Multi-tank water heater system

Abstract

Multi-tank hot water system and method for a beverage making apparatus. The system includes at least two separate tanks for controllably heating water. A first tank of the plurality of tanks includes an inlet port that receives water from a water source for controllably heating the water. A second tank in communication with the first tank receives the heated water from the first tank for controllable heating in the second tank. A control system operatively associated with the hot water system. A thermostat connected to each of the plurality of tanks is used to detect the water temperature within the tank, and each thermostat communicates with the control system. A heating element associated with each tank, and each heating element communicates with the control system.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent 62 / 964,951, filed on January 23, 2020. The disclosure set forth in the cited application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background of the Invention

[0003] The present disclosure includes information related to improvements in beverage making apparatuses and / or systems, and relates to the control and management of water used in a beverage dispensing system. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a hot water beverage system in which hot water is used and combined with beverage making ingredients. As described below, the beverage making ingredients can be a range of ingredients including powders, ground coffee, tea, and / or other ingredients. The purpose of such a brewer is to combine the beverage making ingredients with hot water to produce a beverage. The hot water is used to steep or mix with the ingredients to dissolve or otherwise incorporate the ingredients into a liquid. The result of such a beverage making machine is to produce a hot beverage. The hot beverage can be cooled before or during dispensing by a heat transfer mechanism or by adding ice or other unheated or cooled ingredients.

[0004] Prior art beverage making systems typically use a single hot water tank with water introduced at the bottom of the tank. The water is introduced into the tank and contacts a heating element or is otherwise heated and held in the tank for dispensing during a beverage brewing or beverage making cycle. One problem with prior art beverage making systems is that, in order to supply back - to - back beverage brews or dispensings, the single tank must be continuously refilled. This typically requires the heating element to be continuously powered to provide the energy to raise the water temperature in the tank. While this may be acceptable for some brewing situations, the hot water required for continuous or large - scale burst brewing may be more than can be produced during a refill cycle.

[0005] For example, while a coffee maker such as a drip coffee maker can produce one pot (about half a gallon) of coffee using the water in the tank during a number of brewing cycles, it may have difficulty producing a second pot of coffee at the desired brewing temperature. This is because an electric heating element is required to add thermal energy to the water. While additional heat can be added to the system with a higher - wattage heating element, there are limits as to how much energy can be added to the water depending on the electrical system supplying power to the brewer. Thus, there is a maximum level of thermal energy that can be added using a single heating element in a single tank.

[0006] Some prior art solutions are to increase the volume of the water tank. However, this can be inefficient as it requires continuously heating such a large water tank to maintain the desired temperature for coffee production on demand. If the system is shut down during holidays, long weekends, or other intermittent off-cycles, such a large-volume water tank may also require a significant energy input upon startup.

[0007] In addition, when filling an existing art water tank, the incoming water typically mixes with the entire contents of the volume. This mixing occurs because the location of the water inlet disrupts the natural stratification of the water in the tank. This mixing causes a brewing delay until the entire volume is raised to the temperature required for brewing.

[0008] This background art information is provided for some information that the applicant believes may be relevant to the present disclosure. However, this is not intended to admit, nor should it be inferred or construed as admitting, that any of the foregoing information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure. Other objects, aims, advantages, and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent upon reading the following non-limiting description of its specific embodiments, which are given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting examples only, in which:

[0010] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a partially exposed beverage-making apparatus and / or system, the beverage-making apparatus and / or system including a front location for receiving beverages produced within the system and a heated water system located at the rear of the system. For ease of discussion of the apparatus, the housing panels of the apparatus have been removed to expose the internal components and operation of the system;

[0011] Figure 2 is the same beverage dispensing system as Figure 1 showing the rear location where the heated water system is exposed to show a plurality of water tanks that have been interconnected, which will be described in more detail below;

[0012] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the heated water distribution system as viewed from a location inside the apparatus shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrating a diaphragm pump and a water regulator connected to the heated water system on the inlet side of the water distribution system to provide control over the source of water entering the plurality of water tanks of the heated water system;

[0013] Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of the heated water system shown in Figure 2 rotated in accordance with the illustration in Figure 4Shows multiple water tanks connected in a daisy chain configuration, where the output of the first tank is input into the second tank, the output of the second tank is input into the third tank, and the output of the third tank is input into the fourth tank, and where each tank provides additional thermal energy for the amount of water held within and / or flowing through the tank to gradually heat and maintain the collective amount of water in a heated state;

[0014] Figure 5 Is a general diagram that illustrates the basic conditions related to a tangential input water tank, where water is introduced into the lower part of the tank at the tangential input port and is distributed at the upper part of the tank, also at the tangential output port;

[0015] Figure 6 Is a physical model showing the design of the tank and illustrates the tangential input end located at the lower part of the tank, with two electrical connectors (electrical joints) located at the top of the tank and connected to the two ends of the heating element held within the tank, as shown in subsequent figures;

[0016] Figures 7 - 10 Shows related to Figure 6 Various views of a water tank similar to the one shown where the position of the tangential input end is set at the lower part of the tank; Figure 7 Shows a front view where the tangential input end is on the right side of the tank; Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 The right side view of; Figure 9 Shows along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in, which shows the position of the heating element extending into the tank in a coiled configuration to provide thermal energy to the water held within the tank through electrical input; Figure 10 Shows Figure 8 The bottom plan view illustrated in; and

[0017] Figure 11 And Figure 12 Shows a temperature diagram related to the water tanks in the system, which shows the relative heating of each tank during various numbers of brewing cycles and shows the progressive benefits of multiple water tanks connected in a daisy chain configuration as described and illustrated herein; and

[0018] Figure 13 Is a hydraulic flow schematic of the system described herein used with another beverage making device, where multiple heating water tanks are arranged in series to provide a "daisy chain" configuration based on the teachings described herein.

[0019] The examples set forth herein illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Other features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, which embody what is presently considered to be the best mode of implementing the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0020] Although the present disclosure may be implemented in different forms shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this description is to be regarded as an illustrative illustration of the principles of the present disclosure. The application of the present disclosure is not limited to the details of the structures, functions, configurations, or component arrangements described in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure may have other embodiments and may be implemented or realized in various ways. Additionally, it should be understood that the phrases and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of various phrases and terms is intended to include the identified items or functions and their equivalents, as well as other items or functions. Unless otherwise limited, the various phrases, terms, and their variations used herein are used broadly and include all variations of these phrases and terms. Furthermore, as described in the subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are for illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure. However, other alternative structures, functions, and configurations are possible and are considered to be within the scope of the teachings of the present disclosure. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, the term "or" should be considered inclusive.

[0021] Terms that may be used herein, including beverage, brewing, brewing substance, brewing liquid, and brewed beverage, are intended to broadly include, but not be limited to, the brewing of coffee, tea, and any other beverage. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but not be limited to, any process of dispensing, infusing, steeping, recombining, diluting, dissolving, saturating, or otherwise mixing or combining a beverage substance with a liquid such as water, without limiting the temperature of such liquid unless specifically stated. This broad interpretation is also intended to include, but not be limited to, beverage substances such as ground coffee, tea, liquid beverage concentrates, powdered beverage concentrates, flakes, granules, freeze-dried, or other forms of materials that include liquids, gels, crystals, or other forms of beverage or food materials for obtaining the desired beverage or other food.

[0022] The beverage ingredients will be described in this application and generally referred to as "coffee". However, it should be understood that whether referring to beverage ingredients or coffee, the term "beverage ingredients" should be interpreted broadly. Additionally, the characteristics or forms of beverage ingredients can be any type of ingredients known currently or developed later. The forms of beverage ingredients can include powders, liquids, gels, crystals, flakes, freeze-dried, and any other form or state, regardless of temperature, phase, or other properties. References to beverage dispensing include reconstitution, brewing, steeping, or any other form of combining diluent ingredients with beverage ingredients.

[0023] Furthermore, although "beverage" is mentioned, it is contemplated that any type of food ingredient can be placed in the ingredient container to reconstitute the desired food. In this regard, the forms of food can be fruit juices, coffee, tea, other flavored beverages, and other foods. Additionally, the use of diluent ingredients should be interpreted broadly. Although "water" is mentioned throughout the application for convenience, it should be understood that any type of diluent ingredient can be used in this application.

[0024] The above terms and other terms should be interpreted broadly in this application to include all known and hereafter discovered versions, equivalents, variations, and other forms of the above terms and other terms. The present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly rather than restrictively.

[0025] Figure 1 A beverage dispensing device 20 is shown, which has beverage dispensing positions 22, 24 in an area defined as the "front" of the device. A heated water dispensing system 26 is generally located opposite these dispensing positions, which for convenience of description is referred to as the "rear" position of the device. The housing portion of the device has been removed to expose the heated water system 26. Normally, during the normal use and operation of such a device 20, the housing or body panel would enclose the structure and components.

[0026] The heated water system 26 provides heated water for use in the beverage making or brewing cycle. In the device as shown, a series of hoppers 28 are provided to hold beverage making substances. The beverage making substances can be in the form of ground coffee (coffee powder), tea, energy drink substances, and similar items. These items can be controllably dispensed individually or in combination depending on the type and operation of the beverage making device 20. For the purposes of this disclosure, we will assume this is a coffee brewing system, however this narrow interpretation should not control the interpretation of this disclosure nor the claims that may be made on this disclosure. In the normal operation of such a beverage brewer, ground coffee is controllably dispensed into a brewing chamber 30 held in the device. Heated water from the heated water system is controllably provided to the brewing chamber 30 to make the beverage dispensed at the dispensing position 22.

[0027] Turning now to Figure 2 ,the rear of the apparatus shows a series of water tanks 32, 34, 36, 38, which will be described in more detail below. An inlet water line 40 is provided to introduce water from a pressurized source into the apparatus 20. The heated water system 26 receives this water and controllably introduces it into the heated water system to achieve controlled heating and dispensing for use in a beverage making or brewing cycle. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a heated water flow with a relatively stable temperature and substantially the same temperature for a plurality of back-to-back brewing cycles, in which the temperature of the water used in the brewing cycle hardly drops. An accumulator 42 is shown to be inside the apparatus behind the frame 44. The accumulator can be used to hold a certain amount of expanding water when the system heats the water. If the system can accommodate the expanding water within the system, the accumulator can be omitted. If the expanding water can flow from the system to a drain, the accumulator can also be omitted.

[0028] Figure 3 An enlarged view of the heated water system 26 removed from the apparatus 20 is shown, and the heated water system 26 is enlarged to show the inner part and the opposite side of the frame 44 to which the accumulator 42 is attached. This view shows the inlet water line 40, which is connected to a controllable inlet valve 52 through an inlet pipe 50. The output end of the controllable inlet valve is connected to a water regulator 54. The inlet valve 52 and other components are controlled by a control system 56 held within the apparatus 20. Each controllable or sensing device is connected to the control system 56 so as to program or otherwise control its operation, or to receive information from a sensor in a controlled manner. A programming function is provided in the control system 56 so as to operate all the mechanisms and systems in the apparatus in a preferred manner.

[0029] The water supply line 60 for the water output from the regulator 54 is connected to a diaphragm pump 62. The diaphragm pump controllably pumps water through the system at a predetermined flow rate (e.g., three gallons per minute) set via a flow regulator 55. Higher or lower flow rates (flow velocities) can be designed for the system, and any values such as the flow rate mentioned above are for convenience in describing these systems. The output of the diaphragm pump 62 travels through the system input line 64. The accumulator 42 is attached to the system input line to allow the expanding water to flow without causing pressure to the system or forced outflow through the distribution line. The accumulator allows intermittent accumulation and consumption of a certain amount of water. As described above, if the system can accommodate the expanding water within the system, the accumulator can be omitted. If the expanding water can flow from the system to a drain, the accumulator can also be omitted, see Figure 13 the brewing water drain valve 200 and the drain 202 in

[0030] Accumulator 42 is used to manage the expanding water from a series of hot water tanks. When the system is deactivated or paused between brewing cycles, the tanks will continue to heat until they reach the desired preset temperature. When the tanks are paused, they tend to "catch up" and reach the desired temperature. However, without the water being pressurized by the operation of pump 62, the heating of the water also causes it to expand. Therefore, accumulator 42 eliminates the need for a drain line that would otherwise be required to accommodate the expanding heated water. The use of accumulator 42 eliminates the need for a drain line and also prevents the expanding water from flowing out through the nozzles or distribution lines. The accumulator includes an internally pressurized bladder that can accommodate a certain degree of expansion in the tanks. The internally pressurized bladder is designed to prevent water from flowing out through the nozzles or the need for a drain line. When the distribution cycle is initiated and water flows through the system again, the pressure on the bladder is sufficient to return the water to the inlet line 64 and incorporate it into the water flow feeding the tanks in the next brewing cycle.

[0031] As Figure 4 shown, system input line 64 passes through frame 44 and provides initial inlet water to a series of tanks held within the frame. Tank brackets 66 are attached to the frame, and belts 68 are attached to brackets 70, each bracket 70 being attached to bracket 66. The belts extend from the brackets around each tank to hold the tanks in a secure position within frame 44.

[0032] Water flowing through the system inlet line is first introduced into first tank 32 at the lower portion 74 of the tank. Each tank has a generally cylindrical configuration with a lower portion 74 and an upper portion 76 oriented along a vertical axis. Input end 32a is connected to the lower portion 74 of tank 32. As will be described in detail below, the water is heated by a heating coil or heating element held within the tank. The heated water is displaced by the water introduced into tank 32 under the controlled pumping action of pump 62 and is thus delivered out through output port 32b and travels through feed line 32c. Feed line 32c is connected at input port 34a of tank 34. Similar to tank 32, output port 34b of tank 34 is connected to feed line 34c. This feed line 34c is connected to input port 36a of tank 36. Output port 36b of tank 36 is connected to feed line 36c, which is connected to input port 38a of tank 38. Output port 38b is connected to water distribution manifold 80.

[0033] From the foregoing description and Figure 4As can be seen in the illustration, a series of water tanks 32, 34, 36, 38 are connected in a daisy chain, where the output of one tank is connected to the input of the downstream tank. Multiple tanks are used to provide thermal energy in each tank to increase the temperature of the water in the tank. Each tank also includes a thermostat 82, which is connected to the control system 56. The thermostat can be monitored to activate or deactivate the heating element. If a high limit (upper limit) of temperature is detected on the thermostat 82, the input signal from the thermostat can be used by the control system 56 to deactivate (cut off) the energy of the corresponding heating element in the corresponding tank. In addition to providing safety by preventing the tank from overheating, the control system also helps manage the efficient use of energy in the system.

[0034] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, multiple dispensing stations are provided in the illustrated apparatus. Although a single dispensing station can be used, more than two dispensing stations can also be employed in such an apparatus. In this regard, a water distribution manifold 80 is connected to the control system 56 to controllably operate solenoid valves 90, 92, 94, which are connected to corresponding heated water distribution lines 90a, 92a, 94a. In addition, a pressure relief safety valve 98 is provided on the last tank 38 of the series of tanks.

[0035] The multiple tanks provide an effective back-to-back brewing for a relatively large quantity of beverages by providing a constant heating system. As an example, the series of tanks can be configured such that the first three tanks provide 3000 watts of energy through each heating element connected to a 230-volt system. Once the series of tanks is filled, the heating elements can be activated to provide energy to the tanks. As long as the tanks reach a predetermined temperature, the heating elements can be activated and deactivated to maintain the desired temperature. When there is a demand for the heated water system 26, the pump 62 runs to drive water from the input line 64 through each subsequent tank and line to generate an output pressure at the water distribution manifold 80. The control system 56 operates one or more solenoid valves 90, 92, 94 to dispense the desired amount of water into the brewing chamber or other distribution systems. As the water flows through the system, the thermostat 82 detects a drop in the water temperature and conveys this information to the control system 56. Therefore, the control system 56 activates the heating elements to the extent necessary to provide energy to the water in the tanks.

[0036] As expected, the coldest water is introduced into the water tank 32 through the water inlet line 64. Even if the demand on the system does not allow the water in the water tank 32 to reach the required temperature, additional energy can be provided in the water tanks 34, 36, and even 38 to raise the temperature. Therefore, each water tank can provide a relatively reliable and consistent water temperature, making the output temperature at the manifold 80 relatively consistent. In such a system, the last water tank can even operate at a lower power because it generally tends to "top off (complete)" the heat required for consistent temperature distribution. The control and operation of this system help to maintain a generally consistent flow rate and temperature. In addition, compared with a large water tank of the same volume, the operation of several water tanks in series can provide a more efficient floor area layout within the device. This provides more design options for the system.

[0037] This system also includes a tangential inlet water tank 100. This water tank 100 represents Figure 2 and Figure 3 each of the series of water tanks 32, 34, 36, 38 shown. The tangential water tank 100 has a tangential inlet port 100a located at the lower part 74 of the water tank. The electrical connectors 102, 104 of the heating element extend from the upper part 76 of the water tank 100. Water 106 is introduced through the tangential port 100a to improve the movement of water within the water tank cavity, which will be shown and described in Figures 7 - 10 In its simplest form as shown in Figure 5 , water is introduced by the pump 62 through the tangential port 100a in the lower part 74 of the water tank 100. The water rotates inside the water tank around the heating element held therein. This provides a certain degree of stratification (layering) of the water in the water tank. This causes the water to gradually rotate and move upward in the water tank when it is distributed through the outlet port 100b located in the upper part 76 of the water tank 100. Although the outlet port 100b of the water tank is shown as a straight outlet port on the top of the water tank, the water tank can also be configured to have a tangential outlet port, and other configurations can also be provided. As mentioned before, a pressure relief valve 98 is provided at the upper part 76 of the water tank 100. The rotational action inside the water tank caused by the tangential introduction of water helps to provide a controlled stratified agitation of the water, so that the water shows a controlled and generally active stratification or layering inside the water tank.

[0038] The use of multiple water tanks allows the system to be adjusted to optimize back-to-back distribution and burst capacity. As shown in Figure 7 , the tangential inlet port 100a is located at the lower part 74 of the water tank 100. Figure 8 A right side view of the water tank 100 is shown. Figure 9 is along Figure 8Cross-sectional view of the water tank taken along line 9-9 therein, which reveals the coiled portion 120 of the heating element, and the coiled portion 120 is shown by presenting two electrical connection terminals 102, 104. The coiled portion 120 is located in the lower part 74 of the water tank 100 to provide thermal energy at the water inlet position at the tangential port 100a. When water is fed into the water tank under the pressure of the pump 62, the water is lifted through the water tank. The tangential input rotation generates stratification inside the water tank until it reaches the water outlet port 100b at the upper part 76 of the water tank 100. As shown in the previous figures, this series of water tanks gradually generates a continuously maintained water temperature inside the water tank. In contrast, in prior art systems, water is axially introduced from the bottom and flows upward through the water tank, through the side without tangential introduction, or is introduced into the bottom of the water tank from the top using a downpipe. These systems tend to generate a chaotic flow inside the water tank, and there will be obvious mixing of the water inside the water tank. These prior art systems rely on the convective stratification of water when the water tank is stationary to generate the desired water temperature. In contrast, the tangential introduction of water into the water tank shown herein provides a controlled introduction of water, which also helps to increase the stratification of the water tank even during the operation cycle.

[0039] As Figure 13 shown, water is introduced through the water inlet line 40 to supply water to the device 20 from a pressurized water source. The controllable water inlet valve 52 is coupled to the control system 56 through line A. In this configuration, the water flows to the heat exchanger 204 and then flows through line 60 to the pressure regulator 54. The water supply line 60 is connected to the pump 62 and the flow regulator 55 before being introduced into the multi-tank hot water system 26. As described above regarding the description of the previous figures, the multi-tank hot water system 26 includes a series of water tanks 32, 34, 36. Each water tank has an upper part 76 and a lower part 74, and the water inlet of each water tank enters the lower part 74 and exits the upper part 76. For the general configuration of each of these water tanks, as well as the tangential input end and the displacement output end of each water tank, please refer to Figures 5 - 10 .

[0040] Each water tank is configured with a tangential water inlet or port 100a to improve the movement of water within the tank cavity. In its basic form, water is introduced through the tangential port 100a in the lower portion 74 of each of the water tanks 32, 34, 36. The water entering the water tank 32 enters through the input end 32a connected to the lower portion 74 of the water tank. As the water is heated within the water tank 32, the water rises to the upper portion and is allowed to be displaced or flow out through the output port 32b and through the outlet water supply line 32c. Similarly, the water introduced through the lower portion 74 of the water tank 34 enters at the water inlet port 34a. As the water is heated or displaced within the water tank, the water is allowed to flow out through the outlet port 34b in the upper portion 76 of the water tank 34. Similarly, the water supply line 34c is introduced from the bottom 74 of the water tank 36 through the water inlet port 36a. As the water is heated or displaced, the water flows out through the port 36b in the upper portion 76 of the water tank 36 and enters the brewing chamber 30 through the water supply line 36c.

[0041] The pressure sensor 206 is disposed on a separate line that flows back to the heat exchanger 204. The pressure control valve 208 is in communication with the control system 56 through line B. The manual water tank ball valve drain 210 is disposed to be in communication with the water tanks 32, 34, 36. A water bypass valve 212 is provided downstream of the water tanks to provide an alternate manual control path for dispensing water from the water tanks. The brewing water drain valve 214 is disposed to be in communication with the brewing chamber 30. The hot water bypass valve 216 is coupled to the control system 56 through line C. The brewing chamber dispensing valve 218 is provided and is in communication (in communication) with the control system 56 through line D. The brewing chamber filling valve 220 is in communication with the system through line E and is connected to the control system 56. The brewing chamber cleaning valve 222 is in communication with the system through line F and is controllably connected to the control system 56. The pressure sensor 224 is coupled to the system through line G and provides a signal to the control system 56. The three-way solenoid valve 230 is in communication with the system through line H and is coupled to the controller. The chiller output valve is a three-way solenoid valve 232 that is coupled to the controller through line I. The chiller ambient drain valve 234 is in communication with the system through line J and is coupled to the controller.

[0042] Although the present disclosure describes various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not so limited. Instead, the present disclosure is intended to cover various modifications, uses, adaptations, and equivalent arrangements based on the disclosed principles. In addition, this application is intended to cover departures from the present disclosure that are at least known or customary in the art. It is contemplated that those skilled in the art can design various modifications and equivalent structures and functions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as described in the following claims. The scope of the following claims should be given the broadest interpretation to include all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A multi-tank hot water system for a beverage making apparatus, comprising: At least two independent water tanks, the at least two independent water tanks being operatively connected and in communication so as to controllably heat corresponding volumes of water for use by the beverage making apparatus, A first water tank of the at least two water tanks includes an inlet port for receiving water from a water source so as to controllably heat a first volume of water within the first water tank, A second water tank in communication with the first water tank receives heated water from the first water tank so as to controllably heat a second volume of water within the second water tank, Each water tank is provided with an inlet located at the lower part of the water tank and an outlet located at the top of the water tank, the inlet being oriented to be tangential to the side of the water tank, and the outlet of the first water tank being in communication with the inlet of the second water tank, The water of the first volume controllably introduced is heated in the first water tank and controllably flows to the second volume so as to be controllably heated in the second water tank; Water controllably flows from the second volume in the second water tank to the beverage making apparatus for producing beverages, A control system operatively associated with the heated water system, the control system for receiving information from the system and controllably operating the system in accordance with the information, A controllable inlet valve, the controllable inlet valve being coupled to the inlet of the first water tank and in communication with the control system so as to controllably introduce water into the at least two water tanks, the water controllably introduced into the system flowing from the first water tank to the second water tank so as to remove heated water from the at least two water tanks for use in dispensing heated water during the production of brewed beverages, At least two thermostats respectively connected to the at least two water tanks, which are for detecting the temperature of the corresponding volumes of water within the water tanks, each thermostat being in communication with the control system, and At least two heating elements respectively associated with the at least two water tanks, each heating element being in communication with the control system, the control system starting and deactivating the heating elements so as to heat the corresponding volumes of water within the at least two water tanks to a predetermined temperature range for use by the beverage making apparatus, wherein the control system operatively controls the water in the first volume introduced into the first water tank so that it passes through the second volume in the second water tank for dispensing from the second water tank, thereby providing heated water for use by the beverage making apparatus, wherein the temperature of the corresponding volumes of water in the at least two water tanks is controllably heated by the corresponding heating elements according to the temperature detected by the thermostats associated with the corresponding water tanks, wherein the control system starts and deactivates the introduction of thermal energy into the corresponding volumes of water so as to keep the corresponding volumes of water within the predetermined temperature ranges of the corresponding water tanks.

2. The hot water system according to claim 1, wherein Each water tank includes a corresponding water inlet line, the water inlet line being oriented in a configuration for tangentially introducing water into the lower part of the corresponding water tank to help maintain the stratification of the heated water within the water tank.

3. The hot water system according to claim 1, wherein The at least two water tanks include three water tanks operatively coupled in series, wherein water is introduced into the first water tank, water flows from the first water tank to the second water tank, water flows from the second water tank to the third water tank, and water flows from the third water tank to the outlet for use by the beverage making apparatus.

4. The hot water system according to claim 3, wherein The at least two water tanks include four water tanks operatively coupled in series, wherein water flows through the first water tank, the second water tank, and the third water tank to the fourth water tank, and water flows from the fourth water tank to the water outlet for use by a beverage making device.

5. The hot water system according to claim 1, wherein Water is introduced into the first water tank at its lower portion, and its water inlet is oriented tangentially to the side of the first water tank to create a tangential inflow of water in the first water tank. The water outlet of the first water tank is at the top of the first water tank so that the heated water in the first water tank flows to the second water tank before the colder water in the lower portion, and the heated water leaving the first water tank at the top is introduced into the second water tank at its lower portion through a tangential water inlet to introduce the heated water into the lower portion of the second water tank along a tangential flow pattern. The heated water leaves the second water tank from the upper portion so as to introduce the water with the highest temperature from the second water tank into the subsequent third water tank or the beverage making device.

6. A method of heating water using a multi-tank hot water system for a beverage making apparatus, the method comprising, providing at least two independent tanks, operatively connecting the at least two tanks in series in fluid communication, controllably heating with the at least two tanks respective volumes of water stored therein for use by the beverage making apparatus, each tank having an inlet at a lower portion of the tank and an outlet at a top of the tank, the inlet being oriented to be tangential to a side of the tank, and an outlet of a first tank being in communication with an inlet of a second tank, controllably introducing water from a water source into a first volume of water in the first tank for controllable heating, controllably introducing water from the first tank into a second volume of water in the second tank for controllable heating, controllably delivering the second volume of water from the second tank to the beverage making apparatus, providing a control system operatively associated with the hot water system for receiving information from the system and controllably operating the system in accordance with the information, the control system controlling heating and distribution of water in the at least two tanks, Provide corresponding thermostats connected to at least two water tanks, which are used to detect the temperature of the corresponding water volume in the water tanks, each thermostat communicates with the control system, and Provide corresponding heating elements associated with the water tanks, each heating element communicates with the control system, and the control system starts and stops the heating elements to heat the water volume in the corresponding water tank to a predetermined temperature range of the corresponding water tank.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, Each water tank includes a respective water inlet line oriented in a configuration that tangentially introduces water into the lower portion of the respective water tank to help maintain the stratification of the heated water in the water tank.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The at least two water tanks include three water tanks operatively coupled in series, wherein water is introduced into the first water tank, water flows from the first water tank to the second water tank, water flows from the second water tank to the third water tank, and water flows from the third water tank to the water outlet for use by a beverage making device.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The at least two water tanks include four water tanks operatively coupled in series, wherein water flows through the first water tank, the second water tank, and the third water tank to the fourth water tank, and water flows from the fourth water tank to the water outlet for use by a beverage making device.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, Water is introduced into the first water tank at its lower portion, and its water inlet is oriented tangentially to the side of the first water tank to create a tangential inflow of water in the first water tank. The water outlet of the first water tank is at the top of the first water tank so that the heated water in the first water tank flows to the second water tank before the colder water in the lower portion, and the heated water leaving the first water tank at the top is introduced into the second water tank at its lower portion through a tangential water inlet to introduce the heated water into the lower portion of the second water tank along a tangential flow pattern. The heated water leaves the second water tank from the upper portion so as to introduce the water with the highest temperature from the second water tank into the subsequent third water tank or the beverage making device.

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