Patent GB-1324707-A (GB)
Title: Electrical arrangement for measuring and controlling the tempera ture at a large number of points
Inventor: TRUBERT G
IPC: G01K3/00
Filed: 1970-10-26
Abstract: 1324707 Automatic temperature control LA TELEMECHANIQUE ELECTRIQUE 26 Oct 1970 [27 Oct 1969] 50838/70 Heading G3R An apparatus for measuring and controlling the temperature at each of a plurality of points and maintaining the temperature of each at a common required index or datum value to within narrow limits (e.g. Œ 5‹C), for instance the temperature of threads in a textile machine, comprises a Wheatstone bridge having one datum temperature or index branch and a plurality of parallel connected measuring branches, the temperature of the points being sensed simultaneously. The bridge is energized by chopped D.C. pulses having a predetermined frequency and phase relation to an A.C. supply voltage provided for energizing heating elements at the respective points and the bridge controls the supply to the respective heating elements via respective static switches. Each static switch may be a triac, a pair of anti-parallel thyristors or thyratrons or Shockley diodes, or a thyristor in a diode bridge. As shown Fig. 1 the datum temperature is set on a potentiometer 6 and the bridge is energized by pulses h at twice the A. C. frequency and derived from the A. C. input at terminals 1, 2, by a pulse generator 3. Platinum resistance wire sensors 12-1, 12-2 etc are connected in respective measuring branches. The error voltages applied to respective amplifiers 14-1, 14-2 etc will be in the form of pulses. With a PTC sensor the error voltage will be in phase with the voltage pulse across the potentiometer when the temperature sensed at a point is too low, and is in phase opposition when the temperature is too high. This error voltage controls a respective static switch, e.g. 16-1, via a respective discriminator, e.g. 15-1 which senses the direction of the error. The discriminator also receives pulses h' produced by the generator 3 in synchronism with pulses h, and when the index temperature is exceeded so that the error voltage goes negative and is in phase opposition with h<SP>1</SP>, the discriminator is such as to inhibit transmission of the error voltage to the switch 16-1. Consequently the respective heating element is switched off. Similarly with temperature decreasing below the index temperature, the error becomes positive again and the discriminator passes the error signal to the control electrode of the switch to turn on the heating element again. In the initial warming up period full wave A. C. is supplied to the heating elements. When a certain lower threshold temperature is reached the pulses h are shifted e.g. by 90 degrees as illustrated, Fig.3 (not shown) by an input signal from a phase shifter 3a to the pulse generator and the switches conduct and the heating elements are effective for 90 degrees of each half cycle of the A.C. supply (normal heating condition). The discriminator includes means to set a tolerance range of e.g. + 5‹C from the index level. This is effected by differentiating leading and trailing edges of each error pulse giving positive and negative spikes which are transmitted to the discriminating circuit proper only when they reach a certain threshold corresponding to 5‹C. Protection against control failure. As soon as the temperature of a point goes outside the tolerance range of Œ 5‹C from the index value, a detecting and signalling arrangement lights a lamp and disconnects the respective heating element by means of a bi-stable electro-mechanical switch Fig. 5 (not shown) in series with the respective static switch. The control of the phase of the pulses from the pulse generator by the phase shifter 3a may be effected by centrally located logic circuitry  described with reference to Fig.6 (not shown) which circuitry may also control fault signalling and cutoff means. The control of the heating elements is an on/off control, in normal operation and is not effected by phase control of the static switches.