Steven Paul Harter

US Patent:

6409090, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

May 18, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/572878

Inventors:

David L. Gilvar - Weston MA
Steven G. Landry - Brookline NH
Steven P. Harter - Merrimack NH

Assignee:

Microtherm LLC - Wellesley MA

International Classification:

G05D 2300

US Classification:

237 2A, 1224481, 236 46 R

Abstract:

A self optimizing device for controlling a heating unit in a manner so as to improve the energy efficiency of the heating unit using an autocalibration processor. The heating unit employs a heating medium that is heated by the heating unit and which transfers the heat into an ambient atmosphere outside of the heating unit. The heating unit has an on-state initiated when a characteristic of the heating medium representative of the heating capacity of the medium decreases below a minimum level, and an off-state initiated when the characteristic of the heating medium reaches a maximum level. The controller includes an input element, an output element, a time-measuring element, and a processor. The input element receives a signal from a sensor, the signal indicating the heating medium characteristic representative of the heating capacity of the heating medium. The output element signals the heating unit to begin its on-state.