Pneumatic control device and system

• US 8,527,099 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2008
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cypress Envirosystems, Inc (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Cypress Envirosystems, Inc (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Songukrishnasamy, Rameshbabu R., Ginn, Daniel, Sim, Harry
• Primary Examiner(s): JARRETT, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US12/317,347
• Publication Number:
  US 20090192653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 700/276, 700/278, 700/282, 700/301
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/44 pneumatic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/31119 Fielddevice comprises also controller and pneumatic actuator and sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41309 Hydraulic or pneumatic drive

Abstract

A control device may include at least a first electromechanical setpoint controller having a prime mover that applies a setpoint force in response to at least a controller signal, and a controller circuit that generates at least the controller signal in response to setpoint control data. A pneumatic controller may have at least one gas flow inlet and a flow regulator that varies a gas flow property in response to the setpoint force.

Claims

1. A control device, comprising:

an electromechanical setpoint controller having a prime mover that applies a setpoint force in response to a controller signal, and a controller circuit that generates the controller signal in response to setpoint control data; and

a pneumatic controller having at least one gas flow inlet and a flow regulator that varies a gas flow property in response to the setpoint force,

wherein the control device is a pneumatic thermostat, and the pneumatic controller further includes a temperature dependent displacer mechanically coupled to the setpoint force that provides a mechanical output to the flow regulator, the mechanical output varying in response to an ambient temperature;

wherein the temperature dependent displacer is a bimetallic strip.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the prime mover is mechanically coupled to the pneumatic controller by a cam drive mechanism.

3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the prime mover is a piezoelectric device.

4. The control device of claim 1, wherein:

the controller circuit comprises a processor that executes predetermined instructions.

5. The control device of claim 1, wherein:

the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes the controller circuit generating the controller signal further in response to local data, and a local sensing system that generates the local data in response to conditions of a zone proximate to the control device.

6. The control device of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes a pressure sensing system that provides a pressure data value to the controller corresponding to a pressure of an input gas flow.

7. The control device of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes a self-contained power section that provides electrical power to at least the prime mover and controller circuit, and not to the pneumatic controller.

8. The control device of claim 7, wherein the self-contained power section includes a power source selected from the group of:

a photovoltaic cell, a turbine, a supercapacitor, and a battery.

9. The control device of claim 1, further comprising a communication circuit coupled to the controller circuit for receiving setpoint control data from a location remote from the control device, and providing setpoint control data to the controller circuit.

10. The control device of claim 1

wherein the prime mover comprises a pneumatic motor, and at least a portion of the setpoint force is generated from at least a portion of an input gas flow of the gas flow inlet.

11. The control device of claim 10, wherein the prime mover is mechanically coupled to the pneumatic controller by a cam drive mechanism.

12. The control device of claim 10, wherein the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes the controller circuit generating the controller signal further in response to local data, and a local sensing system that generates the local data in response to conditions of a zone proximate to the control device.

13. The control device of claim 10, wherein the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes a pressure sensing system that provides a pressure data value to the controller corresponding to a pressure of an input gas flow.

14. The control device of claim 10, wherein the electromechanical setpoint controller further includes a self-contained power section that provides electrical power to at least the prime mover and controller circuit, and not to the pneumatic controller.

15. The control device of claim 10, further including:

a communication circuit coupled to the controller circuit for receiving setpoint control data from a location remote from the control device, and providing setpoint control data to the controller circuit.

16. A system, comprising:

a control device comprising a pneumatic section that varies a gas flow in response to a mechanical control input, and an electromechanical supervisory section that applies the mechanical control input to the pneumatic section in response to setpoint data; and

a master device, coupled to the control device by a communication path, that provides the setpoint data to the control device,

wherein the control device is a pneumatic thermostat, and the pneumatic section further includes a temperature dependent displacer that provides a mechanical output to a flow regulator, the mechanical output varying in response to an ambient temperature;

wherein the temperature dependent displacer is a bimetallic strip.

17. The system of claim 16,

wherein the communication path comprises a wireless connection and

the system further comprises a repeater device that provide at least a portion of a wireless connection path between the repeater device and the control device and at least a portion of a second wireless connection path between the repeater device and the master device.