Method and apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for hot water heaters

• US 6,375,087 B1
• Filed: 06/14/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Day, Paul Reuben, Theuer, Mark William
• Primary Examiner(s): Joyce, Harold
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOLES, DEREK
• Application Number:
  US09/593,874
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 237/8.A, 237/2.A, 122/448.1, 122/447, 122/507, 236/20.R, 236/21.B
• US Class Current: 237/8.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 19/1051 for domestic hot water
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1904 variable in time

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater. A plurality of user entered selections are received. Idle periods of a set time duration are detected and stored. Responsive to an idle period start time, a control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. Responsive to an idle period end time, the control temperature is set to a normal temperature. A sleep mode is automatically started responsive to idle times, and a vacation mode is automatically started responsive to an identified number of days of no water usage. In the sleep mode, the control temperature is set to a lower than normal temperature. In the vacation mode, the control temperature is set to a substantially lower than normal temperature or the water heater is turned off. The user entered selections can include a normal temperature, a sleep temperature for the idle periods, and a vacation temperature. The user entered selections can include the set time duration for idle periods and the number of days of no water usage for the vacation mode. The user entered selections can include manual overrides of idle periods, auto control and learning mode.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising the steps of:

receiving a plurality of user entered selections;

receiving an ON/OFF signal from a water meter indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater;

utilizing said ON/OFF signal to detect an idle period representing no water usage;

detecting idle periods of a set time duration;

responsive to an idle period start time, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode;

responsive to an idle period end time, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;

detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage;

automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and

responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature.

2. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein said step of detecting idle periods of said set time duration includes the steps of identifying one of a user entered selection for said set time duration or a default value for said set time duration;

and utilizing said ON/OFF signal from said water meter, detecting and storing a daily table including entries for water on, day of week and time values.

3. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 includes the steps of identifying a user entered selection of vacation mode and entering said vacation mode.

4. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 includes the step of automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature responsive to detecting water usage utilizing said ON/OFF signal from said water meter.

5. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of entering said vacation mode includes the step of setting the hot water heater off.

6. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a plurality of user entered selections includes the step of receiving said normal temperature, a sleep temperature for said idle mode and said vacation temperature for said vacation mode.

7. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a plurality of user entered selections includes the step of receiving manual overrides of selected idle periods.

8. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a plurality of user entered selections includes the steps of receiving a vacation mode start user entered selection and a vacation mode end user entered selection;

automatically entering said vacation mode responsive to said received vacation mode start user entered selection; and

automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature responsive to said received vacation mode end user entered selection.

9. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of receiving a plurality of user entered selections includes the step of receiving an ON/OFF auto control user entered selection.

10. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 1 includes the steps of processing a history table and finding idle time periods.

11. A computer-implemented method for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 10 includes the steps of moving identified idle time periods to a weekly table, said weekly table used for identifying said idle period start time and said idle period end time for said idle mode.

12. Apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater comprising:

a central processor unit;

a clock coupled to said central processor unit for sending predefined events to said central processor unit;

a user interface control coupled to said central processor unit for receiving a plurality of user entered selections;

a water meter signal indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater coupled to said central processor unit;

said central processor unit arranged for detecting idle periods of a set time duration utilizing said water meter signal to detect an idle period;

said idle period representing no water usage;

for detecting and for storing a number of idle days of no water usage;

responsive to an idle period start time, for automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode; and

responsive to an idle period end time, for automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;

responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage, for automatically entering a vacation mode and for automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and

responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, for automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature and for resetting said number of idle days of no water usage to zero.

13. Apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 12 includes a thermostat coupled to said central processor unit;

and said central processor unit applies said control temperature to said thermostat.

14. Apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 13 includes a fuel valve coupled to said thermostat, and said thermostat providing a control signal to said fuel valve, responsive to said control temperature.

15. Apparatus for self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater as recited in claim 12 wherein said central processor unit utilizes said water meter signal for detecting water usage, and responsive to detecting water usage for automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature.

16. A computer program product for implementing self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system including a central processor unit, said computer program product including a plurality of computer executable instructions stored on a computer readable medium, wherein said instructions, when executed by said central processor unit, cause the central processor unit to perform the steps of:

receiving a plurality of user entered selections;

receiving a water meter signal indicating an ON/OFF state of water into the hot water heater to detect an idle period;

said idle period representing no water usage;

detecting idle periods of a set time duration;

storing said detected idle periods in a weekly table;

responsive to an idle period start time in said weekly table, automatically setting a control temperature to a lower than normal temperature for an idle mode;

responsive to an idle period end time in said weekly table, automatically setting said control temperature to a normal temperature;

detecting and storing a number of idle days of no water usage;

automatically entering a vacation mode responsive to a predefined number of idle days of no water usage and automatically setting said control temperature to a vacation temperature; and

responsive to detecting an end of said detected no water usage, automatically setting said control temperature to said normal temperature.

17. A computer program product self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system as recited in claim 16 wherein said instructions, when executed by said central processor unit, cause the central processor unit to perform the steps of identifying a predefined user entered selection of vacation mode and entering said vacation mode.

18. A computer program product self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of detecting idle periods of a set time duration includes the step of utilizing said ON/OFF signal from said water meter, detecting and storing a daily table including entries for water on, day of week and time values.

19. A computer program product self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of automatically entering a vacation mode includes the step of setting the hot water heater to off.

20. A computer program product self-programmable temperature and usage control for a hot water heater control system as recited in claim 16 wherein the step of receiving said plurality of user entered selections includes the step of receiving said normal temperature, a sleep temperature for said idle mode and said vacation temperature for said vacation mode.