Webasto-werk W. Baier Gmbh & Co.

Falk Lamkewitz

Josef Riedmaier

A preheating process and apparatus for determination and utilization of a quantity of preheating energy so as to automatically achieve a desired temperature at a given location prior to a predetermined period of usage, especially for preheating an automotive vehicle. In accordance with the process, the respective preheating times required to achieve a desired temperature for various possible actual conditions at the location of usage are determined and stored, at a predetermined point of time prior to the usage commencement time, the correct preheating time is determined from the stored preheating times based upon actual temperature conditions and application of heat to the location is automatically commenced at a time prior to the usage commencement time that corresponds to the difference between the usage commencement time and the correct preheating time determined previously. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, a presettable timer actuated switching control means is provided for actuating a heating device. An actual temperature value sensor means is utilized to sense the actual temperature at the location to be preheated and is used to address a memory unit containing, as stored data, preheating times to be read out that correspond to the respectively required heating time to achieve a desired temperature for each of various possible actual temperatures at the location. The stored preheating time read out by the memory unit based upon actual temperature value sensed by the sensor means at a point of time prior to the preset usage commencement time is utilized by the switching control means to actuate the heating device at a time prior to a preset time for commencement of usage that corresponds to the difference between the preset usage commencement time and the time read out by the memory unit.

Process and apparatus for determination and utilization of a quantity of

In order to provide a controller which is readily adaptable for use with a plurality of different heaters, an arrangement is provided for storing a plurality of control and regulation programs for the operation of a plurality of different heaters. Based on selection instructions identifying a particular heater, an appropriate control and regulation program can be selected from among said plurality of programs. The controller then provides suitable control and regulation signals to said heater in accordance with the selected program.

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Munich, Germany

Falk Lamkewitz