Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
236020000 | CLOSED FLUID HEATERS | 14 |
20080314999 | WATER HEATER STACKING DETECTION AND CONTROL - Methods and systems for operating a water heater to limit the effects of stacking in a water heater tank are disclosed. In some cases, the water heater controller may determine a rate of change of the water temperature in the water heater tank. If the rate of change exceeds a threshold value, the controller may adjust the water heater temperature set point downward to help reduce stacking in the water heater. In some cases, the water heater temperature set point may be returned to the original water heater temperature set point when stacking is no longer likely to be of a concern. In one illustrative embodiment, the controller may track the time that the heater of the water heater is in the “on” state, or the time that the heater is in the “off” state, during subsequent heating cycles. The controller may then compare the “on” time or the “off” time to respective recovery threshold times. If the “on” time or the “off” time exceeds its respective recovery threshold time, then the controller may adjust the set point toward the original water heater temperature set point, sometimes in an incremental manner. | 12-25-2008 |
20090090788 | CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONSERVING ENERGY OF A WATER HEATER - A control device for conserving energy for heating water contained in a water heater ( | 04-09-2009 |
20110031323 | Water heating control system and method - The water heating control system and method tracks, monitors and controls energy consumed by systems and/or equipment including, but not limited to, hot water, HVAC, pools, and spas. The system and method controls a given device by utilizing historical and real-time information collected from a system of similar devices at the same and similar locations, as inputs to control processes which, utilizing the blended real-time and historical data, improve device management, including energy savings and maintenance of the entire system of devices over time. | 02-10-2011 |
20110062248 | Programmable Water Heater Thermostat Controller - A programmable water heater thermostat controller that attaches over the temperature control unit of existing gas or electric water heaters. The user programs the temperature of water required at different times of the day. A microcontroller then compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using an electric motor. If vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting. | 03-17-2011 |
20130214052 | EASY-T0-ADJUST WATER HEATER - The present invention discloses an easy-to-adjust water heater, which comprises a body provided with a heating device, and a wired control box connected with the body through wire for controlling the working state of the heating device; the wired control box is provided with a temperature increasing button, a temperature decreasing button and a water heater switch button on the surface thereof. The wired control box of the water heater according to the present invention is configured outside the body of the water heater via a wire connection, and used to control the working state of the heating device within the water heater. In use, the wired control box may be disposed within the bathroom, while the water heater may be disposed in a drier place outside the bathroom, the advantage of the present invention lies in allowing the user to adjust the water temperature conveniently during shower with the water heater, at the same time avoiding the use of the water heater in a wet environment. | 08-22-2013 |
20130270350 | Programmable Water Heater Thermostat Controller - A programmable water heater thermostat controller that attaches over the temperature control unit of existing gas or electric water heaters. The user programs the temperature of water required at different times of the day. A microcontroller then compares the current temperature setting against desired setting every minute and rotates the temperature control knob accordingly using a geared motor. If vacation mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the lowest temperature setting. If ‘temperature hold’ mode is chosen, then the microcontroller skips program times and keeps the temperature control knob at the same position it was in when the unit was placed in ‘temperature hold’ mode. | 10-17-2013 |
20130270351 | TEMPERATURE AND LOW WATER MONITORING FOR BOILER SYSTEMS - A dual functionality temperature control measurement and low water cutoff measurement system is taught within a single tapping to a boiler. This dual functionality combines a low water cutoff and temperature sensor into one control utilizing a sensing element suitable for use in a single existing tapping for a boiler. Independent of low water functionality, the temperature sensor is also capable of monitoring temperature as a replacement probe in an existing temperature sensor-only well. A conductive member provides a compression fit inside the probe well for thermistors, while simultaneously providing conduction with the well interior for a low water cutoff signal in a two-conductor well. | 10-17-2013 |
20130327840 | Compensating for Sensor Thermal Lag - Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a method of compensating for thermal lag in a temperature control system. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by a controller of the temperature control system. The method includes receiving a first temperature obtained by a temperature sensing device at an end of a temperature control cycle. A second temperature obtained by the temperature sensing device is received at a pre-defined time after the end of the temperature control cycle. The method includes changing an operational set-point temperature of the temperature control system using a difference between the received temperatures. | 12-12-2013 |
20140175183 | MODULAR CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WATER HEATERS - A water heating system includes a tank, one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system, and a first controller mounted on the tank. The first controller is coupled to the one or more heating elements and includes logic to activate and deactivate the heating elements according to a first threshold value. The water heater also includes a second controller that is selectively coupled to the first controller and configured to communicate the first threshold value to the first controller, and perform an additional function related to the operation of the water heater. The first controller is configured to receive the first threshold value from the second controller and control the one or more heating elements based on the received threshold value, and to control the one or more heating elements mounted on the water heating system in a physical absence of the second controller. | 06-26-2014 |
236021000 | Safety cut-out | 3 |
20170234551 | Low water sensor testing device | 08-17-2017 |
20080230617 | SAFETY AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR A DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE - The safety and control device for a domestic electrical appliance according to the present invention comprises an electronic card ( | 09-25-2008 |
20140144997 | VEHICLE ENGINE WARM-UP APPARATUS - A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the vehicle engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold. | 05-29-2014 |
236021000 | Water heater control with excessive temperature cutoff | 2 |
20170234551 | Low water sensor testing device | 08-17-2017 |
20080230617 | SAFETY AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR A DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE - The safety and control device for a domestic electrical appliance according to the present invention comprises an electronic card ( | 09-25-2008 |
20140144997 | VEHICLE ENGINE WARM-UP APPARATUS - A vehicle engine warm-up apparatus includes a vehicle engine, a heating system, a coolant temperature sensor, a coolant heater and a controller. The vehicle engine has a coolant passage defined therein. The heating system provides heat to a passenger compartment of a vehicle using heat transferred from the vehicle engine to coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant temperature sensor measures a temperature of the coolant flowing through the coolant passage. The coolant heater is configured to heat the coolant flowing through the coolant passage of the vehicle engine. The controller is configured to operate the coolant heater with the vehicle engine running to increase a rate of heating of the coolant by the vehicle engine to more rapidly make heat available to the heating system in response to determining that the coolant temperature is below a first temperature threshold. | 05-29-2014 |
236025000 | Flow controlled | 2 |
20140217187 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A WATER HEATER APPLIANCE - A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining a plurality of water temperature measurements over a period of time, determining at least one heated water draw event for the water heater appliance, and establishing a future operating schedule for the water heater appliance. The method can assist with improving energy efficiency of the water heater appliance by reducing a set temperature of the water heater appliance during time periods of limited heated water demand. | 08-07-2014 |
20140217188 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A WATER HEATER APPLIANCE - A method for operating a water heater appliance is provided. The method includes establishing a plurality of operating schedules for the water heater appliance, selecting a future operating schedule for the water heater appliance from the plurality of operating schedules, and operating the water heater appliance according to the future operating schedule. | 08-07-2014 |