초록 ▼

A power controller is provided for controlling the distribution of power to heat tracing cable or the like. Heat tracing cable is used for maintaining a desired process temperature in pipes or vessels when the outside ambient temperature falls below the desired process temperature. Based on outside

A power controller is provided for controlling the distribution of power to heat tracing cable or the like. Heat tracing cable is used for maintaining a desired process temperature in pipes or vessels when the outside ambient temperature falls below the desired process temperature. Based on outside air temperature the controller of the present invention determines the percent of power which should be supplied to the heat tracing cable network to maintain the temperature. The power controller hereof alters the length of time that power is supplied to the power network to control the amount of heat supplied. Advantageously, the power controller results in significant energy cost savings by supplying only the specific energy required to maintain the temperature in the heating cable network.

대표청구항 ▼

A controller for powering electrical heating element, such as heating cable, comprising: means for sensing ambient temperature; means for setting the desired maintenance temperature and for setting the approximate temperature operating range below the desired maintenance temperature over which the c

A controller for powering electrical heating element, such as heating cable, comprising: means for sensing ambient temperature; means for setting the desired maintenance temperature and for setting the approximate temperature operating range below the desired maintenance temperature over which the controller is to supply power to the heating element; signaling means connected to the temperature sensing means and to the setting means for providing a signal representative of the ratio of － (i) the difference between the sensed ambient temperature and the desired maintenance temperature to (ii) the approximate temperature operating range; and means coupled to the signaling means for controlling the power supplied to the heating element in response to the ratio signal.