US 2020/0395233 A1 · Hybrid Control System For Workpiece Heating

Abstract

A system and method of heating a workpiece to a desired temperature is disclosed. This system and method consider the physical limitations of the temperature device, such as time lag, temperature offset, and calibration, in creating a hybrid approach that heats the workpiece more efficiently. First, the workpiece is heated using open loop control to heat the workpiece to a threshold temperature. After the threshold temperature is reach, a closed loop maintenance mode is utilized. In certain embodiments, an open loop maintenance mode is employed between the open loop warmup mode and the closed loop maintenance mode. Additionally, a method of calibrating a pyrometer using a contact thermocouple is also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for controlling a temperature of a workpiece, comprising:

a temperature sensor;
a heating element;
and
a controller, in communication with the temperature sensor and the heating element, wherein the controller comprises a processing unit and a memory device, wherein the memory device comprises instructions, which when executed by the processing unit, enable the controller to:
operate in an open loop warmup mode, wherein the controller uses open loop control to heat the workpiece until a threshold temperature is reached;
and
operate in closed loop maintenance mode, wherein the controller uses closed loop control to maintain the temperature of the workpiece at a target temperature.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid Control System For Workpiece Heating

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Hybrid Control System For Workpiece Heating

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20