Patent ID: 7188001

Claim:
A system for controlling the temperature of a reaction mixture contained in a reaction vessel, the system comprising: a) at least one heating device for heating the vessel; b) at least one temperature sensor; c) at least one power regulator for regulating an amount of power supplied to the heating device; and d) at least one controller in communication with the power regulator and with the temperature sensor, wherein the controller includes program instructions for heating the reaction mixture by: i) determining a level of power to be provided to the heating device, wherein the level of power is determined in dependence upon a variable target temperature that initially exceeds a desired setpoint temperature for the mixture; ii) sending a control signal instructing the power regulator to provide power to the heating device at the level determined; when the sensor measures a temperature greater than or equal to a threshold temperature, iii) decreasing the variable target temperature; iv) determining a new level of power to be provided to the heating device, wherein the new level of power is determined in dependence upon the decreased target temperature; and v) sending a new control signal instructing the power regulator to provide power to the heating device at the new level.