Abstract: A sensor element that is adapted to respond to radiation, and which is adapted to the manufacture of a sensor array is manufactured into a single crystal semiconductor means such as silicon. An anisotropically etched pit is provided under the sensing surface, and the pit generally corresponds to the geometry of the sensor element. The geometry is selected to be rectangular and falls along a selected orientation of the particular crystalline structure used for manufacture of the device to thereby allow a high density of sensor elements to provide an efficient array.

Abstract: A thermoelectric sensor element that is adapted to respond to thermal radiation is capable of manufacture into a sensor array on a single crystal semiconductor means, such as silicon. An anisotropically etched pit is provided under the sensing surface, and the pit generally corresponds to the geometry of the sensor element. The geometry is selected to be rectangular and falls along a selected orientation of the particular crystalline structure used for manufacture of the device to thereby allow for a high density of the sensor elements. The sensor elements are manufactured of two dissimilar metals in a sinuous pattern to provide the thermoelectric effect.

Abstract: A permanent magnet, alternating current motor having a variable hysteresis output coupling has an annular permanent magnet rotor caused to rotate within a stator structure. This permanent magnet rotor is capable of being shifted laterally to engage or disengage a hysteresis drag cup output device. With this arrangement either an off-on output torque can be provided, or the output torque can be modulated.

Abstract: A fail-safe electronic position monitoring system for a motor is specifically described in a flame safeguard system. The same fail-safe system could be used more generally in any type of positional monitoring system using a potentiometer. The potentiometer and its wiper are monitored by a microcomputer which has stored in its memory a profile of at least three critical parameters. The parameters are a low voltage parameter, a high voltage parameter, and a parameter that deals with the rate of the voltage level change. The rate voltage level change includes monotonocity function.

Abstract: An anti-bounce system for control of critical loads is provided. A control system contains two subsystems. The first subsystem functions for normal control of the critical loads, but has a relatively long information processing time. This long time might prevent the system from controlling the loads in a safe manner. The system has a second subsystem that has a very rapid processing time. Both of the subsystems are connected to the load by coupling means to monitor as a feedback signal the exact state of the loads. The second subsystem overrides the first, and disconnects power whenever there has been an interruption of power for a short period of time.

Abstract: A microcomputer control utilizes a nonvolatile memory with an interlock. The interlock functions upon the removal of the microcomputer control from a base or from a mounting surface, and its reinstallation. The removal and reinstallation deletes memory and requires reprogramming. This prevents the removal of a microcomputer control that is protected by battery backup without reprogramming the memory. This safety function is particularly useful in flame safeguard or burner control equipment where the interchange of microcomputer fuel burner controls without reprogramming for the particular burner could create a hazard.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wherein a first metal member is installed into a second metal member is disclosed. The first metal member is punched out of a stock into the second metal member which extrudes a slug. The combination is then placed over a flat surface and a second larger punch is applied to cause the slug to reflow back up into its original structure, but with that reflow crimping the first metal member that was punched out into a permanently attached place within the second metal member.

Abstract: A control circuit for a fuel valve in a gas fired furnace controlled by an electronic thermostat is disclosed. The thermostat requires a load current to properly operate, and a pickup and hold circuit along with a time delay circuit are integrated to control a load current circuit to provide the correct load current for the thermostat.

Abstract: A boiler control system utilizing a microcomputer, a memory, and a firing rate control scheme provides a boiler with a more responsive control arrangement. This improved response is accomplished by the firing rate control converting the desired pressure setpoint to a computed temperature, and then establishing a computed pressure band for control of the boiler.

Abstract: A self-energizing burner control system for a fuel burner is accomplished by heat from a pilot flame energizing a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator supplies power to an oscillator. The oscillator has an output that is stepped up in voltage level and is converted to a regulated direct current potential. The regulated direct current potential in turn is used to operate a solid state temperature control or controller. This controller has a sampling rate that is visually indicated by a light emitting diode when a proper voltage is present. The system further insures that a temperature sensor is in place, and is functioning properly.

Abstract: An ultra low voltage energized oscillator for providing a stepped-up alternating current voltage is provided. This oscillator utilizes a field effect transistor with a high impedance network including a capacitor coupling a feedback signal from a secondary output winding to a primary input winding of a transformer.

Abstract: A bi-directional alternating current permanent magnet motor is disclosed that is operated with a rotational restraint that insures proper directional rotation of a load. The motor output shaft is loosly coupled to a pinion gear. In the event that the motor is unable to start in the correct direction, and inadvertently reverses itself, it is immediately unloaded. This unloading causes the motor to stop and start again in the correct direction with a momentum that typically is sufficient to run the motor and its gear train in the correct direction.

Abstract: An automatic firing rate control mode arrangement is provided as a method of operation within a flame safeguard sequencer. The system uses proportional control squared, an integration which reflects the past load history to determine the present load, and further has a constant which relates the rate of change of pressure with respect to time in order to make more responsive the normal load control operation. The system is also capable of on-off control that will hold the system in low fire to allow for stabilization, and to avoid thermal shock to a boiler.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a multiplant environmental unit such as a heat pump with auxiliary heat is disclosed. The control system utilizes a thermostat having a microprocessor and memory that allows for energy savings through setback functions. The setback functions return the temperature control from a setback temperature to a normal comfort temperature along a ramped rate that is modified from day to day. The purpose of this variable ramp is to minimize the operation of the auxliary heat and maximize shell savings (by starting as late as possible). This is basically accomplished by locking the heat pump on in certain cases.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a multiplant environmental unit utilizing a heat pump and auxiliary heat is specifically disclosed. This system is operated by a microcomputer based real time operated thermostat which provides night setback and day setup in an energy efficient manner. The efficient operation is accomplished by having separate heat pump and auxiliary heat ramp rates that can be operated together in parallel in a first mode of operation, and operated separately in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A self-energizing burner control system for a fuel burner is accomplished by heat from a standing pilot energizing a thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator supplies power to an oscillator. The oscillator has an output that is stepped up in voltage level and converted to a regulated direct current potential. The regulated direct current potential in turn is then used to operate a solid state temperature control or controller. The controller in turn responds to a temperature at a thermistor to control a field effect transistor and series connected solenoid of a fuel valve.

Abstract: A system for insuring the correct rotational direction of a permanent magnet, bi-directional alternating current motor. A sensor driven by the output of the motor provides a time varying voltage signal that is differentiated and detected. The signal is then applied to either agree with or override the output control signal from a conventional motor control circuit. When the system operates in the correct direction, the signal complements the motor control. When the device tries to operate in an incorrect direction, the signal overrides the motor control signal.

Abstract: An integrated oil burner control and hydronic limit control arrangement is disclosed. A single transformer energizes the oil burner control and all of the equipment necessary to both operate an oil burner and a circulator pump. This type of device can be implemented in either a simple hydronic type system or in a more complex hydronic system in which domestic hot water is also supplied.

Abstract: A microcomputer based clock operated thermostat is operated to adjust a ramprate of a setpoint temperature upon a setpoint change. The microcomputer in the thermostat is capable of determining the amount of overshoot or undershoot between the air temperature and the desired setpoint temperature by utilizing a sensor temperature of the thermostat, and computing a variation in the pickup ramprate to bring the overshoot within an acceptable level.

Abstract: An arbor for winding an electrical coil on a winding form or bobbin utilizes a centrifugally actuated pin. The pin is initially in place so that the first lead-in wire is formed with a strain relief loop. As the arbor is rotated for winding of a coil, the pin is centrifugally removed thereby eliminating any stress that would break a fine wire during winding.