US 10,132,510 B2Granted

System and approach for water heater comfort and efficiency improvement

AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.

InventorsDavid Heil, Ravindra Khosla, Frederick Hazzard

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system for heating water to improve safety and efficiency. The system may have normal operation measured in time. After a time of normal operation, a water temperature setpoint may be checked. If the setpoint is not at a certain level, normal operation may continue. If the setpoint is within the certain level, water temperature may be measured. If the water temperature is less than a desired level, one or more draws of water may be measured for a preset temperature drop. If the draws do not meet the temperature drop, a return to check the setpoint may be made. If the draws meet the temperature drop, the setpoint may be reduced and a time of normal operation may be measured to determine whether a burn cycle occurs within the time. If not, normal operation may continue; but if so, a return to check the setpoint may be made.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A water heater control mechanism comprising:

a processor having a memory;
a temperature sensor situated in a tank of a water heater, and connected to the processor;
a heater connected to a valve or switch;
a controller connected to the processor, the controller configured to receive at least a temperature setpoint and communicate the controller setpoint to the processor;
an actuator attached to the valve and connected to the processor;
and
a program situated in the memory;
and
wherein:
the processor has a normal operation for controlling temperature of water in the tank relative to a setpoint for temperature of the water;
the program provides steps that comprise:
timing a length of normal operation;
reading the temperature setpoint if the timing of a length of the normal operation exceeds a first pre-determined time;
reading the temperature sensor if a reading of the temperature setpoint is between an upper pre-determined temperature and a lower pre-determined temperature;
measuring one or more draws in terms of time and temperature if the reading of the temperature sensor is equal to or greater than said upper pre-determined temperature;
reducing a setting of the temperature setpoint if the terms of time and temperature are within pre-defined terms of time and temperature for one of the one or more draws;
timing to when a burn cycle occurs from the step of reducing a setting of the temperature setpoint;
and
reading the temperature setpoint if a time until said burn cycle occurs is greater than a second pre-determined time.

16 more elements

A fluid heater system comprising:

a tank;
a heater at the tank;
a fluid input on the tank;
a fluid output on the tank;
a heater control device connected to the heater, the heater control device including at least a valve connected to the gas burner and an actuator that controls the valve;
a controller configured to receive input signals and control parameters including at least a temperature setpoint and output control signals;
a temperature sensor situated in the tank;
a timer;
and
a processor connected to the controller, heater control device, the temperature sensor, and the timer;
and
wherein:
the processor controls the heater control device, adjusts the temperature setpoint and operates a timer in response to the temperature sensor, according to a program;
a setpoint above a predetermined threshold of the temperature setpoint can result in a temperature of a fluid in the tank greater than a temperature indicated by the temperature setpoint due to temperature stratification of the fluid in the tank;
and
the program limits a return to a setpoint just during excess demand cycles, to reduce the temperature of the fluid in the tank increased by temperature stratification.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/964,392Filed 9 Dec 2015
Published: US 2017/0167736 A115 Jun 2017
Granted: 20 Nov 2018
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

F24H 15/156
Characterised by the purpose of the control: reducing the quantity of energy consumed; Increasing efficiency
F24D 19/1069
For the combination of central heating and domestic hot water: regulation in function of the temperature of the domestic hot water
F24D 19/1081
For the combination of central heating and domestic hot water: counting of energy consumption
F24H 15/175
Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature: where the difference between the measured temperature and a set…