US4106690A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optimum start controller
Assignee: Rochester Instrument Systems Inc
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Filing: 1975-11-07
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1995-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A programmed controller for controlling the start of a heating system includes a clock mechanism to produce a time-variable signal, two temperature transducers, one inside and one outside of the building, and an electronic circuit which is a proportional summing means to combine (in predetermined proportions) the electrical outputs of the two transducers, and an electronic circuit to combine the time variable signal with the summed transducer output signals to thereby produce a control signal for controlling a heating appliance, such as a boiler.
Inventors
- 👤 Colin Henry Tomlinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:30
CPC Classifications
F; F23; F23N; F23N5/00; F23N5/20; F23N5/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising means for producing a time-variable signal comprising a time clock having a 24-hour drive shaft and means for varying an electrically measurable parameter, said drive being coupled directly to said varying parameter means; and including a variable biasing circuit for adjusting said time-variable signal to modify the control to suit the characteristics of a building in which the heating system is installed; and including means coupled to said means for producing said time-variable signal for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system; a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building; proportional summing means for combining the ouputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising means for producing a time-variable signal comprising a time clock having a 24-hour drive shaft and means for varying an electrically measurable parameter, said drive being coupled directly to said varying parameter means; and including a variable biasing circuit for adjusting said time-variable signal to modify the control to suit the characteristics of a building in which the heating system is installed; and including means coupled to said means for producing said time-variable signal for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system; a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building; proportional summing means for combining the ouputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said time-variable signal is a ramp function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 1 and including a "frost" control means connected to said control means and responsive to a predetermined inside temperature relating to a frost, for causing the heating system to heat the building to a predetermined higher temperature and thereafter to shut down said heating system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said summing means comprises an operational amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 1 including respective operational amplifiers for amplifying the outputs from said first and second temperature transducers, adjustable biasing networks for each of said amplifiers to respectively normalize the outputs from said first and second transducers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein said "frost" control means includes means for deriving an output representing said predetermined inside temperature, means for normalizing said inside temperature deriving means to produce a further output, said further output being summed with a variable reference means to produce said output for controlling said heating appliance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said 24-hour clock has a spring motor for use on electrical failure.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising a 24-hour clock having an output shaft, a resistor having a variable track and a slider, said slider being directly coupled to said output shaft for producing a time-variable electrical signal, including means coupled to said clock for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system, a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building; proportional summing means for combining the outputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
155 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising a 24-hour clock having an output shaft, a resistor having a variable track and a slider, said slider being directly coupled to said output shaft for producing a time-variable electrical signal, including means coupled to said clock for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system, a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building; proportional summing means for combining the outputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said time-variable signal is a ramp function obtained from said track.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said 24-hour clock has a spring motor for use on electrical failure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 8 including respective operational amplifiers for amplifying the outputs from said first and second temperature transducers, adjustable biasing networks for each of said amplifiers to normalize the outputs from said first and second transducers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 8 and including a "frost" control means connected to said control means and responsive to a predetermined inside temperature relating to a frost for causing the heating system to heat the building to a predetermined higher temperature and thereafter to shut down said heating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 12 wherein said "frost" control means includes means for deriving an output representing said predetermined inside temperature, means for normalizing said inside temperature deriving means to produce a further output, said further output being summed with an adjustable reference means to produce said output for controlling said heating appliance.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising means for producing a time-variable signal including means coupled to said means for producing said time-variable signal for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system; a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building, including respective operational amplifiers for amplifying the outputs from said first and second temperature transducers, adjustable biasing networks for each of said amplifiers to respectively normalize the outputs from said first and second transducers; proportional summing means for combining the outputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
169 words
A device for controlling the start of a heating appliance forming part of a heating system in a building comprising means for producing a time-variable signal including means coupled to said means for producing said time-variable signal for automatically adjusting said time-variable signal to cause said appliance to be started earlier, prior to a heating period following an interval more prolonged than the daily cooling cycle of the heating system; a first temperature transducer located on the inside of said building; a second temperature transducer located on the outside of said building, including respective operational amplifiers for amplifying the outputs from said first and second temperature transducers, adjustable biasing networks for each of said amplifiers to respectively normalize the outputs from said first and second transducers; proportional summing means for combining the outputs of said first and second transducers in respective predetermined proportions; and control means for combining said time variable signal with the output of said proportional summing means to produce an output to control said heating appliance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 14 in which said means for producing a time-variable signal comprises a time clock having a 24-hour drive shaft and means for varying an electrically measurable parameter , said drive being coupled directly to said varying parameter means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 14 and including a "frost" control means connected to said control means and responsive to said predetermined inside temperature relating to a predetermined higher temperature and thereafter to shut down said heating system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 16 wherein said "frost" control means includes means for deriving an output representing said predetermined inside temperature, means for normalizing said inside temperature deriving means to produce a further output, said further output being summed with an adjustable reference means to produce said output for controlling said heating appliance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 14 wherein said 24-hour clock has a spring motor for use on electrical failure.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |