Method for controlling a heat-generating element

摘要

A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located. The method includes sensing an initial temperature, and permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at 100 percent output for a preselected initial time period. After the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, a second temperature is sensed. A first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature is determined. A maximum error between a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, and the ambient temperature at the selected time, is determined in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.

主权项

1. A method of controlling a heat-generating element that generates heat when electric current is passed therethrough to control an ambient temperature within a space in which a sensor for sensing temperatures is at least partially located, the method comprising:
(a) sensing an initial temperature; (b) permitting passage of the electric current through the heat-generating element at a preselected output for a preselected initial time period; (c) after the electric current has passed through the heat-generating element for the preselected initial time period, sensing a second temperature; (d) determining a first temperature difference between the initial temperature and the second temperature; and (e) determining a maximum error between:
a sensed temperature sensed at a selected time after the initial time period, andthe ambient temperature at the selected time, in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the first temperature difference and the maximum error.