Duty cycle shared proportional temperature control

In a system for supplying power to first and second loads, a control system comprising:

• first and second sensor means for sensing parameters associated with operation of the first and second loads, respectively;
• first and second controller means for controlling the first and second loads by controlling as a function of signals from the first and second sensor means, first and second time intervals during each operating cycle that input power is supplied to the first and second loads, respectively;
• and
• priority means for coordinating operation of the first and second controller means to give priority to the first load and the first controller means and to inhibit the second controller means from commencing the second time interval until the first time interval is completed.

A control system for controlling operation of first and second loads, the control system comprising:

• first sensor means for sensing a parameter associated with operation of the first load;
• second sensor means for sensing a parameter associated with operation of the second load;
• first controller means for controlling the first load by controlling, as a function of signals from the first sensor means, a first time interval during each operating cycle that input power is supplied to the first load;
• second controller means for controlling the second load by controlling, as a function of signals from the second sensor means, a second time interval during each operating cycle that input power is supplied to the second load;
• and
• priority means for inhibiting the second controller means from commencing the second time interval in any operating cycle until the first interval is completed.

In a processor of photosensitive material having a solution heater and a dryer heater, a control system comprising:

• solution heater control means controlling, on a time proportioning basis, input power provided to the solution heater;
• dryer heater control means for controlling, on a time proportioning basis, input power provided to the dryer heater;
• and
• priority means for coordinating operation of the solution heater control means and the dryer heater control mens to prevent the solution heater and the dryer heater from simultaneously receiving input power, to give the solution heater priority to input power during initial warm up of the solution heater, and to allow the dryer heater to share input power on a duty cycle sharing basis after initial warm up of the solution heater.