Integrated appliance control system

• US 6,129,284 A
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tridelta Industries, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Adams, Donald J., Rothrock, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tanner, Harry B.
• Application Number:
  US09/398,407
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 236/21 B, 236/21 R, 236/94, 165/11.1
• US Class Current: 236/21.00R
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2005/182 Air flow switch
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2223/08 Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2223/20 Opto-coupler
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2225/04 pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2225/18 feedwater temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2225/19 outlet temperature water heat-exchanger
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/04 Prepurge
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/06 Postpurge
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/20 Calibrating devices
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/32 Igniting for a predetermined number of cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2227/38 Electrical resistance ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2229/00 Flame sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2231/20 Warning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2233/06 at the air intake
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2233/08 with variable speed
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 2235/14 electromagnetically operated
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/203 using electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: F23N 5/24 Preventing development of abnormal or undesired conditions, i.e. safety arrangements F23N5/02 - F23N5/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/104 Inspection; Diagnosis; Trial operation
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/112 Preventing or detecting blocked flues
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/128 : Preventing overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/156 : Reducing the quantity of energy consumed; Increasing efficiency
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/174 : Supplying heated water with desired temperature or desired range of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/215 : before heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/219 : after heating
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/225 : at different heights of the 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 15/35 : Control of the speed of fans
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/36 : of burners
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/395 : Information to users, e.g. alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 15/421 : using pre-stored data
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/2035 : using fluid fuel

Abstract

A fully integrated electronic appliance controller for controlling the operation of a appliance (e.g., a gas-fired water heater or boiler). The controller includes an integrated intelligent control system; enhanced safety features including an igniter current proving circuit, a flame detection circuit, a safety limit string and an energy cut-out (ECO) control; an intelligent user interface including a display unit and a communications system; and an adaptive control feature. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to receive as many as four temperature probes (e.g., thermistors). The first probe senses the water temperature at the outlet of a water heater, the second probe senses the water temperature at the inlet of the water heater, the optional third probe senses the temperature at a first location in an associated remote water storage tank, and the optional fourth probe senses the temperature at a second location in the associated remote water storage tank.

Claims

1. An energy cut-off (ECO) system operating independently of a thermostat means, for monitoring temperature conditions, and for discontinuing a source of energy in response to a malfunction condition, the system comprising:

first circuit means for generating a first reference voltage indicative of a high-limit temperature;

second circuit means including a sensing means operating independently of the thermostat means for generating an input voltage indicative of a sensed temperature;

first comparator means for comparing the first reference voltage to the input voltage temperature, and generating a first output voltage in response to the comparison; and

first switch means responsive to the first output voltage, wherein the first switch means discontinues the source of energy independently of the thermostat means, in response to the sensed temperature exceeding the high-limit temperature.

2. An energy cut-off (ECO) system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises:

third circuit means for generating a second reference voltage indicative of an open probe low-limit temperature;

second comparator means for comparing the second reference voltage to the input voltage temperature, and generating a second output voltage in response to the comparison; and

second switch means responsive to the second output voltage, wherein the second switch means discontinues the source of energy independently of the thermostat means, in response to the sensed temperature dropping below the open probe low-limit temperature.

3. An energy cut-off (ECO) system, operating independently of a thermostat means, for monitoring temperature conditions, and for discontinuing a source of energy in response to a malfunction condition, the system comprising:

first circuit means for establishing a reference value indicative of a high-limit temperature;

first sensing means operating independently of the thermostat means for providing an input temperature value indicative of a sensed temperature;

first comparator means for comparing the first reference value to the input temperature value, and generating an output value indicative of the comparison; and

first switch means response to the output value, wherein the first switch means discontinues the source of energy independently of the thermostat means, in response to the first reference temperature value exceeding the input temperature value.

4. An energy cut-off (ECO) system according to claim 3, wherein said system further comprises:

second circuit means for establishing a second reference value indicative of an open probe low-limit temperature;

second comparator means for comparing the second reference value to the input temperature value, and generating a second output value indicative of the comparison; and

second switch means response to the second output value wherein the second switch means discontinues the source of energy in response to the input temperature value being less than the second reference value.

5. An energy cut-off (ECO) system operating independently of a thermostat means, for monitoring temperature conditions, and for discontinuing a source of energy in response to a malfunction condition, comprising:

sensing means operating independently of the thermostat means for generating an input voltage indicative of a sensed temperature;

first circuit means for generating a reference voltage indicative of an open probe low-limit temperature;

first comparator means for comparing the reference voltage to the input voltage temperature, and generating an output voltage in response to the comparison; and

switch means responsive to the output voltage, wherein the switch means deactivates an associated gas valve, independent of the thermostat means, in response to the sensed temperature dropping below the open probe low-limit temperature.

6. An energy cut-off (ECO) system operating independently of a thermostat means, for monitoring temperature conditions, and for discontinuing a source of energy in response to a malfunction condition comprising:

sensing means operating independently of the thermostat means for generating an input voltage indicative of a sensed temperature;

first circuit means for establishing a reference value indicative of an open probe low-limit temperature;

first comparator means for comparing the reference value to the input temperature value, and generating a second output value indicative of the comparison; and

second switch means response to the second output value wherein the second switch means discontinues the source of energy in response to the input temperature value being less than the second reference value.