Kiln automatic power level switching and display mechanism
OwnerFrank Anthonyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A kiln firing cycle controller is disclosed which automatically cycles a hobbyist kiln through its low, medium, and high power level phases. The exemplary embodiment includes a control panel having a firing cycle initiating control knob. Manipulation of the control knob appropriately supplies power to the kiln's heating elements and energizes a motor. The control knob is mounted on a shaft which is rotated by the energized motor. Also disposed on this shaft are a plurality of cams which rotates and act in concert to interconnect a set of contacts which appropriately connect the heating elements to a power supply to thereby control the kiln's power level settings. The rotation of the cams also controls the timely energization of control panel low, medium, and high power level indicators.
Claims24
A kiln firing cycle controller for controlling the temperature of a kiln while firing ceramic ware comprising:
- means for initiating said firing cycle;
- drive motor means, energized by said means for initiating, for rotating a shaft,
- first timing means coupled to said shaft for automatically setting said kiln at a low power level setting at a first predetermined time in said firing cycle;
- second timing means coupled to said shaft for automatically setting said kiln at a medium power level setting at a second predetermined time in said firing cycle;
- third timing means coupled to said shaft for automatically setting said kiln at a high power level setting at a third predetermined time in said firing cycle;
- said first timing means including means for maintaining said low power setting for a period of time which substantially exceeds the time during which the medium power level or the high power level is maintained;
- and
- operator override means for varying at least the time period during which said low power level is set.
A kiln firing cycle controller for controlling the kiln to advance through low, medium, and high portions of a firing cycle while firing ceramic ware comprising:
- means for initiating said firing cycle at any predetermined desired portion of said firing cycle;
- drive motor means, energized by said means for initiating, for rotating a shaft;
- timing means coupled to said shaft for advancing said firing cycle from a low power level setting to a medium power level setting to a high power level setting, said timing means including means for maintaining said low power setting for a period of time which substantially exceeds the time period during which the medium or the high power level is maintained, and operator override means for varying at least the time period during which said low power level is set;
- and
- display means actuated by said timing means for providing a visual indication of the kiln's current power level setting.
A method of advancing a kiln through low, medium, and high portions of a firing cycle while firing ceramic ware comprising the steps of:
- initiating said firing cycle at a predetermined desired portion of said firing cycle;
- energizing a motor to rotate a shaft coupled thereto in response to said firing cycle being initiated;
- advancing said firing cycle from a lower power level setting to a medium power level setting to a high power level setting via a timing means coupled to said shaft, said advancing step including the step of maintaining under the control of said timing means said low power level setting for a period of time which substantially exceeds the time during which the medium power level or the high power level is maintained;
- and
- controlling a display means by said timing means to provide a visual indication of the kiln's current power level setting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.