Two-Position Discontinuous Temperature Control in Electric Space Heating and Cooling Processes I - The Control System

Abstract
The simplest forms of 2-position discontinuous temperature control systems for the electric space heating-cooling process are described. Simple and complex forms of the controlled process are represented by block diagrams. It is shown that secondary feedback can compensate for a control element's nonlinearities. The secondary feedback conditions for optimum compensation, and the effects of overcompensation, are discussed. An actuating signal equation is derived which represents the control system. Description is given of a new technique for predicting the behavior of a proposed control system by displaying the actuating signal equation in three dimensions. The need for overriding commands is outlined, and their introduction into the system via the primary feedback loop is explained. A new overriding command system, for room-vacancy and night-shutdown events, is introduced. Description is given of a new analog for the discontinuously controlled electric space heating-cooling process. The analog is simple to handle, but represents the process with a degree of accuracy sufficient for research and development purposes. From the analog, a control equation for the discontinuously controlled process is formulated. Mention is made of the desirability of basing the reference input on information other than the command.

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