Method and apparatus for operating an electric water heater
AssigneeTherm-O-Disc, Incorporated
InventorsRichard Miu, Lawrence Brazis, Richard Welch
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element is disclosed. The control system includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state and a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature and select an energy savings mode for the electric water heater. The control module regularly monitors hot water usage and adjusts the set point temperature by a predetermined setback amount until a capacity of the water heater matches consumer usage.
Claims33
An electric water heater comprising:
- a tank defining a volume;
- a water inlet fluidly coupled to said tank;
- a water outlet fluidly coupled to said tank;
- at first heating element extending into said tank and disposed proximate to said inlet;
- a second heating element extending into said tank and disposed proximate to said outlet;
- and
- a control module operable to control the effective capacity of the water heater by selectively toggling one of said first and second heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state to heat water disposed within said tank to a control temperature, said control module determining said control temperature based on the actuation of said second heating element.
A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element, the control system comprising:
- a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state;
- and
- a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature for the electric water heater;
- wherein said control module continuously monitors and adjusts said set point temperature by a predetermined value until an optimum effective capacity of the water heater is achieved.
A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element, the control system comprising:
- a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state;
- and
- a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature for the electric water heater;
- wherein said control module adjusts said temperature by a predetermined value to optimize an effective capacity of the water heater;
- wherein said consumer interface recommends an adjustment to said set point temperature when said predetermined value is achieved and the upper heating element has remained in said OFF state for a predetermined period.
A method for controlling an electric water heater comprising:
- filling the water heater with water;
- setting a set point temperature;
- reducing said set point temperature to a first control temperature, said first control temperature being less than said set point temperature by a first setback value;
- energizing one of upper and lower heating elements until said water achieves said control temperature;
- monitoring said water temperature with an upper temperature sensor and a lower temperature sensor;
- supplying current to one of said upper and lower heating elements when said water temperature falls below said first control temperature;
- reducing said set point temperature to a second control temperature if said upper heating element is not energized for a predetermined amount of time, said second control temperature being less than said set point temperature by a maximum setback value.
A method for controlling an electric water heater comprising:
- filling the water heater with water;
- selecting a set point temperature;
- selecting an energy savings setting at one of a plurality of energy savings settings;
- reducing said set point temperature to a first control temperature, said first control temperature being less than said set point temperature by an initial setback value corresponding to said first energy savings setting;
- energizing one of upper and lower heating elements until said water achieves said control temperature;
- monitoring said water temperature with an upper temperature sensor and a lower temperature sensor;
- supplying current to one of said upper and lower heating elements when said water temperature falls below said first control temperature;
- reducing said set point temperature to a second control temperature if said upper heating element is not energized for a predetermined amount of time and said second energy savings setting is selected, said second control temperature being less than said set point temperature by a maximum setback value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.