US 6,981,649 B2 | ||
Electronic control for heating apparatus | ||
Mark H. Jaeger, Mapleton, Minn. (US); Thomas K. Hiniker, Mankato, Minn. (US); and Michael W. Lundgreen, Fairmount, Minn. (US) | ||
Assigned to Novonix Corporation, Mankato, Minn. (US) | ||
Filed on Apr. 30, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/426,672. | ||
Claims priority of provisional application 60/376981, filed on Apr. 30, 2002. | ||
Prior Publication US 2004/0031444 A1, Feb. 19, 2004 | ||
Int. Cl. A01G 23/10 (2006.01); A01K 41/00 (2006.01); A01K 31/18 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 236—3 | 9 Claims |
1. A power control mechanism for controlling the power applied to a heating device so as to create a heated microenvironment
within a larger environment, the mechanism comprising:
a data processor operatively coupled to a memory device and to an operator control input/output device, the memory device
storing a power control algorithm;
a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the larger environment, the temperature sensor being operatively coupled
to the data processor; and,
a power input coupled to a variable power switch that is in turn coupled to a power output, the variable power switch being
also coupled to and controlled by the data processor according to the power control algorithm by varying the power applied
to the heating device based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor so as to provide continuous heat output of
the heating device over an operating range, the power output being coupled to a heating device whose output creates a heated
microenvironment within the larger environment.
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