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Temperature controller

  • US 5,718,372 A
  • Filed: 03/17/1997
  • Issued: 02/17/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A supplementary thermal system controller for assisting a main air temperature control system in maintaining a desired air temperature in at least one zone by communicating with at least one corresponding temperature sensor, wherein the main air temperature control system includes a duct system having a supply duct and a return duct for routing the air medium through the zone and situating the temperature sensors, a circulation means for circulating air through the ducts, a supplemental thermal source, in thermal communication with said circulation means and the air medium, for providing a secondary thermal output to the air medium to assist in maintaining the desired air temperature and a thermostat responsive to the temperature of the circulated air so as to activate the main air temperature control system when the air temperature passes a predetermined desired temperature setpoint, said controller comprising:

  • (a) a microcontroller for reading and processing a processor readable medium of program code and being in electrical communication with the thermostat for being activated by the thermostat together with the main air temperature control system;

    (b) a signal conditioner circuit in electrical communication with said microcontroller and at least one temperature sensor for receiving and electrically communicating temperature related signals generated by the temperature sensor with said microcontroller, said signals providing successive temperature measurements of the air medium in the return duct;

    (c) processor readable medium of program code in electrical communication with said successive return duct temperature measurements, said program code comprising;

    processing means for reading said return duct temperature measurements and determining the rate of temperature change of the air medium in the return duct from said successive return duct temperature measurements;

    comparison means, in communication with said processing means, for comparing said successive return duct temperatures with predetermined thresholds; and

    energizing means, in communication with said comparison means, for selectively generating control signals based on the relationship of the return duct temperature measurements to said thresholds to selectively energize the supplemental thermal source while the desired temperature is being achieved; and

    (d) a supplemental thermal source driver, in electrical communication with said energizing means, for adjusting the secondary thermal output of the supplemental thermal source in response to said control signals.

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