摘要 |
A temperature control system for a thermal reactor is disclosed that addresses many of the problems in the art. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosed control system, a plurality of temperature controllers are employed. Each temperature controller employs one or more dynamic models that are optimized for a given temperature range. The temperature range over which a particular controller is optimized is preferably generally exclusive of the temperature ranges over which other controllers of the plurality of temperature controllers are optimized. In accordance with another aspect of the control system the control system employs enhanced ramp trajectory logic. In accordance with another aspect of the control system, the control system employs a virtual temperature sensor in the event of a hardware failure of the corresponding non-virtual temperature sensor. Upon the detection of a failure of the non-virtual temperature sensor, the temperature control system automatically substitutes a virtual temperature sensor in its place as a control system input. In accordance with a still further aspect of the temperature control system, the control system is provided with control logic that switches the control mode of the system in the event of a failure of a heating element. All of the foregoing aspect of the present invention may be combined into a single temperature controller. Alternatively, these temperature control system improvements may be incorporated as individual elements, without reliance on the other inventive aspects disclosed herein.
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