IP Library Granted Patent US 9,261,540
Granted Patent B2
US 9,261,540 · App. 14/153,334 · Granted Feb 16, 2016

Devices for measuring voltage of a power supply, detection devices, and temperature controllers

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,261,540
App. No.
14/153,334
Granted
Feb 16, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of devices for measuring voltage of a power supply. Also disclosed are exemplary embodiments of detection devices and temperature controllers comprising such devices for measuring voltage of a power supply. In exemplary embodiments, a device for measuring the voltage of a power supply generally includes a resistor, a capacitor, and a control unit. One end of the capacitor is connected with the resistor, while the other end of the capacitor is connected to ground. The control unit is connected with the power supply. The control unit includes a comparator connected with the capacitor, a reference power supply connected with the comparator, a timer, and a computing unit.

Claims (43)

1. A device for measuring voltage of a power supply, the device comprising:

a resistor;

a capacitor having one end connected with the resistor and another end connected to ground; and

a control unit connected with the power supply, the control unit including a comparator connected with the capacitor, a reference power supply connected with the comparator, a timer, and a computing unit;

wherein the reference power supply includes an absolute reference power supply and a relative reference power supply;

wherein the control unit is operable for controlling the comparator to connect to the absolute reference power supply or the relative reference power supply, such that:

when the control unit controls the comparator to connect to the relative reference power supply, the timer is operable for measuring a first time interval between the time when the voltage of the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the relative reference power supply; or

when the control unit controls the comparator to connect to the absolute reference power supply, the timer is operable for measuring a second time interval between the time when the voltage of the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the absolute reference power supply;

wherein the computing unit is operable for calculating the voltage of the power supply based on the first time interval, the second time interval, and the voltage of the absolute reference power supply.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein:

when the comparator is connected to the relative reference power supply, the voltage of the power supply is a multiple of the voltage of the relative reference power supply, such that:

Vcc=aVcc /EXP(− t 1/ RC ) where a is a constant and 0< a< 1;

RC=−t 1/ln( a );

when the control unit controls the comparator to connect to the absolute reference power supply:

Ez=Vcc *EXP(− t 2/ RC );

Vcc=Ez /EXP( t 2*ln( a )/ t 1);

wherein Ez is the voltage of the absolute reference power supply, Vcc is the voltage of the power supply, t 1 is the first time interval, t 2 is the second time interval, R is the resistance of the resistor, and C is the capacitance of the capacitor.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first time interval and the second time interval are acquired in two sequential cycles during which the capacitor discharges.

4. The device of claim 1 for measuring voltage and temperature, wherein the device further comprises a thermistor connected to the capacitor.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the control unit is operable for controlling the capacitor to discharge through the resistor or the thermistor when the capacitor is fully charged and begins to discharge, and for measuring the voltage of the power supply or the temperature of outside environment.

6. The device of claim 5 , wherein:

the control unit is operable for controlling the capacitor to discharge through the resistor, whereby the timer measures a third time interval between the time when the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the reference power supply;

the control unit is operable for controlling the capacitor to discharge through the thermistor, whereby the timer measures a fourth time interval between the time when the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the reference power supply;

the computing unit is operable for calculating the resistance of the thermistor based on the third time interval, the fourth time interval, and the resistance of the resistor; and

the computing unit is operable for further determining the temperature of the outside environment based on the resistance of the thermistor.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the computing unit is operable for calculating the voltage of the absolute reference power supply based on the value of the temperature of the outside environment.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is a temperature controller.

9. A detection device for measuring voltage of a power supply and temperature, the detection device comprising:

a resistor;

a capacitor having one end connected with the resistor and another end connected to ground;

a thermistor connected to the capacitor;

a control unit connected with the power supply, the control unit including a comparator connected with the capacitor, a reference power supply connected with the comparator, a timer, and a computing unit;

wherein the reference power supply includes an absolute reference power supply and a relative reference power supply;

wherein the control unit is operable for controlling the comparator to connect to the absolute reference power supply or the relative reference power supply, such that:

when the control unit controls the comparator to connect to the relative reference power supply, the timer is operable for measuring a first time interval between the time when the voltage of the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the relative reference power supply; or

when the control unit controls the comparator to connect to the absolute reference power supply, the timer is operable for measuring a second time interval between the time when the voltage of the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the absolute reference power supply;

wherein the control unit is operable for controlling the capacitor to discharge through the resistor, whereby the timer measures a third time interval between the time when the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the reference power supply;

wherein the control unit is operable for controlling the capacitor to discharge through the thermistor, whereby the timer measures a fourth time interval between the time when the capacitor begins to discharge after being fully charged and the time when the voltage across the capacitor is equal to the voltage of the reference power supply;

wherein the computing unit is operable for calculating the resistance of the thermistor based on the third time interval, the fourth time interval, and the resistance of the resistor; and

wherein the computing unit is operable for further determining the temperature of the outside environment based on the resistance of the thermistor;

wherein the computing unit is operable for calculating the voltage of the absolute reference power supply based on the value of the temperature of the outside environment; and

wherein the computing unit is operable for calculating the voltage of the power supply based on the first time interval, the second time interval, and the voltage of the absolute reference power supply.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the device is a temperature controller.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 9, 2024
From: COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 068255/0466 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064278/0165 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
To: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064280/0333 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064286/0001 →
SUPPLEMENTAL IP ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded May 30, 2023
From: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
To: COPELAND COMFORT CONTROL LP
Reel/Frame 063804/0611 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2014
From: TU, LIHUI; CAO, LIANG; CHU, CUIKUN
To: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
Reel/Frame 031950/0976 →