Graphical interface for programming ramping controllers
US5790437A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 26, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 26, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/2648
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An interface for graphically programming a ramping controller coupled to and controlling an electric heater is implemented with a microcomputer. The interface presents to the user via a display device, a cartesian coordinate graph of temperature versus time onto which is plotted a desired temperature versus time (tvt) profile via an input device. The microcomputer translates the plotted tvt profile into controller logic to create a controller logic data file that is then uploaded into the ramping controller. The controller logic data file may be stored in memory. In addition to temperature, other functions or events may be plotted on the graph which are also translated into controller logic and uploaded to the ramping controller. Other features include data logging of heater parameters that may displayed in real time. The present invention eliminates cumbersome front panel entry of the data into the controller. A multiplicity of controllers, and thus heaters, may be coupled thereto and programmed through addressing. Additionally, all types of controllers may be monitored from a monitor screen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.