US 2012/0055419 A1 · DEMAND MANAGEMENT FOR WATER HEATERS

Abstract

A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The storage system has a heat exchanger connected to the tank for using energy stored during off peak times as in water heated above normal storage temperature. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables water to be heated in a heat storing mode to heat water for usage. A method for controlling a water heating storage system includes providing an insulated tank for containing water to be heated; providing a heat exchanger coupled to the tank; and selectively operating in a heat storing mode in which water in the tank is heated to a higher than normal temperature and a heat exchange mode during which heat is extracted from the water stored in the tank by a heat exchanger for supplying stored energy to another energy consuming load in response to a demand response signal.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A water heating control and storage system, comprising:

an insulated tank for holding water to be heated to a storage temperature greater than approximately 150 degrees F.;
a heat exchanger operatively selectively coupled in heat exchange relationship with the water in the insulated tank by a first plumbing connection for transferring heat from a first flow of the water heated in the tank to another medium and
an operation control device configured to receive and process a demand response signal and to operate the system in at least one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a water heating mode and a heat exchange mode.

A water heating control and storage system, comprising:

a first insulated tank for holding water to be heated;
a second insulated tank for holding water to be heated;
a first plumbing connection coupled to the first and the second tank, and configured to enable a first flow of water heated to a storage temperature greater than approximately 150 degrees F. from the first tank towards the second tank;
a heat exchanger operatively selectively coupled in a parallel in heat exchange relationship with the water in connection to the first and the second insulated tank for transferring heat from a first flow of water that is heated to another medium;
and
an operation control device configured to receive and process a demand response signal and operate the first tank in at least one of a plurality of operating modes, including at least a water heating mode and a heat exchange mode.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Demand management for water heaters

Life of this patent

Demand management for water heaters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16