82results about "Central heating component positioning" patented technology

When heating up the water in the lower inner part of a hot water tank by a heat pump unit, a control unit stops the heat-up operation while leaving the hot water in an amount corresponding to the residual water capacity in the hot water tank detected by water level thermistors. In the heat-up operation in the hot water tank, the residual hot water capacity in the tank is first detected, then the heat-up operation is stopped when the residual hot water reaches an amount corresponding to the detected residual hot water capacity. At this point, the hot water is stored so that the hot water newly heated up by the heat pump unit is laid above the residual hot water for the preceding day. Consequently, the reduction in the operating efficiency of the heat pump cycle is prevented without supplying the medium-temperature residual hot water to a condenser.

A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The tank has at least two heating elements, including an upper heating element and a lower heating element. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables each element to independently 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 an upper heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device and a lower heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device to heat upper and lower portions of water inside the tank; and providing a pair of switches for enabling each of the heating elements to independently heat upper and lower portions of the water for usage.

A gas water heater with a tank for holding water including a gas valve mounted below the tank and in fluid communication with a supply of gas. A gas burner is fluidly connected to the gas valve. A first temperature sensor is mounted adjacent a lower portion of the tank and detects a temperature of the water in the lower portion of the tank, and a second temperature sensor is mounted adjacent an upper portion of the tank and detects a temperature of water in the upper portion of the tank. A control has inputs connected to the first and second temperature sensors and outputs connected to the gas valve. The control operates the gas valve in response to reading signals from the first and second temperature sensors such that water in the top and bottom portions of the tank stays within a desired temperature range.

The present invention relates to a heating element controller 100 for a liquid heating system arranged to determine the duty cycle of a heating element 106 and modulate the timepoint of heating initiation by the heating element 106 in dependence upon an expected duration of completing the heating process and upon a required time at which the heating process is to be completed, wherein said expected duration is determined in dependence on said duty cycle. The invention extends to a heating element controller comprising means for computing a fouling parameter and means for controlling the operation of the heating element in dependence upon the fouling parameter. The invention extends to a system for heating liquids comprising at least one heating element associated with a liquid vessel, and preferably the heating element is moveable in the vessel, or alternatively the system for heating liquids may comprise a plurality of heating elements.

A system for heating water includes a first tank, a solar panel, a control circuit, and a second tank for receiving water from the first tank. There is a first resistive heating element in the first tank and a second resistive heating element in the second tank. The control circuit couples power from the solar panel to the second resistive heating element unless the water in the second tank is at a preset maximum temperature, then the control circuit couples power to the first resistive heating element. If the water in the second tank is below a preset maximum temperature and above a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit couples power from the solar panel to both the first heater element and the second heater element. If the temperature of the water in the second tank is below a preset minimum temperature, then the control circuit turns on conventional heating means in the second tank. Water is withdrawn from the second tank for use.

An improved heater and method of controlling the same is provided. The water heater has the combination of a tank for holding water, a heater for heating the water, a controller having logic to regulate the heater, and first and second sensors. Each of the sensors detects the water temperature at different areas within the water heater. The sensors also provide the controller with signals corresponding to the detected water temperature. In response to these signals, the controller regulates the heater when at least one of the signals of the first and second sensors satisfies at least one predetermined state condition.

A photovoltaic water heater includes a tank containing water and a heater element, a solar module, and a control circuit coupling the solar module to the heater element. One or more transducers in the system produce signals indicative of water usage. A microprocessor is programmed to produce a model of water usage from the signals and cause the heater element to heat water in accordance with the model.

A hot water system (10) comprising a water storage tank (14) and an instantaneous-type water heater (12). The water storage tank (14) has an inlet (22) and outlet (24). The instantaneous-type water heater (12) has an inlet (18), in fluid communication with a mains water supply (26), and an outlet (20), in fluid communication with the inlet (22) of the tank (14). The water heater (12) energises in response to a flow of water through the water heater (12).

A fuel cell cogeneration system comprises a fuel cell, a cooling system for the fuel cell, a heater, a heat utilization portion configured to store heat recovered in the cooling system to allow the heat to be consumed, a detector configured to detect calories remaining in the heat utilization portion, and a controller, wherein the controller determines whether or not the calories remaining in the heat utilization portion are at least not less than the calories required to increase the temperature of the fuel cell to the operating temperature, and based on determination, increases the temperature of the fuel cell to the operating temperature by supplying the remaining calories to the fuel cell through the cooling system and / or by heating the cooling water in the cooling system by the heater.

A heating system includes a heat pump that provides heat to a major fluid circuit and a minor fluid circuit for performing different heating operations. The system includes a power source having a variable cost and a controller configured to regulate flow of the major and minor fluid circuits to perform the heating operations. The controller is configured to receive information regarding the variable cost of the power source and distribute flow between the major and minor fluid circuits to perform the heating operations to minimize the electricity cost. The combined enhanced demand regulation and enhanced output regulation amplifies the total heat output and power consumption while permitting greater use of a power source of varying cost (e.g. PV)—thereby minimizing overall daily operating cost.

The invention provides a water heater and a control method thereof. Water temperature and available hot water yield in a box can be exactly measured such that a user can exactly know the temperature of the hot water and the available hot water yield in the water heater. The invention is realized by the following technical scheme: the water heater comprises a pressure-bearing water box, a manual operator and a detection controller, wherein the pressure-bearing water box comprises a box and temperature-sensing elements arranged on the box; the upper part of the box is provided with a hot water outlet; the lower part of the box is provided with a water supplement inlet; the box is provided with n-numbered temperature-sensing elements, and n is an integer which is more than or equal to 2; altitude difference exists between the mounting positions of the two adjacent temperature-sensing elements; the detection controller is provided with a single chip and comprises a control circuit and a display circuit; and the control circuit comprises a detection module, a judgment module and a control module for the start and stop of a unit.

A storage hot water supplying apparatus which efficiently operates with largely increased available heat in a water storage tank is provided. The storage hot water supplying apparatus (1) provides heated water to a load circuit (300) through which users uses water, and includes: a water storage tank (210) which stores water and has outlets for water to be heated (231 to 233) at different heights, an outlet selecting unit (430) to select, from among the outlets (231 to 233), an outlet to take out the water, based on a provision temperature which is a temperature of water to be provided from the water storage tank (210) to the load circuit (300) and temperatures of the water to be taken out through the outlets (231 to 233); and a heating unit (100) to heat the water taken out through the selected outlet and to be returned to the water storage tank (210).

A heat pump type hot-water heater includes a hot-water tank, a heat pump cycle for heating hot water, a partition plate which divides an interior of the hot-water tank into an upper space and a lower space, a hot-water supply heat exchanger which exchanges heat of water with heat of hot water in the hot-water tank to produce high temperature hot water, a hot water supply pump which sends hot water in the hot-water tank to the hot-water supply heat exchanger, a heating terminal which heats a room, and a heating pump which sends hot water in the hot-water tank to the heating terminal.

A heating and hot water supply apparatus is provided with a heat pump unit (2), a water storage tank (1), a heat exchanger (10) in the water tank and pipe lines (31, 32). Hot water stored in the water storage tank (1) by being guided by the pipe line (32) passes through a radiator (30) outside the water storage tank (1), then returns into the storage tank (1) by being guided by the pipe line (31) for circulation. Thus, the radiator (30) can directly use heat of large quantity hot water stored in the water storage tank (1).

A hot water heater, and method of regulating the same, which includes a PID control. The PID control is responsive to inputs such as water temperature in the hot water heater and the flow rate of water such as through inlets and outlets coupled to the hot water heater. In one embodiment, the PID control generates an output that modifies the operating parameters of a heating device to accommodate changes in the temperature of the fluid in the hot water heater. The output results from one or more modules of a three-term control structure, wherein the modules comprise one or more of a proportional control module, an integral control module, and a derivative control module. Each of the modules is assigned at least one term, wherein the term is defined in accordance with gain parameters such as a proportional gain, an integral gain, and a derivative gain.

Methods of determining the likelihood of the existence of a dry fire condition in a hot water heater without requiring energization of any of the heating elements are presented. Such methods utilize only the sensor inputs required for normal operation of the hot water heater. Such sensory inputs are characterized in a process of fuzzification to enable the utilization of fuzzy logic rules to determine the likelihood of a dry fire condition before any energization of a heating element occurs. Alternatively, the sensory inputs are assigned logical values and are processed using Boolean logic to determine if a dry fire condition exists, prior to the energization of any electrical heating element within the hot water heater. Upon the determination that a dry fire condition is likely, the controller may perform a soft or hard lockout, may allow reset(s), and may provide an indication to the user of the condition.

A solar-powered photovoltaic thermal fluid heating system having an array of photovoltaic modules, an energy conversion control unit, sensors for tank temperature, with resistance heating element / tank flush water heater adaptor installed in a fluid-filled gas or electrically heated thermal storage tank. The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, include an simple, safe, and efficient method for utilizing solar energy for the heating of water that is protected from the dangers of freezing and / or overheating, and easily retrofittable to new and existing gas and electric hot water storage tanks.

A combination boiler provides heated water to a boiler loop and domestic hot water (DHW) to a domestic water loop. The combination boiler includes a primary heat exchanger (PHE) connected to the boiler loop and a burner to provide heat to the primary heat exchanger. A secondary heat exchanger (SHE) transfers heat energy from the boiler loop to the domestic water loop. A controller monitors a PHE inlet temperature and a DHW output temperature, obtains a pre-heat initialization temperature threshold and a pre-heat cancellation temperature threshold, and detects a low temperature condition. A pre-heat operation is initiated responsive to the low temperature condition by circulating heated water from the PHE to the SHE. The burner is selectively fired at least in part according to an outlet temperature of the PHE.

A water heating control and storage system, including an insulated tank for containing water to be heated. The tank has at least two heating elements, including an upper heating element and a lower heating element. An operation control device receives a demand response signal and enables each element to independently 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 an upper heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device and a lower heating element with a thermostat and thermal limiting device to heat upper and lower portions of water inside the tank; and providing a pair of switches for enabling each of the heating elements to independently heat upper and lower portions of the water for usage.

Apparatus and methods are provided for thermal energy metering by measuring the average temperature of fluid in a tank, such as a hot water storage tank. Average temperature is measured with an elongated temperature sensor spanning the vertical height of the tank. A controller collects measurements from the temperature sensor and computes changes in thermal energy, from which the system can more accurately attribute gains of thermal energy to sources such as thermal, electric, or gas production, or losses of thermal energy to ambient losses and consumption.

A hot water storage-type hot water supply device is configured in such a manner that the amount of increase in the effective amount of heat within a hot water storage tank is increased to enable the device to operate efficiently. A hot water storage-type hot water supply device (1) for supplying heated hot water to a load circuit (300) which allows the user to utilize the hot water, wherein the hot water supply device (1) is provided with: a hot water storage tank (210) in which hot water is stored and which has outlets (231-233) for heating, said outlets allowing the hot water to be taken out to positions having different heights; an outlet selection section (430) for selecting an outlet for heating among the outlets (231-233) for heating, said outlet being that from which hot water is taken out, the selection being performed on the basis of the supply temperature which is the temperature of hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank (210) to the load circuit (300) and on the basis of the temperature of hot water taken out of the outlets for heating; and a heating section (100) for heating the hot water taken out of the selected outlet for heating and returned to the hot water storage tank (210).

A vertical series of electrical heat sensors adhered to the outer surface of a water heater tank. The sensors are electrically connected to a corresponding vertical series of display lights in reverse order. Heated water fills the tank from the top down. The sensors are activated from the top down based on the amount of hot water in the tank. The lights are correspondingly activated from the bottom up, showing the tank “filling-up” with hot water. The lights can be labeled such as “Full”, “Half Full”, etc. The sensors can be provided in sequence on a rod with magnets. Thus, the rod can be quickly attached to the tank, holding the sensors in a vertical line in the correct order. Displays can be remote from the tank via wiring or radio signaling, allowing them to be mounted in each bathroom or elsewhere.

A coolant heater having a coolant tank and a burner tube within the coolant tank is used for marine and motor coach installations. The burner tube is offset sidewise from the center line of the coolant tank to allow an exhaust manifold to be positioned within the coolant tank and beside the burner tube which allows a predictable coolant movement to more evenly distribute the heat throughout the coolant. An exhaust manifold is positioned within the coolant tank in the space obtained by the burner tube offset which allows an “up” or “down” exhaust duct configuration depending on the heater installation. An expansion tank connected to the coolant tank has a level switch located within the expansion tank and a pump is operably connected to the expansion tank and to the level switch. The pump terminates operation when the level switch indicates low coolant in the expansion tank.

Provided is a heat pump hot-water supply device capable of determining whether scale is deposited. Specifically disclosed is a heat pump hot-water supply device provided with a heat pump refrigerant circuit which is configured by connecting at least a compressor (1), a refrigerant-side heat transmission tube (2a) of a liquid refrigerant heat exchanger (2), a pressure reduction unit (4), and an air heat exchanger (5) by refrigerant piping, a liquid-to-be-heated circuit which is configured by connecting at least a pump (15) and a liquid-side heat transmission tube (2b) of the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger (2) by liquid piping, a first temperature sensor (20) which detects the temperature of a liquid to be heated on the outlet side of the liquid refrigerant heat exchanger (2), and an operation control means (52); which controls the heat pump refrigerant circuit and / or the liquid-to-be-heated circuit to perform a liquid heating operation, said heat pump hot-water supply device being provided with a second temperature sensor (24) which detects the temperature of the liquid to be heated on the upstream side from the liquid to be heated the temperature of which is detected by the first temperature sensor (20).

A hot water system (10) comprising a water storage tank (14) and an instantaneous-type water heater (12). The water storage tank (14) has an inlet (22) and outlet (24). The instantaneous-type water heater (12) has an inlet (18), in fluid communication with a mains water supply (26), and an outlet (20), in fluid communication with the inlet (22) of the tank (14). The water heater (12) energises in response to a flow of water through the water heater (12).

The disclosure provides a heating and hot water supply apparatus which includes a heating circulation path configured to circulate a heated heating medium with a heating terminal, and a bypass path branched from the heating circulation path for causing the heating medium to flow therethrough without passing through the heating terminal. A hot water supply heat exchanger is disposed in the bypass path. A division ratio of the heating medium from the heating circulation path to the bypass path is controlled by a distribution valve. The division ratio is increased from a first value to a second value when a reservation preheat control is started during the heating operation according to a start reservation time of hot water supply operation reserved by a timer, and set to a third value greater than the second value during a simultaneous operation of the hot water supply and the heating operation.

This invention provides demand activation of a hot water recirculation pump to reduce energy wasted from running the pump when its use is not needed. The invention uses momentary water flow at the remote tap as the signaling mechanism. Heated water flowing into the hot water egress pipe raises the temperature of the pipe. A temperature sensor continuously measures the temperature and provides the measurements to a controller where the time rate of change of temperature measurements are detected and used as the signal to operate the recirculation pump. Controller logic processes the digitized output of the temperature sensor, threshold detects the time rate of temperature change, and activates power to the external recirculation pump for timed intervals. This invention requires no modification to existing plumbing in a domestic plumbing system already equipped with a recirculation pump.