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Abstract

Environmental heating/cooling systems are controlled by an interactive microprocessor and have continuous on-time and adaptive cycling modes wherein continuous on-time brings the temperature to a programmed set point and cycling precisely maintains that temperature rather than causing the temperature to oscillate between limits of a dead zone. Minimum pause and on-time intervals of the cycling mode are established in accordance with optimum thermal transfer efficiency and/or equipment limitations. The initial cycle pause interval is a function of the degree transition time (i.e., time required for system to change temperature one degree as measured during continuous on-time mode); the initial cycle on-time interval becomes the established minimum interval. Cycle intervals are modified as necessary to maintain the temperature at the set point with preference given to minimizing the cycle on-time interval. Hence, the cycle on-time interval is decreased to its established minimum before attempting to increase the cycle pause interval; conversely, the pause interval is decreased to its established minimum before increasing the cycle on-time interval. The system is predisposed to remain in the cycling mode whereby predetermined temperature variations from set point, in a direction opposed to system control, initiate a continuous on-time to bring the temperature back to set point, but only after attempting to do so with an additional modified cycle. Degree transition time and initial pause and intervals are re-established during each continuous mode. Cost savings provided by cycling, as compared to continuous, are periodically computed.

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