Apparatus and methods for controlling a water heater
AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.
InventorsDonald E. Donnelly, Thomas P. Buescher, Michael Somorov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas-powered water heater includes means for stepping down a line voltage from a receptacle remote from the tank, means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage, and means for using the low voltage to sense conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions. Using a plug-in transformer to provide power for microprocessor control makes it unnecessary to install a line voltage line to the heater.
Claims27
A gas-fired water heater having a burner that heats water in a tank, the water heater comprising:
- means for stepping down a line voltage from a line voltage receptacle remote from the tank to provide a stepped down voltage;
- means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage lower than the stepped down voltage;
- and
- means for using the low voltage to sense a plurality of conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions, said means using the low voltage comprising:
- means for determining whether water is drawn from the tank;
- and
- means for increasing a heating set-point based on the determining.
A gas-fired water heater having a burner that heats water in a tank, the water heater comprising:
- means for stepping down a line voltage from a line voltage receptacle remote from the tank to Provide a stepped down voltage;
- means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage lower than the stepped down voltage;
- and
- means for using the low voltage to sense a plurality of conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions, said means using the low voltage comprising:
- means for sensing flammable vapor;
- and
- means for shutting off the heater based on an average resistance in the means for sensing flammable vapor.
An apparatus for controlling a gas-fired water heater having a tank, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- a plug-in transformer that steps down a line voltage to provide a stepped-down voltage to the controller;
- wherein the transformer is plugged into a line voltage source remote from the controller;
- the controller comprising a processor that draws a low voltage to control heater operation, and a circuit that draws the stepped-down voltage to provide the low voltage to the processor and operating power to at least one of an igniter and a gas valve of the heater;
- the apparatus further comprising:
- a temperature sensor that senses temperature near the top of the tank;
- and
- a water-draw sensor configured to sense water being drawn from the tank;
- the processor configured to control heater operation based on input from the sensors.
An apparatus for controlling a gas-fired water heater having a tank, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller having a processor;
- and
- a plug-in transformer that steps down a line voltage to provide a stepped-down voltage to the controller;
- wherein the transformer is plugged into a line voltage source remote from the controller and remote from the tank;
- the apparatus further comprising a flammable vapor (FV) sensor, the processor configured to:
- determine an average resistance of the FV sensor over a predetermined period;
- and
- control heater operation based on the average resistance.
A processor-implemented method of operating a gas-fired water heater comprising:
- determining whether water is being drawn out of a tank of the heater;
- increasing a heating set-point based on the determining;
- and
- calling for heat until the increased set-point has been reached.
A gas-fired water heater having a burner that heats water in a tank, the system comprising:
- means for stepping down a line voltage from a line voltage receptacle remote from the tank to provide a stepped down voltage;
- means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage lower than the stepped down voltage;
- and
- means for using the low voltage to sense a plurality of conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions,
- the means for using the low voltage comprising:
- means for determining whether water is drawn from the tank;
- and
- means for increasing a heating set-point based on the determining;
- the means for determining whether water is drawn from the tank comprising means for determining a temperature at a top of the tank and near a cold water inlet of the tank.
A gas-fired water heater having a burner that heats water in a tank, the system comprising:
- means for stepping down a line voltage from a line voltage receptacle remote from the tank to provide a stepped down voltage;
- means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage lower than the stepped down voltage;
- and
- means for using the low voltage to sense a plurality of conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions,
- the means for using the low voltage comprising:
- means for determining whether water is drawn from the tank;
- and
- means for increasing a heating set-point based on the determining;
- the means for determining whether water is drawn from the tank comprising means for determining a temperature at a top of the tank and near a cold water pipe fitting of the tank.
A gas-fired water heater having a burner that heats water in a tank, the system comprising:
- means for stepping down a line voltage from a line voltage receptacle remote from the tank to provide a stepped down voltage;
- means for using the stepped down voltage to provide a low voltage lower than the stepped down voltage;
- and
- means for using the low voltage to sense a plurality of conditions pertaining to the heater and to control heater operation based on the sensed conditions;
- the means for using the low voltage comprising:
- means for sensing flammable vapor;
- and
- means for shutting off the heater based on an average resistance in the means for sensing flammable vapor.
An apparatus for controlling a gas-fired water heater having a tank, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- a plug-in transformer that steps down a line voltage to provide a stepped-down voltage to the controller;
- wherein the transformer is plugged into a line voltage source remote from the controller;
- the controller comprising:
- a processor that draws a low voltage to control heater operation;
- and
- a circuit that draws the stepped-down voltage to provide the low voltage to the processor and operating power to at least one of an igniter and a gas valve of the heater;
- the apparatus further comprising:
- a temperature sensor that senses temperature near the top of the tank;
- and
- a water-draw sensor configured to sense water being drawn from the tank;
- the processor configured to control heater operation based on input from the sensors.
An apparatus for controlling a gas-fired water heater having a tank, the apparatus comprising:
- a controller;
- and
- a plug-in transformer that steps down a line voltage to provide a stepped-down voltage to the controller;
- wherein the transformer is plugged into a line voltage source remote from the controller and remote from the tank;
- the apparatus further comprising a flammable vapor (FV) sensor, the processor configured to:
- determine an average resistance of the FV sensor over a predetermined period;
- and
- control heater operation based on the average resistance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.