Controllers for heat supply units

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic controller for a boiler. The controller includes a control circuit that is adapted to provide a sequence of control signals to periodically turn the boiler ON and OFF during successive operational periods of the controller. Each operational period is started by an activation signal provided to the controller form an external device (e.g. a timer or thermostat and is ended by deactivation signal. At least one period of time for which the boiler is turned ON is longer than at least one other period of time for which the boiler is turned ON during a particular operational period.

1 . A time-based controller specifically adapted for a heat supply unit for supplying heat to a heating system, the heating system including a part that provides space heating, the controller including a control circuit that is adapted to provide a sequence of control signals to periodically turn the heat supply ON and OFF during successive operational periods of the controller, each successive operational period being started by an activation signal provided to the controller from any of one or more external devices and being ended by a deactivation signal provided to the controller from any of the one or more external devices, wherein during a particular one of the successive operational periods the control circuit is adapted to provide at least one period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON that is longer than at least one other period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON, and wherein the periods of time during which the heat supply unit is turned ON and OFF by the control circuit during each successive operational period are pre-programmed. 
     
     
         2 . The time-based controller of  claim 1 , wherein the control circuit is adapted to provide a control signal to turn the heat supply unit ON for an initial period of time at the start of each successive operational period, the initial period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON being longer than at least one other period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON during a-the particular one of the successive operational periods. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The time-based controller of  claim 1 , wherein during each successive operational period, the control circuit is adapted to provide at least one period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON that is longer than at least one other period of time for which the heat supply unit is turned ON.