Modular Multi-Zone Temperature Controller

Abstract

A scalable temperature controller has a single human interface that is connected to a cabinet that contains a plurality of identical control modules. One of the control modules is the master of other control modules in the cabinet and can access all interconnected control modules and allow user control of parameters therein through the human interface. Each control module has a processor that receives temperature information and controls heating elements. The scalable controller can connect and control additional control modules by connecting additional modules or cabinets without the need for an additional human interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-zone expandable temperature controller, comprising:
 a plurality of identical control modules connected to a first cabinet, each said control module having a processor, a program, a plurality of power outputs, and a plurality of thermocouple inputs, said processor receiving temperature data from said thermocouple inputs and controlling said power outputs based on a program;   a first said control module is a master control module; and   a second said control module is in communication with said first control module, said processor in said first control module controlling said processor in said second control module.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 1 , further comprising a second cabinet, said first cabinet is connected to said second cabinet through a network connection. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 2 , wherein each said cabinet has a communication backplane, each said communication backplane for allowing communication between said first and second cabinets and communication between said control modules. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 1 , further comprising a human interface in communication with said master control module in said first cabinet, said human interface for communicating with each said control modules in communication with said master control module of said first cabinet. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 1 , wherein each said control module can independently monitor and control six heating zones. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 1 , wherein each said cabinet has four slots to receive up to four control modules, each said control module can independently monitor and control up to six heating zones. 
     
     
         7 . A multi-zone expandable temperature controller, comprising:
 a first cabinet having a plurality of slots, one of said slots is a master slot, a remainder of said slots are slave slots, said first cabinet for being connected to external heaters and thermocouples;   a plurality of identical control modules located in said slots, each said control module having a processor, a program, power outputs, and thermocouple inputs;   when one of said control modules is located in said master slot, said control module is a master control module and controls other said control modules in said cabinet; and   a second cabinet in communication with said first cabinet, said master control module in said first cabinet in in communication with and controls said master control module in said second cabinet.   
     
     
         8 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , wherein each said cabinet has a communication backplane for communication between said control modules and said cabinets. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , wherein each said control module can independently monitor and control six heating zones. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , wherein each said cabinet has four slots to monitor and control up to twenty-four heating zones. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , further comprising a human interface in communication with said master control module in said first cabinet, said human interface for accessing each said control modules in communication with said master control module of said first cabinet. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , wherein said communication connectors are located on a communication backplane, said communication backplane for allowing communication between said first and second cabinets and allowing communication between said control modules of any interconnected cabinets. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 7 , further comprising a mobile cart, said first and second cabinets affixed thereto. 
     
     
         14 . A multi-zone expandable temperature controller, comprising:
 a first cabinet having a plurality of slots, each said slot having a power connector and a communication connector, one of said slots is a master slot, a remainder of said slots are slave slots, said power connector for being connected to heaters external to said cabinet;   a plurality of control modules, each said control module having a processor, power outputs, and thermocouple inputs;   when one of said control modules is located in said master slot, said control module is a master control module and controls other said control modules in said cabinet; and   a human interface in communication with said master control module in said first cabinet, said human interface for communicating with each said control modules in communication with said master control module of said first cabinet.   
     
     
         15 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 14 , further comprising a second cabinet in communication with said first cabinet, said master control module in said first cabinet controls said master control module in said second cabinet. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 15 , wherein each said cabinet has a communication backplane for communication between said control modules and said cabinets. 
     
     
         17 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 15 , wherein each said control modules are connected to a communication backplane, said communication backplane for allowing communication between said first and second cabinets and allowing communication between said control modules. 
     
     
         18 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 14 , wherein each said control module can independently monitor and control six heating zones. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 14 , wherein each said cabinet has four slots to monitor and control up to twenty-four heating zones. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-zone expandable temperature controller in  claim 14 , wherein each said control module is identical and has an identical program.