US3586830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Logical control for discretely metering energy to thermal systems incorporating apparatus and methods for simulating time related temperatures
Assignee: COLTRON IND
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Filing: 1968-11-29
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1988-11-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to logically controlled unique temperature systems, and it more particularly relates to methods and apparatus for establishing and controlling thermal systems wherein sensing means may anticipate temperature conditions at other points, such as at the work or loads and wherein the controlled heating means are related to the thermal capacity of the system. This arrangement is particularly compatible with unique logical control wherein the temperature signal(s) is converted to a digital pulse train for logical analysis, in turn capable of controlling the heating means by discrete energy bursts. Also, the computer or logical means are capable of sounding an alarm in the event of abnormal conditions or conditions deviating from predetermined patterns.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank W Leitner
- 👤 Bobby B Childress
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:59
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; B; B29; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/03; D; D02; D02J; D02J13/00; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1906; G05D23/1913; G05D23/20; G05D23/24; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/12; G05F1/40; G05F1/44; G05F1/45; G05F1/452
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An electronic logic control apparatus for providing a timed output signal when one frequency signal is different in a predetermined direction from a fixed frequency signal comprising, means for developing the fixed frequency signal as a square wave train at a fraction of the original fixed frequency; AND gate means connected to receive as one input thereof the square wave train; means for developing said one frequency signal variable in frequency in proportion to an energy level means for determining if a selected number of pulses of said one frequency signal occur during a selected portion of the square wave train to produce one condition at the AND gate means by applying a pulse as another input to the AND gate means; and means responsive to the AND gate means during said condition to produce said timed output signal metered over a predetermined time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electronic logic control apparatus for providing a timed output signal when one frequency signal is different in a predetermined direction from a fixed frequency signal comprising, means for developing the fixed frequency signal as a square wave train at a fraction of the original fixed frequency; AND gate means connected to receive as one input thereof the square wave train; means for developing said one frequency signal variable in frequency in proportion to an energy level means for determining if a selected number of pulses of said one frequency signal occur during a selected portion of the square wave train to produce one condition at the AND gate means by applying a pulse as another input to the AND gate means; and means responsive to the AND gate means during said condition to produce said timed output signal metered over a predetermined time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for developing the fixed frequency signal comprise oscillator means for developing the fixed frequency signal; and means for dividing the frequency and converting the signal to a square wave train
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for determining if a selected number of pulses of said one frequency occur during a selected portion of the square wave train comprises counting and gating means operable by said one frequency signal and the square wave train.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The control apparatus of claim 3 wherein the counting and gating means applies output pulse to the AND gate means upon detection of said condition; the other signal to said AND gate means comprising the square wave train.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means responsive to the AND gate means comprises multivibrator means triggered by the AND gate means upon detection of said condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising alarm means operable from the means for determining if a selected number of pulses in response to a frequency deviation of a predetermined amount between said one frequency and the fixed frequency. 7 The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for developing said one frequency signal be sensing said energy level directly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for developing said one frequency signal by sensing said energy level indirectly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means responsive to variations of said energy level to produce an analog signal indicative thereof, and means for converting the analog signal to a digital frequency pulse train to comprise said one frequency signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising heating means for at least one thermal load; and heat sensing means for developing said one frequency signal in accordance with the heat energy level sensed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for supplying energy to the heating means in response to said timed output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The control apparatus of claim 10 further comprising means for supplying energy to the heating means; control means for said means for supplying responsive to said timed output signal to cause the means for supplying to supply metered energy bursts to the heating means corresponding in time to the period of each timed output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
108 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 for controlling a thermal system further comprising a primary heat flow path from a heat source to a load; a secondary heat flow path extending from the primary heat flow path; sensing means responsive to said energy level of heat in the secondary path at a given position to develop said one frequency signal; heat flow control means in the secondary heat flow path between the primary heat flow path and the given position to simulate load conditions at the sensing means; and means for adjusting the magnitude of heat flow along the primary path in response to said timed output signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
A electronic logic control apparatus for providing a metered output when one frequency is different from another frequency comprising, means for developing a fixed frequency; means for converting the fixed frequency to a square wave train at a fraction of the original fixed frequency; AND gate means connected to receive as one input thereof the square wave train and as the otherinput thereof a conditional signal in accordance with the other frequency; means for determining if a selected number of the other frequency pulses occur during a selected portion of the square wave to produce said conditional signal at the AND circuit to cause an output therefrom; and means responsive to said output therefrom at the AND circuit for metering for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A electronic logic control apparatus for providing a metered output when one frequency is different from another frequency comprising, means for developing a fixed frequency; means for converting the fixed frequency to a square wave train at a fraction of the original fixed frequency; AND gate means connected to receive as one input thereof the square wave train and as the otherinput thereof a conditional signal in accordance with the other frequency; means for determining if a selected number of the other frequency pulses occur during a selected portion of the square wave to produce said conditional signal at the AND circuit to cause an output therefrom; and means responsive to said output therefrom at the AND circuit for metering for a predetermined time interval.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
Logical thermal control apparatus comprising in combination means for supplying heat to a load; control means for the heat supply means; temperature sensing means disposed relative to the load to simulate the temperature thereof; means for converting the sensed temperature to a digital frequency pulse train; logic means; means for supplying the digital frequency pulse train to the logic means; means for supplying a fixed frequency to the logic means for a determination of whether the load temperature is below, equal to, or above a predetermined temperature and producing a signal when the load temperature is below the predetermined temperature; and means for energizing the control means for a predetermined amount of energy to be supplied to the heating means in response to said signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
Logical thermal control apparatus comprising in combination means for supplying heat to a load; control means for the heat supply means; temperature sensing means disposed relative to the load to simulate the temperature thereof; means for converting the sensed temperature to a digital frequency pulse train; logic means; means for supplying the digital frequency pulse train to the logic means; means for supplying a fixed frequency to the logic means for a determination of whether the load temperature is below, equal to, or above a predetermined temperature and producing a signal when the load temperature is below the predetermined temperature; and means for energizing the control means for a predetermined amount of energy to be supplied to the heating means in response to said signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The control apparatus of claim 15 wherein the temperature sensing means comprise thermal control means disposed to receive a portion of the supplied heat and having thermal coefficeints to modify the flow of said portion to simulate load conditions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
137 words
A multiload temperature control system comprising a plurality of heating means respectively associated with the loads for bringing load temperatures to predetermined set point temperatures through on-off power bursts; a plurality of temperature sensors respectively disposed in heat dissipating paths of the loads; resistance to frequency converters respectively in electrical connection with each of the temperature sensors and physically deployed in proximity thereto to develop frequency pulse trains indicative of the temperatures being sensed; means for developing a reference frequency and for logically comparing the frequency pulse trains and the reference frequency to produce control signals for the load heating means associated with the loads at temperatures less than set point; and means sequentially introducing said frequency pulse trains to the means for developing and comparing and for sequentially applying said control signals to the heating means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
137 words
A multiload temperature control system comprising a plurality of heating means respectively associated with the loads for bringing load temperatures to predetermined set point temperatures through on-off power bursts; a plurality of temperature sensors respectively disposed in heat dissipating paths of the loads; resistance to frequency converters respectively in electrical connection with each of the temperature sensors and physically deployed in proximity thereto to develop frequency pulse trains indicative of the temperatures being sensed; means for developing a reference frequency and for logically comparing the frequency pulse trains and the reference frequency to produce control signals for the load heating means associated with the loads at temperatures less than set point; and means sequentially introducing said frequency pulse trains to the means for developing and comparing and for sequentially applying said control signals to the heating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
63 words
The control system of claim 17 wherein the load heating means meter input power in predetermined energy bursts to heat the load in response to said control signals, and said control signals being of relatively short time duration relative to the time interval of a predetermined energy burst whereby the multiload temperature control is effected from a single means for developing and comparing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for providing timed output signals when the frequency of a first signal changes in a predetermined direction and amount as determined relative to a fixed frequency periodic timing wave, comprising in combination means for developing said periodic timing wave; coincident detector means connected to receive as one input thereof said timing wave and as another input thereof a logical control signal; counting means responsive to the frequency of said first signal and the timing wave to develop said logical control signal when the frequency of said first signal varies said amount in the predetermined direction; and meanS responsive to the occurrence of said logical control signal to produce the timed output signal over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
119 words
Apparatus for providing timed output signals when the frequency of a first signal changes in a predetermined direction and amount as determined relative to a fixed frequency periodic timing wave, comprising in combination means for developing said periodic timing wave; coincident detector means connected to receive as one input thereof said timing wave and as another input thereof a logical control signal; counting means responsive to the frequency of said first signal and the timing wave to develop said logical control signal when the frequency of said first signal varies said amount in the predetermined direction; and meanS responsive to the occurrence of said logical control signal to produce the timed output signal over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 19 further comprising means responsive to variations of an energy level to produce an analog signal indicative thereof; and means for converting the analog signal to a digital frequency pulse train to comprise said first signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 20 further comprising heating means for a thermal load, means for supplying energy to the heating means; and control means for the means for supplying responsive to said timed output signal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of maintaining a predetermined set temperature at an electrically heated load comprising the steps of: deriving an analog temperature signal in accordance with the instantaneous temperature of the load; converting said analog temperature signal to a digital pulse train having a frequency in accordance with the temperature; deriving a fixed frequency periodic timing wave; counting the occurrence of signal frequency manifestations relative to the time of occurrence of selected waves of the periodic timing wave; establishing an electrical heating path to the load whenever a predetermined count is realized; and introducing a discrete amount of heating current each time said predetermined count is sensed.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of maintaining a predetermined set temperature at an electrically heated load comprising the steps of: deriving an analog temperature signal in accordance with the instantaneous temperature of the load; converting said analog temperature signal to a digital pulse train having a frequency in accordance with the temperature; deriving a fixed frequency periodic timing wave; counting the occurrence of signal frequency manifestations relative to the time of occurrence of selected waves of the periodic timing wave; establishing an electrical heating path to the load whenever a predetermined count is realized; and introducing a discrete amount of heating current each time said predetermined count is sensed.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling the temperature of a load using on-off heating control comprising the steps of: determining a minimum predetermined energy burst relative to the load which will change its temperature almost undetectably; sensing the temperature of the load relative to a predetermined temperature; applying a minimum predetermined energy burst to the load when the sensed temperature is below the predetermined set temperature; and sensing the load temperature one or more times during the time interval of the application of the minimum predetermined energy burst in order that a commitment of successive minimum predetermined energy bursts may be determined if required to permit the application of almost continuous energy to the load until set temperature is attained.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
118 words
A method of controlling the temperature of a load using on-off heating control comprising the steps of: determining a minimum predetermined energy burst relative to the load which will change its temperature almost undetectably; sensing the temperature of the load relative to a predetermined temperature; applying a minimum predetermined energy burst to the load when the sensed temperature is below the predetermined set temperature; and sensing the load temperature one or more times during the time interval of the application of the minimum predetermined energy burst in order that a commitment of successive minimum predetermined energy bursts may be determined if required to permit the application of almost continuous energy to the load until set temperature is attained.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of controlling the temperatures of a plurality of loads in accordance with claim 23 by the further step of sequentially scanning the temperature signals from the plurality of loads respectively at a rate sufficiently high to scan all temperature signals at least one during the period of a minimum predetermined energy burst.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
169 words
On-off type logical thermal control apparatus comprising in combination means for supplying heat to a load; control means for the heat supply means; temperature sensing means disposed relative to the lead to simulate the temperature thereof; means for converting the sensed temperature to a digital frequency pulse train; logic means; means for supplying a digital reference to the logic means for a determination of whether the load temperature is below, equal to, or above a predetermined temperature and producing a signal when the load temperature is below the predetermined temperature; said control means comprising means for metering energy into predetermined amounts measured over predetermined periods of time in which each predetermined amount is sufficient only to urge the load temperature upwardly; and means for energizing the control means for a predetermined amount of energy to be supplied to the heating means in response to said signal the temperature sensing and conversion being accomplished at a rate equal to at least once during the time of a predetermined time interval.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
169 words
On-off type logical thermal control apparatus comprising in combination means for supplying heat to a load; control means for the heat supply means; temperature sensing means disposed relative to the lead to simulate the temperature thereof; means for converting the sensed temperature to a digital frequency pulse train; logic means; means for supplying a digital reference to the logic means for a determination of whether the load temperature is below, equal to, or above a predetermined temperature and producing a signal when the load temperature is below the predetermined temperature; said control means comprising means for metering energy into predetermined amounts measured over predetermined periods of time in which each predetermined amount is sufficient only to urge the load temperature upwardly; and means for energizing the control means for a predetermined amount of energy to be supplied to the heating means in response to said signal the temperature sensing and conversion being accomplished at a rate equal to at least once during the time of a predetermined time interval.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of supplying thermal energy to a load through application of heat in on-off fashion comprising the steps of: establishing a reference indicative of a set temperature for the load; instantaneously sensing temperature indicative of the load temperature; converting the sensed temperature to a temperature indicative signal; logically comparing the reference indicative of the set temperature with the sensed indicative temperature signaL to determine if the load temperature is below set temperature; applying a predetermined amount of energy to the load metered over a predetermined time interval when the load temperature is below set temperature and which amount is sufficient only to elevate minutely the load temperature; continuing the instantaneous sensing and logical comparison to continue the application of predetermined amounts of energy until the load reaches set temperature; said instantaneous sensing being accomplished at a rate equal to at least once during each time interval corresponding to said predetermined time interval.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of supplying thermal energy to a load through application of heat in on-off fashion comprising the steps of: establishing a reference indicative of a set temperature for the load; instantaneously sensing temperature indicative of the load temperature; converting the sensed temperature to a temperature indicative signal; logically comparing the reference indicative of the set temperature with the sensed indicative temperature signaL to determine if the load temperature is below set temperature; applying a predetermined amount of energy to the load metered over a predetermined time interval when the load temperature is below set temperature and which amount is sufficient only to elevate minutely the load temperature; continuing the instantaneous sensing and logical comparison to continue the application of predetermined amounts of energy until the load reaches set temperature; said instantaneous sensing being accomplished at a rate equal to at least once during each time interval corresponding to said predetermined time interval.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for controlling the application of thermal energy to a load in on-off fashion comprising, in combination means establishing a reference indicative of set temperature for the load; means instantaneously sensing temperature indicative of the load temperature; means for converting the sensed temperature to a temperature indicative signal; means responsive to the reference indicative of set temperature and the temperature indicative signal for logically comparing them to determine if the load temperature is below set temperature; means for metering a predetermined amount of energy over a predetermined time interval which amount is sufficient only to elevate the load temperature minutely; and means for applying energy in predetermined amounts to the load as long as the load temperature is below set temperature; said instantaneous sensing being accomplished at a rate equal to a least once during each time interval corresponding to said predetermined time interval.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
144 words
Apparatus for controlling the application of thermal energy to a load in on-off fashion comprising, in combination means establishing a reference indicative of set temperature for the load; means instantaneously sensing temperature indicative of the load temperature; means for converting the sensed temperature to a temperature indicative signal; means responsive to the reference indicative of set temperature and the temperature indicative signal for logically comparing them to determine if the load temperature is below set temperature; means for metering a predetermined amount of energy over a predetermined time interval which amount is sufficient only to elevate the load temperature minutely; and means for applying energy in predetermined amounts to the load as long as the load temperature is below set temperature; said instantaneous sensing being accomplished at a rate equal to a least once during each time interval corresponding to said predetermined time interval.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |