US 11,997,764 B2
Heat trace characterization and control method and system
Travis M. Kuster, Brooklyn, NY (US); Connor J. Tinen, New York, NY (US); Alexander F. Brown, Brooklyn, NY (US); and Robert J. Nikolai, Wildwood, FL (US)
Assigned to Frio, LLC, Durham, NC (US)
Filed by AEF Ice Systems, Inc., Mamaroneck, NY (US)
Filed on May 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/326,854.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/031,014, filed on May 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0378058 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. H05B 1/02 (2006.01); G01K 7/16 (2006.01); H05B 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC H05B 1/0294 (2013.01) [G01K 7/16 (2013.01); H05B 3/0014 (2013.01); H05B 2203/019 (2013.01); H05B 2203/02 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for determining an average temperature of a piece of self-regulating heat trace in a process heating system using a value of measured resistance acquired by a controller, the method comprising the steps of:
using measured current and voltage, as acquired by the controller, to determine a measured resistance of the piece of self-regulating heat trace while the piece of self-regulating heat trace is activated by the controller; and
using the determined measured resistance of the piece of self-regulating heat trace, together with a power factor of the piece of self-regulating heat trace, to determine an average temperature of the piece of heat trace, wherein the controller is configured to use the average temperature of the piece of self-regulating heat trace as a basis of control of the process heating system, or to monitor the process heating system and provide notification if the average temperature of the piece of heat trace deviates from an expected operating range.