US3787729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sequencing step control
Assignee: Aqua Chem Inc
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Filing: 1972-07-13
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-07-13
Abstract
Abstract A control for varying loads such as heating elements in response to a change in an environmental variable such as temperature in which the first load to be energized is always the first load to be de-energized and the last load to be energized is always the last load to be de-energized.
Inventors
- 👤 C Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1906; G05D23/1912; H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/12; H02J3/14; H02J2105/00; H02J2105/50; H02J2105/52; H02J2105/53; H02J2105/54; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B70/3225; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/222; Y04S20/242; Y04S20/244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A control for varying loads in response to a change in an environmental variable comprising: means for sensing a change in the environmental variable; a plurality of loads for changing the environmental variable, and progressive sequencing means responsive to said sensing means for automatically selectively energizing and de-energizing said loads in the following order: the load energized the longest since it was last energized of the plurality of loads energized at any particular instant is the first to be de-energized and the load de-energized the longest since it was last deenergized of the plurality of loads de-energized at any particular instant is the first to be re-energized; Whereby the energization period of the loads will be substantially equally distributed among all the loads to the maximum extent as demanded by the environmental variable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A control for varying loads in response to a change in an environmental variable comprising: means for sensing a change in the environmental variable; a plurality of loads for changing the environmental variable, and progressive sequencing means responsive to said sensing means for automatically selectively energizing and de-energizing said loads in the following order: the load energized the longest since it was last energized of the plurality of loads energized at any particular instant is the first to be de-energized and the load de-energized the longest since it was last deenergized of the plurality of loads de-energized at any particular instant is the first to be re-energized; Whereby the energization period of the loads will be substantially equally distributed among all the loads to the maximum extent as demanded by the environmental variable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
The control of claim 1, said progressive sequencing means including a down-shift register and an upshift register each operative to advance a pulse along output terminals thereof in direct response to a respective increase or decrease in the value of the environmental variable, gate means responsive to pulses from said up-shift register for sequentially energizing successive loads and responsive to corresponding pulses from said down-shift register to sequentially de-energize said successive loads whereby the loads will be de-energized in the same order as they were energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The control of claim 2, said gate means including a series of exclusive OR-gates, each having inputs coupled respectively to one of a plurality of outputs of each shift register, the outputs of said shift registers being sequentially coupled to successive exclusive OR-gates so that advancement of pulses through said shift registers results in successive energization and de-energization of said exclusive OR-gates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The control of claim 1 further comprising: power sensing means for sensing the actual power being delivered to said plurality of loads, limit establishing means for setting a predetermined power limit, and limit determining means operatively connected to said power sensing means and said limit establishing means, said limit determining means being operative to compare the actual power being delivered with the predetermined power limit and prevent energization of additional loads when the actual power being delivered approaches the predetermined power limit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |