SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION, OPTIMIZATION AND DEMAND CONTROL FOR AN APPLIANCE
First Claim
1. A communication mechanism comprising:
- a smart device; and
a control device connected to an appliance; and
wherein;
control of the appliance is effected with signals between the smart device and the control device;
the control device comprises optimization software for the appliance; and
a basis for power for the appliance is selected from a group consisting of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, coal, and wood;
the optimization software comprises one or more items selected from a group consisting of reduced operating costs of the appliance, usage pattern based optimization, prognostics for performance over time, maintenance alarms, performance optimization alerts, and demand response management for load shedding; and
the appliance is a water heater.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and approach for developing a periodic water usage profile and demand for controlling a water heater. A mode may be selected for demand for a certain amount of water of a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater. Data on hot water usage may be collected and the usage profile and demand may be calculated from the data. The water heater may be programmed to operate in a certain fashion based on the usage profile and demand. A control knob may be on the water heater control to select a particular demand. Control of the water heater may be operated from a remote device connected in a wireless or wired fashion. An optimization program may be implemented in the control of the water heater for achieving one or more beneficial goals related to water heater performance and hot water production.
80 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication mechanism comprising:
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a smart device; and a control device connected to an appliance; and wherein; control of the appliance is effected with signals between the smart device and the control device; the control device comprises optimization software for the appliance; and a basis for power for the appliance is selected from a group consisting of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, coal, and wood; the optimization software comprises one or more items selected from a group consisting of reduced operating costs of the appliance, usage pattern based optimization, prognostics for performance over time, maintenance alarms, performance optimization alerts, and demand response management for load shedding; and the appliance is a water heater. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a water heater comprising:
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creating a periodic water usage profile from water usage and temperature data from a water heater with a profiling program; loading the periodic water usage profile to a control for a water heater; selecting a mode of demand, at the control for the water heater, for a certain amount of water within a particular temperature range to be available for use from the water heater; creating a learning program having an enablement option for an update of the periodic water usage profile, water temperature and mode of demand for water from the water heater; and loading the update of the periodic water usage profile, water temperature and mode of demand for water to the control for the water heater device; and wherein a basis for power for the water heater is selected from a group consisting of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, coal, and wood. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A communication system comprising:
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a control device connected to an appliance; and a control knob; and wherein; control of the appliance is effected with signals between control knob and the control device; the control device comprises optimization software for the appliance; a basis for power for the appliance is selected from a group consisting of electricity, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene, coal, and wood; the optimization software comprises one or more items selected from a group consisting of reduced operating costs of the appliance, usage pattern based optimization, prognostics for performance over time, maintenance alarms, performance optimization alerts, and demand response management for load shedding; and the appliance is a water heater. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification