Energy efficient water heater
OwnerKevin Patrick Nadai, Kent Elwood Ross +1inventors
InventorsKevin Patrick Nadai, Kent Elwood Ross, Edward Leroy Tribble, II
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Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling the output water temperature of a water heater are disclosed herein. The water heater preferably has a water inlet, heating unit, and water output. The system comprises a proportional flow restrictor placed near the water output and a controller which is configured to direct the heating unit to heat the water and the proportional flow restrictor to produce a flow rate of the output water. Temperature sensors may be used to control the proportional flow restrictor. The proportional flow restrictor can also be controlled based on the amount of heat energy applied to the heating unit.
Claims12
A system for controlling the output water temperature of a water heater having a water inlet, heating unit, and water output, the system comprising:
- a proportional flow restrictor placed near the water output;
- a controller which is configured to direct the heating unit to heat the water and the proportional flow restrictor to produce a flow rate of the output water;
- a burner configured to distribute LP fuel into multiple orifices to mix with air for heating input water;
- a regulator configured to regulate the pressure from an LP tank into a pressure level for the burner;
- a solenoid configured to enable the flow of the propane fuel to the burner;
- an igniter configured to electrically ignite the burner;
- and
- a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat energy from the burner to the output water.
A system for controlling the output water temperature of a water heater having a water inlet, heating unit, and water output, the system comprising:
- a proportional flow restrictor positioned to control the flow rate of output water exiting the water output;
- a controller which is configured to direct the heating unit to heat the water and the proportional flow restrictor to produce a desired flow rate of the output water;
- a burner configured to distribute LP fuel into multiple orifices to mix with air for heating input water;
- a regulator configured to regulate the pressure from an LP tank into a pressure level for the burner;
- a solenoid configured to enable the flow of the propane fuel to the burner;
- an igniter configured to electrically ignite the burner;
- and
- a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat energy from the burner to the output water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.