Automated energy systems with computer compatibility

Claim 3

Apparatus for supervising energy systems in ON/OFF fashion by controlling the energy application to maintain a desired energy level comprising, in combination: means for predetermining the desired energy level by establishing it as a number; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for converting the variable output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers being retrievable respectively against the desired energy level number; means for selecting from the stored ratio numbers the predetermined desired energy level number; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for determining if the selected number of clock pulses is greater than, equal to, or less than the selected number; and, means for applying energy if required.

Claim 4

Apparatus for supervising energy systems in ON/OFF fashion by controlling the energy application to maintain a desired energy level comprising, in combination: means for predetermining the desired energy level by establishing it as a number; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for converting the variable output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers being retrievable respectively against the desired energy level number; means for selecting from the stored ratio numbers the predetermined desired energy level number; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for determining if the selected number of clock pulses is greater than, equal to, or less than the selected number; and, means for applying energy if required.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein; said means for predetermining are switched and the number is represented in binary coded decimal; said means for sensing is a resistance; said desired energy level is a temperature; said means for converting is an adjustable oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein; said means for sensing is an uncalibrated resistance; said means for converting is adjustable whereby a predetermined time interval is set at a known energy level; and, said desired energy level is a temperature.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said energy levels are pressures and the sensor variable is resistance or voltage.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the sensor means variable output is a voltage; said desired energy level is pressure; said means for converting is an oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 wherein energy application is applied in discrete equal units of energy, each unit of which only slightly affects the actual energy level and is small compared to the predetermined energy level.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of storing the results of the determination to maintain energy application for a predetermined time period which is in excess of the time required for at least one determination.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 including the further step of multiplexing pulse trains respectively associated with more than one energy level for comparison and application to the associated energy system.

Claim 14

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; mans for converting the varaible output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulss being proportional to the energy level being sensed; mean for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; and, means for indicating from the stored numbers the unknown energy level corresponding to said ratio number.

Claim 15

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; mans for converting the varaible output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulss being proportional to the energy level being sensed; mean for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; and, means for indicating from the stored numbers the unknown energy level corresponding to said ratio number.

Claim 16

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said means for sensing is a resistance; said unknown energy level is a temperature; and, said means for converting is an oscillator,

Claim 17

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: said means for sensing is an uncalibrated resistance; said unknown energy level is a temperature; and, said means for converting is adjustable whereby a predetermined tine interval is set at a known temperature.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said energy levels are pressures and the sensor variable is resistance or voltage.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein: the sensor variable output is a voltage; said unknown energy level is pressure; and, said means for converting is an oscillator.

Claim 22

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for establishing a desired energy level as a number. means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for converting the variable output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base ocurring during he period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; means for obtaining a number corresponding to said ratio number; means for adding a predetermined number of said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the addition to the set point number; means for alarming if the set point number is higher than the resulting number; means for subtracting a predetermined number from said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the subtraction to the set point number; and, means for alarming if the set point number is lower than the resulting number.

Claim 23

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for establishing a desired energy level as a number. means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable output sensor means thereto for output variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for converting the variable output to an adjustable pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base ocurring during he period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; means for obtaining a number corresponding to said ratio number; means for adding a predetermined number of said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the addition to the set point number; means for alarming if the set point number is higher than the resulting number; means for subtracting a predetermined number from said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the subtraction to the set point number; and, means for alarming if the set point number is lower than the resulting number.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: said means for predetermining are switches and the number is represented in binary coded decimal; said means for sensing is a resistance; said desired energy level is a temperature; said means for converting is an adjustable oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: said means for sensing is an uncalibrated resistance; said means for converting is adjustable whereby a predetermined time interval is set at a known energy level; and, said desired energy level is a temperature.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said energy levels are pressures and the sensor variable is resistance or voltage.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 17 wherein: the sensor means variable output is a voltage; said desired energy level is pressure; said means for converting is an oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 30

Apparatus for monitoring energy levels to determine if a load is operating above, at, or below a predetermined energy level comprising: sensor means exposed to the load to sense the level of energy operation thereof and produce a variable output in accordance with variation of said energy level; said sensor means comprising a sensor and means for producing a pulse train in the form of said variable output wherein the period time interval between pulses of said train is indicative of the energy level being sensed; said means for producing being adjustable whereby a predetermined time interval is set between adjacent pulses at a known energy level for said sensor; a memory having values stored therein in accordance with the ratio of sensor value at the levels to be sensed to the sensor value at a reference level; a clock producing many clock pulses in the least time interval to be encountered between said train pulses; means for selecting the number of clock pulses occurring during an interval between adjacent pulses of said train; and, means for comparing the number of clock pulses selected with the ratio number stored in said memory indicative of said predetermined energy level.

Claim 31

Apparatus for monitoring energy levels to determine if a load is operating above, at, or below a predetermined energy level comprising: sensor means exposed to the load to sense the level of energy operation thereof and produce a variable output in accordance with variation of said energy level; said sensor means comprising a sensor and means for producing a pulse train in the form of said variable output wherein the period time interval between pulses of said train is indicative of the energy level being sensed; said means for producing being adjustable whereby a predetermined time interval is set between adjacent pulses at a known energy level for said sensor; a memory having values stored therein in accordance with the ratio of sensor value at the levels to be sensed to the sensor value at a reference level; a clock producing many clock pulses in the least time interval to be encountered between said train pulses; means for selecting the number of clock pulses occurring during an interval between adjacent pulses of said train; and, means for comparing the number of clock pulses selected with the ratio number stored in said memory indicative of said predetermined energy level.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein: said sensor means is a resistance; said predetermined energy level is a temperature; said means for producing is an adjustable oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein: said sensor means is an uncalibrated resistance; said predetermined energy level is a temperature; and. said predetermined time interval is selected for a value of sensor resistance at a known temperature.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said energy levels are pressures and the sensor variable is resistance or voltage.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 23 wherein: the sensor variable output is a voltage; said predetermined energy level is pressure; said means for producing is an adjustable oscillator; and, said means for selecting is a logic circuit.

Claim 38

Apparatus for supervising energy systems in ON/OFF fashion by controlling the energy application to maintain a desired energy level comprising, in combination: means for predetermining the desired energy level by establishing it as a number; means for sensing the actual energy level of the sytem by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers being retrievable respectively against the desired energy level number; means for selecting from the stored ratio numbers the predetermined desired energy level number; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for determining if the selected number of clock pulses is greater than, equal to, or less than the selected number; and, means for applying energy if required.

Claim 39

Apparatus for supervising energy systems in ON/OFF fashion by controlling the energy application to maintain a desired energy level comprising, in combination: means for predetermining the desired energy level by establishing it as a number; means for sensing the actual energy level of the sytem by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers being retrievable respectively against the desired energy level number; means for selecting from the stored ratio numbers the predetermined desired energy level number; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for determining if the selected number of clock pulses is greater than, equal to, or less than the selected number; and, means for applying energy if required.

Claim 40

The apparatus of claim 29 wherein: said means for predetermining are switches and the number is represented in binary coded decimal; said means for sensing is a crystal; and, said predetermined energy level is a pressure.

Claim 43

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; and, means for indicating from the stored numbers the unknown energy level corresponding to said ratio number.

Claim 44

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; and, means for indicating from the stored numbers the unknown energy level corresponding to said ratio number.

Claim 45

The apparatus of claim 32 wherein: said means for sensing is a crystal; and, said unknown energy level is a pressure.

Claim 48

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for establishing a desired energy level as a number; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; means for obtaining a number corresponding to said ratio number; means for adding a predetermined number to said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the addition to the set point number; means for alarming if the set point number is higher than the resulting number; means for subtracting a predetermined number from said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the subtraction to the set point number; and, means for alarming if the set point number is lower than the resulting number.

Claim 49

Apparatus for monitoring energy systems by indicating an unknown energy level by using a ratio change of sensor output comprising: means for establishing a desired energy level as a number; means for storing numbers having values in accordance with the ratios of sensor output variable values at the energy levels to be sensed to the sensor output value at a reference energy level, with said ratio numbers corresponding to unknown energy levels to be indicated; means for sensing the actual energy level of the system by exposing a variable frequency output sensor means thereto for output frequency variation in accordance with the sensed energy level; means for frequency converting the variable output to a pulse train with the time period between pulses being proportional to the energy level being sensed; means for establishing a reference standard time base as a source of clock pulses; means for selecting that number of clock pulses from the time base occurring during the period between adjacent pulses of the pulse train; means for counting the selected number of clock pulses to develop a ratio number; means for obtaining a number corresponding to said ratio number; means for adding a predetermined number to said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the addition to the set point number; means for alarming if the set point number is higher than the resulting number; means for subtracting a predetermined number from said corresponding number; means for comparing the result of the subtraction to the set point number; and, means for alarming if the set point number is lower than the resulting number.

Claim 50

The apparatus of claim 35 wherein: said means for sensing is a crystal; and, said desired energy level is a pressure.