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US 11,906,203 B2Granted
Water heater control system with powered anode rod
AssigneeAdemco Inc.
InventorsFrederick Hazzard, Gregory Young, Adam Myre
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water heater control system comprising a temperature sensor, an anode rod, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a temperature from the temperature sensor and apply a voltage and/or current to the anode rod. A mounting bracket mates with a spud of a water heater and provides a conduit space for conductors providing connectivity among the controller, temperature sensor, and anode rod. The mounting bracket may provide mechanical support for the anode rod and the temperature sensor. The mounting bracket may comprise a housing mechanically supporting and surrounding the controller.
Claims18
A water heating system comprising:
- a tank defining an interior volume configured to hold water, the tank comprising a spud defining a specific opening through a vessel wall of the tank;
- a heating apparatus configured to heat the water in the tank;
- a temperature sensor extending into the interior volume of the tank,
- wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of water in the interior volume of the tank;
- an anode configured to extend into the interior volume of the tank;
- a controller configured to:
- control, based on a detected temperature of the water in the tank, the heating apparatus to heat the water in the tank to a selected temperature;
- and
- control a power source to apply a voltage, a current, or a voltage and a current to the anode to at least one of reduce corrosion of a wall of the tank or reduce flocculant formation;
- a sensor lead electrically connecting the controller and the temperature sensor,
- wherein the sensor lead is configured to extend at least partially through the spud;
- and
- an anode lead electrically connecting the controller and the anode,
- wherein the anode lead is configured to extend at least partially through the spud;
- wherein the temperature sensor and the anode are integrally formed on a unitary probe;
- wherein at least a portion of the anode extends from the temperature sensor;
- wherein the anode extends further into the tank than the temperature sensor.
14 more elements
A method of controlling a water heater comprising:
- mechanically supporting a temperature sensor and an anode using a mounting bracket inserted into a spud of the water heater, wherein the temperature sensor and the anode are integrally formed on a unitary probe, the unitary probe comprising a single rigid body supported by the mounting bracket;
- wherein at least a portion of the anode extends from the temperature sensor;
- wherein the anode extends further into the water heater than the temperature sensor;
- placing the temperature sensor in thermal communication with a body of water within a water tank of the water heater using the mounting bracket inserted into the spud of the water heater;
- placing the anode in fluid communication with the body of water within the water tank of the water heater using the mounting bracket inserted into the spud of the water heater;
- electrically connecting the temperature sensor and a controller using a sensor lead extending at least partially through the mounting bracket;
- electrically connecting the anode and the controller using an anode lead extending at least partially through the mounting bracket;
- receiving, using the controller and the sensor lead, a signal indicative of a temperature of the body of water within the water tank from the temperature sensor;
- and
- delivering, using the controller and the anode lead, a voltage, a current, or a voltage and current to the anode.
7 more elements
A water heater control system comprising:
- a temperature sensor;
- an anode;
- a controller configured to:
- receive a signal indicative of a temperature from the temperature sensor;
- and
- apply a voltage, a current, or a voltage and a current to the anode;
- a mounting bracket mechanically supporting the temperature sensor and the anode,
- wherein the mounting bracket is configured to mate with a spud of a water heater tank;
- an anode lead electrically connecting the anode and the controller,
- wherein the anode lead extends at least partially through the mounting bracket;
- and a sensor lead electrically connecting the temperature sensor and the controller,
- wherein the sensor lead extends at least partially through the mounting bracket;
- wherein the temperature sensor and the anode are integrally formed on a unitary probe, and wherein the unitary probe comprising a single rigid body supported by the mounting bracket.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.