Heat demand regulator

• US 4,199,023 A
• Filed: 11/04/1977
• Issued: 04/22/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chester C. Phillips
• Original Assignee: Chester C. Phillips
• Inventors: Phillips, Chester C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hecker, Stuart N.
• Application Number:
  US05/848,669
• Time in Patent Office: 900 Days
• Field of Search: 165/12, 165/13, 165/14, 165/26, 165/27, 165/30
• US Class Current: 165/243
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1913 delivering a series of pulses
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/20 with sensing elements having variation of electric or magnetic properties with change of temperature G05D23/13 takes precedence

Abstract

An electronic means to cyclically control the heat or air conditioning source in an environmental temperature control system so that the heat exchange surfaces are maintained within a predetermined range to maximize heat exchange efficiency and minimize total operating time of the heat or cooling source. The apparatus incorporates a temperature responsive transducer which provides a voltage level that is compared to an analog representation of a controllable, periodic output of a digital counter to produce a signal for selectively energizing the heat or cooling source of the environmental temperature control system for a time period proportional to heat demand but limited to relatively short durations of time so as to minimize or limit the temperature of the heat exchange surface during temperature modification demand periods.

Claims

1. An environmental temperature control system regulator, comprising:

a clock means for producing a continuous series of electrical pulses;

a counter means responsive to said clock for producing a plurality of timing pulses in response to a predetermined number of said series pulses;

temperature responsive means for producing a digital signal;

a comparator means for comparing an output of said temperature responsive means with an output of said counter means for producing a control signal; and

means responsive to said control signal for controlling the temperature modifying means of an environmental temperature control system.

2. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 1 wherein said comparator means comprises digital comparator means responsive to said counter means and said means for producing a digital signal.

3. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for producing a digital signal comprises:

an electronic temperature sensor; and

an analog-to-digital converter.

4. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 3 wherein said means responsive to said control signal comprises:

a logic means responsive to said control signal for producing a first gating pulse for the duration of said control signal and a second gating pulse for the duration of the absence of said control signal;

an electrically responsive load controlling switch; and

switch means for mutually exclusively coupling said first and said second gating pulses to said electrically responsive switch for controlling the state thereof.

5. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 4 wherein said load controlling switch is a solid state switching means.

6. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 5 wherein said load is a light emitting diode adapted to actuate a light responsive switch means for controlling said environmental control system temperature modifying means further including:

a zener diode in series with said light emitting diode and said solid state switching means.

7. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 6 wherein said environmental control system temperature modifying means is a fuel combustion means.

8. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 6 wherein said environmental control system temperature modifying means includes mutually exclusively operable fuel combustion means and air conditioning system cooling means.

9. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 1, wherein said temperature responsive means comprises:

an electrical temperature sensor adapted to produce an analog voltage;

potentiometer means for controllably attenuating the output of said temperature sensor;

analog-to-digital converter means for converting said attenuated output of said temperature sensor into a plurality of digital signals; and

said comparator means comprises;

8-bit register means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

4-bit register means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

8-bit latch means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

adder means responsive to said counter means, said 4-bit register, and said 8-bit register; and

a comparator responsive to said adder means and said 8-bit latch for providing said control signal.

10. An environmental temperature control system regulator, comprising:

a clock means for producing a continuous series of electrical pulses;

a counter means responsive to said clock for producing a plurality of timing pulses in response to a predetermined number of said series pulses;

an electronic temperature sensor;

an analog-to-digital converter responsive to said electronic temperature sensor;

digital comparator means responsive to said counter means and said digital-to-analog converter for producing a control signal;

a logic means responsive to said control signal for producing a first gating pulse for the duration of said control signal and a second gating pulse for the duration of the absence of said control signal;

a solid state load controlling switching means;

switch means for mutually exclusively coupling said first and said second gating pulses to said solid state load controlling switching means for controlling the state thereof;

a light emitting diode responsive to said solid state load controlling switching means;

a light responsive switch means responsive to said light emitting diode; and

a zener diode in series with said light emitting diode and said solid state load controlling switching means.

11. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 10 wherein said environmental control system temperature modifying means is a fuel combustion means.

12. An environmental temperature control system regulator as defined in claim 10 wherein said environmental control system temperature modifying means includes mutually exclusively operable fuel combustion means and air conditioning system cooling means.

13. An environmental temperature control system regulator, comprising:

a clock means for producing a continuous series of electrical pulses;

a counter means responsive to said clock for producing a plurality of timing pulses in response to a predetermined number of said series pulses;

an electrical temperature sensor adapted to produce an analog voltage;

potentiometer means for controllably attenuating the output of said temperature sensor;

analog-to-digital converter means for converting said attenuated output of said temperature sensor into a plurality of digital signals;

8-bit register means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

4-bit register means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

8-bit latch means responsive to said analog-to-digital converter;

adder means responsive to said counter means, said 4-bit register, and said 8-bit register;

a comparator responsive to said added means and said 8-bit latch for providing said control signal for producing a control signal; and

means responsive to said control signal for controlling the temperature modifying means of an environmental temperature control system.