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
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.