Patent US4782215A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4782215A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control unit and method of making the same
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
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Filing: 1986-12-10
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Granted: 1988-11-01
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Expires: 2006-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A temperature regulating control unit and method of making the same are provided, the unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor, a unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signals from the sensor in relation to the temperature being sensed by the sensor, the unit for applying electrical signals to the sensor applying a varying voltage to the sensor.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian J. Kadwell
- 👤 Daniel L. Fowler
- 👤 Gregory F. Gawron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:25
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B1/00; H05B1/02; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6402; H05B6/6405; F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00; F24C7/08; F24C7/087; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1917; H05B6/6432; H05B6/6447; H05B6/645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
In a temperature regulating control unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor means, for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signal means from said sensor means in relation to the temperature being sensed by said sensor means, the improvement wherein said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means has means for applying a varying to said sensor means and for comparing the resultant current level through said sensor means at certain values of said voltage applied thereto with a fixed reference current level that has been predetermined as being the current level that would exist through said sensor means when that particular certain voltage is being applied to said sensor means while said sensor means would be sensing a particular certain temperature within a predetermined temperature range, said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means having means to apply said varying voltage to said sensor means in one of an increasing manner and a decreasing manner from a starting voltage until a particular certain voltage is applied to said sensor means that creates a current level through said sensor means that substantially equals said fixed reference current level whereby said microcomputer will receive said digital signal means in a manner to determine the actual temperature being sensed by said sensor means at that time and when said actual temperature is within said temperature range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a temperature regulating control unit comprising a RTD temperature sensor means, for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means, and a microcomputer for receiving digital signal means from said sensor means in relation to the temperature being sensed by said sensor means, the improvement wherein said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means has means for applying a varying to said sensor means and for comparing the resultant current level through said sensor means at certain values of said voltage applied thereto with a fixed reference current level that has been predetermined as being the current level that would exist through said sensor means when that particular certain voltage is being applied to said sensor means while said sensor means would be sensing a particular certain temperature within a predetermined temperature range, said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means having means to apply said varying voltage to said sensor means in one of an increasing manner and a decreasing manner from a starting voltage until a particular certain voltage is applied to said sensor means that creates a current level through said sensor means that substantially equals said fixed reference current level whereby said microcomputer will receive said digital signal means in a manner to determine the actual temperature being sensed by said sensor means at that time and when said actual temperature is within said temperature range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means comprises an operational amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for applying electrical signal means to sadi sensor means compriss a resistance ladder network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for applying a varying voltage to said sensor means applies said voltage in steps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for applying electrical signal means to said sensor means comprises comparator means to compare the current flow through said sensor means at each step of voltage change with said reference current level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 5 wherein said comparator means sends a digital signal to said microcomputer when said current level through said sensor means is substantialy equal to said reference current level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A contorl unit as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means for applying a varying voltage to said sensor means comprises an operational amplifier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for applying a varying voltage to said sensor means in said steps comprises a resistance ladder network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control unit is adapted to be a cooking apparatus control unit and said RTD temperature sensor means is adapted to sense the temperature in the oven of such cooking apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |