System for and method of controlling the temperature of an object using temperature control elements spaced from the object
US6114671A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 5, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D23/1934
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for and a method of controlling the temperature of an object (22). Temperature sensors (30) are placed on the object (22) in abutting zones (24) substantially covering a surface of the object (22), so as to detect a temperature in each of the respective zones (24). Temperature adjusting elements (28) are spaced from and thermally coupled to the object (22), to adjust the temperatures of corresponding ones of the respective zones (24). Temperature control circuits (32, 34, 36), responsive to temperatures detected by respective ones of the temperature sensors (30), control the corresponding ones of the temperature adjusting elements (28) to maintain the temperatures of the respective zones (24) within a preset temperature range. When the object (22) is in a cold environment and is to be maintained at a warmer temperature, the temperature adjusting elements (28) are heating elements. Conversely, when the object (22) is in a warm environment and is to be cooled, the temperature adjusting elements (28) are cooling elements. In a preferred embodiment, the number of zones (24) and temperature sensors (30) is equal to the number of temperature adjusting elements (28).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.