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Title: Apparatus and method for in-line energization and de-energization of external loads in series with an external source of electricity in response to externally sensed parameters
Claims: Having described the invention, what is claimed is: 1. A control system for controlling the energization and de-energization of N electrical loads in response to external parameters, each load having a first output line connected in series with a first line of a source of alternating current electricity, and each load having at least a second output line which if connected to a second line of the alternating current electricity would energize the load, and if disconnected from the second AC line would de-energize the load, where N is an integer greater than one, comprising: (A) a full-wave rectifying network having at least N+1 rectifying legs, each leg having first and second unipolarity current passing elements electrically connected to each other at the cathode of the first element and the anode of the second element forming a junction and the anode of the first unipolarity elements electrically connected to each other and the cathodes of the second unipolarity elements electrically connected to each other, the first rectifying leg having an input terminal at said junction for connection to the second line of the source of alternating current electricity, and each of the remaining rectifying legs having an input terminal at said respective junction for connection to the second line of one of the N loads so that the rectifying network is powered by the alternating current electricity in series with the loads, said rectifying legs generating a unipolarity voltage output across the anodes of the first unipolarity elements and the cathodes of the second unipolarity elements; (B) means, connected to the output of the rectifying network, for voltage regulating said unipolarity voltage; (C) means, connected to and powered by the output of voltage regulating means for generating an electrical signal in response to the magnitude of each sensed external parameters; (D) control module means, each connected to one of the sensing means and powered by the output of the voltage regulating means, for generating electrical control output signals, each control output signal having a first, ON, value if the sensed parameter is greater than a pre-determined value and a second, OFF, value if the sensed parameter is otherwise; (E) control logic means, powered by the output of the voltage regulating means, having sections for controlling all of the N loads, each section connected to at least one of the outputs of the control module means for generating a control logic output signal that is of a first, ON, value if the output signals of the associated control module means satisfy the Boolean equation representing the section of the control logic means, and is a second, OFF, value if the Boolean equation is not satisfied; (F) triggering means, powered at least in part by the unipolarity output of the full-wave rectifying network, having inputs each connected to one of the outputs of one of the control logic means, for generating a trigger voltage signal if the corresponding control logic output signal is one, but only for one, of the following values, ON or OFF; and (G) electronic switching means, having a plurality of inputs, each input connected to one of the trigger voltage signals of the triggering means, and electrically connected across the cathode-anode junction of the corresponding rectifying leg to the cathode-anode junction of the corresponding rectifying leg to the cathode-anode junction of the first rectifying leg, for effectively electrically connecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network if a trigger voltage signal is present and for effectively disconnecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network from each other if the trigger voltage signal is not present; whereby each load is energized by the alternating current electricity source if the sensed external parameters selected for that load satisfy the Boolean equation represented by the corresponding section of the control logic module, and the load is de-energized if any of the selected sensed external parameters do not satisfy the corresponding Boolean equation, and whereby the control system is powered by the alternating current source in series with the loads. 2. A control system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: (H) indicators, connected to the output of at least a portion of the control module means, for indicating the state of at least one of the sensed external parameters. 3. A control system as defined in claim 2, wherein the indicators comprise light emitting diodes. 4. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electronic switching means incorporates triacs. 5. A control system as defined in claim 4, wherein the triggering means incorporates optical couplers electrically connected between the control logic means and the triacs for isolating the triacs from the control logic means while providing for energization and de-energization of the triacs. 6. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein each control module means incorporates an operational amplifier for sensing the electrical signal from the corresponding sensing means and generating an output signal in response thereto. 7. A control system as defined in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the control module means incorporates additional means for maintaining the corresponding electrical control output signal in the ON state unless the sensed parameter is less than said predetermined value by a selected magnitude. 8. A control system as defined in claim 1, wherein the voltage regulating means comprises a zener diode connected to the input of a transistor and wherein the output of the transistor is connected to a capacitor for storing electrical energy. 9. A control system as defined in claim 1 further comprising: (H) an electrical snubber electrically connected across each electronic switch for protecting the control circuit from high voltage transients. 10. A control system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: (H) sensor control setting modules electrically connected to the external parameter signalling means and the control module means for setting the predetermined value of the sensed parameters. 11. A control method for controlling the energization and de-energization of N external loads in response to a logical combination of a least two sensed parameters, each having a first, OFF, low current state and a second, ON, high current state and each separately connected in series to one side of an external source of electricity, where N is an integer greater than one, comprising the steps of: (A) rectifying the output of the series combination of each external load and the source of electricity in combination with the other side of the external source of electricity for generating an output voltage of unipolarity; (B) individually sensing the parameters by generating electrical signals proportional to the magnitude of the corresponding sensed parameter; (C) for each sensed parameter and for each of a possible plurality of predetermined values associated with the sensed parameter, generating a discrete ON electrical signal if the electrical signal of the sensed parameter is greater than the corresponding magnitude of a particular predetermined value and generating a discrete OFF electrical signal if the sensed parameter is below the respective predetermined value; (D) generating from one to N logic signals, each signal having a first discrete logic ON electrical signal if at least two selected signals of Step C satisfy a predetermined Boolean equation and generating a second, discrete logic OFF electrical signal if the selected signals of Step C do not satisfy the Boolean equation; (E) for each of the logic signals of Step D, generating at least one trigger voltage signal if the logic electrical signal is ON or OFF; and (F) for each of the N external loads, effectively electrically connecting the outputs of the series combination of the external load with one side of the source of electricity with the other side of the electricity source if the trigger voltage signal associated with the load is generated and effectively disconnecting the load from the other side of the electricity source if the trigger voltage signal is not generated; and (G) utilizing the generated unipolarity output voltage of Step A for providing the electrical power to perform Steps B through F; whereby each of the N external loads is energized by the external source of electricity if the corresponding trigger voltage is generated as a result of selected sensed parameters satisfying a corresponding Boolean equation and disconnecting the load if this Boolean equation is not satisfied. 12. A control method as defined in claim 11, wherein Step G comprises the step of voltage regulating the generated unipolarity output voltage of step A at a predetermined value and storing electrical energy at the predetermined voltage value. 13. A control system for controlling the energization and de-energization of N electrical loads in response to external parameters, each load having a first output line connected with a first line of a source of alternating current (AC) electricity, and each load having at least a second output line which if connected to a second line of the AC electricity would energize the load, and if disconnected from the second AC line would de-energize the load, where N is an integer greater than 1, comprising: (A) a full-wave rectifying network having at least N+1 rectifying legs, each leg having the cathode of a first diode electrically connected to the anode of a second diode, thus forming a junction, and the anodes of the first diodes electrically connected to each other and cathodes of the second diodes electrically connected to each other, the first rectifying leg having an input terminal at its cathode-anode junction for connection to the second line of the source of alternating current electricity, and each of the remaining rectifying legs having an input terminal at said respective cathode-anode junction for connection to the second output line of one of the N loads, so that the rectifying network is powered by the alternating current electricity in series with the loads, said rectifying legs generating a unipolarity voltage output across the anodes of the first diodes and the cathodes of the second diodes; (B) means for generating an electrical signal in response to the magnitude of each sensed external parameter; (C) control module means, each connected to one of the sensing means electrical signals for generating electrical control output signals, each control output signal having a first, ON, value if the sensed parameter is greater than a predetermined value and a second, OFF, value if the sensed parameter is otherwise; (D) control logic means, having sections for controlling all of the N loads, each section connected to at least one of the outputs of the control module means, for generating a control logic output signal that is of a first, ON, value if the output signals of the associated control module means satisfies the Boolean equation representing the section of the control logic means, and is a second, OFF, value if the Boolean equation is not satisfied; (E) triggering means, having inputs each connected to the output of one of the control logic means, for generating a trigger voltage signal if the corresponding control logic output signal is one, but only one, of the following values, ON or OFF; (F) electronic switching means, having a plurality of inputs, each input connected to one of the trigger voltage signals of the triggering means, and electrically connected across the cathode-anode junction of the corresponding rectifying leg to the cathode-anode junction of the first rectifying leg, for effectively electrically connecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network if a trigger voltage signal is present, and for effectively disconnecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network from each other if the trigger voltage signal is not present; and (G) means for powering at least the external parameter sensing means, control module means, control logic means, and triggering means by the unipolarity voltage output across the anodes of the first unipolarity diodes and the cathodes of the second unipolarity diodes of the fullwave rectifying network regardless of the number of loads energized by the electronic switching means; whereby each load is energized by the alternating current electricity source if the sensed external parameters selected for that load satisfy the Boolean equation represented by the corresponding section of the control logic module, and the load is de-energized if any of the selected sensed parameters do not satisfy the corresponding Boolean equation, and further whereby the control system is powered by the AC electricity source in series with the loads. 14. A control system as defined in claim 13 further comprising: (H) sensor control setting modules electrically connected to the external parameter signalling means and the control module means for setting the predetermined value for the sensed parameters. 15. A control system as defined in claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the control module means incorporates additional means for maintaining the corresponding electrical control output signal in the ON state unless the sensed parameter is less than said predetermined value by a selected magnitude. 16. A control system as defined in claim 15 further comprising: (I) indicators, connected to the output of at least a portion of the control module means, for indicating the state of at least one of the sensed external parameters. 17. A control system as defined in claim 16, wherein the indicators comprise light-emitting diodes and the electronic switching means incorporate triacs. 18. A control system as defined in claim 17, wherein the triggering means incorporates optical couplers electrically connected between the control logic means and the triacs for isolating the triacs from the control logic means while providing for energization and de-energization of the triacs. 19. A control system as defined in claim 18 further comprising: (J) an electrical snubber electrically connected across each triac for protecting the control circuit from high voltage transients and rapid changes in voltage. 20. A control system as defined in claim 19, wherein the control module means incorporates an operational amplifier for sensing the electrical signal from the corresponding sensing means and generating an output signal in response thereto. 21. A control system for controlling the energization and de-energization of N electrical loads in response to external parameters, each load having a first output line connected with a first line of a source of alternating current (AC) electricity, and each load having at least a second output line which if connected to a second line of the AC electricity would energize the load, and if disconnected from the second AC line would deenergize the load, where N is an integer greater than 1, comprising: (A) a full-wave rectifying network having at least N+1 rectifying legs, each leg having the cathode of a first diode electrically connected to the anode of a second diode, thus forming a junction, and the anodes of the first diode electrically connected to each other and cathodes of the second diodes electrically connected to each other, the first rectifying leg having an input terminal at its cathode-anode junction for connection to the second line of the source of alternating current electricity, and each of the remaining rectifying legs having an input terminal at said respective cathode-anode junction for connection to the second output line of one of the N loads, so that the rectifying network is powered by the alternating current electricity in series with the loads, said rectifying legs generating a unipolarity voltage output across the anodes of the first diodes and the cathodes of the second diodes; (B) means for generating an electrical signal in response to the magnitude of each sensed external parameter; (C) control module means, each connected to one of the sensing means electrical signals for generating electrical control output signals, each control output signal having a first, ON, value if the sensed parameter is greater than a predetermined value and a second, OFF, value if the sensed parameter is otherwise; (D) control logic means, having sections for controlling all of the N loads, each section connected to at least one of the outputs of one of the control module means, for generating a control logic output signal that is of a first, ON, value if the output signals of the associated control module means satisfies the Boolean equation representing the section of the control logic means, and is a second, OFF, value if the Boolean equation is not satisfied; (E) triggering means, having inputs each connected to the output of one of the control logic means, for generating a trigger voltage signal if the corresponding control logic output signal is one, but only one, of the following values, ON or OFF; and (F) electronic switching means, having a plurality of inputs, each input connected to one of the trigger voltage signals of the triggering means, and electrically connected across the cathode-anode junction of the corresponding rectifying leg to the cathode-anode junction of the first rectifying leg, for effectively electrically connecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network if a trigger voltage signal is present, and for effectively disconnecting the corresponding input terminals of the rectifying network from each other if the trigger voltage signal is not present; whereby each load is energized by the alternating current electricity source if the sensed external parameters selected for that load satisfy the Boolean equation represented by the corresponding section of the control logic module, and the load is de-energized if any of the selected sensed parameters do not satisfy the corresponding Boolean equation. 22. A control system as defined in claim 21 further comprising: (G) sensor control setting modules electrically connected to the external parameter signalling means and the control module means for setting the predetermined value for the sensed parameters. 23. A control system as defined in claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the control module means incorporates additional means for maintaining the corresponding electrical control output signal in the ON state unless the sensed parameter is less than said predetermined value by a selected magnitude. 24. A control system as defined in claim 21, further comprising: (H) indicators, connected to the output of at least a portion of the control module means, for indicating the state of at least one of the sensed external parameters. 25. A control system for controlling the energization and de-energization of N electrical loads in response to conditions or control signals, at least one load controlled in response to two or more conditions or control signals, each load having a first output line connected in series with a first line of a source of alternating current electricity, and each load having at least a second output line which if connected to a second line of the alternating current electricity would energize the load, and if disconnected from the second AC line would de-energize the load, where N is an integer greater than one, comprising: (A) a rectifying network having at least one rectifying leg, each leg having at least one unipolarity current passing element, each rectifying leg having an input terminal for connection to at least one of the N loads so that the rectifying network is powered by the alternating current electricity in series with the loads, each rectifying leg generating a unipolarity voltage output; (B) means, connected to the output of the rectifying network, for voltage regulating said unipolarity voltage; (C) means, for generating an electrical signal in response to each condition and optionally for generating additional electrical signals corresponding to control signals; (D) control module means, each connected to one of the signals of the electrical signal generating means for generating at least one electrical control output signal, each control output signal having a first, ON, value if the condition or control signal is greater than a predetermined value and a second, OFF, value if the condition or control signal is otherwise; (E) control logic means, having sections for controlling all of the N loads, each section connected to at least one output of the control module means, for generating a control logic output signal that is of a first, ON, value if the output signal or signals of the associated control module means satisfy the Boolean equation representing the section of the control logic means, and is a second, OFF, value if the Boolean equation is not satisfied; (F) triggering means, conditioned by the unipolarity output of the rectifying network, having inputs each connected to one of the outputs of one of the control logic means, for generating a trigger voltage signal if the corresponding control logic output signal is either ON or OFF; and (G) electronic switching means, having a plurality of inputs, each input connected to one of the trigger voltage signals of the triggering means, and electrically connected between the second line of one of the loads and the second line of the AC electricity for effectively electrically connecting the particular load to the AC electricity if a trigger voltage signal is present, and for effectively disconnecting the particular load from the AC electricity if the trigger voltage signal is not present; whereby each load is energized by the alternating current electricity source if each condition or control signal selected for that load satisfies the Boolean equation represented by the corresponding section of the control logic module, and the load is de-energized if any selected condition or control signal does not satisfy the corresponding Boolean equation, and whereby the control system is powered by the alternating current source in series with the loads. 26. A control system as defined in claim 25, further comprising: (H) indicators, connected to the output of at least a portion of the control module means, for indicating the state of at least one of the conditions. 27. A control system as defined in claim 26, wherein the indicators comprise light emitting diodes. 28. A control system as defined in claim 25, wherein the electronic switching means incorporates triacs. 29. A control system as defined in claim 25, further comprising: (H) an electrical snubber electrically connected across each electronic switch for protecting the control circuit from high voltage transients and rapid changes in voltage. 30. A control system as defined in claim 25, further comprising: (H) sensor control setting modules electrically connected to the electrical signal generating means and the control module means for setting the predetermined values for at least one of the conditions. 31. A control system for controlling the energization and de-energization of N electrical loads in response to the conditions or control signals, at least one load controlled in response to two or more conditions or control signals, each load having a first output line connected with a first line of a source of alternating current (AC) electricity, and each load having at least a second output line which if connected to a second line of the AC electricity would energize the load, and if disconnected from the second AC line would de-energize the load, where N is an integer greater than 1, comprising: (A) means, connected to at least one load, for rectifying the AC electricity; (B) means for generating an electrical signal in response to each condition or control signal; (C) control module means, each connected to one of the signals of the electrical signal generating means for generating electrical control output signals, each control output signal having a first, ON, value if the condition is greater than a pre-determined value and a second, OFF, value if the condition is otherwise; (D) control logic means, having sections for controlling all of the N loads, each section connected to at least one output of the control module means, for generating a control logic output signal that is of a first, ON, value if the output signal or output signals of the associated control module means satisfy the Boolean equation representing the section of the control logic means, and is a second, OFF, value if the Boolean equation is not satisfied; (E) triggering means, having inputs each connected to the output of one of the control logic means, for generating a trigger voltage signal if the corresponding control logic output signal is either ON or OFF; (F) electronic switching means, having a plurality of inputs, each input connected to one of the trigger voltage signals of the triggering means, and electrically connected between the second line of one of the loads and the second line of the AC electricity for effectively electrically connecting the particular load to the AC electricity if a trigger voltage signal is present, and for effectively disconnecting the particular load from the AC electricity if the trigger voltage signal is not present; and (G) means for powering the electrical signal generating means, control module means, control logic means, or triggering means by the rectifying means regardless of the number of loads energized by the electronic switching means; whereby each load is energized by the alternating current electricity source if the conditions or control signals selected for that load satisfy the Boolean equation represented by the corresponding section of the control logic module, and the load is de-energized if any of the selected conditions or control signals do not satisfy the corresponding Boolean equation, and further whereby the control system is powered by the AC electricity source in series with the loads. 32. A control system as defined in claim 31, further comprising: (H) indicators, connected to the output of at least a portion of the control module means, for indicating the state of at least one of the conditions. 33. A control system as defined in claim 31, further comprising: (H) sensor control setting modules electrically connected to the electrical signal generating means and the control module means for setting the predetermined value for at least one of the conditions. Other info: Inventors: Gingras, Richard P. (Ridgefield, CT, US) Application Number: 955120 Filing Date: 1978-10-26 Publication_date: 1980-11-25 Assignee: Primary Class(es): 307/39 236/47, 307/117 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
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