US4130753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control systems
Assignee: Pactrol Controls Ltd
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Filing: 1976-07-13
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Granted: 1978-12-19
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Expires: 1996-07-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a control system which comprises a sensor for monitoring a selected variable and providing an electrical signal which is a function of said variable; a reference source operable to provide a reference at an output thereof which varies over a predetermined time period; and a comparator circuit coupled to the sensor and the reference voltage source. The comparator circuit compares the electrical signal with said reference signal and provides a control signal in dependence upon the comparison.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth R. Wade
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 15:58
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/20; G05D23/22; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A control system comprising a sensor for monitoring a selected variable and providing an electrical signal which is a function of said variable; a reference source including an electronic timing circuit comprised of buffer means and a counting circuit having a plurality of outputs coupled by said buffer means to an output of the reference source and triggerable to progressively increase the output voltage of the buffer means to provide a reference signal at said output of the reference source which varies in a predetermined step-wise manner over a predetermined time period; and a comparator circuit coupled to said sensor and said reference source and operable to compare said electrical signal with said reference signal and provide a control signal in dependence upon the comparison.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control system comprising a sensor for monitoring a selected variable and providing an electrical signal which is a function of said variable; a reference source including an electronic timing circuit comprised of buffer means and a counting circuit having a plurality of outputs coupled by said buffer means to an output of the reference source and triggerable to progressively increase the output voltage of the buffer means to provide a reference signal at said output of the reference source which varies in a predetermined step-wise manner over a predetermined time period; and a comparator circuit coupled to said sensor and said reference source and operable to compare said electrical signal with said reference signal and provide a control signal in dependence upon the comparison.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selected variable is the temperature of storage medium of a storage heater and the comparator circuit is arranged to control a charging circuit of the storage heater by means of said control signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A control system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sensor is a thermocouple.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the timing circuit is operable to vary the reference signal in a continuous manner.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for deriving pulses from an alternating voltage supply and applying said pulses to the counting circuit to trigger the counting circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A control system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reference source includes control means for providing a further electrical signal and said reference signal is a function of said further electrical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the control means is operable to vary the mean rate of increase of the reference signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the control means is operable to vary said mean rate of change by varying the height of each step of the reference signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A control system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the control means adjusts the level of the reference signal within a preset voltage range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A control system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the control means is manually adjustable to vary said further electrical signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the control means is a potentiometer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control system as claimed in claim 9 wherein the control means is a second sensor for monitoring a second selected variable and providing said further electrical signal as a function of said second selected variable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A control system as claimed in claim 12 wherein the second sensor is a temperature-dependent resistor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A control system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the second selected variable is a function of outside ambient temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
67 words
A control system as claimed in claim 8 wherein the comparator circuit comprises comparator means having two inputs, the first of which is connected to the first sensor and the second of which is connected to said output of the voltage reference source, and wherein the comparator means is operable to generate said control signal in dependence upon the difference between electrical signals at its two inputs.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the comparator circuit further comprises switch means switchable from a first to a second switched state by the comparator means responsively to the reference signal exceeding the first-mentioned electrical signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control system as claimed in claim 16 wherein said switch means is a silicon-controlled rectifier whose gate is coupled to the output of the comparator means to receive said control signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A control system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the switch means controls a relay solenoid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said predetermined period is 8 hours.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the first-mentioned sensor is a thermocouple.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
A storage heater having a control system as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first-mentioned selected variable is the temperature of storage medium of the heater and the comparator circuit is arranged to control a charging circuit of the storage heater by means of said control signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
67 words
A control system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the comparator circuit comprises comparator means having two inputs, the first of which is connected to the first sensor and the second of which is connected to said output of the voltage reference source, and wherein the comparator means is operable to generate said control signal in dependence upon the difference between electrical signals at its two inputs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A control system as claimed in claim 22 wherein the comparator circuit further comprises switch means switchable from a first to a second switched state by the comparator means responsively to the reference signal exceeding the first-mentioned electrical signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A control system as claimed in claim 23 wherein said switch means is a silicon-controlled rectifier whose gate is coupled to the output of the comparator means to receive said control signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A control system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the switch means controls a relay solenoid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said predetermined period is 8 hours.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
A control system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the first-mentioned sensor is a thermocouple.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
A storage heater having a control system as claimed in claim 27 wherein the first-mentioned selected variable is the temperature of storage medium of the heater and the comparator circuit is arranged to control a charging circuit of the storage heater by means of said control signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-12-18 | 1982-06-19 | 1982-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-18 | 1986-06-19 | 1986-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-18 | 1990-06-19 | 1990-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |