Adaptive Temperature Controller

Abstract

The adaptive temperature controller includes an ambient temperature sensor, a device for measuring resistance, an electrically-conductive material, a power supply, and a device for controlling power. In operation, the controller determines the resistance of material at or near ambient temperature. Based on such determination so long as voltage and power are known, the resistance of the material, and therefore its instant temperature is known. Additionally, the adaptive temperature controller determines the responsiveness of the electrically-conductive material to determine the predicted increase in temperature and rate of increase in temperature relative to increases in voltage, current or power. As a result the voltage or power may be instantly varied to produce near infinite control over material temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the described features, advantages and objects of the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are attained and can be understood in detail, more particular description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the drawings, which drawings form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical preferred embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 a depicts a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 1 b depicts a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the prior art.

FIG. 2 a depicts direct heating of the component by the adaptive temperature controller.

FIG. 2 b depicts the component heated by direct heating controlled by the adaptive temperature controller.

FIG. 3 a depicts indirect heating of the component by the adaptive temperature controller.

FIG. 3 b depicts the component heated by indirect heating controlled by the adaptive temperature controller.

FIG. 4 depicts component 101 where heating is controlled by the adaptive temperature controller via a pulse-width-modulated switching supply controlled by a microcontroller/microprocessor.

FIG. 5 depicts component 101 where heating and cooling is controlled by the adaptive temperature controller.

FIG. 6 depicts component 101 where heating is controlled by the adaptive temperature controller which includes a computer interface.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow diagram of one embodiment of the steps for calibration of the adaptive temperature controller with an electrically conductive material.

FIG. 8 depicts a flow diagram of an alternative embodiment of the steps for calibration of the adaptive temperature controller with an electrically conductive material.

Claims

1. An adaptive temperature controller for simultaneous temperature measurement and control for use with an electrically-conductive material to heat a system component, comprising: a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor determining the temperature of said electrically-conductive material;a device for measuring resistance, said device for measuring resistance recording measurement of two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;said device for measuring resistance determining resistance of said electrically-conductive material by application of Ohm's Law to said two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;a power supply, said power supply in electrical communication with said electrically-conductive materialsaid electrically-conductive material altering temperature based on said electrical communication from said power supply;a device for controlling the output of said power supply, said device for measuring resistance outputting said determination of the resistance of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply,said temperature sensor outputting the determination of the temperature of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply;said device for controlling the output of said power supply determining the thermal resistance coefficient of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of said device for measuring resistance and the output of said temperature sensor;said device for controlling the output of said power supply controlling the temperature of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of one of the group of power, voltage or current.

2. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 1 further comprising a pulse-width-modulated switching supply controlled by a microcontroller/microprocessor.

3. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 1 further comprising a fan to induce air flow about said component.

4. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 2 further comprising a fan to induce air flow about said component.

5. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 1 wherein said adaptive temperature controller communicates with a computer.

6. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 2 wherein said adaptive temperature controller communicates with a computer.

7. The adaptive temperature controller of claim 4 wherein said adaptive temperature controller communicates with a computer.

8. A method for calibrating an adaptive temperature controller for simultaneous temperature measurement and control for use with an electrically-conductive material to heat a system component, said adaptive temperature controller including: a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor determining the temperature of said electrically-conductive material;a device for measuring resistance, said device for measuring resistance recording measurement of two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;said device for measuring resistance determining resistance of said electrically-conductive material by application of Ohm's Law to said two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;a power supply, said power supply in electrical communication with said electrically-conductive materialsaid electrically-conductive material altering temperature based on said electrical communication from said power supply;a device for controlling the output of said power supply, said device for measuring resistance outputting said determination of the resistance of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply,said temperature sensor outputting the determination of the temperature of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply;said device for controlling the output of said power supply determining the thermal resistance coefficient of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of said device for measuring resistance and the output of said temperature sensor; andsaid device for controlling the output of said power supply controlling the temperature of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of one of the group of power, voltage or current,

9. A method for calibrating an adaptive temperature controller for simultaneous temperature measurement and control for use with an electrically-conductive material to heat a system component, said adaptive temperature controller including: a temperature sensor, said temperature sensor determining the temperature of said electrically-conductive material;a device for measuring resistance, said device for measuring resistance recording measurement of two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;said device for measuring resistance determining resistance of said electrically-conductive material by application of Ohm's Law to said two members of the group consisting of power, current and voltage;a power supply, said power supply in electrical communication with said electrically-conductive materialsaid electrically-conductive material altering temperature based on said electrical communication from said power supply;a device for controlling the output of said power supply, said device for measuring resistance outputting said determination of the resistance of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply,said temperature sensor outputting the determination of the temperature of said electrically-conductive material to said device for controlling the output of said power supply;said device for controlling the output of said power supply determining the thermal resistance coefficient of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of said device for measuring resistance and the output of said temperature sensor; andsaid device for controlling the output of said power supply controlling the temperature of said electrically-conductive material based on the output of one of the group of power, voltage or current,