Cloud Connected Intelligent Heater/Chiller System

• US 20140371925A1
• Filed: 06/18/2014
• Published: 12/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andrew Butler
• Original Assignee: Andrew Butler
• Inventors: Butler, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US14/308,640
• Publication Number:
  US 20140371925A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 17/02 using heat pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1054 the system uses a heat pump
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 21/04 reversible
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/021 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2321/0252 by liquids or two-phase fluids
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/07 Remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/002 Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler receptacle coolers F25D31/006
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 31/005 Combined cooling and heating devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport

Abstract

An intelligent, cloud-connected heater/chiller device for water that uses a heat pump to provide heated or chilled water, is programmable by the user to set the temperature levels of the water and the desired usage times, and can also provide carbonated and filtered water.

Claims

1. A system for providing household water, comprising:

a heat pump, said heat pump capable of heating or cooling water provided by a household plumbing system;

a controller for controlling the heat pump;

at least one reservoir tank connected to the household water system downstream of the heat pump and connected to at least one water tap;

a temperature measuring device in the at least one reservoir tank connected to the controller;

a communication module connected to the controller, said communication module capable of communicating with a mobile device;

at least one mobile device capable of communicating with the communication module and with the Internet, said mobile device configured to trigger the controller to activate the heat pump to fill the at least one reservoir tank with a first quantity of water at a first temperature at a first time;

to trigger the controller to activate the heat pump to fill the at least one reservoir tank with a second quantity of water at a second temperature at a second time; and

to trigger the controller to deactivate the heat pump at a third time.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller records water usage data.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the mobile device communicates with the controller to receive water usage data, and uses the water usage data to trigger the controller in such a way as to anticipate future water usage.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a user can enter anticipated water usage data into the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device communicates this data to the controller.

5. The system of claim 1, comprising a first water tank to be used for storing water at a first temperature, a second water tank to be used for storing water at a second temperature, and a third water tank to be used for storing water at a third temperature.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein a user can preset the first temperature, second temperature, and third temperature via the mobile device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile device receives external data that it communicates to the controller, and wherein the controller uses the data to set at least one of temperature, timing, and amount of water usage.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the external data relates to weather.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the external data relates to the location of the mobile device.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the external data is provided by other apps on the mobile device.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a carbonation device.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a child-safety device, said child-safety device capable of preventing a young child from accessing very hot water.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the child-safety device is one of the following group:

a safety interlock that a young child cannot operate, a biometric device that distinguishes between adults and children.

14. A method of providing water, comprising:

sending information regarding water usage patterns from a mobile device to a controller;

using the controller to trigger a heat pump to provide a first amount of water at a first temperature at a first time;

using the controller to trigger a heat pump to provide a second amount of water at a second temperature at a second time;

storing the first amount of water in a first water tank;

storing the second amount of water in a second water tank;

providing the water to a user through a water tap connected to the first water tank and the second water tank.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises past usage patterns.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising sending information regarding water usage patterns from the controller to the mobile device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises times when a user is not at home.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises weather data.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises the location of the mobile device.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises data received from other apps on the mobile device.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises water usage preferences set by a user.

22. The method of claim 14, further comprising carbonating the water.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises weather data received from the Internet.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the information comprises data from other devices in the home.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the controller also serves as a data relay device in a mesh network.