Patent ID: 6495806
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G01K

Abstract:
A closed loop heating system for heating a probe, comprising:a sensor mounted to the probe, the sensor configured to sense the temperature of the probe and provide a time varying temperature signal in response to the temperature of the probe, a heater mounted at the probe and responsive to heater control signals to provide heat to the probe; a power source having a voltage; and a processor connected to the power source, the sensor, and the heater so as to provide a closed loop system in heating the probe, the processor providing a drive level of power from the power source to the heater to cause the heater to heat the probe, the processor applying a drive level offset to the drive level to the heater, the drive level offset being a non-zero value which is a function of ambient temperature to more rapidly achieve heating of the probe to a target temperature in a stable controlled fashion.