ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an electronic controller and a computer-implemented method for a water storage system. The water storage system (10) has a storage tank (12) connected to a main energy source (24) and a main water source (14). The electronic controller (22) is provided with at least one sensor (32) to generate a sensor signal representing the state of the water in the storage tank (12). There is also an input device (38) for a user to input a command signal into the controller (22). A processor in the controller (22) receives the sensor signal, command signal, and source information relating to at least one of the main energy source (24) and main water source (14). Based on the source information and at least one of the sensor signal and the command signal, the processor controls one or more of the following aspects of the water storage system: the use of water from the main water source, the use of energy from the main energy source, the state of water in the tank, and the use of water from the tank.
57 Citations
125 Claims
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1-66. -66. (canceled)
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67. An electronic controller for a water storage system, the water storage system having a storage tank in communication with a main energy source and a main water source, the electronic controller comprising:
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at least one sensor to generate a sensor signal representing the level of water or the temperature of water in the storage tank; an input device for a user to input a command signal into the controller; and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and the input device, and adapted to receive the sensor signal and command signal, the processor also being in communication with at least one of the main energy source and main water source, the processor also being adapted to receive source information relating to one or more of (i) the cost of energy or water, (ii) a rating of energy or water efficiency and (iii) restriction(s) on the use of energy or water from the main energy source and main water source, wherein the processor is adapted to control one or more of the following aspects of the water storage system based on the source information, the sensor signal and the command signal;
the use of water from the main water source, the use of energy from the main energy source, the level or temperature of water in the tank, and the use of water from the tank. - View Dependent Claims (68, 69, 70, 71)
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72. An electronic controller for a water storage system, the water storage system having a storage tank provided with a heating device in communication with a main energy source, the electronic controller comprising:
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at least one sensor to generate a temperature signal representing the temperature of water in the tank; an input device for a user to input a command signal into the controller; and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and the input device, and adapted to receive the temperature signal and command signal, the processor also being in communication with the main energy source to receive source information relating to one or more of (i) the cost of energy, (ii) a rating of energy efficiency and (iii) restriction(s) on the use of energy from the main energy source, wherein the processor is adapted to controllably operate the heating device based on the source information, the temperature signal and the command signal. - View Dependent Claims (73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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100. An electronic controller for a water storage system, the water storage system having a storage tank connected to a main water source remote from the tank, the electronic controller comprising:
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at least one sensor to generate a level signal representing the level of water in the storage tank; an input device for a user to input a command signal into the controller; and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor and the input device, and adapted to receive the level signal and command signal, the processor also being in communication with the main water source to receive source information relating to one or more of (i) the cost of water, (ii) a rating of water efficiency and (iii) restriction(s) on the use of water from the main water source, wherein the processor is adapted to control the level of water in the storage tank based on the source information, the level signal and command signal. - View Dependent Claims (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115)
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116. A computer-implemented method of controlling a water storage system, the water storage system having a storage tank provided with a heating device in communication with a main energy source remote from the tank, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the water temperature in the tank; receiving a user command from an input device; receiving source information relating to one or more of (i) the cost of energy, (ii) a rating of energy efficiency and (iii) restriction(s) on the use of energy from the main energy source; and controlling the heating device in the tank based on the source information, the water temperature and the user command. - View Dependent Claims (117, 118, 119, 120)
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121. A computer-implemented method of controlling a water storage system, the water storage system having a storage tank connected to a main water source remote from the tank, the method comprising the steps of:
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sensing the water level in the tank; receiving a user command from an input device; receiving source information relating to one or more of (i) the cost of water, (ii) a rating of water efficiency and (iii) restriction(s) on the use of water from the main water source; and controlling the level of water in the tank based on the source information, the water level and the user command. - View Dependent Claims (122, 123, 124, 125)
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Specification