Electric heat control apparatus and method
US5488218A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24H15/128
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Activation and deactivation of a plurality of heating elements in an electric heating system are separately controllable in accordance with the present invention. Individual heating elements are sequentially activated in response to a demand for heat. A predetermined time delay is imposed between successive activations of the heating elements to allow time to satisfy the demand for heat before another heating element is activated. Normally, the heating elements are also deactivated sequentially in response to a reduced demand for heat, with a predetermined time delay between successive deactivations to allow time to respond to the reduced demand for heat before another heating element is deactivated. A temperature sensor is located in the air discharge plenum of the heating system for sensing the temperature of the discharge air. The discharge air temperature is used to control the operation of the heating elements, a two-speed heat pump, and the "off cycle" of the heating system blower.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.