Temperature control system for a water heater
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsBrent Chian, Timothy J. Nordberg
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for detecting stacking and controlling temperature in a water heater. A controller with a connection to a temperature sensor and heating element in a water tank of the heater may be designed to limit stacking and its effects. The controller may use a sensing and calculation technique to detect the stacking. If stacking is detected, then the setpoint for the heater may be lowered so that the outlet water temperature is within a safe limit. If stacking is not detected, then the setpoint may be gradually restored to optimize water heater capacity.
Claims21
A water heater control system comprising:
- a water temperature sensor for providing a sense signal indicative of a temperature of water proximate to the sensor;
- a heating element for heating water proximate to the element according to a control signal;
- and
- a controller having a water temperature set point mechanism for receiving the sense signal and for sending the control signal;
- and
- wherein:
- the controller determines a water temperature change rate from the sense signal;
- the controller provides the control signal according to the water temperature set point mechanism and the sense signal;
- and
- the controller detects stacking and compensates the set point mechanism according to the sense signal to keep temperature stacking of the water within a safe limit.
A method for operating a water heater, comprising:
- sensing water temperature in a water heater;
- measuring the water temperature change rate;
- and detecting whether stacking is occurring;
- and
- wherein:
- if stacking is occurring, then a set point is lowered to prevent an excessive top temperature;
- if stacking is not occurring or reduced to an acceptable level, then the set point is gradually or immediately restored as needed to optimize water heater capacity.
A water temperature control system comprising:
- a sensor that detects water temperature in a container;
- a heater that heats water in the container;
- and
- a mechanism, having a water temperature set point, connected to the sensor and heater, wherein the mechanism detects a water temperature change rate according to the sensor at initial start-up of the heater and afterwards, the mechanism detects stacking, and the mechanism adjusts the water temperature set point via a set point offset to turn on or off the heater to limit top water temperature within a safe range when the stacking occurs in the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.