Patent · US Active

Apparatus for temperature control using a cycle rate control algorithm

US7400942B2 · kind B2 · utility

13Cited by
22References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 2006
Grant dateJul 15, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF24F2110/10
  • WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention controls a room temperature by controlling an environmental control unit. A total span about a setpoint temperature is adjusted in accordance with a previous total span and a multiplicative factor. The multiplicative factor is periodically updated from a desired cycle time and a previous cycle time. The room temperature may also be controlled by adjusting a duty cycle for controlling an environmental control unit. The duty cycle is adjusted based on an error associated with a previous control cycle and an attenuation factor. A new control cycle may be started by cutting the previous control cycle or a current control cycle may be extended if a predetermined condition is detected. The control mode is selected based on environmental characteristics and room characteristics. The control mode may include a span control mode and a duty cycle control mode that is selected from the cycle rate.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.