Solid state thermostat
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling a heat source of a hot water system, comprising:
- power circuit means for selectively providing power to said heat source, said means having an ON state wherein power is provided to said heat source and an OFF state wherein power is not provided to said heat source;
means for sensing water temperature of water in said hot water system and for operating said power circuit means in said ON state when said water temperature is below a set desired temperature; and
means, operatively associated with said power circuit means, for modulating said power circuit means wherein overshoot of said water temperature above said set desired temperature is inhibited, wherein said means for modulating comprises a heat generating circuit positioned in thermal communication with said means for sensing water temperature and wherein said heat generating circuit and said means for sensing water temperature are encapsulated in a thermally conductive material, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 7 (BTU)(in)/(hr)(ft2) (°
F.).
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Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a heat source of a hot water system includes a power circuit for selectively providing power to the heat source, the power circuit having an ON state wherein power is provided to the heat source and an OFF state wherein power is not provided to the heat source; a sensor for sensing water temperature of water in the hot water system and for operating the power circuit in the ON state when the water temperature is below a set desired temperature; and elements, operatively associated with the power circuit for modulating the power circuit whereby overshoot of the water temperature above the set desired temperature is inhibited.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a heat source of a hot water system, comprising:
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power circuit means for selectively providing power to said heat source, said means having an ON state wherein power is provided to said heat source and an OFF state wherein power is not provided to said heat source; means for sensing water temperature of water in said hot water system and for operating said power circuit means in said ON state when said water temperature is below a set desired temperature; and means, operatively associated with said power circuit means, for modulating said power circuit means wherein overshoot of said water temperature above said set desired temperature is inhibited, wherein said means for modulating comprises a heat generating circuit positioned in thermal communication with said means for sensing water temperature and wherein said heat generating circuit and said means for sensing water temperature are encapsulated in a thermally conductive material, having a thermal conductivity of at least about 7 (BTU)(in)/(hr)(ft2) (°
F.). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for controlling a heat source of a hot water system, comprising:
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power circuit means for selectively providing power to said heat source, said means having an ON state wherein power is provided to said heat source and an OFF state wherein power is not provided to said heat source; means for sensing water temperature of water in said hot water system and for operating said power circuit means in said ON state when said water temperature is below a set desired temperature; and means, operatively associated with said power circuit means, for modulating said power circuit means wherein overshoot of said water temperature above said set desired temperature is inhibited; and means for remotely controlling said means for sensing to operate said power circuit means in said OFF state, wherein said means for remotely controlling comprises a low voltage circuit having a light emitting diode, and an optotransistor circuit having an optotransistor operatively associated with said light emitting diode and said means for sensing whereby application of voltage to said low voltage circuit causes said light emitting diode to emit light thereby activating said optotransistor and controlling said means for sensing to operate said power circuit means in said OFF state.
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Specification