Apparatus and method for controlling the temperature of a space
AssigneeRoberts-Gordon Appliance Corporation
InventorJohn P. Beverly
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a space. The actual heat load for a space under the conditions prevailing at a time is determined based upon information available to a temperature sensor. The average heating/cooling percentage rate for relatively short duty cycles is adjusted based on this information whereby the actual heating/cooling load during this duty cycle interval may be approximately matched. The percentage rate may be overridden in the event an abnormal temperature situation exists. The method and apparatus of this invention has particular application when utilized with radiant heaters.
Claims21
Apparatus for controlling the temperature of a space;
- said apparatus comprising:
- a periodically operated unit capable of modifying the temperature of a space:
- a normal temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of said space and of providing either a normal unit start signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated normal start set point for the unit or a unit stop signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated stop set point for the unit;
- and
- control means operationally interconnected with said unit and said normal temperature sensor and capable during operation of the control means of
- establishing "on" and "off" base time periods and a plurality of unit duty cycles of varying percentages of unit operational time
- commencing an "on" operational mode when said control means receives a normal unit start signal, the unit being caused to operate at one of said plurality of unit duty cycles during an "on" operational mode, the initial "on" operational mode after startup being at an initial duty cycle of 100%, and also commencing and "off" operational mode when said control means receives a unit stop signal, the unit being caused to not operate during an "off" operational mode,
- comparing the duration of "on" and "off" operational modes with the "on" and "off" base time periods, respectively and
- varying the unit duty cycle by reducing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "off" operational mode exceeds the "off" base time period and increasing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "on" operational mode exceeds the "on" base time period.
A microcomputer based controller for controlling the temperature of a space which is modified by a periodically operated temperature modifying unit, there being a normal temperature sensor capable of sensing the temperature of said space and providing either a unit start signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated normal unit start set point or a unit stop signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated stop set point for the unit, said microcomputer based controller being operationally interconnected with said unit and said normal temperature sensor:
- said controller comprising
- a load switch interconnectible with a temperature modifying unit and a power supply;
- and
- a microcomputer interconnected with the load switch and capable of causing said load switch to be switched between on and off states, said microcomputer further being capable of
- establishing "on" and "off" base time periods and a plurality of unit duty cycles of varying percentages of unit operational time,
- commencing an "on" operational mode when said control means receives a unit start signal, the load switch being caused to operate at one of said plurality of unit duty cycles during an "on" operational mode, the initial "on" operational mode after startup being at an initial duty cycle, and also commencing an "off" operational mode when said control means receives a unit stop signal, the load switch being open during an "off" operational mode,
- comparing the duration of "on" and "off" operational modes with the "on" and "off" base time periods, respectively, and
- varying the unit duty cycle by reducing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "off" operational mode exceeds the "off" base time period and increasing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "on" operational mode exceeds the "on" base time period.
A method of controlling the temperature of a space which is heated by a periodically operated unit, said method comprising the following steps:
- sensing the temperature of said space and providing either a normal unit start signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated normal unit start set point or a unit stop signal when the temperature of the space attains a designated stop set point for the unit;
- establishing "on" and "off" base time periods and a plurality of unit duty cycles of varying percentages of unit operational time;
- commencing an "on" operational mode in response to a normal unit start signal, the unit being operating at one of said plurality of unit duty cycles after an "on" operational mode has been commenced in response to a normal unit start signal, the initial "on" operational mode in response to the initial normal unit start signal being an initial duty cycle, and also commencing an "off" operational mode in response to a unit stop signal, the unit not being operated during an "off" operating mode;
- comparing the duration of "on" and "off" operational modes with the "on" and "off" base time periods, respectively;
- and
- varying the unit duty cycle by reducing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "off" operational mode exceeds the "off" base time period and increasing the percentage of unit operational time if the duration of the "on" operational mode exceeds the "on" base time period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.