Shut Off Protection For Hot Water Heater

• US 20100212752A1
• Filed: 02/23/2009
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Giovanni Fima
• Original Assignee: Giovanni Fima
• Inventors: Fima, Giovanni
• Application Number:
  US12/391,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20100212752A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/87.30
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/12 Preventing or detecting fluid leakage
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/136 Defrosting or de-icing; Preventing freezing
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/20 characterised by control inputs
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/215 before heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/223 in the water storage tank
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/238 Flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/242 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/31 of valves having only one inlet port and one outlet port, e.g. flow rate regulating valves
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/335 Control of pumps, e.g. on-off control control of compressors of heat pumps F24H15/38
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/36 of burners
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/37 of electric heaters
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/45 remotely accessible
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2007 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2703 Flow rate responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2708 Plural sensors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A system that shuts down water flow to a water heater of a residence or commercial building upon detecting a leak that includes first and second valves, and first and second valve actuators that operate to control the first and second valves, respectively. Preferred systems also include first and second sensors that measure the flow of water into and out from water heaters, respectively. Preferred systems further include controllers that receive signals from each of the first and second sensors. Such controllers controllably communicate with each of the first and second valve actuators to close the first and second valves, respectively, when a flow difference is detected that is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A system for shutting down water flow to a water heater, comprising:

a first valve and a second valve;

a first valve actuator that operates the first valve, and a second valve actuator that operates the second valve;

a first sensor that measures a flow of a water into the water heater, and a second sensor that measures a flow of a water out of the water heater; and

a controller that receives a signal from each of the first and second sensors, and controllably communicates with each of the first and second valve actuators.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor that detects temperature, and is disposed on the water heater.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor that detects pressure, and is disposed on the water heater.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor that detects temperature, and a fourth sensor that detects pressure, wherein each of the third and fourth sensors is disposed on the water heater.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to shut the first and second valves when the controller detects that a flow difference between flows of water into and out of the water heater is greater than a threshold flow rate.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller programmed to shut the first and second valves when the controller detects that a flow difference between flows of water into and out of the water heater occurs for greater than a threshold time period.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller programmed to shut the first and second valves when the controller detects that a flow difference between flows of water into and out of the water heater occurs for greater than a threshold amount of water.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the controller is programmed to shut the first and second valves when the pressure is greater than a threshold of a blowout valve disposed on the water heater.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is programmed to shut the first and second valves when the temperature is greater than a threshold less than 100°

C.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the controller is programmed to shut the first and second valves when the temperature is greater than a threshold less than 120°

C.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the water heater has a storage tank.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the water heater is tankless.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to interrupt a flow of gas to the water heater when the controller shuts the first and second valves.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed to interrupt electricity to the water heater when the controller shuts the first and second valves.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is user-pluggable into a power grid.

16. A method of retrofitting a tankless water heater coupled to an outlet valve, a first flow sensor, and electronics that controls flow to the water heater, and optionally having an outlet valve actuator, comprising:

providing an inlet valve that regulates a flow of water into the water heater, and an inlet valve actuator that controls the inlet valve;

providing a second flow sensor that measures the flow of water into the water heater; and

coupling the inlet valve actuator and second flow sensor with the electronics of the water heater, wherein the electronics is programmed to process signals received from the first and second flow sensors, and to shut the inlet and outlet valves when a flow difference greater than a predetermined threshold is detected.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising utilizing an embodiment of the electronics programmed to shut the inlet and outlet valves when a flow difference greater than a threshold flow rate is detected.

18. The method of claim 16, utilizing an embodiment of the electronics programmed to shut the inlet and outlet valves when a flow difference for greater than a threshold time period is detected.

19. The method of claim 16, utilizing an embodiment of the electronics programmed to shut the inlet and outlet valves when a flow difference greater than a threshold amount of water is detected.