Control System for Liquid Motion Lamp
OwnerLouis J. Finkleinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for a liquid motion lamp maintains the proper temperature of liquids within the lamp to provide desired motion within the lamp, and reduces sensitivity to ambient temperature. The lamp preferably includes two heating elements, a first element for initial heating, such as a heat blanket, resistive glass coating, or a submerged ring, and a second heating element generally providing both heat and lighting. A sensor measures the temperature of the liquid inside the lamp and the control system controls the heat sources to maintain the temperature within operating limits.
Claims14
A method for controlling a liquid motion lamp, the method comprising:
- measuring a temperature Ts of at least one of a first liquid residing in a container and a second liquid residing in the container using a temperature sensor, the second liquid adapted to cooperate with the first liquid, wherein the first liquid has a lesser density than the second liquid at a higher temperature, and the first liquid has a greater density than the second liquid at a lower temperature;
- providing the temperature measurement Ts to a control circuit;
- generating a first heater power signal by the control circuit responsive to the temperature measurement Ts;
- providing the first heater power signal to a first heat source in thermal communication with the first liquid and the second liquid;
- and
- controlling the first heater power signal to maintain the first liquid and the second liquid in a desired temperature range.
A method for controlling the temperature of liquids in a liquid motion lamp, the method comprising:
- preheating a liquid motion lamp comprising steps of:
- providing power to a second heating element in thermal communication with the liquids in the liquid motion lamp;
- measuring a temperature Ts of the liquids in the liquid motion lamp;
- and
- when the measured temperature Ts of the liquids exceeds a lower temperature T1, removing power from the second heat source and operating the liquid motion lamp;
- the operating the liquid motion lamp comprising the steps of:
- providing power to a first heating element in thermal communication with the liquids and providing lighting to the liquids in the liquid motion lamp;
- measuring the temperature Ts of the liquids in the liquid motion lamp;
- if the measured temperate Ts of the liquids is below the lower temperature T1, providing power to the second heating element and continuing operating the liquid motion lamp;
- and
- if the measured temperate Ts of the liquids is not below the lower temperature T1, removing power from the second heat source and continue operating the liquid motion lamp.
A method for controlling the temperature of a liquid motion lamp, the method comprising:
- measuring a temperature Ts of liquid in the lamp;
- if the temperature Ts is less than a minimum temperature T1, turning on power to a second heating element in the lamp, and after a brief period of time, again measuring the temperature Ts;
- If the temperature Ts is not less than the temperature T1:
- turning off power to the second element and on turning power to a first heating and lighting element;
- and
- measure the temperature Ts;
- comparing the temperature Ts to the temperature T1;
- if the temperature Ts is less than the temperature T1, turning the second heating element on, and after a brief period of time, again measuring the temperature Ts;
- if the temperature Ts is not less than the temperature T1, and the temperature Ts is greater than a temperature T2 and the temperature Ts is less than Tmax, reducing the power to the first heating and lighting element, and after a brief period of time, again measuring the temperature Ts;
- and
- if the temperature Ts is not less than the temperature T1 and the temperature Ts is greater than Tmax, turning off all power to the heating elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.