18576 results about "Water heater" patented technology

Remote control of energy consumption is realized using a readily installable, flexible approach. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a remote source communicates with a wireless controller for executing energy usage control. The remote source sends signals to the wireless controller via a gateway located near or, in one implementation, forming part of the wireless controller. In response to the signals, the wireless controller sets control settings for operating one or more of a variety of equipment types, such as a furnace, air conditioner, water heater or heat pump. With this approach, wired connections from the gateway to energy-consuming equipment do not necessarily need to be made in order to effect remote energy-consumption control. For instance, when used in connection with a controller wired to the energy-consuming equipment, the gateway need only communicate wirelessly with the controller and does not necessarily need to be coupled to the energy-consuming equipment. In addition, access to the energy-consuming equipment for establishing remote energy control is not necessary; rather, the remote energy control can be effected by accessing user-friendly locations, such as those where thermostats and other controllers are typically located.

A device and method is provided for automatically controlling the heating element(s) of an electric hot water heater to minimize electric energy consumption over a prolonged time period by projecting the future need for hot water based on it's use in prior time periods as well as by monitoring the use of hot water during current periods. The device saves energy by switching the heater "off" during times when the projected and current need for hot water is low or nonexistent thereby reducing the tank temperature and therefore energy losses to the ambient, while detecting the instantaneous requirement for hot water through utilization of a flow sensor arrangement, one of which is the utilization of thermistors on the exit pipe and on the tank or body of the heater. The device leaves all existing controls intact and may be adapted by end users to existing heaters or by manufacturers of original equipment (OEMs).

A multi-function controller for a water heater is advanced comprising a control panel and a plurality of sensors that monitor a variety of functions that impact the operation of a water heater. A flammable gas sensor, placed in proximity to the air intake, detects the presence of an unsafe concentration of gas and issues a signal to the control panel, which subsequently discontinues the operation of the burners. Detection of a blocked vent pipe is achieved by a carbon monoxide sensor placed near the draft hood. The control panel is equipped with circuitry which monitors usage of the heater for a specified time period to develop a pattern of use. Subsequent to the monitoring period, the controller will activate the burners a predetermined time prior to an anticipated period of high use. During periods of low use, the controller will decrease the temperature to which the water is to be heated, thereby resulting in a more efficient heater. Non-volatile memory records data from the sensors so that the operation status of the heater may be ascertained subsequent to a power outage. The control panel contains a plurality of visual alarms, each of which corresponds to a sensor. Consequently, repair and maintenance are simplified because the cause of a malfunction is quickly recognized.

An on demand tankless water heater system that is capable of quickly delivering water within a desired temperature range. The tankless water heater provides a hybrid heating method that contains a primary heating system and a secondary heating system disposed in a buffer tank that cooperate to facilitate control of output water temperature during water usage. A pressure differential switch detects low flow demand and allows the secondary heating system to provide immediate heating to the water. This secondary heating system provides a faster temperature response and fine tuning of output water temperature.

A heat exchanger A1 includes a partition 19 partitioning the space 35 surrounded by a coiled tube 60 at an axially intermediate portion of a housing 2 into a first and a second regions 35a and 35b and partitioning the coiled tube 60 into a first and a second heat exchanging portions HT1 and HT2. The combustion gas supplied to the first region 35a flows to a combustion gas path 36 by passing through a clearance 61 of the first heat exchanging portion HT1 and then passes through a clearance 61 of the second heat exchanging portion HT2. With this structure, the amount of heat recovery is increased, and the heat exchange efficiency is enhanced while simplifying the overall structure of the heat exchanger A1 and reducing the size of the heat exchanger.

A tankless water heater module is disclosed and includes a casing having a first end, a second end and a plurality of conduits formed therein. A top head manifold is coupled to the first end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. A bottom head manifold is coupled to the second end of the casing and includes a port aligned with each of the plurality of conduits. An immersion heating element extends through each port of the top head manifold and into the conduit aligned therewith. A flow path extends through the plurality of conduits, the plurality of conduits coupled in fluid communication by channels between ports of the top head manifold and a channel between ports of the bottom head manifold.

An improved water heater for use in spas, hot tubs, pools, hydrotherapy pools, bath tubs, and similar bodies of water used indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors are used for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. The water heater uses heating element technology know as thick film on substrate comprising resistive elements bonded to the outer dry surface of a pipe to heat the pipe which in turn heats the water flowing therethrough. The heater is highly efficient due to the direct contact of the wet heating surface with the water and provides a smooth seamless inner heating surface by eliminating the need to pass electrical leads into the wet region of the heater. This virtually eliminates the risk of leaks in the water heater due to bulkhead fittings. The invention further eliminates the need for a heating element to be contained in the inner wet region of a spa heater, thereby reducing the risk of corrosion. The water heater is used in combination with an electronic controller having a microprocessor to control and regulate the operation of the water heater. The water heater can be used with electrical, electro-mechanical, and mechanical control systems for spas and can be retrofitted into existing spa applications.

A control system for an electric water heater having an upper heating element and a lower heating element is disclosed. The control system includes a control module that controls operation of the electric water heater by selectively toggling the upper and lower heating elements between an ON state and an OFF state and a consumer interface module that allows a consumer to input a set point temperature and select an energy savings mode for the electric water heater. The control module regularly monitors hot water usage and adjusts the set point temperature by a predetermined setback amount until a capacity of the water heater matches consumer usage.

The system of the present invention provides energy saving control for a water heater via an intelligent thermostat. This intelligent thermostat provides programmatic control over the HVAC system as is conventional, and provides coordinated control over the water heater temperature set point. This control over the water heater is accomplished via a communications network between the intelligent thermostat and the water heater. In one embodiment the communications are wireless, although wired and network bus communications may also be utilized. Enhanced and coordinated control is also provided so that different operational temperature cycles can be provided to coordinate with the intelligent thermostat's programmatic control of the HVAC system. Separate programmatic control of the water heater is also provided whereby different operational temperature modes may be commanded, e.g. Wake, Sleep, and Demand modes of operation.

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 water heater includes combustion means (burner) that combusts fuel and generates exhaust; heat exchange means (primary heat exchanger and secondary heat exchanger) that exchanges heat of the exhaust for supplied water; bypassing means (bypass pipe) that makes the supplied water flow to an outlet of the heat exchange means; exchanged heat temperature detection means (exchanged heat temperature sensor) that detects temperature of the supplied water after heat exchange; flow rate adjustment means (bypass valve) that adjusts a volume of the supplied water flowing into the bypassing means and the heat exchange means; and a control unit that controls the flow rate adjustment means so as to make a predetermined volume of the supplied water or over flow to the heat exchange means.

The invention provides a water heater system having a water heater, a mixer valve, and a controller. The water heater includes a thermostat connected to a heating element. The water heater is connected to a cold in pipe and a hot out pipe. The mixer valve is positioned between the cold in pipe and the hot out pipe and provided an output of mixed hot and cold water. The controller is coupled to the thermostat.

A representatively pumpless water heater system has an instantaneous water heater coupled in series with a storage water heater by piping circuitry incorporating a bypass valve and a mixing valve and useable to route pressurized incoming cold water sequentially through the instantaneous and storage type heaters. A control system (1) operates the bypass valve to cause a selectively variable portion of the incoming cold water to bypass the instantaneous heater and flow to the mixing valve, and (2) operates the mixing valve to blend the bypassed cold water with hot water exiting the storage heater to maintain a predetermined temperature of heated water exiting the system. Another system embodiment adds a directional bypass valve operable by the control system to selectively divert to the mixing valve a portion of the heated water exiting the instantaneous heater for delivery to the storage heater.

The invention discloses a control method and a control device of a constant-temperature gas water heater. The control method includes steps of detecting current water inlet temperature, current water inlet flow and current set water outlet temperature of the water heater and calculating current required heat; comparing the current required heat with rated heat supply of the heater; when the current required heat is higher than the rated heat supply, reducing practical water inlet flow of the heater, and when the current required heat is lower than the rated heat supply, increasing practical water inlet flow of the heater; adjusting opening of a gas proportion valve of the water heater by an PID (proportion integration differentiation) algorithm, and controlling the water heater so as to supply water at constant temperature by the current set water outlet temperature. By the control method and the control device of the constant-temperature gas water heater, the water heater is controlled, water outlet temperature reaches the set temperature, water outlet temperature can be quickly and stably adjusted, and service performance of the water heater is improved.

The invention provides an air energy water heater and a control method and device for the same. The control method comprises obtaining historical time data of utilization of hot water in the air energy water heater by users; determining starting time of the air energy water heater according to the historical time data; controlling the air energy water heater to be started to operate according to the determined starting time. By means of the air energy water heater and the control method and device for the same, the air energy water heater can be controlled to be started to operate according to user own water consumption habits, so that hot water can be provided as user required, frequent heating is not required, and energy-saving control is effectively achieved.

The invention provides an electric water heater with an ECO (ecology, conservation and optimization) function mode and a controlling method thereof. The electric water heater comprises an operation interface having an ECO function key. The controlling method includes the steps of controlling the electric water heater to enter the ECO function mode after the ECO function key is triggered; acquiring history of water habits of a user; acquiring currently provided hot water quantity of the electric water heater; calculating pre-heating time according to the history of water habits and the currently provided hot water quantity, and subjecting the electric water heater to heating when the pre-heating time is out. Once the ECO function key is triggered, the energy-saving mode runs. The electric water heater is simple and convenient and capable of heating in advance, meeting bath requirements of the user in using water and reducing energy waste caused by excess heating. The electric water heater is controlled to be free of heating when the user does not use water, thus energy is greatly saved.

The invention provides a water temperature control method for a gas water heater. The method comprises the following steps of: A, detecting an environment temperature and a water inflow temperature; B, detecting water outlet flow; C, setting a proper water outlet temperature based on a preset algorithm according to the detected water outlet flow, the detected environment temperature and the detected water inflow temperature; D, calculating an opening control voltage of a proportional valve according to the proper water outlet temperature; and E, regulating the output gas amount according to the opening control voltage of the proportional valve so as to regulate fire power. The invention also provides a water temperature control device for the gas water heater. By the device and the method, the proper water outlet temperature can be automatically regulated according to the external condition without manual regulation.

A pet water dispenser having a system of water pumps to circulate water, a water bowl containing a temperature sensor to determine the temperature of the water in the bowl, an ultra violet light and a filter to purify and clean the circulating water, an in-line water heater and a thermoelectric cooling plate to keep the water at a desired temperature, water jets inside the bowl to spray water against the inside of the bowl to clean hair and debris from the bowl, a rotating drain disc in the bowl which periodically opens to permit emptying of old water from the water bowl and closes to permit filling of the bowl with fresh water, a digital controller to permit a pet owner to control the operation of the dispenser and the temperature of the water presented in the bowl to the pet.