly  100 -A includes a first stick portion of  170  and the second stick portion  172 . Both the first stick portion  170  and the second stick portion  172  include one of the control sections  102 ,  104 , and piping sections  174 ,  176 ,  178 ,  180  connected to the one of the control section  102 ,  104 . 
         [0078]    The first stick portion  170  of the piping stick assembly  100 -A includes a first piping section  174 . The first piping section  174  includes a first cap  112  at a first end and is connected to the first control section  102  at a second end. The first stick portion  170  of the piping stick assembly  500 -A also includes a second piping section  176 . The second piping section  176  includes second cap  114  at a first end and is connected to the first control section  102  at a second end. The piping sections  174 ,  176  can include the features and properties of the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  discussed above. 
         [0079]    The second stick portion  172  of the piping stick assembly  100 -A includes a third piping section  178 . The third piping section  178  includes a first cap  112  at a first end and is connected to the second control section  104  at a second end. The second stick portion  172  of the piping stick assembly  100 -A also includes a fourth piping section  180 . The fourth piping section  180  includes second cap  114  at a first end and is connected to the second control section  104  at a second end. The piping sections.  178 ,  180  can include the features and properties of the piping sections  106 ,  108 ,  110  discussed above. 
         [0080]    In some embodiments, for example, the first stick portion  170  and the second stick portion  172  can be inserted into and/or stored in handles  252 . The details of the handles  252  will be discussed at greater length below with reference to FIGS.  2 , 3 , and  4 A. Further details regarding the handles  252 , also referred to as brackets, and alternate embodiments of the handles are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,324, filed Sep. 17, 2003, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0081]    The piping stick  100  can be provided to the contractor separate from and/or with a zone-control unit.  FIGS. 2 and 3  depict embodiments of the zone-control unit adapted for receiving the piping stick  100  so that the piping stick  100  can be provided to the contractor with the zone-control unit. 
         [0082]    The perspective view of  FIG. 2  illustrates, a fully-functional zone-control unit: referred to by the general reference character  200 , also referred to herein as an HVAC terminal unit. Further details relating to the zone-control unit  200  can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/972,479, filed Jan. 10, 2008, and published as U.S. Publication No. 2008/0164006, published on Jul. 10, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
         [0083]    The fully-functional zone-control unit  200  depicted in  FIG. 2 , which illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, preferably includes a mechanical terminal unit  202  having a casing  204 . The casing  204 , which can be made from various materials of differing thicknesses, is frequently made from galvanized sheet steel material. Frequently, the casing  204  is lined with a thermal insulation material, not visible in  FIG. 2 , which may be chosen from various different types such as fiberglass insulation, rigid duct board fiber insulation, polyolefin, closed cell, foam insulation, etc. In some embodiments, insulation contained in zone-control unit  200  complies with an industry standard, such as a standard set by the Office of Statewide Health and Planning Department (OSHPOD). 
         [0084]    For VAV zone-control units  200 , the mechanical terminal unit  202  preferably includes a damper assembly, not visible in  FIG. 2 . The damper assembly is supported for rotation within the easing  204  by a shaft which extends through and beyond the casing  204 . The mechanical terminal unit  202  of a zone-control unit  200  that includes the damper assembly also includes a DDC controller (not shown) that is coupled to a damper motor, (not shown), which rotates the damper assembly. The DDC controller receives a signal from a thermostat or room sensor and responsive thereto controls operation of the damper assembly to regulate the amount of heating or cooling provided by air leaving the zone-control unit  200 . The DDC controller may be selected from various different types such as pneumatic, analog electronic or direct digital electronic. The mechanical terminal unit  202  also includes an airflow sensor, also not visible in  FIG. 2 , which can be located near an air inlet to the easing  204  and may be selected from various types for sensing the velocity of air entering the casing  204 . 
         [0085]    To heat or cool air flowing through the mechanical terminal unit  202 , the casing  204  includes a coil  222  that is located near the air inlet thereto, and which adapts the mechanical terminal unit  202  for inclusion in a hydronic HVAC system. The casing  204  includes both an inlet collar, not visible in  FIG. 2 , and an outlet connection  224 , each of which is adapted to mate with a building&#39;s HVAC ductwork. If a zone-control unit  200  were to be assembled at a construction site, the mechanical terminal unit  202  would arrive there with the various components listed above mostly assembled, other than the DDC controller and the damper motor, by the terminal unit&#39;s manufacturer. 
         [0086]    The mechanical terminal unit  202  is preferably selected from among various different types and styles sold by Krueger based in Richardson, Tex. Krueger is a division of Air Systems Components (ASC) which is part of the Dayton, Ohio Air System Components Division of Tomkins Industries, Inc. of London, England. 
         [0087]    To fashion the mechanical terminal unit  202  into a zone-control unit  200  ready for installation into a building&#39;s HVAC system, various plumbing components can be added for circulating either hot or cold water through the coil  222 . For supplying water to the coil  222  the zone-control unit.  100  includes an inlet piping assembly  230 . The piping assembly  230  includes an L-shaped section of pipe  231  which connects at one end to a lower header of the coil  222 , not visible in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0088]    The zone-control unit  200  also includes an outlet piping assembly  232  for receiving water from the coil  222 . A short length of pipe  234  which ends in a tee  236  connects to a header  238  of the coil  222 . A manual air vent  242  is connected to and projects upward above the tee  236  to facilitate eliminating air from the piping assemblies  2302 ,  232  following first assembling the HVAC system, or reassembly of the zone-control unit  100  when maintenance or repairs become necessary. An L-shaped section of pipe  244  is connected to and descends below the tee  236 . Also in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, each pipe  231 ,  244  is sealed by a spun copper cap  246  which can be five (5) times, thicker than the pipe  231 ,  244 . 
         [0089]    To reduce any possibility that a zone-control unit  200  might be damaged while being transported from its assembly, test and qualification location to a construction site and to facilitate handling the zone-control unit  200  during its installation into the HVAC system, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2  each zone-control unit  200  also includes a pair of handles  252  that are preferably secured to the casing  204  of the mechanical terminal unit  102  near opposite ends thereof. 
         [0090]    Each of the handles  252  includes an L-shaped handle mounting bracket  255  which is rigidly secured to the mechanical terminal unit  202  on the side nearest to the piping assemblies  230 ,  232 . As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the handle mounting brackets  255  are secured near opposite ends of the zone-control unit&#39;s casing  204 . Each of the handles  252 , for example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , is formed by a plate of sheet metal. 
         [0091]    The handles  252  can include features configure to secure the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  and to secure and/or support the piping stick  100 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , each handle  252  is pierced by a plurality of circularly-shaped holes  254 . The holes  254  each receive a grommet  256  that fits snugly around the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  and/or the piping stick  100  where they pass through the handles  252 . In the embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 3 , the handles  252  can include, a cut-out  300  that is sized and shaped to receive the piping stick  100 . The cut-outs  300  can comprise a variety of shapes, including, for example, C-shaped, L-shaped, or any other desired shape. The cut-outs  300  can be lined with the cushioning material  304  that can fit snugly around the piping stick  100  where it contacts the handles  252 . In some embodiments, and as depicted in  FIG. 3 , the handles  252  can include one or more securement features  304 . The securement features  304  can be configured to allow the securing of the piping stick  100  to the handles  252 . In some embodiments, for example, the securement features can comprise one or several holes located on opposite sides of the cutouts  300  to thereby allow the use of a tie such as, for example, a wire and/or string to secure the piping stick  100  to the handles  252 . 
         [0092]    Arranged, in this way, the handles  252  provide a structure for mechanically coupling the mechanical terminal unit  202  and the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  together thereby reducing any possibility that the zone-control unit  200  might be damaged while being transported from its assembly, test and qualification location to a construction site. Furthermore, the handles  252  protect zone-control units  200  during shipping, and facilitate their handling during installation into the HVAC system such as maneuvering zone-control units  200  into position in a building&#39;s ductwork. During installation, the handles  252  maintain positional relation-ships between the mechanical terminal unit  202  including the coil  222  and the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  because the handles  252  mechanically bind the entire zone-control unit  200  together into a single unit. 
         [0093]      FIG. 4  depicts a schematic illustration of one embodiment of assembly portions created from a piping stick  100 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the piping stick  100  has been converted to a first assembly portion  400 , a second assembly portion  402 , third assembly portion  404 , and a fourth assembly portion  406 . The assembly portions can include portions of the piping stick  100  attachable to the zone-control unit  200 , and specifically to the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  of the zone-control unit  200 , and portions the piping stick  100  that are not attachable to the zone-control unit  200 . 
         [0094]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the first assembly portion  400  comprises a first portion  106 -A of the first piping section  106  and the first cap  112 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the first assembly portion  400  is not attachable to the zone-control unit  200 . 
         [0095]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the second assembly portion  402  comprises a second portion  106 -B of the first piping section  106 , the first control section  102 , and a first portion  108 -A of the second piping section  108 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the second assembly portion  402  is attachable to inlet piping assembly  230 , and specifically, the second portion  106 -B of the first piping section  106  is attachable to a portion of the inlet piping assembly  230  that is exposed by the removal of spun copper cap  246 . 
         [0096]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the third assembly portion  404  comprises a second portion  108 -B of the second piping section  108 , the second control section  104 , and a first portion  110 -A of the third piping section  110 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the third assembly portion  404  is attachable to outlet piping assembly  232 , and specifically, the second portion  108 -B of the second piping section  108  is attachable to a portion of the outlet piping assembly  232  that is exposed by the removal of spun copper cap  246 . 
         [0097]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , the fourth assembly portion  406  comprises a second portion  110 -B of the third piping section  110  and the second cap  114 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 , the fourth assembly portion  406  is not attachable to the zone-control unit  200 . 
         [0098]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a fully-functional zone-control unit  200  includes a casing  204  from, which a pair of handles  252  project, and the second and third assembly portions  402 ,  404  that include control sections  102 ,  104 . As depicted in  FIG. 4A , the second and third assembly portions  402 ,  404  are connected to inlet and outlet piping assemblies  230 ,  232 . Specifically, the second assembly portion  402  is connected to pipe  231  of the inlet piping assembly  230 , and the third assembly portion  404  is connected to pipe  244  of the outlet piping assembly  232 . In some embodiments, for example, the assembly portions  402 ,  404  can be connected to the inlet and outlet piping assemblies  230 ,  232  in any desired fashion. In some embodiments, this connection can be made, for example, with a union, by mechanically connecting the pieces together, by welding the pieces together, by soldering the pieces together, by brazing the pieces together, and/or adhering the pieces together. 
         [0099]    In some embodiments, for example, the unconnected end of the assembly portions  402 ,  404 , the end that is not connected to the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  can be connected to other portions of an HVAC system. In some embodiments, for example, this can include connecting the unconnected end of the assembly portions  402 ,  404  to return and/or supply piping. In some embodiments, the return and/or supply piping can transport fluid to and from the assembly portions  402 ,  404  and the zone-control unit  200 . In some embodiments, for example, the semi-portions  402 ,  404  can be connected to other portions of the HVAC system in any desired fashion. In some embodiments, this connection can be made, for example, with a union, by mechanically connecting the pieces together, by welding the pieces together, by soldering the pieces together, by brazing the pieces together, and/or adhering the pieces together. 
         [0100]    In some embodiments, for example, the assembly portions  402 ,  404  can interact with the handles  252  via the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  and/or the other portions of the HVAC system which can be, for example, extend through holes  254  of the handles  252 , and specifically extend through the grommet  256  located in the holes  254  of the handle  252 . In some embodiments, for example, portions of the assembly portions  402 ,  404  can extend through the holes  254  of the handles  252 , and specifically extend through the grommet  256  located in the holes  254  of the handles  250  to thereby connect the assembly portions  402 ,  404  with the handles  252 . The interaction of the assembly portions  402 ,  404  with the handles  252  can secure the assembly portions  402 ,  404  relative to the zone-control unit  200 . 
         [0101]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  500  for creating a piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, the process  500  can be performed at the site of the assembly of the HVAC system and in some embodiments, the process  500  can be performed at a site remote from the assembly of the HVAC system such as, for example, in a factory. 
         [0102]    The process  500  begins at block  502  wherein the piping stick  100  is assembled. Assembling the piping stick  100  can include the collection of the components to be used in the piping stick  100  and the connection of the components to be used in the piping stick  100 . 
         [0103]    After the piping stick  100  has been assembled, the process  500  proceeds to block  504  wherein the piping stick  100  is pressurized. In some embodiments, for example, the piping stick  100  can be pressurized by increasing the pressure within the piping stick  100  and/or by decreasing the pressure within the piping stick  100 . Thus, in some embodiments, the pressure within the piping stick  100  is less than and/or greater than ambient pressures. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure within the piping stick  100  can be changed by reusing fluid from the piping stick  100  and or by adding fluid to the piping stick  100 . 
         [0104]    After the piping stick has been pressurized, the process  500  proceeds to block  506  wherein the piping slick  100  is validated. In some embodiments, for example, validation the piping stick  100  can include determining whether the piping stick  100  is sealed and/or whether the piping stick  100  has leaks. After the piping stick  300  has been validated, the process  500  can terminate. 
         [0105]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  600  that can be used to assemble the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the process  600  can be performed as a portion of the assembling of the piping stick  100  described in block  502  of  FIG. 5 . The process  600  begins at block  602  wherein the first control section  102  is assembled. In some embodiments, for example, the assembly of the first control section  102  can include the collection the components of the first control section  102  and the connection of the components of the first control section  102 . In some embodiments, for example, the components of the first control section  102  can be connected to a desired fashion including, for example, screwed and or threaded together, adhere to, brazed, or soldered. 
         [0106]    After the first control section  102  is assembled, the process  600  proceeds to block  604  wherein the first piping section  106  is attached. In some embodiments, for example, the first piping section  106  is attached to the first control section  102 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first piping section  106  can be attached to the first control section  102  via a union. 
         [0107]    After the first piping section  106  is attached, the process proceeds to block  606  wherein the second piping section  108  is attached. In some embodiments, for example, the second piping section  108  is attached to the first control section  102 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first end of the second piping section  108  can be attached to the first control section  102  via a union. 
         [0108]    After the second piping section  108  is attached, the process  600  proceeds to block  608  wherein the second control section  104  is assembled. In some embodiments, for example, the assembly of the second control section  104  can include the collection the components of second control section  104  and the connection of the components of the second control section  104 . In some embodiments, for example, the components of the second control section  104  can be connected in a desired fashion including, for example, screwed and or threaded together, adhered, brazed, or soldered. 
         [0109]    After the second control section  104  is assembled, the process  600  proceeds to block  610  wherein the second control section  104  is attached to the second piping section  108 . In some embodiments, for example, the second control section  104  is attached to the second piping section  108 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, the second end of the second piping section  108  can be attached to the first control section  102  via a union. 
         [0110]    After the second control section  104  is attached, the process  600  proceeds to block  612  wherein the third piping section  310  is attached to the second control section  104 . In some embodiments, for example, the third piping section  110  is attached to the second control section  104 . As discussed above, in some embodiments, the third piping section  110  can be attached to the second control section  104  via a union. After the third piping section is attached, the process  600  proceeds to block  614  and then proceeds to block  504  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0111]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  700  that can be used to pressurize the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the process  700  can be performed as a portion of the pressurizing the piping stick  100  described in block  504  of  FIG. 5 . The process  700  begins in block  702  wherein the first piping section  106  is sealed. In some embodiments, for example the sealing of the first piping section  106  can include the creation of the first cap  112  to seal the second end of the first piping section  106 . 
         [0112]    After the first piping section  106  has been sealed, the process  700  proceeds to block  704  wherein the third piping section is sealed. In some embodiments, for example the sealing of the third piping section  110  can include the creation of the second cap  114  to seal the second end of the third piping section  110 . 
         [0113]    After the third piping section  110  has been sealed, the process  700  proceeds to block  706  wherein a pressure change within the piping stick  100  is affected. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure within the piping stick can be changed by increasing the pressure within the piping stick  100  to a pressure greater than ambient pressure or decreasing the pressure within the piping stick  100  to a pressure less than ambient pressure. In some embodiments, for example the pressure within the piping stick  100  can be increased to a pressure greater than the ambient pressure by adding fluid into the piping stick  100 , and in some embodiments, for example, the pressure within the piping stick  100  can be decreased to a pressure less than the ambient pressure by removing fluid from of the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, a pressure change can be affected within the piping stick  100  so that the piping stick  100  attains a desired self-point pressure. 
         [0114]    After a pressure change in the piping stick has been affected, the process  700  proceeds to decision state  708  wherein it is determined if the pressure the piping stick  100  is proper. In some embodiments, this determination can include measuring the pressure within the piping stick and comparing the pressure to the desired set-point pressure of the piping stick  100 . If it is determined that the pressure the piping stick  100  is improper, the process  700  returns to block  706 . If it is determined that the pressure within the piping stick  100  is proper, then the process  700  proceeds to block  710  and to block  506  of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  800  for validating a piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the process  800  can be performed as a portion of the validating of the piping stick  100  described in block  506  of  FIG. 5 . The process  800  begins at block  802  wherein the pressure within the piping stick  100  is measured. In some embodiments, for example, the pressure within the piping stick  100  can be measured by the pressure sensor accessing portion the piping stick  100  through, for example, one of the ports of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0116]    After the pressure the piping stick  100  has been measured, the process  800  proceeds to decision state  804  wherein it is determined if the measured pressure is correct. In some embodiments, for example, the determination of whether the measured pressure is correct can include comparing the measured pressure within the piping stick  100  to the desired set-point pressure of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0117]    If it is determined that the measured pressure within the piping stick  100  is correct, the process proceeds to block  806  wherein the piping stick  100  is indicated as compliant, in some embodiments, for example, the indication of the complaint piping stick  100  can comprise an Indication that the piping stick  100  does not have any leaks. Alter the piping stick  100  is indicated as compliant, the process  800  can terminate. 
         [0118]    Returning again to decision state  804 , if it is determined that the pressure within the piping stick  100  is incorrect, the process  800  proceeds to block  808  wherein leaks within the piping stick  100  are identified. In some embodiments, for example, the identification of the leaks can include testing of each of the joints of the piping stick  100  to identify the location of the leak. In some embodiments, for example identifying the location of any of the leaks can include dividing the pressurized volume of the piping stick  100  into a plurality of smaller pressurized volumes and determining whether the smaller pressurized volumes are losing pressure, which pressure loss provides an indication of a leak within the smaller pressurized volume. 
         [0119]    After any leaks in the piping stick  100  have been identified, the process  800  proceeds to block  810  wherein the piping stick  100  is sealed. In some embodiments, for example, the sealing of the piping stick  100  can include the sealing of the leaks identified in block  808 . After the identified leaks are sealed, the process  800  proceeds to block  812  and returns to block  706  of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  900  for assembling an HVAC unit and/or a zone-control unit. The process  900  can be performed by, for example, the contractor. The process begins at block  902  wherein the piping stick is verified. In some embodiments, for example, the verification the piping stick can include ascertaining whether the piping stick is a functional and specified condition. After the piping stick has been verified, the process  900  proceeds to block  904  wherein assembly portions are created. In some embodiments, for example, the assembly portions can be created from the piping stick  100 . After the assembly portions are created, the process  900  proceeds to block  906  wherein the HVAC unit is assembled, after which, the process  900  can terminate. 
         [0121]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  1000  for verifying the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the process  1000  can be performed as a portion of the verifying of the piping stick  100  described in block  902  of  FIG. 9 . The process begins at block  1002 , wherein the piping stick  100  is obtained. In some embodiments, for example, the piping stick  100  can be obtained from a supplier of piping sticks  100  such as, for example, a manufacturer, a distributor, a retailer, and/or a service provider. In some embodiments, the piping stick  100  can include information relating to features of the piping stick  100  such as, for example, the set-point pressure of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0122]    After the piping stick  100  has been obtained, the process  1000  proceeds to block  1004  wherein the piping stick pressure is measured. In some embodiments, for example, the piping stick pressure can be measured by a pressure sensor accessing the interior volume of the piping stick  100  via one of the ports of the piping stick  100 . In one embodiment, for example, the pressure of the piping stick  100  can be measured by, for example, the pressure gauge  132 . 
         [0123]    After the pressure the piping stick has been measured, the process proceeds to decision state  1004  wherein it is determined if the pressure the piping stick is acceptable. In some embodiments, for example, the determination of whether the pressure the piping stick  100  is acceptable can be made by comparing the measured pressure of piping stick  102  to the set-point pressure of the piping stick  100 . In some embodiments, for example, the set point pressure the piping stick  100  can include the pressure to which the piping stick  100  was set, as well as the range of acceptable pressures of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0124]    If the measured pressure of the piping stick  100  is unacceptable, then the process  1000  proceeds to block  1008  wherein the piping stick is rejected. In some embodiments, for example, the rejection of piping stick  100  can include the addition of an indicator of the failure of the piping stick  100  to have a pressure within the acceptable pressure range. After the piping stick.  100  has been rejected, the process  1000  returns to block  1002 . 
         [0125]    Returning again to decision state  1004 , if it is determined that the pressure of the piping stick  100  is acceptable, the process  1000  proceeds to block  1010  wherein the piping stick  100  is accepted. In some embodiments, for example, the acceptance of the piping stick  100  can include the addition of an indicator of the piping stick  100  meeting the acceptable pressure ranges. After the piping stick  100  has been accepted, the process  1000  proceeds to block  1012  and proceeds with block  904  of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0126]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment, of a process  1100  for creating assembly portions. In some embodiments, for example, the process  1100  can be performed as a portion of creating assembly portions described in block  904  of  FIG. 9 . The process  1100  begins at block  1102  where in a first assembly portion is created. In some embodiments, for example, the first assembly portion can correspond to one of the assembly portions  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406  that is attachable to one of the piping assemblies  230 ,  232 . Specifically, in one embodiment, the first assembly portion can be one of the second assembly portion  402  and/or the third assembly portion  404 . The first assembly portion can be created using any desired technique. In some embodiments, for example, the first assembly portion can be created by separating the first assembly portion from the other components of the piping stick  100 . 
         [0127]    After the first assembly portion has been created, the process  1100  proceeds to block  1104  wherein the second assembly portions created. In some embodiments, for example, the second assembly portion can correspond to one of the assembly portions  400 ,  402 ,  404 ,  406  that is attachable to one of the piping assemblies  230 ,  232 . Specifically, in one embodiment, the second assembly portion can be one of the second assembly portion  402  and/or the third assembly portion  404 . The second assembly portion can be created using any desired technique. In some embodiments, for example, the second assembly portion can be created by separating the second assembly portion from the other components of the piping stick  100 . After the second assembly portion is created, the process  1100  proceeds to block  1106  and to block  906  of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0128]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of a process  1200  for creating assembly portions. In some embodiments, for example, the process  1200  can be performed as a portion of the creating assembly portions described in block  904  of  FIG. 9 . The process  1200  begins at block  1202  wherein the first cap  112  is cut off of the first piping section  106 . In some embodiments, for example, the first cap  112  can be cut off of the first piping section  106  using, for example, a pipe cutter, a saw, tin-snips, a shear, a torch, or any other cutting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the first cap  112  can be cut off of the first piping section  106  by cutting the first piping section  106  between the first end and the second end of the first piping section  106 . In some embodiments, for example, the cutting off of the first cap  112  from the other portions of the first piping section  106  can create the first assembly portion  400 . 
         [0129]    After the first cap  112  has been cut off of the first piping section  106 , the process  1200  proceeds to block  1204  wherein the second cap  114  is cut off of the third piping section  110 . In some embodiments, for example, the second cap  114  can be cut off of the third piping section  110  using, for example, a pipe cutter, a saw, tin-snips, a shear, a torch, or any other cutting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the second cap  114  can be cut off of the third piping section  110  by cutting the third piping section  110  between the first end and the second end of the third piping section  110 . In some embodiments, for example, the cutting off of the second cap  114  from the other portions of the third piping section  110  can create the fourth assembly portion  406 . 
         [0130]    Alter the second cap  114  has been cut off of the third piping section  110 , the process  1200  proceeds to block  1206  wherein the second piping piece  108  is cut into two pieces. In some embodiments, for example, the second piping section  108  can be cut into two pieces using, for example, a pipe cutter, a saw, tin-snips, a shear, a torch, or any other cutting tool. In some embodiments, for example, the second piping section  108  can be cut into two pieces by cutting the second piping section  108  between its first end and second end. In some embodiments, for example, cutting the second piping section  108  into two pieces can create the second aid third assembly portions  402 ,  404 . After the second piping piece  108  is cut into two pieces, the process  1200  proceeds to block  1208  and to block  906  of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0131]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a process  1300  for preparing an HVAC unit and/or zone-control unit. In some embodiments, for example, the process  1300  can be performed as part of the process  900  for assembling an HVAC unit and/or zone-control unit as depicted in block  906  of  FIG. 9 . The process begins at block  1302  wherein an HVAC unit is obtained. In some embodiments, for example, the HVAC unit can include a piping stick  100  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . After the HVAC unit is obtained, the process  1300  proceeds to block  1304  wherein the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  are unsealed. In some embodiments, for example, the unsealing of the piping assemblies  230 ,  232  can include, cutting the spun copper caps  246  off of the pipes  231 ,  244 . This cutting can be performed using any that the techniques discussed above in cutting the piping stick  100 . After the piping assemblies are unsealed, the process  1300  proceeds to block  1306  wherein the assembly units are connected to the unsealed pipes  231 ,  244 . The connection of the assembly units to the unsealed pipes  231 ,  244  can be performed using any desired technique including, for example, threading, screwing, adhering, gluing, welding, soldering, or brazing. After the assembly units, are connected with the unsealed pipes  231 ,  244 , the process  1300  can terminate. 
         [0132]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted as limiting. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternative applications of the invention will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.