U.S. patent application number 12/958144 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for control system for heating systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to FPI FIREPLACE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL, LTD.. Invention is credited to Gordon Arthur Lloyd Coutts, Davinder Gopal Lal, George H.K. Lau, Robert A. Little, Chi Ming Gavin Tham.
Application Number | 20110073101 12/958144 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40252080 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110073101 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lau; George H.K. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2011 |
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS
Abstract
Provided are exemplary embodiments, which may include a heating
system controller, which may be capable of controlling a heating
system to reduce inefficiencies, and/or allow the heating system to
operate in a relatively optimum manner.
Inventors: |
Lau; George H.K.;
(Vancouver, CA) ; Little; Robert A.; (Vancouver,
CA) ; Coutts; Gordon Arthur Lloyd; (Burnaby, CA)
; Lal; Davinder Gopal; (Abbotsford, CA) ; Tham;
Chi Ming Gavin; (Vancouver, CA) |
Assignee: |
FPI FIREPLACE PRODUCTS
INTERNATIONAL, LTD.
Delta
CA
|
Family ID: |
40252080 |
Appl. No.: |
12/958144 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12047055 |
Mar 12, 2008 |
7870854 |
|
|
12958144 |
|
|
|
|
60894411 |
Mar 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/501 ;
126/502; 126/521; 126/555 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F23K 3/14 20130101; F24B
1/028 20130101; F24B 1/024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/501 ;
126/502; 126/521; 126/555 |
International
Class: |
F24B 1/199 20060101
F24B001/199; F24B 1/187 20060101 F24B001/187; F24B 1/19 20060101
F24B001/19; F24B 1/191 20060101 F24B001/191 |
Claims
1. A heating system, comprising: a fuel input, configured to
receive a plurality of fuels; a fuel key; and a controller in
electronic communication with said fuel key; wherein said fuel key
is configured to provide said controller with operating parameters
such that said heating system operates during a change from a first
fuel type to a second fuel type.
2. The heating system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure
sensor configured to provide a measured pressure to said
controller.
3. The heating system of claim 2, wherein said controller is
further capable of controlling one or more variables of the heating
system based at least in part upon the measured pressure.
4. The heating system of claim 1, further comprising a feed auger,
wherein said controller is configured to control the operation of
said feed auger.
5. The heating system of claim 1, further comprising a content
sensor in electronic communication with said controller.
6. The heating system of claim 5, wherein the content sensor is
configured to measure at least one of carbon content and moisture
content of said fuel.
7. The heating system of claim 5, further comprising a fuel bed
configured to contain said fuel during combustion, wherein said
content sensor is operatively coupled to said fuel bed.
8. The heating system of claim 1, further comprising a convection
fan in electronic communication with said controller, wherein said
controller is configured to control the operation of the convection
fan.
9. The heating system of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises
a user interface configured to receive inputs from a user to affect
the operation of said heating system.
10. A fireplace system, comprising: a fuel input, configured to
receive a plurality of fuels; a controller configured to adjust an
operating variable of said fireplace to achieve a relatively
optimum operation; and a fuel key configured to provide operating
parameters to said controller such that said fireplace system
continues to operate during a change from a first fuel type to a
second fuel type.
11. The fireplace system of claim 10, further comprising a feed
auger, wherein said operating variable is a speed of said feed
auger.
12. The fireplace system of claim 10, further comprising a
combustion fan, wherein said operating variable is a speed of said
combustion fan.
13. The fireplace system of claim 10, further comprising a fuel
hopper, wherein said operating variable is an amount of fuel in
said fuel hopper.
14. The fireplace system of claim 10, wherein the controller
comprises a user interface capable of receiving inputs from a user
to manipulate operation of said fireplace system.
15. The fireplace system of claim 14, wherein the user input is has
plurality of selectable operating modes, and wherein the plurality
of operating modes includes at least one of a high efficiency burn
mode and a clean burn mode.
16. A method for reducing inefficiencies in a heating system,
comprising: providing a fuel input configured to receive a
plurality of fuel types; receiving, by a controller, operating
parameters from a fuel key; generating heating with a first fuel
type; and adjusting, by the controller, an operating condition of
said heating system in response to receiving a second fuel type
based on said operating parameters; wherein said residential stove
system operates during a change from said first fuel type to said
second fuel type.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising receiving, by said
controller, a signal from a sensor, wherein the signal represents
at least one of an operating characteristic of said heating system
which corresponds to operation of a component of said heating
system and a combustion characteristic of a combusting fuel
type.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said sensor is a content sensor
and said signal corresponds to at least one of a level of carbon of
said combusting fuel and a level of moisture of said combusting
fuel.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising, adjusting said
combustion fan speed to adjust a pressure of a combustion
chamber.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising, receiving, by said
controller, a user input to manipulate an operating condition of
said heating system, wherein said controller comprises a user
interface configured with selectable inputs.
21. A heating system, comprising: a combustion chamber in which a
fuel is utilized to create heat; a content sensor configured within
said combustion chamber, said content sensor configured to monitor
at least one of a moisture content and a carbon content of said
fuel within said combustion chamber; a controller in electronic
communication with said content sensor and capable of controlling
said heating system to operate to reduce inefficiencies of the
heating system, wherein said content sensor are configured in a
closed-loop feedback arrangement to facilitate control of said
heating system.
22. The heating system of claim 21, further comprising a fuel level
sensor configured to sense a fuel level wherein the controller is
configured to deliver a message in response to the fuel level being
at least one of above a first predetermined threshold and below a
second predetermined threshold.
23. The heating system of claim 21, wherein the controller is
configured to receive a removable key and wherein said removable
key is configured with operating parameters for said plurality of
fuels.
24. The heating system of claim 21, further comprising an ash pan
configured to receive ash from said combustion chamber an ash
sensor operatively coupled to said ash pan and configured to
monitor a level of ash in said ash pan, wherein in response to said
ash reaching a predetermined level said controller adjusts said
heating system to prevent damage to said heating system.
25. The heating system of claim 21, further comprising an ash auger
in electronic communication with said controller, wherein said ash
auger removes ash from the combustion chamber in response to at
least one of the moisture content and the carbon content being at a
level to indicate that said fuel is sufficiently burnt such that
the ash can be removed by said ash auger.
26. A heating system, comprising: a controller configured to reduce
operating inefficiencies of said heating system; a combustion
chamber in which fuel is utilized to create heat; an ash sensor in
electronic communication with said controller and coupled to said
combustion chamber and configured to monitor a level of ash; and an
ash auger in electronic communication with said controller and
operatively coupled to said combustion chamber, said ash auger
configured to remove ash from said combustion chamber in response
to a command from said controller, wherein said command is
generated by said controller in response to a signal from said ash
sensor indicating said level of ash exceeds a predetermined
amount.
27. The heating system of claim 26, further comprising a fuel key
in electronic communication with said controller, said fuel key
configured to communicate a fuel type to said controller, such that
said controller adjusts said heating system to reduce said
inefficiencies for one of said plurality of fuel types.
28. The heating system of claim 26, further comprising a heat
exchanger in thermal communication with said combustion chamber
such that thermal energy generated in said combustion chamber is
conducted through said heat exchanger to an environment.
29. The heating system of claim 28, wherein the heat exchanger
comprises a plurality of pipes in fluid communication with the
environment.
30. The heating system of claim 26, further comprising a pressure
sensor operatively coupled to said combustion chamber and in
electronic communication with said controller, wherein a pressure
in said combustion chamber is measured and communicated to said
controller.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 12/047,055, filed Mar. 12, 2008, entitled
"CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HEATING SYSTEMS", now U.S. Pat. No.
______, issued on ______ which claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/894,411, filed Mar. 12, 2007, entitled
"CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HEATING STOVES."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates, generally, to heating
systems and, in particular, to a closed-loop controller for
providing control of various aspects of a heating system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various heating systems, including fireplaces and furnaces
for home installations, may have been made available to consumers
in recent years with improved control systems. Despite
improvements, such heating systems may be limited in the ability to
control the heat distribution from the heating system to the area
to be heated.
[0004] For example, while current heating systems have frequently
utilized various techniques to separate the combustion air from the
room air, such as direct air venting systems, very little has been
done to improve heat transfer and distribution. Furthermore,
feedback from the heating system may aid in increasing efficiency
of the system. This efficiency may include decreasing the amount of
spent, unused fuel, maintaining a generally optimum temperature and
determining if various augers are jammed or not working properly,
among other variables.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with various aspects of exemplary embodiments,
a heating system transfer controller may be configured to control
variables of the heating system, such that the heating system may
operate more efficiently. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, an exemplary heating system may include a feed auger,
air intake, an exhaust vent, a combustion chamber and a controller.
The heating system may include various types of heating
configurations, such as fireplaces, stoves, furnaces or other like
heating systems. The air intake is configured to receive external
air into the heating system, while the exhaust vent is configured
to remove exhaust from within the heating system. Both the air
intake and exhaust vent can be configured in various manners,
shapes and sizes for providing the respected air intake and heat
exhaust functions.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of exemplary embodiments, the
heating system controller may be configured to control various
portions of the heating system based, at least in part, upon the
pressure within the combustion chamber. In accordance with another
exemplary embodiment, the heating system controller may determine a
portion of the heating system is not operating properly, based at
least in part upon feedback from sensors of the system.
[0007] In an embodiment, various portions of a fireplace system may
be manipulated to reduce inefficiencies of the system. These
inefficiencies may include, but are not limited to, inadequate
burning of the fuel, inadequate amount of fuel, different types of
renewable fuel such as wood pellets, wheat, and/or corn, and/or
other fuel, and/or combinations thereof, and different fuel grades,
inefficient heat transfer from the combustion chamber, non-optimal
pressure in the combustion chamber, inefficient temperature in the
combustion chamber, and/or inefficient amount of ash within the
combustion chamber, and/or other inefficiencies, and/or
combinations thereof.
[0008] Other inefficiencies may also include inefficiencies due to
different types of fuels, variations in size of fuels, moisture
content, and/or different atmospheric conditions, and/or
combinations thereof.
[0009] In accordance with other aspects, the heating system
controller may be capable of controlling variables of the heating
system based at least in part upon signals and/or information
received from sensor of the heating system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The exemplary embodiments may be described in conjunction
with the appended drawing figures in which like numerals denote
like elements and:
[0011] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary heating system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of a heating system in
accordance with an exemplary heating system according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary control system in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a user interface in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The present disclosure may describe various functional
components. It should be appreciated that such functional
components may be realized by any number of hardware components,
electrical and mechanical, configured to perform the specified
functions. In addition, exemplary embodiments may be practiced in
any number of heating system contexts, and the fireplace systems
described herein are merely one exemplary application.
[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, a solid fuel heating device 10 having a combustion
chamber 12 is illustrated. In an embodiment, a heat exchange
arrangement in the form of hollow pipes 19 can be disposed towards
the top end of combustion chamber 12 and may be heated hot air from
combustion chamber 12. Ambient air, as indicated by arrows 22, may
be circulated through hollow pipes 19 by a fan 21 mounted in a side
wall of the heating device, or any other convenient location, such
as proximate the hot air exhaust area, to exhaust heated air from
pipes 19 into the ambient air, in a direction indicated by arrows
22. This may be accomplished to heat the surrounding area of
heating device 10. Fan 21 may be configured in various locations
for circulating ambient air through pipes 19, with such pipes 19
being arranged in various manners for discharging heat to the
surrounding area.
[0017] In an embodiment, the convection and combustion flow system
may also be used in other manners by utilizing heat transfer
devices to extract heat, including flat and/or accordion plate heat
exchangers, air flow passages for exhaust and/or convection air,
casting, hot air intake, and/or other methods and systems for
discharging heat to the surrounding area. The utilization of heat
exchangers with a stove may increase the efficiency of the system,
increase the convection temperature, and/or lower the exhaust
temperature, and/or combinations thereof.
[0018] Furthermore, combustion and convection air flow may be
configured to be parallel, counter, and/or cross flow, and/or
combinations thereof to further increase efficiency. In an
embodiment, heat exchange between the convection and combustion
air, heat exchange between the air intake and the exhaust air,
mixing the exhaust air with the air intake, etc. may make the
system more efficient.
[0019] Many different types and configurations of heat exchangers
may be utilized with the system. A corrugated surface plate, or a
casting made from copper or other high heat transfer coefficient
material may be positioned between different air flows to enhance
heat transfer. Utilizing finned tubes may further increase the
surface area and increase the heat transfer characteristics of the
system. Furthermore, the alteration of the air flow devices to
create turbulence or other disruption may further increase
efficiency.
[0020] Other types of heat exchangers, such as heat pipes, or
condensers may also be utilized to enhance heat transfer, as they
may utilize the phase shifts of fluids to release heat at a much
higher rate. Furthermore, there may be other heat exchangers that
enhance heat transfer such as coaxial venting, radiator, spiral
plated exchangers, and/or any other heat exchanger that may enhance
heat transfer.
[0021] Heating system 10, as herein illustrated in the exemplary
embodiment, may be a biomass pellet, fuel, and/or grain-fed, and/or
other fuel, and/or combinations thereof, space heating stove. The
system may include a "key," which may allow the system to utilize
different fuels. The key may be added to allow the use of various
type of fuel. The system may allow a user to switch fuel type
without shutting down the system.
[0022] In an embodiment, system 10 may include a hopper 23. Hopper
23 may be configured for storage of fuel sources, such as solid
fuel pellets 24, for example. Hopper 23 may be various sizes,
shapes, and configurations for storage of fuel. In an exemplary
embodiment, fuel pellets 24 may be fed into a fuel bed 25 of
combustion chamber 12 by an auger 26 feeding a chute 27.
[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, solid fuel pellets 24 entering
combustion chamber 12 may be projected into fuel bed 25 by gravity
and supported by a support mechanism in the form of a support tray
28. Support tray 28 may be fixedly secured under the bottom, open
end of the inner wall 16. An ash collecting tray 29 may be
removably secured under this support tray 28 and accessible through
a door 30. A sensor may be included, which may alert a user that
the ash pan is full. This may indicate that the pan should be
emptied. If the pan is not emptied, the system may shut down, or
other sequence, to protect the system.
[0024] Solid fuel pellets and grains (fuel) 24 may also be fed from
the bottom or the side of the unit, or any other configuration for
providing fuel, and the like, onto fuel bed 25. For example, rather
than hopper 23 and/or auger 26, many other mechanisms or systems
for conveying materials may be suitably implemented.
[0025] The system may be capable of operating a high-efficiency
burn mode, or a clean burn mode, which may be user selectable.
[0026] Shown in FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary heating
system 200. In an embodiment, system 200 may be connected to a user
interface 61, which may be provided with an internal memory 62.
User interface 61 may allow a user to input information to
controller 60. Furthermore, user interface may allow a user to
control certain aspects of the heating system 200. In an
embodiment, user interface 61 may also be capable of transmitting
user input, which may condition the controller to operate within a
stored programmed mode of operation, depending on the type of fuel
being fed to the burner. Variables such as temperature, type of
fuel, and many other variables may be controlled by controller 60
via user interface 61.
[0027] In an embodiment, system 200 my include software, hardware,
and/or firmware, and/or combinations thereof to control the various
aspects of the system. The software/hardware/firmware may be
capable of being upgraded to allow for improved, and/or different
modes of operation.
[0028] In an embodiment, an exemplary controller 60 may be provided
with input signals from a temperature sensor 64 that senses the
temperature of the heating device 10. In an embodiment, temperature
sensor 64 may be located on a wall of the heating device, and/or
other suitable location. Controller 60 may also monitor input
signals from an operational thermo sensor 65, which may be capable
of indicating that a flame is present in the burner chamber.
Temperature sensor 64 may be located on the outside, back wall,
and/or other suitable location of combustion chamber 12 to sense
the temperature thereof. For example, if temperature sensor 64
detects a predetermined high temperature signal, controller 60 may
shut off the fuel feed auger that delivers the fuel to the fuel bed
of the fuel burner, thus commencing an orderly automatic shutdown
of device 10. Accordingly, controller 60 may be capable of
modulating the operation of the system to maintain a desired
temperature output.
[0029] In an embodiment, heating system 200 may include a hopper
sensor. Hopper sensor 40 may be capable of detecting the amount of
fuel within the hopper. Hopper sensor 40 may be further capable of
indicating various levels of fuel in the hopper to controller 60,
such that the level may be displayed, and/or an alert may be
generated indicating various levels of fuel, such as too low and
too high, among many others.
[0030] In an embodiment, heating system 200 may also include a
pressure sensor 66, which may be positioned to be capable of
measuring the pressure within combustion chamber 12. Controller 60
may receive a signal from pressure sensor 66, which may indicate a
pressure level in combustion chamber. There may a particular
pressure range, which may generally correspond to a relatively
optimal burn conditions for the system. In an embodiment, if the
pressure is outside of a range, controller 60 may then control
other aspects of the system based at least in part on the pressure.
For instance, if the pressure is lower than the optimal range, the
controller may increase the combustion fan speed to add more
pressure to the combustion chamber, or slow down the feed auger to
accommodate pressure drop.
[0031] System 200 may also include a fuel level sensor 67, which
may be capable of indicating the level of the fuel available to the
system. Sensor 67 may be capable of detecting the amount of fuel
within the hopper. Sensor 67 may be further capable of indicating
various levels of fuel in the hopper to controller 60, such that
the level may be displayed, and/or an alert may be generated
indicating various levels of fuel, such as too low and too high,
among many others. Controller 60 may receive a signal from fuel
level sensor, and indicate via user interface 61, or other method
or system, the fuel level, and/or high or low levels of fuel
available. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the level, and/or
high and low levels of the solid fuel may be measured and
indicated.
[0032] Controller 60 may also be capable of controlling the speed
of combustion fan 68, which may be located within heating device 10
as illustrated in FIG. 1, or otherwise outside, or in in-flow
communication, to facilitate intake and exhaust air. Controller 60
may also control the speed of convection fan 21, which may be used
to force the air through heat exchangers 19.
[0033] Controller 60 may also control ash auger 54, which may be
capable of evacuating the ashes depending on the operating
parameters of the system and high or low ash fuel type. In an
embodiment, system 200 may include a sensor 254, which may be
capable of measuring the speed of ash auger 54 and/or operation of
ash auger 54. Alternatively, sensor 254 may indicate whether or not
ash auger 54 is moving. If controller 60 is sending a signal for
ash auger 54 to run, and sensor 254 indicates that ash auger 54 is
operating abnormally, or not at all, this may indicate to
controller 60 that the ash auger system is not operating properly.
Controller 60 may then control system 200 to insure that no damage
is done, either to the system or to the surrounding area. The
above-mentioned control may include an orderly shutdown of the
system, and/or an alarm to alert the user.
[0034] The system may also include a content sensor 255, which may
be capable of sensing the amount of moisture and/or carbon content
within the fuel in the fuel bed to insure the fuel is burnt to a
degree to allow the ash auger to remove the fuel. Other sensors may
include a sensor capable of detecting and alerting when the system
may need to be cleaned and/or serviced.
[0035] Similarly, system 200 may include a feed auger 26, which may
be controlled by controller 60. In an embodiment, feed auger 26 may
be configured to provide solid fuel to system 200. In an
embodiment, system 200 may include a sensor 226, which may be
capable of measuring the speed of feed auger 26, and/or the
presence of fuel in the auger. Alternatively, sensor 226 may
indicate whether or not feed auger 26 is moving. If controller 60
is sending a signal for feed auger 26 to run, and sensor 226
indicates that feed auger 26 is operating abnormally, or not at
all, this may indicate to controller 60 that the feed auger system
is not operating properly. Controller 60 may then control system
200 to insure that no damage is done, either to the system or to
the surrounding area. The above-mentioned control may include an
orderly shutdown of the system, and/or an alarm to alert the user.
Furthermore, the controller may insure that no backfire may
occur.
[0036] Similar sensors may be provided in other areas of the system
including, but not limited to, the combustion and convection fans.
A power supply 69 may provide power for the controller and
interface, which, in an embodiment, may be 12 VDC. In an
embodiment, a system may also include a battery backup. The system
may also have the capability to change to battery power during a
power outage, indicate the power outage, and that the battery is in
use. Furthermore, the charge remaining in the battery may also be
indicated.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 in accordance with
exemplary embodiments, there will be described the operation of an
exemplary controller 60. This controller 60 may be coupled to a
user interface 61, which may be provided with an internal memory 62
(see FIG. 2). In the embodiment of FIG. 3, user interface 61
includes a keypad-type configuration, with a display 76. In
embodiments, display 76 may be an LED-type display, and/or an
LCD-type display. Other display types may be utilized without
straying from the concepts disclosed herein.
[0038] Furthermore, user interface 61 may be configured to allow a
user to control and/or manipulate the operation of the solid fuel
biomass pellet heating device 10, such as the system illustrated in
FIG. 1.
[0039] Controller 60 may be configured to control the motor(s) and
the fans, and inputs and operating parameters utilizing information
from the sensors. To start the operation of a biomass pellet device
10, a user may actuate the button labeled "Start" 78. This may
cause the pellets to be automatically fed to the burner and ignited
by an ignition device, to create an initial fuel bed. Other steps
may then be accomplished to start the operation of heating system
10, such as starting the system with a fire starter, and/or
starting with one fuel and continuing the burn with another fuel.
Other ignition methods may be utilized, including utilization of an
air pump and an igniter to assist in creating a torch effect,
and/or more than one ignition source. Furthermore, a user may turn
off the heating device by depressing the button labeled "Stop"
80.
[0040] In an embodiment, the "Service" actuator 82 may activate
diagnostics for the system. The diagnostics may include tuning the
burn to compensate for atmospheric conditions, and/or variations in
fuel, and fuel quality. It will be appreciated that the diagnostics
of the system may include many other diagnostics.
[0041] In an embodiment, the user may select a desired mode of
operation of device 10 by inputting desired parameters into the
controller by the use of interface pad 61. Interface pad 61 can
also be provided with heat level buttons 73, which may control the
amount of heat produced by the system. This may increase or
decrease the temperature in combustion chamber 12. This increase
may cause an increase in the temperature of the heated air released
by the biomass pellet device through the heat exchanger located
above the flame, which may be regulated by a separate fan. All of
these operating parameters may be capable of being stepped up or
down, to maintain relatively optimum performance levels and/or to
decrease inefficiencies of the system, according to the desired
heat performance required of the device.
[0042] Additionally, the entire system can operate from a remote
thermostat to regulate all of these operating parameters based at
least in part upon the setting(s) of the thermostat. User interface
61 may also be removed from the system and be used remotely. A
"Prime Stove" actuator 72 may be provided, which may be capable of
activating a method for manually priming the heating device. This
may be due to the various types and/or qualities of the fuel being
utilized. Priming may not be necessary for all fuels, types, and/or
qualities.
[0043] Inputs from actuators may be sent to the controller, which
may regulate the speed of the motor, which drives the ash auger.
Control switches 73 may also be utilized to set a desired BTU
output of the pellet stove. Through the software of the controller,
the type of fuel and substantially optimal operating conditions of
the device may be regulated and maintained.
[0044] User interface 61 may also include a fuel selection button
70, which may be configured to indicate to the controller the fuel
that will be used. Different choices for fuel may appear within
display 64. The user may then depress "Heat" actuator 74, which may
allow a user to adjust the heat level using buttons 73. This may
allow the controller to control various aspects of the system based
at least in part upon the type of fuel being used by the system. In
an embodiment, the types of fuel shown are solid fuels. However,
other fuels, such as non-solid fuels, may also be utilized.
[0045] User interface 61 may be attached to the system, or may be a
remote control. Furthermore, user interface 61 may also be capable
of communicating with other devices within the heating environment
to further control the operation of the system. In one embodiment,
another device may be a temperature sensor that may interface with
the system.
[0046] The present invention sets forth a heat transfer controller
that is applicable to various heating system applications. It will
be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary
embodiments of the invention, and that the invention is not limited
to the specific forms shown. Various modifications may be made in
the design and arrangement of the elements set forth herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For
example, the sensors utilized are not limited to those shown
herein. Furthermore, other user interfaces may be utilized as well.
Many other processors/controllers, as well as sensors may be
utilized without straying from the concepts disclosed herein. These
and other changes or modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the
following claims.
* * * * *